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Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier had revealed why he wants to seek another term in the club’s upcoming elections.

Despite leading the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions for the last 12 years, Rachier has defended his move to seek re-election again during the club’s much-awaited polls set to be conducted via electronic voting on August 8.

“I have done much for this club and it is evident enough. Since I took over in 2008, we have achieved so much and that makes me proud,” Rachier is quoted by People Sports.

“In 12 years, we have won 46 trophies, surely that is something. It is also a testament I have retained my seat unopposed; it means members have always had faith in my leadership.

“To run this great club, you have to be a servant first. It is not easy to lead Gor Mahia given the image and so it is about being passionate and efficient. The reason I am in the seat is so to help drive the club to greater heights.”

Rachier, who is heading to return unopposed, as no official stepped up to contest his position, has also supported the club’s new constitution which moved to reduce the number of elective posts from 11 to four.

“It will be better to have a lean but effective office with individuals able to persecute the mandate given to them,” Rachier continued.  “In the past, it was a bit complicated and sometimes differences would occur.

“We want to speak a unified language that is endeared to developing the club.”

On whether they are ready for the exercise, Rachier said: “We are ready for the polls and we have followed all directives of the Sports Act. In fact, the recent directive by Sports Registrar on deploying monitors to assess the viability and credibility of elections online is complete.

“We have ICPAK [Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Kenya] on board and we have already forwarded names of voters who have met criteria of being registered club members.

“The Board is in place with gender balance ascertained.”

Apart from Rachier, secretary Sam Ocholla is also unopposed while former club officials ‘Sally Bollo and Francis Wasuna will battle for the vice-chairmanship post while Gor Mahia’s Augmentin official Dolphina Odhiambo will face off with Chrispine Okoth.

Emmanuel Adebayor admits that players like Cristiano Ronaldo “come along once every 200 years”, with Real Madrid told they made a mistake in believing that a suitable replacement for the Portuguese could be found.

The Blancos bid farewell to their all-time record goalscorer in the summer of 2018, with a shock deal done with Serie A giants Juventus.

Ronaldo had starred at Santiago Bernabeu over the course of a nine-year spell, with his standing among the all-time greats secured during a stunning stint in Spain.

Real agreed to part with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as they felt a younger successor could be found to fill the role of club talisman in Madrid.

They have found out the hard way that countering the loss of Ronaldo was always going to be an impossible task.

Zinedine Zidane has returned the Blancos to the top of La Liga, with a title triumph enjoyed in 2019-20, but Adebayor believes a side that has been inconsistent at times would have secured even more silverware had a fearsome No.7 still been on their books.

“Without Cristiano, Madrid know what they have lost, but maybe not what they could have won if he was still there,” Adebayor, who took in a loan spell at the Bernabeu in 2011, told AS.

“I think maybe they thought they would get another player like Ronaldo but players like him only come along once every 200 years.”

Karim Benzema is among those to have been charged with the task of filling Ronaldo’s boots, with the French striker having fared as well as anybody in that quest – with 56 goals recorded across the last two seasons.

“When Ronaldo left, he had to take up the responsibility and I think he's done really well,” Adebayor said of a fellow frontman.

“He's scored a lot of goals, important goals so he'll be a danger [to Manchester City in the Champions League], no doubt about it.”

City are next in Benzema’s sights, as Real seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit in a heavyweight Champions League last-16 encounter, with the Blancos looking to conquer the continent for the first time since Ronaldo departed.

“Madrid would have been favourite with Cristiano,” said Adebayor.

“Back then, they had Cristiano who is a goal machine. He can make the difference at any moment and he would give the team 50 goals a season.

“They lost the first leg at home, at the Bernabeu 1-2, and it's going to be very difficult with the fans, against Manchester City, the city, the weather... but it's not impossible.

“Madrid have players with a lot of experience like Marcelo, Benzema, [Thibaut] Courtois and they are used to playing in big games like this one.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) decided to release captain Papy Tshishimbi because the two parties failed to agree on the contract which was on the table.

The dreadlocked defender from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was among the 14 players shown the exit door by the Jangwani Street-based giants on Monday.

Goal can now reveal Tshishimbi and Yanga failed to reach an agreement on the new deal which the club had offered the player and hence moved to part ways on mutual consent.

“[Tshishimbi] was not keen to sign the new deal, he also demanded many things including a car, and it was difficult for the club to offer him what he wanted,” a source from Yanga, who did not want to be named, told Goal on Tuesday.

“The club was keen to keep him but it seems he had already made up his mind to leave if you see some of his comments to media in recent interviews, he was not ready to extend his stay with us, the contract was to end on August 12, but we have moved to part ways amicably and we wish him well.”

On Tuesday, Tshishimbi was among the players let go by the club as they continue with their clear out in the transfer window.

According to the club, former Gor Mahia striker Gnamien Yikpe, who took much criticism last season, was axed alongside Tshishimbi, who refused to renew his contract and Congolese striker David Molinga.

Others dropped are veteran striker Mrisho Ngassa, Jafary Mohamed, Mohamed Issa Banka, Tariq Seif, Andrew Vincent Dante, Patrick Sibomana, Muharami Issa, Ali Ali, Rafael Daud, Ali Mtoni Sonso and Eric Kabamba.

Surprisingly, the club have retained controversial Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who has missed training since the team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against rivals Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final clash and was since arrested under suspicion of marijuana possession.

Other played retained include Kenyan keeper Farouk Shikhalo, Metacha Mnata, Ramadhan Kabwili, Haruna Niyonzima, Lamine Moro, Bernard Morrison, Feisal Salum, Juma Mahadhi, Adeyum Saleh, Said Makapu, Balama Mapinduzi, Deus Kaseke, Ditram Nchimbi, Abdulaziz Makame, and Paul Godfrey.

Yanga had a disappointing campaign in the last season where they failed to reach the final of the FA Cup after losing to eventual winners and rivals Simba SC, and could only finish a distant second behind their old rivals on the league table.

The Timu ya Wananchi have now been linked to a number of foreign-players, including Kenyans Jesse Were and John Makwatta, who play for Zesco United, Sven Yidah of Kariobangi Sharks, Erick Rutanga of Rayon Sports and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa has revealed they will sign five players to beef up their squad ahead of the new season.

Batoto ba Mungu are yet to unveil any new signing and Kalekwa believes the first arrival could be done early next week.

“We want to sign five players to add into the squad we had last season,” Kalekwa told Goal on Tuesday. “Out of the five players, we have foreigners and local ones, I cannot give out the names now.

“But what I can promise is the first signing should be unveiled next week, we have discussed everything and agreed on all the terms, he is a foreign player, coming in the defence, but our number of signings will not go beyond five.”

On how far they have reached to sign ex-Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed, Kalekwa said: “It is not about [Mohammed] alone, we are engaging many players, our efforts are not only focusing on [Mohammed].

“Like I said last week, we gave Mohammed a contract which we feel is good for him, he promised to go read it and get back, we have not heard from since then and we don’t want to keep following him.

“We will now wait and see if he will come back to us, he is not the only target we have, we have other options, if he doesn’t want to come, it is fine with us, we will get an option for his position, I don’t want us to look as if we are desperate to sign him, we are not.”

Mohammed is currently a free agent after his two-year contract with Nkana FC of Zambia came to a close at the start of June.

In a recent interview, Kalekwa told Goal he was a keen admirer of the defender who guided Gor Mahia to five Kenyan Premier League (KPL) titles before he left for Nkana FC of Zambia where his contract ended in June.

“It is not an open secret Sofapaka have always wanted to sign Musa [Mohammed], since we engaged him last season before he left for Zambia,” Kalekwa told Goal.

“I am informed he is now a free agent after ending his contract with Nkana but we have not reached out or talked to him, we will talk to him when the right time comes, he is a good player, who can fit in well into our squad and give us the leadership quality that we want in the team.”

Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga SC) are among the clubs that have reportedly shown a keen interest in signing the defender.

At Nkana, the central defender was parading alongside other Kenyan stars, including former AFC Leopards captain Duncan Otieno, former Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava and Duke Abuya, who joined in January 2020.

Mohammed featured for K'Ogalo from 2010 to 2017, before moving to Albania for a short stint with KF Tirana.

When he ended his contract with the European club, he returned home before moving to Zambia in 2018.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) communications director Henry Asante Twum has revealed the football's governing body has not made an attempt to lure Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah for an international future with the Black Stars.

The 21-year-old, who currently plays for England at youth level, and the GFA have been in the news concerning a possible discussion for a nationality switch following a social media exchange after Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to win the English FA Cup on Saturday.

He was born in London to Ghanaian parents and reportedly turned down a first approach to play for the Black Stars in 2019 ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

“All his parents are from Ghana and he [Nketiah] has represented England in all youth competitions," Asante Twum said, as reported by Citi Sports.

“He has won two trophies this season, that is with Leeds United in the Championship and then with Arsenal, so we congratulated him on twitter for his achievement. He also responded to our tweet to show his appreciation.

“It is not far-fetched to strategically congratulate him to let him know that eyes are watching.

“Contacting his family has not come up yet. When the process begins, the media will be updated.

“That move cannot be made without the input of technical handlers.

“Where we sit, nothing of the sort has come to our table.”

After Saturday's match where Nketiah came on as an 81st minute substitute, the GFA quoted his celebratory post on Twitter with a reply "congratulations Eddie Nketiah".

The striker, who also picked a Championship winner’s medal with Leeds United with whom he spent the first part of the season, then responded "thank you", an exchange that prompted speculation about his international future.

In March, new Ghana coach CK Akonnor announced a list of seven diasporans being courted for a switch of international allegiance to represent the Black Stars.

The roster, which included the Anderlecht trio of Derrick Luckassen, Jeremy Doku and Francis Amuzu, Strasbourg centre-back Alexander Djiku, Gent midfielder Elisha Owusu and Ajax starlet Bryan Brobbey, had no place for Nketiah.

Recent reports say the FA have added Brighton and Hove Albion right-back Tariq Lamptey to their list of targets. 

Napoli have named Kalidou Koulibaly in their squad for the final stages of the 2019-20 Champions League while there is no place for new recruit Victor Osimhen and Algerian defender Faouzi Ghoulam.

The Parthenopeans will take on Spanish giants Barcelona in the round of 16 of the tournament in a one-legged tie on August 8.

According to the list announced by Uefa, Senegal international Koulibaly is the only African star who made the club’s 23-man squad.

Koulibaly has featured 33 times for Gennaro Gattuso’s men across all competitions, including six in the European tournament and will hope to help his side win the trophy. 

Algeria international Ghoulam will play no further part in the competition as he is still recovering from an injury.

Napoli will also not be able to bank on the services of their new signing Osimhen, with the Nigeria international having featured in the group stage of the competition for Lille.

The forward completed a €50 million transfer from the French side last month following his eye-catching performances during his time with the club.

Osimhen bagged 18 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions before leaving Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

The forward made his Champions League debut against Ajax in September 2019 and scored two goals in five appearances as Lille failed to progress past the group stage.

The 21-year-old striker will be expected to make his first appearance for the Parthenopeans during their pre-season games.

Osimhen is a key member of the Nigeria national team and was part of the side that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The forward currently has four goals in nine games for the West Africans and will be expected to play a prominent role in the Super Eagles World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Barcelona are still capable of claiming Champions League glory this season because “even a little bit of Lionel Messi is mucho Messi”, says Sylvinho.

The Blaugrana are still picking the bones out of a disappointing domestic campaign which saw them surrender the Liga title to arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Inconsistency has been an issue for the Camp Nou giants, with Messi taking to airing his frustration in public.

The Argentine has suggested that Barca will struggle to mount a serious challenge for a European crown in their current state.

The mere presence of the mercurial Argentine does, however, give the Catalan giants a fighting chance every time they take to the field.

Messi has collected another Pichichi Trophy in 2019-20, having topped the Liga scoring charts with 25 goals, and remains a talismanic figure for Quique Setien’s side.

Barca are due to take in the second leg of a Champions League last-16 encounter with Napoli on Saturday, with that tie locked at 1-1, and Sylvinho believes they remain serious contender for the ultimate prize.

The former Blaugrana full-back told The Guardian: “Even a little bit of Messi is mucho Messi.

“He’s still the best. He can change a game in the seconds. He gets the ball, bluh, bluh, bluh, bluh, goal! A team with a player like that, look out, maybe they can win it.”

Ex-Brazil international Sylvinho found himself on the books at Camp Nou as Messi was making a senior breakthrough.

He admits that he could never have predicted how good the South American would become, with a standing among the all-time greats having been safely secured for some time now.

“He was the same then as now in many ways,” added Sylvinho.

“He didn't speak much, he was relaxed, he would just train and go home. He has a great family behind him.

“We didn't know how far he would go. We knew there was a lot of potential there. We knew he was something different, very different. But it's a lie to say we thought: this guy will win six Ballon d'Or prizes, you never know what will happen.”

Messi has previously played a part in four Champions League triumphs for Barcelona, but the last of those came back in 2015 and a global superpower is keen to return to the top of a continental game.

Mesut Ozil is “too long in the tooth to change his game now”, says Alan Smith, with a summer move away from Arsenal considered to be the best option for all concerned at Emirates Stadium.

Transfer talk is building around a World Cup winner now that another window has swung open.

Ozil has fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta, a man he once played alongside in the Gunners midfield, and was completely overlooked as FA Cup glory was secured by the north London outfit against Chelsea.

The 31-year-old’s representatives have maintained that a contract due to run until 2021 will be honoured at Arsenal, allowing him to drop into the free agent pool next summer.

There does, however, appear to be little point in Ozil sticking around, with it likely that game time would once again prove hard to come by next season.

With that in mind, and there no indication that the German playmaker will be meeting the demands of Arteta, Smith feels a parting of ways should be sought over the coming weeks.

The former Arsenal striker told Sky Sports: "It seems that Arteta wants to draw a line under it, and convince the players he's not part of the plans. He's passed the buck to Ozil and said: 'What do you want to do about it?'

"Hopefully he leaves the club would be Arteta's reasoning. That would free up a bit of money in terms of his wages.

"It's always going to be a talking point for as long as Ozil's at the club. I don't know whether anything could happen in this transfer window, there aren't too many links with any clubs. We might end up having this situation for another year until his contract runs out. He might get used now and again, but he won't be a core figure in his plans.

"It's something Arteta could have done without. He's got enough on his plate, without constant questions about the German's future. But Arteta is decisive; if he decides somebody doesn't fit in going forward, no matter how much they're earning, he's not going to pick them. That's strong management, and I think Arsenal need that.

"Can he fit in at Arsenal? No, I don't think so. This is an era at the club where everybody has to really dig in and work incredibly hard off the ball. Ozil is too long in the tooth to change his game now, and I don't think physically he is capable of doing what Arteta wants him to do, either.

"It might be another year before he leaves the club, but I can't see much of a future there for him."

Chris Smalling has thanked Roma's fans while expressing how "gutted" he is to be returning to Manchester United before the end of the Italian club's Europa League campaign.

Smalling joined Roma on a season-long loan deal back in August, after falling down the squad pecking order at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 30-year-old has since racked up 37 appearances for the Giallorossi, scoring three goals, while helping them to finish fifth in Serie A and advance into the latter stages of the Europa League.

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca publically admitted that he would like to retain Smalling's services beyond the end of the current season back in April, telling Portuguese publication A Bola: "He's a great professional and person, it's a pleasure to have him here with us."

The English centre-back's loan agreement ran until the end of the 2019-20 Serie A campaign, but he has not been granted the chance to extend his stay in Italy to take part in the club's remaining Europa League matches.

Roma will take on Sevilla in a single leg round of 16 tie in Germany on Thursday, and will have to make do without a key performer as he makes his way back to Manchester.

Smalling delivered a message to his followers on social media confirming the news, writing on Twitter: "I’m gutted that I can’t finish what we started this season.

"To experience the love shown to me in such a short time was extra special and it will not be forgotten.

"I want to thank and wish all the players and staff the best of luck against Sevilla. DAJE ROMA!"

The Giallorossi will still have the opportunity to try and sign Smalling permanently now that the summer transfer window is open, and they are also free to explore the possibility of another loan deal in 2020-21.

Inter loanee Alexis Sanchez is also due to return to Old Trafford, but the Serie A giants are currently in the process of persuading United to part ways with the Chilean.

The Nerazzurri are on a course to meet the Red Devils in the Europa League final, and they want to tie Sanchez down to a permanent deal so he can aid their cause over the next couple of weeks.

Manchester United will be mentally stronger after this season, according to Fred, who is targeting "as many trophies as possible" in 2020-21.

United secured a third-place Premier League finish by beating Leicester City on the final day of the league season, capping off an impressive run of form since the turn of the year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won nine of their last 14 top-flight outings to earn Champions League qualification, with January signing Bruno Fernandes proving to be an inspirational presence in the middle of the pitch.

The Red Devils haven't lost a single top-flight game since the Portuguese star's arrival from Sporting CP, and they also enjoyed a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions before being beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Optimism around Old Trafford has been in short supply since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, but Solskjaer's rebuilding job is finally starting to take shape, and United could yet end the season with a piece of silverware.

Ahead of a Europa League round-of-16 clash with LASK on Wednesday, Fred has talked up the Red Devils chances of fighting for major trophies across all competitions next term.

“The team have been on a really good trajectory,” the Brazil international told the United Review.

“We've had some wobbles, some ups and downs, which is normal during such a long season, but we managed to maintain a great run of form.

"That was really important for the team and in our fight for a Champions League place.

“I'm sure our squad will be mentally stronger after this season. It's been an atypical season with all that's happened, so next season I'm sure we'll be strengthened mentally and we'll look to win all the competitions we're in.

“I'm sure we're capable of doing this, we've got a great squad and we'll go for it. There's the Premier League, we'll be in the Champions League and also the cups so we'll do everything to win as many trophies as possible for Manchester United.”

Fred was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford after a difficult first year in Manchester, but he's bounced back to play a key role in Solskjaer's plans over the last 12 months.

The 27-year-old has taken in 45 appearances for United in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and laying on four assists, finally justifying the club's £52 million ($68m) investment in his talent.

“I've been really happy with my performances. Coming from a difficult previous season, I think I've had a great season and I've maintained a high level of football, which I'm really happy with,” Fred added.

“I've received a lot of praise which is important, but I need to continue working hard so that I can improve my game every day, show my worth and help Manchester United. I want to win a lot of trophies here.

“I've done really well this season, but I can definitely get better every day. I look to improve with every game and day by day so I'm sure there's a lot more to come.”

Roberto Firmino is not the striker for anyone looking for a 40-goal centre-forward but the Liverpool star is a “complete” frontman, according to former Brazil international Sylvinho.

Those at Anfield are certainly aware of the value in a hard-working forward.

Jurgen Klopp has embraced the qualities of a South American whose footballing philosophy matches his own.

Firmino is happy to let others steal the headlines, with important contributions made to the collective cause on and off the ball.

He is still a useful source of end product, but his game is about much more than merely hitting the net.

Liverpool and Brazil have bought into that skill set, with Sylvinho having been impressed by the Reds star when sent on a scouting mission by Selecao boss Tite in 2016.

The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City full-back told The Guardian of Firmino: “When I started working with Brazil, Tite sent me to watch Firmino at Burnley and he was incredible.

“You see him play [on TV] and think: ‘Yeah, he’s very good.’ But at the ground? Wow. He does so much. I left there enamoured.

“The ball’s on the other side and you see him move, the generosity with which he links team-mates, how he never lost the ball – that’s incredibly hard in the Premier League.

“If you say ‘I want 40 goals’, maybe he’s not that striker but if you want someone complete, who generates spaces, goes outside, inside… brilliant.”

Firmino has continued to be showered with praise throughout the 2019-20 campaign, with his efforts helping Liverpool to UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League crowns.

Reds legend Graeme Souness is among those to have talked up the Brazilian’s talent, telling Sky Sports of an unsung hero: “I love watching Roberto Firmino play. A couple of years ago, I likened him to Kenny Dalglish. He’s like a big cat walking through the jungle waiting for an opportunity to do damage.

“His radar is on all the time and he’s got a great football brain, whereas Salah and Sadio Mane, they will catch your eye more because they are direct and they score more goals.”

New Azam FC player Ismail Aziz Kada has revealed the reason he ended up signing for the club ahead of the new season.

The attacking midfielder arrived at the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ from Polisi Tanzania on Monday after penning a two-year deal.

“I am very happy to have signed for Azam, every players’ dream is to play for such a great club, I have always wanted to play for them like all the players out there and I am happy I have finally arrived here,” Kada told reporters after sealing the move.

“I want to use this chance to play for the great club in the country as a stepping stone to great heights, it is every player’s dream to play in Europe or to be precise play for a club in a foreign country, and that is my dream, it is something I want to achieve here at Azam.

“I want to come here and make sure we play in the Caf competitions, I came here to play where the agents can see me, and we can only achieve that if we play as a team, I know Azam are building a good squad, and it is the one which will give us the ticket to Caf competition next season.”

Kada continued: “My dream still remains to play outside the country and Azam is a big team to take me there, I also want to play for the national team Taifa Stars and Azam have a good platform to help me achieve my dreams.

“I want to show my potential, I want to make sure I make sure the fans are happy, so many teams wanted me but I settled to come here, I wanted to play for them, my dream is to play hard, I am a hard worker, I will do my best, I will make sure that I don’t disappoint the fans.”

The Chamazi-based side have been strengthening for the new season and are aiming at improving every department. It is for this reason the team is moving fast to make signings that will help the technical bench achieve their objectives next season.

Aziz is the fourth player to be signed by the 2014 Tanzania Mainland League champions. Others who have joined Azam are Awesu Awesu from Kagera Sugar, Ally Niyonzima from Rwandan side Rayon Sports, and Ayoub Lyanga.

Simba SC have categorically stated their coach Sven Vandenbroeck will not leave the club and will be in charge of the new season.

The Belgian took over from countryman Patrick Aussems who was fired late in 2019 after falling out with the club’s management, and went on to clinch two titles – Mainland Premier League and FA Cup – to add the Community Shield which was already won by the fired Aussems.

After beating Namungo FC 2-1 to lift the FA Cup, Vandenbroeck cast doubt on his future, stating he was not sure whether he will be at the club for the new season.

“I don't know with me or without me,” Vandenbroeck answered reporters when asked whether he will be with the team for the new campaign or not.

“There is no meaning, everyone reads newspapers, everyone listens to rumours even me, so we will see what happens. I will go on holiday in two days with a big smile with whatever happens.”

Simba Information Officer Haji Manara has now blamed the media for writing lies about their coach, insisting the Belgian tactician will not leave the club.

“I respect everyone here in Tanzania but what hurts me is when people start spreading rumours and lies that our coach will not be here for next season, who told them that? Did the statement come from any Simba official? It is very wrong to spread rumours and I want our fans to treat the news as rumours and nothing else,” an agitated Manara told reporters in Dar es Salaam after Simba arrived back from Mbeya.

“I know amongst yourself [journalists] there are those who are looking at negative things to write about Simba because we don’t have any, we have won three titles this season and you still cannot find anything to write about, or you want to write is negative stuff about Simba, we know you.

“This is not the time to write rumours about Simba, it is the time to celebrate with the champions, it is the time to write about the truth, and anyone who will continue to write rumours about our coach, our players or even officials, I will deal with him openly, you can write about other teams about their coaches and players, who keep fighting every day but not about Simba, who are united and looking ahead to the new season.”

Simba’s journey for success began at the beginning of the season with Aussems when they defeated Azam FC 4-2 in the Community Shield which launched the 2019/20 season.

The second title for the Msimbazi-based side came in the Tanzania Mainland League. Simba went on to finish the season with 88 points after taking 27 wins, seven draws, and just four defeats.

Wakiso Giants have confirmed the signing of Tom Masiko from Vipers SC.

The midfielder, who was on loan from the Venoms and played for the Purple Sharks in the 2019-20 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season, has now agreed to make the move permanent by penning a three-year contract that will see him stay at the club until August 2023.

Wakiso have confirmed the signing on their official website by stating: “We are delighted to announce Tom [Masiko] has joined the club on a permanent contract from Vipers.

“The midfielder featured for us last season on loan but has now completed a permanent move signing a three-year contract.”

On sealing the permanent deal, Masiko said: “I am happy to make a permanent move. I had a good time here last season and want to continue my marriage with the club as well as create history here.

“I want to thank Vipers for the great time I had at Kitende, the coaches that have handled me and all my teammates as well as management.”

Masiko played a key role to help Wakiso retain their status in the top-flight after notching four goals, and he will be remembered for scoring the team’s first goal in the last campaign of the league.

Meanwhile, Wakiso held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, June 27, 2020, at Club House, Najjanankumbi.

The meeting approved, among other items, the audited accounts for the financial year 2019/20. A budget for the forthcoming season (2020/21) was also approved and adopted by the General Meeting.

At the same meeting, the club approved the appointment of an advisory committee headed by Ahmed Ddamulira and also passed a motion to directly deal with the Wakiso District Executive Leaders with the CEO confirming meetings are already in place to streamline the partnership.

Wakiso will be gracing the top-flight for the second season in a row after they managed to keep their status, finishing 10th on the league table and were also taking part in the Uganda Cup before it was ended prematurely owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Gareth Bale should be considering a return to Tottenham if he still has the “passion” to play at the highest level, says Danny Murphy, with the Welshman continuing to endure a tough time at Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane has taken to freezing the 31-year-old forward out of his plans at Santiago Bernabeu.

A lack of game time, along with ongoing questions of his commitment to the Blancos cause, is sparking more transfer talk in the latest window.

Various landing spots have been mooted for Bale, from China to MLS, and he has no shortage of suitors in the Premier League.

Spurs would welcome the opportunity to bring a familiar face back onto their books, having sanctioned a record-breaking deal back in 2013, and Murphy believes Jose Mourinho should be enquiring as to the availability of a player he was heavily linked with during a spell as Manchester United manager.

The former Tottenham midfielder told talkSPORT of Bale: "To make a top footballer these days, the love and passion for it must be from within you from a young age to want to be a footballer.

"Now Gareth might be an exception to that... but maybe he's lost that passion for it.

"Maybe the lifestyle, the family contentment; he loves his golf, the climate and the finances are good.

"So maybe he's not like everybody else... but playing football is something you can't do forever.

"He's damn good at it. People like watching him play. He's a wonderful footballer and he's done so much in the game but he's still only 31.

"I'd be saying to him, 'go play mate. Just enjoy it. Go somewhere you enjoy it'.

"We can talk to Madrid and they might have to pay you half to get you gone but they'll do that anyway because they're saving half. There has to be a way out.

"I think the one place for Gareth is Tottenham. He's loved there already and he's got the fans on board.

"Could he find a way of going back there? That for me would be great for Tottenham.

"Even if it's for two or three years, go back to where you made yourself, enjoy yourself and help Tottenham get back to being competitive."

Bale previously spent six years on the books at Tottenham, with 55 goals recorded through 203 appearances and the PFA Player of the Year award collected on two occasions.

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) president Moses Magogo has challenged coaches to embrace changes to ensure the game continues to develop in Uganda.

The East Africa nation has been making giant strides in football, with many players moving abroad owing to their talent. The administrator was however quick to appreciate the job done by the coaches in growing the game.

"We appreciate the role you play as coaches," Magogo said in a meeting with coaches as quoted by Fufa website.

"You make a great contribution because the careers of players who are the key pillars of the football product are in your hands.

"Football is a dynamic entity. Things are changing almost every hour. So if we want to improve and attain professionalism, coaches must as well embrace change and learn the new tactics that will help you suit the modern trends."

The 43-year-old has urged the tacticians to continue learning and increase their knowledge in the game. The courses offered will, on the long-run, help coaches to up their game and be competitive.

"Learning never stops and this is very important for coaches," Magogo continued.

"In a way of motivating those that have made self-development, FUFA will put in a place a fund to help coaches either by paying for coaching courses or funding travel for those that want to enrol for coaches abroad."

The Federation, as a result, has come up with new rules to professionalize the game in the country.

"For us to improve, we must upgrade and this means trying out to ventures which may seem strict but that is the journey we have taken.  

"All coaches in the Uganda Premier League and the FUFA Big League will be required to have a Pro-License that will come with limits and sanctions.  

"Coaches in the first and second division will not be allowed to make more than two transfers during a season."

The tacticians will also have to sign a code of conduct to ensure the image of the game is protected. They will also need to have agents to discuss contracts with teams.

Clubs will also have to submit proof of payment of coaches after every two months.  

"We believe this will help coaches to work in a conducive environment. Caf, for instance, doesn't have any club that owes coaches and players to participate in the continental-club competitions," Magogo concluded.

Lamontville Golden Arrows head coach Steve Komphela is expecting a lot of PSL teams to struggle with injuries when the 2019/20 season resumes. 

The current campaign which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March is set to resume this weekend with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals taking place on Saturday. 

Komphela's side was eliminated from the South African FA Cup by ABC Motsepe League (Gauteng) side Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in February and they will be focusing solely on their league campaign. 

The experienced tactician believes there will be increased pressure on the medical staff at most PSL clubs with the workload expected to go up significantly as a result of back-to-back fixtures.

“We are looking forward to the challenge in the last seven remaining matches. We know the games will be coming thick and fast,” said Komphela on Daily Sun. 

“We just have to cope and hope we won’t have too many injuries. But I anticipated a lot of teams, naturally so, will be struggling with a number of injuries.

"We just hope they are not too bad so we can see the season over." 

Komphela is keeping his fingers crossed as injuries could affect their plans of securing a top-eight finish.

“The study and data collected have shown that there were lots of injuries and they’re still happening," he continued.

"I’m sure South Africa is not going to be different. We just hope they don’t become a hindrance. It is just seven matches left.

“We didn’t have many injury concerns before the suspension kicked in. We had come from a solid pre-season, had played matches and the loading of the players was sufficiently scientific," he added.

“Now there has been an issue about the restart. We have been doing training sessions via zoom and we only just got back to the training field.”

Arrows will be hoping to resume their league campaign with a win over PSL debutants Stellenbosch FC at Tuks Stadium on August 15.

Yesterday was the first time that prodigious forward Luqman Hakim has joined the preparations with the Malaysia Under-19 squad ahead of the eagerly anticipated AFC U19 Championship in Uzbekistan in October, 

This is actually the second phase of the training camp after a similar one was held by Brad Maloney and his coaching staff in July where Luqman was among several star names that were missing from the call-up list.

At that time, it was understood that Luqman was needed by Selangor II in preparations for the resumption of the Premier League at the end of August but the situation has since taken off in a different direction.

The 19-year-old could be Belgium-bound in the coming weeks and that could scupper his chances of staying for the entire 1-month duration of this Phase Two training camp, but nothing is certain as yet.

"It’s hard for me to say at this moment (whether he could stay for the full 4-week training). There could be good news coming but I can’t say anything for certain now," said Luqman before the start of the training on Monday.

But the former Mokhtar Dahari Academy prodigy will not be shirking from his duties and until he gets further information, will be putting on his best during training to impress Maloney and will not be taking his spot in the team for granted.

"What people say is their right but I’m not someone who takes things lightly. For me, as a player we have to give 100% and then it’s up to the coach to decide. 

"I’m thankful to be able to train with this U19 squad and I’m excited to get this opportunity to adapt to the team and the players. 

"I’ve only seen him (Wan Kuzri) play on Youtube and I feel that he’s is a good player. Now is a chance for me to see up close in training and hopefully he can help the team."

Head coach Maloney later confirmed a similar understanding of the situation, which prompted him to include Luqman in the August call-up list, to give the young charge an oppportunity to blend with the squad.

"He’s committed now to his club in Belgium now, I understand. I was told that he probably won’t be playing for Selangor. In that case, it makes sense for him to train with us before he goes to Belgium," explained Maloney.