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Kylian Mbappe said he joined Paris Saint-Germain to make history by winning the Champions League on the eve of the final against Bayern Munich.

PSG – who defeated RB Leipzig in the last four to reach their first Champions League final – go head-to-head with Bundesliga giants Bayern in Lisbon on Sunday.

Mbappe reached the semi-finals with Monaco in 2017, before making a big-money move to PSG.

The 21-year-old has looked sharp since recovering from an ankle injury and is determined to ensure PSG win the biggest club competition in Europe for the first time this weekend.

"This is exactly the reason I am here," Mbappe told a news conference on Saturday. "I always said I wanted to write the history of French football. I have another opportunity to do that tomorrow.

"When I arrived in 2017, PSG had difficulties, now we're in the final. It shows we never gave up and it will be an amazing thing for a French team to win the Champions League. It's why I signed.

"I have always dreamed of facing the best players. You want to face and beat the best. We need to play as we always do. We hope to go back to Paris with the cup. It's the biggest club competition.

"Obviously it's quite hard to play behind closed doors. We would have wanted the fans here but we know they will be supporting us. It's still a Champions League final. It is a very special year."

Mbappe, who says he is in a relaxed mood ahead of Sunday's showdown, also confirmed he has fully recovered from the injury he sustained in the Coupe de France final last month.

"I feel even better the more days that pass. I'm good," he said.

"I think the games have helped me prepare for the final. Munich are a great team but every team has flaws. We know they don't like to change the game. We look forward to playing tomorrow."

Thomas Tuchel's position as PSG's coach has been under scrutiny at times this season, but Mbappe believes the club's run to the final has validated the work of the former Borussia Dortmund boss.

"Yes, of course. Completely, the players are supporting the coach," Mbappe said when asked if PSG's squad were behind Tuchel.

"I heard myself, and I know a lot of people were hearing things about the coach, about him not being able to manage the stars.

"Honestly I think he's doing the best season in the club's season. We are in the Champions League final. He really pushed us and we are in a good state of mind.

"There were some exceptions during the season, it can happen in every team, but we really trust him and we will play for him."

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande is confident striker Khama Billiat will be able to cope with the criticism he has received recently.

The Zimbabwe hitman has been struggling to find his best form for the Premier Soccer League log leaders this term, but Katsande believes it's testament to his compatriot's quality that he's receiving such attention from the supporters.

As they look to stretch their lead at the top to eight points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, Billiat will be expected to be key on Sunday evening when they face Stellenbosch.

“Khama is a big player and in most cases, criticism comes only to big players,” Katsande told Pindula. “I know he knows how to deal with it but as a player, he ought to remain focused.

“He is important and we are not worried he will deal with it, are praying to keep the winning spirit in us.”

‘Salt and Vinegar’s sentiments follow those of his coach Ernst Middendorp, who said Billiat will need support from his teammates as he looks to find his magic touch in the final third.

After drawing 1-1 to Bidvest Wits since football resumed, Amakhosi bounced back with a 3-2 win over Polokwane City before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic last week.

Meanwhile, the former Ajax Cape Town player has also attracted criticism from a number of Chiefs legends, with many saying his mind and heart are not at Naturena.

After featuring in 20 matches across all competitions for the Soweto giants, ‘King Khama’ has found the back of the net only once and has two assists thus far.

Following the Brazilians’ struggles in the league and their draw with Maritzburg United on Friday night, the Chiefs technical team will be pinning their hopes on Billiat to inspire the club to glory against Stellies at the Orlando Stadium.

Taking a look at the log table, Chiefs have 52 points from 25 games and lead coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops by five points. They will be looking to consolidate their lead and erase the loss to Phunya Sele Sele.

Ismael Traore scored the only goal of the game as Angers won 1-0 away at Dijon in their Ligue 1 opener on Saturday.

Traore notched the first goal in the 2020-21 French top flight campaign in the 23rd minute after pouncing on a rebound from Sada Thioub's effort.

The Ivory Coast international also put in a solid defensive performance alongside his compatriots Souleyman Doumbia and Abdoulaye Bamba as Angers kept a clean sheet on the road.

Traore and Senegalese attacker Thioub were in action for the entire duration while Algeria's Farid El Melali and Mali's Lassana Coulibaly were introduced in the second half.

For Dijon, Senegalese goalkeeper Alfred Gomis stood between the sticks in the encounter while Gabon duo Didier Ndong and Bruno Ecuele Manga, DR Congo's Glody Ngonda and Cameroon's Ahmad Ngouyamsa were afforded some playing minutes.

A handful of African stars missed Saturday's outing due to various medical reasons including Cameroon's Stephane Bahoken (thigh muscle strain), Morocco's Fouad Chafik (coronavirus), Algeria's Yassine Benzia (hand injury), amongst others.

Saturday's victory shot Angers to the summit of the Ligue 1 table with three points, and they will be eager to build on their opening win when they host Bordeaux in their next Ligue 1 outing on August 30.

Dijon, on the other hand, fell to the bottom of the league table after the defeat. They will be focused on bagging maximum points when they travel to Lyon for their next game on August 28.

Traore has spent his entire professional career in France so far, with previous stints in Ligue 2 clubs Sedan and Brest before moving to Angers in 2015.

The Paris-born defender is a key player for the Ivory Coast on the international scene. He played in every of their matches at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt before their elimination in the quarter-final stage.

He has made 15 appearances for the Elephants since his debut outing in an international friendly match against Austria in November 2012.

Simba SC started their preparations for the 2020/21 season with a convincing 6-0 win against Burundian outfit Vital'O FC on Saturday.

Tanzania Mainland League champions gave a debut to their new signings Joash Onyango, Bernard Morrison, Said Ndemla, and Larry Bwalya for the fans to have a taste of what to expect from them in the new campaign.

However, it was not going to be an easy task breaking down the visitors, who were also ready to give a good account of themselves. 

After a cautious start from both sides, Wekundu wa Msimbazi eventually settled and took control of the game amid cheers from thousands of fans who had flocked Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

It looked like the first half could end without a goal, but in the 45th minute, Ghanaian Morrison put smiles in the faces of Simba fans when he managed to get the ball into the back of the net. It was a goal that reduced the pressure on the home team after they'd initially struggled to break down the Burundians.

In the second minute of the added time, captain John Raphael Bocco, who has been instrumental for the 21-time champions since the league resumed on June 13, was at it again to ensure his team went to the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

2019/21 Most Valuable Player and best midfielder Clatous Chama put more light on the two teams with a third goal in the second half.

The fans had to wait until the 76th minute before celebrating another, this time from Ibrahim Ajibu, who was at the end of a well-executed move by his teammates.

Two minutes later, it was 5-0 courtesy of new signing Chris Mugalu before Charles Ilanfya completed the route with the sixth in the added minutes.

It was a match that coach Sven Vandenbroeck used to gauge his players and new arrivals in preparations for the busy new campaign. 

Last season, the Msimbazi-based side won a treble: they opened the season with a Community Shield win before securing the league title with six matches to go.

The third honour came when they defeated Namungo FC 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Simba will represent Tanzania in the Caf Champions League.

David de Gea remains a “class act” in the eyes of Rio Ferdinand, but the Manchester United goalkeeper has been warned that he needs to prove his worth again on the back of a few uncharacteristic errors.

Mistakes have crept into the game of a keeper who endured a difficult start to his time in England on the back of a high-profile move from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

De Gea came through that to become a four-time Player of the Year at Old Trafford, with the Spaniard proving to be a model of consistency in what was a testing time for everyone in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

A standing among the finest keepers on the planet was secured, but standards have dipped slightly of late and questions are now being asked of whether change is required between the sticks.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has kept faith with De Gea for now, but Dean Henderson is returning to his ranks from another productive loan spell at Sheffield United.

Ferdinand does not expect the gloves to change hands in Manchester any time soon, with added competition for places set to benefit all concerned, but he is looking for a proven performer to end any debate regarding his position.

The legendary former United defender told TEAMtalk: “De Gea has the ability to get back to where he was.

“He’s shown over the years that he is a class act. He can now have a break for a few weeks and come back with his focus renewed.

“He has the mentality to come back and reach his levels again. We’ve seen time and again how good he can be. I think he can still be a big player for United, but he has a point to prove again now. He has had tough times before and has come back.

“He’s a great goalkeeper and over the years he has been fantastic for United. He was player of the year four out of six years or whatever it was, but if you are not producing the goods over an extended period of time you have to be told and there has to be someone waiting in the wings to come in.”

While De Gea has work to do as the last line of defence, United have others nailing down their respective spots.

January signing Bruno Fernandes falls into that category, with the Portuguese playmaker having been a talismanic presence for the Red Devils as ambitious plans for the future start to be drawn up at Old Trafford once more.

Ferdinand added: “Fernandes has been a breath of fresh air for the team. Where he has been great is unlocking the imagination of the team.

“You see Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood, and the minute Fernandes get the ball, they are off, they know their chance is coming. He doesn’t need a second invitation to deliver that pass.

“That’s what top players do. They change a team and a club with their presence, and we have seen that with Fernandes at United.”

Former Kenya international Innocent Mutiso has defended Kenya Footballers Welfare Association's (Kefwa) decision to endorse Nick Mwendwa in 2016.

The body’s move to support Mwendwa generated criticism, as some players claim the umbrella body made the decision without their consent.

“The current FKF president [Mwendwa] was ready to come and meet our Kefwa board and he did convince them he was the right man for the job because of his manifesto,” Kefwa president Mutiso told Radio Jambo.

“Out of the 14 board members, 13 of them came I can remember well. That is how we made the decision because there were representatives of teams.

“We also had club captains from KPL, the National Super League, and the Women's Premier League as well as some teams from Division One and Two.

“That is when Mwendwa came, sold his agenda and everyone was impressed," he added. "That was not my sole decision but it was a unanimous one.

“We had 109 captains and through a press conference stated what we discussed and the decision reached. People have just been creating issues to suit their agenda.”

Mutiso, who is Boniface Osano’s running mate for the upcoming FKF elections, also talked about what they would implement should they clinch the seat.

“We are going to prioritise youth and women football as these are the areas the federation has somewhat neglected. They have treated them as a second thought,” added the former Mathare United and Gor Mahia star.

“Yes, FKF has put in place some measures to improve them but it seems they have run out of ideas to develop them further.

“The women league has no sponsor now and those are the things the incumbent promised he was going to deal with. That is why we voted for him then.

“He promised that under his watch, women would start playing football as a career and not as an afterthought. When Vihiga Queens won the league title, I expected FKF vice-president [Doris Petra] to come and present the trophy but she was nowhere to be seen.

“That is why I am insisting that the league has been treated as a second thought.

“The youth competition must be conducted as a league and not like a tournament. Let us learn from the established leagues where the junior league is run parallel to the main league.

“If it is run like a tournament, then teams will be formed and disbanded right after the tournament," he concluded. "That is why we have not had proper consistency in our football.”

Osano and Mutiso are the latest candidates to have declared interest in unseating Mwendwa.

Kylian Mbappe sits alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the global game, claims former Paris Saint-Germain forward Pauleta, with the French forward boasting the ability to leave audiences “starstruck”.

At just 21 years of age, an exciting talent already has four Ligue 1 titles and a World Cup triumph to his name.

Mbappe is now out to add a Champions League crown to his collection, with PSG set to face German giants Bayern Munich in a European showpiece on Sunday.

Pauleta is looking forward to seeing a modern day superstar in action, with there the potential for plenty of fireworks to be delivered on the field in Lisbon.

Mbappe will be hoping to make a telling contribution on the grandest of stages, with another opportunity presented to the youngster in his ongoing efforts to prove that he deserves a standing at the very top of the world game.

Pauleta already has the France international sat among the elite, saying of Mbappe: “[He] is hugely skilled technically, he’s incredibly fast, physically he’s amazing.

“He’s a player that everybody admires, like [Zinedine] Zidane, we all loved him, like Messi, like Cristiano. He’s among these kind of players.

“You watch his games on TV to see what he’s going to do. You know that he’s going to do something that will leave you starstruck.

“I admire him a lot, he’s a humble person but I think he will have a tremendous career.”

Mbappe has hit 90 goals for PSG through his 123 appearances to date.

Pauleta recorded 109 across his five years in the French capital and is delighted to see a club that holds a special place in his heart competing for the most sought-after of prizes.

He is also proud to see his native Portugal playing host to the latter stages of a prestigious event, with Lisbon having been the home of continental competition since the quarter-final stage.

“It is very important for us in Portugal to have such an important competition like the Champions League,” said Pauleta.

“Especially during such tough times for everybody in the world because of the coronavirus.

“We’re a small country but because of the work of the football federation and its president we can have such an important tournament in Portugal and have the final on Sunday.

“It’s a tournament that’s completely different to usual, with eight big clubs playing for two weeks in Portugal in the Lisbon area, and it’s very important for the country and the Portuguese people.

“On top of that, having the final for me is very important, having the club that’s in my heart play, PSG, and I hope everything will end well for the Champions League and for PSG.”

Arjen Robben made his first appearance since coming out of retirement to rejoin Groningen and wants to feature in all 34 of their Eredivisie games, though he acknowledges it is unlikely.

Former Netherlands international Robben hung up his boots following the 2018-19 season but signed for his boyhood club in June to help them out amid the coronavirus pandemic.

After making himself unavailable for selection for a friendly against PEC Zwolle last week, the 36-year-old returned to the pitch for the first time in 15 months in a 1-1 draw with Almere City on Saturday.

The former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea winger Robben partnered Mohamed El Hankouri up front in a 3-5-2 formation but regularly floated wide to the right.

He displayed some neat touches before being replaced by Ramon Pascal Lundqvist just after the half-hour mark, as had been agreed pre-match.

"It was nice to play a match again. That's what you do it for," Robben told FOX Sports.

"I want to help Groningen, but not only with the sale of season tickets or shirts, also on the pitch.

"I have come a long way and I am far from there yet. But I am making good steps and this half hour was nice.

"It was quite special, but I just wanted to concentrate on doing my thing. The most important thing is to keep fit. We'll see. It is also the combination of not playing football for a year and age. I have to catch up now.

"I would prefer to play all 34 league matches, but no doubt that will not happen. I will not be there a few times."

In his 19 previous seasons in professional football, Robben did not once feature in every game of a league campaign. His best was 33 Eredivisie appearances with PSV in 2002-03.

Groningen are scheduled to start their 2020-21 league campaign on September 13 against PSV.

Danny Buijs' side were ninth in the table when the 2019-20 season was cancelled because of the Covid-19 outbreak in April.

Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chama has hailed the club's decision to sign Larry Bwalya on a two-year deal.

The midfielder was officially unveiled by the  Wekundu wa Msimbazi  on Tuesday, to end his love affair with Power Dynamos of Zambia, a club he had served for five seasons and managed to win one honour – the Charity Cup in 2016 - while also finishing second in the league in 2015.

His arrival at Simba has left Chama, who was voted the best player and midfielder for the last Mainland Premier League campaign, excited and looking forward to working with his countrymen.

“Bwalya will help the team a great deal, not only in Tanzania but also when we start our journey in the Caf Champions League,” Chama is quoted saying by Sokaletu . “He is a big plus to the team, he has the experience to play at both stages, the league and Caf competitions, and I am happy we managed to secure his services.

"He will help the team, I am very sure about that," Chama added, as per the Lusaka Times. “I know [Bwalya] very well, I have followed him for a long time, and he can do as wonders.

"It was my long time wish to play alongside a fellow Zambian player at Simba and I am glad my desire has been fulfilled.”

Upon leaving Dynamos, the 25-year-old paid tribute to the club by stating: “First and foremost I would like to thank my teammates, managers for all the support rendered to me throughout all the years we have worked together, and I would like to thank all my fans for the love and support!

"Wouldn’t have succeeded without you all.”

Simba, who are yet to lose a player this transfer window, have already signed Chama alongside Chris Mugalu, Joash Onyango, Ibrahim Ame, Charles Ilanfya, David Kameta ‘Duchu’ and Bernard Morrison.

They will start their title defence with a tie against newly-promoted Ihefu FC while rivals Yanga will open against Tanzania Prisons at the newly-named Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

However, before their league opener, Simba will start the season with a Community Shield clash against Namungo FC at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on August 30.

Former Orlando Pirates forward Jerry Sikhosana has told Frank Mhango to 'just relax' and not put himself under pressure as he looks to end his barren spell.

Mhango last scored on February 1 when he struck a brace away at Chippa United, but has since then gone for six matches without finding the back of the net.

With 14 goals from 24 league matches, he however still leads the Premier Soccer League top scorers chart.

However, the Malawi international risks being beaten to the Golden Boot award by Kaizer Chiefs’ Samir Nurkovic, SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler and Highlands Park’s Peter Shalulile who have each scored 13 league goals so far.

“I think he must just relax and just let the game take its toll. If you always think you want to score goals and you try hard, that's where you don’t get it right,” Sikhosana told Sowetan Live. “If he can start concentrating on playing first, everything will follow.

"He is a striker; he knows how to score goals. There is no doubt about it, but he must not put himself under pressure, trying hard to score goals because it will only get difficult.

“What I have seen is that Pirates have not scored a goal in the last five games except the last one when they drew with Baroka [1-1 on Tuesday] where [Tshegofatso] Mabaso scored. I think chances are there, sometimes when you want to do something you get anxious and tend to lose that touch."

Mhango’s dip in form appears to have affected Pirates who heavily relied on him for goals as the Buccaneers have managed just a goal in their last five league games.

This has seen Pirates dropping to fifth position on the standings and their bid for a top three finish is now seriously under threat from SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits.

Sikhosana is familiar with the situation Mhango finds himself in as the Pirates great says he once endured a similar dry patch during his playing days.

“It happened to me. I want to be honest with you,” said Sikhosana. “There was a time when I could not score even at training.

"You will come early and do a lot of shooting because you are no longer thinking about the game, but about scoring goals.

“You end up losing focus; just relax and play the game, goals will come," the legendary forward concluded. "He is a top striker. I believe in him.”

Mhango would be bidding to break his goal drought in Pirates’ next league match against Cape Town City on Sunday.

Former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has castigated the stance by the Ivory Coast Footballers Association (AFI) not to support former national team captain Didier Drogba in his bid to become president of the West African nation’s football federation.

Despite the snub, Drogba managed to file his candidacy and will stand against Koffi Kouakou Paul, Sory Diabate and Idriss Diallo for the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) presidency elections set for September 5.

The Elephants’ Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain Toure is unhappy with the decision by AFI, led by former AC Milan and Monaco defender Cyrille Domoraud, to support Diallo.

“That our players' association has chosen to support another candidate constitutes a major fault, a serious breach of its obligations and its mission,” Toure was quoted as having told Abidjan Sports as per Afrik Foot. “No matter how hard I tried to understand, I tried to listen to Cyrille Domoraud's arguments, I still don't understand, but the damage is done.”

AFI argues that Drogba did not deserve their support as he has not been actively involved with the players’ representative body, a claim Toure dismisses.

“If Didier was so useless, how is it possible that Cyrille Domoraud did not realise it until after eleven years and at the very moment when Didier presents his candidacy for the presidency of the FIF and that AFI seeks, by all means, to justify its support for another candidate?,” said Toure.

"If he had been aware of it for several years, why did he not raise the issue with Didier or raise the problem during the AFI General Assemblies? [Domoraud] uses AFI for personal purposes and serves Ivorian footballers. It’s grotesque and shameful.”

Drogba has however earned the support of footballers plying their trade in the Ivorian domestic league.

Besides Toure, other high profile former footballers like Marco Zoro and Blaise Kouassi have thrown their weight behind Drogba’s candidature.

“What do we do with the petition signed by more than 350 players from the elite Ivory Coast championships, who overwhelmingly asked AFI to support Didier Drogba?,” Toure asked. “What about the appeal of most of the players in the national team and its captains, which points in the same direction?

"This masquerade is not what you expect from an association like AFI," Toure concluded. "Obviously, and many of us think so, that must change.”

The next FIF president will replace outgoing Sidy Diallo who has been at the helm since 2011.

Romelu Lukaku’s exploits at Inter will have Manchester United thinking “why did we let him go?”, says Paul Ince, with the Red Devils considered to require a striker of the Belgian’s ilk.

They did have him on their books at Old Trafford for two seasons, with £75 million ($98m) required to snap him up from Everton in the summer of 2017.

Lukaku plundered 42 goals in 96 appearances for United, but never truly convinced as a leading man in the number nine role.

That led to him being offloaded by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Anthony Martial taking on central striking duties for the Red Devils.

The Frenchman delivered a personal best return of 23 goals in the 2019-20 season, but Lukaku notched 34 in his debut campaign at Inter.

That return has seen him match the efforts of Brazilian great Ronaldo, although the Nerazzurri did come up short in Serie A and Europa League competition.

Inter will hope that Lukaku can maintain his standards and lead them to major silverware in the future, with United now being left to mull over what might have been.

Ince believes they need to find another proven striker, with another transfer window open at present, with an option required that can be relied upon to deliver in the Red Devils’ favoured system.

A man who spent time with United and Inter in his playing days told BT Sport of Lukaku: "No I don't think he would be [scoring that amount of goals for United].

"He's with a different manager, I think what [Antonio] Conte's got out of him is a lot more than what [Jose] Mourinho or Ole got out of him at Manchester United.

"He looks fitter, he looks stronger, he looks at it.

"Has it benefited Man United? I don't think so, because they still need a man, if you go back to the game against Sevilla where they couldn't score, they need someone to put the ball in the back of the net.

"When you see Lukaku do that, you start thinking why did we let him go?"

There are options for United to explore when it comes to landing another frontman, with the Red Devils having been linked with Lyon star Moussa Dembele and urged to consider a move to snap up former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani as a free agent.

Arsenal have signed Dutch teenager Salah-Eddine from Feyenoord on a free transfer.

The 17-year-old central midfielder, known as Salah, will initially join up with the Gunners’ academy squad ahead of the 2020-21 campaign and has already trained with his new team-mates.

“It feels great to join a massive club like Arsenal,” he told the club’s website. “It’s a good environment for me to work on my development and hopefully through the academy I can become a first-team player.

“They first contacted my dad and then I went there for a week just to see what the club is all about, and after that they didn’t really have to say anything. I immediately knew that it was the right club for me.

“My first impressions were that not only are my team-mates really good footballers, but they’re great people as well. The whole environment is positive and it’s lovely to work with them."

As well as strengthening the first team Arsenal have been busy bolstering their academy ranks this summer, with Salah following George Lewis, Tim Akinola and Jonathan Dinzeyi in signing up for the Gunners’ youth team in recent weeks.

The teenager, who spent his entire youth career with Feyenoord, describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder and has already stated his ambition to break into Mikel Arteta’s first team as soon as possible.

“I’m a central midfielder and I like to play box to box,” he added. “Offensively I’m a creative player and I can play with my left or right foot. I score goals and get assists, and defensively I like to think I do my bit too, especially in the transition.

“First I want to become an important player in the Under-23s and then eventually get involved with the first team in some capacity.

“I want to see what that’s like, but above all else I want to have a really good season with the Under-23s.

“Maybe if I do that then I’ll be able to join the first team here and there in training. Those are my targets.”

Abraham Ndugwa has explained the measures he plans to undertake to enjoy more playing time for Vipers SC and return to the national team as well this season.

Ndugwa did not feature prominently in the 2019/20 campaign, a season which was cancelled after the 24th match day because of injuries, although he did ultimately clinch a winner's medal after Vipers were declared champions.

“When football resumes, I need to play more games in the forthcoming season at Vipers,” Ndugwa is quoted as saying by Football256. “First of all, I believe in myself, I always do self-evaluation and demand myself. I know what I can offer to the club and I will fight hard for a starting spot at the club.

“My ultimate target is to improve and become a better player so that I get back into national team fold. With hard work in training, I believe I will achieve this.”

The 24-year-old played in 14 league matches and managed to score just two goals before the Federation of Uganda Football Associations cancelled the competition in May.

The forward revealed how he has been trying to keep himself fit awaiting the new season to kick-off.

“As a player, it’s not easy to train alone, you need to have the discipline to train every day because you always need something that pushes you,” the Ugandan added. “We always become reluctant to train harder.

"So, you have to be highly motivated if you are to train alone but it’s not easy because we are out of action.”

He joined the four-time Premier League champions two years ago from Masavu FC after a rather good 2017/18 season.

Meanwhile, Ugandan defender Joseph Zziwa is elated after joining Tanzanian side Biashara United.

Zziwa was signed by Kenyan coach Francis Baraza and he says the move is a blessing after experiencing a tough time at Express FC.

“I am happy for completing this move especially during this pandemic time,” Zziwa told Football256. “I thank my agent for the tremendous work to find me a new home where I am going to showcase my talent.

“I count it a blessing having a chance to make this move. As a player, I was released by Express just after a season but I remained hopeful and positive and yes God has blessed my hard work.

“I am so delighted to be at Biashara United. I promise the team that I will do all it takes for the team to triumph and have a successful run next season.” 

The centre-back is the latest Ugandan to join a Mainland Premier League side. The 2019/20 defender of the year Nicholas Wadada of Azam FC, Cleo Ssettuba and Boban Zirintisa of Mtibwa Sugar are the other Ugandans plying trade in the neighbouring country.

Thomas Muller is “like a machine” and capable of offering a bit of everything to the Bayern Munich cause, says Patrik Andersson.

The World Cup winner has spent his entire professional career at the Allianz Arena.

Considerable success has been enjoyed with club and country, with the 30-year-old proving to be a model of consistency.

Muller has reached a century of caps for Germany, while taking in 534 appearances for Bayern and moving to within one effort of 200 goals for the Bundesliga giants.

He has nine title triumphs to his name and will be chasing down a second Champions League crown on Sunday when taking in a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

Andersson expects Muller to shine again in that contest, with there seemingly nothing that he cannot do.

The former Bayern defender told Sport Bild: “Thomas Muller inspires me the most. He runs like a machine, shines as a playmaker and goalscorer, works on the defensive side and above all speaks strongly to his team-mates. Overall, Thomas has had an outstanding season. 

“But a very decisive factor in the success is that Manuel Neuer is now back to his absolute top level after his serious injury. In the early stages of the last games against Barca (8-2) and Lyon (3-0), the players in front of him allowed a few chances. If Neuer hadn't brilliantly prevented goals, Bayern might not be in the final now.”

Bayern’s 2019-20 campaign got off to a slow start under Niko Kovac, leading to him being relieved of his coaching duties.

A spark was found, though, under Hansi Flick, with a man who knows all about the demands of life under the brightest of spotlights in Munich helping to guide his side back to the very top of the game.

“Hansi Flick's experience is a big plus,” added Andersson.

“He was a Bayern player, knows the club inside out, and then learned a lot in various positions at the DFB. And most importantly, Flick has the absolute trust of his team. Everyone in the squad follows him. That is crucial. 

“This season, Flick has strengthened exactly the players who needed it most to get back into their absolute top form. The best example is Muller. He feels like his trainer is a thousand per cent behind him and he can do anything.”

Borussia Dortmund Head of First Team Football and former player Sebastian Kehl has stated that the German club could not afford to buy Achraf Hakimi even though the Morocco full-back was happy at the Signal Iduna Park.

The fledging 21-year-old full-back spent two seasons with BVB on loan, making 73 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 17 assists. He also won the German Super Cup during his time in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Hakimi was an established player at Dortmund, but they were unable to match his parent club Real Madrid’s demands of a permanent transfer fee of €40 million.

By contrast, Serie A runners-up and Europa League finalists Inter Milan were able to meet the asking price and secure his services.

“We should not have too many players on loan. Hakimi was beneficial to both parties. He was not on that level when he came. He learned a lot from [Lucien] Favre,” Kehl said during Dortmund’s virtual tour of Asia.

“Madrid got around €45 million for him. In the end, we could not pay that money and he joined Inter. Achraf was very happy here, but to answer the question I do not necessarily think that having one or two players on loan goes against the philosophy of BVB.”

Dortmund have been known to sell some of their big stars for big money in the past, such as Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s £56 million move to Arsenal in 2018 and American forward Christian Pulisic’s £58 million transfer to Chelsea in 2019.

Kehl, however, dismisses the label of being a selling club, citing the longevity of players like Poland defender Lukasz Piszczek, who has been with the club since 2010 and was part of the side that won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012.

“It is not accurate to say that we are a selling club. Auba and Pulisic moved on but on the other hand, Hummels came back, is here for Piszczek 10 years,” Kehl continued.

“There are a lot of guys who identify with the club, but there a few youngsters for whom a few bigger clubs can pay more money. We develop players and we are well known for it and I think we have had a good mix.”

Bruno Fernandes insists there is no “secret” to his success from the penalty spot, but the Portuguese does believe he can offer even more to Manchester United than he has done so far.

The Red Devils found considerable value in a deal struck with Sporting during the January window.

Having invested €55 million (£47m/$60m) in the 25-year-old playmaker, an immediate return was offered by the new arrival at Old Trafford.

Fernandes has quickly become a talismanic figure for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with 12 goals and eight assists recorded through 22 appearances.

Many of those efforts have come from 12 yards, with United earning a flurry of spot-kicks in the 2019-20 campaign.

Fernandes is yet to fluff his lines, with a faultless record stretching back to October 2018, but he claims to give little thought to an art that he has clearly perfected.

“I don’t have a secret,” the United midfielder told UEFA.com. 

“I think that I train a lot, I like to train a lot. I always pay attention to what the goalkeepers are doing – how they position themselves, how they best prevent shots on goal. Based on that, based on the match, and based on how I’m feeling on the pitch, I decide how to take a penalty.

“I don’t have a specific technique in taking penalties. There’s no certain run-up I take, I just stick to what I feel is most comfortable. 

“If I change it every so often, it might make the goalkeeper uncertain. I change my run-up for how I’m feeling during the match, or how I feel the goalkeeper [will move].”

Fernandes will be looking to contribute significantly to the Red Devils cause again in 2020-21, with the Portugal international of the opinion that he can make more of an impact in the final third.

He added on his style of play: “It's instinct. Over the years, because of the position in which I was playing, I developed my ability to move around and look forward.

“When we lose the ball, I try to be the first one to react and to call on the other attacking players to help out in winning back possession. And obviously for me, to be able to build up the play, to have the ball and provide passes to my team-mates to enable them to score goals – it’s very important.

“I think that's what I need to do a bit more because, yes, I've provided some assists but I could have provided more, given the quality we have up front. I believe I can improve on my numbers given the quality we have up front.”

Antonio Conte and Inter look to be heading for a divorce, much to the disappointment of a long-serving former Nerazzurri president.

The 3-2 Europa League defeat to Sevilla on Friday meant head coach Conte finished without a trophy in his first season with Inter.

It appears increasingly likely to be his last campaign at the club, with former Juventus and Italy boss Conte casting doubt on his future after the game by saying Inter must plan for life "with or without me".

Conte said that "something happened" and also pointed to family commitments, questioning whether football should be his priority.

Ernesto Pellegrini, who was president of Inter from 1984 to 1995, indicated he would rather Conte be encouraged to enter a second season than leave now.

Inter finished second in Serie A, reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals and savoured their European run, amounting to their best season in almost a decade.

"I hope that everything can be resolved. If he intends to leave, it will inevitably happen but I hope it does not," said Pellegrini.

"Of course it is a question of taking Conte and asking him what he has in mind, the reason for this outburst that I don't understand.

"We fans are happy with the results. Of course if we had won the cup it would have been a pinnacle, but it wasn't to be and we move on."

Speaking to Radio Sportiva , Pellegrini said: "Everything is in place for a season of excellence next year."

He also spoke of the possibility of former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri being a potential replacement for Conte.

That has been widely reported in Italy as being a plan Inter have in place, with Conte and current president Steven Zhang said to be poised for a meeting early next week.

"I really like Conte. Don't get me wrong, I also know Allegri very well and have a good relationship with him," Pellegrini added.

"Presidents come and go, coaches come and go, the club remains: the right solution will be found for us fans who have always loved this team."

Polokwane City could not secure all three points when they allowed Highlands Park to come back and draw 1-1 in the Premier Soccer League at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Goals through Charlton Mashumba and Peter Shalulile saw the two clubs walking away with a point in Tshwane, but it was a bitter pill to swallow for the hosts.

The draw leaves City 15th on the log with 24 points from 27 matches, while Owen Da Gama’s troops sit seventh with 34 points having played the same number of matches as their opponents.

Coach Clinton Larsen was looking to guide his troops to a first victory since the restart following back-to-back losses to Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United in the past week.

The Lions of the North drew against reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns last Friday, and went into the clash chasing maximum points.

Coming to the clash, City didn’t have a bright start in the contest and goalkeeper George Chigova was called into action in the 26th minute when he denied the visitors

After the 20th minute, the Lions continued to push for an early goal and Lindokuhle Mbatha was fouled on the edge of the area, but Mlungisi Mbunjana’s attempt went straight into Chigova’s hands in the 22nd minute.

Veteran goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini displayed his experience in the 40th minute to deny Njabulo Buthelezi who outpaced his marker, before unleashing a grass-cutting shot on the left flank, but the keeper stood his ground and claimed his effort.

The opening half ended in a dull draw in Tshwane.

However, Highlands came back better in the second stanza as they controlled and retained the ball, yet their entries into the final third were dominated by stray passes which could not trouble their hosts.

Midfielder Wayde Jooste managed to beat two of his markers in the 53rd minute but his final decision making was poor where he saw his shot sailing over Chigova’s crossbar.

In the 65th minute, Mashumba finally made it 1-0 for Larsen’s boys against his former team, as the Zimbabwean hitman’s powerful header beat Kapini on his left corner.

Substitute Mokete Mogaila came close to making it 1-1 for the Tembisa-based club, yet he could not direct his shot on target inside the penalty area four minutes later.

However, Shalulile continued with his rich vein of form in front of the goal when he converted Mbatha’s cross into the box; the header in the 74th minute gave Chigova no chance to make it 1-1.

Shalulile’s attempt to bag a brace failed when Chigova blocked him from close range, as the Namibian saw his curling shot parried away in the 77th minute for a corner kick.

In search of a winning goal, the Lions of the North were the better outfit in the dying stages of the clash, yet they could not capitalize on their successive corner kicks and it ended at 1-1 after 90 minutes.