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Antonio Conte has again dismissed the possibility of Lionel Messi joining Inter, suggesting it would be easier to move Milan's cathedral than Barcelona's icon.

There was renewed speculation that Inter could attempt to pull off an audacious move for Messi in this transfer window when a picture of the Argentina great was projected onto the Duomo di Milano on Tuesday.

Reports in Italy said Inter's owners were behind the stunt, which had been designed to publicise television coverage of the Nerazzurri's Serie A clash with Napoli later that evening. 

It did more than that, though, once again reigniting the rumour that Messi – who has not been afraid to express his unhappiness at Barca this season – could move to Milan, where his father has recently bought a house.

However, after chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said suggestions Inter could sign Messi were merely "fantasy football", Conte also poured cold water on the idea.

Asked by Sky Sport Italia whether he would rather sign Messi or four players worth €50million each, Inter head coach Conte replied: "I think both of those scenarios are pretty improbable!

"I am holding on tight to my players, as they are giving their all, I can guarantee that.

"It'd be easier to move the Duomo than to bring Messi to Inter!"

It was Inter's current Argentina star who helped them defeat Napoli 2-0 on Tuesday. There were shades of Messi in Lautaro Martinez's brilliant run and 30-yard finish into the bottom corner, though it was just his third goal since January.

Danilo D'Ambrosio was also on target for an Inter side that moved back up to second and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

Though Juventus have already been crowned champions, Conte is keen to secure the runners-up berth, which Inter would do if they avoid defeat against third-placed Atalanta in their final league fixture at the weekend.

"It was not easy after Atalanta had won at Parma, as we were in a certain sense forced to win our game," Conte added.

"These are important situations, because being in front – even if it's for second place and someone else won the Scudetto – we need to get used to feeling the pressure of teams pushing up behind us."

Portugal can expect an influx of thousands of football supporters when Lisbon hosts the final stages of the Champions League - which has been described as "a gift for the country".

Europe has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and UEFA decided in May it would move its flagship club competition to Portugal from the quarter-final stage onwards.

By having all eight teams together in the same city, UEFA will be able to closely manage the organisation of the competition, in the hope it passes off without any Covid-related problems.

According to Daniel Sa, executive director of the Portuguese Institute of Administration and Marketing (IPAM), Portugal can expect to benefit to the tune of around €50 million in extra income.

Along with potentially priceless showcasing of the country, there appear to be good reasons for Portugal to welcome the Champions League to its capital, even if all matches are currently due to be played behind closed doors.

Lisbon last hosted the Champions League final in 2014, when Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time at Benfica's Estadio da Luz, the venue that will also stage this year's showpiece.

Sa said: "We believe that we will have more than 15,000 fans, without tickets of course, that are going to gather during these 12 days in the country and basically having fun around the tournament."

That would be just a small fraction of the number that gathered in Madrid last year when Liverpool faced Tottenham, when up to 150,000 fans were reported to have travelled, but it may be a manageable number for the local authorities.

"Portugal is a country that loves football," said Sa. "So having an event like this with the eight top European teams, during 12 days in Portugal in a year where we had no football for three months, this is a gift for the country."

It would surely help the cause locally if Juventus qualify, given Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays for the Italian giants. Juventus trail Lyon 1-0 after the first leg of their last-16 tie, with the second game in Turin on Friday, August 7.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are also among teams whose participation is on a knife-edge, ahead of last-16 second legs against Napoli and Manchester City respectively.

"Ronaldo is a very big, big brand in Portugal and right now some Portuguese are supporters for Juventus," Sa said. "So I think this could raise the attention in Portugal and raise the economic impact.

"People are very excited to have the best players in the world for 12 days in the country."

He pointed to a track record of successfully staged football events in Portugal, including Euro 2004 and last year's Nations League finals.

"I suppose that was the first reason to choose Portugal," said Sa. "The second one I believe it is related to the situation of the pandemic, and probably UEFA had confidence that Portuguese authorities would be able to provide the right standards and the right level of security, mainly about health security, and there is trust in the way Portugal is dealing with the pandemic."

IPAM has studied likely behavioural patterns, examining travel bookings, the prospects of restaurant use, shopping, entertainment and tourism activities on offer.

Sa said the 2014 Champions League final resulted in €46m of economic impact, while last year's game in Madrid saw the Spanish capital benefit to the tune of around €60m.

He added: "In these days having an event that can generate €50m for the country, but more than this can give a visibility around the world, is so important and very positive for the country in this moment."

Prince William has explained how he ended up supporting Aston Villa.

The Prince's footballing allegiance has long been a source of curiosity for some fans, given the lack of an obvious local or familial connection to the club.

He tweeted his support after Villa avoided relegation from the Premier League on Sunday, joking that survival was "never in doubt".

Speaking on the BBC's That Peter Crouch Podcast , Prince William said: “Only in the last few years have I really got a grip of Villa as my team. I watch them a lot. I get into stats and I watch them every week.

“It was the first FA Cup game I went to. It was a Villa vs Bolton game and I remember sitting in the stands with a beanie on.

“I must have been about 12 or 11 and I went with a load of mates. I sat there amongst all the Villa fans and I loved it. I thought the atmosphere and team ethos was great.

“At the time, I desperately didn’t want to support Man Utd or Chelsea like everyone else at school.

"I liked the idea that Villa had a real history, winning European Cups and stuff like that. I felt a real connection with the club, more than I felt watching some of the other ones. Villa felt like a really proud Midlands club and it felt very special.”

William also said he had taken his children, George and Charlotte, to Villa's 5-1 win against Norwich earlier in the season - but he wasn't pushing George to follow in his footsteps.

“I’m trying not to persuade him to be a Villa fan – I’m letting him choose his own way. It’s about finding what fits for him," he said. “Previously I was a bit concerned about him supporting Chelsea, but now Frank [Lampard] has come in I feel the culture’s a bit different at Chelsea and I’d be ok with it.

“I do like the values and the ethos of the club. I want them to look after the players and set a good example to the young fans. I want our children, when they go the match, to come away loving what they’ve seen, enjoying it and seeing their role models behave in a way that we’d all want them to.”

That Peter Crouch Podcast is available on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live

Hernan Crespo says he wants to return to England as a manager, possibly following in Marcelo Bielsa’s footsteps by cutting his teeth in the Championship.

Unlike his vastly experienced former boss Bielsa, Crespo is relatively new to the coaching game. His current side, Argentine outfit Defensa y Justicia, are the fourth team he has managed, following previous spells at Banfield, Modena and the youth team at Parma.

The former Chelsea, Milan and Inter forward is enjoying coaching and dreaming of a return to British shores.

“I was very happy playing in England, going to training, very happy with the fans,” Crespo told the Daily Mail. “That is why today as a manager I would like to be able to re-live that. I admire the Premier League and even the Championship, too.

“Being a coach is beautiful. Being beside Jose [Mourinho] at Chelsea and Inter, I learned that the manager is 360 degrees.

“How to deal with journalists, doctors, players, backroom staff, the atmosphere, fans, with everything. These three [Mourinho, Bielsa and Carlo Ancelotti] opened up my mind to certain things.”

While Crespo played under his fair share of top managers, he is adamant that his coaching style will be his own – just as his playing style was.

“I admired Marco Van Basten, Romario but I couldn’t be Van Basten or Romario, I had to be Hernan Crespo,” he said.

“I will simply try to put my name on the map without imitating anyone. For me it’s about identity. I like the managers who have identity like Pep Guardiola or Diego Simeone or Jurgen Klopp.”

Away from his future in management, Crespo also spoke about his playing past, including his lowest moment. The then-forward scored twice in the first half of the 2005 Champions League final to give Milan a 3-0 lead at the break, before Liverpool executed their famous comeback in Istanbul.

“I don’t remember what you’re talking about,” he joked when asked about the game.

“The pain was so great, but that is why we love football, because it is not mathematics. Pain won over reason. Things simply happened which had to happen. It’s not something you could control.”

Atalanta are likely to be without top scorer Josip Ilicic for their Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 32-year-old Slovenia forward has starred for Gian Piero Gasperini's side this season, scoring 21 goals in 34 games including five in seven in Europe.

His contributions have been key to Atalanta's stunning scoring form this year. With one league game to play, they need two more goals to reach 100 in Serie A alone.

However, he hasn't featured since the 2-2 draw with Juventus on July 11, and there seems little prospect of him returning soon.

Speaking after a 2-1 win at Parma on Tuesday, Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia: "We're getting closer to the day [of the PSG game]. With each passing day, it is more difficult for us to have Ilicic back. It would be very difficult for him to be with us in Lisbon."

After finishing their league season with a home fixture against Inter on Saturday, Atalanta will face PSG on August 12. With the closing stages of the tournament played as one-off knockout games in Portugal, the winner will go on to face either Atletico Madrid or RB Leipzig in the semi-final.

The Atalanta-PSG fixture had seemed a likely goal glut, but Ilicic isn't the only star forward set to miss the fixture.

Kylian Mbappe is almost certain to miss the game with an ankle injury picked up in PSG's 1-0 Coupe de France final win over Saint-Etienne, while Angel Di Maria is suspended.

The Ligue 1 champions will be relying on Neymar and Mauro Icardi to provide attacking inspiration, with club-record scorer Edinson Cavani having left at the expiry of his contract.

While Atalanta would clearly prefer to have Ilicic back, they have spread goals throughout their squad this season.

Colombian duo Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel have 19 each, while Mario Pasalic and Robin Gosens have also hit double figures. Ruslan Malinovskiy and Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez have been key contributors, with Gomez adding 18 assists to his eight goals.

Atalanta will go into their final league game against Inter looking to secure second place for the first time. That would improve on their best-ever finish of third, which they managed last season.

Substitute Lautaro Martinez's stunning strike ensured Inter are in pole position to finish as runners-up in Serie A after a 2-0 victory over Napoli.

Atalanta's win earlier on Tuesday dropped the Nerazzurri down to third, but Danilo D'Ambrosio's first-half goal put them on course to move directly behind champions Juventus once again.

Martinez then came off the bench and fired home from range in the 74th minute for just his third goal since January as Inter made it seven games without defeat ahead of Saturday's season-ending clash with Atalanta, who are just one point behind them.

A second straight away defeat for Napoli left them seventh, though their Coppa Italia victory has already assured them of a Europa League place in 2020-21.

It took Inter just 11 minutes to go ahead, D'Ambrosio reaching Cristiano Biraghi's cutback and steering a first-time shot into the net.

Napoli then seized control of proceedings, though, with a passage that began with Lorenzo Insigne flicking Piotr Zielinski's effort just wide with Samir Handanovic rooted to the spot.

Handanovic then made saves from Zielinski and Matteo Politano before an Antonio Candreva deflection diverted an Insigne effort wide when a goal looked certain.

Napoli keeper Alex Meret did his best not to be overshadowed, brilliantly tipping Marcelo Brozovic's effort wide at the end of an entertaining first half.

Momentum was lost after the break and an hour had gone when Eljif Elmas next went close when firing wide.

Biraghi could have wrapped up the three points but he got his effort horribly wrong on the counter, and it was left for Martinez to run forward and pick out the bottom corner from 30 yards out to seal it.

What does it mean? Unbeaten run goes on for Conte's men

A second-placed finish in Serie A would be nice but Conte would mainly like to keep this momentum going ahead of the Europa League resumption.

Atalanta, unbeaten since January, will represent a serious test, but Martinez started on the bench here and should be fresh for that, and imbued with the confidence of his long-range goal.

Bastoni a solid presence at the back

This was another clean sheet for Inter – their third in a row – and Alessandro Bastoni deserved plenty of credit for his role in that.

He jointly led the team with five clearances and two interceptions, won both of his duels and had a team-high 77 touches to boot.

Milik goes missing

While Bastoni had a big part to play, Arkadiusz Milik was a bit-part player instead.

The forward had only 18 touches despite being on the pitch for 84 minutes and struggled to get involved throughout.

Key Opta Facts

- Inter have scored the most goals (seven) with their first shot of the match in Serie A this season.
- Martínez has scored four goals from outside the box in Serie A this season. The last Inter player to do better in a single top-flight campaign was Zlatan Ibrahimovic (six in 2008-09).
- Only Robin Gosens has delivered most Serie A assists than Biraghi (six) among defenders his season.
- Napoli have not scored in five of their last six away games at San Siro in Serie A (against Milan or Inter).
- Inter have kept the clean sheet in three consecutive Serie A games for their first time since last September.

What's next?

Inter round off the season at Atalanta before facing Getafe in the Europa League. Napoli's final Serie A game is at home against Lazio.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) have announced the signing of former Orlando Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa and ex-Kaizer Chiefs winger Joseph Molangoane. 

The Limpopo-based outfit took to their social media platforms on Tuesday night to confirm the arrivals of the experienced duo. 

TTM didn't disclose the length of the duo's contracts in their statement. 

The news comes hours after Mamelodi Sundowns' statement that Manyisa was no longer their player. 

According to the statement, Sundowns decided against taking the option they had on the midfielder's contract which expired at the end of June. 

Manyisa had been with the Tshwane giants for three seasons but injuries coupled with stiff competition for places made it difficult for him to cement his place in Pitso Mosimane's starting line-up. 

He was limited to just nine appearances across all competitions in the last two seasons with his last two coming in the Caf Champions League against Cote d'Or in 2019. 

He suffered a long-term Achilles tendon injury in the Shell Helix Cup match against Kaizer Chiefs in October 2019. 

His former coach Mosimane said Manyisa only recovered in February but revealed the Randfontein-born had fully recovered at the time the club released him.   

Malongoane, on the other hand, parted ways with Kaizer Chiefs following the expiry of his contract on June 30. 

The speedy utility player had been with the Glamour Boys for four years after his arrival from Chippa United in 2016. 

Like Manyisa, Malongoane also suffered a career-threatening injury when he broke his leg in the MTN8 quarter-final against Free State Stars in 2018. 

He was given enough time to recover by Amakhosi but he never really managed to get back to his best and it is for that reason Ernst Middendorp had not played him this season. 

The two midfielders will hope to revive their careers with the Limpopo-based side which will be campaigning in the PSL next season after purchasing the status of Bidvest Wits.

Inter could not afford Lionel Messi and any suggestion of them signing the Barcelona superstar is "utopian", according to chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

There was a stir in Milan and beyond on Tuesday when a picture of Messi projected onto the city's cathedral circulated on social media.

Italian media said Inter's majority owners, Suning, used the image to publicise the televising of Inter's game against Napoli in China. It is not the first time there has been speculation they could be interested in signing Messi.

However, Marotta, who is hopeful Alexis Sanchez could stay with the club next season, cannot see how Inter could make any deal for Argentinian superstar Messi happen.

Marotta told Sky Sport Italia: "Messi on the cathedral? It wasn't my idea. It reminds me of football from the past with such situations. We are talking about an icon, a great player, a desire that everyone has."

He stressed it would be "extraordinary to see such a champion at Inter", adding: "It's fantasy football, a utopian situation."

Marotta added: "Our football [in Italy] needs a lift. Champions raise the value of the Italian brand and football. If we could consider ours to be a championship in which the great champions come and stay, it would be better.

"No Italian team is capable of carrying out such an operation unless extraordinary factors arise related to the shareholders, and therefore the actual owners.

"Let's not forget that we must respect FFP [Financial Fair Play]. This year, Covid-19 has ensured that there is some flexibility, but afterwards the rules will have to be respected.

"Suning has already injected many millions into the company. Today investments have to give continuity and be done with a project."

Marotta said Inter must look to "raise the bar" next season, in Antonio Conte's second campaign as head coach.

Whether Sanchez remains at the club remains to be seen, given the on-loan Chilean forward has two years remaining on a lucrative Manchester United contract.

"It is not easy," Marotta said, pointing to Sanchez's United's terms.

The intention is nevertheless there on Inter's part to push for an extension to Sanchez's stay, with Marotta saying: "We would like to have him with us today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."

Jordan Ayew has been crowned Crystal Palace Player of the Season after his outstanding performances in the 2019-20 campaign.

Ayew saw off competition from Vicente Guaita and Gary Cahill to clinch the award after earning 37 per cent of the total votes from almost 6,000 club supporters.

It was an eventful Tuesday evening for the Black Stars forward who contributed nine goals and two assists for the Eagles this term. They ended the Premier League campaign in the 14th spot after a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Ayew was also named the Players' Player of the Season and his 87th-minute  winning strike against West Ham United back in October was awarded the Goal of the Season.

After receiving the three awards, the 28-year-old paid tribute to former Marseille President, Pape Diouf who died in March after battling with coronavirus.

“I’ve worked so hard to get into the team and I think the first season I came into this team wasn’t the best but the club had faith in me, the club wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay as well,” Ayew was quoted by the club website.

"I had the desire to have a better season and things have gone so well. I’m just grateful.

"I want to thank everyone at the football club; I want to thank the fans especially, they’ve been massive for us this season, for me especially they’ve been massive. I’d like to thank all the people that supported me within the difficult moments that I had in my football career.

"When I have this type of award I just think of my family and obviously of the fans. And one man that’s been so influential in my football career: that’s [mentor and former Olympique de Marseille president] Pape Diouf. I lost him within the period of COVID and he passed away, I wish he was still here so I could present him this."

During the season, Ayew was named Crystal Palace Player of the Month twice and he scooped 10 man-of-the-match awards.

Roy Hodgson, in his remarks, described the Ghana international as an ‘unbelievable’ player and also reserved praise for his work ethics.

"[Jordan] is an unbelievable enthusiast and hard worker, somebody really who never falls below a certain level of performance, someone who never misses a training session and is always lively and alert in each training session, irrespective if it’s the day after coming back after a long journey or after having a day or two off,” the manager said.

"He's made great strides going forward. When he came to us, he showed a lot of qualities but I think the qualities he possesses he really has worked on and improved... Well done, Jordan."

Wilfried Ndidi has expressed his disappointment after Leicester City ended the 2019-20 Premier League campaign in the fifth spot.

The Super Eagles midfielder was in action for 90 minutes as the Foxes narrowly missed out on qualification for next season’s Uefa Champions League.

Second half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard at the King Power Stadium condemned the hosts to a 2-0 loss against Manchester United on Sunday.

The result secured United's return to the elite European tournament since the 2017-18 season while Leicester City dropped to the Europa League.

Brendan Rodgers’ side finished the campaign with 62 points after 38 matches with 18 wins recorded in the process.

“We are a bit disappointed to finish 5th. But overall. It was a great season,” Ndidi tweeted.

“I want to first of all thank our fans for being with us even when the stadiums were empty due to the pandemic, it was indeed a season to learn from and grow into next season thanks for support.”

Ndidi was a rock in Leicester City’s midfield this season with his ball-winning skills, and he completed 128 total tackles – the second-highest in the Premier League behind Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka who made 129 tackles.

The 23-year-old featured in 39 games in the 2019-20 season, which include 32 league outings. He also scored two goals, against Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Ghana are on the verge of naming a new technical director, Football Association (GFA) general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo has said.

The office has been vacant since Francis Oti Akenteng's tenure ended in March.

Six candidates, comprising three expatriates and three locals, have already been interviewed for the role but the GFA has fallen short of revealing the precise identities of the shortlisted men.

“The Select Committee in charge is in the final leg of their work and would soon submit its final report to the Executive Council for approval, and once approval is given, an official announcement of the new technical director will be made,” Addo told Times Sports.

“The technical director role is one of the prerequisites of Fifa, and we are in the process of appointing the new head soon.

“All the applicants have been given a level playing field to show what they can offer and the most competent would land the position.

“It is for the sake of best practice that we are keeping the name of the six persons close to our chest for now, and not for any other clandestine reason."

Former Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Malik Jabir and erstwhile Somalia boss Bashir Hayford were among the applicants when the GFA announced the vacancy for the job in March.

Both men, however, failed to make the ultimate interview shortlist of six.

“I have heard that Bashir Hayford has also applied. They are saying that over 100 people have applied which is a big lie. It’s never possible," Addo added.

"The work of a technical director will be heavier than the work of a coach because as a technical director, you will be involved in all sectors.

“How can 100 plus people apply for this post? We will not sit down for these foolish things to continue. This is why I am mad.

"You know I’m a gentleman and I don’t fight so if you find me talking like this, you should know that I’m peeved. It’s selfishness because they want the money to remain with them."

In an earlier interview, Jabir lashed out at the GFA for failing to give applicants feedback before heading into the interview phase for the six men. 

South Africa international Janine Van Wyk has confirmed that she is leaving South Africa for Scotland to join her new side, Glasgow City.

On July 14, Goal reported that Glasgow has signed Banyana Banyana defender, a move described by the Scottish champions as "one of the biggest ever signings in Scottish women’s football".

The 33-year-old, who is South Africa's record cap holder with 170 appearances, has been to the previous two Olympic Games and led her country to a debut Women's World Cup finals last year.

Before securing her latest move, Van Wyk was forced to part ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring in January due to an injury she picked up during Banyana's Cosafa Cup campaign last year.

The veteran centre-back has also featured for Moroko Swallows and Palace Super Falcons in her home country as well as Houston Dash in America.

Having procured her entry visa, the founder of Sasol Women's League side JVW FC is excited about the prospect of fulfilling her many dreams, including playing in the Champions League. 

"And suddenly you know its time to start a new and exciting journey," she wrote on her Twitter page.

"Today I'm off to Scotland to join my team Glasgow City FC. Looking forward to a thrilling season ahead."

Glasgow City are scheduled to travel to Spain next month, where they will face German champions Wolfsburg in the Champions League quarter-finals in San Sebastian, Spain on August 21. 

And head coach Scott Booth believes van Wyk's "incredible experience" will be key for his side's campaign as the third signing after the earlier arrival of striker Krystyna Freda and full-back Zaneta Wyne.

Simba SC fans and their counterparts from Yanga SC have selected their best players for the concluded Tanzania Mainland League season.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi faithful decided on Zambian play-maker Clatous Chama who has been instrumental for the champions. This despite the good form by skipper John Bocco and Meddie Kagere, who managed to get 22 goals and scoop the Golden Boot for the second straight season.

Yanga SC fans decided on the 22-year-old Feisal Salum who they feel has been consistent for Wananchi. 

Both Chama and Salum will pocket TSh1 million each after getting the most votes from their respective fans. This competition was regulated by the teams' sponsor, betting firm SportPesa.

The 27-time league champions have not had a good season both on and off the pitch.

The height of it all was on July 27 when former coach Luc Eymael called fans dogs and monkeys and it warranted him his ticket to Belgium after the club decided to fire him.

Simba have been the best team by far domestically. They managed to finish the season with 88 points, 16 more than their bitter rivals Yanga..

Of the 38 matches played, Simba managed to collect 27 wins, drawing seven and losing just four. The Msimbazi-based side managed to score most goals in the division, 78, and conceded 21, which is the least number of goals conceded as well.

The team is aiming at winning a double after they defeated Yanga 4-1 in the semi-final of the FA Cup to seal the final berth, where they will play Namungo FC.

Yanga got 19 wins from the same number of matches. Despite losing just four matches, they drew 15 games which dented their chances of pressuring their bitter rivals at the top. They scored 45 goals and conceded 28.

Simba will have a chance of representing the country in the Caf Champions League, hoping to make it into the group stage. Namungo will play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Alliance FC, Ndanda FC, Singida United and Lipuli FC were relegated from the top tier with Dodoma Jiji and Gwambina promoted.

Jesse Lingard has opened up on his personal struggle during the 2019-20 season, saying he lost his sense of identity on and off the pitch.

The Manchester United midfielder enjoyed a cathartic end to a difficult campaign, scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the 98th minute of the final game against Leicester to seal qualification to next season’s Champions League.

Lingard has scored FA Cup-winning goals for United and netted at the 2018 World Cup for England, but he endured an intensely frustrating season this year.

The 27-year-old posted a frank assessment of his struggles on Instagram, writing: “This season has been difficult for so many reasons. I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up, I knew who I really was on and off the pitch and knew that having been there before, I could get there again.

“This meant working harder than I’d ever done before and trusting in those around me that they knew how to best help me achieve that.

“I know the fans have been frustrated but in all this time my love for this club and everyone connected to it has never left me. 

“This team, this club is my family and I will continue to keep working harder than ever to help this team achieve its goals.”

Lingard’s relief at scoring with virtually the last kick of the league season was palpable from his celebration, after he robbed Kasper Schmeichel of the ball to slot into an empty net.

United’s star midfielder Bruno Fernandes said he thought Lingard deserved a goal for his hard work throughout the campaign.

"Of course it's a mistake from the keeper, also but if Jesse doesn't go there the goal doesn't come so this is why we work,” Fernandes told MUTV.

"For me, Jesse deserved this goal because of what he works for all week, for all the things everyone is saying about him and other players because they don't play too much or they don't play good enough. I think this is the reason Jesse scored because we're training hard, training hard to help all the team."

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Omondi Aduda believes a clear road map should be put in place for the elections to be held as soon as possible, before the resumption of football in the country.

The FKF elections were set to be conducted early this year, but twice, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) cancelled it as the outgoing office failed to adhere to the guidelines necessary for free and fair elections to happen. The Gor Mahia CEO says it is high time to sort out the problem hindering the process from happening.

"I wish to bring to the attention of all football stakeholders in Kenya that it is time to sort out a clear direction with respect to the governance of football in the country," Aduda said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"We have in the past almost six months now had a Federation without a substantive leadership across its administrative strata with the mandate of the former office-bearers having elapsed on February 10, 2020. 

"This coupled with the fact that due to constitutional anomalies occasioned by the then leadership have seen the intended FKF elections nullified twice by the SDT. This has hitherto rendered the actions currently being undertaken by the outgoing president and the Secretary-General [Barry Otieno] illegal in, so far as the FKF Constitution is concerned."

The incumbent Nick Mwendwa has been insisting Article 42(2) of the FKF Constitution gives him powers to continue discharging his duties until he is either re-elected or a new person is elected.

However, the administrator insists the article has been misinterpreted and all stakeholders have been urged to come up with ways of ensuring the new office is put in place soonest.

"It is this breadth that I implore the stakeholders to understand that the current status of FKF is a recipe for chaos should the world governing body Fifa and Caf declare the resumption of Sporting Activities. 

"It is imperative that we set up a roadmap that will lead to a free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive election as a matter of urgency instead of the current circus of musical chairs. 

"This will enable the Federation usher in legitimate leadership especially at the NEC level."  

Aduda has concluded by saying this is a joint effort which needs all to put heads together without political shenanigans.

"As an aspirant for the position of FKFpresidency I call upon all the stakeholders to shelve the parochial political theatrics and ensure that we live true to the expectations and directions of the FKF Constitution and join efforts in ensuring that elections are conducted ahead of the resumption of sporting activities," he concluded.  
  

Prominent Orlando Pirates supporter Mandla Sindane has died.

Sindane, popularly known as Mgijimi, was found dead at his home in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga on Tuesday morning after complaining of an undisclosed ailment the previous night.

His brother Bonginkosi confirmed the superfan’s death.

“What happened is that he arrived home yesterday as he always used to do especially since we are in lockdown he spent more time at home and was not moving around much,” Bonginkosi told Marawa Sports Worldwide on Metro FM.

“He stayed somewhere at his own place and he got [at our parents’] home. He was complaining that he was not feeling well and he asked our parents to pray for him. Our father and mother are church elders.

“Then they laid their hands on him and told him that he would be fine. He was complaining about symptoms of normal flu and that he was not feeling well.”

Sindane is said to have then gone back to the place where he was staying alone to retire for the night.

When the family went to check on him on Tuesday morning, they knocked on his door but received no response, before they forced entry into his house where they found him dead.

Orlando Pirates eMalahleni branch secretary‚ Puleng Semela‚ also confirmed Sindane’s death.

“I can confirm that he has passed on‚” said Semela as per Sowetan Live.

“According to his father they found him in his place where he was staying at around 11 am. He had left the family [the day before] and he went to go and sleep where he was staying in eMalahleni.”

Sindane is remembered for following Orlando Pirates around South Africa and in January 2019 he was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for their Caf Champions League group match against FC Platinum which ended 0-0.

Tributes for the passionate fan have been pouring in.

Cape Town City midfielder Ayanda Patosi, on-loan at Iranian Pro League side Foolad, says South Africa national team coaches have a tendency of overlooking overseas-based players in their selection.

Patosi claims he was in top form for Iranian outfit Esteghlal Tehran when he was snubbed by former Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Baxter’s Afcon squad, which reached the quarter-finals, was composed of 17 Premier Soccer League (PSL) players and six overseas-based players.

Former Lokeren star Patosi last played for South Africa in November 2016 during an international friendly match away in Mozambique.

“I feel like I'm overlooked. When I'm playing outside, they don't see what I'm doing. I had some good seasons and I can say I was not given enough chance," Patosi told an online press conference with SA Football Journalists Association as per Sowetan Live.

“When Stuart Baxter was selecting the Afcon team I was the best player in Iran. I was scoring goals left, right and centre. But I was overlooked and they didn't call me or even ask me to come to training. I was a South African doing well outside. But that didn't happen.

"I don't know how the coaches are watching the games, especially for players playing overseas. Maybe they watch a few players. I don't know how it works but in the end, I'm doing my best where I am and hopefully, the new coach [Molefi Ntseki] will give me a chance now."

Patosi’s sentiments could be backed by the fact that midfielder Thibang Phete is a regular for OS Belenenses in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, while Preston North End midfielder Tom Barkhuizen has been consistent but the two have escaped the attention of national team coaches.

Patosi calls for the widening of the national team’s scouting network.

“We need scouts to go around and look at South African players. I remember it took long for [Lebogang] Phiri [to be called] when he was playing in Denmark,” said Patosi.

“And he was doing well there. We need to improve more on that. Now that he is playing in France they started calling him. Mihlali Mayambela is playing in Israel and he has not been called up for under-23s.

"You can't tell me Mihlali doesn't deserve to play for the under-23s when they select a player from the lower leagues, whereas there is a player who is playing in Israel for a top league."

Little has been done to convince 21-year-old Crystal Palace defender Nikola Tavares to play for the South Africa Under-23s.