Looking for Soccer News?

Tema Youth Wilfred Kwaku Osei 'Palmer' is not perturbed about the Court of Arbitration for Sport's postponement of the verdict of a legal battle with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The former Black Stars Management Committee member is seeking justice for his disqualification from the football governing body's presidential election last October.

The challenge, whose final outcome was originally scheduled to be released in July was first moved to August 5 before being rescheduled for the second time for September.

“Yes, it’s true the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed the case to 1st September 2020," Osei Palmer's campaign team spokesman Ebo Appiah told Angel FM.

“We don’t want to talk when our opponents are talking because we have better things to do than to react. Palmer is not worried about the postponement of the ruling.

“You don’t go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport when you have less patience. CAS can still postpone the case and it's normal because the case is still within 90 days.

“We appreciate everybody who has supported Palmer until now and we thank you all.

“We team Palmer expect another postponement from CAS on September 1 scheduled to be the day for the hearing of the final verdict."

GFA Executive Council member Samuel Anim Addo believes CAS' indecision is affecting the football mood in the country.

“I think CAS shouldn’t have made this issue this tense. I think it is a normal thing in football. If someone thinks he has not been treated fairly, he or she takes it to the appropriate quarters to be addressed,” Addo told Citi FM.

"So I think CAS should’ve brought out the verdict so everyone will know their smoothness level. We have to know the verdict so we move from there. I don’t think this is an issue at all."

For former Ashanti Gold chief executive officer (CEO) Frederick Acheampong, the latest rescheduling is an indication of CAS' lack of regard for Ghana football.

“I think they don`t respect us, it's been far too long when you sit down and you calculate. I am even tempted to believe that they have not sat on the case,” Acheampong, a GFA Executive Committee member, told Kessben FM.

Tema Youth chief Osei Palmer was disqualified from contesting for the GFA presidency for breaching financial regulations following the transfer of a player of his club.

After seeing an initial local appeal rejected, he hauled the national association to the global tribunal.

Kurt Okraku ultimately won the election. 

Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde has mentioned the names of Real Madrid and Liverpool forwards Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane as his idols while growing up.

This might come as a surprise from a defender but the 21-year-old Franco-Beninese explains he was an attacking player earlier in his career.

Benzema played a pivotal role towards Los Blancos winning a 34th La Liga title, scoring 21 goals in 37 games while Mane netted 18 goals as the Reds lifted their first league crown since 1990.

“There are players that I like in many positions. I love football. I really like Benzema, Mane from Liverpool ... It's funny that they are all attackers,” Kounde told AS.

“I always liked to attack, I think that part comes from the Under-17's in Bordeaux. When I see a space, I like to attack it. At Sevilla, we have a game where we can do that, and the coach likes it.

Kounde has attracted the interest of Real Madrid, however, he states he is focused on playing for Sevilla and winning the Europa League.

“It's always good that there are clubs like Real Madrid that follow you, but I'm very focused on Sevilla, I want to win this cup [Europa League],” he continued.

“It's the only thing in my head and that of the team. I'm not interested in Madrid.”

Kounde stands at 181cm in height which is considered not tall enough for a centre-back. The former Bordeaux player has admitted he is not deterred by it, citing playing smart as the most important factor.

“I always had a good jump. I know that there are many people who, when seeing a 1.81 centre-back, are wondering how the aerial game will solve it when it comes to a big striker,” he said.

“That also happened to me in Bordeaux. At the end of my training, I played right back because a coach looked at me like that, too short. But it doesn't scare me to go upside down, it's one of my strengths indeed.

“For me, height is not just a matter of centimetres. The most important thing is to play smart. If we listen to many people, Cannavaro could not have played as a central defender in his life, and he ended up achieving a Ballon d'Or, he played for Real Madrid. You have to change that view that you always have to be tall in this position, or very strong.”

Real Madrid are facing a tough challenge to overturn their Champions League deficit to Manchester City, football legend Clarence Seedorf says.

Zinedine Zidane's side head to the Etihad Stadium for Friday's last-16 second leg trailing 2-1 from the reverse fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid are unbeaten since returning from the coronavirus-enforced break and such form allowed them to overhaul Barcelona to win the LaLiga title.

City, by contrast, finished 18 points behind runaway champions Liverpool in the Premier League and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal.

Seedorf, a European champion with Ajax, Madrid and AC Milan - twice with the Rossoneri - expects City to be keen to prove a point after an "average" domestic season.

"I think when Zidane came [back], he got that chemistry back in place and after corona, I think Madrid came out solid, when Barcelona came out a bit segregated," he told Stats Perform News.

"Obviously, when the club with players like [Sergio] Ramos and [Karim] Benzema smell the opportunity against that rival then that creates a motivation that they used and brought it home.

"Ramos and Benzema have been key, key players but, as I said, the whole team has shown a pretty solid shape.

"If you look at them without the results they have now, they are considered definitely [among] the favourites, Manchester City as well - these are two top teams in the world.

"It's going to be tough to go there and turn it around, but nothing is impossible in that sense. But also, Manchester City need to make up for the average season, if you can call it that.

"They can do it, but it's tough."

Barcelona, meanwhile, will need to improve their performance to overcome Napoli and reach the quarter-finals, after a 1-1 draw in Italy.

Much is expected of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a €75million signing from Ajax last year who has yet to find his feet fully in Spain.

"He's a great player, a great talent and we hope to see much more from him over the coming years," said Seedorf.

"It's not easy to come to a new country and new club and perform. Barcelona... it's a privilege to come to a team that knows themselves so well, and you come into the same type of system.

"Frenkie will become better and better hopefully over the next years and we can enjoy his talent on the international pitches."

Similarly, Seedorf thinks new Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech could find it tough to adapt to life in a new league - although he believes head coach Frank Lampard is the right man to help.

"Lampard has shown to have had a good, positive impact on the team and young players," Seedorf said. "Ziyech is a talent that will face challenges, because this is not the Ajax style of play, the Dutch style of play, and that's going to be his biggest challenge, I think: to adapt to a new style of play and everything that comes with it.

"But he has a proper mentor in place to guide him to the Premier League style and competitiveness that is needed. I think the ingredients are there for him to continue to spread his talent on the pitch and show that this next level was the right thing to do."

Bayer Leverkusen silenced Rangers 1-0 in Thursday’s Europa League game with Moussa Diaby netting the lone goal.

Before football was placed on a hiatus owing to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Germans secured a 3-1 first-leg win in Scotland – leaving Steven Gerrard’s men with an arduous task to secure a place in the quarter-final.

With limited scoring opportunities, the first-half ended goalless at the BayArena. Nonetheless, the hosts took the lead through Diaby after 51 minutes.

The 21-year-old winger timed his run perfectly as Charles Aranguiz played his pass across defender Filip Helander on the edge of the box. He controlled the ball with his chest before firing his shot past Allan McGregor.

Thanks to his latest feat, he has now scored a goal and assisted twice in all three of his Europa League appearances.

Also, he boasts eight goals in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen in 2019-20, twice the amount he netted for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2018-19 season (four).

Seven minutes before full-time, Rangers could have reduced the deficit after Joe Aribo won the ball on the edge Leverkusen’s box but ended up being dispossessed by Edmond Tapsoba after he took too long to decide what he wants to do.

After putting up an impressive shift, he was replaced by Leon Bailey in the 68th minute as Peter Bosz’s team sealed their place in the last eight after a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

They will face Victor Moses’ Inter Milan in their bid to reach the semi-final of the tournament.

Born to Malian parents in France, Diaby has represented the French team at U18, U19, U20 and U21 levels. He produced a goal and three assists at the 2018 Uefa European U19 Championship, earning a place in the team of the tournament.

In 2019, he scored one goal and assisted two more in four matches at the 2019 Fifa U20 World Cup where France were eliminated at the Round of 16 stage. He is still eligible to represent Mali at senior level.

Desiree Eliss says it will 'take similar planning' to make history and win the Africa Women's Cup of Nations [Awcon] for South Africa.

The 57-year-old guided Banyana Banyana's to a maiden qualification for the Women's World Cup in France last year after inspiring the team to a fourth final of the Awcon at the 2018 edition in Ghana.

With the cancellation of the 2020 Awcon due to the coronavirus outbreak, South Africa will now focus on challenging for the African crown as well as a 2023 World Cup ticket at the 2022 edition.

Having lost the 2018 African title on penalties to Nigeria, the coach who won back-to-back Caf Women's Coach of the Year awards, is upbeat her side can replicate the fine run at the next continental outing.

"The experience of having played in so many finals most probably gave Nigeria the edge but we gave as good [an account] as we got before losing on penalties which is a lottery," Ellis told Safa.net.

"I think the players were absolutely amazing in the way they went about the whole tournament where we finished unbeaten on the field of play. 

"They were focused on the plan but their execution of the plan said it all and got us through to the final and we subsequently qualified for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup. 

"We always speak about teamwork and you can’t forget the behind the scenes work done by the technical team, medical team and the rest of the support staff. 

"We have to surpass that to qualify for the next Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2023. The next tournament has been increased from eight to 12 countries. 

"The format will obviously change and that will make it even tougher, but it will take similar planning and focus to first qualify and then put in a better effort to win it in 2022 which by the way also doubles up as a 2023 World Cup qualifying tournament. So, yes we can definitely win it."

No fewer than a dozen South African players have earned contracts abroad since the country's maiden outing at the international level.

Nothando Vilakazi (EDF Logrono, Spain), Janine Van Wyk (Glasgow City FC, Scotland), Jermaine Seoposenwe (SC Braga, Portugal) and Amanda Mthandi (Badajoz, Spain), Rhoda Mulaudzi, Lebohang Ramalepe (FC Dinamo Minsk) and Thembi Kgatlana (Eibar, Spain) are among the few who have recently moved overseas.

Following the massive export of Banyana stars overseas, Ellis believes their experiences and exposure will improve their quality and title chances. 

"This has just been incredible and beyond my wildest imagination. I am almost afraid to blink because when I wake up in the morning, there is another player signed up," she continued. 

"The players have been fantastic with their individual work behind the scenes and through their efforts are now taking the next step on their new journeys. 

"The experiences they will now bring to Banyana Banyana will be immense and hopefully this will help raise the levels in the team to greater heights. 

"I remember going to the 2016 Awcon in Cameroon and facing the likes of Nigeria who had about 80 percent of their squad playing abroad and you could see the experience in their teams during certain situations. We are now possibly in a position to also bring similar experiences to Banyana Banyana."

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes star forward Alfredo Morelos has "had his head turned" by speculation over his future.

Morelos played 77 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday but was unable to add to his 14 goals in this season's tournament as Rangers' lengthy Europa League run came to a close.

Moussa Diaby scored the only goal at the BayArena to conclude a 4-1 aggregate passage into the quarter-finals for the hosts.

Morelos has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Lille, with Rangers' moves to sign attackers Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten on Tuesday widely interpreted as them preparing for life without the 24-year-old Colombian.

Asked by BT Sport whether he expected Morales to be at the club next week, Gerrard replied: "I don't know, I can't control what goes on outside.

"Everyone knows he's had his head turned, for sure. There's no denying that.

"But we just move forward. My focus is on the team and the players that want to be here and my focus is certainly on [Rangers' next game against] St Mirren.

"If a bid comes that the board like and are interested in, and the player tells me face to face he wants to go then we'll see what happens."

Gerrard refuted the suggestion that Morales' performance against Leverkusen had been compromised by the prevailing uncertainty.

"I don't think so. I think Alfredo's professional enough to block the noise out and focus," he said.

"He hasn't had the best of games tonight but we haven't as a team either.

"There are no fingers pointed at anyone. We've given it our best shot and unfortunately we fell short.

"We all have to improve, but Alfredo needs to remain focused."

Rangers striker Jermain Defoe believes Morelos has coped with the uncertainty surrounding his future as he has been training as normal.

"He's dealt with it quite well. You would never look at him and think: 'He's got it at the back of his mind, he's not training well, he's confused or anxious', he's just been normal to be honest,” he said.

"Stuff like that, as players you don't really get involved, you leave it up to the club but if he does go then you wish him the best and if he stays then he's a top player, which he's shown.”

Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has criticised the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to overturn Manchester City’s two-year ban from the Champions League.

The Premier League side won their appeal against the suspension for alleged breaches of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, while their fine was lowered to €10 million.

Hoeness says CAS’s decision was a severe blow to UEFA’s rules and criticised the governing body’s defence of the sentence.

“When I read the reasoning by the international sports court CAS why it withdrew this sentence, I have to ask myself what all this is about,” Hoeness said to DAZN and Goal.

“Ultimately, UEFA's reasoning was simply weak. In principle, the CAS saw it the same way, but did not provide any solid evidence of Manchester City's behaviour.

“If the judges at CAS have come to the conclusion that UEFA did a poor job, one need not wonder what the result is. The verdict was a clear slap in the face for UEFA. We still have to do with Manchester City - and the club can't help it if things are poorly prepared.”

Bayern will conclude their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea when they host Frank Lampard’s team for the second leg on Saturday.

The Munich outfit hold a 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg and Hoeness was heavily impressed by their display in London.

“The first leg against Chelsea was incredible. I was there myself and have rarely seen a German team put an English team against the wall like that.

“The game was a demonstration of strength from the first to the last minute.

“Our team made a very hungry impression and there is also harmony within the group. All players work well together.

“The coach managed to improve the team's strengths and make the team a unit. You can see the meticulousness and passion with which you play until the last minute. The players have played an incredible season.”

He is also confident of his side’s ability to challenge Europe’s richer teams to the top trophies, saying success depends on team spirit and cohesion instead of money.

“There is also passion and a thirst for success in Manchester and Paris, but here a large community has emerged,” he added.

“This has nothing to do with the different countries, but is due to the cooperation between the team and the coach.”

Indian-based midfielder William Opoku has shed light on reasons for Ghanaians' preference for football in the Asian country to plying their trade at home in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Earlier this week, Ghanaian footballers in India sent out a video on social media calling on the Government of Ghana for prompt evacuation owing to living difficulties emanating from the coronavirus disease.

The distress call follows similar moves by Ghanaian footballers in different parts of the world including Ethiopia, DR Congo and Botswana.

“The good thing about India is that there are these indoor pitches that you can play 15 minutes a game and earn a $100 [€84] and if you are a big player, you can receive $300 [€253] for just 15 minutes,” Opoku, who plays for Indian second-tier side Bhawanipore, told Asempa FM. He was on the books of Ghanaian second division outfit Okyeman Planners before leaving for India in 2017.

“So if you play four games, you make some good money and there are players who do not have clubs who engage in some of these games to make money.

“But because of the coronavirus, all these games have stopped and the monies saved by these boys have been spent. And if you don’t have a club, it means you are doomed.

“If you even get a second division club here, you can make some better money than in the Ghana Premier League.

“You can get as much as GHC 10,000 [€1,458] a month playing for a lower-tier side. [It] sits better than the GPL."

In June, a group of 22 stranded Ghanaian footballers in Ethiopia put out a social media video, pleading with the Government of Ghana to come to their aid amid claims of failing in their bid to obtain help from the Ghanaian consulate in Addis Ababa.

In the footage recorded outside the embassy were Ghana international Lee Addy, who played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Muntari Tagoe, who won two Ghana FA Cup titles with Medeama.

After the video went viral on social media, the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) responded as they pooled resources together to evacuate the footballers.

Upon their return to Ghana, the contingent went through a 14-day mandatory quarantine as part of the Covid-19 safety protocols. 

Nkana FC will have to wait longer to know whether they are the Super League champions or not after the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Appeals Committee overturned a decision to award Zanaco points.

Nkana are top of the table with 50 points after they were given a walkover when Nakambala Leopards failed to turn up for matchday 27 action. Forest Rangers, second to Nkana with 49 points, had challenged the decision that awarded Zanaco a walkover and three points and the Appeals Committee has ruled in their favour.

Forest Rangers could not play their previous match after 28 members tested positive for the coronavirus. The Disciplinary Committee awarded Zanaco three points and a 3-0 scoreline for the unplayed match on July 18, 2020.

Since Forest Rangers are still in the race, Nkana will wait until when the match will be played to know their championship fate.

Nkana are home to Kenya’s Harun Shakava, Duncan Otieno, Musa Mohammed and Duke Abuya.

“The Appeals Committee, having considered all the written evidence adduced by yourselves [Forest Rangers] and the ruling of the Appeals Committee was of the view that your appeal against the ruling has merit and therefore upheld,” read the judgement in part.

“Your appeal is upheld and the decision of the Disciplinary Committee is set aside.

“Therefore, the game between yourselves [Forest Rangers] and Zanaco Football Club must be replayed and the result of the match be taken into account when the final league standings are compiled.”

FAZ had announced that the league was set to be cancelled when all teams honour matchday 27 action and that the champion will be decided at that juncture.

The league was cancelled after its June 18 resumption due to the rising coronavirus numbers.

“With the ruling by the Appeals Committee, the coronation of the 2019/2020 champions will have to be frozen as the outcome of this fixture could shuffle the league standings,” FAZ added.

“FAZ also wishes to re-emphasise that the decision to re-start the league was done in consultation with the ministries of health and sports arising from the prevailing health conditions in the country.

“FAZ has also taken note of a flurry of correspondence from some members to question the efficacy of closing the league in week 27."

FAZ General-Secretary Adrian Kashala defended their decision to end the league saying they did so as per the regulations.

“The FAZ Executive Committee was within their legal right to suspend the league as at week 27 as they are empowered by Article 35 to make decisions,” said Kashala.

“Additionally, the Executive Committee also draws power from Article 79 which covers unforeseen circumstances and force majeure.”

Meanwhile, Zesco United who have missed a continental slot after finishing fifth, battled to a 1-1 draw against Red Arrows. Kenya international Jesse Were scored their goal while James Chamanga was the scorer for the air force side.

Forest Rangers won 1-0 against Napsa Stars, Buildcon registered a 3-1 victory against Green Buffaloes while Nkwazi and Kansanshi Dynamos drew 1-1.

Green Eagles were victors with a 2-0 scoreline against Lusaka Dynamos while Zanaco and Lumwana Radiants drew 1-1.

Former Black Leopards head coach Alan Clark believes South African football is stagnant because PSL clubs are recycling the same coaches.

Clark recently dumped Leopards ahead of the resumption of the 2019/20 season and he is set to take over the reins at FC Llapi, who are campaigning in Kosovo's Superleague.

When speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA), Clark explained that local coaches lack critical thinking when compared to European tacticians.

“What I learnt from my experiences in South Africa is that many coaches are afraid, they don’t want to question, there is a lack of critical thinking," Clark said. 

"In SA we do things, but no one asks why, how do we do that, why do you do this? We just say 'Oh we do it because we did it in 1980'.

"I think in South Africa we must be careful that football outside in the world is changing so much." 

Having served as an assistant coach at SuperSport United, AmaZulu FC and the now-defunct Platinum Stars, Clark also feels local coaches are scared of equipping themselves with new knowledge. 

"But inside there is not much change than coaches who change their badge on a shirt every year moving through the same clubs," he continued. 

"We should be careful it will stagnate our football. But instead of stagnating, I want to develop, I want to be better.”

Having served as Bafana Bafana's technical analyst in 2011, Clark added South African national teams tend to struggle because there is a problem at club level.  

“The biggest stagnate in the performance of our football is our national teams. We can compete nicely with bigger teams, but there is very little growth or change within clubs," he added. 

"We are not producing players that can compete at national team level. Nothing develops because the same players are playing the same way they used to, in my opinion, you see that in the [Bafana Bafana] national team and maybe Under-21 level.”

Clark went on to state that South Africa should be among the top footballing nations in Africa as the country is blessed with top-class facilities when compared to a small country like Kosovo.

“It’s sad that South Africa, with all the good facilities, we are not among the top two or top three countries in Africa," he explained.

"It’s unbelievable, the facilities we have even compared to Kosovo. The national stadium they built recently hosts 10 000 people, but they are the most improved country in Europe beneath Norway.

"They have players playing in every major league in Europe.”

AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer has exclaimed he is happy about playing the role of Regista at the club, a position Italian legend Andrea Pirlo excelled in.

The retired 41-year-old was on the books of the Rossoneri between 2001 and 2011, making 401 appearances and winning nine titles including the Serie A and Champions League.

After he departed for Juventus, no one was able to fill in the boots of the midfield maestro. However, Bennacer played the role with exception during the just-concluded 2019-20 Serie A season.

He made 31 league appearances and scored once as Milan finished in sixth place to qualify for the Europa League. The restart of the league in June which was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic saw the 18-time Italian champions finish unbeaten, the only side to achieve that.

“I like everything about this role because you’re at the heart of everything,” Bennacer told The Athletic.

“It’s my second year playing in Italy as a Regista. I’m still working at it. I think I’m improving. I’m definitely learning a lot.”

Bennacer is considered to be very hardworking on the pitch and admitted he looks up to the likes of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti and Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich.

“I watch a lot of [Paris Saint-Germain’s] Marco Verratti and Thiago Alcantara [of Bayern Munich] too. Thiago’s so, so good,” the Algerian continued.

“I have to give the ball away as little as possible. To do that, I have to be concentrated whenever I get the ball. I’ve always got to be in the zone. I have to read the game. I need to look first and look early. I do all that already but I have got to get even better at it.”

Bennacer started his career at youth level with Arsenal, but never made it into the first team and was ultimately sold to Empoli in 2017. He has no regrets about never making a name in north London.

“I had three years left on my deal, but I wanted to play and besides, they weren’t against my sale, so I left,” he said

Bennacer made mention of Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2019 as a sweet moment for him and his country. The Desert Foxes overcame Senegal 1-0 thanks to Baghdad Bounedjah’s first-minute strike for their second continental title and first since 1990.

“It was the sweetest moment of my career,” he stated.

“We hadn’t won the Cup of Nations in 29 years. It was only the second time too. There were five million people on the streets. The population of Algiers, the capital, is three million, but there were five million people on the streets. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

Gareth Bale was omitted from Real Madrid's squad to face Manchester City in the Champions League because he did not want to play, according to Zinedine Zidane.

On Wednesday, Madrid named a 24-man group to travel to the Etihad Stadium and while captain Sergio Ramos was included – despite the fact he cannot play in the second leg due to suspension – there was no place for Bale.

The Welshman scored twice in the 3-1 Champions League final win over Liverpool two seasons ago but will play no part as Madrid seek to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Pep Guardiola's side in the last-16 tie on Friday.

Bale has started just once since February – and has been restricted to 110 minutes combined since Madrid's campaign resumed in June – and Zidane explained it was the 31-year-old's decision not to be involved in Manchester.

"I will explain because many things are said," Zidane told reporters in a news conference.

"We have a relationship of respect between player and coach, that is clear. The only thing I can say is that he has decided not to play, and the rest is between him and me."

Zidane grew increasingly frustrated at answering questions on Bale, who may appear to have no future at Madrid but remains under contract until 2022.

"I have already answered before about the situation. The rest is a conversation between the player and the coach, and I am not going to tell you anything," Zidane added.

The fourth and final question on Bale – surrounding his future with Los Blancos – was met with a straight bat.

"Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid player, nothing changes. I respect that," Zidane replied.

"He has decided not to play. All of us here are focused on tomorrow's game."

Eden Hazard is part of Madrid's travelling party, though he has experienced an injury-hit debut season in the Spanish capital.

He was out between November and February due to an ankle problem and then sustained a broken ankle bone, with the congested end-of-season La Liga run-in causing him further discomfort, yet Zidane has been encouraged by his condition since.

"He has had some discomfort about the end of La Liga, but I think he is much better now, we have had time to prepare for the game and now he is confident," the Madrid boss added.

"I think there was a minor setback after that second injury but now hopefully he can play and hopefully there will be nothing there to hold him back."

Ex-Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says that David Alaba will not be lured away from the club, adding that "the last million is not that important" for a player that has found comfort with the Bundesliga giants.

Alaba has been linked with a move away from Bayern Munich in recent weeks as the defender has just 12 months left on his contract.

Manchester City are among the clubs reportedly eager to sign him, although new Bayern team-mate and former Man City star Leroy Sane has urged the Austrian to snub any offer to leave Bayern.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently stated that he is confident that the club can keep hold of Alaba, who he dubbed "the black Beckenbauer". 

And Hoeness also says that he believes Alaba's future remains with Bayern, as he says that moving to any other club would be a step backwards for the defender.

"I can only say from my own experience that the last million is not that important," he told DAZN and Goal. "He gets a secure job here, a lot of fun, home, a lot of love from the fans and acceptance, which he would have to work for at another club.

"There is no club that is as familiar, cosy and pleasant as FC Bayern. For him it would perhaps be a step forward financially, but in all other areas it would be a step backwards.

"And according to my feeling, at least the clubs he would like to go to have never knocked, fortunately. And that's why I hope that he will stay."

Alaba has been with Bayern since 2008, joining after emerging as a youth player for Austria Wien.

The 28-year-old defender has made 382 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, winning nine league titles during his time in Munich.

Alaba was also a member of Bayern's 2012-13 Champions League-winning squad, and the German giants remain a favourite in this season's competition as well.

The Bundesliga champions are set to face Chelsea on Saturday in their return to the competition, having amassed a 3-0 lead in the first leg between the two sides.

Dinamo-BSUPC head coach Yuri Ivanovich has hailed the exploits of Rhoda Mulaudzi and Lebohang Ramalepe after the duo's debuts for his side in Wednesday's 7-2 triumph over Bobruichanka.

The Banyana stars joined the Belarusian outfit for the rest of the season last Friday, having parted ways with South African sides Polokwane FC and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies respectively.

While the move saw Ramalepe earn her first contract abroad, Mulaudzi secured her third deal overseas after previous stints with Cyprus' Apollon Ladies and Australia's Canberra United.

Having failed to feature the duo against Bobruichanka last Sunday, the club's manager pledged to hand them their debuts in Wednesday's semi-final, second leg tie at home, which he fulfilled.

After a 5-1 first-leg win, Dinamo trashed Bobruichanka 7-2 in the reverse fixture to advance to the final, with a 12-3 aggregate win at Dynama-Juni Stadium.

Ramalepe played from the start to finish on her first professional debut, while compatriot Mulaudzi saw the final 24 minutes, having replaced Burkina Faso's Salimata Simpore.

Following their maiden appearances in the colours of Dinamo, the tactician has shared his views on the duo's performances.

"You know, considering that they have not trained for four months, both showed a very solid level," he told the club website. 

"It is clear that it still takes time to adapt, but they did a good job and, I hope, will improve with every game."

The victory puts Dinamo on the brink of a maiden title in their history as they will square up with holders Minsk in the final of the competition scheduled to be played on August 30. 

After their enterprising start to life in Belarus, they will seek to make their league debuts when Dinamo face-off with Neman on Saturday.

Former South Africa captain Lucas Radebe feels the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title-chasing pack will push leaders Kaizer Chiefs “to realise this great moment of winning the championship.”

Chiefs resume their title bid against Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium next Wednesday as they seek to tighten their grip at the summit of the log in their eight remaining matches.

But their push for league honours faces a stern challenge from their closest challengers Mamelodi Sundowns who are four points behind and have played a game less.

Third-placed SuperSport United followed by Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United as well as Wits also pose a threat to Chiefs’ title quest.

Describing Chiefs' league campaign so far as “absolutely great,” Radebe has marked his former club as favourites and says they will be spurred by the challenge from the chasers.

“I think the [Chiefs] players are prepared and I think mentally they have to get ready to start where they left off‚” said Radebe as per Sowetan Live.

“They need this title more than anyone else and I think they’re capable of winning it. To see how they’ve played and how they’ve conducted themselves up until now‚ it’s been absolutely great.

“Not forgetting that Pirates‚ Sundowns and other teams are right there behind them‚ Chiefs will be pushed to realise this great moment of winning the championship. So it’s going to be tough but I think they’re capable of winning it.

“Never mind Covid-19‚ we’re all in the same boat. It’s a matter of coming back and focus on what we want to achieve as a club.”

Radebe has commended Chiefs for “working hard” despite a cloud of uncertainty that had been cast over the resumption of football in South African football in recent weeks.

“I never thought the season would be cancelled because there were dates that were already put aside to commence,” said Radebe.

“I think every Chiefs fan is excited about the prospect of the club winning the league title this season. Looking at how they’ve been playing‚ they’ve been working hard to make things right.”

After playing Wits on Wednesday, Chiefs will play the same side again on August 30, having played Sundowns three days earlier in matches that could define their fate.

Gabrielle Onguene bagged her first brace of the season as CSKA Moscow secured a 3-0 win against Arna-Bjornar in Thursday's Russian Superliga triumph against Yenisey at Futbol-arena Enisey.

Onguene is already inching closer to match her form last season when she scored four goals in 16 appearances to help CSKA win the league title and secure their Champions League ticket.

The Cameroon international star made her second start of the season for her side, and opened her 2020 goal account, scoring in CSKA's 2-1 triumph over ZFK Zenit Saint Petersburg last Saturday.

Her equaliser for CSKA was voted the second-best goal of the first round of matches behind winner Angri Gabriel, who netted the opener for Zenit last weekend.

Following a hard fighting win at Saint Petersburg, the champions continued from where they left as Nadezhda Smirnova set up Onguene to open the scoring in the 31st minute of the match.

The visitors were gifted a penalty from the spot and Smirnova, who the Cameroonian's opener converted to double the lead for CSKA seven minutes after the restart of the encounter.

In the 77th minute, Onguene grabbed her second of the match and her side's third to wrap up their first away win in style. 

The 31-year-old Cameroonian, who lasted the duration, has now scored three goals in two appearances this season for CSKA.

The result means holders CSKA Moscow remain top of the Russian women's top-flight log with six points from two matches.

Kolo Toure believes it is high time Manchester City won the Champions League, as they prepare to renew battle with Real Madrid.

Former City defender Toure will be praying for his old team to come through the second leg of their last-16 tussle, following a hard-earned 2-1 victory at Santiago Bernabeu in February.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne have put Pep Guardiola's side in the ascendancy ahead of their Etihad Stadium reunion on Friday.

With huge financial backing, City have been competing in European football's elite competition each season since the 2011-12 campaign, reaching the semi-finals in 2015-16 when Madrid edged them out 1-0 over two legs.

Toure told Stats Perform News: "City have to win the Champions League. They've been so unlucky for so many years, but I pray for them to do it. When I joined that was my dream, to win the Champions League."

Toure played for City from 2009 to 2013, having joined from Arsenal, and he went on to represent Liverpool and Celtic before retiring in 2017.

He sees Guardiola's leadership as the key to ongoing success for City, who were overhauled by Liverpool in the Premier League but have real hope of becoming European champions this month.

"They have a top manager, they have to keep him there and make sure they bring players who can add value," Toure said. "They need players who have experience of winning the Champions League. They have a big chance against Real Madrid."

Pointing to last season's Champions League exit, when a dramatic quarter-final saw City edged out by Tottenham on away goals, Toure reflected on how a little good fortune can go a long way.

"You need a bit of luck, they were so unlucky against Tottenham," Toure said. "I hope that they will win."

John Stones could have a part to play on Friday, with the England defender still striving to justify the £47.5 million ($62m) price tag that City met when signing him from Everton four years ago.

The arrival of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth for next season has raised questions about Stones' future at City.

"He needs to be consistent. He lacks it," Toure said. "He's a really good player with many qualities but needs to work on his concentration. Sometimes he does things that you don't know where they come from, because he has everything.

"He's tall, he can jump, technically good, he's intelligent, but he needs to focus for 95 minutes. Defenders have to be alert."

Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has threatened to nullify Gor Mahia's elections scheduled for August 8 if they are done unlawfully.

The SDT, in a letter signed by Elynah Sifuna Shiveka who is the deputy chairperson and obtained by Goal, said the exercise must be conducted in strict adherence to the law if the results have to be recognised thereafter.

Ben Mathews Agunda, David Osewe Odero, Alfred Odhiambo Otieno, Gilbert Otieno Wandera, George Ochieng Gombe, Meshack Odera and Edder Jalang'o are the Gor Mahia members who have asked the tribunal to stop the elections which they claim is set to be done against the demands of the Sports Registrar.

Judith Nyangi, who has protested the eligibility requirements for candidates is also among the furious members who want the exercise conducted in accordance with the club’s old constitution.

Nyangi is running for the honorary treasurer’s position.

“Upon reading the chamber notice filed under a certificate of urgency and all the accompanying documents dated August 4 and filed on August 5, the tribunal hereby directs and orders as follows,” read the opening paragraph of the SDT’s letter.

“That no interim orders are issued in regard to prayer no. 3 of the chamber summons dated 4th of August 2020 and filed at the tribunal on 5th August, 2020.

“The activity of the first respondent scheduled for 8 August 2020 shall be declared null and void in case it was unprocedural and unlawfully done.

“The claimants shall serve all the respondents with the application and these directions on or before Monday 10th August 2020.

“The respondents shall have seven days from the date of service upon them to file and serve their responses and the parties shall attend the tribunal on 18th August 2020 at 2.30 pm for mention and agree on a hearing date.”

The panel which is set to hear the case consists of Shiveka, Gichuru Kiplagat and Allan Owinyi.

Through their lawyer Omondi Omollo, the dissatisfied members had pointed out instances they feel will make the August 8 exercise biased.

“We are further instructed that the Executive Committee members unilaterally abrogated upon themselves the powers to appoint members of the club's Elections Board without consultation or approval of the members or any other stakeholders,” Omondi’s protest letter to Gor Mahia elections board read in part.

“We are instructed that the same Elections Board has now come up with unlawful and illegal election rules, regulations, guidelines, time-tables, calendars and nomination forms.

“We are further instructed that all these activities of the biased Elections Board are designed to perpetuate the continued stay of the incumbents in office and indeed we are instructed that the chairman has already been declared as elected unopposed.

“We are instructed that most of the members including Ambrose Rachier and Francis Wasuna are term-limited by the act and therefore barred from contesting in any further elections of the club.”

Rachier stands elected as chairman as no one showed interest to challenge him for the influential position while Sam Ochola will become the new secretary-general after he, too, attracted no opponent.

The positions of the vice-chairman and the honorary treasurer attracted multiple candidates and thus members have to elect officials.

As the popular saying goes, five weeks is a short time in football. It's even shorter when you have to cram 12 matches into that timeframe.

With such a deluge of activity, it can be easy to miss the certain trends, or to chalk them up to other factors—physical, mostly.

So when, in the aftermath of Manchester City's elimination from the FA Cup at the semi-final stage, Riyad Mahrez found himself consigned to bench duty for the final two matches of the domestic calendar, it may have simply seemed a quirk of rotation, a necessity in the hard slog of a condensed Project Restart.

On both occasions, his place in Pep Guardiola's often irresistible attack went to youngster and great English hope Phil Foden. Mahrez did enter the fray at half time on the final day hammering of Norwich City, with the score at 2-0, and helped himself to his 11th of the league campaign.

In spite of that, Watford away and Norwich at home marked the first time since the resumption of football that Mahrez failed to start in consecutive matches. That cannot be ignored.

Without necessarily reading too much into the situation, it is clear something turned for Guardiola during that chastening defeat at Wembley. There, Mahrez toiled for an hour, only getting the best of direct opponent Ainsley Maitland-Niles on one occasion, before being replaced.

Afterward, City's manager gave his verdict on what had gone wrong for his side: "In general we were quite good but [the defeat] was not about this, it was about us not being there in the first half. We were not ready to play an FA Cup semi-final."

While there were no names mentioned, it was telling that Mahrez was one of his first two substitutions, after which he divined City improved and played much better in the second period.

It marks a jarring turnaround in fortunes for the Algeria international, who to that point was enjoying a particularly productive run in the side.

Concerns over Bernardo Silva's physical condition following the restart saw Mahrez stake his claim to that spot on the right of the front three, and he posted impressive performances in headline victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

That all seems to have changed dramatically. Where once it seemed his integration might very well hold the key to Manchester City's progress in the Champions League, he now faces a question over his involvement in the Round of 16 return leg against Real Madrid in Friday.

City hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu, where the 29-year-old started and impressed. Perhaps his superior experience might weight the consideration in his favour, and mean he starts at the Etihad Stadium anyway.

However, Foden has clearly come on in Guardiola's estimation, and this time it is entirely down to that spectre of inconsistency that has dogged Mahrez's steps since his switch to the blue half of Manchester.

It now threatens to undermine him, not just this season, but next as well: Foden will be even more of an option, but perhaps the biggest indication that Pep has run out of patience is the club's purchase of winger Ferran Torres.

Mahrez and Guardiola always did seem an odd mix; for all that the Spaniard is considered the avant garde in tactical thinking, his style of play is very intolerant of mercurial players who can turn a game in a flash of inspiration, but will also drift and flit in and out of matches on occasion. It can seem cold, but it was efficient and successful enough to secure back-to-back league titles.

Ferran, as close to a throwback wide player as is possible in the modern game, will reintroduce the width and depth with which City used to so utterly stretch and rend teams.

The injury and subsequent sale of Leroy Sane meant Guardiola was denied that weapon this season, and while that alone cannot be blamed for the yawning breach between his side and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, the acquisition of the highly-rated Valencia youngster is certainly an attempt to recapture that old magic.

Quite where this leave Mahrez is difficult to understand, and that only lends greater significance to what Guardiola decides on Friday night.

However, here is the rub: leaving him out would say a lot, but selecting him wouldn't necessarily do the same. Whatever the case, it just seems like a pivotal moment in his City career.