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Renewed talk of Inter launching a raid for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is “fantasy football”, says Nerazzurri director Giuseppe Marotta, with keeping Alexis Sanchez on board a more pressing concern for the Serie A giants.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been linked with a move to San Siro on a regular basis down the years.

Speculation has always been brought to an end by the penning of fresh terms or public statements of commitment to the cause at Camp Nou.

An exit door could, however, be edging open in 2020, with Messi reported to have shelved contract talks in Catalunya amid concerns regarding the direction in which Barca are heading on and off the field.

That is considered to have offered hope to Inter, with the Argentine’s father said to have bought a house close to Milan.

Marotta, though, continues to fend off the rumours, telling Sky Sport Italia: “It’s fantasy football.

“He certainly is not one of our objectives and I think he’s interested in continuing his football career in Barcelona.”

One player that Inter are eager to see on their books in the immediate future is Chile international Sanchez, who is approaching the end of an elongated loan from Manchester United.

No deal has been agreed to retain his services for the resumption of Europa League competition, or for next season, but Marotta is planning talks.

He added: “It’s an anomalous issue, considering the Europa League can be changed by the absence of certain players.

“The situation has not been resolved yet, we are working to at least keep hold of him for the entire Europa League.”

Inter still have two Serie A games left to take in this season, with the first seeing them face Genoa on Saturday, and Marotta hopes that a runner-up finish can be secured by the ambitious team.

He said: “Obviously, second place is important, but our analysis has to be about constant growth and the season is not yet over.

“What we’ve been able to see is that we’ve improved and therefore we want to continue that process. If we analyse our entire journey, we are happy.

“There are a few small regrets seeing what happened to those in front of us, but we have to be happy with what we’ve achieved.

“This is an anomalous campaign after the lockdown, so it becomes difficult to fully evaluate players and teams. We must prepare for the next season, which, as a consequence of this timing, will also not be easy.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson says Jurgen Klopp treats all of his players the same way and has "revolutionised" the club.

The German manager guided the Reds to Premier League glory this season, ending their 30-year wait for a top-flight title.

Having sealed the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup trophies last year, Klopp has overseen a dramatic improvement at Anfield since taking over at the helm in October 2015.

Brazil international Alisson believes the 53-year-old's management of the squad has played a pivotal role in their success, as he told Associated Press: "He treats everyone equally which gives him a lot of credit.

"Nobody is special, every player is treated in the same way. From the one who plays more to the one who does not play. We also have an easy squad to deal with. You will not find a player with a bigger ego than the collective goals.

"I believe this is also a reflection of this club and of what Klopp brought here. He has revolutionised the club in recent years."

The shot-stopper was also full of praise for captain Jordan Henderson, who won the Footballer of the Year award from the Football Writers' Association.

"I believe some people are born with leadership skills," he added.

"It is a gift. We can all develop some leadership skills, but Henderson’s main quality is his character. He has a strong personality, he is a positive leader.

"He is tough when it needs to be, he is there when the team needs someone to raise us, he is very intelligent to read the situation. It is definitely a big help to the manager to have someone like him on the pitch.

“I read an article saying that he is the personification of non-selfish, of someone who does not think about himself. He is just like that. He thinks about the squad, he is worried about the collective goal. Therefore, we are blessed to have a guy like him in the team.”

Alisson, who joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018, played a pivotal role for Liverpool, too, and he is happy with his performances over the campaign.

"The key is not being affected by the mistakes. Errors are natural for any goalkeeper and you must move on," he said.

"When a defender makes a mistake, there is another defender or the goalkeeper to help.

"When a forward makes a mistake, there is the whole team behind him to try and correct his error. That is not the case for us. It is almost certain it will be a goal.

"I obviously work hard to avoid any mistakes at all, I want to have a 100 per cent performance, but it is crucial to be prepared to deal with your mistakes.

"Errors are inherent to this profession, we are human beings. The way you deal with your mistakes definitely helps to maintain a top level consistency."

TS Galaxy owner and chairman Tim Sukazi says he has not made an attempt to buy Highlands Parks’ Premier Soccer League (PSL) status, but he admits to having made an enquiry.

The Rockets were previously linked with a move to buy Bloemfontein Celtic’s top-flight status but media reports emerged that a Free State-born businessman Lebo Mokoena moved swiftly to block the move to ensure the club remains in the Free State province.

In addition, Sukazi says he also tried to entice Bidvest Wits to sell their status, but the Braamfontein-based outfit has since been purchased by National First Division (NFD) side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) in the past few weeks.  

“I started with Wits [who have subsequently sold their status to TTM in the Limpopo province], then Highlands Park,” Sukazi told Phakaaathi.

“I left them [Celtic] to do their own thing. Definitely not, I don’t have that kind of money!

“It depends when next season starts [on whether he will try and buy another top-flight franchise].”

“If it starts tomorrow, then no, but if it starts in November, yes, I will still remain in the market.”

Although the former Nedbank Cup champions are desperately chasing to secure their status in the top-tier, the Lions of the North are not interested in parting ways with their status as yet.

The MTN8 losing finalists' co-chairman Larry Brookstone was quoted in the media confirming they have received a substantial offer for the club but he insisted they are not willing to sell the Tembisa-based outfit.

In addition, Brookstone said coach Owen Da Gama’s team is not for sale but they were open to considering an offer provided it was deliverable.       

Meanwhile, Sukazi was hoping to buy Phunya Sele Sele and relocate the Mangaung-based club to the Mpumalanga province a few months ago following their financial struggles to pay the players and the technical team.

Tottenham’s decision to hand Eric Dier a new contract mirrors that taken by arch-rivals Arsenal and David Luiz, says Darren Bent, with neither of those awarded fresh terms considered to be “at the level” required by their respective employers.

Eyebrows were raised when a 12-month extension option was taken up by the Gunners on an enigmatic Brazilian centre-half.

A similar course of action has been adopted by those on the opposite side of north London, with Spurs tying Dier to a deal through to the summer of 2024.

Questions have been asked of the 26-year-old’s value to the collective cause at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, amid struggles for consistency and changes to his playing position.

Bent admits that he was surprised to see a lucrative contract handed to the England international, with comparisons easy to draw with Arsenal’s Luiz decision, but the former frontman can appreciate that no club wants to let saleable assets walk away for nothing.

The ex-Spurs striker told Football Insider of the Dier discussions: “At first I didn’t understand it, it was a bit like David Luiz and his situation at Arsenal in that you don’t quite know what situation they’re going to be in and how much money they’re going to have to spend.

“If [Mikel] Arteta trusts David Luiz like [Jose] Mourinho trusts Eric Dier, I wouldn’t let them walk away for nothing and then you can’t replace them.

“At least with these players, they might not be to the level that Spurs and Arsenal see but when you know a player, know what he’s about and you can coach and trust him, that’s half the battle. The worst thing is if you let him go and you can’t replace him, then what does he do?

“I kind of understand that deal now to be honest.”

Dier has been on Tottenham’s books since 2014, with 239 appearances taken in across six seasons. 

Of those outings 29 have been taken in this season, with Mourinho having taken to moving a versatile operator back into a centre-half berth since the Premier League returned in mid-June after a coronavirus-enforced break.

Nigeria midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene was on target as Eskilstuna United gained a 3-1 victory against Vittsjo in Saturday's Swedish Damallsvenskan encounter at Tunavallen.

Following back-to-back defeats to Kristianstad and Linkopings, Eskilstuna were desperate to return to winning ways, having recorded their only win of the season at Rosengard on July 10.

Okobi-Okeoghene, who scored her first league goal of the season in a 3-2 defeat against Kristianstads almost gave the hosts the lead but her effort was saved by Shannon Lynn in the 11th minute.

Loreta Kullashi eventually broke the deadlock to hand Eskilstuna the crucial opener against their struggling visitors 12 minutes later.

However, the hosts' celebration was shortlived when Michelle De Jongh assisted Ebba Wieder to level on the half-hour mark.

After the restart, Okobi-Okeoghene came close to recovering the lead for the home team but she was again denied by Lynn in 52nd minute before she eventually found the net 12 minutes later.

15 minutes from time, Felicia Rogic netted to ensure Eskilstuna wrapped up their first home win of the season and second overall.

Okobi-Okeoghene, who featured for the duration against her former team, has now scored twice in six matches, surpassing her personal best since 2016 when she scored thrice for Vittsjo.

Beside the Nigerian midfielder, her compatriot Halimatu Ayinde played for 81 minutes before making way for Swedish player Johanna Renmark.

The result moved the Tunavallen outfit to fifth in the Swedish Damallsvenskan table after gathering eight points from six games.

Ayinde and Okobi-Okeoghene will hope to help Eskilstuna continue their winning form when they visit Djurgardens on Wednesday.

Gor Mahia organising secretary Judith Nyangi has claimed the election requirement that has been put in place for any candidate to fulfil is meant to lock her out.

Nyangi has declared interest to vie for the honorary treasurer’s post but she has been a vocal opponent of the requirement that one should have a degree in order to vie for any of the vacant positions.

“It is all dictatorship,” Nyangi said when asked why she is opposing the election requirements during an interview with Radio Jambo.

“They are trying to force me out of the competition by putting in place the qualifications they have asked for.

“Elections must be held according to the supreme law of the land. This is an office we are seeking to serve the public without monthly salaries.

“Even the Members of Parliament are not required to have a degree, so why me the voice of the voiceless is being asked to have a degree, for what now?”

Basing her argument on the recent demands by the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike on how the Gor Mahia elections should be carried out, Nyangi maintained that she should not be stopped at all for gunning for a post of her choice.

“A day ago or so, Sports Registrar wrote to the club and stated no one should be barred from contesting by placing such a qualification,” Nyangi added.

“She stated that elections are free for all and we are still waiting for Ambrose Rachier [Gor Mahia chairman] and his own board of election to react on the demands of the letter.

“Since they have gone silent we are not going to take chances and on Monday, we will file a case with the Sports Disputes Tribunal [SDT] and request that the election process be stopped until when the Registrar's demands are met.”

Nyangi is also disputing the new Gor Mahia constitution under which the club is targeting to conduct its elections as per its provisions.

“The constitution that is asking for all these kind of qualifications is not the one that was deposited at the Registrar's office,” she explained.

“The Registrar demanded that a club's constitution must be in line with the constitution of the Republic of Kenya, 2010. She also made it clear that it should be in line with the Sports Act of 2013 which the purported new constitution does not.”

She also claimed the current officials running K’Ogalo are illegally discharging their duties since their terms ended.

“Since the current office bearers were elected in 2015, they have failed to hold subsequent elections. We should have conducted elections in 2018 and that means we are all now in office illegally,” she concluded.

Nyangi, Dolfina Onduto, and Victor Mbaka have publicly declared interest to contest for the honorary treasurer post during the August 8 polls.

Azam FC have confirmed they will sign at least 15 players to help beef up the squad ahead of the new season.

The ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ are currently fighting with Young Africans (Yanga SC) for second spot in the 20-team Mainland Premier League table with only one match remaining to the end of the season.

Azam are sitting second on 69 points the same as Yanga but they have a better goal difference and the team which suffers defeat in their last match on Sunday will surely miss out on finishing second behind league winners Simba SC.

With the team also missing out on winning the FA Cup after losing 2-0 to Simba in the quarter-finals, the club officials have now asked coach Aristica Cioaba to go for quality players so they can be able to challenge for trophies next season.

Azam Information Officer Thabit Zakaria has confirmed they have given the Romanian coach a free hand to pick the players he wants for the team and they will not care about the number even if he signs 15 new players.

“We want to have a competitive squad next season and it is the reason we have asked our coach to get as many players as possible but quality players for that matter,” Zakaria is quoted by Sokaletu.

“We have given our coach a free hand to sign up to 15 players, we want a strong squad that can help us to compete in all fronts, we want to do well in the league and also the FA Cup.”

Azam will take on Tanzania Prisons in their final league match on Sunday at Sokoine Stadium while Yanga will battle against Lipuli FC.

Coach Cioaba has sounded a warning to his player to end the season with a win.

“We have a battle with Yanga on who finishes second and I have told my players to take the game with a lot of seriousness, we must attack them to win and we cannot afford to lose the final league match,” Cioaba told reporters on Saturday.

Both matches are set for Sunday and will kick-off at 16.00hrs.

Juventus' form has tailed off with the Serie A title in sight, but Maurizio Sarri has been encouraged by their mentality in dropping points compared to previous slip-ups.

The Bianconeri will claim a ninth straight Scudetto if they beat Sampdoria on Sunday, yet Sarri's side let a similar opportunity pass them by against Udinese in midweek.

A late defeat meant Juve have won just one of their past five matches, also losing to AC Milan while drawing with Atalanta and Sassuolo.

However, Sarri suggests the team have made errors in recent weeks due to their efforts to keep attacking - despite fatigue amid a packed schedule.

Prior losses had seen the head coach criticise a passive approach, but he feels that is not now the case.

"The physical aspect is the same for everyone," Sarri told a pre-match news conference. "The symptoms of physical and mental fatigue are present in all the teams.

"Emptying your head and then immediately getting ready for the next game in a few days is not so automatic and simple.

"We have lost organisation but, if you want, this is also a positive sign. We have lost organisation because of the desire to always attack forward even if there is no possibility of doing so.

"It is a mistake that has made us lose our distances. But unlike other times when we have been in difficulty because of being passive, this time we have gone too far.

"I like this - not losing organisation but that mentality. An error like this is more easily attributed to being normal than another error."

Sarri urged his team to continue to "play with combativeness" against Sampdoria, while he added there is no concern Juve's focus could slip further with their Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon on the horizon.

In fact, the coach claimed a busy domestic fixture list has prevented him from making any plans for their European tie.

"We are not doing any preparation because we are playing every 72 hours so it is impossible to do any kind of work," he explained.

"I think we will prepare for tomorrow's game in 30 to 40 minutes tomorrow morning because even today there will be some players who will need a few hours of recovery.

"Right now there is no one who is working physically except players who were out for a few days and can go and do special jobs.

"I don't think about the Champions League and I don't want to think about it. It is a fascinating competition but a team evaluates itself on the league. It is the most indicative competition because it lasts 10 months, this year 12.

"There are two weeks to the Champions League game so we now have seven or eight days to devote only and exclusively to the league without any second thought."

David Silva is one of the finest imports to have ever graced the Premier League, says Kevin De Bruyne, with another of Manchester City’s midfield stars hoping to establish the same consistency in his game as the Spanish World Cup winner has enjoyed.

After 10 memorable years at the Etihad Stadium, Silva will be dropping into the free agent pool when their 2019-20 campaign comes to a close.

The 34-year-old will walk away with over 430 appearances, four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups to his name – with a Champions League crown still up for grabs.

He has been a model of consistency throughout his time in Manchester, with the diminutive playmaker proving that the physicality of life in the Premier League can be mastered through talent and hard work.

Silva has been showered with plaudits as he prepares to move on, with De Bruyne adding his voice to those when telling Sky Sports: “David is unbelievable.

“I came here and obviously we played a little bit similar positions, so it seemed a bit like it was a battle, but I think in the five years that we have been here we have played really well together.

“He helped me with certain aspects of my game to be better, just from watching him in training and in the games. I learned a lot of stuff and from playing next to him all the time we have done some great things and won a lot together.

“His career in England has been impeccable and I think he is one of the best guys in the Premier League that have come from the outside of England. That says it all.”

De Bruyne has thrived alongside Silva, earning his own standing as one of the very best in the business, but the Belgian is eager to take his game to even greater heights.

Aware of the need to be a vital cog in a much bigger wheel, the 29-year-old – who has contributed 54 goals and 88 assists to the City cause – said of his ambition: “At this point in my career, I feel like consistency is the main importance.

“There are always aspects that you can obviously do better but it’s also in relation to what you can do to help the team.

“Maybe there are some aspects that have to be better but it’s not really important for me or my team-mates, it’s just to be consistently good at what I’m doing for a long time. I have to maintain that and if I can do that, I am really happy with this.

“Being a midfielder there is a lot of stuff you need to do and it’s about being more all round complete rather than being the best at one particular thing.”

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has attributed “hunger and determination” as making Zimbabwean footballers standout among imports in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Twelve of the 16 PSL clubs currently have on their books players from South Africa’s neighbours up north of the Limpopo River.

One of the best footballers ever produced in Zimbabwe George Shaya and the late Shadreck Ngwenya turned out for Moroka Swallows in the 1970s, while Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo signed for Kaizer Chiefs in November 1975.

This opened the way for a wave of Zimbabwean players in South Africa, highlighted by the likes of Wilfred Mugeyi, former Jomo Cosmos forward Benjani Mwaruwari, Tinashe Nengomasha and Khama Billiat who have all been crowned PSL Player of the Season.

Mugeyi, Gilbert Mushangazhike and Knowledge Musona have won the PSL top goalscorers award.

“I think sometimes when you get into a foreign land you have to bring something different. I think Zimbabwean players bring something different in terms of hunger and determination to do well,” Tembo told Goal.

“I think that has been the difference you know all these years it has all been about the hunger and desire to succeed and finding this league as a stepping stone to get into bigger things.”

Benjani, Mushangazhike, Musona, and lately ex-Kaizer Chiefs defender Teenage Hadebe and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi have made breakthroughs in Europe's top leagues from the PSL.

Ex-Manchester City forward Benjani went on to play for four Premier League clubs while Musona tasted Bundesliga football straight from Kaizer Chiefs and Munetsi is in Ligue 1.

“If you can talk about Benjani who went to play in Europe, as well as Knowledge Musona. I can count a lot of them and it has all been about that; the hunger and desire to succeed and that is one thing we have brought into the PSL,” said Tembo.

Tembo has been in South Africa since 1998 and has interestingly spent 21 years at SuperSport, first as a player and now coach.

Regarded as a future heavyweight tactician, he recently completed a La Liga Masterclass coaching course and is currently in charge of four Zimbabweans Onismor Bhasera, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Evans Rusike and goalkeeper Washington Arubi at Matsatsantsa.

One of the greatest footballers to emerge from Zimbabwe, Peter Nldovu has also played in the PSL with Mamelodi Sundowns although he came back to Africa in the twilight of his career.

However in the past two seasons, players like Prince Dube (SuperSport United), Thomas Chideu (Ajax Cape Town and Golden Arrows), Gerald Takwara (Ajax Cape Town), Dominic Chungwa (Polokwane City), Clive Augusto, Gabriel Nyoni, Junior Zindoga (all Maritzburg United), Rodwell Chinyengetere (Baroka FC) as well as Frai Madhanhanga and McClive Phiri (both Bidvest Wits) have disappointed.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has expressed his delight to play along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and hopes to follow in the footsteps of club legend Thierry Henry.  

The 18-year-old Anglo-Nigerian has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Gunners and has become a key member of Mikel Arteta's side.   

The utility forward has scored three goals and provided 11 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions in the current campaign, amid other dazzling displays.

Saka was promoted to the first team in 2018 and has been playing along with Gabon international and former Borussia Dortmund marksman Aubameyang, whom he was watching as a teenager at the academy.

"In the academy we got tickets to watch [the first team] and I used to see him scoring goals. To now be playing with him is just amazing,” Saka told Sky Sports.

"You know he's going to score a goal for us. He's such a good guy who helps all the young players with advice and he's also funny as well!"

The forward also recollected a session he had with Arsenal legend Henry, during his time at the academy and hopes to emulate the illustrious career of the former France international.

"His mindset was just so elite. He told us about a day that Arsenal were behind and he wouldn't allow his team to lose before running past everyone to score,” he continued.

"When he speaks to your face and you see in his eyes how passionate he is for the game and how much he wanted to win it shows why he was such a great player.

"You dream of trying to emulate a career like his. As a young player that just inspires you and that's why scoring against Wolves meant so much to me."

Saka was recently handed the number seven jersey which was previously worn by Robert Pires, Tomas Rosicky and David Rocastle and revealed his joy to don the shirt.

"I was so excited to get it. It's stuff you dream of and to think of the legends who have had it is such an honour. I liked the number growing up because some of the best players in the world have worn it,” he added.

"It shows how much confidence they have in me and I want to repay their faith and hopefully can write my own history in that shirt."

The winger is looking forward to the Gunners' last Premier League game of the season against Watford on Sunday as well as their FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on August 1.

"The chance to win a trophy in my first full season is amazing. If you told me last year all of this would happen I wouldn't have believed you,” he added.

"We have Watford to focus on first to try to build momentum. They are going to be fighting for their lives because they want to stay in the Premier League but we want to win.

"It would be a shame if we have to send them down but at Arsenal, we have a winning mentality and want to win every game."

Saka, who recently signed a new contract with the Emirates Stadium outfit, will hope to continue his development with the side during their pre-season games in preparation for the 2020-21 campaign.

Manuel Neuer has been assured by Oliver Kahn that he will remain Bayern Munich’s No.1 next season despite the arrival of highly-rated Alexander Nubel at the Allianz Arena.

The talented 23-year-old goalkeeper agreed pre-contract terms with the German champions in January.

Nubel’s move from Schalke has now been completed, with a five-year contract penned in the process.

With 53 senior appearances to his name, the talented shot-stopper is being tipped for a bright future.

He is, however, going to have to make do with back-up duty in 2020-21, with Kahn – who is now a member of Bayern’s board – pointing out that they will keep their faith in World Cup winner Neuer for the foreseeable future.

The legendary former keeper told the Bundesliga’s official website: “I've spoken to Alexander Nubel a bit.

“It's a very big step to join Bayern, I experienced that as a player.

“At first, it's all about acclimatising, settling in here and getting to know your team-mates and the coaching team, and then you have to try to gain a foothold - but it's a gradual thing.

“He said himself that this is a mid-term challenge for him. That means he accepts that it might take him a year or two to take over from Manuel Neuer, who is absolutely the No.1 at the moment.

“Last season, you could see how his numerous important saves contributed to us winning the Bundesliga for the eighth time in a row.”

Neuer had seen a move away from Bavaria mooted on the back of a deal being put in place for Nubel.

He has, however, brought that speculation to a close by signing fresh terms through to the summer of 2023.

There is clearly no desire on the part of the iconic 34-year-old to step aside just yet, with Neuer having been a model of consistency throughout his time at Bayern.

Throughout nine memorable years, he has taken in 383 appearances while playing a leading role in 20 trophy triumphs – including eight Bundesliga title wins and the collection of a Champions League crown in 2013.

Hansi Flick has already stated that he intends to place further trust in Neuer heading forward, with the Bayern boss having said: “Manuel Neuer is clearly our No.1 and nothing will change in the coming season. Alexander Nubel knows that.”

The curtain is yet to come down on Bayern’s efforts in 2019-20, with the plan being for them to complement another domestic crown with a long-awaited Champions League win in August.

SuperSport United midfielder Moses Waiswa details how the former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper and Uganda skipper Denis Onyango has helped him to settle down in South Africa.

Although the 23-year-old attacker has had an unpleasant experience in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) where they lost to Masandawana in the Nedbank Cup, he says he the top-flight is one of the toughest in the continent.

Waiswa made his debut for coach Kaitano Tembo’s troops in the Ke Yona competition as they lost 1-0 and but he managed to impress as they overcame Chippa United 3-0 in January.

“I was out injured for seven months. I felt [the South African Premiership] is a higher level with lots of tactics and speed compared to Ugandan standards,” Waiswa told Daily Sun.

“I felt [the South African Premiership] is a higher level with lots of tactics and speed compared to Ugandan standards.

“I am settling in quite well every day. It’s a great feeling. He [Onyango] helped a lot with advice and support and he is like a father figure to me.”

Although the Cranes international has done well for the reigning MTN8 champions so far, he looks back at his debut against coach Pitso Mosimane’s men, calling it a bad memory and confirms he has recovered from his injury.

“It wasn’t a good experience losing to Sundowns. It was also bad because the lockdown came in, but it helped me work more on myself,” he added.

“I am good now. Healing is not only physical but also mental. I would say now I’m 90% healed.

“I feel sharp. SuperSport United fans should expect my best performances for the team if I am given a chance.”

The former SC Vipers midfielder revealed he has been working on his strength and confidence during the lockdown and the Kampala-born player has credited coach Tembo for gradually introducing him into the South African top-tier and in the team.

While he bemoaned the coronavirus pandemic came at a time he was finding his rhythm, he chose to focus on the brighter side.

The former Vaxjo United player has only featured on three occasions for the three-time PSL champions this term and will look to cement his place in the starting 11 once the season resumes after it was halted because of the ravaging pandemic in March.

Reading have yet again postponed an update on Ayub Timbe’s short-term contract but they confirmed the departure of five players.

Timbe signed a loan contract with the Championship side in January from Beijing Renhe and Kenyans will have to wait a little bit longer to know whether the winger will remain in England or not.

Among the players Reading have let go is midfielder Charlie Adam, who joined them last summer and scored two goals in 13 matches.

Tyler Blackett has also left Reading after four years where he managed to appear in 107 matches.

Gabe Osho, an academy graduate, has seen his contract extended after impressing in the 2019/20 season.

“We do however also bid farewell to three club stalwarts, who between them have made 775 appearances for the club across the last decade - Chris Gunter, Garath McCleary and Jordan Obita,” Reading announced without mentioning Timbe at all.

“Orbita came through our Academy ranks from the very earliest age group and made his senior team debut almost exactly 10 years ago, coming off the bench to represent the Royals at Torqua aged 16.

“He went on to cement a place in the starting 11 and earned the Player of the Season gong from Royals fans in 2013-14.

“A serious knee injury forced him to sit out two years of his career on the sidelines, but he returned to the first-team fray last August and made 18 appearances for Reading in his comeback campaign.

“Both Gunter and McCleary initially joined the club from Nottingham Forest following our promotion to the Premier League in 2012.

“Gunter made more than 300 appearances for the club, rarely missing a match or even a minute as the right-back refused to ever let injury strike or fatigue affect his attitude or performance on the pitch.

“McCleary, meanwhile, scored 27 goals during his eight years in RG2 – none more memorable than his goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final and perhaps none more spectacular [although a fair few came close] than his audacious volley at home to Burnley in 2014.

“Model professionals throughout their careers at Madejski Stadium, we would like to sincerely thank them for their hard work and dedication to the club, whilst wishing them the very best of luck in their future careers.”

Four weeks ago, Reading confirmed they were in talks with Beijing Renhe on Timbe’s possible stay and that an update was promised would be made by the end of the month.

Mason Greenwood should expect to get an England call-up “soon”, says Jesse Lingard, with the Manchester United youngster considered to have done “exceptionally well” on a senior stage.

The 18-year-old forward has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Old Trafford in 2019-20.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shown considerable faith in youth, with Greenwood able to nail down a regular role as a result.

His 17-goal return has seen him match the efforts of past teenage sensations such as Wayne Rooney and George Best.

There is plenty more to come from him, with many expecting a hot prospect to force his way into the plans of England boss Gareth Southgate.

Lingard believes such recognition will arrive sooner rather than later, with a man who has 24 Three Lions caps to his name telling Tribal Football when asked if Greenwood deserves a call: “I think so.

“Obviously the way he is playing at the moment, helping the team and scoring goals and if he keeps doing that I am sure the call will come soon.”

The form of Greenwood this season has contributed to fellow academy graduate Lingard being nudged down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old playmaker is determined to force his way back into contention, but has no complaints at having seen a young colleague see 46 appearances across all competitions.

Lingard added: “Mason Greenwood has been brilliant ever since he started training with the first team and he has done exceptionally well.

“Even though he is so young he has taken the reins and brought goals and assists and he has been a really good addition to the team.

“He has been banging goals in since he has been very young and the manager has seen that and put him in the first team.

“For him it is about working hard, keep practising, staying humble and keeping his feet on the ground, but I think he will do that, he has always been humble, but he also has great confidence.”

Greenwood will be hoping to put in another inspirational showing for United on Sunday when they take in their final Premier League outing of the season against Leicester – with both sides still in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Simba SC have promised their fans in Moshi they will give them a perfect gift by beating Polisi Tanzania in their final Mainland Premier League match on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi have already been crowned champions and will be playing their final match of the season before they face Namungo FC in the final of the FA Cup on August 2.

Simba team manager Patrick Rweyemamu has now said they owe their fans in Moshi a win and going by the way the team was received on arriving in the town, they are inspired to produce such a result.

“We have arrived safely in Moshi and the good thing is all the players are fit and ready to play Polisi on Sunday,” Rweyemamu is quoted by the club’s official website.

“What amazed all of us is the reception we received on arriving in Moshi, we owe the fans a win, and we must give them a win and an entertaining match, they deserve it because the reception they gave us deserves the team to give back by winning the match.”

The game will also be special for Simba striker Meddie Kagere, who is most likely set to win the Golden Boot as he has notched 22 goals, and will be keen to set a new record of surpassing the goals he scored last season.

The Rwandan striker signed for Simba from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in the 2018-19 season and went on to win the Golden Boot in that season after notching 23 goals.

Kagere has now vowed to break the mark if given the chance by coach Sven Vandenbroeck to start in the away match.

“I know everyone will be looking at me to see what I do in the final match but in God’s grace, I know the record can be shattered if I get the chance to play,” Kagere told Goal.

“We have really enjoyed a good season, we have played well as a team and have been supporting one another, and it will be the same case in our final match on Sunday and also the FA Cup.”

Yussuf Mhilu of Kagera Sugar is following Kagere with 13 goals scored so far this season.

Fifa have slapped Guinea-Bissau Football Association president Manuel Nascimento with a 10-year ban from all football-related activities for “his involvement and participation in an incident of mob justice.”

A fiery critic of Caf president Ahmad Ahmad and Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura, Nascimento was also ordered to pay 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000) as a fine.

In handing the ruling, the Fifa adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee found Nascimento, guilty of “having breached his duty to protect the physical and mental integrity of others, in violation of the Fifa Code of Ethics.”

The Fifa sanctions came a day before the Guinea-Bissau FA was due to hold elections, with Nascimento - who has been at the helm since 2012 - seeking a third term.

Reports from Guinea-Bissau suggested that he arrived at the FA's headquarters early Saturday morning but the five candidates he had been due to contest against threatened to boycott the elections while urging the electoral body to respect Fifa's decision.

It was not yet clear, at the time of writing, if the elections went ahead.

Not much has been revealed about the incident for which Nascimento was sanctioned by Fifa.

“The investigation into Mr Nascimento concerned his involvement and participation in an incident of mob justice against a man in Guinea-Bissau,” said Fifa.

“In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber ruled that, based on information, including video material, gathered by the investigatory chamber, Mr Nascimento had breached his duty, as per the Fifa Code of Ethics, to protect the physical and mental integrity of the man who was the victim of the mobbing.

“Consequently, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Nascimento had breached art. 23 [Protection of physical and mental integrity] of the Fifa Code of Ethics and sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity [administrative, sports or any other] at both national and international level for ten years.”

It is not yet known if Nascimento will appeal Fifa’s sentence on him.

His punishment for a non-football related matter follows the sanctions on former Central Republic Republic Football Association president Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, who was banned by Fifa last November for suspected participation in an armed conflict in his country.

The controversial Ngaissona, who was a Caf executive committee member, has since been hauled to the International Criminal Court at The Hague to face trial over alleged war crimes.