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Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Quinton Fortune has credited Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford for setting an example and putting the community first as he is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester.

The retired Red Devils midfielder believes the 22-year-old hitman’s humility is in line with the former European champions’ values.

Rashford is set to receive the honorary doctorate from the university after his incredible work in campaigning against child poverty in the United Kingdom during the coronavirus pandemic.

“[What] Marcus showed there was the humility of the highest level because it means to think about himself and his family, he thought about other people,” Fortune told SkySports. “Every kid around the country, and not what’s the word now, it sums up Manchester United as a club.

"What Marcus has done there, it's selflessness, as I said, it’s the humility of the highest level.”

The forward's campaigning prompted the UK government to make a U-turn on the decision of whether to extend free school meal vouchers through to the summer in order to support the poorest and most vulnerable families during the coronavirus crisis.

Fortune has echoed the sentiments of his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who also applauded the England international for being a role model and caring for others.

“We’re so proud of Marcus and I’ve said it a few times, a great person he is and great human being,” Solskjaer said, as per the Manchester Evening News .

“He cares so much about others than himself, the work he’s done, he cares so much more about others than himself. Very proud of him and hopefully he’ll keep his personality for the rest of his life and be himself.” 

Apart from ensuring school children get free meals at school, Rashford has also made contribution and had an impact on society in his work with a charity organization FareShare, where he has helped supply enough food for four million meals for vulnerable families across the UK.

Meanwhile, the former United development product now joins the likes of former and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, and ex-Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany to receive the doctorate, which is the highest honour the university can bestow.

On the field of play, Rashford has featured in 38 matches scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists for the Old Trafford-based side across all competitions this term.

Matteo Guendouzi is "not the type of player who is going to knuckle down", according to Kevin Campbell, who thinks Arsenal will cut ties with the midfielder this summer.

Guendouzi hasn't seen a single minute of action for the Gunners since clashing with Brighton's Neal Maupay after a 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium on June 20.

The 21-year-old was caught on camera grabbing Maupay by the throat, and reports also surfaced alleging that the Frenchman taunted Seagulls players throughout the game over how much they earn.

Guendouzi escaped a ban after the footage was reviewed by the Football Association, but Arteta has since alluded to "internal issues" when explaining the playmaker's absence from his starting line-up.

Arsenal snapped up the France Under-21 international from Le Havre for just £7 million in the summer of 2018, and he has since racked up 82 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Guendouzi had been tipped for a bright future at Emirates Stadium after an impressive first season in the Premier League, but it is now being suggested that the Gunners will put him up for sale when the transfer window reopens.

Campbell certainly doesn't believe that a divisive figure is capable of turning his Arsenal career around, with Arteta already proving that he is not a manager who will allow any players to disrupt the harmony within the dressing room.

The former Gunners striker told Genting Bet: "I think that Guendouzi will leave the club this summer. Arteta has come in and he's set a lot of disciplinary rules down.

"Guendouzi has fallen foul of those rules. I don’t think he’s the type of player who is going to knuckle down and that’s why he’s training alone. The writing is on the wall on this one, and I can't see him coming back into the fold unless he changes his attitude."

Arsenal dropped to ninth in the Premier League standings after being beaten 2-1 by Tottenham in the north London derby last weekend, and they are now four points adrift of the Europa League places with only three fixtures left to play.

However, Arteta's men had shown signs of improvement during in a five-match unbeaten run prior to that result, and Campbell has praised the Spaniard for the way he has gone about his job since succeeding Unai Emery in December.

"Arteta came into a difficult situation but there has been some initial success," he added. "It's a difficult situation, to define success by if you've won a trophy but I think the small battles he's won are important.

"He's improved the players, integrated some of the youngsters into the squad more successfully and the youngsters have responded to his coaching and to the message he sends out.

"Ultimately, his success is going to be judged on how Arsenal finish the season and how far they get in the FA Cup. So in that respect, yes it has had a level of success for sure."

Shanghai Shenhua have completed the signing of former Inter Milan and Nigeria forward Obafemi Martins, who returns for a second stint after playing for the Chinese Super League side between 2016 and 2018, Goal understands.

The 35-year-old forward rejoins the team as a replacement for compatriot Odion Ighalo, whose loan deal at Manchester United has been extended until 2021.

On Wednesday, Ighalo shared a video of himself on Instagram, wearing Shenhua kit with the rest of the squad, ahd a source close to the player has confirmed to Goal that he has been re-signed in a playing capacity.

However, he left the Shanghai-based team in 2018 after suffering a hamstring injury, and has been without a club ever since.

Ighalo was loaned to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils on a temporary loan deal on the final day of the January transfer window as a replacement for injured Marcus Rashford.

Having impressed in his eight appearances before lockdown and the subsequent postponement of football - scoring four goals in three starts - the club extended his loan until January 2021.

Martins’ return will strengthen Choi Kang-hee men’s attack ahead of the resumption of the Chinese Super League.

The former Super Eagles striker recently told Goal that retirement was not on his agenda despite being without a club since leaving Shanghai in 2018.

“After my career-threatening injury in China, many people advised me to quit, but I told myself I still have a lot to offer the beautiful game,” he told Goal. “Football is my life; I eat, drink and sleep football so I don’t see any reason to call time on something that makes me happy.

“I’m 34, but I feel like a teenager, and with this sensation, I can still play for any big team across the world. I’m thankful for what I have achieved in football but I thirst for more.    

“That desire is still there, the desire to score more goals and win more titles. For my next move, I have got offers from the United States, China and Saudi Arabia but I will only move when I see the right bargain.”

After featuring for Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy, Martins joined Newcastle United in 2006 and helped them win the Intertoto Cup in the same season.

He also represented Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City and Levante before moving to Seattle Sounders in 2016.

In international football, Martins scored on his Nigeria debut in May 2004, against the Republic of Ireland, and ended his Super Eagles career with 18 goals from 42 appearances.

Quique Setien expects to remain as Barcelona coach next season despite it looking unlikely he will guide them to La Liga success.

Setien replaced Ernesto Valverde in January and was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with his possession-based brand of football thought to be a good fit for the club after fans grew frustrated with his predecessor.

But the former Real Betis coach has not been able to inspire the kind of improvement some hoped for, while draws with Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid at the end of June look set to cost them in the title race.

Barca are four points adrift of Real Madrid, who will clinch the title on Thursday if they beat Villarreal at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Club icon Xavi has been frequently linked with a return to Barca as coach, though Setien believes it will still be him at the helm next term.

"Of course, I see myself training Barca next season," he told reporters. "I have already experienced this before.

"The reality is that the expectations one has haven't been achieved, or not yet, but the work done is what must be valued.

"This is what I understand, or what I would like to see assessed. Of course, I think about next year's continuity."

Regarding the seemingly imminent confirmation of failure in La Liga, he added: "I take my share of the responsibility, but not all of it.

"Making that assessment of finding a culprit always focuses on the coach. I don't feel that we did things so badly, drawing three games [since the resumption]. More merit should go to Madrid, who have won every game."

Luis Suarez has already effectively accepted defeat in the title race publicly, though Setien is retaining faith Madrid will slip up.

"That is his opinion. It is not yet [over] because anything can happen, but it is difficult," Setien continued.

"It requires a team that has won every game [since the season resumed] to lose. We have had three draws that make this difference.

"Obviously Madrid have done better because they have won all eight games. It is possible that a circumstance can arise [where Barca can win the title]. We will fight until the end."

Karim Benzema and the rest of Real Madrid's squad are all deserving of this year's Ballon d'Or, according to Zinedine Zidane.

Benzema's sensational form has been a driving force in Madrid's title tilt, with the Frenchman having scored 19 goals in 35 La Liga appearances this season.

Madrid can win the Spanish top flight for the first time in three seasons should they defeat Villarreal on Thursday, or if Barcelona drop points against Osasuna.

There have been suggestions that Benzema should be in the running for this year's coveted Ballon d'Or award and Zidane has claimed every Madrid player could be worthy of the prize.

"In football, everyone can have a say. For me, my players are the best," the Madrid boss told a press conference.

"Karim is not only this year, he has done very well for many years. The Ballon d'Or is won by only one, and everyone can comment, but for me all my players deserve it."

Los Blancos need only two points from their final two matches of the season to claim their 34th domestic crown.

Zidane believes Real Madrid's hunger to return from lockdown at their best is what has given them an advantage in the title race.

He also insisted there is no risk of complacency creeping into his squad before lauding the desire his players have shown following the three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"No, not at all," Zidane said when asked if his side already felt like champions.

"The beautiful thing we have is the energy we put in every day, day by day is what motivates us. The rest, we don't know what will happen.

"The players when they get here know the history of this club, what it is, what it wants, the ambition we always have.

"The particular thing about now is that after the confinement, when we returned to work, after staying home almost three months, the players wanted to do great things.

"You could see it in training. You could see it in games, but I see them in training, they trained phenomenally, they wanted to stay afterwards and that tells you everything."

Though his side requires only two more points, due to their head-to-head record with Barca this term, Zidane is demanding victory against Villarreal.

"I would not want two draws. It is not what I prefer or not, it is that we are here for one thing, to think about tomorrow's game and win it," he added.

"It is what motivates us. We prepare for that. Villarreal knows how to play, it is a very difficult opponent, as always. I think it will be the most difficult of the last ones we have had."

Diego Simeone is not surprised by rumoured interest in Jan Oblak but hopes the goalkeeper will remain at Atletico Madrid.

Oblak has been named best keeper in La Liga for the previous four seasons and has only conceded 26 goals in 36 games in the current campaign, helping Atleti once again clinch a top-four finish.

Chelsea are reported to be interested in the 27-year-old Slovenian, with speculation suggesting they could look to involve Kepa Arrizabalaga in player-plus-cash deal.

Simeone has become accustomed to rumours over the future of key players in his squad, however, as was the case previously in the Antoine Griezmann transfer saga before he eventually joined domestic rivals Barcelona.

"It does not surprise me, every year our most important players are wanted by the best in the world," the Atletico boss told the media ahead of Thursday's game with Getafe.

"It is normal to always look for the best – and we have many. Some have left and others have stayed.

"It is logical and normal that anyone wants Oblak. He is our captain and an important player. I hope we can count on his work, which is enormous for Atleti."

When asked again about Oblak's future at Atletico during the media call, Simeone replied: "I repeat the same thing: it is normal that they want a goalkeeper of his characteristics and value.

"It does not surprise me. He is decisive and important in the dressing room year after year. He has evolved in every way, as a goalkeeper and within the group."

Oblak has been integral in Atletico going on a nine-match unbeaten run since the resumption of the season in Spain.

The impressive streak – which includes a 2-2 draw away to second-place Barcelona – has secured Champions League football again for next season, while they still remain in the running to win this year's competition after knocking out holders Liverpool in the last 16.

For Simeone, qualification is crucial for Atleti's development both on and off the field.

"It's our responsibility to qualify, always looking at the growth that the club has from this possibility that we generate by qualifying year after year," he said.

"That's how the club grows in every aspect, so it is a responsibility, an objective to be met, which is not easy always to do in life.

"We all have objectives, in any type of job. I have the luck, the work ethic and the perseverance to qualify every year and allow the club to grow and improve. When the goals are met it is normal for the club to grow."

Harambee Stars striker Esse Akida has clarified comments she made comparing the Kenyan Women Premier League with Real Madrid.

The forward, writing in a Facebook post, called on Kenyan Premier League sides Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Bandari to form sister clubs, as the Spanish giants did recently, to play in the KWPL.

However, in a subsequent post she has clarified her initial comments, and urged Kenya's top teams to emulate the ethos of La Liga's biggest sides.

“I didn't compare the two teams, I compared the desire and dreams,” the Besiktas forward noted through another Facebook post. “Every person has to dream.

"Every serious institution has to dream. If you cannot dream, then you have no business in living. You cannot be a fan criticizing an office for not putting enough efforts in the game and be against those who dream. Choose one struggle.”

The 27-year-old star also dismissed claims that there must be business sense before the formation of women's teams.

“This is a myopic thought. More than myopic actually,” Akida added refuting those claims. “Real Madrid have just formed a team, Manchester United formed a ladies’ team just the other season. These are two teams who would still do wonders without the ladies’ teams.

“They can still decide to fold the ladies’ teams and they will still survive. The point here is not about business but giving deserving female players a chance as their male counterparts.

“Furthermore, it's not like KWPL has a lot of money to give but it is a platform that has opened doors for some of us.”

Akida also gave examples of Tanzanian sides Yanga SC and Simba SC who run women’s teams, despite the accompanying challenges.

“Walk into Tanzania and look at the Simba ladies team. They might not be the best in the region but they are doing wonders,” she explained. “Can Simba survive without them? Of course yes. Yanga have a ladies’ team. Is their male team struggling financially? Yes.

“But are they going to fold their ladies team because their men are not well financially? A big no.

“Are they bringing any profits to their owners, I don't think it is that much. The more competitive teams in the league the better for the ladies and the more the opportunities.”

Currently, no KPL club have an associated women's team.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is "not happy" with him after the club's failed title defence.

City have enjoyed unprecedented domestic success since Guardiola's arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016.

Eight trophies have been collected over the course of his four-year reign, including two Premier League titles, with the Blues emerging as the dominant force in English football.

Liverpool lost out to Guardiola's men by the narrowest of margins last term, but they used that disappointment as motivation for a relentless march to glory in 2019-20.

The Reds have successfully knocked City off their perch, picking up a first league crown in 30 years with a record seven games to spare after their rivals' defeat at Chelsea on June 25.

Jurgen Klopp's men are on course to finish the season top by the biggest margin in history, as City currently trail the new champions by 21 points.

They can also set a new points record of 102 if they win they're remaining three fixtures, with Guardiola insisting City's struggles for consistency have not gone unnoticed in the board room.

“I’m critical of my club,” Guardiola told a press conference ahead of a midweek clash with Bournemouth.

“Internally, when I don’t like something I say to my chairman, [but] my chairman is not happy with me.

“We finished 21 points behind Liverpool. He’s not happy with me, but we discuss internally to try and do better next season, to convince them. But always on the pitch.”

The 49-year-old's current contract with City is due to expire next summer, and although he has yet to make a final decision on his future, he has no doubts that the club will continue to be successful regardless of his presence in the dugout.

“This club is incredibly solid with Pep and without Pep,” Guardiola added.

“This club had success before my arrival here, with [Roberto] Mancini and [Manuel] Pellegrini, they won a lot of titles and played really good football.

“So without me, when I leave – and I don’t know when that will be – the structure of the club wants to grow and to be solid.”

The kick-off timings for the group matches of the World Cup, announced by FIFA on Wednesday, is likely to come across as good news for fans in India, with most of the games falling in the prime time window across the sub-continent.

The World Cup will witness as many as four matches during a day. during the group stages.

The first game will kick-off at 15:30 IST and the last game will kick off at 00:30 IST (the next day in India). However, the second and third matches will both be consumed by a prime time evening broadcast audience in India, given that they start at 18:30 IST and 21:30 IST respectively.

The simultaneous kick-offs for the last round of group games will be 20:30 IST and 00:30 IST (next day).

The knockout stage matches are also likely to kick-off at a similar time slot as the last round of group games.

Khalifa International Stadium will be the venue for the play-off for third place on 17 December 2022. The final will kick off on 18 December at 20:30 IST at Lusail Stadium.

The group stage will last just 12 days and, with four matches per day, and will help in giving teams enough rest before the knockout stages.

India is 2.5 hours ahead of Qatar and as such, the timings for the knockout stage matches, which will command huge viewership in India is also likely to be at a comfortable timing for fans in the country.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) had chosen Mumbai in September 2019 as one of the 13 international cities outside the MENA region for simultaneous unveiling of the Qatar 2022 logo.

This will be the second World Cup to be held in Asia and the first one to be held in the Middle-East. Japan and South Korea had hosted the first World Cup in Asia back in 2002.

It must be noted that the Indian diaspora is very strong across the Middle-East.

It must also be kept in mind, fans travelling to Qatar will be able to watch more than one match per day, thanks to the proximity of the venues for the 2022 World Cup. All 2022 World Cup venues are no more than an hour apart and have excellent connectivity, thanks to the newly opened Doha Metro.

FIFA has also state that ticket sales for the general public will be conducted via FIFA.com/tickets in late 2020, details of which will be available at a later date.

Hosts Qatar will kick-off the 2022 World Cup on 21 November 2022, as per the match schedule of the global footballing extravaganza which was announced by FIFA on Wednesday.

The first game of the tournament, involving Qatar, will be played at the Al Bayt Arena and will kick-off at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on 21 November 2022, Monday.

The World Cup will witness as many as four games on a matchday during the group stages.

The first game of a matchday will kick-off at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and the last game will kick off at 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT). The second and third matches will both be consumed by the broadcast audience across the world, with those games kicking-off at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) and 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT) respectively.

The simultaneous kick-offs for the last round of group games will be 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) and 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

The knockout stage matches are also likely to kick-off at a similar time slot as the last round of group games.

Khalifa International Stadium will be the venue for the play-off for third place on 17 December 2022. The final will kick off on 18 December at 18:00 local time at Lusail Stadium.

The group stage will last just 12 days and, with four matches per day, and will help in giving teams enough rest before the knockout stages.

FIFA has also state that ticket sales for the general public will be conducted via FIFA.com/tickets in late 2020, details of which will be available at a later date.

This will be the second World Cup to be held in Asia and the first one to be held in the Middle-East. Japan and South Korea had hosted the first World Cup in Asia back in 2002.

It must also be kept in mind, fans travelling to Qatar will be able to watch more than one match per day, thanks to the proximity of the venues for the 2022 World Cup. All 2022 World Cup venues are no more than an hour apart and have excellent connectivity, thanks to the newly opened Doha Metro.

Of the eight proposed venues for the World Cup, three have already been inaugurated by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) - the organisation responsible for the timely delivery of infrastructure for the tournament.

Lionel Messi's comparative goals shortfall this season is not a concern for head coach Quique Setien, who swiftly pointed out the Barcelona superstar does more than just put the ball in the net.

Although Messi is the top goalscorer in La Liga this term with 22, 2019-20 looks set to be his least prolific season for more than a decade.

With just two matches left of the league campaign, he is one shy of the 23 goals he registered in 2008-09 – his lowest La Liga haul since his 26 in 2015-16, which he followed with totals of 37, 34 and 36 in the previous three seasons.

Few would begrudge Messi a slight decrease given this Barca side is arguably the weakest since the Argentina icon made his breakthrough, and he is 33 years old.

It was again put to Setien that Barca's talisman might be in need of a rest, and while he accepts that could be the case, he also reminded detractors that Messi does not just score – his 20 assists in La Liga is nine more than anyone else in the division.

"Surely many players need to rest. The records are the same, but everyone is losing that clarity of expression," he said ahead of Wednesday's visit of Osasuna. "We have already talked a lot about this topic.

"I see him [Messi] well. It is true that there may be some records that he does not meet when compared to other years.

"[But] we all know who Messi is, if he's not [contributing] with goals, he is with assists. All I can say about him I have already said."

The absence of Frenkie de Jong has not helped Barca in recent weeks, with the Dutchman missing seven matches due to a calf injury, though he looks set to return against Osasuna.

"He has done several training sessions with the group, he is in a good frame of mind, with the problem almost forgotten," Setien added. "We will see if he starts tomorrow or starts on the bench. He is at the team's disposal, of course."

Setien also effectively confirmed Juventus-bound Arthur will only be used if absolutely necessary, with the Brazil international's €82 million (£74m/$94m) transfer already confirmed.

The Barca boss said: "He has returned to the team and is training. He will have an option to play if it's essential and necessary."

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Presidential aspirant Sam Nyamweya has rubbished reports he has merged into a coalition to help remove Nick Mwendwa from office.

On Tuesday, four presidential aspirants – Nicholas Musonye, Omondi Aduda, Sammy Sholei, and Twaha Mbarak – told a press conference they will likely form a strong team to remove incumbent Mwendwa from office when elections are held.

Nyamweya has now come out to dismiss the claims insisting he has no intention to be part of any coalition.

“I wish to state for the record I have no intention now and even in the near future to be part of the coalition and any assertion of having been invited to the said meeting is a c**k-and-bull story intended to seek relevance by the said coalition,” Nyamweya said in a statement obtained by Goal.

“The said coalition has nothing new to offer the football family than to regurgitate facts that have already been canvassed.

“My mind is very clear on the vision, goals, and objectives for Kenyan football, my fight to have a free, fair and transparent FKF election cannot be gainsaid and is unstoppable.

“Our quest for electoral reforms have seen the Sports Disputes Tribunal cancel the FKF elections twice and declared section four of the FKF 2020 Electoral code unreasonable and in violation of Article 81 of the constitution of Kenya 2020.

“To unlock the election impasse the Sports Disputes Tribunal had begun a process of bringing the football stakeholders together with a view to having a road map for all-inclusive free, fair and transparent elections, a position I fully and will continue to support.”

Nyamweya further added: “The pathway to electoral reforms and holding of an all-inclusive free, fair and transparent elections remains my clarion call and we shall resist any other attempt to subvert this cause.

“I continue to dedicate my effort, time, and resources with progressive Kenya football stakeholders under the banner of the National Football Forum, a National Football stakeholders’ forum of impeccable quality and substance which has been the driving force in the quest for electoral reforms and justice in FKF.”

Meanwhile, Nyamweya has warned those using a fake Twitter account to spread lies about his candidature that their days are numbered.

“I reported this to the police and after that they stopped for a while, they have again started using the same fake Twitter handle to tarnish my name, I don’t have a Twitter account and Kenyans should know it, I don’t run any Twitter handle, and those using my name are being pursued and will be arrested soon.”

The date for elections, which has twice been called off, is yet to be announced by Fifa.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says Tammy Abraham must learn from fellow Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, who he has described as a "breath of fresh air".

Giroud has enjoyed an impressive run of form for the Blues since the Premier League restart on June 17.

The 33-year-old has hit three goals in his last four outings, with his latest effort proving to be the difference between Chelsea and Norwich on Tuesday night.

The World Cup winner's first-half header gave Frank Lampard's side a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, which saw them move four points clear of Leicester and Manchester United.

Abraham was Lampard's first-choice centre-forward in the first half of the season, and he is currently Chelsea's top scorer with 14 Premier League goals, but his output in the final third has dropped significantly in 2020.

Indeed, despite his contract having been extended to 2023, his long-term future at Stamford Bridge is anything but certain.

Hasselbaink thinks Giroud brings more to Lampard's starting XI than Abraham at the moment, and has warned the England international that he will have to work on his all-round game to force his way back into the team.

"They are two different players," the Chelsea legend told Premier League Productions. "What Abraham has to learn, look at him (Giroud)... he brings other players in, he makes other players look better. 

"For me, he (Giroud) needs to score more goals. At times he can be more selfish but what he does and brings to the team is an outlet and that outlet the majority of the time is very secure. 

"With Abraham at times – especially in the last few matches – it’s been erratic. At the beginning of the season, he was brilliant and it’s normal because it’s his first year at Chelsea at a high level. 

"There will always be a difficult time for him and that’s what’s happening now. Giroud has been brilliant, a breath of fresh air."

Asked what the main difference between Giroud and Abraham is, Hasselbaink responded: "One thing Giroud is really good at is his movement.

"If you see [his goal] he is with the defender but then all of a sudden he’s gone. It’s a feeling and he has that feeling of where the ball is going to go.

"At the moment it’s not really working for Tammy Abraham and Giroud is picking up the pieces. He’s been so important for Chelsea."

Linkopings head coach Olof Unogard is happy with Uchenna Kanu's fine start after she opened her maiden Swedish Damallsvenskan goal account with the winner against Djurgardens.

Kanu joined the Swedish outfit from Spanish Primera Iberdrola side Sevilla this summer following the expiration of her six-month contract.

The 23-year-old is gradually establishing herself in Sweden, having featured in three matches, scoring once and providing an assist in two starts for Unogard's team this season.

Having broken her Damallsvenskan duck last Saturday, the manager believes the Nigerian striker has huge potential in her while encouraging her not to rest on her oars.

"Everyone can see that she has huge potential," Unogard told Goal. 

"She still has to improve in defending but is a great asset for us offensively. Uchenna is a very humble person. 

"So I don’t need to tell her anything other than to keep improving and learning, and prepare well for a long and a competitive season."

The triumph over Durjgardens made it three wins out of three for Unogard's team as they go top of the Damallsvenskan log.

With his side opening a two-point gap on top of the table, the 31-year-old tactician attributed the progress to the efforts of the players and coaching crew as he focuses on stunning 2018 champions Pitea.

"It feels great, of course. I’m very happy for the players and the staff. They truly deserve it.

"We have been meticulous in choosing the players for this years’ squad. Great players but also great persons, that work well together.

"Against Pitea, it will be a tough away game for us but we are prepared and ready to go again!"

Unogard is eager to guide Linkopings to domestic glory this season and claim a Champions League berth but will count on Kanu to maintain their fine start at Faith Micheal's Pitea on Wednesday.

Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne is one of the Premier League's most precise passers of the ball and is particularly decisive when setting up goals for his team-mates.

The Belgium international is one of the most creative forces in the division and he is closing in on a record for the number of assists supplied in a single season.

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry holds the record and De Bruyne revealed that he warned the Frenchman that he was gunning for the crown of assist king.

"I always joked with Henry in the national team, even at Vincent Kompany’s testimonial this year. I saw him and said 'I’m coming for you this year'," the midfielder said in an interview with The Athletic.

So what exactly is the record and will De Bruyne finally crack it this season? Goal brings you all the details.

What is the Premier League assist record in a single season?

The record for most assists in a single Premier League season is 20 and it is held by Henry, who achieved the landmark in the 2002-03 campaign.

In all, Henry was involved in 44 Premier League goals that season, having scored 24 himself - though, remarkably, he was beaten to the Golden Boot by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who bagged 25 for Manchester United.

"I hold the record. [De Bruyne] said the other day that he wants to beat it," Henry said in a Puma broadcast this year. "But I told him that with those 20 assists, you will have to score 24 goals as well! Not only assists!"

Another Arsenal legend follows Henry in the record books; Mesut Ozil racked up 19 assists during the 2015-16 Premier League season, falling just short of Henry's high.

Three players, including De Bruyne, complete the top five with 18 assists in a single season.

The Belgian playmaker reached that tally in 2016-17 and is joined by Frank Lampard, who did it in 2004-05, and Cesc Fabregas, who achieved it in 2014-15.

De Bruyne has already equalled his 2016-17 high in 2019-20 and is on course to surpass it as he attempts to break Henry's total.

He has consistently demonstrated his ability as a playmaker by getting into double figures in the assist charts, registering 16 in 2017-18.

Prior to his arrival at Man City, De Bruyne topped the Bundesliga assist charts in 2014-15 with a total of 20 for Wolfsburg, so it is a number he has reached before.

It is interesting to note that Henry is the only striker in the top five, with Ozil, Lampard, De Bruyne and Fabregas all being playmakers whose job is ostensibly creating goals.

The World Cup winner may be Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer with 228 goals (175 in the Premier League), but he has never identified as a classic striker, relating instead to the likes of Ronaldo or George Weah.

“Sometimes I get more pleasure at giving a goal than to score it,” Henry told The Telegraph in 2005.

“My mind is not, ‘I need to score today’. I want to help. If we lose 4-2 and I’ve scored two great goals, I will still be fuming.”

Who has the most assists in Premier League history?

Ryan Giggs holds the record for most assists in Premier League history. The Manchester United icon set up 162 goals for his Red Devils team-mates during the course of a two-decade-long career.

Next in line after Giggs is Fabregas, who clocked up plenty of assists during his time at Arsenal and Chelsea, though the Spaniard falls over 50 short of Giggs with 111 assists.

Manchester United and Everton hero Wayne Rooney is third in the all-time table for Premier League assists with 103, just one ahead of Lampard, who laid on 102 goals for his Chelsea and West Ham team-mates.

Dennis Bergkamp completes the top five with 94 assists in his 10 years at Arsenal.

Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Thapelo Morena says his versatility has given his coaches “confidence” to field him in attacking positions.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic player can operate as a right-back, right attacking winger, in the middle of the park or as a forward, giving Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane more options.

Mosimane has however used him mostly as a winger, creating a largely effective combination with right-back Anele Ngcongca.

“Even though I play at right-back, when I look at my game I just don't look for the right-back possibilities. I always look for the gaps in the attacking areas and I think that gave my coaches confidence to put me in those attacking positions,” said Morena as per Sowetan Live.

“I also look at what right-wingers do, what the strikers do and what I can do if I'm played there. It's more about making sure that the team benefits from whatever position I'm placed at in a particular match.

“It also depends on the tactics of the day and the opposition because I actually sit down and watch videos with the coaches before we decide what my role will be in a particular game.

“What I'm happy about is the fact that I've been able to adapt and keep my game at a good level in whatever position I've been asked to play. I also look around me and not at one position.”

Now in his fourth season at Sundowns, Morena was having a good campaign which was however disturbed by a serious ankle injury that left him requiring surgery in February.

Before sustaining the injury, he had featured in 29 games across all competitions this season, scoring five goals and making eight assists.

He was ruled out for the rest of the season but could return to finish the campaign while playing if football continues in South Africa.

Dates for the resumption of the season are not yet clear and Morena could be back to participate in Sundowns’ remaining nine Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches as well as the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

Former India international and football coach Syed Shahid Hakim has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently quarantined in a hotel in Hyderabad.

Reportedly, the 81-year-old initially tried to get himself admitted in a government hospital but was unhappy with the facilities and didn't find a bed at the military hospital.

"I tested positive a couple of days back after breathing problems, and was taken to a government facility where things were not upto the mark. In the military hospital, no bed was available. My nephew lodged me in a private hotel here in Hyderabad and I am feeling better now," Hakim told The Indian Express.

Son of legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim and for someone who was selected to officiate matches at the 1988 AFC Asian Cup in his refereeing career, he also aledged that the government is not doing enough even after the demises of PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami.

"I am the only football olympian surviving in India. I have been the national coach and sports administrator. I had written to the sports minister saying that all football Olympians are dying one after another and the government is not taking care of them properly.

"The cricket board takes care of its old cricketers, why can’t government reach out to us? At least some pension to the families and medical expenses should be provided to us," Hakim prodded.

Hakim was awarded the Dhyan Chand in 2017, the highest award in Indian sports for lifetime achievement in sports and games, and was the second footballer to the honour after fellow Hyderabadi Shabbir Ali in 2011.

After a playing career of 25 years, Hakim continued his contribution to the sport as a referee from 1970, post which he turned to coaching and had a 10-year stint as the Chief Project Director at Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Kenya’s Ayub Timbe played for just 18 minutes in Reading's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.

Timbe’s future at the Championship club remains unresolved as his short-term contract, signed in January 2020, edges closer to an end.

When Reading confirmed Charlie Adam, Tyler Blackett, Chris Gunter, Garath McCleary, Jordan Obita and Gabe Osho had extended their contracts, it stated Timbe and others would have their issues solved before the end of July.

Timbe is at Reading on a loan deal from Chinese side Beijing Renhe.

Meanwhile, Timbe’s manager Mark Bowen claimed his side deserved to have won even though he blames players for letting Boro back into the match.

“We started well, we got our noses in front, we should have had a penalty, John Swift had a shot that looks like it's going in and then at the last minute it moves and hits the post - either of those go in and it would have given us a cushion and I think we would have gone on to comfortably win the game,” Bowen told the club’s portal.

“But we let them back in it with some sloppy defending and then going into the latter stages of the game, they had everything to fight for.

“Maybe we just took our eye off the ball in those closing stages and it cost us the game.

“But tonight a few individuals were a little casual with the ball and we made mistakes.”

The gaffer also revealed a concern for Reading’s incapability to build on previous wins and get more points from subsequent ties.

“We've done well in the last few games and just when you think, we're at home, go on and put in a performance in and stake a claim for a top half of the table finish, or even the top 10...we get beaten with a disappointing performance,” Bowen added.

“We're in that mid-table mediocrity now, which is horrible really. It is important to strive for points in the final two games, for the fans watching at home and for the club.

“And we've also got to look to the future now and make sure we're stronger going forward.”

Cape Town City have announced the second round of testing for Covid-19 has not produced positive tests at the entire club.

The Citizens are itching to return to action as the South African Football Association (Safa) announced the return dates of the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.

Coach Jan Olde Riekerink's men became the first PSL club to return to training on the field of play last week just after the South African government announced top-flight teams can return.

In a statement posted on the club’s official Twitter account, the Mother City outfit confirmed they have no positive tests on Wednesday as the season remains suspended because of the pandemic since March 2020.

“The club can confirm that the second round of PSL #Covid19 testing produced zero positive tests across the entire club,” reads the post from City.

In the wake of the order from the government and the Sports Ministry, all clubs were ordered to fumigate their training facilities, while all players and officials are tested for Covid-19 ahead of the resumption of the South African top-flight.

About a fortnight ago, the former MTN8 champions announced that all their players and technical staff tested negative for the ravaging pandemic.

In addition, the Dutch tactician will be looking to ensure that his men are ready when the suspended season resumes in a national camp to be staged in Gauteng.

City occupy 10th spot on the league standings, four points above 15th spot which is the relegation play-off position currently occupied by AmaZulu FC.

The club’s announcement comes after PSL chairman Irvin Khoza disclosed that all 16 PSL teams and 16 National First Division (NFD) clubs will only be required to have two rounds of coronavirus testing.

The 32 teams will then be located to a BSE [Biologically Safe Environment], which will be hosted by Gauteng where the suspended campaign will be completed.

Moreover, after a meeting on Monday, Safa announced the season is set to return next month where many fans cannot wait to see the PSL title race going down to the wire.

Current log leaders, Kaizer Chiefs were racing to finish the current campaign sitting at the top since the start of this term whilst second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns look to retain their title.

Sitting third is SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates who have 40 points apart whilst Maritzburg United are placed fifth and coach Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits are sixth.

Former Nigeria international Pius Ikedia has revealed he enjoyed the best part of his professional career at Eredivisie giants Ajax.

Playing at Cote d’Ivoire’s Asec Mimosas at that time, the pint-sized winger was signed by the former European champions on the back of an impressive display at the 1999 Fifa U20 World Cup.

At the tournament, he scored his only goal in the Round of 16 clash against the Republic of Ireland where the Flying Eagles edged the Europeans on penalties after the scores stood at 1-1 after extra-time.

Owing to a lack of playing time at the Johan Cruyff Arena, he was loaned to Groningen and RBC Roosendaal before an outright sale to AZ Alkmaar in 2005 – where he was loaned to another Dutch outfit RKC Waalwijk.

Before drawing the curtains on his professional career, he had spells at Metalurh Donetsk, RBC Roosendaal, AZAL, Mağusa Turk Gucu and OFC Oostzaan.

However, he claimed he played his best football at Ajax, although there was not much money to spend.

“For me, Ajax was where I played my best football because they take care of their players,” the 40-year-old said on Brilla FM as reported by Completesports.

“In terms of money they don’t spend that much but you are comfortable, the training is one of the best if not the best in Europe.”

Now an assistant coach at a high school in the United States of America, Ikedia who was famous for his darting speed claimed his height was never a factor during his playing days.

”I think the height of a thing is that if such a player has the talent your height will be overlooked,” he continued.

“There’s a kind of talent such a player will possess teams will overlook your height. It’s just like [Diego] Maradona and [Lionel] Messi.”

He also represented Nigeria at U23 level, before featuring 15 times for the Super Eagles – where he featured at the 2002 Fifa World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

Asked about his most memorable game in the national team shirt, Ikedia picked the make or break 2000 Sydney Olympics against Zimbabwe.

“My best game for Nigeria was the one I played at the National Stadium [in Lagos] against Zimbabwe during the Sydney 2000 Olympic qualifiers,” he added.

“We needed to win the game 4-0 and the funny thing was that the Zimbabwe coach was former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof. 

“So we needed four goals to qualify for the Olympics and a day before the match I couldn’t sleep. I remember asking Yakubu Aiyegbeni and other teammates how we are going to score four goals. But I just said we are playing at home and with God everything is possible.

“The first half was 2-0 in the second half we managed to score the third goal in the 85th minute I made the fourth goal. That was how we qualified for the Olympics so that game I can never forget.”