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After guiding Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggled with the resulting silverware as he was filmed dropping the historic trophy. 

With no-one on hand to present the cup to Aubameyang due to the coronavirus pandemic, he was left to collect it himself and immediately seemed to find the trophy hard to hold as he took it over to his team-mates to celebrate. 

But just as the Gunners were about to enjoy lifting the iconic piece of silverware for a record 14th time, the Arsenal star promptly dropped it, much to the humour of those watching on. 

Thankfully, the cup seemed to avoid any serious damage as Aubameyang eventually lofted the title over his head in celebration. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saw the lighter side of Aubameyang's trophy drop, taking it as a chance to promise him there will be more silverware to come at the Emirates should he decide to re-sign. 

"It can happen, I think it happened a few years back as well," Arteta said.

"He needs more experience with trophies! We can get him used to that."

Gunners defender Rob Holding also saw the trophy drop coming, noting that Aubameyang had failed to properly remove the cup from its podium. 

"I saw him walking with the bottom bit attached and I was like, 'you need to take that off!'. It seems the trend now anyway for people to drop the trophy," Holding said. 

After seeing Arsenal lose the Carabao Cup final in 2018 and then the Europa League final in 2019, this was Aubameyang's first piece of silverware at the Emirates. 

The 31-year-old has struggled to win many club trophies during his career, having won one DFB Pokal and two DFL Supercups with Borussia Dortmund. While at Saint-Etienne, his single piece of silverware was the Coupe de la Ligue in 2013. 

On an individual level, Aubameyang has never struggled to shine and has won the Golden Boot in both the Bundesliga and Premier League. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 2015. 

Aubameyang's future at the Emirates has been the subject of increasing speculation over the past few weeks and the attacker himself was coy when asked about it after the final.

Mikel Arteta thanked Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup final to give the head coach what he described as the best moment of his career.

Arteta left his position as City assistant in December after three years alongside Guardiola to take over from Unai Emery at Emirates Stadium.

The 38-year-old has enjoyed a successful first campaign at Arsenal, culminating in Saturday's win at Wembley to take their record tally of triumphs in the famous competition to 14.

And Arteta, who becomes the first Arsenal boss to win a major trophy in his first season in charge since George Graham in 1986-87, was quick to laud Guardiola.

"He has been a key figure in my development as a coach," he said at his post-match news conference. 

"He has my gratitude. I wouldn't be sitting here today without him. I have to thank him big time."

Arteta also had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to thank after his double turned the all-London final around following Christian Pulisic's early opener for Chelsea.

The Spaniard, who said after the match he is optimistic Aubameyang will sign a contract extension, praised the club captain for another match-winning display.

"Big games require big moments for big players - he did that in the semi-final and now today," he said. 

"People questioning whether he can do it in big games and he's done it today."

Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League - their lowest position since 1994-95 - but have earned a place in next season's Europa League thanks to their win over Chelsea.

Arteta is pleased with the steps his players have taken in his first eight months at the helm and is hopeful that his side can build on their latest domestic cup success.

"I think this is the best moment of my career because I know the difficulties we've been through," he said.

"I had one mission - make the players and staff believe that we could do it. Seeing the change in the dressing room is what makes me more proud.

"I completely understood the needs of this football club. I knew the challenges I was facing when I made a decision to come here and the expectations we will always have. 

"This is the first one. Let's enjoy it today. My players have been fantastic and the staff and everyone upstairs."

Arteta, who only ended his playing career with Arsenal in 2016, added: "I could write a book on my time here. Everyday has presented something different. 

"I'm very lucky the people I have around me for every decision I had to make. Until you are sitting in this seat, you don't know the responsibility you have to make. 

"I'm proud of what we've done."

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has showered praise on Mikel Arteta he guided Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Arteta, who won the FA Cup as a player with the Gunners, secured his first silverware as a manager as the North London heavyweights triumphed at an empty Wembley Stadium.

After Christian Pulisic’s opening strike in the sixth minute, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace inspired Arsenal’s fight-back at Wembley Stadium as they lifted a record 14th FA Cup title.

The Spaniard took over at the helm of the Emirates Stadium outfit in December 2019 after working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City where he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups as an assistant manager.

After seeing how Arteta turned around Arsenal’s 2019-20 campaign to secure qualification for next season’s Europa League thanks to their FA Cup triumph, Oliseh expressed his delight and respect for the 38-year-old coach.

“Congrats and respect to Arsenal and coach, Arteta,” Oliseh tweeted. “What seemed a season to forget just days ago, ends a huge success for Arsenal: FA Cup winners, Europa League qualification, beat Liverpool and holders Manchester City.

“Extremely pleased for Arteta, who wins the FA Cup as player and coach for Arsenal.”

In July, Arteta secured two crucial victories against the top-two teams in the English top flight. He also led Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in a league outing and then guided them to a 2-0 win against Man City in the FA Cup semi-final a few days later.

They ended the 2019-20 Premier League season in the eighth spot after securing 15 wins and 14 draws in 38 league outings.

Eddie Howe has stepped down as Bournemouth manager by mutual consent.

A 3-1 win over Everton in Howe's final game in charge on July 26 was not enough to save the club from relegation, ending a five-season stay in the Premier League.

Howe, 42, has led Bournemouth in more than 450 games across two spells in charge that span all four of England's professional divisions.

"Having spent a total of 25 years with the club as both a player and a manager, this decision – made together with the club – is one of the hardest I've ever had to make," Howe, who made in excess of 300 appearances for the Cherries as a player, told fans in an open letter.

"However, although the affection and love I have for this football club will always remain, we collectively feel that now is the right time for the club to go in a new direction.

"Bournemouth will always be in my heart but I firmly believe that now is the right time foe the club to have a change.

"I have always ensured that every decision I have ever made as manager has been in the best interests of the club and its supporters, and this is no different."

Howe initially took charge of Bournemouth on a caretaker basis in December 2008, with the club bottom of the Football League having started the season on -17 points.

He masterminded an unlikely survival bid and earned promotion the following season – an achievement that sparked widespread interest in his services.

In January 2011, he made the move to Burnley but left Turf Moor to return to the south coast 21 months later.

An incredible run of two promotions in three seasons followed, with Howe's commitment to expansive, attacking football remaining largely unchecked throughout their impressive Premier League stay.

The records just keep on tumbling for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who reached double figures for the Serie A season with his latest strike for AC Milan on Saturday. 

The ex-Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Barcelona ace went into the final match of the 2019-20 campaign in vintage form, having scored seven in nine games since the Italian top flight resumed in June following the coronavirus pandemic. 

In the process Ibrahimovic passed 50 league goals for Milan with his double against Sampdoria in July, making him the only man to reach a half-century for both the Rossoneri and Inter. 

And after netting for his club against Cagliari at the weekend the Sweden legend can now boast another little piece of Serie A history. 

His 55th-minute strike was his 10th league goal since rejoining Milan in January, making him the oldest player to reach double figures in a single campaign in history at 38 years and 302 days. 

Ibrahimovic takes the record from Lazio, Torino, Juventus and Italy idol Silvio Piola, who was 38 years and 127 days old when he achieved the feat for Novara in the early 1950s. 

Milan went on to win 3-0 at San Siro, with Ibrahimovic adding to former Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan's first-half own goal and Samu Castillejo subsequently rounding off a routine victory. 

The Rossoneri thereby finished the 2019-20 season in sixth place, having taken 66 points from their 38 fixtures over the course of the interrupted campaign.

The veteran has had a huge impact on Milan since arriving in the new year, leading the club from mid-table to the Europa League. 

His future, however, remains uncertain, with his short-term deal due to expire after the Cagliari clash. 

"I hope that tomorrow will not be Ibrahimovic's last game for Milan," coach Stefano Pioli told reporters when questioned over Ibrahimovic prior to the clash. 

As for the player himself, he is in no doubt that he can continue to shine, be it at Milan or elsewhere. 

"I'm like Benjamin Button," he told Milan TV, before adding: "I've always been young, never old."

Ogonna Chukwudi’s debut for CSKA Moscow was put on hold as Gabrielle Onguene's effort inspired their 2-1 comeback victory in Saturday's Russian Superliga triumph against ZFK Zenit Saint Petersburg.

The Nigeria international joined CSKA in February from Swedish Damallsvenskan side Djurgardens but is still waiting her first appearance for the Russian champions due to injury.

By contrast, Cameroon's Onguene netted CSKA's first goal to launch her 2020 season outing on a high, having scored four times to help CSKA win the league title and secure their Champions League ticket.

Having claimed the league diadem last season, the hosts, who ended their 2019 term with 1-0 defeat at home by Lokomotiv Moscow were keen to open their 2020 outing on a winning note against Zenit.

However, CSKA made a false start to the encounter as Maria Digurova provided the vital assist for Elena Shesterneva to hand the visitors a shock lead after just two minutes at VEB Arena.

The hosts fought back and were rewarded with a leveler when Yulia Myasnikova set up Cameroonian Onguene to open her 2020 Russian Superliga goal account for CSKA in the 19th minute.

With Zenit's Daria Shkvara sent off due to a bad challenge, CSKA leveraged on the numerical advantage as Nadezhda Smirnova struck the winner from the spot a minute from time for the holders.

Onguene, who played the whole duration of the encounter, has now scored one goal from her opening match of the season for CSKA against Zenit.

The win took CSKA to the top of the Russian Superliga log with three points from their opener and they will look to maintain their high-flying start when they visit Chertanovo Moscow on August 8.

Frank Lampard admitted that his Chelsea charges were not up to the task at Wembley as they threw away a winning position to lose to Arsenal in the FA Cup final. 

The Blues went into Saturday's clash as slight favourites after finishing inside the top four at the end of the Premier League season, and enjoyed a perfect start to proceedings when Christian Pulisic fired his side ahead. 

Their joy proved short-lived, however, as Arsenal turned the tables through two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to see off the challenge of Chelsea. 

To compound Lampard's frustration, Mateo Kovacic saw red for a second bookable offence while he lost Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro to injury, causing an acute selection headache ahead of Chelsea's imminent Champions League return. 

And the manager pulled no punches after the final whistle as he looked back on a poor display.

"We started well for 10 or 15 minutes, scored a goal and created a few chances were in control of the game," said Lampard. "But after that, we can only blame ourselves from that point in football terms.

"We got complacent. We took too long on the ball, we started playing short passes like it was a stroll. An FA Cup final can never be a stroll. We allowed Arsenal back in the game and from that point onwards, it’s always going to be difficult. A lot of today was on us.

"In the second half we came out brighter, if Christian goes through and scores as opposed to missing and doing his hamstring - well, the circumstances in the game conspired against us.

"It’s been a busy period for us. The players have given everything. With 10 men the last 20 minutes was a really difficult challenge for them. We shouldn’t become too stuck on today. Of course we are disappointed tonight, but over the season as a whole what we have managed to do, come where we did in the league, is a huge plus for us.

"Today would have been the icing on the cake but it wasn’t to be.

"There are elements of our game that we’ve worked hard on all year but there are other bits that are within you that you have to show. A couple of weeks ago here in the semi-final against Manchester United, we were fantastic. We controlled the game, we moved the ball, hit the sides and had a threat behind us.

"Then today, we were slow, played back on ourselves and invited pressure and we didn’t know where to go from that. We just didn’t perform well enough to win a final."

Chelsea will be back in action in the Champions League on August 8, when they travel to the Allianz Arena in their attempt to turn around a seemingly insurmountable three-goal deficit from the last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich.

Following his goalscoring heroics in Saturday's FA Cup final victory against Chelsea, Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been hailed as a 'miracle worker'.

The 31-year-old scored in each half of the encounter at Wembley Stadium as Mikel Arteta's men fought back from behind to defeat their London rivals 2-1 and lift a record 14th cup.

Aubameyang cancelled out Christian Pulisic's opener from the penalty spot in the 28th minute and later finished off a fine team move in the 67th minute following Nicolas Pepe's assist.

The victory secured Europa League football for Arsenal next season after their eighth-place finish in the Premier League table, and football enthusiasts are full of praise for the Gabonese's impact, after he ended the 2019-20 campaign with 29 goals across all competitions.

Victor Osimhen can be a '30-goal striker' for Napoli after signing from LOSC Lille, according to club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The 21-year old Nigeria international officially became a Partenopei player on Friday, signing a five-year deal having joined from LOSC Lille in a deal reported to be worth an initial €50 million, potentially rising to €80 million.

Negotiations have been ongoing between both clubs for more than a month with the player growing frustrated at some points, but De Laurentiis is clearly happy that everything has been sorted out.

“It is certainly a costly investment, but he is a strong striker who our sports director [Cristiano] Giuntoli advocated,” De Laurentiis told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. “He is a 30-goal striker.

"I met him and he made an excellent impression on me, I hope he quickly settles in our championship.”

Osimhen scored 18 competitive goals in 38 outings in his sole season with Lille which won him the club’s Player of the Season and the best African player in Ligue 1 award.

All these were strong enough reasons to convince the Napoli hierarchy to bring him to the San Paolo. He changed agents in the course of negotiations, and his current representative William D'Avila admitted the trio of De Laurentiis, manager Gennaro Gattuso and sporting director Giuntoli were key actors in convincing Osimhen to sign.

“Each of them have been very important. Each of them have talked to Victor and each of them are a part of the reason why he chose Napoli, with all of them he spoke individually,” D'Avila told Naples-based Radio Kiss Kiss.

“De Laurentiis told him what is expected of him and he immediately put him at ease with regards to the project. Giuntoli was the key man, he worked hard, non-stop phone calls to convince the player.

“He also had single talks with Gattuso, with whom he immediately developed a great feeling. Special mention also for Maurizio Micheli, one of Giuntoli's collaborators.”

Osimhen’s arrival puts a doubt on Arkadiusz Milik’s future, with De Laurentiis confirming the Polish striker is on the market and is reportedly attracting the interest of reigning champions Juventus.

“Our centre forward [Milik] is on the market, he will go away to the best bidder,” the Napoli president said. “Juve? If they are interested, they will have to pay without discounts If he were to stay he might not be part of Gattuso's choices.”

Osimhen will meanwhile have fight for a place in the Napoli starting XI alongside the club’s all-time top scorer Dries Mertens. Andrea D'Amico, an associate of D’Avila does not think it will be a problem having both players involved in the game, stressing that it will create a healthy competition.

"It is clear that when you join an important team, there is always competition,” D'Amico told Radio Marte.

"Napoli have had many champions who have been able to coexist to create healthy internal competition. When you compete on many fronts, you need more roses."

Ghana's special advisor on health at the presidency Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare hints fans could only be allowed back in stadiums for football games when a vaccine is found for the coronavirus disease.

The pandemic has disrupted many events worldwide, forcing the world's major football leagues into a temporary halt or permanent cancellation, and the medical expert is concerned about the impact that significant crowds - such as those attracted by Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak - could have given the current context.

Ghana has been no exception, as the disease, also known as Covid-19, has resulted in premature termination of the domestic football season including the Premier League (GPL).

“[The] government have much interest in football," Dr. Nsiah-Asare told Kumasi FM. "Everything we do as government is in phases, reason we have allowed for national teams to train for now.

“We are in talks with the Ministry Of Youth and Sports and the GFA [Ghana Football Association] on the resumption of the league. The government wants every sector of the economy to function normally. We do not want to rush in doing things, reason why we are doing it in phases.

“President Akuffo Addo has football at heart, he is a football person and wants to see its return but not in a manner that will resurrect other problems.

“Football is a contact game, we will conclude everything with the GFA, MOYS [Ministry of Youth and Sports], NSA [National Sports Authority] and government will give the needed update in his next address."

Ghana has currently banned all contact sports as part of measures to curb spread of the coronavirus disease.

However, the national female U20 side and the national male and female U17 teams have been granted special permission to regroup for training ahead of upcoming international assignments.

The standing ban on football casts a doubt over prompt possible return of domestic football due to safety concerns, but there have been calls for the West African nation to consider playing matches behind closed doors.

“In Europe, games are played behind closed doors. We cannot allow for supporters to go to the stadium and watch games just because that is where the clubs derive their funding," Nsiah-Asare added. “Churches are filled with not more than 3,000 people, but Kotoko and Hearts games will attract more than 30,000 people so I will plead with football loving fans to exercise patience.

“If a vaccine is found, the government will allow for supporters to go to the stadium."

Ghana's 2019-20 domestic football season was permanently cancelled in June following three months of a standstill due to Covid-19. 

Mikel Arteta was left celebrating a unique feat on Saturday as he capped his debut season in charge of Arsenal by leading the Gunners to victory in the FA Cup. 

The former Arsenal captain was appointed as Unai Emery's replacement on the bench in December 2019, with the club languishing in mid-table following a disappointing start to the Premier League season. 

But while results have picked up under Pep Guardiola's former number two at Manchester City, a late dip consigned the Gunners to eighth place, finishing outside of European qualification. 

Arsenal therefore needed victory at Wembley to seal a spot in the 2020-21 Europa League, which duly arrived with a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-man Chelsea. 

Christian Pulisic fired the Blues ahead after just five minutes, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised from the spot to send the two sides into half-time deadlocked at 1-1. 

Aubameyang then fired home his side's second after some excellent footwork in the penalty area, while Chelsea saw Mateo Kovacic receive his marching orders for a second yellow card and also lost Cesar Azpilicueta, Pulisic and Pedro to injury across a hard-fought 90 minutes. 

No man before Arteta had ever led Arsenal to FA Cup glory as both a captain and manager, the Spaniard having previously lifted the trophy on two occasions during his time at the Emirates. 

Arteta also became the first Gunners boss to taste success in his debut season on the bench since George Graham, who clinched the League Cup shortly after his appointment in the 1986-87 campaign. 

Saturday's win consolidates Arsenal's status as the most successful club in the competition's history, pulling two clear of Manchester United with their 14th triumph in the all-time FA Cup standings. 

The Gunners may have been far from their best in recent seasons, but their record when it comes to deciders is nothing short of lethal: in seven FA Cup final appearances since 2002, the north Londoners have won every single one.

They are also more than accustomed to ending Chelsea's trophy dreams, with no fewer than three of their 14 victories coming against the Blues - another competition record. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang refused to be drawn on his future after netting a match-winning brace for Arsenal in the FA Cup final.

The Gabonese striker underlined his value to the Gunners cause with two goals against Chelsea on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side have continued to look to their captain for inspiration throughout the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation.

Aubameyang is yet to agree an extension to a deal at Emirates Stadium that now has less than 12 months to run.

The 31-year-old has remained coy on his plans, with plenty suggesting that major silverware would be required in order for a prolific presence to put pen to paper.

Arsenal now have that, along with qualification for the Europa League, but Aubameyang continues to give little away.

Asked if he had a message for the club’s supporters on his future after guiding them to another trophy triumph, he told BBC Sport: “Nothing. Today is about the trophy.”

Arteta was also quizzed on the plans of his talismanic skipper, with the Spaniard reiterating his belief that a deal will be agreed at some stage.

"He knows what I think about him," said Arteta. "I want to build the squad around him. I think he wants to stay and it is just about getting the deal done.

"But I think these moments will help him to realise and believe that we are in the right path and he is a big part of that. He is loved by everybody at the club. Hopefully he can continue with us."

When asked if Aubameyang will extend his time at Emirates Stadium, Arteta replied: "I think he will, yes."

Talks are, however, on hold for now as the Gunners revel in ending their 2019-20 campaign on a high.

It has been a testing season for the north London outfit, with another managerial change made, but optimism has returned under Arteta and they now have tangible reward for their efforts.

“We enjoyed it and we are all happy,” Aubameyang said on sealing FA Cup success.

He added on the job done by Arteta, who took the reins in December and is filling a first managerial post of his coaching career: “I think he deserved this win. He did a great job and we are all happy to have him on board and we all follow him.”

Aubameyang played a leading role in giving his boss something to celebrate against Chelsea.

The Blues took the lead early on through Christian Pulisic, who later limped off, with Arsenal restoring parity from the spot.

Aubameyang’s second of the game was worthy of winning any game, as he wriggled through the Chelsea defence and fired past Willy Caballero with his left foot.

He said of that finish, with Gunners legend Ian Wright among those in attendance: “It was Wrighty of the 90s.

“[Kurt] Zouma knows me well and knows I am right footed but that’s why I said ‘ok, I’ll go on my left’.”

Mainland Premier League giants Young Africans have completed the signing of Bakari Mwamnyeto from Coastal Union.

The Taifa Stars defender had been heavily linked to the Kariakoo clubs but at last, Yanga have won the battle to his signature ahead of Simba SC.

Mwamnyeto has been one of the outstanding defenders in the Premier League and his prowess rightfully attracted interest from local giants, including Azam FC.

Having put pen to paper on a two-year deal, he will now set about proving that he proves to be the successor to his international teammate Kevin Yondani.

The 35-year-old has been a regular figure at the centre of defence alongside Lamine Moro, and the addition of Mwamnyeto is a sign that Yanga are now preparing for life without him.

Mwamnyeto’s arrival is expected to generate more debate on Andrew ‘Dante’ Vincent’s future at Timu Ya Wananchi.

Vincent had fallen out with Belgian Luc Eymael, who had made it clear that he was not going to renew his contract due to disciplinary issues, although the coach has since departed the club.

Mwamnyeto played a pivotal role in Coastal Union’s season, which saw them just concede 30 goals; a fifth-best record, which was only bettered by Simba, Yanga, Azam and Biashara United.

The Tanzanian’s performance also saw him earn a place in a provisional list of 30 who will vie for the Most Valuable Player Award for the 2019/20 season. Mwamnyeto entered into the list alongside other defenders including Ugandan Nicholas Wadada who is playing for Azam, Yanga’s assistant captain Juma Abdul, and Lucas Kikoti of FA Cup 2020 finalists Namungo FC.

He is the second player the record league champions have signed in the transfer window that was opened on August 1.

The Jangwani street-based club has already confirmed the acquisition of midfielder Zawadi Peter Mauya from Kagera Sugar on a two-year deal as well.

As Tanzania Football Federation confirmed the transfer period will run until the end of August, it emphasised that no extra time is going to be granted for clubs once the window shuts.

“TFF emphasises there will be no additional time to be granted for transfers and that is why the clubs are urged to complete their activities - both signing and releasing players - within the prescribed period,” TFF said in a statement on Saturday.

Azam have also made two signings so far, while Simba, who will participate in the Caf Champions League once more, have not signed any player so far but Chief Executive Officer Senzo Mazingisa earlier said there will be minimal transfer activity.

Simba SC have been warned that there will be no underdogs when they take on Namungo FC in the final of the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi will be keen to seal a treble this season, having won the Mainland Premier League title and the Charity Shield Cup - as they come up against a Namungo side who finished fourth on the league table - at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga, Rukwa this weekend.

The club’s Information Officer Haji Manara has cautioned the players against complacency, despite the difference in stature between the two sides, saying a cup final can go either way and therefore that they should be ready for a tough battle.

“In a cup final you don’t have a favourite winner,” Manara told Goal. “Anything can happen in a cup final, you must be alert and always avoid committing silly mistakes that can complicate matters for you.

“We all know we don’t have underdogs in such a final, the two teams in final are all equal, they won matches to reach the final and so it will be a huge mistake to underrate your opponent.

"I am hoping our boys will be keen to avoid mistakes especially at the back and give us the best result we want to end the season in style."

Despite Manara's comments, Simba will be favourites to lift the crown when they meet a team who only scraped past lowly Sahare All-Stars to reach this stage of the competition. 

“From the fans, the playing unit, and the technical bench we all need to know anything can happen in the final and get prepared for a good final, go with confidence and avoid being complacent.”

In an earlier interview, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck explained the importance of the FA Cup final by revealing he will field his best team on the day.

“It will be our final match of the season and we will, therefore, field our best squad to finish the job,” Vandenbroeck told Goal on Saturday. “I will not underrate [Namungo], they are not a team to look down upon and therefore, I have told my players what to do and what to expect in such a final, it will be difficult because they can also spring a surprise, so we must be ready to deal with them.

“I am happy we have been training for the last few days since we ended the league and all the players are fit to play, I will go for my best squad, to finish the job and give us another trophy.”

Simba defeated Yanga SC 4-1 in the semi-final to advance to the final, while Namungo narrowly defeated minnows Sahare All-Stars by a solitary goal.

Barcelona should be making a new contract for Marc-Andre ter Stegen “one of their priorities this summer”, says Bojan Krkic, with the Liga giants told their German goalkeeper is deserving of a lucrative deal.

Discussions regarding fresh terms have been held between those at Camp Nou and their first-choice shot-stopper.

Talks were, however, put on hold during a coronavirus-enforced break and no agreement has been reached as yet.

Ter Stegen has been generating speculation regarding a possible move elsewhere, with Premier League heavyweights Chelsea said to be among his suitors.

He is already tied to Barca through to 2022, but the Catalan giants had been hoping to have an extension in place by now.

Bojan believes they should be doing all that can to get Ter Stegen tied down, with a proven performer key to their future plans and in a strong position when it comes to demanding parity with some of the club’s top earners.

“I've got a lot of faith in Marc-Andre ter Stegen,” the former Barca playertold Sport.

“I believe that, during these years at Barça, he's improved massively as a keeper and is now one of the best in the world.

“He's only 28 which makes me think there's still room for further improvement and he could eventually become the best.

“For that reason, in my opinion, his renewal should be one of Barca's priorities this summer. His role is key in the present and future of this club.

“We're talking about an extremely solid goalkeeper and that's something which makes it uncomfortable for the opposition's forwards.

“His qualities are extensive: he closes the angles down quickly in one-on-ones, makes himself big and isn't one of those goalkeepers who guesses what the forward will do. Instead he stands strong, covering as much of the goal as possible and is very agile.

“And that doesn't even go into the fact he's capable of assuming the responsibility when the team needs his help. He always wants the ball and is another outfield player when the team has possession.

“He's also comfortable with facing the cameras after a bad performance and, in a measured and respectful way, point out the errors of the team.

“He's a very hard worker. I can attest to that because we completed a pre-season together, just before I joined Stoke. I remember not long after signing he was already trying to speak in Spanish and took an interest in Catalan.

“For all of those reasons, I don't believe the club can allow a player like him to leave.

“There's no risk when it comes to ter Stegen but, without him, everything becomes less clear. This is why the idea of not handing him a new contract can't be considered.

“Furthermore, I believe he's proven himself to rightly be amongst the best-paid members of the squad for years to come. And in doing so, it would remove a great uncertainty as we enter the transfer window.”

Barca are having to carefully manage their finances in the current window, as they also look into acquiring the likes of Inter forward Lautaro Martinez, but funds are expected to be made available for any deals deemed vital to the club’s plans.