Looking for Soccer News?

Inter have probably already begun attempts to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona, former president Massimo Moratti says.

The Nerazzurri have been touted as one of the clubs most likely to try to sign the Argentina star if he chooses to leave Camp Nou.

Messi is said to be giving his future serious consideration after a disappointing season that ended with an 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.

That loss has seen plenty of change at Barcelona with Ronald Koeman replacing Quique Setien as manage r while sporting director Eric Abidal has been dismissed.

Moratti, Inter president between 1995 and 2013, thinks a recent television advert by club owners the Suning group - featuring a silhouette of Messi projected onto Milan's Duomo cathedral - is a sign they are keen to bring the player to San Siro.

"It's not a simple operation economically, that's clear. But the biggest obstacle is Messi's intentions," Moratti told AS.

"You have to understand if he really wants to leave Barca. I'm not clear on that.

"I imagine Inter have already tried [to sign him]. I've seen the Suning advert with the Argentine's silhouette on the Duomo and this makes me think an initiative has already been taken.

"If not, I think they will do so soon."

Inter are certainly not short on attacking firepower, with Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez having scored a combined 55 goals in all competitions in 2019-20.

Moratti has been particularly impressed with how quickly Lukaku has settled since leaving Manchester United last year.

"I honestly didn't expect such a high level of performance," he said. "He's proven to be an intelligent lad, who has adapted very well to Italian football, exceeding all expectations. I like him."

On Martinez, who is said to be a prime Barca target, he added: "The Argentine has incredible potential. He's a talent. He's showing really good things now but he's going to explode even more."

Inter finished second in Serie A this season, just one point behind Juventus as the Scudetto once again found its way to Turin.

In addition, Inter also made it to the Europa League final, but fell short against tournament regulars Sevilla in a 3-2 defeat.

Louis van Gaal revealed that he wanted to sign Neymar, Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane, among others, during his time at Manchester United.

The Dutch manager replaced David Moyes as Man Utd boss in 2014 and was in charge at Old Trafford for two seasons.

Despite winning the FA Cup in 2015-16, Van Gaal was dismissed by the club, who instead turned to Jose Mourinho.

Having been out of management ever since, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss revealed that he tried to bring some major stars to Manchester during his time with the club, although he was unsuccessful with most. 

“I wanted Robert Lewandowski, but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead," he told FourFourTwo.

“Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big.

“He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.

“Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N’Golo Kanté.

“I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multi-functional and possessed leadership skills.

“For the defence, I wanted Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn’t the strongest in building from the back.”

Van Gaal, who revealed that Daniel Levy and Tottenham missed a chance to hire him prior to his Man Utd tenure, also revealed that he previously had talks with Liverpool over a sporting director role.

The Dutchman was never considered for a managerial role at Anfield, although he did meet with former Liverpool executive Ian Ayre to discuss a potential role before returned for his second stint as Netherlands national team boss  in 2012.

"Yes, their managing director [Ayre] came over to Portugal where I have a house, and we held lengthy talks – he even stayed on to have dinner," he said.

“After he left, though, I never actually heard anything again. I don’t imagine he would have come out to Portugal if they weren’t serious about it, but later I heard I was apparently too arrogant or something. I don’t know.”

Louis van Gaal says he was very close to taking over at Tottenham in 2014 as the Dutch manager revealed that he only ended up at Manchester United because Daniel Levy "blew the chance" by waiting too long to offer him a contract.

At the time, Van Gaal was nearing the end of his time managing his native Netherlands, while Tottenham were on the hunt for a new coach following Tim Sherwood's tenure.

The Dutch boss was heavily linked with the job, with Van Gaal admitting that he met with Levy to discuss the job and was open to the idea of joining Spurs.

However, as talks delayed, United came in with an offer to take over as David Moyes' successor.

In the end, Spurs' delay allowed Man Utd to swoop for Van Gaal, although Tottenham ended up doing just fine as they hired Mauricio Pochettino that year.

"Daniel Levy flew into Holland with a private jet and came to my house, where we spoke for several hours," Van Gaal told FourFourTwo.

"He even stayed on to watch the Southampton-Spurs match later that afternoon [which Spurs won 3-2]. He asked for my thoughts about that game, so that was a kind of test as well.

"When Levy wanted to leave in the evening, I noticed there were TV cameras outside my house. A Dutch broadcaster had heard that he was in Holland, and guessed he would be here for me.

"As we wanted to keep it quiet, I called my neighbour to ask whether he could take him away in his car. As they did, with Levy hiding in the back seat, I opened my front door and approached the reporters to ask what they were doing.

"It worked out very well – they were taken by surprise. As a coach, timing is everything! But it took Spurs a long time to make a firm offer, and United approached me in the meantime. They acted far quicker.

"I also liked the idea of going there, to coach the number one club in England – just like I had done before in Holland, Spain and Germany. If Spurs had come with a concrete offer earlier on, I’d have signed for them.

"Spurs were actually a club I liked when I was younger, as I was a big fan of Jimmy Greaves. I told Levy that as well, but he blew the chance by waiting so long."

Van Gaal went on to manage Man Utd for two seasons, winning the FA Cup in 2015-16 before being sacked days later.

In the years since his departure, Wayne Rooney has called Van Gaal "the best coach I have worked with" and, despite the unceremonious end to his tenure, the manager says he takes pride in having earned the forward's praise.

"Those things were really great to read," Van Gaal said. "I’ve also been a very demanding coach, so if players still say those things about me, it’s particularly nice.

"I gave Wayne the captaincy to keep him within the team’s discipline and code of conduct, which he struggled with on occasions. A new period was dawning and he was one of the older players, so I thought that it could have a positive influence on him. And he was an outstanding player, of course."

Ronaldinho is free to return home to Brazil after five months living under house arrest in Paraguay with his brother, Roberto Assis.

The pair were arrested in Paraguay in early March after using false passports to enter the country.

In April, they were released from prison after lawyers posted a $1.6 million (£1.3m) bail on their behalf, and they were placed under house arrest in a hotel in Asuncion to await trial.

The pair had faced up to five years behind bars if convicted.

Both brothers have pleaded guilty to entering the country with fake passports as part of the agreement. Ronaldinho has paid a fine of $90,000, while Assis has been fined $110,000.

While Assis will now have a criminal record in Paraguay, Ronaldinho will not.

Assis is not permitted to leave Brazil for two years, and must periodically present himself to Brazilian authorities in Rio de Janeiro during that 24-month span.

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG star is now free to return to Brazil and reports claim that he can leave at any time if he makes officials aware of how long he will be out of the country.

Ronaldinho and Assis were initially detained after producing the fake documents having travelled to Paraguay to take part in a number of promotional events.

They spent 32 days in the maximum security Agrupacion Especializada prison after being arrested at the Resort Yacht and Golf Club Paraguay.

Ronaldinho said during a televised interview in late April that he and his brother has not realised their passports were not legal at the time.

He told Paraguayan network ABC Color: “We were totally surprised to learn that the documents were not legal. Since then our intention has been to collaborate with the justice system to clarify the facts.

“From that moment until today, we have explained everything and facilitated everything that has been requested of us.

“It was a hard blow, I never imagined that I would go through such a situation. All my life I have sought to reach the highest professional level and bring joy to people with my football.”

Videos of Ronaldinho taking part in a series of prison football matches went viral at the time, but friends and family spoke of the toll the experience had taken on the 40-year-old.

“Ronaldinho is not happy at all," former Paraguay international Nelson Cuevas told CNN Radio in March after visiting his friend in prison.

"What distinguishes him is his smile, his good energy, his way of being but today, due to the situation he is going through, that smile is lost because he is in prison which is a place he is not accustomed to.”

OGC Nice manager and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira believes his club will be more dangerous in subsequent Ligue 1 games with the help of Amine Gouiri.

The 20-year-old officially opened his account for Les Aiglons in a 2-1 win over newly-promoted RC Lens on Sunday. The French Riviera side started from behind after former Chelsea winger and DR Congo international Gael Kakuta gave Lens the lead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot before Gouiri first equalised in the 23rd minute and then bagged the winner with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Gouiri became the youngest-ever Nice player to score a brace on his debut in 70 seasons and the first of any Nice player to do so since Mario Balotelli did vs his former club Marseille on September 11, 2016.

All of these have led Vieira into asserting how important Gouriri will be in the games to come especially his partnership with Danish forward Kasper Dolberg.

“Amine confirmed what he's shown since he arrived here. He's ambitious, wants to improve and gives himself the means to succeed,” Vieira said on the club website.

“His work paid off. He's not a winger who's going to stay wide. He likes to get on the ball and play between the lines. His relationship with Kasper [Dolberg] is important for us, even if it didn't work. They speak the same language. We'll be more dangerous in the coming games."

Lens boss Franck Haise did not pay too much attention to the defeat but was simply happy to be playing top-flight football. He explained why Ivorian forward Seko Fofona and Mali and former Newcastle United left-back Massadio Haidara were absent from the tie.

“I didn't think too much about this premiere. A few months ago, I was a coach in National 2 and today I’m in Ligue 1. I am lucky to be at the top level in a club like Lens. With the staff we work every day to best support the players,” Haise said.

“Seko Fofana had a little muscle alert at the end of the last workout. We did not want to rush his return. Massadio Haidara had post-session discomfort. We saw a little something on the ultrasound, not very bad. It required a few days of rest."

Cercle Brugge coach Paul Clement has revealed that new signing and on-loan Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo is still lacking match fitness even after scoring on his debut in a 3-2 win over KV Mechelen on Saturday.

The Green and Blacks started on the back foot with William Togui giving Mechelen the lead in the 37th minute. Ugbo went on to equalise in the 54th minute before Dino Hotic made it 2-1 not long after. Aster Vranckx then levelled it up for Mechelen until Thibo Somers popped up with the winner 10 minutes from time.

Clement – who had an influence in bringing Ugbo from Stamford Bridge, had nothing but praise for the Anglo-Nigerian. He did assert that Ugbo should have started from the bench had it not been for an injury to Congo forward Guy Mbenza.

"It is good for him that he can make a new start, with a good goal,” the former Swansea City boss said as per Voetbalkrant.

"He is a good attacker, you can see how he runs to the first post when he scored. He is still a bit behind in fitness. It is good that he has already had sixty minutes in his legs. Normally Mbenza would play and would start Ugbo on the bench.

"Mbenza has an injury to his pelvis, that became clear on Friday. He had some irritation and we had a scan. It's nothing too serious, but he will be out for a while."

Ugbo says he wants to gain confidence and has noted that his speed which was a major highlight during the game is something he works on constantly.

"It was only my first game. I want to help the team and I will immediately gain confidence,” he said.

"I work on that all the time. I'm always ready to take a sprint. You won't always get to the ball, but you have to make that effort."

Ugbo also says he is keen to continue playing outside England having featured for Roda JC in the Netherlands last term.

"No reason in particular. I just wanted to keep learning at the highest level outside of England."

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says Bayern Munich has an exemplary philosophy which other clubs across the globe would like to emulate on the back of winning their sixth European crown with a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Sunday.

The Bavarian giants triumphed thanks to French star Kingsley Coman’s 59th minute. It was a bitter blow for PSG who were reaching their first final among Europe’s elite, parading a fearsome attacking trio of Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Rohr – who played for Bayern from 1972 to 1974 is of the opinion that such experience will help PSG grow stronger and give them a better shot at lifting the trophy next time.

“Of course. Experience is very important. Hardly ever a club that arrived for the first time in the Champions League final has won the cup so it would have been a surprise for PSG,” Rohr told France Bleu.

“And here too we had to recognise the superiority of Bayern. They are used to big meetings. It is an exceptionally structured club, led by former great players and still able to honour the old ones. I think it's a club that has an exemplary philosophy. Lots of clubs around the world would like to be like them.”

Rohr went on to share his thoughts on how the game panned out and stated that Bayern deservedly won the game and had Manuel Neuer to thank for keeping out the threats of PSG.

“It was a good game, a suspenseful final with two teams that were technically at the top level. With a Bayern which, true to its philosophy, had the ball, the possession and the chances and managed, thanks to his goalkeeper, to keep his clean sheet,” Rohr continued.

“The best team won. Paris Saint-Germain tried to the end and weren't ridiculous at all. Obviously, I'm happy, as a former Bayern player, to see that my friend Hans-Dieter Flick was rewarded and was able to lift the cup. I think it is well deserved.

“In the second half, there was a physical but also technical and tactical stranglehold on the side of Bayern who mastered their subject. More than 62% possession, more shots on goal, more attacks. These statistics prove that it is the best team which won even if with its individualities, Paris could have scored a goal. But the best individuality was Manuel Neuer, the Bayern goalkeeper, who stopped everything.”

Jurgen Klopp says Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick could hardly have achieved more in his short time at the club – but suggested the Bundesliga side were lucky to win the Champions League.

Bayern’s Champions League final win over Paris Saint-Germain was their 21st consecutive victory in all competitions, a stunning run which saw them clinch a historic treble.

Liverpool manager Klopp says Bayern have world-class players in every position, but he also thinks they got a helping hand from the Bundesliga schedule.

"It is difficult to write more history in eight months," Klopp told ZDF of Flick.

But he added that the German side were "a little lucky that, amid all the chaos with schedules, their schedule was best suited to the Champions League.”

The German top flight was the first of the top five European leagues to return from coronavirus suspension, meaning Bayern had more than a month between their DFB-Pokal final win over Bayer Leverkusen and their Champions League thrashing of Chelsea.

Reigning champions Liverpool were already out by the time the competition was suspended but by way of comparison, Chelsea only had a week to prepare for their game with Bayern after losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal.

Beaten finalists PSG, meanwhile, never finished their league season but warmed up for the Champions League with Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue final wins.

Despite what could be seen as a slight dig from the former Borussia Dortmund manager, Klopp was happy to admit that Bayern are "at the moment definitely one of the absolute, absolute top teams” in the world.

“[They are] sensationally well equipped,” he said. “They have absolute world-class players in every position, and all at the right age.”

Bayern appointed Flick as manager following the sacking of Niko Kovac in November last year.

They had just been beaten 5-1 by Kovac’s former side Eintracht Frankfurt and were fourth in the Bundesliga, but Flick oversaw a remarkable change in fortunes.

Initially appointed as caretaker manager, he was given the job on a permanent basis in April and will now be looking to kick on to even more success in 2020-21.

His extraordinarily dominant side will return to action in the new season bolstered by the arrival of Leroy Sane, with many suggesting that Bayern’s young squad could be ready to dominate Europe in the coming years.

Former Ghana skipper Stephen Appiah has urged ex-Black Stars and Leeds United striker Anthony Yeboah to reconsider his decision to stay away from domestic football administration.

The erstwhile Eintracht Frankfurt frontman has been away from the scene since selling off his football club Yegoala FC in 2014, an outfit named by his popular nickname during his playing days.

“It’s sad that he is no longer interested in football. When I was made Black Stars captain [in 2002], he was the second person I called," Appiah told Asempa FM.

“I want to thank him for everything he has done for football but he shouldn’t get out of the game.

"I’m begging him not to follow the criticism but offer his support to the sport."

Yeboah set up Yegoala FC after hanging up his boots. The club played in the Ghana lower divisions, struggling to break through to the Premier League (GPL).

"I stopped involving myself in Ghana football because I was not ready to ruin my hard-earned reputation," Yeboah told Asempa FM.

"We need to protect the game because most of these players, it's all they have.

"I live a peaceful life since I withdrew from doing football in Ghana and it was a good decision I took.

"If I didn't stop doing football in Ghana, I would have been forced to be corrupt because almost all the clubs were paying bribes to referees and so nobody was ready to listen to my cry.

"The reason why I stopped doing football in Ghana was that the officiating officials were maltreating my team because I was not ready to pay the bribe."

Yeboah featured for Ghana at three Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments, including the 1992 edition where the Black Stars finished as runners-up.

"I once told a referee in an away game to officiate fairly but to my surprise, he asked if I was a novice in Ghana's league," Yeboah was quoted as saying by Agyenkwa FM in 2018.

"Some of my players used to come to inform me about referees' [requests] for bribes [in order for us to] continue to be in the league.

"But I told the players to play with their strength. If I didn't quit, I would have fallen victim of bribery allegations."

With 24 goals, Yeboah was until June Ghana's all-time top scorer in the English Premier League when his record was broken by Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew. 

The 2020-21 club season is about to get underway, and the U.S. Men's National Team gearing up for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers next June as international soccer nears a return.

The team's failure to qualify for the 2018 edition in Russia was seen as a major humiliation, but a few years on and with a clutch of fresher, more promising talents in the squad, the USMNT will be hoping to right a lot of their past wrongs.

Qualification games for the 2022 World Cup won't begin until next summer, but the USMNT camp will be keen to get preparations started as soon as possible, beginning with a few friendlies.

After seeing a majority of the 2020 schedule cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. i looking to line up some non-competitive games to boost up squad fitness this fall.

But due to the ongoing threat of Covid-19- with the United States sporting the highest number of cases and deaths in the world - some complications will likely be faced with organizing friendlies, especially when American citizens are faced with international travel bans around the world.

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, however, is optimistic of arranging friendlies at some point this fall.

“Right now we’ve been focused on trying to compete in the United States, trying to find a safe environment where we could play games," he said according to Yahoo Sports.

"We’ll switch focus in November and try to play two high-level games in Europe. I’d expect a domestic-based side for October and a European-based side for November.”

The USMNT will kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in June 2021, but not before they face off against Honduras in the Nations League semi-final next March.

The USMNT's last game was a 1-0 friendly against Costa Rica in February.

Victor Moses has described Inter Milan’s 3-2 defeat to Sevilla as devastating after they gave their all in the Uefa Europa League final.

The former Nigeria international came on as a 78th-minute substitute on Friday as Antonio Conte's men bowed to the Spanish outfit at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Romelu Lukaku got Inter Milan off to a flying start from the penalty spot in the fifth minute but Luuk de Jong's double within 20 minutes turned the game around for Sevilla.

Diego Godin drew the Nerazzurri level in the 35th minute but Romelu Lukaku's own goal in the 74th minute sealed the five-goal thriller for Sevilla and secured their sixth Europa League title.

Moses who joined Inter Milan on a short-term loan from Chelsea in January, was hoping to end his temporary stint in Italy with a trophy after he helped them finish second in the Serie A this season, behind Juventus.

“Devastated to lose the final on Friday. We gave everything but it just wasn’t to be,” Moses wrote on Instagram. “Thank you so much to all of the fans for your amazing support for the team during the season.”

Moses contributed three assists in 20 games for Inter Milan in the second-half of the 2019-20 season, which include 15 Serie A appearances.

Prior to his move to Italy in January, the 29-year-old spent the first-half of the season on loan in Turkey with Fenerbahce but he was restricted to first-team action.

Inter Milan have the option to make Moses' stay permanent with his Chelsea contract expected to expire in June 2021.

He has been at Stamford Bridge since 2012 after leaving Wigan Athletic.

Moses called time on his international career in August 2018 after representing Nigeria in two Fifa World Cup tournaments and he was part of the team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title is for leaders Kaizer Chiefs to lose after witnessing his side edge Golden Arrows 1-0 at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday.

Substitute Themba Zwane came on to score in injury time to hand Sundowns their first victory since PSL action resumed.

It was an important victory for second-placed Downs who closed the gap between them and leaders Chiefs to three points.

As chances of a third straight league title appeared to be slipping away from Sundowns after struggling to collect maximum points in the last four league matches, Monday's win could also have been the right tonic Sundowns desired ahead of Thursday’s top-of-the-table clash against Chiefs.

“Yeah, it's heavy, it's tough, it's not easy, heavy on the players, heavy on us. Yeah, we deserve a break, we've tried so much, we've been fighting and fighting, it just shows when you don't give up, you keep hitting the door, the hinges will go and the door will open,” Mosimane told SuperSport TV.

“Thank God two super-subs Themba Zwane but I'm happy the ball comes from Lebo [Maboe] because he also has been having stress and pressure, what a pass Lebo provided. It shows that if you keep trying, it’s never late, you keep going you know. Nothing is in our hands but we'll fight until the end.

“To be honest, I think we controlled the game, the risk was minimal tonight, which is very good and very important because we were always not sure whether we are winning or what. The goals are there, the goals are coming. I think it's the ninth goal or 10 goals we have scored ever since we've been back.”

Going into the Arrows match on the backdrop of conceding six goals in three prior matches, Mosimane responded by bringing back the defensive Rivaldo Coetzee into the squad.

“The win has not been there but if you keep going, you keep scoring and you fix at the back,” said Mosimane.

“We got the goal, the big game we won, tonight was a big game. I wish it came earlier but in life you never know the right time, it's always the right time, you never know when is the right time.”

Focus for Sundowns now shifts to Thursday’s encounter against closest rivals Chiefs.

"The coming game [against Kaizer Chiefs] is not in our favour, nothing is in our hands, the title is on Chiefs to lose, not on us,” Mosimane said.

“We're just chasing, they've got the goals, they've got the points, they can't ask for more. I would have swapped my positions with them to be honest. I think [Ernst] Middendorp is in a good position.”

Losing coach Steve Komphela watched his side extend their winless streak to six games as they are placed 11th on the standings.

“You try to make sense out of this but it still remains strange. It shouldn’t be. It’s just sad that we have to go to the dressing room but the strain of the bubble is that you are playing these matches together, there is nothing else that refreshes you,” Komphela said.

“And as the leader because you are the light after this darkness you have to go back and inspire again. But first I must get inspired. So I hope after this post match when we go to the dressing room and we have gathered enough logic to speak light to them.”

Veteran Azam FC captain Aggrey Morris Ambros has extended his stay at the club by one more year.

The Taifa Stars centre back has been part of the Ice-Cream Makers since 2009 and played a vital role in helping the team win their maiden Tanzania Mainland League title in 2014. He has been consistent for the Chamazi-based side despite his age and it is the reason why his time at the club has been extended.

"Azam FC captain Aggrey Morris is still with us at Azam Complex after extending his contract by a year," the club confirmed on Monday through their social media accounts.

Apart from the league, Morris helped the Chamazi-based side win the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Kagame Inter-club Cup in 2015 and 2018.   

He also played a role in helping the team win the FA Cup in the 2018/19 season and last season, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Simba SC who eventually won the competition.

Earlier in the day, Azam completed the arrival of striker Alain Thierry Akono Akono on a two-year contract and went on to confirm it was the last transfer done in the current transfer window.

The Cameroon international has arrived from AS Fortuna du Mfou and becomes the last signing for the ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ in this transfer window.

"We have officially shut down our transfer activities by signing striker Alain Thierry Akono Akono from Cameroon," the club confirmed.

"Akono has agreed to sign a two-year deal after passing a medical and becomes our last signing in this window.

"Akono was very instrumental for Cameroon during the Africa Nations Championships (Chan) qualifiers and arrives at Azam to add his power to the striking force."

Azam have been busy in the transfer market as they have already signed six players among them Emmanuel Charles, former Gor Mahia keeper David Kissu Mapigano, Awesu Awesu, Ally Niyonzima, Ismail Aziz and Ayoub Lyanga.

Salum ‘Sure Boy’ Abubakar committed his future to the club for one more year despite intense interest from rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC).

Azam will be aiming at winning the league title next season.

Former Tanzania head coach Emmanuel Amunike has revealed his unhappiness following Farid Mussa’s return to the Mainland Premier League.

Mussa, a Taifa Stars striker, left Tenerife CD of Spain and signed for Yanga SC where he will play for one year. The Nigerian tactician states the star should have remained in Spain and fight for his place.

Amunike was Tanzania’s coach during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt where the team failed to pick up a single win in Group C.

“I have been telling the young people of the need to fight hard even if many people might not see the importance of your contribution at the time,” Amunike is quoted by Mwanaspoti as saying.

“I understand that because I played football for a very long time in foreign lands. There are times you can play hard but people end up not seeing or valuing your contributions.

“They can ignore, yes, but there will come a time everyone will value the contribution.”

Mussa, on his part, revealed why he turned down a new offer from Tenerife CD and opted to return to Tanzania.

“It is true they wanted to extend my contract with the condition that I remain to play for Team B something that I did not agree with,” he revealed. “They wanted me to help the team fight for promotion from where they are now in the Third Division.

“I think they failed to recognise what my dreams were. For how long will I play in the lower leagues? It is good to return home and rearrange my goals anew."

He added that he had a lot of offers but given that more clubs are facing financial stabilities, he preferred to sign the rather short-term deal with Yanga despite criticism the move would generate.

“I have one season to play for Yanga and I know many people are talking a lot but, in the end, I know what I am doing,” the forward concluded.

Mussa left the country four years ago after earning a deal from CD Tenerife while playing for Azam FC and spent time playing for Team B in the four seasons he was in Spain.

Red Bull Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch is confident that Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic will form a lethal partnership at Chelsea next season.

Marsch previously worked with Werner at RB Leipzig and the striker joined the Blues from Salzburg's sister club in a deal worth £47.5 million ($59m) earlier this summer.

After deciding against competing in the knockout stage of the Champions League with his former team, the Germany international will be available for selection for Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season, on September 14 away at Brighton, along with fellow new signing Hakim Ziyech, who has arrived from Ajax.

Marsch is in no doubt that that the Blues have got themselves a bargain, as the American coach feels that Werner is just as suited to English football as Pulisic, the former Borussia Dortmund winger who went from strength to strength last season.

"Timo is an incredible talent and an aggressive attacker and a great scorer and an intelligent footballer," Marsch told Goal about the former Leipzig striker. "Chelsea, for a relatively cheap price, have picked up a world-class player.

"I am really excited for Timo because a lot of Germans don’t leave. I am really excited that Timo is moving outside of his comfort zone to challenge himself at a different level and I think that he will be rewarded for it in his career.

"He is a cut-throat attacker and the potential for him and Christian to be a good pair is really, really high."

The Blues are also closing in on Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, who will cost between €80m (£71m/$94m) and €100m (£87m/$118m).

Marsch believes that, like Werner, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will benefit from a Premier League transfer: "Havertz is another player that I think needs to get out of his comfort zone and he has major potential.

"What I learned about Germans is that they don’t like being out of their comfort zone; they like defining things, having rules and being uncomfortable is not always the best thing.

"I really think the more talents that challenge themselves in a different culture will be rewarded for it."

Amid all of the excitement over Chelsea's new signings, the form of the 21-year-old U.S. Men's National Team captain Pulisic after the coronavirus-enforced break is also cause for optimism.

Pulisic starred for Frank Lampard's side during the closing stages of the 2019-20 campaign, until suffering a hamstring injury in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

Fellow American Marsch has also been monitoring Tyler Adams' progress, after he scored Leipzig's winner in the 2-1 Champions League quarter-final win over Atletico Madrid.

He thinks that the young duo is destined to achieve great things in the European game and will, thus, inspire young players across the U.S. to fully believe in themselves.

"I know Tyler much better than Christian but they are very close friends," Marsch continued. "I have spoken to Tyler about Christian and I have met Christian a number of times. What makes these two young talents very special is their fearlessness. They have self-belief.

"The beauty of it is not arrogance, it is just steeped in deep confidence and their belief they can be the best. They came to Europe at young ages to test themselves, show and challenge themselves. They have been rewarded for it, both of them.

"They are both still 21 years old. The future is bright for both of them. I am very happy that Christian made the jump to Chelsea because I think that environment is even more challenging for him.

"I know Tyler Adams well and he is only getting better. He's growing and he is going to be a bigger leader, player and man. I am excited to continue to see them grow.

"There is certainly more and more talent coming from the States and it is inspiring more and more people as well."

Recent successes among young USMNT players in Europe comes after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018.

There is increased hope that the next generation can put things right but Marsch believes that his country paid the price for dropping the ball in player and coach development.

"The number one purpose I have right now is as a fan and supporter, whether that’s for the entire national team programme or for Gregg Berhalter, is to help our national team get back to being successful," he explained.

"I'm often asked about my involvement or my future. If the U.S. national team calls me at any point or any day, then I will take that call or return it immediately because of the passion I have for football and our country.

"It is the responsibility that I think we all have. We will see what happens. Right now, I am enjoying this project fully. But I hope to one day be involved in the national team in whatever capacity."

When pressed on what needs to be done to maximise the potential of the USMNT, Marsch had clear ideas: "I think, first, the training environments for young players needs to continue to get better. Frankly, that comes from coaching.

"In the past five years, we have really upped our coaching education. If I am being totally honest, then the level of coaching in our country for the last 20 years has not been good enough. That’s at five-year-old level, 10-year-old level and professional level.

"So, we need to continue to grow the standard. Sometimes that has meant importing expertise but I think we can still grow the right talents from a coaching perspective in our country.

"Then, the proper playing environments that we create at younger ages means that we can continue to competitively produce better players that are 14, 15 and 16-year-olds.

"We are very impatient in the U.S. and as the game becomes more global, our lack of patience is exposed more and more but we have made great progress.

"I am very proud of our progress at so many different levels. And it is coming. We are going to get better; we are going to grow. It is just our American mentality means we want it now."

Khama Billiat’s agent Mike Ngobeni says his client is still the same talented player and pleads patience from the supporters, saying the striker will bounce back to his old form for Kaizer Chiefs.

Ngobeni also agrees with coach Ernst Middendorp that ‘King Khama’ is going through a rough patch and he’s not having the best of seasons so far.

On the other hand, the experienced player-manager is of the view that some coaches have different demands from players.

“It’s a phase, which is affecting everyone [at Kaizer Chiefs]. But to some people it’s like he is the only one playing there,” Ngobeni told The Standard.

“Sometimes it depends on what the coach requires from a player.

"Maybe the coach wants him to come from deep inside to collect the ball and start the build-ups, while maybe other coaches from his previous clubs wanted him to focus only on the attack.”

Although the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker was sidelined through injury and recovered, Ngobeni added that the spell on the sidelines could be another factor to the 30-year-old’s dip of form.

“Players differ as some take time to recover, while others recover quickly. At the end of the day, he is still the Khama we know,” added the agent.

“The talent is there, and we just need to support what the coach says and that’s it.”

Chiefs have been lukewarm lately as they bagged only a single win since the restart, over Polokwane City, losing and drawing once since the restart.

However, they are under pressure to regain the form they showed before the season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic as they now lead coach Pitso Mosimane’s side by six points and now have four matches to go.

In addition, the Zimbabwe international will be expected to lead the Naturena-based club’s attack when they face Sundowns on Thursday in the league.

Hearts of Oak’s hopes of luring Ghana international Sulley Muntari for a future with the club have been dealt a blow as the midfielder has professed his love for archrivals Asante Kotoko.

The former Inter and AC Milan man has been unattached since ending a six-month stint with Spanish second division outfit Albacete last year.

He has been heavily linked with Hearts in recent times, having had training spells with the club, and has as well been reported to be considering a move to a club in South Africa.

“I love Kotoko. They tried signing me when l was a young player in Kumasi," Muntari said in an Instagram Live chat with his fans.

“I would love to retire with them, but l would not rule out Hearts, RTU [Real Tamale United], King Faisal or Liberty Professionals.”

Muntari was on the books of Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals before first travelling abroad to join Udinese in 2002.

His time away has been very productive as he has won the Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup, two Italian Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and two Italian Super Cup golds during a four-year stay with Inter between 2008 and 2012.

Earlier, he helped Portsmouth win the English FA Cup in 2008.

In a 2012-13 Ghana Premier League run-in where Kotoko went head-to-head with Berekum Chelsea ahead of the final matchweek, Muntari backed Kotoko to win the title, saying, “All I know is Kotoko is going to win the league this weekend, they have been doing well this season and I think with the consistency and their strong mentality, they are going to win.

"I don't know why the PLB [Professional League Board] won't give the cup to Kotoko if they win because they have a greater goal difference. I think it is something they have to take a second look at. But I trust in the boys to deliver and Kotoko will be winners after the final matches.”

Muntari, who represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Fifa World Cup tournaments, has also played for English side Sunderland, Italian fold Pescara, Spanish outfit Deportivo La Coruna and Saudi club Al-Ittihad.

With 23 titles, Kotoko are the most successful club in the history of the GPL, having four more wins than second-placed Hearts.

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof has been praised after tackling a thief who had stolen an elderly woman’s handbag.

The centre-back is in Sweden with his wife Maja and their son as he enjoys a couple of weeks off before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad return for pre-season training next week, and he found himself being hailed a hero on Monday after his actions helped authorities arrest a man for stealing.

A police statement said they received a call that a man in his 30s had stolen a bag belonging to a woman in her 90s after he cycled past her and snatched the bag which was lay in a basket on her walker. 

The man then fled the scene only to be chased down by a man, which is understood to be Lindelof, who then held the suspected thief down for five minutes until the police arrived.

A United insider told Goal: “We’re proud of his actions but Victor believes he was doing what anybody would have done in the same situation.”

While a statement from Vasteras Police said: “The police want to take the opportunity and thank the witness for a quick and wise intervention to restore the plaintiff's property.”

Meanwhile Lindelof’s centre-back partner Harry Maguire’s hearing for an incident in Mykonos, Greece, on Friday is expected to be heard in a Greek court tomorrow.

Maguire and two others deny police claims they assaulted three officers and then attempted to bribe them in Mykonos after a fight had allegedly broke out as Maguire tried to defend his sister, Daisy, who had reportedly been been stabbed in the arm.

The England international does not need to be present as his hearing and is back in the United Kingdom having flown home over the weekend. 

He will be represented by his lawyer at the court and it is still not clear what specific charges the defender faces, although it is now believed to be viewed as a misdemeanour offence.

Gareth Southgate has a decision to make over whether or not to include the defender in his squad for the upcoming internationals at the start of next month. The England manager is set to announce his squad on Tuesday.

Azam FC have confirmed the signing of striker Alain Thierry Akono Akono on a two-year contract.

The Cameroon international has arrived from AS Fortuna du Mfou and becomes the last signing for the ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ in this transfer window.

“We have officially shut down our transfer activities by signing striker Alain Thierry Akono Akono from Cameroon,” the club confirmed on their social media pages.

“Akono has agreed to sign a two-year deal after passing a medical and becomes our last signing in this window.

“Akono was very instrumental for Cameroon during the Africa Nations Championships (Chan) qualifiers and arrives at Azam to add his power to the striking force.”

Azam have been busy in the transfer market as they have already signed six players among them Emmanuel Charles, former Gor Mahia keeper David Kissu Mapigano, Awesu Awesu, Ally Niyonzima, Ismail Aziz and Ayoub Lyanga.

Salum ‘Sure Boy’ Abubakar committed his future to the club for one more year despite intense interest from rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC).

On Sunday, Azam FC warmed up for the new season as they defeated fellow top-tier side Namungo FC 2-1 in a pre-season friendly played at Azam Complex in Chamazi, with Andrew Simchimba netting the winner following a miserable goalkeeping error.

The 2014 champions were keen to test their new players against their opponents who are restructuring for the Caf Confederation Cup next season.

The Chamazi-based club will be keen to make a good mark in the coming season after they ended the 2019-20 campaign without silverware.

The ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ did not enjoy as good a season as they had anticipated at the beginning of the campaign, as they managed to finish third in the league with 70 points, 18 fewer than winners Simba SC, and two behind second-placed Yanga SC. They managed to get 20 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats.

The team also failed to retain their FA Cup title to stand a chance of representing the country in the Caf Confederation Cup.