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Wazito FC have secured the services of former AFC Leopards forward Vincent Oburu.

The 22-year-old was a free agent and opted to extend his stay with the 13-time league champions. The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side has confirmed the arrival of the youngster.

"We are pleased to announce the signing of striker Vincent Oburu from AFC Leopards," Wazito confirmed on their official website.

"The former Lang’ata High School striker is expected to boost our attack ahead of the 2020/2021 FKF Premier League campaign.

"A full Kenyan international, Oburu was part of the Harambee Stars’ team that won the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title."

While at Ingwe, the winger managed to score 13 league goals in the three years he was involved with the senior team. He is delighted to join the 2018/19 National Super League champions saying it will give him an opportunity to improve.

"I am happy to join this team, it is a good career step for me because it gives me an opportunity to work hard and improve as a player," Oburu said after sealing a reported three-year deal.

"I want to work well with my coach and teammates so that we can achieve what the team wants which is winning titles.

"To the fans, I urge them to keep supporting the team and we the new players will help take the team to the next level." 

Coincidentally, Oburu will be working with Fred Ambani, brother to Boniface Ambani who introduced him at Leopards but for the junior side before he eventually won promotion to the senior team.

"I think Oburu needs no introduction," the Wazito FC coach said in his reaction to Oburu signing.

"He is a very good striker and he definitely adds quality to the team. One of our problems last season was failing to score goals and I think with him in the team he will help solve that problem." 

The forward is set to replace Derrick Otanga who is heading the opposite way after being released in the month of July.

Leopards are aiming at winning the league in the new campaign, same with Wazito who recently hired Babu Salim as the assistant coach.

John Obi Mikel has revealed he is open to return to England after holding sway for Premier League club Chelsea in the past.

The former Super Eagles captain is currently without a club after parting ways with Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor by mutual agreement in March.

Before his departure from the Medical Park Stadyumu, the 33-year-old made 27 appearances for the Black Sea Storm across all competitions.

The midfielder has been linked to newly-promoted Premier League side West Bromwich Albion and Championship club Stoke City.

"Yes, there are interested clubs and England is a strong possibility and why not," Mikel told BBC Sport.

"We are currently in talks with clubs and there is absolutely no hurry. I can only wait to see what happens."

Mikel made an indelible mark in England during his 11-year stay with Chelsea, where he featured in 249 league appearances.

The midfielder won a number of accolades during his time at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League among others.

The former Nigeria international also featured for Championship club Middleborough after leaving Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda in 2018. 

The midfielder had 91 caps for the Super Eagles before announcing his retirement from international duty after helping the West Africans finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Mikel also played a prominent role as Nigeria clinched the continental title for the third time in their history in 2013 in South Africa, under the guidance of Stephen Keshi.

He captained Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio and was part of the Super Eagles squad at the 2014 and 2018 World Cup tournaments.

The midfielder will hope to secure a club before the commencement of the 2020-21 campaign.

Romelu Lukaku "will want revenge" against Manchester United, according to Dimitar Berbatov, who says the Inter striker "would love" to knock the Red Devils out of Europe.

After two frustrating years at Old Trafford, Lukaku completed a £74 million ($97m) move to Inter last summer to join up with ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at San Siro.

Despite scoring 42 goals in 96 games, the Belgian was the subject of intense criticism during his time with United, as his first touch and quality in the final third of the pitch were regularly called into question.

He left the club after being deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but has since managed to rediscover his best form in Italy.

Lukaku has hit 31 goals in his first 49 outings for the Nerazzurri, with his latest strike coming in a 2-1 Europa League quarter-final win over Bayer Leverkusen.

If Conte's men beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the last four, they could end up meeting United in the final, and Berbatov is wary of the threat the Serie A outfit could pose his old club.

The ex-Red Devils striker believes Lukaku will be determined to mastermind the downfall of Solskjaer's side alongside two more recently-departed Old Trafford figures, having rebuilt his damaged reputation at San Siro over the past year.

"Lukaku is a concern for me, he's scored 23 goals for Inter this season which is a great achievement," Berbatov told Betfair. 

"I always said I liked him as a player, that if he got chances he would score goals. He's very quick, and very strong, and his goal on Monday was spectacular. He's the main danger for whoever they play against.

"Inter also have Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young, who will know United very well. If they play United in the final, these players will want revenge, to show United that they were wrong to let them go.

"Lukaku would love the chance to bang in some goals against the team that let him go. Lukaku took a lot of criticism in Manchester, and he was right to leave. Look at him now, he has been fantastic for Inter."

United edged past Copenhagen to reach the semi-finals, and must now overcome an in-form Sevilla to set up a potential clash against Inter.

The Spanish outfit are unbeaten in their last 19 games in all competitions, and have recorded six clean sheets in their last seven, but Berbatov predicts that the Red Devils will end that impressive run. 

"Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui has had tough times in his career, and while it would be nice for him to win it, football doesn't work this way," the 39-year-old added.

"If it did, I would have had a fairytale ending in the Champions League. I got to the final three times but it was always unlucky for me.

"Life is hard, and that's just the way it is. European competitions, in particular, bring plenty of heartbreak."

Tanzania Mainland League side Namungo FC have completed the signing of midfielder Abdulhalim Humud from Mtibwa Sugar.

The 33-year-old helped the Sugar Millers escape relegation, and his experience is what has enticed the Lindi-based side to go for his services. With the club set for bigger challenges next season, they have decided to bolster their squad.

"Former Mtibwa Sugar midfielder Abdulhalim Humud has officially joined Namungo FC on a two-year contract," Azam TV confirmed on Friday.

"Namungo FC will represent Tanzania in the Caf Confederation Cup next season."

The team finished fourth in the league after getting 17 wins in the 38 matches played, 13 draws, and eight losses to finish the season with 63 points. 

They earned the right to play on the continent after reaching the finals of the FA Cup. Despite losing the game 2-1, Namungo qualified since Simba had won the league and were eligible to play in the Caf Champions League.

In that final game, Captain John Bocco and Man of the Match Luis Miquissone provided the vital goals that ensured the Dar es Salaam side head back home as the champions for the FA competition.

After 35 minutes of failed attempts to break an otherwise tight Namungo backline, Simba finally got a hard-fought opener through Miquissone’s strike.

The Mozambican, who has proved to be an undroppable figure for coach Sven Vandenbroeck, scored an important goal and further showed why his January signing was a masterstroke.

Shomari Kapombe delivered a swinging cross into the penalty box, but Bocco was denied the opportunity to strike as the opponents swarmed around him, but as Namungo focused on Bocco, the ball fell into Miquissone’s path and the winger slotted home.

Bocco added the second goal four minutes after Miquissone had registered the opener, heading into the net and ensured Simba headed into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

Namungo got their consolation in the 57th minute when Edward Charles Manyama managed to beat Aishi Manula in Simba's goal as the affair in Sumbawanga turned into an end-to-end encounter.   

It will be the first time the team is taking part in continental assignments. 

Selangor 2 head coach Michael Feichtenbeiner is pleased with his charges' recent performances, despite the results.

From three matches, the Premier League side has recorded two defeats and one win; a 2-0 defeat to UiTM FC, a 1-0 defeat to Petaling Jaya City and a 3-2 win over Pahang.

The German trainer, who is also his club's technical director, was only observing the progress shown by the reserve team.

"So far I'm satisfied with what my team has done in the three friendlies because the players have shown improvements, especially in the win against Pahang. It was a match against a tough Super League outfit, which was a good challenge for the boys before the league resumes.

"What they've done in training, including the individual training at home [during lockdown] has been translated well on the pitch, and we are ready to return to action," he told the Malaysian Football League (MFL).

Now their attention turns towards another friendly encounter against a first tier side, Terengganu FC, on Friday, August 14.

"Winning against more experienced sides has not been easy for my young players. I just want them to make sure that they maintain their form, while avoiding injury ahead of the league resumption.

"We're taking one match at a time to ensure the best preparations, and I did not make any changes yesterday (against Pahang) because I want the other players to concentrate on Terengganu," added Feichtenbeiner.

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) has revealed they will make sure new signing Jackson Nunda is free of injuries at the club.

The former KCCA FC player was unveiled on Wednesday as the first signing for the Tax Collectors ahead of the new Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season which will kick-off in October.

Nunda penned a three-year deal, which will keep him at the club until 2023.

URA coach Sam Ssimbwa has now explained the injury problems the player faced while turning out for KCCA and has promised to help the player have his peace of mind while with the club.

“He had a medical and we were assured he’d be fine. It seems he could not cope with the artificial turf at Lugogo,” Ssimbwa is quoted by Daily Monitor. “It is a difficult surface for many players to train on twice or thrice a day. He’s not the only one to struggle on such a surface.”

Ssimbwa is also confident the player will help them achieve their set targets for the new season.

“Even if he plays 20 games and wins 15 of them for us. That would be enough. I’m on the record being against players training on the artificial turf twice a day because of my coaching experience in Rwanda,” Ssimbwa continued.

Speaking after being unveiled, Nunda said he had signed for the club because he feels they are capable of going back to their glory days of winning trophies.

“I chose URA because it’s an ambitious team and I love the competitiveness in the club. Of course, I don’t expect it to be a walk in the park as I have to compete for a place in the team.

“I am here to win trophies and give 100% for my new home, URA.”

Nunda becomes URA’s first signing following his arrival from KCCA, where he has been for four and a half years while the club is also on the verge of unveiling Police left-back Arafat Galiwango in due course.

Meanwhile, Ronald Kigongo has renewed his stay with the Tax Collectors by a further three years after his contract expired in June 2020.

Mesut Ozil says he was left disappointed by Arsenal distancing themselves from his comments over the alleged persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.

Reports have claimed that the Asian nation has detained up to a million individuals in so-called “re-education camps” designed to better integrate the minority group to the country's socialist society and reduce the chances of separatist violence.

Further claims of forced sterilisation have been denied by the Chinese government, but the country continues to be criticised for alleged breaches of human rights.

Ozil originally said: “They burn their Qurans. They shut down their mosques. They ban their schools. They kill their holy men.

“The men are forced into camps and their families are forced to live with Chinese men. The women are forced to marry Chinese men.

“But Muslims are silent. They won’t make a noise. They have abandoned them. Don’t they know that giving consent for persecution is persecution itself?”

In response, Arsenal released a statement on Chinese social media platform Weibo, which read: “Regarding the comments made by Mesut Ozil on social media, Arsenal must make a clear statement.

“The content published is Ozil's personal opinion. As a football club, Arsenal has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics.”

And Ozil was not impressed with the reaction, pointing to the fact that they have involved themselves in the Black Lives Matter movement and called for more Muslim countries to do their part in taking China to task for their alleged injustices.

“Every human is equal,” Ozil told The Athletic. “It doesn’t matter what religion or colour you are - Muslim, Christian, Jew, black, white or anything else. We are all the same.

“What I said was not against Chinese people, it was against whoever is doing this to the Uighur Muslims and other people who are not helping them, such as other Muslim countries.

“I have given a lot to Arsenal, on and off the pitch, so the reaction was disappointing. They said they don’t get involved in politics but this isn’t politics and they have got involved in other issues.

“In America, we saw George Floyd killed and the world spoke up to say Black Lives Matter, and that is correct. We are all equal and it’s a good thing that people fight against injustice. There are a lot of black players and fans of Arsenal and it’s fantastic the club is backing them.

“But I wish people would have done the same for the Muslims because Arsenal have many Muslim players and fans as well, and it is important for the world to say that Muslim Lives Matter.”

Barcelona are now "more dependent" on talismanic forward Lionel Messi "than they have ever been", according to Bernd Schuster.

Despite missing the start of the 2019-20 campaign, Messi finished the domestic season as the top scorer in La Liga, winning the coveted Pichichi award for a record-breaking seventh time.

The Argentina international has hit 31 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions, with his latest effort coming during a thrilling Champions League win against Napoli last weekend.

Messi jinked his way through the Italian outfit's defence and picked himself up from the floor before curling an unstoppable strike into the far corner of the net, with Clement Lenglet and Luis Suarez also getting on the scoresheet to seal a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou.

That result saw Barca progress to the quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate, and they are now scheduled to face Bundesliga champions Bayern in Lisbon on Friday for a place in the last four.

Schuster says his old club, who surrendered their La Liga crown to Real Madrid in July, have become far too reliant on Messi in recent times, and has warned that they will struggle to beat Bayern if the diminutive magician is off his game.

"Barcelona are more dependent on Messi than they have ever been," the ex-Barca midfielder told Bild.

"Messi can still win games on his own. He has the quality to score goals against Bayern and decide the game on his own.

"There are only two options for Barcelona this season, that Messi scores the goal or that they have a world-class day in the game without the ball."

Pressed further on the challenge Bayern will pose Quique Setien's men, Schuster responded: "The way they have played so far and won the championship, they are one of the favourites for me."

The 60-year-old went on to express his belief that Atletico Madrid, another of his former clubs, are well placed to reach the semi-finals of this season's Champions League at the expense of RB Leipzig.

"The final is definitely a size too big, but what they have achieved so far is excellent," Schuster added on the Bundesliga side's run to the last eight. "You have to see what a young and sometimes inexperienced team they have.

"And that is at the Champions League level! Atletico are old cannons who have been playing at the top level for years, and have been in the final twice.

"Leipzig also has the disadvantage of having lost Timo Werner in this situation."

Joash Onyango has now left Kenya for Tanzania where he is expected to finalize his move to champions Simba SC.

The Kenya defender cut his ties with Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants Gor Mahia. K'Ogalo had not paid the player for several months and he is demanding to be released for breach of contract.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi, who have been following the player for some time, capitalized on the situation and managed to get their player on a free. Everything has been verbally agreed and what remains is the signing and unveiling which will be done between Thursday and Friday.

"[Onyango] is on his way to Tanzania to finalize the move, but everything has been discussed and agreed," a source from Simba told Goal on Thursday.

"He is an experienced defender who will help the team perform well both domestically and abroad. He will further strengthen our defence and give us a better chance of performing well especially in the Caf Champions League."

The 27-year-old is set to take the position of ageing Pascal Wawa whose contract at the club has been extended by a year.

Last season, Simba managed to win the treble; Community Shield, FA Cup, and the league.

The Kenyan side confirmed they could not keep the player owing to financial challenges faced.

"Gor Mahia player Joash [Onyango] is close to securing a lucrative move to Tanzanian giants Simba as the club struggles to keep their star players due to the financial challenges they are facing," read the statement from the club.

"Joash [Onyango] was owed a lot of money by Gor Mahia and put in a demand letter to them that went unanswered. He then served a notice as required and started negotiations with Simba who have always been interested in his services.

"Simba have moved with speed to secure his services and he is expected in Dar es Salaam to sign the deal.

"Joash will thus join former teammates Francis Kahata and Meddie Kagere who played an integral part for the Tanzanian champions in the just-concluded season."

In an earlier interview, Onyango revealed he was ready for another challenge after his current contract with Gor Mahia expires. 

"To be honest my contract with Gor Mahia expires in December,” he told Goal. “I am ripe for another challenge; Gor Mahia have not approached me regarding my contract extension.

“So if any team approaches me with the intention to get my services, I will not think twice.”

Onyango joined K'Ogalo from Western Stima in the 2017 season and has gone on to help them win back-to-back KPL titles. He was part of the team that qualified for the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-finals in the 2018/19 season.

Chelsea is the ideal next destination for Kai Havertz, according to Michael Ballack, who says Frank Lampard will help the Bayer Leverkusen star develop even further.

Goal reported last month that Chelsea had entered into negotiations with Leverkusen over a possible €76 million (£69m/$90m) deal for Havertz, who is expected to leave Bay Arena this summer.

However, Leverkusen are holding out for a figure closer to €100m (£90m/$118m), and sporting director Rudi Voller has promised that there will be no "Covid discount" for the midfielder.

Havertz's final appearance of the campaign came during a 2-1 Europa League quarter-final defeat to Inter on Monday, during which he scored to take his tally for the season to 18 goals in all competitions.

The 21-year-old is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, and fellow Germany international Antonio Rudiger fueled speculation over an imminent move when asked to weigh in on his colleague's future in July.

"He is a great talent and he had a very good season. He is also very young and we will see what happens," said the Chelsea defender.

Havertz has even been favourably compared to former Blues playmaker Ballack, who won the Premier League and two FA Cups during his time in west London.

The Germany legend, who also enjoyed a spell at Leverkusen in the early stages of his career, believes Havertz would be able to reach the next level under the stewardship of Lampard.

Ballack told Bild of the influence his old team-mate could have on the young forward at Chelsea: "I firmly believe that Lampard would be 100 per cent behind Havertz.

"He likes players who are very dangerous in front of goal and there aren’t many of those.

"Havertz is a player that Lampard would help further develop, not least because he himself was a midfielder with an eye for goal, who was always moving into dangerous areas, looking to finish off a chance."

The Blues have already signed another of the Bundesliga's most promising young talents in Timo Werner, who completed a £47.5 million ($62m) move to Stamford Bridge in June, and they have been tipped to challenge for the title if Havertz follows his compatriot to England in the coming weeks.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic was unhappy with the outcome of their clash with Bidvest Wits on Wednesday evening.

The two Johannesburg teams resumed their 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign with a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Nurkovic opened the scoring for Amakhosi with a header nine minutes before half-time, before Cole Alexander snatched a late equalizing goal for the Clever Boys.

The Serbian striker tormented Wits defence throughout the match and he was named man of the match at the end of the encounter.

The man nicknamed Kokota cut a disappointed figure as he admitted he was not pleased with a point as Chiefs failed to extend their lead to six points atop the PSL standings. 

"My job as a striker is to score as many goals as possible to help the team because we are all fighting for the same goals," Nurkovic told SuperSport TV.

"Me personally, I am not happy with one point but this is football.

"Sometimes you win, lose, draw. it doesn't really matter. All we have to do is focus on the next game."

Nurkovic, who is enjoying a dream debut season in South African football, has now netted 12 goals in the league plus one in the Telkom Knockout Cup.

His goals in the league have helped the Soweto giants maintain their charge for the PSL title which they last won in 2015 under British coach Stuart Baxter.

Chiefs restored their four-point gap which they had over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns during the recent break, enforced by the coronavirus pandemic between March and August.

Sundowns played to a 0-0 draw with their Gauteng rivals Orlando Pirates at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, before Amakhosi were held by Wits on the following day.

Both teams will be in action later this week with Sundowns set to take on Highlands Park at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday.

While Chiefs will travel to Loftus Versfeld Stadium where they are scheduled to face Polokwane City on Saturday.

Nurkovic, 28, and his Amakhosi teammates will be looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Polokwane in the first round of league action. 

Simba SC have taunted their rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) after they won a case to have midfielder Bernard Morrison feature for them in the coming season.

The Ghanaian forward moved from the Jangwani giants to the Wekundu wa Msimbazi in a controversial manner with the former arguing the player was still contracted to them until 2022 and went ahead to lodge a complaint with Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

However, on Wednesday, TFF ruled in Morrison and Simba’s favour meaning the player can now play for the Mainland Premier League champions for the next two seasons.

Though Yanga, who were not satisfied with the decision and have now vowed to challenge the same in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Zurich, Simba have now taken to their social media pages, to mock their rivals by stating Morrison had made the right decision to sign for a club where Cups are always won.

“When you reach a safe place,” Simba wrote with a picture of Morrison kissing the club badge. “The section that is your status,” the statement added.

“The part that you'll find happiness. The part where cups are not something to ask, there is the part you love and ready to serve with all your heart. Is this wrong?”

As if not enough, Simba Information Officer Haji Manara also took to his social media pages to blast Yanga for their intended move to take the case to CAS, stating they will lose again and might end up being relegated from the top-flight because they will be found guilty.

“It is a shame that Yanga now wants to take their complaint to CAD before even starting from Fifa, it means all the officials in Yanga don’t know exactly what they want and must do,” Manara wrote on his social media pages.

“Allow me to teach them something, they should first start with Fifa and then if it doesn’t favour them, then they can move to CAS, but they will still find it difficult because the contract they have for Morrison was signed on January 15 even before the player himself arrived in Dar es Salaam.

“They will also find a contract which they deleted using a black pen and the e-mails they sent to Morrison and remind them how they signed [Tambwe], let them go but don’t be surprised when you see them losing the case again and CAS will relegate them from the top-flight as they did to Juventus.”

Morrison is the first signing for Simba in this transfer window.

Orlando Pirates legend Joseph 'Duku Duku' Makhanya says the club's decision to suspend Thembinkosi Lorch and Justin Shonga should be respected.

The two attackers have been suspended by the club due to disciplinary issues and they are set to miss the action on the field of play for the rest of the current 2019/20 season.

The Buccaneers made the announcement ahead of their PSL clash with Mamelodi Sundowns which ended in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night. 

"Yeah, I saw the statement from the club regarding the suspension of the two players, but we don't know the real reason behind their suspension," Makhanya told Goal. 

"However, Pirates is a professional club. All professional clubs have a code of conduct. Players have a responsibility to ensure that they abide by the club's code of conduct.

"So, if the club decides that whatever they have done is enough to warrant a suspension, then we have to respect the club's decision." 

Lorch has struggled to replicate the form which saw him clinch the PSL Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards at the end of the previous campaign.

The 27-year-old winger has looked a shadow of his former self this season having admitted that he was disappointed after he failed to secure a move to an overseas club earlier this season.

Some believe Lorch is unhappy at the Houghton-based side with the club having rejected offers from overseas after the gifted player was linked with Belgian sides Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge, and French clubs Dijon Football and Toulouse FC.

Makhanya, who was on the books of Pirates' first team between 2000 and 2011 as a fan favourite, believes Lorch is still committed to the Buccaneers. 

"No, not at all. It has nothing to do with the player's commitment because he has worked hard for the team this season," the 38-year-old retired winger said.

"When you play for a big club like Pirates you have to respect the jersey and wear it with pride. You also have to respect the club's badge."

The Bafana Bafana international has netted only one goal in 17 league appearances this term compared to the nine he netted from 26 games last season.

"The fact that his performance has dipped this season doesn't mean that he is unhappy at Pirates. He has shown the same commitment he displayed last season," Makhanya added.

"It's just that things have not gone his way this season. It happens in football. Whenever I have watched him play I have seen a player, who is committed on the pitch."

Lorch was signed by Pirates from then-National First Division (NFD) club Maluti FET College in 2015 and he spent the first round of the 2016/17 season on loan at Chippa United. 

Bhawanipore FC coach Sankarlal Chakraborty is hoping to create history this year by winning the 2nd Division League and make it to the I-League for the first time in club’s 110-year history.

The century-old club has not been amongst the big names in Kolkata football but this time they are dreaming big. Despite the problems the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has thrown up, the club are optimistic.

Though the first phase of the 2nd Division was halted, Bhowanipore has a chance to play in the final stage, which could be hosted in West Bengal, and seal qualification.

Chakraborty, while speaking about the club’s ahead of the league’s final round, accepted that it will be a challenge for him to prepare the team after such a big gap, but he is still dreaming of making it to the top tier.

“Our target is to win the Second Division League. But the situation we are at the moment, we don’t know when we can start training. This is a big problem for everyone. The players haven’t played for a very long time. There is a difference between training at home and training together on the ground.

“We have given training schedules to the players and have instructed them to work as per the schedule. We are yet to finalise our full squad and once it is done a detailed training program will be handed over to the players so that they can start training at their home. There is, of course, a big question mark over our pre-season at the moment,” the Bhawanipore head coach told Goal.

The former Calcutta Football League (CFL) winning Mohun Bagan coach spoke about the impact the pandemic has had. He said, “The pandemic had a huge impact on the Kolkata Maidan. From local kit manufacturers to groundsmen to the coaches and other coaching staffs a lot of people are involved in the maidan.

“This is a huge industry. You won’t find so many divisions in any other state leagues. So I think the Coronavirus came as a huge blow for the Maidan. This will also have an impact on the players both physically and financially.”

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not decided where to host the tournament but West Bengal is certainly a front runner. On asked if playing the league on home conditions will benefit his time, Chakraborty said, “I am not thinking about home advantage. I am just concerned about the fitness of my players, how will they be able to regain their fitness before the start of the season after such a gap. Playing home or away is not my concern at the moment.”

The Bengali also confirmed that the club have already strengthened their side by roping in last season’s CFL top scorer Ansumana Kromah and former NEROCA FC and Mohammedan Sporting striker Philip Adjah. They have also signed experienced Indian players like Manotosh Chakladhar and Jiten Murmu.

On the personal front, the former Mohun Bagan boss is hoping to get his AFC Pro License degree.

Comparing the challenges of coaching clubs of varying stature like Mohun Bagan and Bhawanipore, Chakraborty suggested, “The experiences are completely different. When you manage a big club you need to know how to deal with big players. Also, the pressure of media and fans is there. On the other hand, in a smaller club, there are no expectations. No one will question if you lose or praise you if you win. But again there is this challenge to manage low key players and motivate them so that they can do well."

Do you have a friend who has, at some point, asked you why you are 'wasting time' being a part of a supporters' club?

Sports has risen above the levels where it is considered as just another way for people to have fun. It has managed to unite people and has influenced followers to give back to society. 

Only three months ago, Kerala Blasters fan group Manjappada organized a Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) football tournament and donated the money earned from the event to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) and the PM Cares fund. They were able to collect and donate more than INR 1 lakh with the help of football lovers across the state. 

The lockdown in India due to the Coronavirus pandemic started in March and is still enforced in certain zones. Sporting activities are yet to resume and there are uncertainties in every field which have left several in need of financial aid.

A few weeks ago, Arsenal Supporters' Club Kerala donated INR 1 lakh to the CMDRF to help the state fight the pandemic.

"We initially thought we couldn't do this because of everyone's financial situation. A few members of the group put forward the idea and we launched a campaign officially. We spread the message in all our groups and there were a lot of youngsters who took it up actively," Sandeep, a senior member of the Arsenal fan group told Goal .

"Keeping aside all the rivalries, there is a bond between fans of different football clubs. Ultimately, football unites us and it has given us an opportunity to do something useful," he added. 

In Kolkata, Debu Dutta, a bereaved Mohun Bagan fan donated the money he kept aside for the Shradhh ceremony of his late father, a gesture that the club's top officials including Srinjoy Bose acknowledged. "The Shraddh function is due on April 25 but owing to the ongoing situation it will not be possible to feed people during the ceremony. So I decided to donate the amount I had kept aside for this to the State Relief Fund," Dutta told PTI.

East Bengal Real Power (EBRP), a fan forum of the historic club also organized a collection drive for the Government fund and brought in nearly INR 72000 in just four days. They also helped out a couple of ardent East Bengal supporters who needed financial help. These are proof that football fan clubs, when dedicated and united for a cause, can yield massive results. 

Liverpool fans across India were delighted as the Reds finally clinched the Premier League title a few weeks ago. The Liverpool supporters' club in Mangalore took the celebration to another level when they fed the needy in their city. The money collected from the Reds in the city was enough to fund the catering of 900 packets of cooked food which was then supplied to hospitals, orphanages, old age homes and the homeless people in the city. 

Fan clubs of Tottenham Hotspur in Bengaluru and Kerala also did their part. Bangalore Spurs delivered food packets for the poor in association with the city police. Kerala Spurs donated a Smart TV to an underprivileged family so that kids can attend online classes.

Were all these done only because there is a pandemic? The answer to that is a firm no as these groups are active throughout the year to celebrate football on and off the field.

Let your friend know that you did your part when it mattered. 

Wednesday evening was one of joy for Indian football enthusiasts in Delhi after the Sudeva FC were given a direct entry into the I-League for the upcoming season by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Not only does this mean Delhi gets their first ever I-League club, the development marks the return of top level football to Delhi after Delhi Dynamos shifted bases to Odisha at the start of the 2019-20 season.

Sudeva's entry into the I-League is a dream come true for co-owner Anuj Gupta who has been planning for this day ever since he started the club alongside his friend Vijay Hakari in 2014.

"It is a great moment for me, Sudeva FC and Delhi football as well. It is the best moment of my life," Anuj told Goal. "We have been planning this for quite a while now. The development is historic not just for us but also for Delhi football as a whole."

"Now, our focus will be on developing players and putting them into the I-League platform so that they can be ready for the national team in the future."

More importantly, Sudeva's entry into the I-League should be a welcome development for Indian players. Anuj has made no secret of his commitment to developing Indian players and has confirmed that the club will play their first ever I-League campaign with a completely Indian squad.

"It is a great moment not only for us but also for young talent who could not get opportunities despite having the ability. They can definitely approach me. Of course, we can only have 30 or so players in the team, so I will be very selective.

"We will be putting an all Indian contingent with a mix of youth and senior players."

Anuj feels that Sudeva's performances will not be affected by the lack of overseas players. He cites the example of Indian Arrows who despite fielding a team made of teenage Indian players, have some notable wins in their record. Anuj feels that a bit of experience would have helped the Arrows get even better results.

"I have a strong conviction that we will be able to perform much better than people expect from a side without foreign players. It could also be an eye opener for me but anyhow. If you add some experience to the Arrows side, they could have converted many close results."

Sudeva are also planning to expand their already impressive facilities with the addition of new grounds which Anuj feels will benefit Delhi football in the long run.

"Next year, our plan is to come up with a new facility with four to five grounds in Delhi and some of those grounds will be given to Football Delhi and AIFF to have their matches. It should help the state football scenario because there will be more grounds and more teams and players."

The quarter-finals of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League is up and running after the Covid-19 enforced break. PSG managed to reach the semifinals last night after a stunning victory.

Watch all the highlights right here:

Paris Saint-Germain produced a stunning late turnaround to beat Atalanta 2-1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1995.

Joe Aribo opened his Scottish Premiership 2020-21 season account in Rangers 3-0 triumph over St Johnstone.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored the Gers’ last goal as Steven Gerrard’s team cruised to a routine win inside Ibrox Stadium.

While it looked like the first-half might not produce a goal, Borna Barisic put the hosts ahead with his stunning free-kick in the 21st minute.

The Croatia international curled his strike past goalkeeper Elliott Parish after Alfredo Morelos was fouled 25-yards from goal.

Barisic turned provider for Ryan Kent to double the Gers’ lead on the stroke of halftime.

Four minutes into the second half, Aribo made it three for Rangers after connecting to James Tavernier’s corner kick to rifle home his first goal of the new season.

Filip Helander came close to a fourth after getting on the end of Barisic’s free-kick, however, was unable to make nothing out of it.

Anglo-Nigerian Isaac Olaofe almost reduced the deficit, but his point-blank strike was saved by goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin,

After putting up a fine performance on Aribo was replaced by Scott Arfield in the 61st minute of the encounter, while his compatriot Leon Balogun was substituted for Filip Helander after the first-half.

Thanks to this result, Gerrard’s men have now won all games since the commencement of the new campaign. They top the league after accumulating nine points from three outings.

They are guests of Efe Ambrose’s Livingston in their next league outing billed for Sunday.

In a recent interview, Super Eagles’ Aribo revealed how he is working to improve his goalscoring abilities.

“That’s the one thing I’ve always wanted to be known as, a goalscoring midfielder,” he was quoted as saying in Rangers matchday programme.

“I’ve sat down with the gaffer and we spoke about it, so I know that is one area I need to improve on.

“I think it’s a case of wanting to be in the right place at the right time and having the willingness and the desire to be there.

“It’s also about being calmer in front of goal as well, not slashing at shots and taking your time with them. Hopefully, that will help me get more goals.

“But I feel I have developed a lot and I’m learning day in day out in games and on the training field as well.

“When you look at the staff, you have the gaffer and Macca, two great players that have played in my position too. So, I can just take little things off them every single day and, of course, you learn in matches.”

Kylian Mbappe thanked Paris Saint-Germain's medical staff for getting him fit in time to play a starring role in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final win over Atalanta.

Speaking two weeks ago, PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel said key man Mbappe required "a miracle" to recover from an ankle sprain sustained on July 24.

But the France international was named among the substitutes and made a big impact from the bench in the final half hour of the Ligue 1 champions' remarkable 2-1 triumph.

Mbappe linked up with Neymar and set up fellow substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for a 93rd-minute winner, 149 seconds after Marquinhos cancelled out Mario Pasalic's opener. 

After helping his side book a first semi-final appearance in the competition since 1995, the 21-year-old went on social media to praise the club's backroom staff.

"You don't talk to me about pain," he tweeted. "A big thank you to the medical staff for getting me back on my feet, no one believed it except us. 

"Congratulations to the whole group, we want to get this one."

Tuchel, who broke a bone in his foot during a training session last week, clenched both fists and let out a huge roar when the winning goal hit the net, potentially saving his job at the Parc des Princes in the process.

Speaking to RMC Sport after the match, the German coach said: "Imagine what I could have done with two legs! It is our 50th birthday today and we will not forget this day. We are really happy to be in the semi-finals. 

"It is a historic season, with four titles and a Champions League semi-final.

"I doubted after 88 minutes of play, I was realistic, but we always thought about scoring.

"I told my assistants: 'if we draw, we will make a difference soon after'. We had a great game and the qualification is deserved.

"It was a bit of luck with those late goals but if you look at the whole game, it's deserved."

PSG now move into the semi-finals of the competition and will come up against either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid, who square off against each other on Thursday.

Faith Micheal found the back of the net for the first this season after helping Pitea earn a 1-1 draw against Linda Motlhalo and Portia Boakye's Djurgardens in Wednesday’s Damallsvenskan outing.

The Nigeria international scored a 63rd-minute equaliser to open her 2020 goal account after 10 games.

The result saw Pitea earn their first point in five consecutive matches in the Swedish elite division.

Stellan Carlsson's side started the encounter on the back foot after Rachel Bloznalis fired Djurgarden ahead in the 27th minute.

They trailed for most of the fixture until Micheal found the back of the net 13 minutes after the restart, thanks to Vilma Koivisto’s assist.

The 33-year-old Nigeria international, who is in her 10th season with the former champions was in action from start to finish for Pitea.

Djurgardens, on their part, featured South Africa's Molthalo and Ghana's Bokaye but the African duo could not help them claim their first win in their last three outings.

The draw saw Pitea sit in seventh place with 12 points from 10 games, while Djurgardens are 10th with nine points from same matches and just a point above the drop zone.

Pitea will travel to face Eskilstuna United in their next fixture on August 16, while Djurgardens welcome Rosengard the next day.