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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he needs to add “one or two” more players to complete his transfer business for next season.

Mosimane has already signed midfielder George Maluleka from Kaizer Chiefs as well as forward Lesedi Kapinga from Black Leopards.

The Bidvest Wits trio of midfielders Gift Motupa and Haashim Domingo, as well as goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, is on their way to Chloorkop and the Downs coach appears satisfied with his acquisitions and says he just needs some little additions.

“We have already set our targets and we know who we want and where they are going to help us,” said Mosimane as per Phakaaathi.

“We are done with the transfers. We just need to get one or two players … but the rest of the people we are already done with. I know who I want to sign in December [in any season], so we don’t buy because a player is on top form this season.”

Mosimane has also previously expressed interest to lure more players from South America, saying he has already identified potential signings.

The coming in of three midfielders Maluleka, Motupa and Domingo is expected to add more depth in the middle of the park for Sundowns.

If Goss completes a move to Chloorkop, it is almost certain that one goalkeeper between Kennedy Mweene and Reyaad Pieterse would be sacrificed.

Mosimane has previously stated that a busy schedule of participating in the Caf Champions League and domestic competitions has been the reason why he signs a number of players who play in the same position.

“You will not manage to juggle the team if you have players who play one position,” Mosimane said.

“We like players who can play in different positions. Rivaldo Coetzee can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder."

Mosa Lebusa is a centre-back and can play as a left-back. Lyle Lakay is a left-back and a left winger.

“Themba Zwane always plays on the left but against Wits, Zwane was a striker. Lebohang Maboe sometimes plays as a striker and we are now preparing him to play at right-back. Thapelo Morena is a right-back, right-winger and a striker.”

With Oupa Manyisa having already left, it would be interesting to see which other midfielders will be released to create space for the incoming players.

Manchester United’s hopes of signing Jadon Sancho have diminished after the England winger was named in the squad that will travel for Borussia Dortmund’s pre-season training camp.

The Old Trafford club have pursued the forward for several months and appeared to be closing in on a deal last week, but they have failed to meet BVB’s deadline for getting the signing over the line.

The Bundesliga runners-up had wanted the transfer completed before their pre-season training camp but they have named Sancho in the group that travelled to Switzerland on Monday, suggesting that it has become much more complicated for United to complete a deal that was expected to be valued around the €120 million (£108m/$141m) mark.

Hopes had briefly flickered over the weekend that it would be completed as Sancho was spotted in London, but Dortmund quickly extinguished that.

"It's common and fine for players to go home before a training camp if they're not risky," Dortmund's press spokesman Sascha Fligge said.

"The same goes for Jadon. From our point of view, the pictures that have been shown to us do not violate the current Coronavirus Protection Ordinance or hygiene regulations."

The 20-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Red Devils and wants a switch to Old Trafford, but BVB chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke insisted on Wednesday that there had been no talks between the two clubs.

"So far, there has been no contact between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in terms of Sancho," he told Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"Also not directly or through alleged intermediaries."

Sancho, who joined the Bundesliga outfit from Manchester City in 2017, is coming off the back of a career-best season with Dortmund, where he scored 20 goals and assisted 20 more in all competitions, making him one of the most sought after commodities in the market this summer.

The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent financial uncertainty, however, has complicated his exit, with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool unwilling to stump up the kind of fee that Dortmund are demanding for him to depart the club, leaving United the sole team chasing him.

Meanwhile, fellow young Englishman Jude Bellingham has also travelled to Switzerland after arriving from Birmingham City earlier this summer.

Creative midfielder Allan Okello has termed the year as 'terrible' for everyone owing to the impact brought about by Covid-19.

The Uganda Cranes midfielder joined Algeria's top-tier side Paradou AC in January after his impressive displays with Ugandan Premier League side KCCA FC. However, the pandemic led to the suspension of the top-tier matches to cub the spread of the virus.

"It has been a terrible year for everyone, and to me, it has been the worst seven months because of this lockdown," Okello told KCCA TV.

"It has been very terrible, my lockdown has been hell, I miss my family, friends, and everyone who used to be close to me. I have been alone on this side and bored and lonely. But I have nothing to do, I have to go through It. I know with time, we are going to cope with everything."

The 20-year-old has been training alone to ensure he remains fit and ready once football resumes in North Africa.

"At this moment it’s all about personal training and working on our weaknesses, so we have a lot of different routines given to us by our coaches," Okello continued.

"That is all you have to go through in this moment to keep us in shape, keep physically and mentally fit."

The youngster states playing abroad was one of his targets, but there is much to be achieved. 

"Like any other player in the world, we all have different ambitions at the moment, no matter where you reach regardless of where you are. 

"At KCCA I had an ambition of getting where I am today, and where I am, I have another bigger ambition of getting much better than where I am today.

"But I need to keep on working hard. Within a few years, I have much bigger ambitions of getting much more forward to a better place than here but at the moment I am happy here."  

Okello has been steadily rising at the club and international level. He was part of the KCCA team that won the league in the 29018/19 season before Paradou came calling.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Anthony Martial is "at the best level in his career" and that "there's more to come" from the improving Manchester United striker.

Martial is currently enjoying his best season yet in a United shirt, having hit 23 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.

The 24-year-old has taken up the mantle as the Red Devils' first-choice centre-forward since Romelu Lukaku's move to Inter last summer, and is finally beginning to fulfil his potential after a frustrating couple of years under Jose Mourinho.

Solskjaer has been rewarded for trusting the Frenchman to lead the line, especially since the club's return from lockdown in June, with the forward now consistently delivering the goods in the final third alongside Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Martial came off the bench to score the winner in United's last outing against LASK in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League tie, which set up a meeting with Copenhagen on Monday.

Ahead of that encounter in Germany, Solskjaer has talked up a prized asset's development over the past 12 months, while predicting that he will become an even better player in the coming years.

“Anthony has made huge strides this season in many aspects of his game," the Red Devils head coach told a press conference.

“I like him scoring, being in between the posts, call it the simple goals. We know he can do the worldies, like he has a few times.

“He’s in the gym a lot and working on his strength and fitness with the staff.

“He’s physically at the best level in his career and I’m just looking forward to seeing him improve even more. There’s more to come from Anthony, definitely."

Another man who has enjoyed a resurgence in recent times is Paul Pogba, who has managed to rediscover his form since returning from a lengthy injury lay off after the coronavirus-enforced break in the campaign.

Questions had been asked of the midfielder's future amid persistent links with Real Madrid, but Solskjaer expects him to remain at Old Trafford beyond the expiration of his existing contract in 2021.

“He has worked really hard, he is happy and he is playing well," the Norwegian said of the World Cup winner. "We are going to see the best of Paul in the next couple of seasons, I’m sure."

The two positive coronavirus cases reported in the Atletico Madrid camp have both been returned by players, Goal can confirm, as the club try to contain the outbreak and exit a state of Champions League limbo.

News broke on Sunday that two members of the party set to travel to the Champions League quarter-finals in Portugal had tested positive for the virus, but there was no further indication whether those affected were members of the playing or backroom staff.

Goal has learned that two members of Diego Simeone’s squad, however, are responsible for the two positive tests and, as such, will not travel to Portugal or take part in the remainder of the competition.

The players are in a stable condition and are observing isolation protocols in their own homes. 

In response to the two positive tests, a fresh round of testing has been activated on Atleti’s first team and members of staff who have travelled, while there are also checks being made on those who have come into close contact with the players.

Until the results of the latest tests have become clear, Atleti are in a state of limbo. When the outcome is clear, UEFA will advise them on how to proceed for Thursday's scheduled clash against RB Leipzig.

UEFA’s medical protocol indicates that as long as there are 13 available players from the A list, the match will take place, unless quarantine is required for the rest of the squad, although it is the Portuguese government that will have the final say.

Meanwhile, Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who is currently in Germany with his side as they seek to win the Europa League, has taken to social media to defend Thomas Lemar after the Atleti attacker was subject to abuse on the platform.

“I see messages wishing that it’s Thomas Lemar who has covid. You really are scoundrels. Show a little respect. This is human life we are talking about, it’s not a joke,” the 21-year-old former Bordeaux man wrote on his Twitter account.

Spain has been one of the European countries most heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 360,000 people testing positive for Covid-19, while more than 28,500 have died.

Bruno Fernandes will "run out of steam" if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn't make any signings, according to Paul Parker, who has urged Manchester United to spend money on a new midfielder and striker.

United picked up more points in the Premier League than any other side in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign following Fernandes' arrival from Sporting CP.

The Red Devils forked out €55 million (£50m/$65m) to bring in the Portuguese, which many feel he has repaid in his first 20 appearances for the club.

Fernandes already has ten goals and eight assists to his name in a United shirt, and he has led by example in the middle of the park to help his new team-mates raise their own games over the past seven months.

The Manchester outfit secured third place and Champions League qualification with the 25-year-old pulling the strings in midfield, with a first trophy since 2017 also still up for grabs in the form of the Europa League.

Solskjaer's men did, however, lose a bit of momentum in the final stretch of their domestic season as fatigue crept in, which ultimately led to a painful FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Parker says the Norwegian will have to add to his squad in order to avoid a similar scenario next term, having seen Fernandes take on far too much responsibility since the return from lockdown.

The ex-United defender would like to see at least two new players make their way to Old Trafford in the coming weeks, as he told talkSPORT: "I think they’re capable of [winning the Europa League] with the way they’ve played since lockdown.

“You’d have to say they won the lockdown league with the points they won and they must be confident. It’s probably the most confident a United team has been since 2013.

“But they need signings. They can’t go as they are, there’s no way they can do that.

“They’ve done great this season, but there’s no way they can start next season expecting these same players to go and do the same again.

“Fernandes will run out of steam early because he takes so much on himself, he wants to be on the ball, he tracks people back, they’ll be too dependent on him for every game if they carry on as they are.

“Everyone is looking at [Paul] Pogba now, he’s had his little stint back in the starting line-up, but there’s still too many issues about him defensively.

“They need cover in midfield and I still believe they need a centre-forward, I really, really do.”

Simba SC have come out to clarify their midfielder Clatous Chama is not for sale at any price.

The statement by the club comes just a day after rumours went round in Tanzania that Yanga are planning to sign the Zambian midfielder, so as to ‘level the scores’ after Simba signed their own Bernard Morrison on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi unveiled the Ghanaian player after he agreed to pen a two-year contract and leave the Jangwani Street-based giants.

Simba Information Officer Haji Manara has now told Yanga that Chama, who was recently crowned the MVP of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League and midfielder of the year is contracted at the club until July 2021, and will not be sold.

“We have seen rumours going round that Chama is leaving Simba for Yanga, I want to state it clearly we are not aware of such rumours and that Chama is a player contracted to Simba,” Manara said on his official social media pages.

“Simba is not ready to sell Chama, because the coach has already plans for him in the new season, Yanga should stop crying and focus elsewhere, they can sign players from other teams, I know they want to sign him as revenge on us signing [Morrison] but it will not happen.”

Simba are now close to signing defender Joash Onyango after his club Gor Mahia confirmed they had released him on Monday.

The Kenyan champions confirmed in a statement: “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.

“[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.”

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.

Liverpool’s Premier League-winning team of 2019-20 was not as good as the one that finished as runners-up in the previous campaign, according to Anfield legend John Barnes.

Jurgen Klopp’s men set a string of records en route to breaking their 30-year wait for the English league championship, picking up 99 points and finishing 18 marks clear of the pack.

A year previous, though, they finished second to Manchester City, claiming 97 points along the way while also winning the Champions League, overcoming Tottenham in the final.

Barnes has argued that the latter team was the better but simply fell short against a special rival.

“I was delighted with them last year – 97 points and finishing second, winning the Champions League…” he told talkSPORT.

“In fact, I think they were probably better last year, but Man City were just incredible.

“They continued that consistency this year in what they did, so I look at it as a two-year victory, if you like – winning the Champions League and finishing second by a point in the league and then winning the Premier League this season, it was an incredible two years.

“Jurgen Klopp has brought a real level of consistency and determination and humility to the team.

“People are now saying ‘can they do it again next year’, but what we can do next year is we can be as competitive as we were this year.

“Obviously teams will improve to make it harder, but I don’t think we’ll be any less consistent next year.”

Meanwhile, Barnes, who turned out for the Reds from 1987-97, says that the 2018-19 campaign brought the club’s most remarkable performance ever – one that surpasses even their comeback from 3-0 in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan.

“You can go back to when Liverpool won the European Cup in the old days in Rome, and of course there was Istanbul and you think that will never be surpassed,” he said.

“But then there was the 4-0 at home to Barcelona, as much as it was in the semi-final and wasn’t to win the Champions League, that for me tops anything they’ve done in the past – including Istanbul.

“To beat Barcelona when you had to beat them 4-0 at home without Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah while they had all their players, including Lionel Messi, and for us to come back… that’s why it’s my favourite.

“Again, it shows what Jurgen Klopp has brought to Liverpool, a determination and belief to the team – to demand that kind of performance from the team regardless of who is playing, it shows what Klopp has done.”

13-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions AFC Leopards have part ways with forward Vincent Oburu.

The 22-year-old was promoted to the senior team after starring for the then Boniface Ambani-led Cubs. Goal understands the striker is in search of greener pastures abroad and it is the reason why he refused to extend his stay at the club.

"AFC Leopards can confirm Vincent Oburu will depart the club after three years of service," the club confirmed via their official website.

"The forward’s time with the club ended after he opted not to extend his new contract which was offered to him in February.  

"Everyone at AFC Leopards Sports Club would like to thank Oburu for his service and wish him all the best in his future career."

The youngster's exit will further destabilize Ingwe's striking front considering top striker Elvis Rupia, who is a free agent, is reluctant in extending his stay as he is also weighing his options.

Derrick Otanga, Musa Masika and Peter Thiong’o are the players Ingwe have set their eyes on and have reportedly held individual talks with them.

Otanga, who was among 12 players to leave Wazito recently, is seen as a promising goalscorer who will be key for the team in the next campaign.

He made his name during the 2018/19 season as he scored 13 goals for the now relegated Sony Sugar.

His exploits for the Sugar Millers saw him land a lucrative deal with Wazito but his season at the club was not as fruitful as expected.

With Wazito struggling for stability and results, Otanga did not find his goalscoring touch and the exit from the Nairobi club has now made AFC Leopards add him to their wishlist.

Masika is seen as another good option for the striking department and chairman Dan Shikanda has reportedly vowed to ensure he is signed.

Masika, 19, is currently with Wazito.

Kakamega Homeboyz’ Thiong’o, whose contract Goal understands has ended, is another player the 1998 league champions want to bring on board.

Thiong’o has been one of the outstanding wingers in the KPL and that is why Ingwe have prioritised his signing. He has also reportedly attracted interest from Wazito and AFC Leopards' traditional rivals Gor Mahia.

Jose Mourinho hasn't lost his way, players just have "more power" now, according to Ricardo Carvalho, who says the Tottenham boss is still more than capable of getting results at the highest level.

Mourinho quickly established himself as one of the best managers in Europe when he took the top job at Porto in 2002.

He led the club to an unlikely Champions League triumph in 2004, before being snapped up by Premier League outfit Chelsea.

The Portuguese guided the Blues to back-to-back domestic crowns, while endearing himself to the English press with his suave persona and unique philosophy on the game.

Mourinho went on to enjoy hugely successful spells at Inter and Real Madrid, where he added another European Cup and thee league titles to his collection, before returning to Chelsea in 2013.

The 57-year-old managed to deliver the Premier League to Stamford Bridge for a third time, but his powers started to wane towards the end of his second spell in west London.

Chelsea sacked a cult figure after a disastrous start to the 2015-16 season which saw the team lose nine of their opening 16 top-flight fixtures.

Despite the acrimonious nature of his exit, Mourinho wasn't out of work for long, as Manchester United drafted him in to replace Louis van Gaal in the Old Trafford dugout.

The Red Devils won the Community Shield, Carabao Cup and Europa League during the ex-Chelsea manager's first season in charge, but he was eventually dismissed in December 2019 amid reports of unrest in the dressing room.

Mourinho now finds himself in charge at Tottenham, where his methods are once again being called into question, with some experts of the belief that he is now out of touch with the modern game.

Carvalho, who played under a fellow countryman at both Chelsea and Madrid, admits that his old boss needs to accept the fact that players have far more authority than they used to, but still sees him as one of the best in business on the touchline.

"Urm... no, I don't think he's lost his qualities," the former Blues defender told the Daily Mail.

"I think now the football is very different. The players have changed and they have more power. The players changed how they act and Mourinho now has to accept that's the way it is. 

"Sometimes, the problem comes from the way in which the players don't accept who he is - he is like that because he wants to achieve and wants to win trophies. 

"You have to accept the way Mourinho works. So, I think he knows his own way and he has been successful every year. I think it's more a question of time in the beginning... and then he will get results."

As exclusively revealed by Goal on Sunday, Gor Mahia defender Joash Onyango is close to signing for Simba SC.

Goal reported the 27-year-old is among the key players who are keen to leave the Kenyan champions in this transfer window and the Wekundu wa Msimbazi have already expressed their interest to sign him.

Gor Mahia have now confirmed through their official website that Onyango has left the club and will sign for Simba on a two-year contract.

“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,” the statement stated.

“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,” Onyango 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 intentions 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.

Other players whose contracts at K'Ogalo are about to expire include Charles Momanyi, who has been linked with a move to KCB, winger Nicholas Kipkirui and Ghanaian Jackson Owusu.

Cyriel Dessers has expressed his delight after scoring on his debut for Genk to help his new club open the 2020-21 Belgian First Division A campaign with a victory.

The 25-year-old Nigerian striker combined well with his compatriot Paul Onuachu to inspire Genk to a 2-1 win over Zulte Waregem on Sunday.

He was afforded a starting role in the encounter after his eye-catching performances for the Blue-White during their pre-season games and made a key impact.

Dessers scored the match-winning goal with a well-taken effort from the penalty spot after Onuachu had cancelled out Olivier Deschacht’s opener.

The forward has taken to social media to share his feelings on his first competitive match for Genk while also revealing his delight to help his new club kick off the season with a victory.

“First win and official goal for Genk and a nice comeback from the team,” Dessers tweeted.

Dessers, who started his career with the OH Leuven youth setup, joined the Luminus Arena outfit in June following his sparkling performances for Heracles Almelo.

The forward made a significant impact during his one-year stay with the Dutch club, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists across all competitions.

Dessers’ 15 strikes in the Eredivisie earned him the league’s top scorer award along with Steven Berghuis.

The centre-forward has also previously starred for Lokeren, NAC Breda and FC Utrecht, where he spent two years and played 40 league games before teaming up with Heracles Almelo in 2019.

His club performances recently caught the attention of Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr, who handed him his first call-up for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone which was scheduled for March 2020.  

The striker’s Super Eagles debut has, however, been delayed after the outbreak of coronavirus forced the game to be postponed indefinitely.

Dessers will hope to build on his impressive debut showing when Genk take on his former club OH Leuven in their next league game on August 15.

Garhwal, formerly an independent kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand was founded by Kanakpal, the progenitor of the Panwar dynasty, in 823 AD. In 1947, when India became independent from the British Raj, Garhwal was one of the princely states that did not accede to India. It was two years later that, the 60th king of Panwar Vansh, Manvendra Shah, the last ruling Maharaja of the Garhwal Kingdom, accepted India's sovereignty. 

A few years later, Kesar Singh Negi, founded Garhwal Heroes FC, a platform for young players of the Garhwali community to compete locally in Delhi. Subsequently, they were registered with the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) and in 1986 they won the first Delhi Senior Division League title. After braving a lengthy period of financial hardship, the club once again became the Champions of Delhi in 2012-13. 

Following the win, the club rechristened itself as Garhwal Football Club (GFC) in order to fulfill the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) club licensing criteria to participate in the AIFF (All India Football Federation) recognised competition. 

In 2020, in the 2nd Divison I-League, the club was hitting all the right notes and was placed at the top in Group A with 14 points from seven matches until the Coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of the competition in mid-March. Although the break-in sporting activities has hampered their preparations, the team is raring to get back on the pitch and restart their quest to book a berth in I-League. 

Kishore Taid, one of the directors of the club remains upbeat about their chances and feels that it is time that the Government allows sporting outfits to at least start training. 

"Live sports and international fixtures are not the only important activities. There are many livelihoods involved here at the grassroots. So many coaches are being hit financially because of the pause in sporting activities. People are going regularly to markets and other activities have resumed. Actually, this is such a small industry that it seldom attracts the attention of the government," Taid explained to Goal.

The team will retain its core members and might add an Asian overseas player before the start of the tournament as reinforcement. Their goal poacher Ekmobong Victor Philip was in fine form as he netted seven goals in as many matches and will continue to lead the lines. Nigerian defender Bala Alhassan will marshall the defence.

"We had a good squad and we were playing well as you can see that the team was on top when play had to be stopped. Definitely, our preparations have been affected due to the pandemic. But the squad knows how to stick together and the coaches are in constant touch with the players. They are keeping themselves fit and we are doing whatever that can be done remotely. 

"The foreign players will remain the same. But Kazu (Kazumasa Noura) has gone home in April due to the pandemic. So currently we have two foreigners and only two can play in the starting XI. But we will be looking to add one more, and also a few domestic players as well," informed Taid. 

The contracts have been extended till the end of the 2nd Division tournament and only if the club qualifies for I-League the side, will look to renew the deal with players who do not have a multiple-year agreement. 

(Vikas Rawat, Coach)

Like most other outfits Garhwal has also been hit financially by the Coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the testing costs during the tournament will burn another hole in the pocket. Taid believes that in this situation, financial management will be key for the clubs to survive as in spite of subsidies from AIFF, the revenue sources have taken a hit. 

"All industries are affected due to the pandemic and we are no different. The sponsorship market has also taken a hit. So to hold the competition in a shorter format is a good idea from the federation. The cost remains the same but the revenue has gone down. It is difficult and now we have to manage our finances accordingly. 

"The AIFF has already announced that they will give subsidy. Now the question is whether they will shell out more because of the pandemic. The Covid expenses will be extra and we will talk to AIFF about that. But again subsidy is not a long term solution. We should look for financial sustainability."

Coach Vikas Rawat and his assistant Arun Singh had done a phenomenal job in guiding the team to the top of the pile before the break. But the circumstances have changed and moreover, opposition teams like Mohammedan have made some blockbuster signings like Willis Plaza and Eze Kingsley to strengthen their bid for a spot in the upper-division. Ekta (Unity), Shaurya (Bravery), Vijay (Victory) are the guiding principles of the club - the time has come to live up to them on the football pitch. 

Former India international footballer Renedy Singh expressed his grief over the passing away of his former teammate Laishram Manitombi Singh with whom he shared the dressing room at Mohun Bagan and the Indian national team.

The former Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar FC defender breathed his last after a prolonged illness on Sunday. He was only 39 at the time of his death.

Singh could not fathom the death of a teammate as he said, “It is really sad. He has gone too soon. We played together for Mohun Bagan. He was also in the Indian team. After retirement, I used to meet him in Manipur. He used to train academy boys. He was also coaching a local team. He retired early but he was quite active with football after retirement.

“This is something which is not in our control. It is difficult for me to accept that someone who played with me is no more. May his soul rest peace,” the former Mohun Bagan winger told Goal.

He informed that Manitombi was suffering from an illness for the past four months and the situation got worse in recent times.

“Four or five months back I saw him at the stadium (Khuman Lamphak). He was suffering from an illness. In the last few months, it got worse. It is really sad. But in life, you never know. He has served football with honesty, he worked with the youth.”

The late footballer is survived by an eight-year-old son and wife and Renedy Singh informed that he is planning to gather former and current players to raise funds once the Covid-19 pandemic is over in order to support the deceased’s family.

“He has got one son who is eight years old and a wife. I don’t know if his wife is working. I was thinking if we could raise some funds for the family. Because he suffered from the illness for long and a lot of money must have been spent in the last few months. We can't do anything now due to the pandemic but once it is over all of us the ex-players and current players will try to raise some funds for his family. We are just thinking of this,” said Singh.

Gianfranco Zola said he is "surprised" by Juventus' decision to appoint first-time head coach Andrea Pirlo following Maurizio Sarri's dismissal.

Pirlo, 41, was sensationally appointed Juve coach on Saturday after the Serie A winners sacked Sarri following their Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Lyon.

Former Juve midfielder Pirlo, who was only recently named the Under-23s boss in Turin , will surprisingly have his first taste of senior coaching with the Bianconeri.

Zola worked as an assistant to Sarri at Chelsea in 2018-19 and he told Sky Sport Italia: "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by this.

"It's fascinating and if the project works, it'll go down as a huge success story for the club. It's not an easy job, though, as Juventus are asking to win in a certain way.

"This is a courageous move from the club and based on the quality of the man, but Pirlo will need their support going forward. It's not simple, but I do think he can have real success."

Bianconeri legend Alessandro Del Piero believes Pirlo has what it takes to match the achievements of Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid - who has won three Champions Leagues and a league title with the Spanish club.

"It’s not a fair comparison, because Zizou had already worked with the Real Madrid youth team and then was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager, but Pirlo has everything it takes to do even better than Zidane," Del Piero told Sky Sport Italia.

"He already knows the club, the players, the directors, so I think they communicated in a very clear way.

"To be honest, I wouldn’t have bet on him becoming the coach. It’s a surprise for me too.

"I was already pleased for him taking the Under-23 role and thought that was the right move for him, but he’s skipped ahead, so I can only wish him luck.

"I think the general perception of former players who become coaches is changing in Italy. Before, there was this need to go through a long process in the lower leagues to learn the trade, but in recent years we’ve seen Filippo and Simone Inzaghi succeed, plus Gennaro Gattuso. They were great players and started straight away with great teams."

Pirlo left Juve in 2015 after the Bianconeri, who had been chasing the treble, were beaten 3-1 in the Champions League final by Barcelona.

He spent two years in MLS with New York City FC before calling time on his playing career.

The 2006 World Cup winner is a six-time Serie A champion, having won two Scudetti with Milan and four with Juve. He twice triumphed in the Champions League as a Rossoneri player, in 2003 and 2007.

Goias had their opening game of the Campeonato Brasileiro season against Sao Paulo postponed after 10 of the club's players tested positive for COVID-19.

In the hours leading up to kick-off on Sunday, Goias announced they had only that day been informed 10 of their 26-man squad had returned a positive result and eight of those were set to feature in the starting line-up.

Tests carried out on Thursday were deemed invalid by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) due to being "improperly packaged", the club said.

After receiving the results from a new round of testing undertaken on Friday less than 24 hours before kick-off, Goias sought to have the game suspended.

Players took to the field to warm-up as it remained unclear whether the match would go ahead, but a decision was taken just before the scheduled kick-off at 16:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

The president of the CBF's medical commission Jorge Pagura told SporTV: "As soon as it was clear that the results came out, that Goias had 10 players with a positive test, we started to contact the Goias medical department.

"Goias requested, as is its right, to do a counter-test. We awaited the results.

"In order not to lose the game we waited the maximum amount of time. Near the time to make the decision came the result of the 10 positives. At that time, health comes first."

Results of the counter-tests carried out by Goias were only received 10 minutes before kick-off and nine of the initial group of 10 were positive again, club president Marcelo Almeida told a news conference.

Sao Paulo approved of the decision not to go ahead with the game.

"Sao Paulo expresses its support and informs that it is in agreement with the decision to postpone the game this Sunday, in Goiania," the club posted on Twitter.

"There is nothing more important, at this time, than preserving health and reflecting to society the important of taking care."

Brazil has seen over three million confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 100,000 deaths as a result of the virus.

Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has described Chelsea new signing Hakim Ziyech as ‘magnificent’ while also comparing him with Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

Ziyech shone during his four-year stay with the Sons of the Gods as they clinched the Eredivisie title, KNVB Cup, Johan Cruyff Shield and finished as runner-up in the 2017 Europa League.

The Reaal Dronten academy graduate scored 38 goals and provided 62 assists for Ajax amid other dazzling displays which caught the attention of several European clubs.  

The forward then settled for Chelsea after it became clear he was leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena outfit with the Premier League club parting with €40 million to secure his signature.

The winger, who signed a five-year deal with the Stamford Bridge outfit, only teamed up with the Blues in July, after completing the 2019-20 season with Ajax.

The 27-year-old Morocco international is known for his dribbling skills and technique which he uses to break up defences.

Ferdinand feels the style of play of Ziyech is similar to Algeria international Mahrez and believes the forward will be a hit in the Premier League.   

"We watched Ziyech last season for Ajax, he was magnificent," Ferdinand told BT Sport

"He reminds me a little bit of [Riyad] Mahrez but he crosses the ball a little bit more. He's someone who's really always trying to find a way to unlock defences with his delivery. [He has] a lot of guile."

Mahrez was the best-performing player as Leicester City won the Premier League in the 2015-16 campaign and deservedly scooped the club’s Player of the Season and PFA Players' Player of the Year awards among other individual accolades.

The winger spent four years at the King Power Stadium before joining Manchester City in the summer of 2018 and has also been in fine form for the Citizens.

In the 2019-20 campaign, the forward bagged 12 goals and provided 13 assists as Pep Guardiola’s men finished as runner-up in the Premier League.

While Ziyech has 14 goals in 32 appearances for Morocco, Mahrez has been capped 57 times by Algeria and led the side to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.