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Raheem Sterling netted his 85th Premier League goal on Tuesday, a tally that puts the Manchester City winger ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the division's all-time goalscorer standings. 

Sterling opened the scoring for his club after 31 minutes against Watford, and struck again before half-time to send Pep Guardiola's charges into the break 2-0 up at the Vicarage Stadium. 

The 25-year-old now has 19 for the 2019-20 Premier League season, putting him level with Liverpool marksman Mohamed Salah and a single goal behind Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who in turn trails current league top scorer Jamie Vardy, who boasts 23 strikes to date. 

Unlike his challengers for the scoring crown, Sterling is not an orthodox centre-forward, playing primarily in a wide position for City since moving from Liverpool in 2015. 

And when it comes to hitting the net, the England international belongs to a select club of stars who have posed a regular goal-scoring threat from outside the forward line. 

Tuesday's double marked his 84th and 85th league goals, which means he has now surpassed Ronaldo's United mark – scored, like Sterling, mostly as a winger. 

In the history of the Premier League only five non-strikers have managed to score more than the City star. 

Sterling now shares sixth place on that list with Eden Hazard, who also netted 85 times during his time at Chelsea. 

Ahead of that pair sit Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, who scored 100 Premier League goals with the Saints - a number that ascends to 160 when taking into account his strikes in the First Division prior to 1992-93. 

Next is Paul Scholes, the author of 107 goals while at Manchester United, with long-time Reds team-mate Ryan Giggs a nose in front with 109.

And, unsurprisingly, the list is topped by a formidable pair: current Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who notched an incredible 177 strikes with the Blues; and Steven Gerrard, with 120 for Liverpool. 

Sterling's haul of 19 for 2019-20 also sees him beat his own personal best for a single season, set in 2017-18 as City won the English crown. 

After initially struggling in front of goal as a youngster he has now recorded 17 goals or more in the last four campaigns, and if he can keep up that pace the star has plenty of time to challenge Lampard and Gerrard as the Premier League's most prolific non-striker in history.

Actress Natalie Portman and tennis icon Serena Williams have joined with a star-studded ownership group that also includes Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach to bring an NWSL team to Los Angeles.

The NWSL announced on Tuesday that the new LA-based club will begin play in 2022 with a team name and stadium selection to be confirmed by the end of 2020.

Temporarily known as "Angel City", the club features a massive women-led ownership group featuring a number of famous actresses, national team stars and business leaders.

“Today we take an exciting step by announcing the first women majority-owned and led ownership group," Portman said in a statement. "I am thrilled by the opportunity to partner with this incredible group of people to bring a professional women’s soccer team to Los Angeles.  Together, we aim to build not only a winning team on the field, but also to develop a passionately loyal fan base. 

"We also hope to make a substantive impact on our community, committing to extending access to sports for young people in Los Angeles through our relationship with the LA84 Foundation. Sports are such a joyful way to bring people together, and this has the power to make tangible change for female athletes both in our community and in the professional sphere.”

Headlining the group is Academy Award winner Portman, alongside fellow actors Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria.

Hamm and Wambach are joined by a series of former USWNT stars in the ownership group as well, with Julie Foudy,, Rachel Buehler, Shannon Boxx, Amanda Cromwell, Lorrie Fair Allen, Ronnie Fair Sullins, Joy Fawcett, Angela Hucles, Shannon MacMillan, Tisha Venturini Hoch, Saskia Webber and Lauren Cheney Holiday also included.

Williams, the most decorated tennis player of the modern era, is also among the owners, as is her two-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr.

Technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Williams' husband, who led the investment through his firm Initialized Capital.

"I am proud to be a part of this wonderful group working to bring a women’s professional football club to Los Angeles," Ohanian said. "Chiefly, because I’m a fan of the game, but also because I believe there is massive potential for the sport and it's been undervalued by too many people for far too long.

"As someone who spends hours kicking around a football with my two-year-old daughter, I want her to have a front-row seat to this revolution. I’m personally investing on behalf of my family because creating more opportunities in women’s sports is important to my wife and me, and we want to be a part of making a better future for our daughter.”

With the introduction of this new LA-based team, the NWSL will now feature 11 teams, with nine clubs currently in the league and Racing Louisville FC set to begin play in 2021.

The league is currently holding the NWSL Challenge Cup in Sandy, Utah, with the Portland Thorns set to face the Houston Dash in one semifinal while Sky Blue FC face the Chicago Red Stars in the other.

“The growth trajectory of the NWSL is incredibly exciting, but we also need to be strategic and thoughtful about how fast we expand and the communities we partner with," said league commissioner Lisa Baird. "We’ve long sought the right partner in LA considering the NWSL fanbase that already exists in the region and the massive interest in women’s soccer in general.

"Those factors, along with an incredible ownership group make this an ideal situation and we couldn’t be more thrilled to move forward.”

It was a massive win for Nigeria in QPR's end-of-season awards as Eberechi Eze won three awards while Bright Osayi-Samuel claimed two accolades.

Eze was named the Players' Player of the Year, the Supporters' Player of the Year and the club Player of the Year while Osayi-Samuel claimed the Goal of the Season prize and the Supporters' Young Player of the Year honour.

The Nigeria duo played key roles in Mark Warburton’s team in this campaign and their contributions were crucial to QPR's leap in the Championship table before the coronavirus lockdown.

Eze is the joint-highest goalscorer for QPR in this campaign with 13 goals and eight assists after 45 league appearances while Osayi-Samuel provided five goals and eight assists in 36 matches this season.

Osayi-Samuel's stunning strike in their 2-0 victory against Birmingham City back in December was crowned the Goal of the Season.

The 22-year-old winger is closing in on a permanent move to Belgium after missing QPR’s 4-3 win over Millwall on Saturday with manager Warburton admitting talks are at an advanced stage.

Eze is also another transfer target for several clubs in Europe and QPR face a challenge to keep the 22-year-old playmaker who has been at the club since 2016.

The club’s director of football, Les Ferdinand confirmed they turned down a number of clubs in January but they are anticipating transfer offers this summer.

“I had to fend off a few offers in the January window and, I'm sure if he continues to play in the manner he is playing and adds a few more goals to his game, I'm expecting us to get offers in during the summer,” he said.

“I think if you look at his ability, I see him playing for one of the top six sides.”

Eze and Osayi-Samuel who grew up in England are both eligible to play for either the Three Lions or Nigeria on the international scene, but they are yet to pledge their allegiance to the West African country.

Mainland Premier League giants Young Africans (Yanga SC) have dismissed claims Mshidno Msolla had resigned as chairman.

Reports in Tanzania had indicated Msolla had stepped down from his top position at Yanga but the club has rubbished those rumours.

“Yanga would like to dismiss online reports chairman Dr Mshindo Msolla has resigned,” Yanga’s statement obtained by Goal stated.

“Msolla is still a Yanga official and is still willing to serve and undertake the responsibilities the club asked him to. 

“He is undertaking his duties as usual and the office would like to call upon all members and supporters alike to dismiss such reports pointing to Msolla's resignation.”

Meanwhile, Simba SC Chief Executive Officer Senzo Mazingisa has revealed how they plan to undertake transfer activities.

“One of the reasons that made Simba fail in the past few seasons was letting go of many players including those who were key and that meant the team had to rebuild again when rivals had already planned themselves better,” Mazingisa told Mwanaspoti.

“It was easy to see a key Simba player leave and sometimes he would join the rivals, therefore, strengthening them at the expense of the club.

“This time around, that is not going to happen as we have laid down proper plans that will make sure we are better than the previous seasons.

“Our target is to see that we sign better players who will help us compete with bigger teams that we are going to face in the international matches.”

The South African also explained how their pre-season programme might look like once the ongoing season concludes.

“If we are going to get a country that has no coronavirus issue, then we are going to camp there whether it is in Africa or Europe,” he said.

“But if that is not going to be possible we will then camp within the country in a region that has proper weather for pre-season training.

“We have laid down the pre-season programme in earnest in order to ensure we do better next season.”

Simba have already defended the league title and are now focused on the FA Cup final match against Namungo FC on August 2.

Stelllenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has talked up the prospects of Tanzanian wonderkid Ally Msengi who is on the books of the South African Premier Soccer League side.

Barker's Stellenbosch signed Msengi from Vodacom Premier Leagues side Kinondoni Municipal Council Football Club - KMC - during the January transfer window and the 18-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns‚ the Winelands club's final fixture before the coronavirus outbreak brought football to a halt in the country.

Having unearthed talents like Bafana Bafana duo Andile Jali and Bongani Zungu, the tactician is renowned for his ability to nurture and develop young talent and has spoken highly of the Tanzania junior international's prospects.

"As a footballer, we got to know about him through his agent Keegan [Wasserfall] who works with Paul Mitchell," Barker told the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja) in a virtual press conference. 

"And you know we are always on the lookout for young talented players and he made us aware of a player from Tanzania and we did our due diligence and watched some matches of his.

"And invited him for a two-week assessment and he came and did really well. It was sort of the end of November last year and we then decided that we would love to give him the opportunity.

"And he's grown from stature and I really feel he's got a strong future in the game.

"To the degree that I think he has the potential to kick on and play at a higher level, so we are looking forward to continuing working with him.

"It's frustrating when an 18-year-old breaks on the scene, makes his first start against Mamelodi Sundowns and then hasn't been able to play for the last five months, it's a bit frustrating at that age not to be playing, it takes back your development for quite a while.

"He's a really good footballer, a good person, great character and hard-working, he has all the great attributes to become somebody special."

Msengi did not travel back to Tanzania while the country has been on lockdown for the last four months and Barker also praised the character shown by the teenager despite being away from his family since December 2019.

"Ally is one of those players that my heart sort of goes out to," added Barker.

"He turned 18, I think it was the 20th of December last year, he then joined us in the last week of December and has not been able to go home since then.

"You know he had mentally prepared himself to go home at the end of the season in May. Now he came to a different country, young and was sort of in lockdown in a room on his own for four months and now not having an opportunity that we are back, to go see his family.

"We are not sure when he can go visit his family when the flights open up, you know it can only make him stronger as a person.

"And he's come through it really well."

With the Premier Soccer League scheduled to return soon and with Stellies left with six matches until the end of the season, Msengi will look to add to his one appearance.

Reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed they had five positive coronavirus cases.

However, the Tshwane giants also revealed the five people have since recovered and returned to the team’s camp.

Sundowns released the following statement with the team currently camping in Rustenburg ahead of the 2019/20 season's resumption.

A club statement read: “Mamelodi Sundowns welcomed back five personnel [staff and players] who have fully recovered from Covid-19, having spent 14 days in isolation."

“Following the PSL’s green light for clubs to train, Mamelodi Sundowns players, Technical Team and support staff went for their second Covid-19 test whilst the training grounds were fumigated and prepared for the team, the training programme was also revised in accordance with the new protocols."

“Before the team could resume training in Rustenburg, a 3rd test was conducted, and five cases of asymptomatic nature were detected and the five immediately self-isolated for fourteen days."

The site disclosed that the quintet returned to training on Tuesday, July 21 with the suspended season expected to be completed soon in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

“The five players who tested positive, had to undergo further medical tests, cardiology [ECG, heart sonar] and pulmonology [lung scans] which also revealed that there was no cause for concern to their cardiovascular and respiratory systems."

“With this good news, the five personnel have joined the rest of the team from Tuesday the 21st of July."

“The medical team has cleared the players for training and the spirit in the camp remains high as everyone is working hard in preparation for the remainder of the current league [season]," another statement read.

Sundowns have now joined fellow PSL clubs Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC in making the Covid-19 results public.

However, only Celtic and Prates have revealed the names of the people, who have tested positive for the deadly virus

Pirates midfield maestro Ben Motshwari and Celtic midfielder Given Mashikinya have since recovered from the coronavirus.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has admitted that he is interested in signing Edinson Cavani after previously targeting a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in January.

Cavani is currently a free agent, having seen his contract with Paris Saint-Germain come to an end this summer.

The forward spent seven seasons with the French side, racking up 200 goals in 301 appearances while winning six Ligue 1 titles to headline a 19-trophy haul with PSG.

Leeds, led by Marcelo Bielsa, are now heading to the Premier League, having secured automatic promotion from the Championship last week.

And the club's owner says that the Uruguayan star is one potential marquee signing for the club as they prepare to return to the top flight following a 16-year wait.

"In addition to his quality, Cavani could contribute with his physicality and adapt here, but I've never talked about him with the coach [Bielsa],' Radrizzani told Sky Sport Italia.

"Having said that, we've certainly thought about him and we'll see, given he's still available on a free transfer."

While Radrizzani sets his sights on adding a big-name striker this summer, he also admitted that the club pursued one this winter.

Radrizzani says that the club chased Ibrahimovic after the forward departed the LA Galaxy, although that pursuit was unsuccessful.

Ibrahimovic went on to sign with AC Milan, joining his former club by signing a six-month contract.

The has scored six goals in 16 games for the Italian side, including five goals in 14 Serie A appearances. 

With his contract coming to an end, Ibrahimovic will be a free agent once the Serie A season concludes, although Radrizzani doesn't believe Leeds will be in the market for the Swedish star this time around.

"Ibrahimovic will certainly be difficult," he said. "We tried to sign him in January, but he chose to join Milan and the deal vanished.

"Now I think it's too late, the intensity of English football is different."

Leeds are set to face Charlton on Wednesday in their final match of the Championship season.

With just that one game remaining, Leeds have already clinched the league title, as they sit eight points above second-place West Brom.

AFC Leopards youngster Austin Odhiambo has come out to clarify he has not left the club for rivals Gor Mahia.

Social media has been awash with reports linking the young midfielder to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions ahead of the new season.

However, Odhiambo, who was promoted to Ingwe's senior team from the junior team, has now come out to state he has a running contract with the club and is not intending to break it.

“I have had rumours going around that I have left AFC Leopards for Gor Mahia and I want to state here categorically that I have not done so,” Odhiambo told the club’s TV.

“I am still a player for AFC Leopards and I want to assure the fans that I love this great club and will be here for many seasons to come.”

In an earlier interview with Goal, Ingwe chairman Dan Shikanda came out to clarify the situation, stating Odhiambo is contracted to the club until December 2023, and the buy-out clause in the player's contract only applies to foreign teams.

“Those are rumours from those who want to destabilise AFC Leopards, Austin [Odhiambo] is our player, he has a contract with us until December 2023, and in the clause, he cannot sign for a local team but can only be allowed to sign for a team outside the country,” Shikanda told Goal on Tuesday.

“No team as approached us for the player, not even Gor Mahia, not even the player coming to say he wants to leave, the player knows what clause he signed when he joined us from the youth team, so I don’t understand when people say he has left AFC.

“I want to assure our fans Odhiambo doesn’t have an exit clause for local teams so they should not be worried, we always talk to our players every day and they know, even Gor Mahia have not approached him, even Gor Mahia know the rules and they cannot move to bend them.”

Gor Mahia are said to be keen to sign Odhiambo as a possible replacement for their captain Kenneth Muguna, who has openly stated he will leave the club ahead of the new season.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor believes new Ajax Amsterdam signing Mohammed Kudus made a good choice in picking the Dutch giants over clubs in England.

The 19-year-old made a switch from Danish side Nordsjaelland last week, penning a five-year deal reportedly worth €9 million.

He was reportedly linked to Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United in England before settling for the Eredivisie.

“It's a necessary move he made," Akonnor told Graphic Sports.

"It would have been wrong if he moved to England now because he needs to choose a club where he will get enough playing time," Akonnor told Graphic Sports.

"Once he is fully matured, the English teams would come chasing him so I think it’s good he moved to Ajax where he will be playing more regularly."

Outside England, Kudus was also reportedly linked to German side Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Sampdoria.

He netted 11 times in 25 league appearances for Nordsjaelland this season before joining Ajax.

“The reason why Holland and Ajax is bringing him in this way is because they can see what I have seen," the former Netherlands international of Ghanaian descent George Boateng, who played for Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord, told Citi TV.

“He has got such huge potential. What a talent to have among the squad.

“With [Hakim] Ziyech being sold to Chelsea, they were looking for someone similar to that and found Mohammed Kudus and that says a lot."

Kudus' good showing this season has earned him a nomination for the 2020 Golden Boy award, for which he has advanced from the first round of voting into the Top 80. The gong seeks to honour the most outstanding U21 talent in European football.

After time at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, Kudus transferred to Nordsjaelland in 2018.

In his first term, he scored three times in 26 league outings.

The Accra-born player is a full Ghana international, having made his bow in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against South Africa in November last year. He scored in the fateful game and was rewarded with another outing as the west Africans faced Sao Tome and Principe four days later.

Raheem Sterling and Manchester City found the perfect hangover cure as they shook off their Wembley frustrations to beat Watford 4-0 and equal a Premier League record.

A double from Sterling and second-half goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte made it a Vicarage Road rout as City threw darts at Watford's goal, just as they did when winning 8-0 against the same opponents in September.

The outcome meant City matched a Premier League record for the most goals against a single opponent in the same season, equalling the 12 that Blackburn Rovers put past Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and that Tottenham plundered against Wigan in the 2009-10 campaign.

And three days after losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, it was a reminder that City's season is far from over, with manager Pep Guardiola no doubt telling his players he expects performances from them leading into next month's Champions League resumption.

When these teams last met, City sped 5-0 ahead inside the first 20 minutes, giving newly reappointed Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores, in his second spell at the club, plenty to chew over.

Flores was sacked in December, his successor Nigel Pearson was dismissed on Sunday, and it was former West Ham and Crystal Palace midfielder Hayden Mullins picking the team for this reunion with City as an interim head coach.

Watford, three points clear of the relegation zone going into the final week of the season, must have approached the City game with modest ambitions, given they also lost 6-0 to Guardiola's team in last year's FA Cup final.

Sterling made the breakthrough in the 31st minute, given far too much freedom in the Watford penalty area to smash high into the left corner beyond Ben Foster.

The England forward grabbed his second in the 40th minute, winning a penalty when Will Hughes lunged in and then tucking home the rebound after his spot-kick was skilfully parried by Foster.

Gabriel Jesus looked like stretching the lead inside 30 seconds of the second half but failed to beat Foster after running clear, before the goalkeeper, Watford's most impressive performer by far, kept out a thumping drive from Sterling.

City had won their last 12 games against Watford across all competitions by a 46-6 aggregate, and Foster needed to save well on the hour to deny Kevin De Bruyne when the Belgian's free-kick looked destined for the left corner.

But Foster continued to be left exposed and despite parrying well from Sterling when City came forward again, the ball bounced out for Foden to roll home.

Laporte headed in the fourth from De Bruyne's free-kick, before City took their foot off the gas, sparing their hosts further embarrassment and damage in the goal-difference column, which could be key in Watford's fight against relegation.

City thought they had a last-gasp fifth goal but Jesus was fractionally offside when he headed home, meaning there would be no outright Premier League record.

What does it mean? City shake off weekend woe, Watford worries worsen

It would be wildly presumptive to think City are suddenly back to their best, given they were facing opponents they routinely blow away. Guardiola’s men were in third gear and still outplayed Watford from start to finish. The real tests are still to come.

Watford were in a relegation battle before the game and nothing changes, other than the predictably worse goal difference than they possessed at kick-off. They may need something at Arsenal on Sunday, and must pray the Gunners have their minds on the cup final.

No stopping Sterling

Two-goal City hero Sterling is the man Watford hate to see on the team sheet. He came into this game having been involved in nine goals in his past five games against the Hornets (seven goals and two assists) and his first-half double - the second a little lucky - came as a surprise to nobody.

Guardiola let him sit out the last half-hour, saving him for the bigger battles to come.

Foster deserved better

Watford’s goalkeeper was simply outstanding, behind a predictably porous defence. The former England goalkeeper may have shipped 12 to City this season, but with a lesser goalkeeper this could easily have been a repeat of September’s eight-goal mauling.

Key Opta Facts

- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season without conceding once – this goal difference of 12 over the two fixtures is the largest in the top-flight since 1947-48 when Arsenal also scored 12 without reply against Grimsby Town. 
- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season, a joint-record for most goals against an opponent in a single campaign in the competition alongside Blackburn vs Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and Spurs vs Wigan in 2009-10.
- Since Watford returned to the Premier League in 2015-16, they have conceded 37 league goals against City, at least seven more than any side has conceded against another in this fixture in this time.
- De Bruyne registered his 19th league assist of the season, equalling Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 and going just one behind Thierry Henry's league record of 20 in 2002-03.
- In Foden's 16 starts in all competitions for Manchester City in 2019-20 he has been directly involved in 14 goals (six goals & eight assists).
- Foster has lost on each of his last 13 starts against Manchester City in the Premier League, the longest run of losses by a starting player against a specific side in Premier League history.
- Sterling's penalty was the fifth City have missed in the Premier League this season; no side have ever missed more in a single Premier League campaign (Liverpool in 2011-12 and Spurs in 1994-95 also five each).
- Guardiola has made 143 changes to their starting XIs in the Premier League this season, the most by any manager in a single season in the competition's history.

What's next?

The Premier League season wraps up on Sunday when City host Norwich City, while Watford travel to FA Cup finalists Arsenal.

Zesco United striker Jesse Were has explained the reason players should invest prudently before they hang up their boots.

The Harambee Stars striker was speaking during a meeting hosted by the club to help discuss the importance of investing from their earnings before they quit the game.

Were, who also played for Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Tusker, says he understands the value of getting things done before the time to call it quits.

“It is very important to invest wisely and properly before retirement because there is life after football,” Were is quoted by the club’s official website. “I am currently making investments back home because I know I won’t be in the game forever. I have particularly invested heavily in the poultry and transport business.

“The training was good for us all because it’s something that keeps you on your toes and also educates one about the reality of life. It really helped us understand how we could possibly plan for the future.”

Speaking at the same function, Zesco United CEO Richard Mulenga stressed the importance of players investing wisely before retiring from the game.

“The lesson here is to prepare yourselves before retiring from the game,” Mulenga is also quoted by the club website.

“This means investing your resources wisely, especially in areas where your money will multiply. There are many players in the game who have made sound investments during their careers and there are those who have ended up desperately poor despite making a great fortune in their prime.

“I can give you an example of former Manchester United player Gary Neville who has continued to enjoy life even after retiring from the sport. He started planning for his retirement while still playing for his club.

“He decided he wanted to go into football management, football commentary, and the restaurant industry. Neville prepared for all those three careers during the last three years of his playing career.”

Mulenga continued: “Neville once went into football management as a coach, unfortunately, his first attempt didn’t go well. Today he is a pundit for Sky Sports and has also invested in the restaurant business. That is a success story for us to learn from.”

The meeting was held between the club management and their corporate partnership with Atlas Mara Bank to sensitize its players on the value of investing prudently for a better tomorrow.

Apart from Were, Zesco United is also home to other Kenyan players – goalkeeper Ian Otieno and defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino.

Former Orlando Pirates forward Jerry Sikhosana says local football fans are “suffering” because of the tiff between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Safa which he demands “needs to stop.”

Football in South was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic but the government recently gave a thumbs-up for the continuation of the 2019/20 season.

With the PSL settling for July 18 as the date for the restart, Safa has blocked teams from playing, saying their referees will only be available in the first week of August.

The football mother body is also not fully satisfied with the health and safety measures put in place by clubs.

“It’s not good for football especially exposing ourselves here in South Africa where the PSL doesn’t work hand in hand with Safa which is our football mother body,” Sikhosana told Far Post.

“That needs to stop and everything must go according to how football is supposed to be run. People are suffering out there, they only watch Spanish, English and Italian soccer on TV because they are all playing but our own is still waiting because of the differences our associations are having.

“For me, personally I think the hierarchies there need to come to their senses, sit together and make sure that they pave the way that will make sure that soccer comes back. We are all disappointed and I am also really disappointed because soccer is our life.

“I think for me it is solvable, only if people can sit down around the table and put their ideas together. Yes, differences will be there but let them stay in the table because we want something that is positive and I hope if that meeting can materialise, something positive will come through."

Football was stopped with PSL leaders Kaizer Chiefs four points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns have played a game less than Chiefs and are also in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup where they will meet Bidvest Wits.

Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC have confirmed the appointment of Paul Kiwanuka and Francis Mugerwa as Fred Kajoba’s assistants.

Vipers’ strengthening mission is ongoing after bringing onboard new players and they have now moved with speed and signed the notable Ugandan coaches to help head coach Kajoba.

The Venoms will represent Uganda in the Caf Champions League next season and their mission is to have a strong side and experienced tacticians aimed at targeting a slot in the Champions League group stage phase.

Kiwanuka worked with Premier League side Bright Stars before and has now rejoined Kajoba at St Mary’s Kitende.

“I am excited to be joining Vipers and for the chance to work with Kajoba again,” Kiwanuka told Vipers’ official website.

“It is an opportunity I couldn’t let up. I would like to thank Vipers management for giving me this chance and l know that our skills and experience will complement each other as we work to develop an exciting new team.”

Mugerwa has agreed on a deal that sees him join Kajoba and Kiwanuka again after working with the two at different clubs.

At Maroons FC, Mugerwa was Douglas Bamweyana’s assistant and had stints at top-flight sides Onduparaka FC and Bright Stars.

“I am a man of few words who prefers doing the talking on the pitch but l feel proud and honoured to reunite and work closely with the two coaches plus other staff at Vipers,” Mugerwa said.

Kajoba, who led Vipers to their fourth league title, welcomed the duo.

“I am delighted to have this talented group of coaches alongside me. They bring a great mix of experience and fresh thinking,” Kajoba said.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has confirmed the dispensation of the prize money to Vipers and other clubs.

The Venoms were declared champions when Fufa discontinued the league and have been given USh60 million.

KCCA FC, who lost the title to Vipers, have been given USh20 million for finishing second, SC Villa got USh9.6, Busoga United earned USh7 million while URA FC were awarded USh5 million.

Fufa disbursed a total of USh128 million, a figure that was revised in 2018, and saw the sponsorship money raised from USh20 million which was only meant for a Premier League champion.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) held its League Committee meeting via video conferencing on Tuesday.

The committe, in the meeting chaired by Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta, has decided to hold the 2020-21 season of the I-League in Kolkata but the Indian Football Association (IFA) needs to obtain the necessary permission from the West Bengal state government.

Goal can confirm that the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) has shown interest in hosting the remainder of the 2019-20 Second Division League. AIFF though will take a final call after looking into the pandemic situation in the state.

The Indian FA has decided to restart the second division league by September 20 so that they can complete it by the first week of October. This will give the qualifying teams enough time to prepare within the stipulated FIFA transfer window which ends on October 20.

The committee also discussed the 2020-21 seasons of the Indian Women’s League (IWL )and various Youth Leagues.

Generally, the state women’s leagues end by December and the national league is held in January. However, due to Coronavirus pandemic, the state leagues are yet to start and hence the AIFF has decided to postpone the IWL to April 2021, Goal has reliably learnt.

The Indian FA will take a final call on the fate of the youth leagues at a later date.

Regarding the club licensing criteria, the Indian FA is in talks with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) so that they can grant exemptions to the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League clubs in view of the prevalent COVID-19 situation.

The inaugural Futsal league which was supposed to start in September will likely be postponed to a later date as the AIFF does not want to conduct the first-ever edition of the competition behind closed doors. 

Having already been released by Black Leopards on Monday, midfielder Lesedi Kapinga is set to be unveiled by Mamelodi Sundowns and former Lidoda Duvha defender Luvhengo Mungomeni takes a look at the move that is on the cards.

The former Moroka Swallows and South African junior international is confident the Musina-born playmaker can make his family proud at Chloorkop but warns him to have a strong mentality.

On the other hand, Mungomeni believes the Gauteng province is a different environment from the so-called small towns and that it can make or break ill-disciplined players.

“Look, I remember I had a chat with the boy two months ago under this lockdown and we talked. He asked me if he can move from Leopards or not,” Mungomeni told Goal.

“My advice was: if there’s any interest, then why not? Because moving from the so-called small teams to the big guns is always a good move for any player as you get a chance to make money.

“I can tell you, it’s about money these days because there’s no doubt about his talent and skills. If he gets this kind of a move at an early age, then he will learn a lot in his career. I just hope and pray that if he gets a move to Gauteng, he doesn’t lose his head.

“Gauteng is a big city, buzzing and it can make you or break you. If you are not prepared you will lose your career but for me, it’s a life-changing move for him and for sure, he will make his family proud. Life wise, I can say it’s a good one for him.”

On whether the Venda-based outfit has lost out as they decided to part ways with the player in the middle of the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season considering they are in the relegation battle, he shares his thoughts.

“For me, it’s difficult to say Leopards have lost and if you look at their position on the log table, I think there is big money that’s involved,” added the retired professional.

“Just like in any business, you need money to sustain it. So, it can be a decision [to let him go] based on money and the club has benefitted. If millions are coming into your bank account as a business, you sometimes don't care about your position on the log table and that you are facing relegation challenges.

“Honestly, there are players that can do the job for Leopards but we can’t undermine his contribution at the club. He played a big role in helping the club this season. He was one of the best players and as they decided to release him, somewhere somehow there is big money involved.

“I think if they were not confident of surviving, they would have held him a little bit and release him later. You will remember I was also in this situation before.

“The club [Leopards] offered me a deal and I refused to sign it, they later released me to join Sundowns and I am sure they also made money out of that deal.

“I’m confident Lesedi will not disappoint, he is gifted, disciplined because he’s a church-going boy. If he has a strong mentally he will make it because he must be aware that he will compete with the best.

“For him to do well and grow, he must compete with the best and I had a chat with him as I said - there's no doubt he will achieve big things.”

Meanwhile, Goal reported earlier that the attacking midfielder was on his way to the Brazilians camp in Rustenburg to undergo his medicals as he is surging closer to a move to coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he is fully focused on winning back a regular spot in Chelsea's line up, and that he feels "completely strong now".

Loftus-Cheek ruptured his Achilles while playing in a post-season friendly in May 2019, and underwent surgery on the issue just before Chelsea's win over Arsenal in the Europa League final.

The 24-year-old was forced to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme which saw him miss the first half of the new season, but he began to work his way back to full fitness at the turn of the year.

Chelsea were preparing to welcome Loftus-Cheek into the fold before the coronavirus outbreak brought the campaign screening to a temporary halt in March, which forced him to continue his recovery in self-isolation.

The England international was finally cleared for a return to action when the Premier League got back underway in June, as he started Chelsea's first game in three months against Aston Villa.

Loftus-Cheek looked rusty during the 2-1 win at Villa Park, and although he has gone on to appear in all eight of the Blues' subsequent fixtures, seven of those outings have come from the substitute's bench.

Despite the fact he is not yet a regular in Frank Lampard's starting XI, the talented midfielder insists he is finally on track again physically and mentally, as he told Chelsea's official website: "For me, the concerns over my injury have completely gone.

"I feel completely strong now. Strong in my body, strong in my ankle, my calf and strong in my mind too. Mentally I feel really good now and so that doesn’t affect me on the pitch.

"In terms of my injury, there are no lingering concerns for me and I would happily go and fly into a tackle.

"The only time I really had that was when I was coming back for the first few training sessions, and you’d get a little kick on the ankle area and be a little worried. But now, that’s long gone in my mind because I’ve had those kicks in games and I’ve had those knocks in training. My ankle is strong and I have no problems there at all."

Loftus-Cheek added on his desire to make up for lost time and maximise his potential at Stamford Bridge: "The focus now is for me to keep working hard and force my way into the team on a consistent basis.

"I’ve played a few games now and it was just such a great feeling to get back out onto the pitch after 13 months out, and be there helping the team.

"We want to finish the season strongly ahead of next season and it’s the same for me on a personal level too. I want to get into the run of playing consistently because you get that ‘smell’ for the games and the more you play, I feel the sharper you get. You can anticipate things on the pitch more and your confidence grows with each game.

"I think if I can get that and play at my best, then hopefully I’ll be able to see how far I can develop and how far I can go as a Chelsea player."

Danilo Pereira believes he would fit in well with Arsenal's style of play amid continued speculation linking him with a move to Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are rumoured to be weighing up a summer swoop for the midfielder, whose contract at Porto reportedly contains a €60 million (£53.8m/$69m) release clause.

The Portugal international has been impressed with the football Arsenal have played under Mikel Arteta , who has led the club to the FA Cup final.

The 28-year-old is confident he could slot into Arteta's side with little difficulty and realise a long-held dream of playing in the Premier League.

"I think he [Arteta] is doing a really, really, good job there," Danilo told Stats Perform News . 

"He is a really good coach who started as the second coach at [Manchester] City, so he has a little experience and Arsenal play very good football and I think he is doing very well there.

"He is a Spanish coach, he is a bit similar to Portuguese coaches, they also want to play with the ball and improve with the ball, so I think he is a good coach.

"The style I think I can fit there, the way he plays also thinking on the ball, the team always has to be together I think it is a good way to play.

"Of course I like to be here in Porto to be here in my country, but I want to be in a better league like the Premier League.

"I always dreamed about playing in that league. I played also in Serie A but I think the Premier League is a huge league and one day I want to play there, to improve to be a better player. I think it's the best league in the world."

Asked about comparisons to Arsenal great Patrick Vieira from former Portugal defender Abel Xavier, Danilo said: "It is an honour to be compared to this kind of legend.

"I also have to think Abel Xavier for these words, sometimes I don't like to be compared to another football player but to me it is an honour to see Abel Xavier talking about me in that way.

"I grew up seeing Patrick Vieira playing in Arsenal so he is one of my idols so it is very good to hear that from Abel Xavier."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang “looks happy” at Arsenal, says Joe Willock, with everyone on the Gunners’ books hoping that a “massive player” will soon commit to a new contract.

Mikel Arteta has aired his confidence when it comes to tying a prolific frontman down on fresh terms.

No paperwork has been signed, though, and that is keeping everyone on edge at Emirates Stadium.

Willock is among those eager to see good news delivered over the coming weeks, with Aubameyang having entered the final 12 months of his current deal and sparked regular rounds of transfer talk.

The Arsenal academy graduate says signs from a talented team-mate are positive when it comes to his future, with all of those around him in north London eager to see their captain stay put.

Willock told The Beautiful Game Podcast: “Auba is an amazing guy and he’s our captain. He’s also a massive player for us.

“I don’t know what’s going on with his contract but I love playing with him. Hopefully, he will stay at the club so that I can learn from him even more. He looks happy at the club.”

One star turn that Arsenal have been able to complete contract talks with is Bukayo Saka, with the highly-rated 18-year-old penning a new four-year deal.

“He was always going to sign,” Willock said of a fellow youngster.

“Saka is a wonderful, grounded kid and when he signed the contract he gave a massive statement to say that he wants to play for Arsenal. We’re all happy to have him and to play with him.” 

Willock penned his own deal in September 2019, as Arsenal sought to buy into his obvious potential, and the 20-year-old is looking to repay that show of faith.

He has been seeing regular minutes under Arteta, taking in 41 appearances across the campaign as a whole, and is determined to help the Gunners back to where they believe they belong.

“Arsenal is a club I’ve played for since I was four-and-a-half so I can remember all the way to the first team,” said Willock.

“I’ve been at Arsenal more than I’ve been at home. I’ve been so blessed to have been at such a massive club all my life and I know nothing different.

“I just love the club and want to make the club great again. I feel like I can help to do that. I love the club with so much passion.”

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak is the only man who can replace David de Gea, according to Rio Ferdinand, but he thinks Manchester United should stick by their current No.1 for the time being.

De Gea has hit headlines throughout the 2019-20 for a number of high-profile mistakes between the sticks, the latest of which came during a huge semi-final showdown against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

The Spain international conceded two very soft goals as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners at Wembley, and has been hit with a barrage of criticism following United's exit from the competition.

Ex-Red Devils midfielder Paul Ince has suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should recall Dean Henderson from his loan spell at Sheffield United ahead of the 2020-2021 campaign, stating: "He needs to give De Gea that challenge and drive, and this lad could be the answer.

"Henderson's got the hunger and desire to get into that top spot at United."

However, Ferdinand doesn't think the Englishman is quite ready to step up to the plate at Old Trafford, and says that unless his old club are willing to fork out an extortionate fee on Atletico shot-stopper Oblak, De Gea should be trusted to turn his form around.

"Who are you going to get that is out there right now? Dean Henderson is a young goalkeeper, it's a big gamble," the former United defender told BT Sport.

"Who is out there right now that could be bought, that is able to be a world-class goalkeeper at Manchester United? The only one I see is Oblak but can you get him out of Atletico Madrid?

"If you do, how much would you have to spend? An obscene amount of money. I say, stick with [De Gea]. He's earned the right to be stuck with."

Ferdinand concedes that De Gea cannot be excused for his latest set of errors, but believes his old team-mate still has the necessary "character" to get back to his best and prove his critics wrong.

"When people make mistakes, they're open to criticism, that's just the way football is," the 41-year-old added. "David de Gea is not the exception. He's made mistakes, glaring mistakes in big games. Notably, the game yesterday in the semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

"Yes, he should be doing better. I've played with David, he's his own biggest critic. He'll be sitting at home going through the situations to make sure he gets rid of these mistakes that he's making at the moment.

"I watched the game with my boys at home and I was flabbergasted to see them go past David because he's a top-drawer goalkeeper. It's disappointing. As a Manchester United fan, you want to defend your players but he's not in a position to be defended.

"Has David de Gea been making mistakes? Yes, he has. Is he low on confidence? Yes, he is. Has he got the character to come back, has he proved his character in years gone by? Yes, he has.

"He came to Manchester United as a 19-year-old. Question marks straight away, 'is he good enough, is he too slim, is he too frail? He's not ready to be Manchester United's goalkeeper'. He dispelled all of those comments through hard work, determination and quality.

"He's been Player of the Year four of the last six years. When there was inconsistencies at Manchester United, he was the consistent factor. Yes, he's had a bad spell, confidence is low, does that mean you get rid of him?"