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Former Zambia national team and Zesco United striker Jackson Mwanza has challenged Kenyan forward John Makwatta to remain steadfast and focused.

Makwatta joined the Ndola-based side in January from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side AFC Leopards and scored four goals before the coronavirus break interfered with his good form.

The former Ulinzi Stars and Buildcon star had scored 13 goals for Ingwe in half-a-season before he left for Zambia.

“He came in very well and scored very important goals for us,” Mwanza told the club’s website.

“Makwatta is a good player with a bright future. However, he needs to remain steadfast and focused on what he does best if he is to progress beyond his current levels.

“As a striker, you are always judged by the number of goals you score for your team. This is even difficult if you are playing for a big club like Zesco United.

“I am positive he will do wonders next season especially that he came in quite late.”

The club’s U19 coach also urged the senior players to respond in the next campaign after failing to defend the title in the cancelled season.

Nkana FC won their 13th title after edging out Forest Rangers. Zesco United finished fifth and  missed out on continental football qualification for the first time in eight years.

“There is definitely a need to respond,” Mwanza added.

“The players need to show the desire to get back to the top, where this club belongs. Yes, we lost the title in difficult circumstances, however, we need to be accountable for what has transpired.

“The Zesco United I played for many years ago is different from the current Zesco United. This club has been transformed into a winning machine.

“This is a team whose philosophy now is highly focused on not only winning domestic titles but also participating in Caf competitions.

“This change means that every player needs to adapt to what the club stands for and what it yearns to achieve. Key to all this is a discipline on and off the pitch.”

Football Association of Zambia [FAZ] cancelled the local league after the coronavirus infections among the football fraternity increased when the competition had just restarted in mid-July.

Orlando Pirates legend Jerry Sikhosana has a made a bold prediction about the destination of the PSL trophy. 

According to Sikhosana, Mamelodi Sundowns will beat Kaizer Chiefs to lift the trophy at the end of the season. 

This despite the Brazilians' struggles since the return of competitive football where they have drawn three and lost one of their four league games since the restart. 

Amakhosi, on the other hand, have collected just four points out of a possible nine.

"We've got an excellent season ahead of us in terms of the games that are left for the title teams that are in front. Kaizer Chiefs are leading the log. Mamelodi Sundowns are right on their trail. And we've seen how much both teams have lost the points," said Sikhosana in a video he posted on Facebook.  

"And I still believe Mamelodi Sundowns have an outside chance of winning the league but of course, they are not in their good form," he said.   

Sikhosana feels Amakhosi still have a few tough games ahead of them compared to Sundowns. 

Ernst Middendorp's men still have Sundowns and Bidvest Wits to play in the remaining five matches of the season. 

And for that reason, he is of the view that Pitso Mosimane will lift his third successive league title.   

"They are also struggling after the reintroduction of our football but I still believe and see Sundowns taking over the first spot from Kaizer Chiefs, especially with the games that are still going to be played by Kaizer Chiefs.  

"Sundowns still have to play Kaizer Chiefs - and Kaizer Chiefs themselves still have to play Bidvest Wits. So, I think and believe Sundowns are going to win the league," concluded Sikhosana.     

As things stand, Amakhosi lead the standings by five points after the Brazilians' failure to beat Maritzburg United on Friday night. 

Sundowns had the chance to reduce the gap to just three points but the Team of Choice twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw in Tshwane. 

This means the Soweto giants could move eight points clear of their title rivals with a win over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday afternoon. 

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants Gor Mahia are desperate to land KCB defender Michael Kibwage as a replacement of Joash Onyango who left recently for Tanzania Mainland League champions Simba SC.

The Kenyan side need to strengthen their defence to have a better chance of performing well in continental and domestic assignments. Kibwage is seen as a player who can maintain the required quality at the back.

"Gor Mahia want Kibwage, they have already met him and discussed the possibility of him leaving KCB," a source close to the club told Goal on Saturday.

"The problem we have is his signing fee which is quite high from the player and we are negotiating. While the team is ready to give him in excess of Ksh1.5 million, Kibwage wants Ksh 3 million.

"We will have to discuss again and see whether we can reach a consensus or not, but he is a quality defender who will improve the team."

Charles Momanyi is reportedly on his way out of K'Ogalo as well, and KCB are interested in his services.

The 22-year-old Kenya defender has been instrumental for the Bankers since joining from AFC Leopards and is quickly establishing himself among the best in the country. 

"As a player I have dreams and they keep me going," Kibwage told Goal in an earlier interview.

"As I had said, we are targeting the KPL next season and we believe it is achievable. But for me, I want to win the Caf Champions League in the next few seasons. This is not meant for some players, it is meant for all, the difference is the effort one makes to achieve it."

The 2020/21 KPL season might kick-off in October and the defender hopes it goes according to plan.

"I am yearning to give my best to my team and win the Defender of the Season Award on back-to-back basis," Kibwage continued.

"All this will happen if the league returns, and we hope it happens as planned. We are going for it as a team, and I am also going for my targets, my individual objectives and nothing is going to stop me."

New Young Africans (Yanga SC) top executive Senzo Mazingiza has warned rivals from underrating Tanzanian football.

In a tweet responding to fans welcoming Premier League side Tanzania Prisons to their new home Nelson Mandela Stadium in Rukwa, Mazingiza was amazed by the reception showed to the top-flight team.

Tanzania Prisons relocated to Rukwa from Mbeya as their old stadium is undergoing renovation and may not be available for the 2020/21 season set to start on September 6.

“Ignore Tanzania football at your own peril. Something is cooking here and the love of football from locals is unmatched,” the South African football administrator tweeted.

“Grateful to be part of it.”

By joining the record Mainland Premier League champions, Mazingiza is set to lead a second Tanzanian club after his stint at Simba, Yanga’s traditional arch-rivals.

His exit from Simba was marred by controversies as the Wekundu wa Msimbazi chair Mohamed Dewji claimed the South African administrator had not delivered on his requirements. 

Meanwhile, Tanzanian clubs have confirmed the stadiums they will use to host their upcoming home ties.

Simba and Yanga have confirmed the Uhuru National Stadium or the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam will continue to be their home grounds.

Former league and FA champions Azam will use their Chamazi Complex while Biashara United will host matches at Karume Stadium in Mara.

Dodoma Jiji will welcome their new Premier League rivals at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma whereas Ihefu FC, another newly-promoted side, will play at Highlands Estate in Mbeya.

JKT Tanzania will use the same ground with their local rivals Dodoma Jiji while KMC FC will be at Uhuru Stadium.

CCM Gairo in Morogoro will be home to Mtibwa Sugar while Namungo FC will remain at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi.

Ushirika Moshi in Kilimanjaro will host Polisi Tanzania and Gwambina FC will maintain their Gwambina Ground.

Mwadui will continue to use Mwadui Complex whereas Kagera Sugar will host rivals at Kaitaba Stadium in Shinyanga.

Sokoine Stadium will continue to host Mbeya FC’s matches while Ruvu Shooting, under Boniface Mkwasa, will be at Mabatini Stadium in Pwani.

Finally, Coastal Union will keep Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.

Simba SC have come out to explain why they fired coach Patrick Aussems at the start of last season.

The Belgian coach had helped the Wekundu wa Msimbazi to clinch the Mainland Premier League title and had also won the season curtain-raiser – Community Shield Cup – before he was sacked.

His position was taken by another Belgian Sven Vandenbroeck who later went on to win two more titles – the league and FA Cup – as the club finished the 2019-20 season with a treble.

Simba chairman Mohammed Dewji has now revealed the reason why they had to part ways with Aussems.

“First of all, it was all about money issues, he wanted to extend his stay but he was asking for too much money,” Dewji said as quoted by Sokaletu.

“Though we had also won the league under his regime, we did not perform well in Caf Champions League as we exited in the preliminary round and this was not received well by the Simba board, it also contributed to his sacking.

“In short, Simba failed to reach the targets they had set under his watch, we never performed well in Caf competition, and that is where we want the team to do well, now we are the best team in Tanzania, we want to also conquer Africa.

“As a club, we gave Aussems all he wanted, we did our best and supported him but the results, especially in the Caf competition were not pleasing our eyes.”

Dewji continued: “He also had a bust up with Masoud [Djuma] who is our biggest fan and we felt it was time to let him go.”

Simba will now have another chance to represent the country in the Champions League and have moved to beef up their squad with new signings including defender Joash Onyango from Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia.

But before they start the Champions League campaign, they will start the season with a Shield Cup clash against FA Cup semi-finalists Namungo FC at Sokoine Stadium on August 30.

Simba will then open their title defence with a clash against promoted side Ihefu FC on September 6.

Kevin Okumu has bid farewell to Nairobi City Stars in an emotional message after signing for Wazito FC.

The young defender, who was also a target for Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia, ended his four-year stay with Simba wa Nairobi to sign for Wazito on a two-year contract.

Okumu joined City Stars in 2016 from Young Rovers and endured relegation in his first season in the top-flight.

However, despite the team being relegated, Okumu stayed with the club and helped guide them back to the top-flight as they were promoted at the end of the 2019-20 season when Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved to finalise the league season owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Though the club was keen to extend his contract which had lapsed on July 2020, Okumu opted for another challenge and landed at Wazito.

“They were four good wonderful years,” Okumu said as quoted by City Stars’ official website. “In June 2016 when I received an offer from Nairobi City Stars, I was convinced that this was where I had to play,

“Today I am certain it was the best of decisions. There were so many happy times, some sad and it was always very intense.

“I learnt a lot about myself. I developed a great deal, becoming a better player and a better person. With each training session, with each game, with every minute spent in the dressing room, I was always learning.”

Okumu’s statement continued: “The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my teammates. I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans.

“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here, and always did my best in a Nairobi City Stars shirt!

“My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you!”

City Stars CEO Patrick Korir said on the exit of the player: “He served us and we as City Stars wish the very best in his future endeavors.

“Simba wa Nairobi’s blessings are with him.”

Ouma becomes the second player to leave City Stars this window after goalkeeper Levis Opiyo signed for Gor Mahia.

The 2019-20 2nd Division I-League is yet to be completed, with the final stages set to be held in the next couple of months if all goes to plan.

How much do you know about the third tier of professional football in India which came into existence in 2008?

This edition of Goal 's 'Sharp Minds' quiz is for the fans who remember what such moments from the 2nd Division I-League.

As we see football take a backseat among the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, here's your chance to while away some time.

We will bring you a set of 10 questions, a mixture of easy and tough ones, every week on Indian football. Try answering them on your own (without googling, we hope) and see how much you know about Indian football.

Share your scores with others and showboat. The latest edition of Sharp Minds is right here. Have fun.

NOTE : You are welcome to contact us through social media, if you need any clarification on the answers. We will try, to the best of our abilities, to explain.

Andhra Pradesh-based Srinidhi FC, which was formed in 2015, are all set to make their debut in the I-League from the 2021-22 season.

The Southern outfit have established a quality facility and have been taking part in the youth leagues of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). But now, they have been handed an opportunity to start their senior team.

Chairman of Sreenidhi Group, Dr. KT Mahi spoke about the club’s infrastructure and how they are looking to improve it further.

"I have travelled extensively in Europe. In order to produce world class players, we need to have world class infrastructure. This is one commitment we made and that was to provide world class facilities. That is what we will provide at our club.

"In May 2018, we started the construction of a world class football centre, SFC Football Village, with four international standard grounds. Two are already ready with floodlights. We have gyms, medical rooms and residential facilities. The construction will end in the next one and a half years and it will be a world class facility.

For youth development we already have youth teams playing in the youth leagues and we provide everything for free to our players. Our elite program runs throughout the year,” said Dr. Mahi in an online session with the AIFF.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar was extremely appreciative of Sreenidhi's facilities.

"I haven’t seen it in person but saw it virtually and we were pleasantly surprised. Amazing infrastructure. Every young player aspires to grow in such atmosphere. I congratulate Sreenidhi on that and hope they keep growing on infrastructure and in other aspects," he said.

While there is still a year’s time before Sreenidhi FC will make their I-League debut, the chairman suggested that the club has already made progress in team recruitment and have shortlisted coaches’ and players’ names.

“I-League is highly competitive and we have to make a team that can compete and perform immediately. As a club, we have clearly defined our principles and philosophy which is to develop young players and it is a long process. In the senior team, it will be more about performance. With this, we have identified potential coaches which will be finalised in September itself. We have three or four very good candidates who can spot good players and are familiar with the Indian scenario. We have a tentative list of players and we are talking to them. Some of them are very keen to join us.”

Dr. Mahi informed that several young girls already train at their facility under the tutelage of Portuguese technical director Fabio Ferreira and they will soon launch a girls youth team.

“At the school level, we already have girls football teams. We have our technical director from Portugal (Fabio Ferreira) and we have coaches and fitness coaches. A lot of girls have shown interest and even though we don’t have a proper youth team we will soon have a girls youth football side,” said the Sreenidhi Group chairman.

Sudeva FC are all set to make their debut in the I-League from the upcoming 2020-21 season after being handed a direct entry by the AIFF to fill the spot left vacant by Mohun Bagan's merger with Indian Super League (ISL) outfit ATK.

The Delhi-based side was founded by Anuj Gupta and Vijay Hakari in 2014 and the team was competing in the youth circuits for a while.

They have been nurturing several youth talents in their setup in the past six years and now it's time for them step up to the senior level. Anuj Gupta has suggested that some of their youth products will feature in the senior team from this season.

“The whole idea of starting Sudeva was to develop players and make them go through a pathway so that they can become international standard players and play at the top level. Having an I-League club completes the pathway,” said Gupta during an online chat with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

“So this year I will be having decent number of players who will graduate from the academy, who have been trained at Sudeva for many years. They were picked many years back and from that day till today, we have been their guardians. I won’t be having any foreign players especially due to the pandemic (Covid-19) situation. I don’t want a situation where the preseason starts and later the foreigners join. As a matter of policy, I have taken a decision to play with Indian players. It will be a mixture of young and experienced players. I hope I will be able to do justice to the I-League.”

Gupta is not thinking about competing for the I-League title in their debut with an all-Indian squad and he suggested that the target is to play attractive football and finish among the top five teams.

“It is my first year. I need to be realistic and practical. If we even come close to the title it will be like winning the World Cup because it is a difficult task when you are playing with Indian players completely. Winning the title is not in my mind but my aim is to give every single viewer a great experience. The aim is to play attractive and attacking football.

“The result does matter for the morale of the team but the spirit of the team will be high. We have to do well of course so that we get the recognition in Delhi as well in India. The ecosystem in Delhi would be benefited if we do well. We will want to finish among the top five teams this season,” said the Sudeva president.

The club co-founder also spoke about the importance of the development of women’s football and hinted that in the coming years he will start a women’s team.

“In 2017, I had done a collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre, India and Bhutan and we organised a girl’s football tournament in Sudeva. I have always been a believer that the moment you work for both boys and girls it adds to the brand and helps the society. It is the responsibility of every club to do what is the need of the hour. Women’s football in India is growing rapidly and they have a good rank, better than the men’s team,” said the Anuj Gupta.

Ever Banega felt mixed emotions after Sevilla's Europa League triumph over Inter brought the curtain down on his stay with the club.

Argentina international Banega first joined Sevilla in 2014 and returned to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in 2017 after a season in Serie A with Inter.

He will continue his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab after Sevilla won Europe's secondary club competition for a record sixth time on Friday.

The 32-year-old played an important role as Julen Lopetegui's side beat his former club 3-2 in Cologne, setting up Luuk de Jong's second goal after Romelu Lukaku had put the Nerazzurri ahead in the fifth minute.

Diego Godin equalised in the 35th minute, but Lukaku sent an overhead kick from Diego Carlos into his own net after Inter failed to clear a free-kick from Banega and there was no way back for Inter.

"I have no words for this emotional and at the same time a bit said moment. I have to leave the club of my life, but I am satisfied," Banega told Movistar.

"I am leaving with another title, thanks to my team-mates, and I am leaving with my head held high.

"I want to thank all of them [the Sevilla players] for making me win another cup and the coaching staff for taking us to the top.

"The hug with Julen [Lopetegui after the final whistle] was one of love and work because of what we went through this season. I remember when I lowered the level a bit, he left me out of the team and showed me that without work you can't get anything.

"Now I have to enjoy, take the cup to Seville, to the people who could not be here but that we feel close too."

Banega spent five seasons at Sevilla across six years with a 12-month spell at Inter in between.

He participated in three of Sevilla's six Europa League titles but the 32-year-old was not offered a contract for next season.

Al-Shabab confirmed the signature of Banega in January, with the move to occur now that season has finished and the player's contract has now expired.

Six-time Saudi champions Al Shabab finished fifth in the Pro League in 2018-19.

Sevilla FC have been crowned champions of the Europa League after managing to edge Serie A giants Inter Milan in the final.

Watch all the highlights from the games right here:

Sevilla claimed a record sixth Europa League triumph this century as Diego Carlos proved an unlikely hero in a thrilling 3-2 win over Inter in Cologne.

Romelu Lukaku gave Inter a fifth-minute lead from the penalty spot – Diego Carlos might have been sent off for bringing him down - but Sevilla's semi-final hero Luuk de Jong overturned the deficit with a pair of fine first-half headers.

Diego Godin's 35th-minute leveller had Inter swiftly back on terms and the Serie A side appeared to be in the ascendency during a more circumspect second half, until a stunning twist in the tale.

Diego Carlos had been tormented by Lukaku for most of the game but his overhead-kick when Ever Banega's 74th-minute free-kick was partially cleared took a decisive touch off Inter's top scorer and flew into the net.

33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor's privatisation process is expected to be completed by the September 30 deadline, said its secretary-general Johan Kamal Hamidon.

Malaysia Super League and Premier League teams currently have until the final day of September this year to undertake the privatisation/separation process which has been made compulsory by the Malaysian FA (FAM), and the Red Giants, officially a football association (FA) like most Malaysian professional sides, are one of the teams that are in the middle of completing their privatisation.

"We are almost done, we're just getting the documents signed. The arrangements have been finalised, but we have time because the final date is on September 30. There's no reason to rush it and we're taking our time focussing on other things as well. At the moment we're in the middle of setting up our (the club's) board of directors and making appointments.

"It's going to be set up as an SPV (special purpose vehicle) between the [Selangor] state government, MBI (Menteri Besar Incorporated, a state company), PKNS (State Development Corporation of Selangor, a state development corporation) and Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin (president and Selangor state Crown Prince). We're getting the names from these different partners and stakeholders," explained him when met by Goal last Wednesday, August 19.

Johan Kamal Hamidon. Photo from Malaysian Football League

While the parties involved are yet to decide whether the newly-established football club (FC) will be an affiliate member of the FA, Johan refuted the rumour that Tengku Amir will vacate his post as the FA chief in order to lead the club.

"That's not true; His Highness is still the FA president, and the chairman of the new company (club).

"Only the FA and FC managements need to be run by different people, but according to the regulations, the two entities' boards can be staffed by the same individuals," he noted.

But on the question of his role at the club, Johan chose to play coy:

"What about me? Once the announcements are made, you'll now where I'll be!" he replied with a laugh.

Eduardo Camavinga insisted he would stay at Rennes for the 2020-21 season amid consistent rumours of a transfer to Real Madrid.

Camavinga, 17, has been linked with a move to the La Liga champions as a back-up for Casemiro after becoming a first team regular in defensive midfield.

But the midfielder, who is contracted at Rennes until 2022, said his current plans were to remain at the Ligue 1 club for now.

"I have two years of contract left. I will be at Rennes this season," Camavinga told Telefoot on Friday.

Camavinga said he was unfazed about the rumours regarding his future.

"It doesn't bother me at all. It's football," he said.

"There are true things and false things."

Camavinga broke on to the scene as a 16-year-old in the 2018-19 season, making seven appearances for Rennes towards the back end of the campaign.

He continued his development during the recent cut-short season, playing in 36 games, scoring one goal and getting two assists.

Former Rennes player and Chelsea star Mario Melchiot believes Camavinga should ignore all the outside noise and join Real if he believes the time is right.

"When I left Ajax, people said to me it was too early and that I should stay in Holland," Melchiot told  Goal . "Let me tell you something, as a player just do what’s right for you and not listen to what people tell you.

"If you feel like it isn’t the right move, then stay where you are. I think you should always consider your development. The team you go to should make you better and you should make the team better.

"If those two things don’t add up, then don’t go. That’s the only answer I have for him.

"He is very young but I have watched him a few times and I like him as a player. He is gifted, he sees things, he is comfortable on the ball and dribbles in the middle of the park very well.

"The technical level in Ligue 1 is very high and Rennes is obviously a good place for him right now. He is protected. 

"But I don’t know if Rennes can keep hold of him beyond next season. I think he has a lot of fire in him and I expect him to keep progressing. And I think there will soon come a time when he is offered the chance to go to another level.

"I had the chance to go to Real Madrid when I was 19 but I chose my family over Madrid because they needed me at that time. I took a gamble because Chelsea might not have come two years later.

"I went all the way to Madrid and saw the team train and everything. They spoke to me, the deal was done and I only needed to sign. My feeling, though, was that I have to do what's right for me.

"But if Real Madrid feels right to Camavinga, he shouldn't listen to what the critics are saying. Every move in football is a risk, but it is about knowing what you can achieve. If he thinks he can achieve great things at Madrid now, he should go for it."

Inter were left with "a great bitterness" after their Europa League final defeat to Sevilla but Samir Handanovic believes it can be a starting point for more positive things.

The Nerazzurri last won a trophy in 2011 and in his pre-match news conference Inter captain Handanovic said securing the silverware would enable the club to head back towards their previous heights.

They appeared to be on course to do just that when Romelu Lukaku fired home a penalty after being felled by Diego Carlos in the fifth minute in Cologne, before a pair of headers from Luuk de Jong put Sevilla in front.

Diego Godin restored parity before the break but Diego Carlos saw his overhead kick deflected into the back of the net by Lukaku with 16 minutes remaining.

Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou produced a phenomenal save from Lukaku prior to the winner and Handanovic felt it would have been a different story if the Belgium international had found the back of the net. However, he tried to look on the bright side.

"There is a great bitterness, but we must move forward. As I said yesterday, this is a starting point and we hope to play many more of these games," Handanovic told Sky Sport Italia.

"It'd be easy to point to various things that went wrong. We had opportunities, especially with Lukaku. It's too bad, it could've been a different game.

"We faced each other head on. It was open, we both wanted to win. We should've held the ball better in the second half, as I think they were more tired and we had more fuel in the tank.

"The third goal was unfortunate, as it was going wide and it just hit Romelu's foot, so that was bad luck and ultimately decided the match.

"We can build on the solid foundations for next season. Sevilla are a tough opponent and I congratulate them, now let's move one."

Inter now have a four-week break until the new Serie A season begins on September 19.

Their coach Antonio Conte admitted after the match that his future at the San Siro is in doubt with tension existing between the Italian and club's directors.

Jesus Navas says Sevilla's Europa League title win is in memory of the club's former stars Jose Antonio Reyes and Antonio Puerta as the La Liga side win the competition for the sixth time against Inter in a 3-2 victory.

The Spaniards fell a goal behind through an early Romelu Lukaku penalty, with Luuk de Jong's brace establishing a short-lived lead before Diego Godin's header saw the match enter the break at two goals apiece.

Centre-half Diego Carlos scored the winner for Sevilla in the 74th minute as the Liga side created the most opportunities despite conceding more possession to their Italian opposition.

Sevilla's celebrations post-match saw the players wear shirts honouring the passing of former players Reyes and Puerta.

Puerta - who died of cardiac arrest in 2007 - played in the club's first two UEFA Cup/Europa League triumphs in 2005-06 and 2006-07, while Reyes - who passed away in a car accident last year - was a member of the side that won the same competition three times between 2013-16.

"It is the most special day for being able to raise the cup as captain, with my Sevilla," Navas told Movistar.

"This is for all the people who are not with us anymore, for Puerta, Reyes ... my godfather who has passed away. We are all captains here."

Navas explained how proud he was of the team's achievement and said he believed the fans could be excited about the potential rise of the club in the future.

"This group deserve it, we have been fighting all the year," he said. "They worked day by day with the problems that there have been. And to all the fans who deserve it.

"The fans can feel proud with us, today and tomorrow they will enjoy. And Sevilla is getting greater every day."

Sevilla's road to glory in the Europa League included victories against Manchester United in the semi-finals, Wolves in the quarter-finals and Roma at the last 16 stage.

De Jong, who scored the winning goal against the Red Devils, felt his team showed great strength to win the tournament despite having such tough matches to overcome.

"It is incredible," De Jong told BT Sport. "We had such tough games all tournament but we played so well as a team.

"We were like a family, worked together. It didn't matter who came in. It was tough. We started well but they scored out of nothing. Two goals, an amazing feeling for me."

Sevilla proved they are a "team of giants" by coming from behind to triumph in the Europa League final against Inter on Friday, according to match-winner Diego Carlos.

While he may have scored the decisive goal in Cologne, Diego Carlos' outing got off to a bad start as he conceded a penalty for the third straight game by sending Romelu Lukaku - who converted from 12 yards - to ground inside the box.

Referee Danny Makkelie only showed the Brazilian a yellow card and, after Luuk de Jong equalised for Sevilla with a diving header, he was lucky not to give away another spot-kick for handball.

De Jong brilliantly nodded home a free-kick from Ever Banega in the 33rd minute, however, a Diego Godin header restored parity before half-time.

The second half was far less open but Diego Carlos had the final say on proceedings when his overhead kick found the back of the net off Romelu Lukaku in the 74th minute, ensuring Sevilla lifted the trophy for the sixth time in their history with a 3-2 win.

"I'm very happy. I had said to my family that I needed to score an important goal and it happened. I'm very happy about everything," the Brazilian defender told Movistar post-match.

"This is a team of giant players, who fight until the last second. I dedicate it to my wife who is pregnant.

"It's a very important title for all of us. I'm thankful to Sevilla for everything they have done for me."

The showpiece event in Cologne marked Ever Banega's final outing for Sevilla, with the Argentine now set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab.

The 32-year-old played an integral role for the Spanish club throughout the tournament, and produced another stellar display against Inter from the middle of the park.

Banega expressed his gratitude towards Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui after the final whistle, telling reporters: "It's time to say goodbye as I deserve.

"I want to thank Lopetegui. I recovered my best level with him. I remember when I lowered the level a bit, he left me out of the team and showed me that without work you can't get anything"

Inter head coach Antonio Conte has said that he may not be at San Siro next term.

The former Juventus and Chelsea boss enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Nerazzurri, which saw them push the Turin giants in Serie A before finishing second, while they were also Europa League runners-up.

Speaking after a  3-2 loss to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Friday , Conte suggested that it might have been his last game in charge of the club.

“We're going to meet next week with the club and we'll decide about my future. I'm not sure that I'll be the Inter manager next season, we'll decide together,” he told Sky Sport Italia . “Inter will plan the future with or without me."

Conte's future has been in doubt since the conclusion of the Serie A campaign earlier this month, after which he launched a scathing attack on the club's directors.

“I don’t think the work of the players has been recognised and I don’t think my work has been recognised,” he said. “We all received very little protection from the club, absolutely zero.

“I don’t like it when people jump on the bandwagon – they have to be there in the good times as well as the bad and here at Inter it wasn’t like that, I’m sorry to say.

“We have to grow and improve in all areas, including off the field, and a big club should protect its players more.”

After Friday's game in Cologne, Inter president Steven Zhang did little to ease fears over the future of the 51-year-old.

“He and his staff, together with the players and all the other members of the club are doing a great job,” he told Sky Sport Italia . “Now the players and the staff will rest, because they deserve it, and then we will plan for the future.

“We want to improve next season. The balance of this season is very positive. We are on a path that has allowed us to get to the final.

“All of us, on and off the pitch, are doing a great job and are heading in the right direction. Winning or losing is part of football, but getting to the final makes us optimistic for the future.”

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui expressed his joy after his side's "very special" Europa League triumph on Friday, as he proclaimed "our team never surrenders."

The Spanish giants won the competition for a record sixth time by beating Inter 3-2 in the showpiece event in Germany.

Sevilla saw off Manchester United 2-1 in the semi-finals to set up the clash with the Italian giants, who thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in their last-four tie.

Antonio Conte's free-scoring Inter side got the opener at the RheinEnergieStadion, with Romelu Lukaku netting his 34th goal of the season from the penalty spot with only five minutes on the clock.

However, Luuk de Jong headed home a pinpoint Jesus Navas cross to level the score just seven minutes later, and he repeated the trick just after the half-hour mark.

Inter then scored an equaliser of their own through Diego Godin, before both teams managed to compose themselves defensively while looking for a winner.

The all-important final breakthrough came late in the second half, when Lukaku put through his own net in unfortunate fashion after sticking out a leg to try and block a Diego Carlos overhead kick.

Sevilla held on for a famous 3-2 victory, and Lopetegui paid tribute to two-goal hero De Jong and the rest of his squad for their never-say-die attitude.

"It is very special. Always it is very special to win a cup," the 53-year-old told reporters. "For us, for me, for the fans, it is very special. We have a happy ending.

"Luuk de Jong is a very good player, he worked for his moment and he was ready in the right moment.

"We had three penalties in the last three matches in the first five minutes but our team never surrenders."

Lopetegui went on to comment on the imminent departure of Ever Banega, who will soon undertake a new challenge in Saudi Arabia after three successful years with Sevilla.

The Spanish coach said of the Argentine's decision to leave the club: "I am not surprised. I am sad he is leaving but I am not surprised. He is a fantastic player with a good mentality."

De Jong says that Loopetegui told him he was starting the final at the eleventh hour, and he was glad to repay his manager's faith on the biggest stage. 

"It is incredible. We had such tough games all tournament but we played so well as a team," the Dutchman told BT Sport.

"We were like a family, we worked together. It didn't matter who came in. It was tough. We started well but they scored out of nothing. Two goals, amazing feeling for me.

"The manager told me this morning [I was starting]. I told him I am always ready when he needs me and today it worked really well."

De Jong added on his two headed goals: "I think it is my speciality. The first cross by [Jesus] Navas was perfect, the second was also a great cross and these headers are really special when you can put them in at the near post."

Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe have announced the signing of Brown Ideye on a two-year deal as a free agent.

The 31-year-old will continue his nomadic career in Turkey next season - the ninth country where he will play professional football.

He previously in Nigeria for Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys before switching to Swizterland to team up with Neuchatel Xamax.

Ideye has had stints with France's Sochaux, Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv, England's West Bromwich Albion, Greece's Olympiacos and Aris, China's Tianjin Teda and Spain's Malaga.

“We signed a two-year contract with the Nigerian striker Brown Ideye,” the club announced.

“Born on October 10, 1988 in Yenagoa, Nigeria, after becoming a professional in his country, Ideye played in Neuchatel Xamax, Sochaux, Dynamo Kiev, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiakos, Tianjin Teda, Malaga and Aris.

“The striker, who has experience in the Premier League, La Liga and Champions League, has been successful in scoring rival nets 152 times in 384 matches he played.

“We welcome Brown Ideye to Goztepe and wish him success with our glorious form.”

Ideye joins Gabon's Andre Biyogo Poko and Senegal's Lamine Gassama in Ersan Parlatan's team for the upcoming season.

Goztepe finished 11th in the Super Lig table last season and they will be aiming to surpass the feat when the 2020-21 campaign begins on September 12.

Ideye spent last campaign at Aris and he scored eight goals in 22 appearances in the Greek Super League before his one-year contract expired in June.

He won the Greek top-flight title with Olympiacos in the 2015-16 season, and he also claimed the Ukrainian Cup and Super Cup with Dynamo Kyiv during his stay at the club.

Ideye was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa with a contribution of a goal in four games.

The 31-year-old also played in the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil but he is yet to feature for the Super Eagles since their 2-1 win against Zambia during a 2018 World Cup qualifier in October 2016.