Looking for Soccer News?

Wazito FC boss Ricardo Badoer has explained the reason he moved to sack 11 players from the club.

Goal exclusively reported on Tuesday the promoted side had released 11 players, among them long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba, Derrick Otanga, and goalkeeper Kevin Omondi.

Others are the foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia, and Togolese Issifou Bourahana, who were not spared either.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions struggled to cope with the best teams in the top-flight, and after the league suspension, they were in the 13th position with just 20 points acquired from 23 matches.

Badoer has now revealed he had to release the players because they had failed to live up to expectations and were signed without his approval.

“Today [Tuesday] the Wazito FC cleaning continues,” Badoer said in a message on Twitter, which also indicates more players will be kicked out.

“Kicking out no good players that were recruited without my approval. All they did was to eat my money and lose games. I wish them the best on the streets where they belong. They lacked self-respect and love for the game.”

In an earlier interview, Otanga, who joined Wazito from Sony Sugar, told Goal they had been asked to leave because the club was not making enough money owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The management told us Covid-19 has not made it easy for the club businesswise, and tough decisions had to be made,” Otanga, who joined the club at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, told Goal on Tuesday.

"It is a matter of recollecting yourself and getting another team to continue developing and growing your career. I take this opportunity to thank Wazito for the chance to play for them and wish them the best.”

The sacking of the players came just a day after the club parted ways with British coach Stewart Hall on mutual agreement. The tactician had managed to steady the club after it had struggled to cope with the pressure in the top-tier since their promotion at the start of the season.

Hall's departure makes him the latest in Wazito's long line of coaches.

Fred Ambani was relieved of his duties in October 2019 after helping the Nairobi-based club earn promotion. Ambani's place was taken by Melis Medo who was subsequently sacked after just three matches at the helm.

With his abrupt exit, Hall becomes the first KPL coach to leave his job before the start of the 2020/21 season.

Luis Alberto admits that it is “a little bit” his fault that he flopped at Liverpool before going on to become a star at Lazio.

The Spanish midfielder spent three years on the books at Anfield between 2013 and 2016.

Just one full campaign would actually be spent on Merseyside, in 2013-14, with 12 goalless appearances taken in.

With the Reds deciding that Alberto was surplus to requirements, he was loaned out to Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna before sealing a permanent move to Italy.

The 27-year-old has thrived in Serie A, earning senior international recognition along the way, and is seeing big-money moves mooted ahead of the next transfer window.

Liverpool could be forgiven for questioning their decision to let the talented winger go, but Alberto concedes that he did not offer enough in England to be deserving of an extended stay.

He told France Football: “I think it’s a little bit my fault.

“I didn’t do everything necessary to be at my level in terms of work and focus.

“What I should have done at 20, I was only able to do it at 25. It’s a shame, I lost a few years. I’m 27 now. I’m trying to make the most of it and I think there’s a lot of time left to continue to enjoy myself."

Alberto added: “I left Spain quickly, and especially a context, at Barcelona’s B team. At Liverpool, I adapted well, but it happened bit by bit.

“I finished by reaching a good level, with the possibility of playing a little bit. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to win the Premier League.”

Alberto has seen his stock rise again in the 2019-20 campaign, with six goals and 16 assists recorded through 34 appearances for Lazio.

He has played a leading role in a season that has seen the Rome-based outfit challenge Juventus for title glory.

Lazio have him tied to terms through to the summer of 2022 but, amid the mounting interest being shown in his services, are said to be in the process of trying to thrash out an extended stay for a key man.

Thiago Alcantara would be a welcome addition to a Premier League title-winning squad at Liverpool, says Steve Nicol, but the Spaniard has been warned he will not “walk into” the team at Anfield.

Speculation continues to be build when it comes to a possible raid on the ranks at Bayern Munich from Jurgen Klopp.

The German champions have conceded that those they have been unable to tie down on fresh terms could depart as they enter the final 12 months of their current contracts.

Thiago falls into that category, with the 29-year-old said to be open to the idea of taking on a new challenge in England.

His qualities would sit well within Klopp’s ranks, with the Barcelona academy graduate another of those who blends graft with guile.

Nicol, though, feels that the Spain international would merely be adding depth on Merseyside if a deal were to be done.

For the former Liverpool defender, there are no established stars that would be nudged out of the starting XI by the arrival of Thiago.

Nicol told ESPN FC: “I’d like to see him at Liverpool because that would mean he’d just be strengthening the squad and strengthening the competition for places.

“If they do sign him, I don’t think he walks into the team. I don’t think he is in the starting eleven. But yes absolutely, the more quality you have and the more competition you have for places.

“At the very least, it keeps everybody on their toes.”

Klopp continues to play his cards close to his chest when it comes to possible summer additions at Liverpool.

He has, however, admitted to being an admirer of Thiago, whose performances have helped Bayern secure a league and cup double in Germany this season.

Quizzed on his supposed interest in the Spanish star on the back of a 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa, Klopp said: "Would you be surprised if I never gave an answer on that? I never answer these kind of questions.

“Thiago Alcantara is a really good player. Like a lot of other players out there, I like him a lot. That's all I have to say about that.”

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has blamed the problems facing African football to endless wrangles involving those mandated to run the game.

The British tactician, who has been handling K’Ogalo for the last season, is irked by the fact the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) are yet to make official the fate of the 2019-20 season, which was ended in mid-March owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the FKF ending the season and declaring Gor Mahia the champions, the KPL has insisted they were not part of the decision and will make their findings known when the right time comes.

It is a situation that has left coach Polack a mad man considering the latest ban on sporting activities and social gatherings, which will end on August 7, means the top-flight likely cannot be played to the end as the KPL was advocating for and as such teams can only plan for the new season.

“If these associations were organised and doing responsibilities they have been mandated to do and they come together, then we could be talking of football development in the country,” Polack told Goal on Tuesday.

“Instead of the associations fighting each other, they should be on the same page working together to find a solution not fighting about no solution, we have to find a solution of talking to each other and this will help, not always fighting day in day out, they [FKF and KPL] are always not on the same page, it is all about football, nothing else, football, football and that is what we need to promote.

“I don’t know why we always have politics in African football if you go to Ivory Coast, South Africa, Ghana in Nigeria and the rest we have same problems, same fights, people not reading from the same page and like I said we all want to train and the players want to play football and that is the end of the story.

“Football should not have politics, I talked to my players on Saturday, we are all football people, we want to play football, and I want to coach football, we don’t want politics in football, the players want to play, my technical staff wants to coach and I also want to coach.”

Polack maintained his stance that both the FKF and the KPL should come out for once and give a final statement on what happened to the last campaign.

“They can even do away with the league if they want and we plan for next season, if they nullify it that is what it means, we need to have an official statement, we want it made official, I want something that is concrete, is the league cancelled, is the league nullified or Gor Mahia are the champions,” Polack continued.

“We know we don’t have the resources to do like other leagues have done in Europe to resume, no club has those resources here in Kenya and that is why the President has kept pushing the resumption of sports, I understand he knows we don’t have the resources to do that.

“The question still remains, what happened to the 2019-20 season? That is the question, which must be answered and I think basically, we are not smart people, we are not moving with the situation when curfews are being extended.

“It means now the league could start at the end of September or earlier October, and are we ready for that, are they [FKF and KPL] prepared?

“All football clubs don’t know what is going, even the media doesn’t know what is happening, they have refused to tell us what is the final state of the 2019-20 season, it is either they cancel it and tell the clubs or give the title to Gor Mahia and make it official.”

Polack replaced Hassan Oktay at the start of the last campaign.

Reading forward Yakou Meite has warned Huddersfield Town ahead of their Championship clash on Tuesday evening, revealing his side’s confidence is back.

The winger inspired the Royals back to winning ways against Luton Town on Saturday after two consecutive defeats, to Derby County and Brentford.

The 24-year-old forward scored four of the goals that helped Mark Bowen’s men secure a 5-0 triumph over Luton and moved them to the 14th spot on the league table.

Following the victory, the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate has praised the collective effort of the team and feels they are ready to build on the display when they take on the Terriers.  

“I am most happy for the team because most important was the win – and we did it. Our confidence is back and everyone is happy,” Meite told the club website.

“When you see the team in training, you see what we can do. We have a lot of quality. But we can’t just say that and don’t show it on the pitch.

“We did it very well, and we need to keep going because we still have a lot of games to come. They come quick and we need to show people that we can play well. That’s what we did.

“Everyone was focused today. Last week, we didn’t play very well – we can’t play like this against a good side. We needed to react, to show to our fans that we can play better than we did.

“It’s a nice feeling. We needed more confidence, and we got it. So we focus on Huddersfield now and hopefully we can do the same against them.

“We need to recover quick… the games are coming so fast! We celebrate the victory, but we have to stay focused on the game on Tuesday. Hopefully, we can get the win at home this time.

“It’s a short time to prepare; as soon as the game against Luton is done, we start to think about Huddersfield and how they play.”

The forward has now scored 16 goals in this campaign for Reading and praised his partnership with Liverpool loanee and Super Eagles target Ovie Ejaria. 

“My favourite was the goal where Ovie gave me the ball between the defenders,” he continued.

“Ovie and me, we have a good eye-contact! When I make my run, he knows when and how to give me the ball and I finished it well. I think that was favourite.

“Sixteen goals is my record so far – last year was my best so far with 13. And I just want to do more! Score goals and help my teammates to win games.”

The Ivory Coast international will hope to add to his tally against Huddersfield at Madejski Stadium.

Thiago Alcantara "would love Liverpool", according to former Bayern Munich captain Lothar Matthaus, who insists the midfielder would "fit perfectly with Jurgen Klopp".

Bayern snapped up Thiago from Barcelona for €25 million (£23m/$28m) in the summer of 2013, and he has since become one of the most important members of their squad.

The 29-year-old has racked up 231 appearances for the German champions in total, scoring 31 goals while also laying on 37 assists.

Bayern have won 15 trophies with the Spain international pulling the strings in the middle of the park, including seven Bundesliga titles, the latest of which was secured last month.

However, Thiago only has one year left to run on his current contract at Allianz Arena, and has yet to reach an agreement with the club over an extension.

Hansi Flick is hoping that the former Barca star chooses to stay put, but the Bayern boss has conceded that it would be "normal" for the playmaker to seek a new challenge in a different league as he heads into the latter stages of his career.

Anfield has been mooted as a possible next destination for Thiago, with Liverpool reportedly lining up a summer swoop for his signature.

Ex-Bayern and Germany midfielder Matthaus thinks the Spaniard has all the attributes to slot into Klopp's line-up seamlessly, and cannot see him remaining in Bavaria for another season.

“With Thiago, I’m pretty sure the signs are goodbye,” the 59-year-old told Sport Buzzer. “What other reason would he have for not yet accepting Bayern’s offer? 

"Liverpool are obviously very keen on him and he would absolutely love the football, the team and fit perfectly with Jurgen Klopp."

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also weighed in on Thiago's future over the weekend, telling Bild: “We had serious negotiations with him and fulfilled all of his wishes.

"But it looks like he might want to do something new again at the end of his career.

“We don’t want to lose a player for free next year. I say that very clearly.”

Barcelona have no intention of activating the €111 million (£100m/$125m) release clause in Lautaro Martinez’s contract at Inter, but the Liga giants are still keen to thrash out a deal for the Argentine.

Those at San Siro have made any suitors of their South American forward aware that one window of opportunity will swing shut at the close of play on Tuesday.

For them, that is when the current release terms in Lautaro’s contract will expire.

Barcelona consider that clause to be valid for another week, through to July 15, but have no plans to take it up regardless.

The Liga giants are reluctant to enter into discussions at that asking price and are prepared to wait before opening any negotiations with Inter.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told RAC1 when quizzed on the reported interest that Barca hold in Lautaro: “I am not talking about transfers. We have not marked the signings in the calendar for when they should be completed.”

Meanwhile, Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has told DAZN that the Serie A outfit “does not want to sell its champions, unless there is a desire on the part of the player to leave”.

Lautaro has given little away when it comes to his future plans.

Barca believe an agreement can be reached but, with the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic taken into account, they see the 22-year-old’s asking price being considerably lower than its current mark.

They have been busy piecing together plans behind the scenes for any summer business, with Goal reporting back in April that a lucrative contract is being readied for Lautaro.

The Catalans hope that those terms will aid their cause, with the club unable to splash out €111m on one player in the next window even if they wanted to.

Barca’s plan is to bring Lautaro’s price tag down, with the player understood to be open to transfer talks.

In his mind, he either remains at San Siro or heads to Camp Nou, and no alternative options will be considered.

Inter, though, maintain that the player has expressed no desire to them for an imminent switch to be pushed through and, with that in mind, negotiations from this point are expected to be tricky.

The Nerazzurri have made it clear that they will not bow to the demands of a European rival and will hold out for the best possible terms if a sale has to be sanctioned.

Barca hope that including a number of their players in a part-exchange package will help to sweeten the deal and relax Inter’s stance.

They want to bring in a proven performer who has 17 goals to his name from 37 appearances this season, with Lautaro seen as the perfect long-term successor to Luis Suarez in Catalunya.

One opportunity to make that happen is about to expire, but there may be many more to put a deal in place.

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Police FC have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Tony Mawejje.

The former Uganda international player was unveiled on Tuesday after agreeing to pen a two-year contract to become the first signing for the club ahead of the new season.

On unveiling the player, Police chairman Asan Kasingye said on their social media pages: “We no longer just want to compete, we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

On what Mawejje will bring to the squad, Kasingye said: “He brings a lot of experience, discipline, and a sign of commitment to the club.

“I also thank Tony for choosing us as he would have gone to other clubs! He was at his prime but he chose Police and he plays with one heart. I take this opportunity to welcome you back to the family.”

The chairman also revealed the club will do what they can to retain most of their players to build a strong side ahead of the new season.

On signing for Police, Mawejje said: “I’m so happy to be back at Police, the team which I played for in 2006 when we won Cecafa. I’m happy to reunite with my family as I have so much history and great memories here.

“I am looking forward to rekindling those memories.”

Mawejje was part of the Police squad, then known as Police Jinja, in 2006 and 2007 although he might take a while to return to full fitness as he has been clubless since 2019 when he terminated his contract with Al-Arabi SC of Kuwait.

Mawejje, 33, is an experienced midfielder having played for more than 10 clubs in his career spanning over a decade.

The Ugandan started playing football in 2004 at Kampala City Council FC, now KCCA FC, until 2005 before he joined Police Jinja for a stint that lasted about two years.

In 2008, Mawejje joined Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) and left in 2009 for IBV Vestmannaeyjar and the club became his first foreign team.

Mawejje spent a long time with the Icelandic club compared to the other clubs he has featured for. He made 106 appearances and scored 10 goals.

The midfielder joined Golden Arrows of South Africa in 2012 on loan, made an appearance, and scored no goals before returning to Europe, and this time around joined Norwegian club Haugesund but made no appearance at all in 2014.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing a "brilliant job" at Old Trafford, according to Luke Shaw, who says the current Manchester United team is the most confident and exciting he's played in.

United have been in scintillating form since the resumption of the 2019-20 campaign on June 17, winning four of their last five fixtures in all competitions.

Solskjaer's men struggled for consistency in the first half of the season, but a 16-match unbeaten run which began in January could be extended when they take in a trip to Aston Villa on Thursday.

The Red Devils are now only three points behind third-placed Leicester in the table and two adrift of Chelsea, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.

Shaw is happy to give Solskjaer full credit for United's recent revival, highlighting the Norwegian's shrewd recruitment policy and man-management skills behind the scenes.

"The manager has done a brilliant job," the Red Devils left-back told Sky Sports. "Of course the players he has brought in, the group of players now, we all get on really well and I think there is a great happiness in and around the training ground each day.

"Everyone is smiling, everyone is enjoying each other's company and I think that is important to have a successful team.

"Everyone wants the same thing and gets along with each other and I can see a big change in the group not just on the pitch, but with each other off the pitch too."

Shaw added on being a part of a squad brimming with "confidence" and "belief" after a superb run of form: "Over the past years, it hasn't always been the most exciting and we have not always played as well as I feel like we are at the moment - especially in my time here.

"This is the most confident [we have felt]. Around the training ground and on the pitch now, the confidence is so high and we are going into games now full of belief.

"A big turning point was going 1-0 down [against Bournemouth] the other day. In recent times we would have struggled with getting results, but I think that is a sign that we are going in the right direction.

"Of course we are very happy with how things are going but of course there is still room for improvement we all believe."

Manchester United should still be looking to strengthen this summer despite enjoying a recent resurgence, says Andy Cole, with long-standing target Jadon Sancho one of those who would bring “something different” to Old Trafford.

A raid on Borussia Dortmund by the Red Devils for an England international winger has been mooted for some time.

Those at Old Trafford are, however, said to have reservations about investing too heavily in a player with a price tag that could top €100 million (£90m/$113m).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also seen 18-year-old Mason Greenwood emerge as a potential senior star of the future after stepping out of United’s academy system to hit 15 goals this season.

Bringing in Sancho could stunt the progress of a home-grown forward, but Cole believes competition for places and added quality in the collective ranks can only be considered a good thing.

The 1999 Treble winner told MUTV: "You’re always looking to bring in players.

"There’s talk of Jadon Sancho coming in. Would he give Manchester United something different? Of course he would.

"I’m not going to sit here and say, 'Oh no, he’s not good enough!' because of course he’s good enough.

"He’s got pace, he’s got the ability to go past players, score goals and create.

"I think ultimately all those kind of things are going to be down to financial issues coming out of Covid-19 – financially, it’s hit every football club.

"But Manchester United will undoubtedly look to strengthen and look to add to what they have."

While the Red Devils have shown encouraging signs of late, with an unbeaten run stretched to 16 games, Cole believes investment in the next transfer window will help Solskjaer’s side to continue closing the gap on those at the top of the Premier League.

He added: "If you look at the way Liverpool have dominated the league this season, you’ve got to try and close the gap on them and Manchester City.

"So, yeah, I think Manchester United will definitely look to bring someone else in.

"If you look man-for-man at Liverpool and Manchester City, I think we’re possibly three or four players short.

"What we need to get in our head is: if we’re three or four players short and we buy those players, those teams are looking to kick on as well.

"They’re not going to stand still and rest on their laurels. They’re going to look to bring in better players as well."

Neco Williams is ready to start “pushing” Trent Alexander-Arnold for regular minutes in Liverpool’s star-studded team, with another highly-rated right-back having emerged from a famed academy system.

The Reds have already nurtured one home-grown star through their youth ranks to become an established member of their first-team squad.

Alexander-Arnold, at just 21 years of age, is a Champions League and Premier League title winner with nine England caps to his name.

He has expressed a desire to become the greatest right-back of the modern era and has every intention of seeing his career out as a one-club man.

Williams, though, is already knocking on the door behind him, with the 19-year-old Welshman next off the production line.

He is looking to take important lessons from one of the very best in the business and compete with him for minutes before a potential move into midfield for Alexander-Arnold that continues to be mooted.

Williams told Liverpool’s official website: “Definitely - in training now as I’m playing I’m watching him, I’m taking things in and taking stuff that he does into my game.

“In training now I’m pushing. I’m pushing him and he’s pushing me and it’s nice to have a little battle because I’m trying to fight for a place and so are all the other lads, so there’s nothing stopping us from trying to perform and putting in the hard work in training to fight for a place.”

Williams added: “I just need to keep doing what I’m doing in training: keep improving, keep working hard, believe in myself and keep getting the minutes in.

“Because if I’m doing that then for sure, the boss will hopefully give me some game time and I’ll show to everyone what I can do and what I’m capable of doing.”

Williams did figure in Liverpool’s most recent outing, as he replaced Andy Robertson at left-back in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, and is now just two appearances short of qualifying for a Premier League winners’ medal.

“Just to take it home to my family and show them would be a dream come true,” Williams said of the title ambition that is driving him and fellow youngsters such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

“Every day now we are showing the boss what we can do in training and we are improving every day. Hopefully if we keep showing what we are capable of doing and keep improving every day then the boss will have no choice but to give us a bit of game time, and we’ll prove to everyone that we are capable of playing and prove to everyone that they can trust the young lads.

“We will put everything into it and we’ll give 100 per cent like everyone always does as part of the Liverpool team.”

Right-back Wilson Anekeya has revealed the current Covid-19 situation and uncertainty regarding the start of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season is making it hard for him to get a new team.

Games were postponed in mid-March and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) went on to cancel the top tier on April 30, crowning Gor Mahia and relegating Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar, who had been demoted earlier after handing three walk-overs.

"My contract with Zoo expired in June and I am currently a free agent," Anekeya told Goal on Tuesday.

"There has been contact by several teams but nothing serious has come on the table since everyone is not sure when the top tier resumes.

"Covid-19 has not made it easier either and we just hope the situation is controlled soon for the games to resume."

The defender joined the Kericho-based in January and established himself as one of the key players. He has appreciated the support received by fans and wishes them the best in their endeavours. 

"Zoo has been like a second home to me, but sometimes in football, you cannot guarantee that you will stay somewhere for long," Anekeya continued.

"The fans accepted me, they have been supportive and all I am wishing them is the best. In future, our paths might cross again, but before then, I thank them dearly for taking me as one of their own."

Anekeya has played for Thika United, Kakamega Homeboyz and Wazito FC.

In the abandoned season, Zoo were in the 14th position after managing to get 16 points from the 22 games played. The Herman Iswekha side had won just four games, drawn as many and lost 14.

Gor Mahia were crowned and set to represent the nation in Caf Champions League for the fourth time in a row. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also confirmed Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar will ply trade in the National Super League. Kisumu All-Stars will play against Vihiga United in the two-legged relegation/promotion play-off.

Nairobi City Stars were promoted to the top tier alongside Thika-based side Bidco United.

Emiliano Martinez says there is no room for any Arsenal players to "relax" under Mikel Arteta, whom he has praised for his uncompromising coaching style.

Arteta inherited the managerial reins at Emirates Stadium in December following the sacking of Unai Emery the previous month, with the Gunners languishing in mid-table after an inconsistent start to the 2019-20 campaign.

The former Manchester City assistant has overseen a gradual turnaround of results, as Arsenal have won seven of their last 13 Premier League fixtures to move up to seventh.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City have picked up more points than Arteta's men this year, and the mood of doom surrounding the Emirates has started to dissipate heading into the final weeks of the season.

Arsenal lost their first two outings following the top-flight restart on June 17, but have bounced back to win four consecutive matches in all competitions, with their latest triumph coming away at Wolves on Saturday.

Arteta is being praised for maximising the output of a squad lacking quality in several key areas, and Martinez has been impressed with how he has rallied his troops on the training ground.

"You're in or you're out, you're with him or without him, and there's no discussion on that," the Argentine goalkeeper told Sky Sports of the Arsenal head coach's no-nonsense approach. 

"We know that if we want to play and we want to be at this football club, we have to be on board.

"That's good for the team because no one can relax. If you relax, you don't train properly or you don't perform like he wants you to, you're out.

"You have to follow him and that's what we're trying to do now."

Martinez has been filling in for Bernd Leno between the sticks while the Arsenal number one recovers from a knee injury, and has recorded three clean sheets in his last four appearances.

The 27-year-old has endured plenty of frustration at the Emirates since graduating to the first team in 2012, but he is delighted that his hard work is starting to pay off under Arteta.

"It's been up and down in my Arsenal career, to be honest," Martinez added. "There was something I had inside me that said, 'Why am I not getting my chance in the club that I love?'

"But God always puts you in the right place at the right time. I've worked really hard over the years and been really patient and now I'm getting the rewards.

"I heard the manager say recently that I've been really respectful over the years and I think that's true. I'm a team player, so even if the manager decides to play another guy, I accept it.

"But I never let my head go down, I always keep going, and now that I have the opportunity, I'm grabbing it with both hands. Hopefully, when all the goalkeepers are back in training, the manager will have a decision to make. My aim is to make it a hard decision."

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya has come out in defence of midfielder George Maluleka following his recent move to Mamelodi Sundowns, saying the switch is all about business.

Maluleka joined the Brazilians on a three-year deal and  Ndlanya explained that the 31-year-old’s love for the Naturena-based side means he wanted to stay but its clear Chiefs didn’t want to retain him.

In addition, the former Orlando Pirates hitman warned the Tembisa-born player to work extra hard because it will not be an easy challenge under coach Pitso Mosimane.

“I think George engaged Chiefs but the club didn’t show any interest in keeping him. Knowing him, he loves Chiefs, he would have loved to leave the club having done something great for the club,” Ndlanya told Isolezwe.

“It’s important to understand that this is a business decision, his feelings or emotions must be set aside. Maluleka’s decision to leave Chiefs is purely based on business.

“This means the players that were competing with him for a place in the team must now step up to the plate and fill the gap because he was an important member of the team.

“Honestly, all the Chiefs players must be motivated after Maluleka’s departure to join arch-rivals.”

Exploring the former SuperSport United midfielder’s chances at Chloorkop, Ndlanya believes it will not be easy in Tshwane.

“Maluleka has taken a decision to join Sundowns knowing very well what challenges he will face there,” he added.

“I don’t think it will be easy for him. Maybe it’s now time for him to challenge himself because is now 31 and that means he must have to work harder than before.”

At Sundowns, Maluleka will compete against the likes of the skipper Hlompho Kekana, Andile Jali, Tiyani Mabunda as well as Rivaldo Coetzee among other players in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, as he will have to wait until the 2020/21 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season to make his debut, the enterprising midfielder will look to settle down with his new teammates.

As things stand, Maluleka leaves coach Ernst Middendorp’s troops at the summit of the log with 48 points and facing competition from Masandawana who occupy the second spot with 44 points from one game less.

The two PSL giants are set to face off against each other in the second round when the season resumes after it was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Mason Greenwood’s rise to prominence at Manchester United can be likened to that of Ryan Giggs, says Paul Parker, with the 18-year-old bursting onto a senior stage in spectacular fashion.

The Red Devils have seen many talented academy graduates break into their first team down the years.

David Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes formed part of the fabled Class of ’92 alongside Giggs.

United have also looked to invest in the best young talent on the market, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney acquired for big money while still in their teens.

Greenwood is now following in those illustrious footsteps, with Parker among those to have hailed the impact of a player that few were tipping to shine so brightly at the start of the 2019-20 campaign.

The former United defender told the Talking Devils podcast of a youngster who already has 15 goals to his name this term: “Maybe he’s the first since Ryan Giggs. People might say Paul Scholes and the others but people knew about them.

“Mason has been around but he’s suddenly come on.”

Parker added on the benefits that an enforced mid-season break has had on Greenwood: “The lockdown period has made a huge difference.

“He now looks like a man. His body shape has changed… he looks more imposing.

“He is young but players know they can’t knock him around anymore. Someone could have told him to do it [bulk up] but you have to want to do it. He has.

“And now he has the potential to be a player the likes of which United haven’t had since Ryan.”

Greenwood has figured in all five of United’s fixtures since competitive action resumed in mid-June.

A starting berth has now been nailed down, with three goals recorded across his last two outings.

The exciting forward hit two in his most recent appearance, with a spectacular brace recorded in a 5-2 mauling of Bournemouth.

With a devastating partnership being struck up with fellow frontmen Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, the Red Devils will hoping to see more inspiration offered by in-form stars when they take in a trip to relegation-threatened Aston Villa on Thursday.

Namungo FC have warned Simba SC they will be going for nothing less than three points when the two sides clash in a Mainland Premier League match on Wednesday.

The much-awaited league match at Majaliwa Stadium in Ruangwa, Lindi, will also see Simba presented with the trophy for winning a third straight title a week ago, after their 80 points proved difficult for challengers Azam FC and Young Africans to reach with six matches to spare.

Namungo are also fighting to finish the season among the top three sides as they are fourth on the 20-team log with 59 points, and this is the reason club chairman Hassan Zadadu has warned Simba that they will spoil their party with a huge win in the match.

“We know Simba are coming here with a joyful mood to be presented their title but, they will leave behind maximum points to us so we should continue to get closer to the top two places on the ladder,” Zadadu is quoted by Daily News.

Zadadu further said their main aim is to make sure they finish the season in a better position so that they can attract sponsors ahead of the new season.

“In short, I can say we are 100 percent ready to get crucial points from Simba to keep us moving forward in the league,” Zadadu continued.

Namungo coach Thiery Hitimana also said their main aim is to finish in a better position and also took his time to congratulate Simba for winning a third straight league title.

Simba are looking forward to the match against Namungo as they will be presented with the trophy after Ndanda FC gave them a guard of honour in their last league match.

Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck has stated his main target now is to make sure they finish the season on high.

Simba will, however, miss the services of defender Shomari Kapombe, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, after he was injured in the FA Cup quarter-final 2-0 win against holders Azam FC.

He was stretchered off after a reckless tackle by Frank Domayo and the incident should rule him out until the 2020/21 season.

Wazito FC have parted ways with several layers as they restructure for the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions struggled to cope with the best teams in top-flight football, and after the league suspension, they were in the 13th position with just 20 points acquired from 23 matches.

It is, for this reason, the technical bench has decided to part ways with players they think are surplus to requirements. 

Among those dropped are long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba and Derrick Otanga.

The foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia and Togolese Issifou Bourahana were not spared either. Kevin Omondi, who has also been serving as the club's first-choice goalkeeper, has been axed as well.

"The management told us Covid-19 has not made it easy for the club businesswise, and tough decisions had to be made," Otanga, who joined the club from Sony Sugar at the beginning of the 2019/20 season told Goal on Tuesday.

"It is a matter of recollecting yourself and getting another team to continue developing and growing your career. I take this opportunity to thank Wazito for the chance to play for them and wish them the best."

On Monday, July 6, the Kenya Premier League (KPL) side and coach Stewart Hall parted ways. Hall left the team after joining them in November 2019.

The British tactician had managed to steady the club after it had struggled to cope with the pressure in the top-tier since their promotion at the start of the season.

Hall's departure marks another exit in Wazito's long line of coaches. Fred Ambani was relieved of his duties in October 2019 after helping the Nairobi-based club to earn promotion. Ambani's place was taken by Melis Medo who was subsequently sacked after just three matches at the helm.

Ambani has since returned to the club and served as Hall's assistant.

Wazito then turned their eyes on the former AFC Leopards coach but he, too, has left but on mutual consent. 

By his abrupt exit, Hall becomes the first KPL coach to leave his job before the 2020/21 season begins.  

Liverpool have always been a side that needs “tough love”, says Gerard Houllier, with Jurgen Klopp proving to be the perfect coach to deliver “vision” and long-term success at Anfield.

Those on the red half of Merseyside are currently basking in the warm glow of a first title triumph in 30 years.

Since last getting their hands on the English top-flight crown in 1990, many managers have tried and failed to get Liverpool back on the loftiest of perches.

Houllier spent six years at the helm between 1998 and 2004, delivering domestic cup success and a UEFA Cup win.

He also carried the Reds close to a long-awaited title, as did Rafa Benitez and Brendan Rodgers.

Klopp has been the man to get Liverpool over the line, while also claiming Champions League and Club World Cup honours, with the German considered to be a good fit for the most demanding of roles.

Houllier told the Liverpool Echo: "Players need somebody who knows where he is going and what he wants to do. They follow somebody who has a vision.

"And they need 'tough love'. You've got to be tough sometimes but you've got to love them. They need to understand that they can rely on you in case of a problem.

"But you love them. Jurgen is a good demonstration of that as well."

Klopp is now in the process of trying to establish a dynasty at Anfield, with his place in Liverpool folklore already safely secured.

Houllier is also fondly remembered on Merseyside, with the Frenchman of the opinion that he helped to put a number of building blocks in place that have allowed successors to flourish.

He added: "When you're a manager you need three things. You need to have results, you need to leave a legacy, and also you need to make players and the team improve.

"When I left there was a team in the Champions League spots. There was a different habit and a different tradition of preparing the team and approaching competitions.

"In terms of diet and looking after ourselves, we changed things which helped to be more competitive. There were new facilities with the new Melwood.

"Michael Owen won the Ballon d'Or. Players like Jamie Carragher, Danny Murphy, Robbie Fowler, Emile Heskey...they all improved when we were together there.

"And of course Steven Gerrard. I saw him when he was 17-and-a-half. He started training and playing with the first team. He became captain at the age of 23. That tells you everything."