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AmaZulu FC attacking midfielder Charlie Hlalele is hoping to feature for the team when the current season resumes.

The 24-year-old player is working on his fitness having been out for 13 months with an Achilles tendon injury.

Hlalele, who is a former Orlando Pirates reserve team player, reflected on his time on the sidelines.

“I sustained an injury two weeks prior to the start of the [2019/20] season and it took me quite a long-long time to recover,” Hlalele told the club's official website.

“It was a painful process, but I had to take it one day at a time. I had to do my rehab, my strength, and always tried to stay positive and disciplined.

“Everyone knows, to be on the sidelines for so many months is not easy."

Hlalele's last competitive appearance for Usuthu was in May 2019 in an away encounter against Bloemfontein Celtic, who emerged 3-1 winners at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

The diminutive attacker will be looking to help relegation-threatened AmaZulu retain their status in the South African top-flight when football resumes in the country.

Usuthu are placed 15th on the league standings at the time the current season was been suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s just that I need to work on my full fitness," Hlalele said as he looks to impress his former coach at AmaZulu's reserve team, Ayanda Dlamini.

"If I am lucky enough, I can win my spot in the team, the squad, or even in the starting line up in one of the remaining matches."

Dlamini was promoted to first-team caretaker coach after Slovakian tactician Jozef Vukusic was placed on special leave by the club last March with Usuthu struggling in the league.

Last season, Hlalele made three appearances in the league for the Durban-based side under then-coach Cavin Johnson, who was replaced by Vukusic in September 2019.

AmaZulu have six league matches left which are against Baroka FC, Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic, Black Leopards, Stellenbosch as well as Highlands Park.

The suspended season is expected to be completed in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng next month.

Semi Ajayi’s West Bromwich Albion are inching closer to a return to the Premier League despite their 0-0 draw with Fulham on Tuesday.

Scott Parker’s men went into the game in dire need of a win at the Hawthorns to stay in contention for a top-two finish, but they could only muster a point against the Baggies.

After missing Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, Egypt international Ahmed Hegazi returned to Slaven Bilic’s starting XI, while Grady Diangana replaced Kyle Bartley.

Fulham had the first chance after 21 minutes with Ivan Cavaleiro going close, however, his back-post header from Anthony Knockaert’s cross was cleared off the line by Hegazi.

Just like the opening 45 minutes, the second-half started on a fast note. The Baggies had a brief scare in the 50th minute but Ajayi was forced to clear a goal-bound Aleksandar Mitrovic header.

Albion were close to taking the lead after Dara O'Shea found Diangana, but the midfielder saw his shot deflected painfully wide of the right upright.

Ajayi missed a beautiful chance to give his team the lead after heading over the crossbar Matheus Pereira’s corner kick.

Just like Egypt’s Hegazi, Super Eagles regular Ajayi was on parade from start to finish, while DR Congo's Neeskens Kebano came in for Ivan Cavaleiro but was unable to help the Cottagers get the much-needed victory.

Fulham will now face Sheffield Wednesday and a red-hot Wigan Athletic side who smashed Hull City 8-0 but are potentially facing a 12-point deduction for entering administration.

Victory over Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers will see West Brom return to the English top-flight after a two-year absence.

Since their 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, manager Bilic has remained positive about his team’s promotion chances to the English top-flight.

“If anything we should be more confident after the Blackburn game then before it – and I told the players that in the dressing room,” he told the club website.

“Yes, we were angry and disappointed about the result. But only the result. We are playing good, really good – we are scoring goals, making chances, being compact, being intense.

“I said after the Derby game that I would have felt the same about the performance if we had not scored their second goal and the match had finished 1-1. That can happen in football.”

Chelsea youngster Reece James has backed Wilfried Zaha and David McGoldrick's decisions to speak out over the racist abuse they received over the weekend, stating that Premier League players are right to take such matters public.

Crystal Palace striker Zaha and Sheffield United forward McGoldrick were the targets of racial slurs and imagery on social media across the last round of matchdays in the top-flight.

Both players later took to their social media accounts to condemn the abuse, prompting strong support from clubs and sparking police investigations into both incidents, with West Midlands Police arresting a 12-year-old boy in connection with the former incident.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's encounter with Norwich on Tuesday, Blues starlet James agreed that Zaha and McGoldrick made the right choice in electing to come forward with the matter, 

“I think if you are a player that has faces racial abuse you should come out and say it,” the 20-year-old told talkSPORT. “As a Premier League football player, you’re in the lights a lot.

“A lot of people have a lot to say when you’re doing well and when you’re not doing so well. You should definitely come out and talk about it.”

Elsewhere, James reaffirmed Frank Lampard's side's Champions League aspirations as remaining unchanged, even with Manchester City's European ban for Financial Fair Play breaches overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

If City had remained barred from continental action, a fifth-place finish in the Premier League would have feasibly been enough for Chelsea to qualify - but they will now have to ensure a top-four finish to achieve their ambition, with Leicester City and Manchester United trailing them by just a point with three games to go.

“I think if they are in or out of it, either way I think the focus is the same,” the full-back added. “We can’t let someone else’s position dictate our goal. Either way, our aim was to win the rest of our games and finish in style.

“We need to give our all in the next few days. Everyone knows the aims and goals of this club and we need to give our everything for the fans. We have to revert back to working hard and being more clinical and taking our chances when we get them."

Bruno Fernandes' start at Manchester United has shocked Nemanja Matic, who did not expect the Portugal international to adapt to life at Old Trafford so quickly.

United are unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions having been boosted by the arrival of Fernandes from Sporting in January after a lengthy transfer saga.

The midfielder has more than lived up to the hype, scoring seven goals and adding a further seven assists in just 11 Premier League outings.

Fernandes was short of his brilliant best in Monday's dramatic 2-2 home draw with Southampton, but still laid on an assist for Anthony Martial.

His immediate importance to United has been acknowledged by midfield colleague Matic, who knew United were getting a capable player from the Primeira Liga, but did not expect him to shine so quickly.

"Obviously he is a player with a lot of quality," Matic told Stats Perform News. "I have to say that he was the best player in Sporting, one of the biggest Portuguese clubs. 

"To play and be the best player of Sporting is not easy, because there is a lot of pressure on you, there is a big expectation from the supporters to play for that club. I know because I played for Benfica, so the pressure is high and when you play on that level there then you are ready for the Premier League. 

"I didn't expect him to adapt that quick, I knew that he will be good for us but he adapted from the first minute that he stepped on the pitch - he was great.

"I like him because he wants to take responsibility, he always looks to receive the ball, he always finds good space to receive the ball and to hurt the opponent. It is always good to play with him." 

Matic continued: "If we take risks from the back and lose the ball we are in trouble, for him and in his position he needs to take the risks because we bought him because of that.

"He is doing well, he takes the risk and it is very important that when he takes the risk 50 per cent of the time he is successful. He is a player with quality, and of course when he takes a risk I am not afraid that he is going to do bad, most of the time he is going to do it correctly."

While Fernandes has impressed Matic, he stressed the whole team deserved credit for United's impressive revival under Ole Gunnnar Solskjaer this season.

"If I mention him then I have to say the rest of the squad is also great," added Matic, who signed a new contract with United this month. "At the moment everyone is playing well, everyone is ready and the games we played these last few months is teamwork.

"I think everyone on the pitch is doing great. Everyone on the pitch knows their job, so hopefully we can continue like that."

Former Ghana international Ali Jarrah believes Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has enough quality personnel at his disposal to end the nation's long wait for an Africa Cup of Nations title.

Ghana, who have four successes to their name, have been unable to add to their haul since last ruling the continent in 1982.

After a disappointing showing at the 2019 tournament in Egypt, the West Africans have replaced coach James Kwasi Appiah with Akonnor, who assumed duty in January.

"CK needs support. The materials are there and through support, we can break that jinx," Jarrah, an U17 World Cup winner, told Citi TV.

"CK Akonnor was appointed because he is capable so we should allow him to pick his best team, make his own decisions.

"The players must play for CK and not the country. They should see him as a former captain and I tell you we can win the Afcon."

Jarrah then shed light on the secret to Ghana's success at the 1991 U17 World Cup in Italy.

"We were an all-round team and we also started the preparations two years before the tournament, so we knew ourselves very well," the former goalkeeper said.

"In our final qualifying game against Morocco, the game was forfeited due to the Gulf War that happened then.

"When we got there, we were not used to the weather as it was cold, it was only Yaw Preko, Odartey Lamptey and the guys who were already playing in Europe who were comfortable with it. So when the game was cancelled due to the war, everyone jubilated.

"The group was fortunate because right after that, we went to Germany for camping. We were there for over three months. So we acclimatised, studied the weather, played a lot of games and were also high in confidence.

"Odartey Lamptey, Yaw Preko all had European experiences of what the tournament felt like. The likes of Mohammed Gargo, Daniel Addo, Willie Brown and Ernest Opoku were extraordinary players.

"The calibre of players we had gave us so much confidence.

Ghana beat Spain 1-0 in the U17 World Cup final, courtesy of an Emmanuel Duah strike. 

Hearts of Oak striker Abedenago Tetteh is unhappy with the local perception that players return to the Ghana Premier League (GPL) from stints abroad to relaunch ailing careers.

The former Bechem United hit-man joined the Phobians as a free agent in May after spells in Ethiopia, Sudan and India.

He joined Hearts alongside centre-back Nuru Sulley who is similarly making a comeback to the domestic scene after some time in Libya, Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq.

“After ending my stint abroad, I decided to come back home. Other players may decide to stay," Tetteh told Nzema FM.

"We don’t come to the country to relaunch our career because it is the same football [going on outside] that goes on here.

“We play proper football in Ghana, so we normally come to play football but not to relaunch our careers.

"It is the same Ghanaians that claim the league lacks quality players and if we decide to come back, you will hear people saying we are coming [back home] to do relaunching.

“I think such claims have prevented most of the players from returning to the country."

Tetteh joined Hearts on a three-year deal.

After a fine season with Bechem United, Tetteh left Ghana for Sudan in 2016, signing for Al-Hilal Omdurman.

In 2017, the 29-year-old made a switch to Ethiopian outfit Jimma Aba Buna, from where he moved back to Sudan in sealing a deal with El-Hilal SC El-Obeid.

He last played in India where he featured for Real Kashmir and Trau in separate stints.

"Hearts are part of the numerous clubs that contacted me but I chose them because I wanted to feel at home. I followed my heart. It is a dream come true to sign for Hearts of Oak. All my family members are fans of Hearts. My father is even called Phobia," Tetteh said after joining Hearts in May.

"I will urge the supporters to continue to pray for the whole team but not for individual players. We are hoping and praying for Covid-19 to end so that we can continue our football season.”

During his previous spell in Ghana, Tetteh's good showing earned him a call-up to the Black Stars.

Hearts, African champions in 2000, are the second most successful club in the history of the GPL, having won 19 titles.

Olivier Giroud's third goal in four matches was enough for Chelsea to claim a 1-0 win over already-relegated Norwich City, giving them a four-point advantage of Manchester United in fifth.

Champions League qualification appeared to be on the rocks after third-placed Chelsea lost 3-0 to Sheffield United last time out, but after Leicester City and United dropped points too, Frank Lampard's men have consolidated their place in the driving seat.

That is not to say they were in great shape throughout at Stamford Bridge – there were times in the first half where the Blues looked like they might disappoint again, but Giroud finally punished slack defending in stoppage time.

Clear-cut chances were more of a rarity after the break, but against a Norwich side that has scored just 26 times this season, Chelsea never looked in danger of being pegged back and Giroud's header was enough.

Chelsea were dominant throughout the first half but were less than convincing in front of goal.

Giroud, starting ahead of Tammy Abraham, was guilty of spurning two excellent chances with mishit finishes, with the hosts appearing to grow frustrated as the first period progressed.

Christian Pulisic went close as well, though Tim Krul's reaction save saw him tip the American's fierce strike on to the crossbar in the 36th minute.

Giroud eventually made the breakthrough just before half-time, however, nodding in Pulisic's cross from six yards.

The second half was an even cagier affair, with little happening at either end before Cesar Azpilicueta's speculative long-range effort with his left foot flew just over.

Krul then thwarted Pulisic from close range 15 minutes from time, though Chelsea were not made to rue that error, as they saw out the triumph.

What does it mean? Chelsea get the job done

It was not as comprehensive as most would have predicted – and expected. But, at this stage of the season, getting three points is all that matters and it keeps the Blues on course to finish third.

Given their final two matches of the season are away to Liverpool and at home to Wolves, anything other than a win here would have surely been critical.

Willian a willing creator

It is fair to say Willian is doing his chances of earning a new contract beyond the end of the season no harm with recent performances. He may not have finished the game with any goals or assists, but he was a creative threat – he laid on seven key passes, more than anyone else on the pitch.

Drmic anonymous

It was always likely to be a thankless task leading the line for Norwich, but Josip Drmic did not exactly help himself – the Switzerland international offered precious little after getting the nod ahead of Teemu Pukki and Adam Idah.

Key Opta Facts

- Pulisic has registered 11 goals involvements in the Premier League this season (eight goals, three assists), the most by a United States player since Clint Dempsey in 2012-13 (also 11).
- Since his Premier League debut in August 2012, Giroud has scored 31 headed goals in the competition, five more than any other player in that time.
- Giroud has scored in three successive Premier League starts for the first time since January 2017, when he netted in six consecutive games as a starter for Arsenal.
- Chelsea have won five consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since December 2017.
- Norwich have now lost 25 Premier League games this season – the most defeats they have ever suffered in a league campaign.

What's next?

A trip to Wembley awaits Chelsea on Sunday as they face Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals, before then returning to Premier League action at champions Liverpool. As for Norwich, they play their final home match of the season against Burnley on Saturday.

Leon Balogun said Wigan Athletic might be one of the best clubs he has played for if they retain their Championship status while in administration.

The Nigerian centre-back joined the Latics on an initial six-month loan in January after struggling for regular playing time at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Following the extension of the Championship campaign due to the Covid-19 suspension, Paul Cook's side moved to sign him until the end of the 2019-20 season.

After playing a significant role in helping Wigan stay clear of the relegation zone, Balogun, who had played nine games in the second division at the time of writing, recalled his initial worry about the team.

“I tried to find a solution and then Wigan came in. To be very honest, I was not so impressed; a Championship side when I was feeling fit and good enough to play in the Prem," Balogun told the Athletic.

"Moving to a potential relegation team, I was thinking ‘Agh, that’s tough’. Looking back now, my agent told me, ‘You could go there and it could be one of the most memorable times in your career’.

“It might turn out that way, especially if we make it with the administration and everything. I’ve had some nice dressing rooms but the Wigan dressing room, the staff, are up there with the best I’ve had.”

The former Mainz 05 defender helped Wigan avoid defeat in eight of the nine appearances he made for the club before suffering a groin injury in their 3-0 loss to Brentford.

Balogun picked up an injury in the opening minutes of the encounter at Griffin Park before Algeria's Said Benrahma struck thrice to end their unbeaten streak.

Earlier this month, Wigan announced that they are in administration and the Nigerian defender has revealed that they got the news in the team's group chat.

“We played Stoke on the Tuesday night [a 3-0 win on June 30] and on the Wednesday morning, we were off," he added.

“One of the lads put it up in the group chat. I actually had to translate first because I wouldn’t know what it meant. My native language is German. I had to look it up and then it was pretty obvious. ‘Oh wow, what is going on?’.

“Everybody just hopes there will be a happy ending because I don’t think anybody deserves it (relegation). I’ve not been at this club for long but they have really grown to my heart already in this short period of time because the people in the club, around the club, are just amazing.

"You can see that from the run we’ve had. If you exclude the Brentford game, because that just wasn’t us on that day, it’s really, really amazing.”

The 32-year-old also disclosed how the team drew inspiration from the movie 300.

“Before I joined the club, they got massive stick. They had been through hell, they’d been booed by their own fans — everything that could possibly go wrong or against them happened," Balogun said.

“When you think nothing more can happen, then this came up. Everybody just has that determination and motivation to say, ‘You know what, we are going to be like the Spartans in the movie 300 and use it as this extra motivation’.

“All the odds are against us but you will see that this is actually our biggest strength.

“I’m always a very positive guy. Even in my time at Brighton when everything was absolutely not as I wished that it would be, I was pretty much always smiling, trying to create a good atmosphere.

"And I’m playing until this injury. I think I’ve had more games now in two or three months than I had at Brighton, so that is a positive.”

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has issued an official statement confirming that they won't be able to go ahead with plans to resume the suspended season this weekend. 

In a letter sent by PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala to the South African Football Association (Safa) acting CEO Tebogo Motlanthe, the league pencilled in July 18 as their preferred date for the return of competitive football. 

However, Safa rejected this proposed date saying it was too soon - insisting football can only return in the first week of August 2020.      

This was the resolution taken by Safa's compliance officers and all the compliance officers from the 32 clubs on Monday. 

According to the league, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa gave them the go-ahead on June 23 to resume the 2019-20 season.   

Safa, in their statement on Tuesday, said their 110 match officials will not be ready to officiate this week as they require at least 14 days to undergo medical and mandatory fitness tests.  

"The National Soccer League Board of Governors held a virtual meeting today, 14 July 2020, to consider, amongst other things, the resumption of the 2019/20 season," reads a statement. 

"The Board of Governors noted that the PSL had received permission from the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on 23 June 2020 to resume the 2019/20 season.

"The PSL had complied with the requirements and ready to resume with the 2019/20 season on 18 July 2020, but unable to do so due to unavailability of match officials."

Furthermore, the league's executive has been mandated by its board of governors to re-engage "stakeholders regarding the current status quo". The said stakeholders include Safa, Fifa and the sponsors.  

"The Executive Committee has been mandated to re-engage stakeholders regarding the current status quo," concluded the statement. 

The PSL, through chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, said the intention is to complete the season by August 31. 

Khoza further revealed that a minimum of six weeks is required for all the matches to be played.

But with Safa proposing the first week of August, chances are the PSL will have to consider extending the season by at least a week or two.  

Gauteng will host all the remaining matches despite the province being deemed the epicentre for the coronavirus in South Africa. 

Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is Africa’s most outstanding player in the 2019-20 LaLiga season, according to Sevilla’s all-time top scorer Frederic Kanoute.

Partey, who has been the subject of growing rumours linking him with various European heavyweights, is one of Diego Simeone’s consistent players this term.

The Ghana international has featured in 33 Spanish elite division games for Los Rojiblancos, with 28 of them in the starting line-up - finding the net twice, against Eibar and Valencia.

Despite admitting the choice was a tough one, the former Mali striker claimed the 27-year-old has been the standout African performer in Spain’s top flight, while listing Nigeria and Villarreal youngster Samuel Chukwueze, Youssef En-Nesyri and Andre-Anguissa for honourary mentions.

“It is difficult to answer but there are two players that have impressed me – one is a bit younger and that is [Samuel Chukwueze],” said Kanoute during a LaLiga conference on Monday.

“There is [Youssef] En-Nesyri who scored against [Real Mallorca on Sunday] for Sevilla. I like Baba [Rahman] from Mallorca and [Andre-Frank] Anguissa from Villarreal and Cameroon.

“I have followed all of them and I would say that the one who took a higher and bigger dimension is Thomas Partey.

“He is all over the place in the middle of the park. He has impressed me in terms of his activity, the quality of his passes, recovery and winning so many balls.

“So, I would say Thomas Partey is number one.”

Partey has established himself as a key figure at Atleti after making his senior debut in November 2015, after completing loan spells at Real Mallorca and Almeria

His notable performances have incited intense transfer speculation, with rumours linking him with Arsenal, and Kanoute claimed he would be happy if Partey signed for the Gunners.

PSG are also monitoring the midfielder, who has a £45 million/$56 million release clause in his current contract, however, the Wanda Metropolitano side are keen on keeping him for the foreseeable future.

Simeone’s men are currently third on the LaLiga log, having accrued 66 points from 36 games – which has sealed their place in next season’s Champions League.

Unbeaten in their last eight games, they are guests of Getafe on Thursday before wrapping up their season with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida has challenged top Kenyan Premier League (KPL) teams to form women's teams.

At the beginning of July, Real Madrid completed the formalities necessary to absorb Deportivo Tacon into the club, meaning that from 2020-21 onwards the Merengue will field their first-ever side in the women's Primera Division.

The likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia have long since incorporated the women's game within their supported sporting activities, with the former founding Club Femeni Barcelona as early as 1988, the year that Spain introduced a women's competition. 

The 27-year-old Besiktas J.K player has now challenged Kenyan teams to emulate the Spanish giants by having women's teams.

"Real Madrid official women's team is finally out," Akida posted on her official Facebook page.

"The team was just formed months ago. Hi Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Bandari FC and everyone back at home, can we have this soon down there, please.

"It is possible. Very possible. Give it a try."

Currently, no top tier team in the country has a women's team despite Kenya having an active Women Premier League (WPL). 

The Moving the Goalposts (MTG) Academy graduate has been a key figure for the Kenya women's team before being controversially left out for recent assignments.

She previously played for Spedag and Thika Queens before moving to Israel in 2018, where she turned out for FC Ramat HaSharon until 2019 when she joined Turkish side Besiktas.

Akida was part of Harambee Starlets team that qualified for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) held in Cameroon.

The East Africa nation was pooled in Group B alongside Nigeria, Ghana and Mali.

The first match was against the Black Queens and Akida opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, but the West Africans came back stronger after the break and scored three goals courtesy of Samira Suleman, Elizabeth Addo and Portia Boakye.

The second game was against Mali and Kenya, once again, fell by the margin.

The final Group B match was against eventual competition winners Nigeria where Kenya fell 4-0.

Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez says that Paul Pogba has been "weighed down" by responsibility at Old Trafford, adding that the midfielder would be a great fit at Real Madrid should he decide to leave the Theatre of Dreams.

Pogba returned to United in 2016, having originally left the club in 2012 in search of first-team football.

The French midfielder spent that period away at Juventus, where he became one of the best midfielders in the world, winning four Serie A titles with the Italian side.

His rise through the ranks at the Bianconeri paved the way for a return to United, with the Premier League club paying an £89 million ($115 million) transfer fee to sign their former player.

In the years since, Pogba has gone on to make 150 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 32 goals in the process.

However, the World Cup winner has also been a target or criticism during his time as a result of the massive fee required to sign him.

And Alvarez says he believes that that fee and that criticism have impacted Pogba's play since making his United return.

"I don't know but I do know that he is a footballer with all the talent to play at any club in the world," the Spaniard told AS when asked if Pogba would be a good signing for Real Madrid. 

"Physically he is incredibly gifted. Where he has problems is the area of the demands that come with being a star signing. At United, he was weighed down by the responsibility and the pressure of being a multi-million euro signing. He was anxious to show his level.

"I stayed with him after training and did extra work. I can tell you that he has incredible dexterity, talent and is incredible athletically. His success depends on his head. 

"He needs to make challenges and to be more self-critical. He could be a great signing for Madrid."

Pogba's 2019-20 campaign has been hampered by injuries, with the Frenchman limited to just 15 appearances and one goal this season.

However, he has been a regular presence since the Premier League's restart, joining with winter signing Bruno Fernandes in the midfield.

Following Monday's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sit fifth in the Premier League, level on points with fourth-place Leicester City for the final Champions League spot.

Up next for the Red Devils is a visit to Crystal Palace on Thursday before a vital clash with fellow top-four hopefuls Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Simba SC player Gerson Fraga says he was happy to have opened the floodgate of goals when they hammered Young Africans (Yanga SC) 4-1 on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi proved too strong for their rivals in the FA Cup semi-final clash as goals from Fraga, Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone and Muzamiru Yassin were enough to make Simba fans smile wide at a half-packed National Stadium, and kept alive their hopes of sealing a double this season.

The Brazilian player has now revealed he was on cloud nine after his effort towards goal found the back of the net in the 21st minute, and went further to reveal that immediately after the ball beat the keeper, he waited for a few seconds to celebrate because he was enjoying the singing noise from Simba fans.

“It was an amazing atmosphere to score in the derby and when my ball hit the back of the net, I, first of all, waited for like three minutes before I started celebrating, I was listening to Simba fans as they were singing nicely,” Fraga is quoted by the club’s official website.

“It was the goal which opened the floodgates, and we went ahead to beat them 4-1, it was a nice feeling to have scored the opening goal because it was the goal we needed to take control of the game, and indeed after I scored, we took control of the derby and went on to register the resounding win.”

Fraga further revealed he has watched derbies across the world, including his native Brazil, but has never seen a derby so well attended and supported by the fans like the Kariakoo derby.

“I have seen several derbies but this one in Tanzania is on another level, the crowd and how they are passionate with their teams is something I have never seen before,” Fraga continued.

On his nickname Mkate Umeme, given to him by Simba fans, Fraga explained: “It is obvious players get nicknames from the fans going by the contribution you make to any team and I am happy with what the fans call me here, I like the nickname because it keeps me fighting hard like electricity.”

After resting for two days after the derby win, Simba will report to camp on Tuesday night ahead of their Mainland Premier League match against Mbao FC at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

Real Kings CEO Philani Majola has confirmed their midfielder Luvuyo Phewa has signed with reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Media reports surfaced over the past weekend that the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will be unveiled by coach Pitso Mosimane and play for the Tshwane giants next season.

The former South African U20 international is a brother to Banyana Banyana star Veronica, and although Majola told Goal he was in a Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, he confirmed the news.

“The news is true. Luvuyo has joined Mamelodi Sundowns,” Majola told Goal.

Despite media reports suggesting that Orlando Pirates were also interested in luring the youngster to Gauteng, the 2016 African champions have managed to win the race for the player’s signature.

Phewa was in action for Kings against Bidvest Wits in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals back in March, where he featured as a second striker, but they lost the clash 4-0.

Having already announced the signing of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka last week, Phewa is expected to be unveiled by Sundowns just before the start of the 2020/21 PSL season.

Phewa will join the likes of Siphelele Mkhulise and Surprise Mkhuma, who are some of the youngsters expected to become regulars in the near future.

On the other hand, Sundowns have also signed Grant Margeman and goalkeeper Jody February from Ajax Cape Town, who are campaigning in the National First Division (NFD) and gunning for PSL promotion.

Media reports recently indicated that the reigning Telkom Knockout Cup champions are also keen to land Wits players such as Deon Hotto, Gift Motupa, and Haashim Domingo, as the club was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).

Meanwhile, the Clever Boys keeper Ricardo Goss did confirm to Goal that he was negotiating with Sundowns to reunite with his former Golden Arrows manager, Manqoba Mngqithi.

As things stand, the current season remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but the Tshwane giants are one of the clubs that has been busy in the market to beef up their ranks.

Manchester City have "hit the ground running", according to Kyle Walker, who has backed the club to carry their momentum through the rest of the season after the frustration of their Premier League campaign.

Pep Guardiola's side surrendered their two-year hold on the top-flight crown as Liverpool claimed the title.

Despite that however City have already claimed silverware once this year with success in the Carabao Cup and they could yet add to their haul, with FA Cup and Champions League encounters to come, and England defender Walker believes that his side are in the ascendancy.

"We've come back and hit the ground running," he told Sky Sports News. "I think the momentum is on our side, we've got the rhythm, players are looking sharp, feeling great, and hopefully we can just continue this great form we're on and take it into the competitions we want to win.

"We all believe in ourselves, we all believe in the manager, his philosophy, his way of playing. I feel on our day we can beat anyone in world football. It's going to be a very exciting six weeks. In my first season I picked up three trophies here, and in my second season I picked up four. Obviously we're just missing the Champions League, that's the only one I haven't got.

"Missing out on the Premier League was a big blow for us as a team, but you have to take your hats off to Liverpool, they played fantastically well throughout the season and deserved it, so fair play to them. But hopefully now we can go and do what they did last year by winning the Champions League, and put all our eggs into that basket now."

Having only edged out Liverpool by a point last term in the Premier League, City's capitulation in the title race this season has been particularly notable, but Walker says that the club will only return with their drive and ambition doubled.

"This year was always going to be tough, and I felt in some games we've just thrown points away," he added. "No disrespect to the likes of Norwich, but we shouldn't really be going down there and losing. We will come back stronger, we're hungry to not just sit on what we've done, we want to build on that.

"You have to show your appreciation for what Liverpool have achieved this year, and the way they've done it; they're not just three or six points clear, they're a lot of points clear of us, and that just shows they are deserved winners.

"Since then, it's about being professional; they've won the league, but let's not make the gap silly. Let's try and close the gap down."

Jurgen Klopp saluted Mohamed Salah ahead of a Liverpool milestone, but acknowledged he did not expect the Egyptian and his fellow forwards to be as effective as they have become.

Salah joined the Reds from Roma three years ago in a deal that reportedly cost an initial £34 million (€37m/$43m).

In 105 Premier League matches, Salah – who is generally deployed from the right – has scored 73 goals, including a record-setting 32 in 2017-18.

The Egypt star has helped turned Liverpool into European and domestic champions, his understanding with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in attack making them a deadly trio that has scored 250 times under Klopp.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's trip to Arsenal, in which Salah is expected to make his 150th appearance, Klopp said: "First and foremost, that means he played 50 games a year, each season, 50 games, and still counting. Unbelievable. That's a big number.

"Obviously he was lucky and we were lucky that he could play all these games, because he was not injured, which is good.

"I was very positive in the moment when it was clear that we signed him. I remember our talk, when we first met face to face, when we spoke.

"'What's your favourite position?' 'It would be right wing, but Sadio Mane is playing there and he played a pretty good season.' 'Yes, he does, but he can play the other wing as well.'

"That was pretty much the start. The idea was clear how we want to play with the boys up front, but it worked out in a manner which we couldn't have expected. They scored now 250 goals since they [joined the club], that's an incredible number.

"It was a good day for Liverpool [when Salah signed] and a very good day as well for Mo because it fits really well and that's very important in life. You cannot change the world alone, but together, with the right people around you, you have a better chance to do it."

Salah's future seems certain to lie at Anfield, and Dejan Lovren appears likely to stay put for the time being as well. The 31-year-old has been a fringe player this season, but Klopp insists he still appreciates what the Croatian offers.

Although the German would not comment specifically on reports the Reds are to trigger a one-year extension option to keep Lovren until 2022, it seems a departure is unlikely.

"Dejan played outstanding games for us, is a very important part of the squad, absolutely no problem," Klopp said.

"It's always like this – we have four centre-halves and we play usually with two of them, but we needed all four always, so a very, very important role. He played the Champions League final for us, played a lot of big games, and was always a very reliable player.

"Dejan was always either in the team or close to the team, or not available. There was nothing else, we never had problems. It's all good, but [I've] nothing to say about the contract situation because it's nothing to discuss in public. It's just how it is.

"The situation is absolutely clear – Dejan is a player of Liverpool and we need him. In this moment again, with Joel [Matip] injured we have again only three centre-halves.

"You need the quality we have on the centre-half position to be successful, and that's why there's nothing really to discuss."

Lipuli FC's hopes of playing in the Tanzania Mainland League beyond this season were boosted after a 2-0 win over KMC on Tuesday.

The Iringa-based charges came into the match desperate for a win to get out of the relegation zone compared to their opponents from Kinondoni, who were chasing a top 10 finish.

Neither of the two sides could get a goal in the first half owing to poor finishing and good goalkeeping.

However, things changed after the break and Paul Materaz opened the scoring for the hosts in the 54th minute to settle the nerves of the home team.

Six minutes later, Mohamed Rashid doubled the advantage to ensure his team bagged maximum points.

In Dar es Salaam, visitors Mwadui cracked late into the match to lose 3-2 to Ruvu Shooting.

Mwadui were the first to open the scoring after just nine minutes courtesy of Enock Jiah. Gerrard Mathias received a good ball from Malid Jafari and he crossed the ball into the danger zone for Jiah to score.

In the 37th minute, the hosts levelled matters after Ruvu won a corner which was taken by Abdulrahman Musa, and Santos Mazengo rose highest to head home.

Musa turned the provider again a few moments later, this time around beating the defence with an inch-perfect pass to Fully Maganga, who squared the ball to the unmarked Mohamed Sadat, who had no problem beating the goalkeeper from about 12 yards.

In the 55th minute, Baraka Mtui handled the ball in the danger zone leaving the referee with no option but to hand the visitors a penalty. Wallace Kiango rose for the occasion to level the scores once again.

It looked like the game would end in a 2-2 draw, but with seconds left, Mwadui lost concentration to allow the ball to land at the feet of Mazengo, and the forward won it for Ruvu with his effort.

At Shinyanga, Biashara Mara United fell by a solitary goal to Polisi Tanzania. The lone goal came in the 50th minute courtesy of Erick Msagati.

The result puts Polisi in the sixth position with 51 points with Biashara dropping to 10th with 46 points. Lipuli FC are now 13th with 40 points, a place higher than Mwadui who are on the same points but with an inferior goal difference.

On Wednesday, second-placed Azam FC will be away against Mtibwa Sugar, with Yanga SC playing Singida United FC. 

Manchester City would only feel like they have matched the efforts of their last couple of seasons under Pep Guardiola if they win the Champions League, Kyle Walker has claimed.

The former Premier League title holders were dethroned last month by Liverpool to bring a two-year reign as champions of England to a close.

However, the club could yet still seal a prospective treble to end their season on a high following their earlier Carabao Cup success, with City still firmly in contention at home and abroad in the FA Cup and the Champions League respectively, currently holding a 2-1 first-leg advantage over Real Madrid heading into next month's round-of-16 tie.

It is just the latter honour that eludes Guardiola's side, with the Spaniard - a two-time winner during his time in charge of Barcelona - having failed to repeat the feat so far in Manchester.

Walker admits that he feels the club's domestic dominance over the past two campaigns has gone somewhat under the radar with the absence of the top continental honour - but that the European crown would certainly prove the equal of their last few honour-laden terms if they could achieve it.

"I think it would come on par," the defender told Sky Sports News. "I think last year gets really overlooked in terms of what we've achieved.

"Our first season we got 100 points, and that was: 'Oh my gosh', but to kind of conquer England last year, take everything, we thought that was a massive achievement for the team and where we've come from. To win it back-to-back, something a team hadn't done for many years.

"I think if we win the Champions League it would be right among that, because it's something I feel this club needs to step up again into the right direction.

"We've proved we can be Premier League winners, but one thing missing is the Champions League, and that's one thing us as players want, and definitely what the manager wants again.

"It's strange because when I first signed here and someone would have asked me what do you want - the Premier League or Champions League?

"For me it was the Premier League. Obviously it's all I've grown up watching. But now I've got that, and have two of them, which I'm fortunate to have, I do really want this.

"I do think for some of the players in there, it's to kind of finish their career - the likes of David Silva, Fernandinho - and not have picked up a Champions League, for the types of players they are, I think that's the least we can do and we owe it to them.

"We owe it to this club, which has supported each and every player to achieve what they wanted to achieve. For the club I think it's what they need as well."

Cape Town City have revealed that they have completed their second round of coronavirus testing.

This is also the final round of testing and it is mandated by the National Soccer League (NSL) health and safety return to training protocol.

The Citizens released the following statement on Tuesday with the 2019/20 season set to resume soon having been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

“The club has undergone the final round of testing in preparation for return to football matches in the BSE [Biologically Safe Environment]," a club statement read.

"We are now fully compliant to finish the 2019/20 season."

The Western Cape-based side was also the first Premier Soccer League (PSL) team to resume training last month.

Prior to this, the 2018 MTN8 champions announced that none of their players and officials have tested positive for Covid-19.

City's latest 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 move to the BSE which will be hosted by Gauteng where the suspended campaign will be completed.

“There is no continuous testing, there are two testing [rounds]. There is a first test and the second test 48 hours before you go to the bubble [BSE]," Khoza told the media on Monday.

"People that would be going to the bubble shall have been tested for the last time to make sure that whoever goes in there is negative.

"There will be a continuous screening of temperatures of players and other things which is normal but testing happens only twice. There are two tests that’s are compulsory."

The PSL were hoping to resume the suspended season this weekend with the first matches taking place on Saturday, July 18.

However, the South African Football Association (Safa) has made it known that no football will be played until August 2020.

The PSL have indicated that they will need at least six weeks to complete the current campaign with the Nedbank Cup semi-final and final matches also expected to take place.

Scottish champions Glasgow City has secured the services of Janine van Wyk from South Africa's Sasol Women's League side JVW FC.

Van Wyk's signing comes exactly six months after parting ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring without kicking a ball, having struggled with an injury which she is now fully recovered from.

The latest switch will see South Africa's most-capped player, with 170 appearances, actualise her European dreams after back-to-back missed opportunities with Hjorring and English side Bristol City.

The 33-year-old becomes the third signing for the Scottish giants this summer after Krystyna Freda and Zaneta Wyne, from Cypriot giants Apollon Ladies and Norwegian side Klepp, respectively. 

Confirming the switch, Glasgow City head coach Scott Booth expressed joy over the acquisition of the experienced defender. 

“We are absolutely delighted to bring Janine van Wyk to our club," Booth told the club website.

"She has incredible experience and I feel this will be key for us this season. Janine captained her nation at the 2019 World Cup and is their record cap holder. 

"I know that she will 100% lead by example and fit into our already talented squad.”

Reacting to her transfer, Van Wyk said: "I am extremely excited to start this new chapter in my football career with a football club that is known to be the best team in the Scottish top league. 

"I look forward to playing in the Uefa Women’s Champions League, win titles and most importantly continue to learn as much as I can about the insights of the game and hopefully add value to the squad with the experience I carry." 

She led South Africa to two Olympic Games, in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, before guiding them to a maiden Women's World Cup outing in France last year.

Having sealed her deal, Van Wyk becomes the seventh Banyana star to earn a move to Europe, after Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nothando Vilakazi.

With Glasgow still in the Champions League, she is expected also feature in this season's quarter-finals when they take on German champions Wolfsburg on August 21 in Spain.