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Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must try and replicate the winning culture that has been installed at Chelsea during the past 15 years.

The Gunners take on the Blues at Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup knowing they must win if they are to secure a spot in next season’s Europa League.

Chelsea meanwhile have already booked their place in the Champions League and go into the game on the back of a convincing 4-1 victory against Arsenal in last season’s Europa League final.

That was the club’s 16th major trophy since Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003. No English club has won more in that timeframe.

And that success has been achieved despite managers coming and going on a regular basis in west London.

Current boss Frank Lampard, who will go up against Arteta at Wembley on Saturday, is Abramovich’s 12th permanent appointment since he bought Chelsea 17 years ago.

At other clubs, constant change in the dugout would often lead to upheaval, but at Chelsea the trophies keep on coming, no matter who is in charge.

And, speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting between the sides, Arteta put that down to the winning mentality that has been installed at Stamford Bridge over the past two decades.

“Absolutely,” he said, when asked whether he wants to replicate that type of culture at Arsenal.

“They [Chelsea] had some very important core players in those winning teams and it has probably given them a platform to be consistent.

“They have had some really good managers, players and structure at the football club.

“Before the time you mentioned [pre Abramovich], they were not a winning team. But they managed to change that mindset and convince players and put the pressure on everybody at the club that the only aim and the only thing that was allowed at that football club was to win.

“When that happens, obviously everybody performs better.”

Arsenal go into Saturday’s final as underdogs. But with Chelsea having already secured European football next season, the pressure is on Arteta’s side to salvage something from what has been a miserable campaign.

Defeat will see the Gunners miss out on European football for the first time in 25 years and will make it even harder for the club to compete in the transfer market at a time when finances are already stretched to the limit due to the coronavirus pandemic and a lofty £230 million ($302m) wage bill.

Arteta is well aware of what is at stake at Wembley, but says he will not be talking to his players about the potential financial consequences that defeat could bring.

“There’s no need to talk to them about that,” he said. “They are aware of it.

“I don’t want to add any extra pressure onto them in terms of that. They have been preparing really well this week, they look ready to go and what they have to drive them forward is the energy and ambition to grab that cup at the end of the 90 minutes.”

Nicolas Pepe may have failed to sparkle in his maiden season at Arsenal but it is still too early to brand the Cote d’Ivoire international a flop, according to Nigerian coach Henry Abiodun.

In fact, the former Sunshine Stars coach believes Pepe can follow the example of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, who has enjoyed great success in the Premier League after initially struggling in the top flight.

So much was expected of the 25-year-old when he arrived at the Emirates Stadium on the back of a club record fee from Lille, but he's only registered nine goals and eight assists in his first 40 outings across all competitions for the North London outfit.

Abiodun, who is currently the Football Coaches Association of Africa Nations’ director of coaching education, believes Pepe is capable of turning his fortunes around as soon as he adapts to Arsenal’s philosophy.

“Going by his stats and how expensive his contract was, it is not out of place for football fans to think he flopped, but professionally speaking, I would say it’s too early to call him a flop,” Abiodun told Goal. “Mohamed Salah did not do too well at Chelsea, he went to AS Roma and came back to Liverpool; and he has been in his best element since then.

"I think giving [Pepe] another season would be a great thing," he added. “If you look at it, you would see that he picked a better form after [football returned from the Covid-19 break].

“Look at Arsenal as a team, they struggled throughout this season. When you come on a team like Arsenal that has been struggling while playing under two managers, it could be difficult for a young man like him.”

“One of the reasons why I won’t write him off yet is the fact that tactically speaking, he is always on point," Abiodun continued. "His one-on-one situation is great as well as his crosses, in-swingers and out-swingers.

“That means he can hold his own fort at any time, but when it comes to group and team tactics, that is where you find him wanting which you may link to the Arsenal philosophy that is yet to be fully embedded in him.

“For example, in his former team in France, he plays on the flanks and there is a kind of situation where you have the striker dropped down and he goes in as a striker and that’s why you see him score a lot of goals, but coming to Arsenal, he’s been relegated to a full flank player - he plays basically on the wing.

“When you look at his record in Lille two seasons ago - where he had to score 22 goals and 11 assists - he was second-highest goals scorer behind PSG’s [Kylian] Mbappe," Abiodun noted. "Compare that with his record now at Arsenal - scoring [nine] goals and eight assists - I don’t think he is an absolute flop, I know he is going to pick up as soon as he understands better  the philosophy of Arsenal and that of his manager [Mikel Arteta].”

In a bid to help the African rediscover the form that made him a fan favourite in the French elite division, coach Abiodun gave useful tips on what must be done to help the ex-Angers and US Orleans star to hit his top form.

"I would prefer he plays closer to goal, and perhaps would come up with a team tactics where he has the opportunity to play closer to the goal area," the coach continued. "He is played as an absolute flank player and when a player is a complete winger, you expect more assists than scoring goals.

[Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah today play from the wings but you see them score more goals because they play as strikers. He has to be encouraged more as an individual player because he is very good on one-on-one situations."

Pepe is expected to play a role when Arteta’s team face Frank Lampard’s Chelsea when they face off in Saturday’s FA Cup Wembley.

"For a player to be effective in one-on-ones, there must be other good players making good runs, and that has not been very good at Arsenal," Abiodun concluded.

"There should be an all-round support from his team when he is with the ball so that he can excel. He is a very useful player and very deadly on his left foot which is his dominant foot. I think they just have to cut out a better role for him, and let him know he is not a waste in the team."

Osinachi Ohale has revealed that AS Roma’s Women's Champions League ambitions convinced her to sign for the Italian outfit.

Roma finished fourth with 34 points from 16 games to end one-point adrift of the Champions League spot before the coronavirus cancellation of the Serie A women's top flight last season.

The Nigerian, who had made 15 appearances and scored twice for CD Tacon, now known as Real Madrid, in Spain, was signed to beef up Betty Bavagnoli's squad for their new season.

While opening up on what attracted her to moving to Rome, the Super Falcons defender shared her ambition is to help her new Italian side to an improved outing next season.

“I decided to choose Roma because of so many things," Ohale told the club website. "So many amazing things about the club, about this city and this country that interested me.

"So I felt like it would be a great thing for me, to explore and to experience new things and a new challenge.

"It's an interesting league. I’m ready to learn and do whatever. Obviously I am expecting an interesting league, more challenging and I think I will learn more and add more for my career.”

Before joining David Aznar's side last summer, Ohale had enjoyed professional stints with Houston Dash in the United States and later starred for Vittsjo and Vaxjo before moving to Spain.

The 28-year-old, who boasts of three Women's World Cup outings and four Africa Women's Cup of Nations titles with Nigeria, is unmoved by the competition as she is keen to excel in Rome.

"My first impression of my teammates well, I saw them and I was like, ‘This is a family,'" Ohale said. "They are so welcoming. They are all easy to get on with and so cheerful. Everyone is talking to everyone, everyone is interacting with everyone. So I see a very big team, a family.

“The sort of defender I am, I would say I am very, very strong. I’m very, very fast, I’m good at reading the game and I’m also very good at physical battles too. There’s so much more I could mention!

“That is why I am here, to help the team to get to all their targets because it is an amazing club – as I said – with so much ambition, and I also want to [qualify to] play in the Champions League, because I have never played in the Champions League before.”

AS Roma continue their preparation for the new season after Wednesday's morale-boosting 4-0 win over fellow Serie A side Florentia Sangimignano.

Ghana and Deportivo Alaves attacker Patrick Twumasi is tipping Chelsea to beat Arsenal to the FA Cup title on Saturday, although he acknowledges that he has concerns about the Blues' defence.

The two sides are set for a showdown at Wembley Stadium, having accounted for Manchester United and Manchester City respectively in the last four.

Whereas Chelsea look the stronger side on paper, owing to their superior performance and finish in the Premier League, their defence – led by the likes of Antonia Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso – has been a source of worry for their fans all through the season.

“Saturday’s game will be very tough because Chelsea are in form, they have a manager like Frank Lampard and they have very sharp attackers like Willian and [Mason] Mount," Twumasi, who spent last season on loan at Turkish outfit Gazisehir Gaziantep, told Goal . 

"Olivier Giroud is not so quick but he has lots of experience. It will be an interesting game to watch.

“Chelsea’s defence is not so strong, so that opens up a 50-50 opportunity for both sides. I will go for Chelsea to win the game because they have been in top form and their attack is very quick.”

Chelsea, who finished fourth in the league, handed Manchester United a 3-1 defeat in the semi-final to book a place in the cup final.

By contrast, Arsenal, who placed eighth in the league, put two goals past Manchester City courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang double in one of the finest displays of Mikel Arteta's tenure at the club.

“Arsenal have also not been doing badly. Their attack is difficult to handle because they have pacy wingers like [Alexandre] Lacazette and Aubameyang who can put Chelsea in danger. It’s a winner-takes-all game.

“Let’s see what Saturday brings in the challenge ahead and who wins," Twumasi concluded. "For me, both teams because they have been on top of their game.”

Chelsea last played in the FA Cup final in 2018 when they pipped Manchester United 1-0 to lift the crown.

That was only a year after the Blues succumbed to Arsenal in the final. The Gunners last lost an FA Cup final in 2001.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has "matured" since being made captain and is "an important one to keep" for Arsenal, says former Gunners defender Kolo Toure.

Since making his Arsenal debut in February 2018, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Aubameyang, whose return of 68 is matched only by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

The Gabon forward's importance to the club was emphasised when former boss Unai Emery handed him the captaincy in November, a job he kept when Mikel Arteta took over a month later.

Aubameyang's long-term future at Emirates Stadium remains shrouded in doubt with the 31-year-old into the final year of his contract and yet to commit to fresh terms, although Arteta has stated his belief their prized asset can be persuaded to stay.

Toure, a member of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' title-winning team of 2003-04, says Aubameyang has shown the qualities needed to be a leader and that his continued presence will be crucial for the Gunners going forward.

"He's a top player. I saw him grow. I can see that he's matured now," Toure told Stats Perform News. "You can see as a captain he's a leader, leading by example. He's very focused. He's working hard for the team.

"He's a great captain and a great example. It's really easy to talk but what are you showing us? Are you willing to fight for every ball? That's what [Steven] Gerrard, [Patrick] Vieira, those great captains did.

"He's an important one to keep."

Arteta assumed the managerial reins at the Emirates after Emery's tenure was ended 18 months on from being chosen as the successor to Arsene Wenger.

Toure believes Arteta has changed the culture at the club and has been delighted to see the players finally knuckling down for each other.

"I watched his first games. I was intrigued to see. I had an idea. In my mind I was thinking that the players were not playing together," he said. "You could see the attacking players and midfield were trying to press, but there was a big gap between midfield and the defence.

"That's what he changed. When Arsenal press, they do so with high intensity. The back four are really high and the strikers are putting pressure to players on the ball, which is great.

"And culture – you can see every player is involved 100 per cent. They press together, when they defend deep, they defend all together. The strikers help.

"When they have the ball they can counter unbelievably with Aubameyang's speed. He's brought the team spirit and the mentality; 'we are in this together'.

"No one can cheat in the team, this is non-negotiable. That's the word he's used."

On Saturday, Arteta has the chance to win his first silverware as a head coach when Arsenal contest the FA Cup final against Chelsea, for whom Frank Lampard is also aiming to end his maiden campaign in the Blues dugout with a trophy.

Toure is impressed by how both men have adapted to the touchline from their playing days.

"It's unbelievable either could win a trophy in their first year. For ex-players to do that is unbelievable," Toure added. "Being an ex-player does not mean you are going to be a good manager.

"Their intelligence and understanding of the game, it's different to being a player. Where you are on the pitch, you have to make quick decisions. The touchline is different.

You have to analyse the game and be able to see things to improve your team. You have to plan and spot weaknesses.

"They are an inspiration for us. It gives me the belief that when you've been a player you can make a career as a manager."

Legendary Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Vusi Lamola is looking forward to watching his former club playing at the Orlando Stadium when football resumes in South Africa.

The Soweto giants are set to play their remaining home matches at the venue dubbed the Mecca of South African football when the 2019/20 season returns next month.

The campaign which has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since March 2020 will be completed in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

Lamola, who was on the books of Chiefs in the 1970s, compared Orlando Stadium with the famous All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England which hosts the annual Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

"Orlando Stadium is our home, it’s part of Kaizer Chiefs’ rich history and it holds so many great memories,” Lamola told the club's official website. “Orlando Stadium is like Wimbledon in England.

“Every tennis player wants to play at Wimbledon, because of its fabulous history. The same is true for Orlando Stadium when it comes to football."

Chiefs’ first league (National Professional Soccer League) title was won at Orlando Stadium in 1974, when they beat their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the final match of the season.

Amakhosi also won further league titles in 1977, 1979 and 1981 with Orlando Stadium as their home.

"Let’s not forget that we, as Kaizer Chiefs, gained our enormous popularity during the time that this stadium was our home," Lamola added.

Chiefs and their Soweto rivals Pirates and Moroka Swallows shared Orlando Stadium as their home ground in the seventies.

However, these days the historic stadium is Pirates' home ground, but the Buccaneers have been drawn to play their home matches at the 2010 Fifa World Cup venue, Ellis Park Stadium.

While Chiefs drew Orlando Stadium as PSL and National First Division (NFD) clubs are not allowed to play at their home stadium for the remainder of the current season.

Amakhosi will resume their pursuit of the coveted PSL title on Wednesday, August 12 when they host Bidvest Wits at Orlando Stadium.

Chiefs are sitting at the top of the league standings - four points above second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand.

Swedish Damallsvenskan club Vaxjo have secured the services of Nigeria striker Ini Umotong on an 18-month deal.

The Nigeria international becomes the latest addition to Magnus Olsson's team after parting ways with English side Brighton in June.

Umotong decided against extending her stay with the Seagulls following the cancellation of the English Women's Super League season on May 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 26-year-old joined Brighton in 2017 after being spotted at Oxford, where she emerged the WSL 2 top scorer, scoring 13 goals in 19 outings and went on to net four times in seven games in 2016.

At the Seagulls, she helped the team escape relegation in the 2018-19 season despite featuring as a substitute regularly before agreeing to a one-year extension which expired this summer.

During her three-year spell, the Super Falcons scored 19 goals in 59 games for Brighton, including the winner that sealed their 2020 FA Cup quarter-final berth for the first time since 1994.

Umotong made her international debut for Nigeria against Mali in an African Games qualifier in 2015, was part of the squad to the 2015 Women's World Cup but narrowly missed the party to France.

"The Nigerian national team striker comes to Vaxjo DFF to strengthen the offensive," the Swedish website announced on Friday. "So far, there have only been four goals ahead for the Smalanders in the Damallsvenskan.

"Previously, Umotong has played for Portsmouth, Oxford United and Brighton Hove and Albion. The contract with Vaxjo DFF extends over the 2021 season."

Following her unveiling, the Nigeria international will be the second African at Vaxjo as she teams up with Swedish-born Ugandan midfielder Violah Nambi, who joined the club last summer.

She becomes the seventh Nigerian woman in the Swedish top flight, after Pitea's Faith Micheal, Eskilstuna United duo Ngozi Okobi and Halimatu Ayinde, and Linkopings trio Ebere Orji, Uchenna Kanu, and Chinaza Uchendu.

Having excelled in England, she will aim to bring her form and scoring ability to help Olsson's side in the quest to avoid relegation, after they finished 11th with five points from seven games.

She could make her Damallsvenskan debut at home against Djurgarden, who also have South Africa's Linda Motlhalo and Ghana's Portia Boakye on their books, on August 2. 

Kenya international Francis Kahata is among the 30-ma list for the Tanzania Mainland League's Most Valuable Player Award for the 2019/20 season.

The Simba SC midfielder has excelled in his debut season in Tanzania after signing from Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia at the beginning of the campaign. 

The 29-year-old winger scored six goals and assisted a further six for the 21-time league champions. 

"I am happy to be named in the provisional list, it shows my effort for the team was recognized," Kahata told Goal on Friday. "It will be an honour to win it, but even if it will not happen, at least I am privileged to make the initial squad.

"Will always give my best for the team and help it reach greater heights."

Top scorer Meddie Kagere has also been included in the list. The Rwandan netted 22 goals to help Wekundu wa Msimbazi to the title.

The 33-year-old player headed into the final day of the season needing two goals against Polisi Tanzania to surpass the record of 23 goals he scored last season, after signing for the giants from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.

However, Kagere was benched in the fixture as captain John Bocco notched two goals to floor Polisi 2-1 and help his team finish the season at the top of the 20-team log with 88 points.

Other players from Simba who have made it to the list include captain Bocco, Shomari Kapombe, goalkeeper Aishi Manula, Clatous Chama who was recently voted the fan's player of the season, Jonas Mkude and Luis Miquissone.

Yanga SC have Mapinduzi Balama, Feisal Salum who was voted by club's fans as their best player for the season, Deus Kaseke, David Molinga and Juma Abdul.

Third-placed Azam FC have Nico Wadada, Idd Nado and Obrey Chirwa. Namungo managed to get Lucas Kikoti, Blaise Bigirimana and Reliants Lusajo on the list.

Midfielder Awesu Awesu, who has recently joined Azam from Kagera Sugar, is also in the list after managing to score seven goals. Others from the Sugar Millers are David Luhende and Yusuph Mhilu.

Biashara Sugar have Abdulmajid Mangalo and Daniel Mgore. Ayoub Lyanga and Bakari Mwamnyeto (Coastal Union) Martin Kigi (Alliance FC), Daruweshi Saliboko (Lipuli FC) and Marcel Kaheza (Polisi Tanzania) complete the list.

The list will be reduced to just 10 players with the winner set to be crowned on August 7 in an Awards Gala to be held at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam.

Three-time FA Cup winner Theo Walcott insists its "complete rubbish" to say that players don't care about the competition anymore.

Arsenal will be aiming to extend their all-time record number of FA Cup wins to 14 when they take on Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday evening.

The FA Cup was once considered among the most prestigious trophies in the game, but it has seemingly lost its appeal in more recent times, with a number of top sides electing to field weakened squads while prioritising the Premier League.

Newly crowned top-flight champions Liverpool were knocked out by Chelsea in the fifth round this season, as Jurgen Klopp shuffled his pack to cope with fixture congestion.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was criticised for making similar changes when his Manchester United side were beaten 3-1 by the Blues in the semi-finals, with Arsenal legend Paul Merson among those to point out that managers are judged on the trophies they win above anything else.

Former Arsenal winger Walcott, who boasts a treble of FA Cup wins on his CV, is adamant that the romance of the competition is still very much alive despite how it is now viewed by some of England's elite coaches.

The 31-year-old, now of Everton, told Talksport of his fondest memories with the Gunners: “Being an English player it was always been dream to play in the FA Cup, let alone win it three times.

“People say the love of the FA Cup is not there anymore, but that’s complete rubbish in my opinion, it’s a cup that every player looks back on and wants to win.

“I’m one of the lucky players to have won it, and there are guys in the Everton dressing room who would bite off my hand to be in the a same situation.

“Just looking back at all my shirts, not many players swap shirts anymore but I’ve obviously been around a long time and I look back at the 2005 and 2006 shirts, I’ve got a shirt from Leighton Baines that I managed to get him sign, little things like that mean so much to me.

“They might not mean much to anybody else, that’s fine, but I can show these to my kids, the medals as well, that’s what it’s about.

“The memories will always stick with me, scoring a goal in an FA Cup final and winning it with such class [beating Aston Villa 4-0 in 2015], scoring in the Carling Cup final as well, you ask any kid and that’s what they want to do.”

Belarusian Women's Premier League giants Dinamo-BSUPC have signed South Africa defender Lebogang Ramalepe and striker Rhoda Mulaudzi for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Ramalepe and Mulaudzi completed their transfers to the Belarusian newcomers from South Africa on Friday after a successful medical and after agreeing to personal terms with Volodymyr Reva's team, according to a statement on the club's website.

The Banyana stars joined Dinamo from Sasol Women's League sides Polokwane JVW FC and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies respectively.

Ramalepe, who secured her first professional contract abroad, started out her career at Kanatla Ladies before joining MaIndies and recently Safa National Women's League side Polokwane.

The 28-year-old has earned 50 caps for Banyana Banyana, featuring at three Africa Women's Cup of Nations and 2016 Olympic Games, part of three Cosafa Women's Cup-winning squad. 

For Mulaudzi, she previously starred for Cypriot Women's First Division side Apollon Ladies and Canberra United in Australia.

The 30-year-old helped Sundowns Ladies to claim the maiden SNWL in April, and also won the best goalscorer award after being part of Banyana's maiden Women's World Cup outing last year.

Friday's announcement means the number of South Africans on the books of the club swells to three, after Bambanani Mbane's signing from SNWL side Bloemfontein Celtic during the winter.

Ramalepe and Mulaudzi will don the jerseys 19 and 25 respectively at Dinamo, and also become the fifth Africans at the club, after Mbane, Burkina Faso's Salimata Simpore and Cameroon's Claudia Dabda.

Dinamo are sitting at the top of the log with 36 points from 12 games, and the duo will hope to make their debut when they travel to face Bobruichanka on August 2 in their next fixture.

Swansea City are set to hold talks with Andre Ayew over his future in the next few days, manager Steve Cooper has confirmed.

The Swans' hopes of playing in the Premier League were dashed on Wednesday after bowing to a 3-1 loss against Brentford.

Ayew's strike gave Swansea City a 1-0 lead in the first leg but goals from Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Marcondes and Brian Mbeumo in the return fixture turned the result around at Griffin Park.

The 30-year-old is believed to be targeting top-flight football but Cooper is keen on having the Ghanaian striker, who stands as the club's top scorer with 18 goals for the 2020-21 season, at his disposal.

"I think that's a conversation me and Andre need to have," Cooper was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"I would like nothing more than for Andre to be playing with us again next season.

"We have seen the real level of player he is this year, with the goals he has scored and the impact he has had on and off the pitch. It's been brilliant to work with him.

"But I understand Andre is a better player than the Championship. That's a matter of fact and I am sure he will have offers to do that." 

With a year remaining on his contract, Cooper said there would be contract discussions with Ayew, who left West Ham United in 2018.

"We need to have a good conversation over the next couple of days. We trust each other 100 per cent and in the end we will come to a resolution that's right for everybody," he added.

"I understand that it'll be a talking point, whether he stays or goes.

"Whatever Andre decides to do, he will have thought about it long and hard about it, that's for sure, and we'll see where it goes."

Captain, legend, one-club man and now Brand Ambassador – Franco Baresi has lived his life in red and black.

Those two colours, and the number 6, have been with him for the 45 years he’s spent locked in an intense, faithful and eternal love with AC Milan.

And so there is nobody better placed to explain what it means to wear the shirt.

"Thinking about the history of this club and what these colours represent, it is certainly a great responsibility and an honor," said 'Kaiser Franz,' speaking exclusively to Goal at the launch of Milan's new Puma home kit.

“It promotes values, good behaviour, and respect. For me, wearing it was always my goal, a childhood dream come true, and it made me doubly happy because I was always a Rossoneri fan".

Baresi pulled on many Milan shirts in his time, but one stands above all others for the six-time Serie A winner – his first, which he wore back in April of 1978 in a match against Verona.

"You always remember the shirts [you wore] in finals more than others, but the most important one was from my debut. I remember that shirt fondly. It was very simple, with very narrow stripes, and just the number, and I will always carry it in my heart because it was my first.

A glittering, twenty-year career will forever be remembered after Baresi's #6 became the first number in both Milan and Italian football history to be retired.

"I remember that evening was very exciting,” he said. “At the event, this gigantic shirt came down, as the club decided to retire it, and that filled me with pride. It was a beautiful gesture.”

Baresi's relatinship with the club is made all the more special by how increasingly rare it has become. Indeed, being able to pursue a 'Baresi-like' career, that symbiotic bond with a single club, now feels like a thing of the past.

"It is certainly much more difficult now, as modern football has changed so much. It was a different game back then, maybe with a little more romance, and a bit of the passion has been lost, but in order to succeed you should hold very high values ​​and have a great sense of belonging, which is not easy [to find].”

Those are the values ​​that Baresi handed down to his teammates over the 15 years he spent wearing the captain's armband.

"I tried to be responsible, show patience and also be courageous, loyal, and inspire my teammates, never leaving anyone behind, which is a fundamental aspect [of the captaincy].”

And it is also thanks to his legacy and the countless trophies he helped the club win reserves a special love for Milan, both in Italy and abroad.

“I think Milan is still a very important brand, which still has a great charm. In my role now, I travel a lot and I have realised just how much Milan are loved and followed, and I think that is laregly thanks to what the club has in the trophy cabinet, but, above all, how we won, and the emotion we gave to fans who follow us all over the world ".

The hope for the Rossoneri is that they will soon find that sort of success again. Maybe as early as next season, which will open symbolically this weekend, with the launch of the new PUMA shirt that the team will wear for the first time on Saturday evening at San Siro against Cagliari.

"When the season begins, us players, too, were curious to see the new shirt, and I think that is still important today, even more so with the innovation and market research [that goes into a new kit]. It is essential not to lose the tradition and the identity of our colours and our club.”

Italian legend Franco Baresi earmarked Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk as the game's top two defenders, pointing to the Real Madrid star's trophy cabinet and the Liverpool centre-back's ability to make team-mates better as what defines them as top players.

Baresi is widely seen as one of the best defenders in football history, having spent the entirety of his 20-year career with Milan.

The former central defender won three Champions League titles and six Serie A titles during his illustrious career, making 719 total appearances for the club while having his No. 6 shirt retired by Milan after his playing career came to an end.

In addition, Baresi earned 81 caps for Italy, appearing at three World Cups while captaining the Azurri at the 1994 tournament.

When asked who he saw as the best defender in the world today, Baresi admitted that it was difficult to select just one player before settling on Ramos and Van Dijk as his top two centre-backs.

“Thinking about the defenders it is not easy to choose one." Baresi told Goal . "I believe that, over the last few years, Sergio Ramos is one of the top players for his trophy cabinet and for his extraordinary career. he is still so important for Real Madrid even if he is no longer young.

"Then Van Dijk, who, for Liverpool, is a very important figure for his ability, for his personality, for what he managed to convey to the team and to give confidence by winning after so many years."

Ramos was ever-present as Real Madrid claimed the Liga title this season, his fifth with the club. The Spanish defender made 35 league appearances, scoring 11 goals, with the club scheduled to face Manchester City in the Champions League as the competition resumes.

Van Dijk, meanwhile, has been vital to Liverpool's success since making the move to Southampton, guiding the Reds to a Champions League title and the club's first Premier League crown in 30 years. The Dutch defender made 50 appearances in all competitions this season, playing every minute of the club's title-winning Premier League campaign.

As he hopes to impress Bloemfontein Celtic’s technical team, former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Tokelo Rantie is barred from conducting interviews with the media.

According to Siwelele’s spokesman Sello Nduna, the Free State-based Premier Soccer League (PSL) club doesn’t want to put the former AFC Bournemouth hitman under pressure.

On the other hand, Nduna explains they have also taken the same measure on coach John Maduka, saying they want to protect the club from pressure.

“The team’s feeling is that both the coach and Tokelo should not do the interview now because he has not been signed yet, and we don’t want to put him and the team under pressure,” Nduna told DailySun.

The South African international is looking to secure a deal with the Nedbank Cup semi-finalists and has been training with the club since March when the 2019/20 PSL season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although former coach Lehlohonolo Seema was seemingly impressed with the former Masandawana forward’s attitude in training, it seems the club is yet to decide on the 29-year-old’s future.

Rantie was released by coach Pitso Mosimane’s side following reports that he went AWOL from the club’s base at Chloorkop.

After featuring once for the reigning PSL champions in the Shell Helix Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, the Parys-born player was released in January.

On the other hand, Seema has since left the club to take over as Chippa United manager, replacing Rhulani Mokwena who returned to Sundowns, and Rantie still has to impress Maduka to earn a contract at the Mangaung-based outfit.

However, with the lanky striker a free agent, he is eligible to sign for the club should he impress Celtic and revive his ailing career.

Meanwhile, ex-Amakhosi assistant coach and Stars of Africa Academy boss Farouk Khan said there is very little coaches can do to help the striker, suggesting that Rantie is the only one that can solve his problems.

Celtic are ninth on the log with 28 points from 23 matches, and will target a top-eight finish when the season resumes next month, but their first assignment is against Baroka whom they meet in the Ke Yona semis next weekend.

Police FC new signing Tom Ikara has revealed why he opted to sign for the club ahead of the new season.

Ikara was one of the players being targeted by the newly crowned Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC), but he instead opted to sign for the ‘Cops’ on a two-year deal.

Ikara has now revealed why he decided to sign for the Law Enforcers, who are keen to make a mark in the new campaign.

“What I considered for signing with Police was the quality playing time that I expect to have than elsewhere. I want to use this playing time to bounce back to the Uganda Cranes set up,” Ikara is quoted by Kawowo Sports.

“I want to be part of the competitive Police we know of with solid performances match after match.”

In a previous interview after signing the deal, Ikara, who has also featured Busoga United and KCCA FC before he signed for Mbarara on a loan deal, said: “I'm going to do my best and put in a better performance than before.

“Police is a big team with history and I am happy to associate with it.”

Coach Abdallah Mubiru was also happy to sign the player by stating: “We thank God who has enabled us to acquire his services because he brings a lot of experience and commitment.”

Ikara becomes the third signing for Police, who have already acquired the services of experienced midfielder Tony Mawejje from Al-Arabi SC in Kuwait, and Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka FC.

Meanwhile, midfielders Yusuf Ssozi and Johnson Odong have all renewed their contracts with the club, who have set their sight in winning major titles in the coming season.

On unveiling Mawejje a week ago, Police chairman Asan Kasingye stated they will make sure they leave a mark in the league come the new season.

“We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big,” Kasingye told reporters.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

Simba SC defender Erasto Nyoni has given his young fan a jersey to reward his loyalty.

The youngster was pictured with a t-shirt printed with the player's name on his back with the number 18. The pictures went viral and the 30-year-old Taifa Stars international promised to buy him one, and on July 30, he honoured his promise.

"Erasto Nyoni has awarded his fan Jumanne Ulimwengu with a jersey," Simba SC confirmed on their social media platforms.

"A couple of weeks ago, the youngster was shown by Azam TV with a t-shirt which was printed the player's name and number.

"After rewarding him with the jersey, Jumanne requested Nyoni to also buy him a bicycle to help him get to school, and the defender promised to buy him that as well."

The defender is expected to line up for Wekundu wa Msimbazi on Sunday against Namungo FC in the FA Cup final.

The Msimbazi-based side is aiming at completing a double this season after winning the Tanzania Mainland League.

Simba defeated Yanga SC 4-1 in the semi-final to advance to the finals where they will play Namungo, who narrowly defeated Sahare All-Stars by a solitary goal in another semi-final.

Having won the league, the Sven Vandenbroeck-led side will play in the Caf Champions League next season. 

As a result, Namungo FC are set to represent Tanzania in the Caf Confederation Cup even without kicking a ball in the FA Cup final.

The winner of the domestic Cup usually gets full rights to play in Africa's second-tier club competition, but Simba are already in a continental competition, the runner-up gets the berth.

This will be the first time for the club to play in a continental assignment in their competition. Last season, Azam FC, who won the FA Cup, and KMC, who finished fourth on the league table, played in the Confederation Cup.

By the time, Tanzania had accumulated 18 points in the continental standings and were placed in 12th position, and as a result, were eligible to field four teams - two in the Champions League and two for the second-tier competition.

Namungo managed to finish the league in the fourth position behind Simba, Yanga SC and Azam FC.

Sunday FA Cup final will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. 

The FA Community Shield is typically a curtain-raiser for the new Premier League season, taking place mere weeks before the start of the English top-flight.

The Covid-19 outbreak may have disrupted the majority of the calendar year, but football is slowly returning - and that means a showdown between two of England's biggest teams at Wembley Stadium.

Here's what you need to know about this year's FA Community Shield, when it will take place, who will be involved in it and more.

When is the 2020 FA Community Shield?

The 2020 FA Community Shield will take place on August 29, 2020 at Wembley Stadium.

It will be contested between Premier League winners Liverpool and the winners of the 2020 FA Cup, which will be either Arsenal or Chelsea.

Manchester City are current holders of the title, but they will be unable to participate as they finished as runners-up in the Premier League and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage by Arsenal.

Liverpool featured in the 2019 FA Community Shield as the second-placed Premier League team, as Manchester City were crowned winners of both the Premiership and the FA Cup.

The Reds lost the final on penalties after a 1-1 draw, allowing Manchester City to claim their sixth title.

Liverpool are 15-time winners of the FA Community Shield, last winning the trophy in 2006 in a 2-1 victory against Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium.

Arsenal are also tied with Liverpool on 15 FA Community Shield titles, while Chelsea have lifted the honour four times.

Will fans be allowed to attend the 2020 FA Community Shield?

According to reports, the FA are said to be using the 2020 FA Community Shield as a test event for allowing supporters back into the stadiums.

No fans have been allowed to attend matches in England since March due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but the 2020 FA Community Shield could see a small number of fans in the stands.

An allocated 15,000-20,000 fans could be allowed to watch the game while adhering to strict social distancing guidelines and mask-wearing procedures.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have completed the signing of Zawadi Peter Mauya from Mainland Premier League rivals Kagera Sugar.

The midfielder has signed a two-year deal with Timu Ya Mwananchi and becomes the first signing made by Yanga, a development that was made public on the social media pages of the club.

Mauya has also featured for another Premier League side Lipuli FC before and his departure from Kagera Sugar follows Awesu Awesu’s exit, as the latter signed for Azam FC on July 30.

The Jangwani-based club has been linked with a number of players including Coastal Union’s defender Bakari Mwamnyeto.

Meanwhile, Yanga’s captain Papy Tshishimbi is fearful Luc Eymael’s recent demeaning utterances may end up affecting his entire coaching career in future.

“Eymael came and like any other employee, had the ambitions he had set to achieve,” Tshishimbi told Mwanaspoti.

“But he had to leave just after leading Yanga to the second place in the league. What worries me is the manner in which Eymael left the club, how it will affect him in the next destination wherever he may serve.

“There are ways Eymael would have chosen to relay his message on what was making his stay difficult but for now, it is difficult to do so because the society has delivered the judgement and some have developed hatred already.

“Football is a game that makes people from all walks of life meet and interact and there may be chances that we will meet again. 

“What is important for now, is to exercise caution so that what made him fall at Yanga does not bring him down at the next station of work.

“Yanga will remain forever but many of us came and we shall leave the way Eymael came and left.”

The midfielder went ahead to urge the club to work on what the Belgian stated are some of the reasons affecting the general performance of the team.

“For now, it is time that the club should work hard and correct faults that Eymael picked up and urged Yanga to improve on,” he concluded.

“It is important to improve on areas where improvement is needed so that next season those who are coming will not find the same challenges that their predecessors went through.”

Azam FC have promised to sign players in every position after unveiling midfielder Awesu Ally Awesu as their first signing of the current transfer window.

Awesu arrived at Azam for a second stint from Kagera Sugar after penning a two-year deal on Thursday.

Azam CEO Abdulkarim Amin ‘Popat’ has confirmed to Goal the arrival of Awesu marks the start of the many transfer activities that will be witnessed at the Chamazi-based club, ahead of the new Mainland Premier League season.

“As usual and especially here at Azam since I took up my position, we always sign players according to what the coach wants and the good thing is that the coach has already given us the list of players he wants and that is what we want to fulfill,” Amin told Goal.

“Two days after we played our last league match, our coach [Aristica Cioaba] gave us the list of what players he wants, what areas he wants the team to work on and I can confirm he wants us to buy at least 12 players for the new season.

“We have already discussed as officials, we sat and discussed the list from the coach and out of the 12 players we have already landed [Awesu] and are also talking to the other targets.”

Amin continued: “The coach wants, two fullbacks, one defensive midfielder, two wing-backs, and one striker, because it was one of our weakest links this season, we did not score many goals because we lacked an out and out striker, and so the areas will be looked.

“And also out of the 12 players, we will also sign one goalkeeper, to give a challenge to existing keepers that we already have in our ranks, so it is going to be a beehive of activities as far as transfer of new players is concerned at Azam this window.”

The ‘Ice Cream Makers’ did not enjoy as good a season as they had anticipated at the beginning of the campaign, as they managed to finish third in the league with 70 points, 18 fewer than winners Simba SC, and two behind second-placed Yanga SC. They managed to get 20 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats.

The team also failed to retain their FA Cup title to stand a chance of representing the country in the Caf Confederation Cup. They were paired with Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the quarter-finals and fell 2-0.

Wazito FC defender Johnstone Omurwa believes he will have to be patient in his bid to be a consistent feature in the Kenyan national team.

The Harambee Stars currently has a plethora of options for central defenders, like Musa Mohammed, Brian Mandela, David Owino, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu.

After regularly being overlooked, the former Mathare United defender says it is not easy to be considered for national team duties but he has to continue doing his part.

"One thing, getting a call-up here in Kenya is not easy because we have many good defenders," Omurwa told Goal. 

"Many are experienced and have played many times for the national team apart from the likes of Joseph Okumu. Getting a call-up is very important because the environment gives you the urge to work harder and remain part of the team. I have been there, I have known what the coaches want.

"All I need right now is patience and working harder on the pitch. I cannot force a call-up as well because the current team is also very competitive. 

"Even on the bench, if you look you will realize the person next to you is experienced as well and even when someone gets injured, that experienced player will be the one who will be selected ahead of you, it is never that easy, there is stiff competition."

The 21-year-old has also revealed the importance of ensuring he makes the provisional team consistently.

"My time will surely come, as long as I am working harder consistently, there will be no course for alarm," Omurwa added.

"I have tried to be closer to the team by making up the provisional squad regularly and when I get the chance, it is all about grabbing it with both hands. It is all about learning and it cannot happen when you cannot even get a call-up to the provisional squad.

"And we all know, getting a call-up is not easy, and losing it is very easy that is why I am saying I have to show my worth when with the team to warrant my stay there."  

The towering defender is currently negotiating a deal to join Angola's Petro Atletico.