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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed David de Gea to bounce back after his mistakes in Sunday's FA Cup clash with Chelsea but admits the goalkeeper should have done better.

The Spaniard was culpable in all three of Chelsea’s goal as Frank Lampard’s side booked their place in the FA Cup final with a 3-1 win on Sunday.

The worst of De Gea's errors came as he was beaten from 25 yards out by Mason Mount for Chelsea’s second with Solskjaer saying his number one should have done better.

“Obviously everyone has to perform and everyone has a chance every game to stake a place in the team. David knows he should have saved the second goal but that’s done now, we have to move on and look forward to Wednesday,” Solskjaer said.

“It’s hard for a keeper to make amends. So much easier for outfield players. David showed in the rest of the game, he made a few good saves, but he knows he could have saved that one.”

While De Gea’s blunders were bad that wasn’t the only thing that cost United a place in the final against Arsenal. Solskjaer made five changes to his starting XI and altered his system starting with a back three.

The decision backfired with his team unable to get into any kind of rhythm but the Norwegian insists he made the right selection with a crucial game against West Ham coming up on Wednesday.

“We picked the team today to give us the best opportunity to go through in the cup and be ready for Wednesday and it didn’t work today,” he explained.

United were forced into a change when Eric Bailly came off just before the break after a nasty head collision with Harry Maguire and Solskjaer believed that changed the game.

“Eric is in hospital going through routine checks and protocols. I’ve not spoken to the doctor about him of course that had a big big impact on the game,” Solskjaer said.

“Eric played very well and we conceded just after the restart which was v disappointing and Eric was a big part of us not having any chances against us.

“We have loads of things to learn as a team but we have learnt and we are developing and this team is going forward. They took a knock confidence wise of course but let’s see how the reaction is on Wednesday.”

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has set his sights on upsetting former side Arsenal to win another FA Cup final.

The Blues sealed their place in the final on Sunday as they beat Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley on Sunday, with Giroud opening the scoring shortly before half-time and Mason Mount doubling their lead early in the second period.

Untied defender Harry Maguire turned into his own net to make it 3-0 before Bruno Fernandes clawed one back with a penalty late in the game.

Giroud has already won four FA Cups during his career in England, having won three with Arsenal before helping Chelsea to the trophy in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

But the France international is fully motivated to add another winner's medal to his collection and says it will be special coming up against his former team.

"I said to the boys I would love to win another one, it would be my fifth FA Cup and we are in another final," he said.

"A big game against Arsenal which will be so special for me personally. We played very well and we want to finish in the top three in the Premier League now.

"We played three at the back, it's been a while since we did but we started very well. We had them under pressure and they didn't create much. We dominated the game."

Mount scored his first goal since March when his effort from outside the box slipped by United goalkeeper David De Gea.

The midfielder was delighted with his side's display as they turn their attention to sealing a top four finish in the Premier League before they take on Arsenal in the cup final.

"I tried to get it on target, anything can happen. It was maybe a bit fortunate to see it go in, it gave us room to express ourselves a bit more.

"I always want to score goals and create assists - it hasn't happened for a while but you're always looking to affect the game in different areas."

"The gaffer just said we've got two massive finals before we're here again. We need that mindset to try and secure the top four."

Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal have guaranteed themselves a place in next season’s Europa League following Sunday’s 4-0 win over Eibar.

Following back-to-back defeats to Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, their place in Europa was threatened but victory on the last day of the 2019-20 season confirmed their place.

After a goalless first half at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Javier Calleja’s men looked to be heading for a draw – however, a solid performance in the last 18 minutes ensured they got all the points with Gerard Moreno netting a brace while Moi Gomez and Andre Anguissa also found the net.

It took Villarreal 72 minutes before getting the opener through Cameroon international Anguissa - who was assisted by Santi Carzola - displaced his marker before curling his left-footed shot past goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez.

Moreno doubled the lead in the 86th minute after controlling Andres Fernandez’s cross before firing pas Rodriguez.

Three minutes later, he completed his brace but this time, it was substitute Moi Gomez who was credited with the assist as Moreno took his goal tally this term to 18.

Barely a minute later, Gomez scored the fourth goal of the encounter as Eibar returned home with heads raised low.

With this result, Calleja’s men have finished in fifth position behind winners Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.

Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwukwueze was handed a starter’s role, however, he was replaced by Javier Ontiveros in the 62nd minute. This season, he has featured in 37 league games with three goals to his credit.

The game was the last for Santi Cazorla and Bruno Soriano. Cazorla has made a big impact in his third spell with the Castellon side since returning in 2018 after a serious Achilles injury.

This season, the 35-year-old playmaker has scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in the Spanish top flight, and he has been linked with a move to Qatari club Al Sadd - coached by former Barcelona captain Xavi.

It has also been reported that Cazorla could take up a coaching role with Arsenal, but a switch to Qatar looks more likely for a player who earned a Spain recall last year.

Long-serving skipper Soriano made an emotional swansong on the final day of the season at El Madrigal.

The 36-year-old, a one-club man, has made over 300 appearances for Villarreal since making his debut 14 years ago.

Lionel Messi says the attitude shown by Barcelona in their 5-0 win over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday is the benchmark for next season. 

After proving unable to keep pace with Real Madrid since the resumption, Barca ultimately surrendered their La Liga crown in midweek after an insipid 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna. 

They ended their domestic campaign in some style, though, Messi scoring twice and further goals from Ansu Fati, Luis Suarez and Nelson Semedo sealing the win. 

In assisting Fati for the opener, Messi broke the record for most assists in a single La Liga campaign, while he took his goal tally to 25 in 33 appearances in the Spanish top-flight this term.

Messi was impressed by his team-mates' response and says the commitment shown on Sunday should be the bare minimum as they look to reclaim their title next season.

He told Movistar: "As coach Quique Setien said the other day, we have had some very good games, some very good moments. But we have to do that more consistently now. 

"Today, we saw something else. It was a difficult game to play and the team responded differently in attitude and commitment. It is a step forward for what is to come. 

"We did a lot of self-criticism and realised a lot of things. We didn't have a great season.  

"Today is a step forward in terms of attitude and commitment, which is what you always have to have. You have to at least match the attitude of any rival; if not more."

Messi's comments were more upbeat than his criticism of his team-mates after their midweek loss, as he urged them to live up to the standard expected of the Catalan side.

"We were a very erratic, very weak, low-intensity team…We lost a lot of points and [Thursday’s] game is a summary of the season," he said.

"We have to be self-critical. Starting with the players but doing a global self-criticism. We are Barca and we have to win everything. We can't look at Madrid…Madrid have done their job, but we have helped them a lot.”

While their domestic duties are done for 2019-20, Barca now switch their focus to the Champions League. They host Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Camp Nou on August 8.

Nordsjaelland youth coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani believes Mohammed Kudus' transfer to Dutch giants Ajax draws him closer to a move to a top club in a major European league.

After scoring 11 times in 25 league outings for Danish fold Nordsjaelland this season, the 19-year-old opted for a new challenge with a move to the Eredivisie outfit on Thursday.

He was linked to Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Real Madrid before choosing Erik Ten Hag's side.

“Kudus Mohammed has fully developed well and I believe that Ajax is the gateway," Didi told Happy Sports.

"He chose the right option to join Ajax despite the several offers from top European clubs.

“Ajax will refine him and that they will also prepare him for the top European football.

"Ajax is one of the best clubs in Europe that play good football and also develop young players.

“He will turn up to be a world-class player because of the transition we have given him here at Nordsjaelland."

Kudus joined Nordsjaelland from Ghanaian outfit Right to Dream Academy in 2018.

Last season, he netted three times in 26 league matches.

The Accra-born is in the running for the 2020 Golden Boy Award, a prize for the most outstanding U21 player in Europe.

"It is a good thing to see him sign for Ajax and becoming the most expensive youngster in Ghana and I hope more youngsters will come up so we can have a strong Black Stars," former Ghana U17 coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin, who coached Kudus at the 2017 Fifa World Cup, told Ghsportsnews.

"I’m happy because it doesn’t happen more often. I keep saying that talent without effort is useless and he has been able to put in a lot of efforts to get that price tag. [A pricetag of] €9 million is a big money for an African youngster.

"I’m hopeful he will justify the amount Ajax splashed on him.

"Ajax is a team that gives an opportunity to youngsters like Kudus and I believe it is a good move. If he is able to develop well, the big guns will come calling."

Kudus, who has also represented Ghana at U20 level, made his senior debut for the Black Stars in November last year, scoring in a 2-0 triumph over South Africa. 

Manchester United fans' confidence in David de Gea plummeted to new depths during the goalkeeper's display in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

De Gea was mocked on social media for his lame attempt to stop Olivier Giroud's opening goal just before half-time.

But the anger towards the Spain international intensified shortly after the restart when Mason Mount's effort from outside the box evaded his grasp and hit the back of the net.

That howler was enough to convince many Red Devils supporters that he is no longer worthy of a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI, but the misery continued for De Gea and United.

The 29-year-old hardly covered himself in glory in the 74th minute either, as United centre-back Harry Maguire diverted into his own net to put Chelsea 3-0 up.

United managed to narrow the deficit when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty towards the end, but the damage had been done and De Gea will be stuck with a lot of the blame. 

The shot stopper has gone from club icon to the most maligned player in the side as he has faced severe criticism for a sharp decline in form.

David de Gea had a day to forget as Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount helped Chelsea outlcass Manchester United 3-1 in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Giroud ensured Chelsea deservedly led with the help of slack goalkeeping from De Gea at the end of a half in which United lost Eric Bailly to a serious-looking heading injury.

De Gea was at fault again almost immediately after the restart when Mount doubled Chelsea's lead with a shot a keeper of any level would hope to save.

The Spaniard was not entirely convincing when Harry Maguire put into his own net to compound a miserable day either, but – despite a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes – Frank Lampard's side were good value for the win and can now look forward to a return to Wembley to face Arsenal in a rematch of the 2016-17 final.

Chelsea's pressure had United on the back foot early on but Reece James' stinging drive was the only save De Gea had to make, with Marcos Alonso wastefully putting a free header over.

United's performance was at odds with their recent form and they saw Bailly taken away on a stretcher in a neck brace after a nasty clash of heads with Maguire.

After a lengthy delay, Giroud's deft touch from Cesar Azpilicueta's right-wing cross squirmed past De Gea, who might feel he should have done better, in the 11th minute of first-half stoppage time.

Just a minute after the restart De Gea's outing got even worse when he allowed Mount's seemingly unthreatening 20-yard effort under his body, albeit Brandon Williams' wayward pass did his side no favours.

Marcus Rashford flashed a tantalising ball across the face of goal and Maguire headed wide when Willy Caballero flapped at a corner as United tried to muster a response.

But it was game over when Maguire got the final touch on Alonso's drilled cross and De Gea was again beaten, with Fernandes' clinical spot-kick after Callum Hudson-Odoi's clumsy challenge on Anthony Martial providing scant consolation.

What does it mean? Ole's gambles backfire as Lampard, Arteta eye first prize

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had masterminded three wins over Chelsea this season, but his decision to match their 3-5-2 system – a tactic that yielded success at Stamford Bridge in February – did not pay dividends, nor did the selection of De Gea over regular cup keeper Sergio Romero.

For Lampard, he can now end his first campaign as boss with silverware, although Mikel Arteta will be equally desperate to land a maiden trophy as Gunners head coach.

Giroud leads the way

Many will talk about De Gea's shoddy work for the opener but Giroud deserves credit for getting in front of Victor Lindelof and providing a classy flick.

The Frenchman has six goals in his past seven starts and was a constant menace. Not a bad return for a man who seemed destined for an exit just six months ago.

De Gea back under the spotlight

The form of United number one De Gea has been the topic of discussion for some time, most recently for an error in a 1-1 draw against Spurs when the Premier League resumed last month.

De Gea responded with four clean sheets in the following six top-flight matches, but a keeper of his quality really should have saved Giroud's effort and the second goal was inexcusable.

Key Opta Facts:

- Chelsea have reached their 14th FA Cup final; indeed, only Arsenal (21 including 2019-20) and Manchester United (20) have made the final on more occasions than the Blues.
- United have been eliminated from the FA Cup by Chelsea for a sixth time (including three of the last four seasons) – only Arsenal (7) have knocked the Red Devils out of the competition on more occasions.
- This was Chelsea's first victory against Manchester United since the 2018 FA Cup final – the Blues were winless in six matches across all competitions against the Red Devils prior to today (D2 L4).
- Chelsea are the first side to beat Manchester United since Burnley in the Premier League back in January, ending United's 19 game unbeaten run in all competitions.
- Since his debut in the FA Cup in January 2013, Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud has scored 16 goals in the competition (13 for Arsenal & 3 for Chelsea) - only Sergio Aguero (19) has netted more in this period.

What's next?

United's focus turns back to the race for the top four in the Premier League as they host West Ham on Wednesday. Chelsea will eventually prepare for Arsenal and a Wembley return but can confirm their own place in the Champions League spots by beating Liverpool on the final day.

Hanna Boubezari scored the only goal for Lidkopings as they crumbled 5-1 against Moron in Sunday's Elitettan game.

The 21-year-old joined Lidkopings from Jitex Molndal in January following her stints with Umea in the Damallsvenskan and now-disbanded Kungsbackas in the Elitettan in 2017.

Since her arrival at the Elitettan outfit, the Algeria international is integrating herself well, having scored once in six matches, with her only goal ensuring her side's 2-2 draw with Bollstanas last week.

The hosts sought to maintain their run to close the gap on the leaders to five points and they got off to a bright start with Hayley Dowd's opener after 23 minutes at Electrolux Home Arena.

Andreas Gustavsson's team suffered another setback before the half-time break when Thea Bergsten profited from a defensive mistake to double the lead for Moron in the 36th minute.

A minute after the restart, Rebekah O'Brien extended the advantage for Moron and the hosts maintained their scoring surge against the visitors when Villemo Dahlqvist netted the fourth 12 minutes later.

However,  Boubezari pulled one back for Lidkopings in the 64th minute but could not inspire a comeback as Tuva Skoog struck 10 minutes from full-time to seal their rout for Fredrik Asplund's side.

Boubezari, who was in action from the duration for Gustavsson's team, has now scored two goals in seven games and they will hope to earn their second win of the season against Alvsjo on July 25.

Football enthusiasts across the world have sent messages of support to Eric Bailly after the Manchester United defender suffered a head injury in their FA Cup semi-final game against Chelsea.

The Ivory Coast international was stretchered off with a neck brace during Sunday's encounter after a clash of heads with teammate Harry Maguire.

Bailly was subsequently replaced by Anthony Martial before goals from Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead at Wembley Stadium.

The injury came as a worry for fans with the Ivorian centre-back trying to settle in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team after returning from a knee injury that kept him out for six months, between July 2019 and January 2020.

Bailly was making his sixth start of the season before the injury.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane says it was hard for Jose Mourinho to make an impression on the side during the early months of his tenure, but their recent form is a sign that his methods are starting to bear fruit.

Mourinho begin his tenure with three successive victories in November to lift the mood around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino.

But the north London side struggled for consistency as the winter progressed and were six games without a win before coronavirus shutdown, a run that saw them crash out of both the Champions League and FA Cup to end any hopes of lifting silverware this campaign.

Injuries had also begun to take their toll, with the likes of Kane and Son Heung-Min expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. However, the shutdown allowed the duo time return to fitness and bolster the Spurs line-up upon their return to action last month.

The result is a run of just one defeat in eight matches since the restart, with three successive victories lifting the the club up to sixth and right in contention for a European place.

It suggests Mourinho’s message is finally starting to get across to his side after that indifferent start, a sentiment echoed by Spurs captain Kane.

He told Sky Sports: "It was hard for him [Jose Mourinho] to come in and put his stamp on things but we have been able to do that in the last three wins.”

Tottenham’s latest victory was an impressive 3-0 win against Champions League-chasing Leicester on Sunday, with Kane scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 23 in all competitions this season.

It was also his 15th and 16th career goals just 14 appearances against the Foxes, more than he’s scored against any opponent in his career.

"It's must one of those teams I seem to score a few against,” added the England captain. “We caught them on the break today and once we got ahead we just steadied the ship. The clean sheet was great.”

On his second goal, which was a fine curling effort from the left of the penalty area, Kane said: "The ball got away from me to begin with so I looked to try and cut in and get the shot away. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't. Luckily today it did.”

Jose Mourinho says Harry Kane is among the best strikers in the world after his double against Leicester on Sunday.

The England international netted twice in the first half as his side ran out 3-0 winners, stretching their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games.

Kane has scored four times since the English top-flight's restart in June and took his tally up to 17 in 28 appearances this season.

And ex-Chealsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager Mourinho says the 26-year-old is among the best he has ever coached.

"It was two very important goals for us and the third one was Harry Kane's goal. It was amazing quality," he told Sky Sports.

"Of course he is [one of the best]. It is difficult for me to compare strikers but I had almost in every club some of the best. Of course, Harry is second to none. It's just different qualities. As a striker, as a goalscorer, a team player and a leader, he is fantastic.

"It is difficult to make him better but the better the team is, the better he can be. It depends more on us.

"He is an amazing professional and works very well. He cannot play any better. He is a fantastic striker and Tottenham is so lucky to have him."

The win lifted Spurs to sixth in the Premier League with Wolves sitting two points behind ahead of their match against Crystal Palace on Monday, while Leicester are in danger of dropping out of the top four with one game left to play.

Mourinho was happy with the way his side managed the game, having taken the lead just six minutes in through a James Justin own goal.

"I think we were strategically good. We knew what worked for us," he said.

"Brendan Rodgers did an amazing job since he arrived but in this moment he is in a little bit of trouble with injuries. I know what it is because I had similar problems at the other end.

"He is trying to compensate with the people he lost so we knew that in transition we could win the game. We tried to be very fast after recovering the ball. We did that very well in the first half and in the second half it was about being compact and getting the result.

"You always need your goalkeeper to make a couple of important saves which he did but we were phenomenal. They had a lot of corners and we defended well. I felt very comfortable in the game."

He added: "It was very important the way we ended. The long break is not so open like a pre-season hopefully is. But it was good enough for us and the players to feel that with work and time we could improve.

"Clearly we are one of the teams with more points during this period than after the break. Now we have to fight to finish sixth. We have to win and that is difficult and wait for something in our other opponents.

"Seventh is what we can achieve without dependence on the others. What we are doing and what we are improving is very important for next season."

SuperSport United midfielder Jamie Webber believes they are ready to fill the void left by former skipper Dean Furman, saying fighting for the badge is the priority.

The 22-year-old midfielder has welcomed the challenge from coach Kaitano Tembo to see him stepping up to the anchorman’s role in the heart of the park as he looks to replace the Bafana Bafana midfielder, who recently left the club.

Webber also says the departure of the former Chelsea and Doncaster Rovers midfielder brings an opportunity for him and teammates such as Teboho Mokoena to shine.

“It’s an opportunity for me and for the other guys because Dean was a key player,” Webber told SundaySun print edition.

“He was our captain, he had to play all the games guiding us and we looked up to him. But now that he’s not here, we obviously have to take matters into our own hands.

“We have to play well for the club, do our best for the badge like we always say.”

Speaking about the fact he will be wrestling against the likes of Mokoena and Sipho Mbule for a spot in the starting line-up, Webber doesn’t doubt their ability to impress coach Tembo.

“I think we have the ability because all of us are young and this is a great opportunity to build a good relationship for years to come,” he added.

“I haven’t played much because I had a back injury. Now, there’s definitely an opportunity to play again and become a regular.”

After featuring in 15 matches across all competitions for the reigning MTN8 champions with two goals and as many assists so far, the young midfielder will hope to become a regular feature for the Tshwane giants once the season resumes.

The three-time Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions are gunning for a decent finish in the league as they occupy the third spot on the log with 40 points, a position they share with Orlando Pirates.

Apart from parting ways with a player such as Furman, who has returned to the United Kingdom, SuperSport have also released Thabo Qalinge and Thabo Mnyamane, whose contracts were not renewed a few weeks ago.

On the other hand, the club has extended veteran defender Bongani Khumalo’s contract with a further year.

Substitute Che Adams’ goal for Everton in Sunday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth was the latest strike in the English top-flight since Yakubu Ayegbeni’s feat in 2011.

With the Saints taking a slim 1-0 advantage into the half-time break courtesy of Danny Ings’ effort, the former England youth international sealed the win at the death to complete an agonising defeat of the hosts.

That strike for Ralph Hasenhuettl’s men at 97:56 ensured that Adams moved closer to the former Nigeria international striker’s feat achieved during his spell at Blackburn Rovers in November 19, 2011.

Thanks to his latest strike, the 24-year-old now boasts of two goals in 29 appearances for the St Mary's Stadium giants so far this season.

Assisted by Paul Robinson, Ayegbeni found the net at 98:14 as Steve Kean’s men settled for a 3-3 at the DW Stadium against hosts Wigan - which enabled the ex-Everton man to complete his brace of the evening.

“That’s what scoring for you does as a striker, you get the confidence and it boosts you generally,” Adams told the club website after the game.

“It’s a relief [to be scoring], I’m pleased to be repaying the fans, the gaffer, the players and everyone really.

“We’ve shown massive progression [as a team], we’re a tight-knit team now. We’re pressing now and know all of our roles.

“We’ve been great since the restart, so we want to take that into next season now, but first we’ve got Sheffield United away where we want to get three points."

Ayegbeni’s impressive goalscoring performances at Maccabi Haifa attracted the attention of English team Portsmouth – a club he helped secure Premier League promotion.

After two seasons at Fratton Park, he teamed up with then English top-flight outfit Middlesbrough for a £7.5 million record fee.

There, he was close to winning silverware as Boro reached the final of the 2006 Uefa Cup – where they bowed 4-0 to Sevilla at Eindhoven’s Philips Stadium.

Before continuing his professional career in China, Turkey and Qatar, ‘the Yak’ represented Everton, Leicester City and Blackburn to become Africa’s third-highest goalscorer in Premier League history.

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly had to be carried off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace following a clash of heads with team-mate Harry Maguire during the first half of their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.

The Ivory Coast international was left with blood pouring from a head wound after colliding with fellow defender Maguire in the closing stages of the first half.

He initially appeared to recover and got to his feet, but quickly laid back down on the pitch.

After several minutes of treatment from the Man Utd medical team, which included placing him in a neck brace, Bailly was taken off the pitch and down the tunnel on a stretcher.

The 26-year-old had already suffered a blow to the head minutes earlier when he attempted to beat Kurt Zouma to a Chelsea left-wing cross.

Maguire also needed treatment after the incident, but was able to continue with a bandage wrapped around his head.

Anthony Martial came on to replace Bailly, as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switched back to his usual 4-3-2-1 formation having begun the match with three centre-backs in a 3-4-3 set up.

Even if Bailly escapes serious injury he is unlikely to feature in Manchester United's final two Premier League matches of the season because of the Premier League's concussion protocols, which has minimum recovery period of six days imposed from the time of the injury.

Man Utd will hope that the former Villarreal defender will be cleared in time for the resumption of their Europa League campaign, with the second leg of their round of 16 clash with LASK scheduled to take place on August 5.

The lengthy stoppage meant there were 11 minutes of time added on at the end of the first half, with Chelsea taking full advantage of the added time by taking the lead through Olivier Giroud, who met Cesar Azpilicueta's cross to flick the ball beyond David de Gea at his near post.

Things would get worse for Solskjaer's side just seconds into the second half, with Mason Mount's tame long-range effort squirming beyond De Gea to double Chelsea's advantage.

Former Harambee Stars head coach Tom Olaba’s family has pleaded for help from Kenyans to pay hospital bills.

Olaba was Harambee Stars coach in 2016 and was replaced by Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee after one year at the helm. According to his family, the coach is suffering from a spinal problem and is in Tanzania where he has been undergoing treatment.

Olaba was also Reinhard Fabisch’s assistant coach in 1997 and later served as the U17 head coach.

The family has called on Kenyans to help the coach raise money to pay medical bills and airlift him back into the country.

The tactician is at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital after he was transferred to from the Dodoma Hospital.

Fabian Olaba, the coach’s brother, revealed that the tactician underwent two spinal surgeries but remains paralysed.

“My brother has been in Tanzania since 2016 after he left coaching,” the coach’s younger brother told Nation Sports.

“He has been living in Morogoro and has been operated on twice on his back. He has a problem with his spinal cord.”

Olaba said they are yet to know the exact amount of money needed to clear the hospital bills as he reached out to members of the public for financial help.

“He has been sick and that is why he quit coaching,” the younger Olaba revealed.

“We would be happy if he is near us so that we can closely monitor his condition. We shall have known the whole amount accumulated in the hospital before the end of the day as my younger brother has already travelled to Tanzania.”

Olaba coached the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side AFC Leopards twice and the latest stint was in 2012 when he was appointed to replace Jan Koops.

In Tanzania, he coached the Mainland Premier League side Mtibwa Sugar and Zanzibar’s Ocean View FC.

The Kenya National Football Coaches Association (Kenfoca) chairman Robert Matano pleaded with Kenyans to channel their contributions to the organisation’s treasurer James Saisi.

“He is one of us and we have already started contributing. Let's help our brother come back to Kenya and cater for his treatment,” Saisi told Nations Sports as well.

Olaba was also in charge of Tanzania's Ruvu Shooting and helped them earn promotion to the top-tier where they still are.

Polokwane City coach Clinton Larsen and Black Leopards midfielder Robert Ng’ambi are expecting more flavour in the Limpopo derbies with the arrival of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

Following Tshakhuma's acquisition of Bidvest Wits' status, a new Premier Soccer League (PSL) team is guaranteed in Limpopo province next season.

While excitement in that province has been hinged on the prospect of having four teams from that part of South Africa, there is however the possibility that two clubs from the province could be relegated this season.

All three Limpopo teams - Baroka FC, Black Leopards and Polokwane City - currently in the PSL are fighting against relegation.

Leopards anchor the standings while Baroka and Polokwane City are just three points above the bottom.

But Larsen is inspired to save Polokwane from demotion and is looking forward to Tshakhuma adding another derby showdown.

“It would be great for the province to have four teams in the PSL,” said Larsen as per Sun Sport.

“So it’s up to us to push on and secure our place in the league. The Limpopo derbies have steadily been growing every season and now with the addition of TTM there is going to be even more excitement.”

With Baroka and Polokwane City based in Polokwane, Tshakhuma would be using Thohoyandou Stadium which is also the home of Black Leopards.

Just like Larsen, Ng’ambi is keen for Leopards to stay up and is excited at the prospect of Limpopo province having four PSL teams.

“Leopards are the team which have more fans at their home games [than their Limpopo rivals],” Ng’ambi said.

“The people of Venda love football. Imagine when there is another Limpopo derby at Thohoyandou Stadium. It will be excitement all over Venda and that has been motivating for us to fight to remain in the PSL.

“Our fans have been good to us and we want to repay them by avoiding relegation.”

Gauteng currently has the highest number of PSL teams – Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Highlands Park and Wits, whose status will no longer exist next season.

While there is excitement in Limpopo of another team in the top-flight, the demise of 99-year-old Wits, who are an iconic side in South African football, has not been welcomed elsewhere in the country.

Kenya international Jesse Were was on target as Zesco United battled to a 1-1 draw against Kansanshi Dynamos at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday.

Were’s goal was enough to help Zesco avoid a defeat in the first match as the Zambian Super League resumed behind closed doors.

Kenyan international Ian Otieno, who started in the match alongside compatriots Were and John Makwatta, made a second-minute save to deny the Solwezi club a goal.

Makwatta’s interchange with John Ching’andu could have led to an opener but the Zambian international eventually failed to beat Scotch Mwanza in Kansanshi Dynamos’ goal from close range in the 18th minute.

The Ndola club squandered two more chances in the 25th and in the 32nd minutes as Were and Ching’andu missed chances to break the deadlock.

Coach George Lwandamina was forced to make a first-half change when Adrian Chama was injured in the 40th minute. David Owino was brought on to replace him as Zesco looked a struggling side.

Another Zesco star, Misheck Chaila, was injured and stretchered off two minutes after Chama had left the pitch. Tafadzwa Rusike was summoned to fill the void with the score still 0-0.

A confusion in Zesco United’s penalty area saw Kansanshi Dynamos score the opener when Erick Yema swept the ball into the net as Clement Mwape tried desperately to clear it in the 48th minute.

Logic Ching’andu could have equalized for the league reigning champions in the 58th minute but he sent his effort wide even with Mwanza beaten in goal.

Were, who has established himself as a prolific Zesco United scorer, equalized for the league champions in the 78th minute. Four additional minutes were not enough for either side to find the winning goal.

The match is the third one to be played since the Super League was allowed to resume after four months of suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Zesco United-Kansanshi Dynamos tie was allowed to go on even when two of Timu Ya Ziko players tested positive for the coronavirus.

Zesco United Starting XI: Ian Otieno, Simon Silwimba, Mwila Phiri, Clement Mwape, Adrian Chama, Kondwani Mtonga, Mwape Mwelwa, Rusike Tafadzwa, John Makwatta, John Ching’andu, Jesse Were.

Subs: Jacob Banda, David Owino, Fackson Kapumbu, Misheck Chaila, Logic Ching’andu, Enock Sabumukama, Samson Mkandawire.

Kansanshi Dynamos Starting XI: Scotch Mwanza, Timothy Sakaja, Rodgers Chitambala, Enock Chingwere, Grese Muyumba, Yannick Mulenda, Kingsley Mukuka, Bob Chansa, Erick Yema, Royd Alfonso, Walford Sikanyika.

Subs: Prince Malekani, Lazarus Phiri, Festus Mbewe, Simon Bwalya, Sammy Chileta, Mutale, Mutale, Isaac Ngoma, Mathews Mulambo, Armand Tchibangu.