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Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has sent a message to Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Ernst Middendorp, saying football is a lonely game when wins are hard to find.

The Clever Boys mentor has led his charges to a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon at FNB Stadium, saying soccer is a cut-throat business.

Following the win over the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders, the Clever Boys seemed to have derailed the Soweto giants’ title ambitions.

“Professional football is a very lonely game if you don’t win. When you win, it is fine and everyone loves you,” Hunt told the media.

“When you don’t win, it’s bad. When you are so close, obviously to lose a game like that, it’s not easy to handle.

“On a personal level, you don’t want to see people, especially the way they [Chiefs] were on top of the log for some time, to lose it at the end. But we are in a cut-throat business.”   

In the wake of the victory through a solitary strike by Bienvenu Eva Nga, Wits moved to third spot on the log table with 49 points and have maximized their chances of lifting the title should Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns lose their remaining matches.

Chiefs and coach Pitso Mosimane’s men both have 53 points at the summit, but the Naturena-based giants enjoy an advantage based on goal difference.

However, the Braamfontein outfit can steal the lucrative crown as they could end up with 55 points from their last two games.

As Middendorp cut a lonely figure and reportedly shunned the media after their hard to swallow defeat, he was quick to lament their missed chances in his post-match analysis on television.

Meanwhile, Chiefs were consoled by the fact that the reigning PSL champions lost 1-0 to the relegation-threatened Baroka on Sunday evening at Dobsonville Stadium, leaving the title race open.

In addition, the German manager’s camp has suffered a major blow following news goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been ruled out for the end of the season.

Akpeyi collided with striker Mxolisi Macuphu, leaving the Nigerian keeper concussed and he was stretchered off just before the end of the first half at the Calabash.

Ghana international Gideon Mensah has joined Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes.

The defender, who was heavily linked to FC Porto, becomes the fourth Ghanaian at Tiago Mendes' outfit after sealing a loan transfer from Red Bull Salzburg on Monday.

The deal includes an option to buy for Vitoria at the end of the season.

"Vitoria Sport Club announces the hiring on loan of Gideon Mensah, who will be at the service of the Victorian emblem until the end of this season. It leaves Vitoria SC with a purchase option of 2.2 million euros for the international A Ghanaian," the Portuguese fold have announced on their official website.

"At 22, Gideon Mensah is one of Africa's greatest promises, having already accumulated a lot of experience in European football."

Earlier last month, Vitoria signed Ghanaian centre-back Abdul Mumin following his departure from Danish side Nordsjaelland at the end of last season.

The Conquerors already had Ghana international Alhassan Wakaso and Joseph Amoah on their books.

"I talked a lot with Mumin. We are the same age and since he arrived at Vitoria and he talked about this possibility, we talked every day," Mensah revealed.

"I wanted to know what Vitoria is like, how he was feeling and the feedback that I received was very positive in terms of the club's philosophy.

"This is an excellent opportunity to continue growing. Mumin is very happy and for me, that was very important, it made me even more motivated to come."

Last season, Mensah was out on loan at Belgian side Zulte Waregem where he made 19 league outings and scored once.

"I am a player who does all the positions on the left side, I am very offensive and I know that in the defensive moment, it cannot be easy to pass me," said the fullback.

"I am defensively combative but I like to play, I have a good relationship with the ball and I am a very attack-minded."

In November, Mensah made his first senior appearance for Ghana in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against South Africa.

He followed up with another outing in a 1-0 away victory over Sao Tome and Principe four days later. 

Former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete has urged Yanga SC and Simba SC to invest in academies in order to nurture their own stars.

Kikwete – a Yanga fan – stated the academy will help the clubs have a continuous chain of younger players joining senior teams. The fourth president of the republic also said the academy will help reduce the dependency on foreign players.

“What I can insist on is that Yanga should invest big in coming up with an academy so that you can nurture young talents,” Kikwete said during the Wiki ya Wananchi celebrations at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Azam TV.

“Bernard Morrison is a Ghanaian, Carlinhos is an Angolan and another is from Kenya. What I am simply saying is that we must invest in an academy.

“Juma Pondamali, a great footballer in his days, was nurtured from a previous academy, remember Sunday Manara, Gordian Mapango, Adolf Rishard and many more. The young men then grew and developed into great national team players. But remember they were academy products.

“This message goes to Yanga, Simba and Azam FC and all the other teams indeed. This will help you in dealing with the problem of signing expensive foreign players. We are rich in talent but we have to invest in their development.

“This will bring success but also remember you can develop further when you have good coaches.”

Simba have already revealed plans are in place to start an academy that will be based in Dar es Salaam.

Kikwete called upon Yanga to ensure they win the Mainland Premier League title after missing out on the last three occasions.

“Now I am requesting you to make a decision that you are going to fight and win the next league,” he added. “Everything is possible you won it many times in the previous years but in the last three seasons you have failed but I know you can fight and win it again.

“The power of unity that I have seen is great. You have shown you can really be hot but the greatest achievement is the tangible result of development within Yanga.”

Simba – Yanga’s archrivals – have won league titles since 2018 but despite their financial struggle in the last season, Yanga fought and finished second on the log.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ended speculation linking him with a move away from AC Milan by signing a new one-year contract.

It has been reported the new deal, which will keep the 38-year-old at San Siro until the summer of 2021, will earn him around €7 million (£6m/$8m).

"AC Milan is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement for the contract renewal of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, extending the partnership with the Rossoneri Club until 30 June 2021," the club said in a statement.

The news comes as a boost for Milan, with the club looking to continue their recent resurgence under Stefano Pioli.

Milan rose to sixth with a stunning run of form which saw them win nine and draw three of their last 12 Serie A games, having floundered in mid-table for much of the season before that point.

Ibrahimovic’s role in their improvement was clear. The Rossoneri lost just twice in the league after his arrival from the LA Galaxy in January, as he scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 18 league appearances.

He had scored 53 goals in 58 appearances during his two seasons in MLS before opting to return to Milan after previously featuring for the club from 2010-12.

That form meant Milan were desperate to keep him, but uncertainty around the club meant that when the squad returned to training ahead of the new season, Ibrahimovic wasn’t among the group.

He had been waiting for a definite agreement over his contract, and will now return to training with the rest of the squad.

Ibrahimovic was reported to be likely to leave the club if Milan had gone ahead with plans to replace Pioli with former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season, but the club’s eventual U-turn – with Pioli instead receiving a new contract of his own – apparently helped convince the striker to stay.

Milan have already seen the likes of Suso, Pepe Reina, Lucas Biglia, Ricardo Rodriguez and Giacamo Bonaventura depart the club this summer.

The Italian side will begin their Europa League campaign on September 17 with AC Milan set to visit Shamrock Rovers as part of the competition's second qualifying round. 

Roberto Calenda, a member of Victor Osimhen’s management team, has claimed prior to the Nigerian signing for Napoli, Barcelona were interested in bringing him in place of unsettled striker Luis Suarez.

The 21-year old sealed a five-year deal believed to be worth up to €80 million from Lille and will be expected to deliver, having netted 18 competitive strikes last term in France.

Osimhen made an impression by scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in an 11-0 friendly win over Italian fourth division side L’Aquila during a training camp at Castel di Sangro last Friday.

Suarez’s future at Camp Nou is currently up in the air as he is reportedly not keen to continue at the club and new Blaugrana boss Ronald Koeman does not want him.

"I usually never talk about these things, out of respect for professionalism and the club. It is right that Napoli say things as they went, they are the main players,” Calenda told Radio Marte.

“I can say that it was a well-conducted negotiation by the parties, we started from a distance. The signing took place with constant communication and we were good at keeping track of it.

“[It was a] difficult operation, Tottenham and Liverpool wanted Osimhen until the end, even Barcelona initially wanted him instead of Suarez. Napoli, however, did everything. They wanted it and took it."

However, Goal understands Barcelona were only tracking the progress of Osimhen, and he was never a real target to make a bid.

From Liverpool, Goal understands Jurgen Klopp was not interested in Osimhen because of the high price of the Nigerian. Earlier this year, the Reds were looking to strengthen their options from the bench when the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were not available. Liverpool eventually brought in Takumi Minamino in January.

Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso had previously stated that Osimhen needs time to gel with his team as he is not a Maradona kind of signing and these same thoughts were reflected by Calenda.

"The boy [Osimhen] is an exemplary professional, very serious and very serene. This is important when you get to teams where there have been players who have made football history,” he continued.

“The coach's [Gattuso] words are right: you have to wait and give him time because he comes from far away, he must adapt to our championship and our customs. But without a shadow of a doubt he has great talent and I am sure he will prove it because he has some important characteristics."

Asante Kotoko board member Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi reveals their ambition is to win the Ghana Premier League (GPL) successively.

The renowned businessman is part of a new 12 member board set up to lead the administration of the club. 

The Kumasi-based outfit, the most successful club in the history of the Premier League, are celebrating their 85th anniversary on Monday. 

"That [winning titles] is the only way we can write our names in the history books. So we are really bent on making the club great again. By the end of our term, we would have achieved something very unique," Gyamfi told Daily Graphic. 

"We have our reputations at stake and we want to achieve success, so we will tighten the screws and do things that will uplift the image of the club.

"You see Kotoko fans need only one thing, win, and to win, you need good players and you also need to motivate them. Player motivation is very important.

"We will ensure that the right thing is done to project the image of the club and then make the fans happy. So we will do whatever we have to do to win the league continuously for about three years and if we are able to win the African trophy, the excitement will come."

Kotoko have won the league title on 23 occasions, four more than archrivals Hearts of Oak. Their last league title, though, came six years ago.

The Porcupine Warriors have also won the Ghana FA Cup on nine occasions.

“Asante Kotoko is the biggest club in Ghana, no doubt. And for me, it’s the third biggest club in Africa, in structure. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of its content," new chief executive officer Nana Yaa Amponsah said at his unveiling earlier this month. 

“I am here to help the board and the entire Kotoko fraternity to match this superstructure with befitting content.

“I dare say that Asante Kotoko is bigger than [Ghana's two main political parties] NPP [New Patriotic Party] and NDC [National Democratic Congress]. Kotoko transcends boundaries. Kotoko is a culture.

“The joy this club gives its teeming supporters cannot be matched by any political party in Ghana.

"I, therefore, plead with you to give me double the support you give your individual political parties of choice, and we will make Asante Kotoko great again.

“I’m going to make sure Kotoko participate in the Fifa Club World Cup."

Kotoko have also won the Caf Champions League on two occasions.

The 2020-21 GPL is expected to commence in October.   

The 2020-21 La Liga season has ushered in a new era for Barcelona, in the wake of talisman Lionel Messi informing his club that he wants to leave .

The Catalan side has been undergoing some hardship in recent seasons, with a failure to pick up a single title in the 2019-20 season amid their hugely embarrassing exit at the hands of Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Messi's desires to leave have rocked the football world to its core, with this year set to witness the first Clasico without the Argentina striker present since before 2004 – should he depart Camp Nou.

Real Madrid will be defending their La Liga title under Zinedine Zidane, and Spain's showpiece fixture promises to be one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in football.

Goal  has what you need to know about when the Clasico will take place this season and more.

When is the next Clasico?

The first Clasico will be held on the week of October 25 at Camp Nou, with the return fixture played at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 11, 2021 .

New Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman will oversee the Blaugrana following the dismissal of Quique Setien.

Setien was dismissed following Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 Champions League destruction to Bayern Munich, and should Messi leave the club, the Catalan side is set to be a new-look team.

Last season's El Clasico in La Liga saw a draw between the two at Barcelona, with Real Madrid registering a 2-0 victory in the return leg in March.

Real Madrid were crowned winners of La Liga for the 34th time in 2020.

La Liga fixtures 2020-21: Openers, Clasicos & key dates

How to watch El Clasico

In the UK, La Liga matches will be available to watch and stream on La Liga TV, while Premier Sports and FreeSports also have rights for some games.

In the US, La Liga games will be broadcast on the beIN Sports network, which has both English language and Spanish language channels, as well as an online streaming service, beIN Sports Connect.

Ghana forward Samuel Tetteh has stated he has not given up on gracing the top leagues in Europe despite joining Major League Soccer (MLS) side New York Red Bulls.

Earlier this month, the 24-year-old sealed a transfer from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, the deal lasting until the end of the 2020 MLS season, with an option of a permanent move.

He played on loan at LASK Linz for the past two seasons.

"Of course I would want to play in the top European leagues, moving to America does not mean the end," Tetteh told Daily Graphic.

"As a professional footballer, football will take you to many places and you need to sell yourself in any league you find yourself in. So hopefully in the future I will be back in the European league but at this point in my career I must perform in America.

"Well, it was not easy at first, making a decision to come to America but a discussion with the coach and head of sport of NYRB made things easier for me, I love their idea or the plan they have for the club and also I needed a new challenge to establish my name in a different league," Tetteh said.

"It would feel good to win the MLS because that's the target and that's the main reason why I came here, so I would be excited if we win it."

Tetteh joins compatriots and internal teammates Jonathan Mensah and Harrison Afful (both of Columbus Crew) and David Accam (Nashville) in MLS.

"I have met with the coach and some staff for now but I am not allowed to train with the team because I have to be quarantined and train individually for 10 days before joining the team in regular training," the striker added.

"When I am unleashed, I hope to score and assist as many goals as I can for the club so that we can win some silverware this season."

Tetteh joined Red Bull Salzburg from Ghana Premier League side Wafa in 2016.

Lasts season, he registered seven goals and three assists in 29 Austrian Bundesliga appearances while with LASK.

The Accra-born player, who represented Ghana at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), also made six appearances in the Uefa Europa League.

New York Red Bulls currently sit sixth on the MLS Eastern Conference table after eight matches. 

Two Paris Saint-Germain players are suspected of having contracted Covid-19, the club has said.

The unnamed players remain in good health and are following protocol to minimise risk of spreading the disease, PSG say, though it is yet to be confirmed if they have it.

There have been several cases of players testing positive for Covid-19 in France in recent weeks, with Lyon star Houssem Aouar missing his team's first game of the campaign after being diagnosed while Rennes announced three confirmed cases last week.

The French national team was also hit with the news that Manchester United star Paul Pogba had tested positive, forcing the midfielder to pull out of the squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Sweden and Croatia. 

PSG have not kicked off their 2020-21 campaign yet due to their involvement in the Champions League final, which they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich on August 23.

The Ligue 1 champions will return to action on September 10 when they travel to face Lens, who are yet to collect a point after the first two rounds of the new campaign.

Nice have taken an early lead at the top of the table with six points having beaten Lens and Strasbourg, while Bordeaux, Rennes, Monaco, Nantes and Lille linger two points behind. 

After winning the domestic treble last term, PSG have been quiet in the transfer market, with Mauro Icardi the only confirmed signing after his loan from Inter was made a permanent deal.

They have, however, seen several players depart over the summer as Belgian full-back Thomas Meunier left to join Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer and Thiago Silva joined Chelsea after his contract expired.

Meanwhile, strikers Edinson Cavani and Eric Choupo-Moting were released and are yet to sign for new clubs.

Thomas Tuchel's team also saw 18-year-old prospects Tanguy Nianzou and Adil Aouchiche leave for Bayern Munich and Saint-Etienne, respectively.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Robert Nauseb says Amakhosi have to “fight and win our own battles” after another Premier Soccer League (PSL) title opportunity was thrown at them following their closest challengers Mamelodi Sundowns’ defeat by Baroka FC on Sunday.

After log leaders Chiefs were edged 1-0 by Bidvest Wits on Sunday, their title chances appeared doomed, but they survived to extend their stay at the top of the standings after second-placed Sundowns also lost a few hours later.

The result against Wits was the third defeat for Chiefs in their last four games, leaving coach Ernst Middendorp's men with goal difference separating them with Downs who also have 53 points.

“We’ve been given another chance. Now we have to use it,” Nauseb told the Kaizer Chiefs website.

“We lost, Sundowns lost… it promises to be an exciting week with two more games to go to decide who will win the league title.”

Chiefs face Chippa United in their next match on Wednesday, before they wrap-up the campaign against Baroka who upset Sundowns.

Their opponents are not safe from relegation, a situation also faced by Sundowns who will play Polokwane City and Black Leopards who are fighting to preserve their PSL status.

"The Chippa game is a six-pointer,” said Nauseb.

“The pressure at the moment is on Sundowns, although, of course, we have to fight and win our own battles.”

Nauseb has picked some of the Chiefs players he feels could be crucial in the remaining matches.

The Namibian has called for senior players to rise and lead the team to a first league title since 2015 as he also gives special mention to defender Reeve Frosler and defensive midfielder Willard Katsande.

“The senior players need to take responsibility and talk with the team to make clear what is at stake because a coach can only do so much,” Nauseb said.

“That [Frosler] boy is the most versatile player I have seen in a while, he can play on the left, on the right – he is impressing me.

“He [Katsande] is a fighter on the pitch. He gives everything, it is almost as if he has two hearts in his body, he is a true leader.”

Katsande, however, started from the bench in the defeat to Wits, a decision which drew some criticism for Chiefs coach Middendorp.

Real Sociedad have announced that David Silva has tested positive for the coronavirus as the former Manchester City star remains isolated and is currently asymptomatic.

The Spanish star recently completed his move to the club, departing Manchester City after a 10-year stay with the Premier League giants.

Silva's return to Spain came via a free transfer, with the midfielder stunning Lazio after opting to sign with Real Sociedad despite previously discussing a deal with the Italian side.

The 34-year-old midfielder has yet to join up with his team-mates for pre-season and will now remain isolated after Monday's positive test.

"Real Sociedad confirms that David Silva has tested positive in the PCR test carried out this morning at the Policlínica Gipuzkoa," the club said in a statement.

"This is the second test that the new Real Sociedad player has taken in the last 72 hours, the first of which took place on Friday in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the result was negative. 

"David Silva travelled yesterday on a regular flight to Bilbao and arrived in San Sebastián at night. This morning, the second test was carried out, as indicated in the protocol for returning to activity, the result being positive.

"During these first hours in San Sebastian, David Silva has not had the opportunity to go to Zubieta or greet his new colleagues. 

"The player is already isolated and has been asymptomatic at all times. The case has been communicated to the competent health authorities."

Silva says that he has set his sights on winning silverware with Real Sociedad following his switch from Manchester City, as he hopes to help the club challenge the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

During his time at Manchester City, Silva won four Premier League titles, the EFL Cup five times and the FA Cup twice as he became a key figure during a golden era for the club.

Silva featured 40 times during the most recent campaign, firing six goals in what ended up being his final season in the Premier League.

Real Sociedad finished sixth in La Liga in the 2019-20 campaign, though they won just two of their 11 fixtures following the restart.

Herbert Mwachiro was among the four Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirants who presented their nomination papers to the Electoral Board on Monday.

However, he has pointed out the flaws in the entire process and has also explained the action taken to ensure some issues are rectified. 

"I'd like to focus on the unnecessarily long dispute resolution process surrounding the election of the new officials of the FKF due to the total disregard of the rulings of the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) a constitutionally mandated organ with quasi-judicial powers," read part of the statement obtained by Goal.

"It is unfortunate that the same resolutions by the SDT touching on the integrity of the electoral process have not been adhered to. 

"I have applied to be enjoined as an interested party in the SDT appeal case... Prior to this, I have joined other stakeholders in issuing press statements and I also submitted a petition to the National Assembly, awaiting its consideration when they return from recess."

Nevertheless, the former FKF deputy CEO has clarified why he submitted his nomination papers to the Board instead of snubbing it until everything is put in order.

"I have consulted delegates across the country, my campaign team, my fellow competitors and my family on whether I should submit my nomination papers despite what has clearly been a flawed process," Mwachiro added.

"I have received unanimous backing from all the aforementioned parties with the delegates categorically stating that they would want to have options on the ballot to exercise their right to choose and to give reform a chance." 

Former Tusker FC and Kenya defender Harold Ndege accompanied him as his running mate.

Others who presented their nomination papers include Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda, journalist Bonface Omondi and his running mate Innocent Mutiso. Former AFC Leopards chairman Dan Mule also presented his papers. Incumbent Nick Mwendwa had submitted his nomination papers earlier and there was no need to repeat the same.

Top candidates Sam Nyamweya, Nicholas Musonye, Sammy Shollei, and Twaha Mbarak opted not to take part.

They have since revealed they will hold a presser over the same on Tuesday, September 1. 

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar claims South African football owners have no guts to hire him, saying the bosses don’t want him to work in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The retired goalkeeper recently revealed his interest to manage Kaizer Chiefs, explaining he has been in touch with chairman Kaizer Motaung, but football manager Bobby Motaung is the one picking the coaches for the Soweto giants.

Moreover, the former netminder alleges he is not wanted in South Africa because of his honesty, but insisted he would love to come back to the 2010 Fifa World Cup hosting nation.

"They don't want me there because I'm too honest," Grobbelaar told On The Whistle podcast as quoted by BBC Sport.

"And if there's anything that goes wrong, I'll take them straight to the courtroom. Because it's happened before and they know who they are."

The 62-year-old played in South Africa early in his career with Highlands Park and Durban City, he also assisted a number of clubs following his retirement from the game.

"South Africa, I'd love to come back there, but it depends if these owners have got balls to get Bruce Grobbelaar back for their team," he added.

On the other hand, the former Reds shot-stopper also touched on his court battles with reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns as well as SuperSport United.

"I took them to court and got paid out the rest of my contract at SuperSport and that is contrary to what rumours are in South Africa that I was fired," continued the legend.

In his response, Matsatsantsa CEO Stan Matthews refused to shed light on why the legend parted ways with the club in 2001.

"Bruce had a great chapter in our history saving us from a serious relegation threat and that's the part our club chooses to focus upon," Matthews responded.

Born in Durban, Grobbelaar also opened up signing a pre-contract with Masandawana where he was set to take over as the new head coach under the leadership of Natasha Tsichlas, saying he dragged the club to court for breaching the agreement.

In addition, the former Zimbabwe national team goalkeeper has also worked for Canadian club Ottawa Fury FC as goalkeeper coach between 2014 and 2018.

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will miss the final two games of the season with an injury. 

The Nigeria international suffered a head injury in Amakhosi's 1-0 loss to Bidvest Wits on Sunday, and he was replaced by Bruce Bvuma. 

According to the club's medical team, Akpeyi suffered a concussion and will continue to be monitored by the medical team throughout his recovery process.

"Daniel Akpeyi suffered a concussion on Sunday against Wits. He is ruled out for the next two matches. The medical team will continue monitoring his recovery process. We wish him a speedy recovery," said the club in a statement.

His injury is seen as a massive blow to Amakhosi's title hopes after playing a pivotal role in helping the club sit at the top of the standings for over a year now. 

Akpeyi has featured in 25 of Chiefs' 28 league games, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding 23 goals.

He has come under fire with the club supporters in recent weeks after conceding eight goals in five games for Chiefs. 

Akpeyi's injury could see the return of Itumeleng Khune who hasn't been in the matchday squads since the resumption of the season. 

In Khune's absence, Ernst Middendorp opted for Bruce Bvuma as his second-choice goalkeeper. 

But with Amakhosi desperate to win their remaining two matches to stand any chance of lifting the coveted PSL trophy. 

As things stand, the Soweto giants are only top of the table due to a superior goal difference to second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Both teams are tied on 53 points with only two matches to go, and Middendorp needs his tried and tested players to do the job for him. 

The German is under pressure to deliver the league title and he is likely to succumb to calls to bring back Khune before it is too late.  

Khune only featured twice in the league for the club while he also made two appearances in the Nedbank Cup where Chiefs eventually lost to Highlands Park on penalties.

He is still regarded as the club's No.1 despite his lack of game of time under Middendorp this season. 

David Silva says his sights are firmly set on winning silverware with Real Sociedad following his switch from Manchester City. 

The 34-year-old, who won four Premier League titles, the EFL Cup five times and the FA Cup twice during his time with City, agreed terms on a two-year deal with the Basque club earlier this month. 

Sociedad finished sixth in La Liga in the 2019-20 campaign, though they won just two of their 11 fixtures following the restart.

Silva, though, has seen enough to suggest his new side could challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for honours in the coming seasons 

"I'm really excited to get started here and meet my new team-mates and the club staff," he told a media conference.

"The team is playing some great football and I hope to add to that here and have some great years at the club.

"I have high expectations in terms of the football we'll be playing and I think we can compete for silverware.

"I'll be an important part of the team and in this case, because of my experience, I'll help the younger players as well.

"I've been lucky enough to win a lot of things in my career, I'm very competitive and I'm going to try and do the same here because that's why I've been brought in."

Silva, who has played for Valencia, Eibar and Celta Vigo in his home country, acknowledged Sociedad's place in next season's Europa League was a motivating factor in his decision to join the club.

"Of course, after so many years playing in Europe, you want to continue doing that," he explained.

"I also came because I like the style of football the team plays. I also came for the relaxed way of life here which I was already familiar with having lived in the Basque Country years ago."

Silva had previously been linked with a move to Lazio, with the news of his signing with Sociedad irking those in charge at Stadio Olimpico.

Club director Igle Tare said in a press release: “I learn about David Silva's transfer to Real Sociedad. I have great respect for the playernot for the man.”

Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman says that it is unlikely he will return to Paris Saint-Germain any time soon due to Neymar's presence at the club.

Coman came through the PSG academy as a youngster before departing the Ligue 1 giants to join Juventus in 2014.

He made 20 appearances in his one full season with the Italian side and then made the move to Bayern Munich, initially on loan before a permanent deal was struck in 2017.

Coman ended up being the hero of Bayern's Champions League final triumph over his former club, firing the lone goal in the second half to lead the German side to a 1-0 victory over PSG.

The winger admitted that he felt "sick" for his former club following the finale, although he was also just as thrilled to play a part in securing a title for Bayern.

Despite his admiration for PSG, Coman says he has no intentions of returning to his boyhood club as the Ligue 1 champions already have Neymar starring on the left wing.

"It's complicated. If Neymar is on the left. No, it's almost impossible. Paris is not in my career plans," Coman told Telefoot. 

"I have maybe eight to 10 years at a high level, so we can't close the door. In my head, there are memories of childhood. There is a little less good, but I kept the good memories of my time at PSG. "

He added: “PSG will always be my favourite club. But, for me, it was the right decision to leave and maybe if I hadn't left I might not have won this Champions League. 

"I didn't make an easy choice, but I always thought that, with my qualities, I could play for a big club."

Coman featured 38 times for Bayern this season, scoring eight goals in all competitions as the club cruised to another Bundesliga title while securing a historic treble.

He will face increased competition for a place in the team this season, though, following Leroy Sane's arrival from Manchester City.

The German winger made the move to Munich for a  €60 million (£55m/$67m) fee, signing a five-year deal with the club in the process.

Ivan Rakitic will leave Barcelona to make a return to Sevilla this week after reaching an agreement with the club over a contract, Goal understands.

The Croatian midfielder will sign a two-year deal with an option for a third that will see him earn €3 million (£2.7m/$3.6m) per season, a significant cut in his salary from the €8m (£7m/$9.6m) he earned in his final year at Camp Nou.

Rakitic spent three years with Sevilla and made 149 appearances in all competitions, winning the 2013-14 Europa League before making the switch to the Catalan giants in 2014.

After a successful six years with the Blaugrana, in which he lifted four La Liga and Copa del Rey titles as well as a Champions League crown and the Club World Cup, he will return after the two clubs came to an agreement over a nominal fee.

Just three weeks ago, Sevilla sporting director Monchi dismissed the club's chances of bringing Rakitic back to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this summer, saying: "It looks difficult to me, if not impossible. It is so complicated economically that I do not see it."

The 32-year-old has made no secret of his affinity for the Andalusian side, however, and even celebrated their recent Europa League final victory by jumping into his swimming pool fully clothed during an interview.

He had previously been linked with a transfer to Juventus before reports of a possible move back to Sevilla emerged in recent months, but the former Schalke star said as recently as June that he would remain at Barca, where he had one year left on his contract.

Meanwhile, Sevilla have also reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Yassine Bono on a permanent basis from Girona for a €4m (£3.6m/$4.8m) fee.

The 29-year-old spent last season on loan at Julen Lopetegui's team and made 18 appearances in all competitions, including 10 in the Europa League.

The ex-Atletico Madrid player had one season left on his deal at Girona but has committed to a four-year contract with Sevilla.

As well as lifting the Europa League title with a 3-2 victory over Inter, Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga last season.

AC Milan have been drawn against Irish minnows Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League, while Tottenham have been handed a tie against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

The second round of qualifying will kick off on September 17, with all fixtures set to be played in a straight knockout format behind closed doors amid the continued threat of coronavirus.

In the tie of the round, Milan will travel to Dublin to take on Republic of Ireland-based Rovers, who set up the glamour encounter by beating Finnish club Ilves on penalties in the previous round.

The Rossoneri were excluded from the competition last term due to Financial Fair Play breaches, but secured sixth place in Serie A to return to the continental stage under Stefano Pioli.

Elsewhere, Spurs will come up against Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria, as Jose Mourinho bids to bring to an end to the club's 12-year wait for major silverware.

The Lilywhites missed out on Champions League football for the first time in five years after finishing sixth in the Premier League last term, but will be expected to reach the latter stages of Europe's second-tier competition.

Scottish giants Rangers, currently helmed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, will also be competing in the Europa League in 2020-21, with their first qualifying encounter coming against Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar.

Rangers' arch-rivals Celtic will join the competition at the next stage, having been knocked out of the Champions League at home by Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros in embarrassing fashion earlier this month.

Two more Scottish clubs are scheduled to join the Gers in the second qualifying round, with Aberdeen set for an away clash against Viking of Norway while Motherwell are due to face Coleraine from Northern Ireland.

The draw for the third round of qualifying for the Champions League also took place on Monday, as Celtic's conquerors Ferencvaros were rewarded with a tie against Dinamo Zagreb.

Benfica will take on PAOK. Jorge Jesus' side will head to Thessaloniki on September 15 or 16 to face the team that knocked out Turkish club Besiktas in the previous round.

Eredivisie side AZ face a visit to Dynamo Kiev, Gent will play Rapid Vienna, Qarabag take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's former side Molde, Red Star Belgrade visit Omonia Nicosia and Maccabi Tel-Aviv host Dinamo Brest.

Swiss champions Young Boys head to Denmark to face Midtjylland.

Emmanuel Dennis has expressed his delight after helping Club Brugge secure a 2-1 victory over Genk in Sunday’s Belgian First Division A game.

The 22-year-old forward was handed a starting role in the encounter and grabbed an assist to help Philippe Clement’s side secure all three points.

The Nigeria international set up Hans Vanaken to open the scoring with only 22 minutes into the encounter.

Theo Bongonda levelled proceedings for Genk before 18-year-old Senegalese forward Youssouph Badji scored the winning goal.

 “Clearly I'm happy that we grabbed the three points,” Dennis told the club website.

“With all the negative criticisms we have been given in the past week, we were extra motivated to claim the full points. And we succeeded, so you can only be happy about that.

“Also with the fact that we managed to really bring pain to Genk, particularly in the first half. We really should have scored more than once, I believe.

“Fortunately Hans was really well-positioned to head in one of my crosses from the wing, offering us a 1-0 lead as we headed for the dressing room.”

Dennis came close to scoring a goal of his own but was unable to connect with Badji’s cross and hopes his side can continue with the impressive performances when they take on Waasland-Bevere on September 12.

"That's right, I came inches close to tapping in that 0-2, but in all honesty, that cross was really hard which was probably why I came so close," he added. 

“We now need to bring that same energy to our next home game. Let's hope we can be cheered on by a couple of thousand fans, we really do miss them. Football without supporters, it really stinks, man.”

Dennis has been with Club Brugge since the summer of 2017 when he teamed up with the side from Ukrainian Premier League club Zorya Luhansk.

The forward has made 71 league appearances for the Luminus Arena outfit, scoring 19 goals amid other dazzling displays.

Dennis, who has two caps for Nigeria, will hope to continue his eye-catching performances in Belgium for a chance to enjoy regular call-up to the Super Eagles.