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Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness has criticised the contribution of Jack Grealish to Aston Villa, claiming that he does not read the game well enough to be a top player.

Though regarded as one of the Villans’ top performers and a reported summer transfer target for Manchester United, Souness is not a fan.

The 54-time capped Scotland international claimed that there is one statistic that is particularly damning of the 28-year-old.

“I would not want to have been the most fouled player in the Premier League. That means I’m holding onto the ball too long, I’m taking extra touches when I don’t need to,” he told Sky Sports.

“It means you’re not seeing the picture quickly enough. There’s no doubt about it. He’s easy on the eye, he’s silky on the eye, but I’m yet to be convinced by him.”

While fellow pundit Emile Heskey argued that Grealish takes so many touches because of a lack of intelligent movement ahead of him, Souness dismissed the claim. 

“When I was being coached at Liverpool, I was told, I make the striker’s mind up, with my body movement, with the way I get the ball out of my feet, with my body movement. I make them run where I’m looking like I’m going to kick the ball,” Souness retorted.

“I just think that anyone who gets that many fouls, is not seeing the picture quickly enough. 

“As an old midfield player, I always think: ‘Would I like to have played against him?’ I’d have loved to have played against him because he allows me to get to him, to get physical with him.

"Do I want to play against Paul Scholes, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, who pop it off one or two touch? I want to play against people like him because I know he’s going to let me mess him around.”

Villa currently find themselves in the teeth of the relegation battle in the Premier League. Prior to their Sunday kick-off against champions Liverpool at Anfield, Dean Smith’s side lay 18th in the standings, though a single point behind Watford, who are currently in the 17th spot, which signifies safety.

Glasgow City general manager Laura Montgomery has praised a philanthropic contribution that she says has saved the club’s Champions League dreams.

James Anderson will pay for the club’s travel and Covid-19 testing, enabling the Scottish side to compete in the latter stages of the European competition.

The women’s Champions League will take place over the course of 10 days in San Sebastian, Spain, in August but with UEFA instructing clubs to charter their own flights, there was a very real threat that costs would prove too much for Montgomery’s outfit until Anderson stepped in.

“He has been amazing,” Montgomery said. “Mr Anderson was aware of our financial implications on our club in getting back to train and to play in the Champions League, and I have been discussing these with him over the past week as he was keen to help us. 

“Covid-19 has brought unprecedented financial pressures.

“The stark reality is if James hadn't come forward then I don't know how we could ever have played this game.

“He is now taking care of testing and our means to travel, because UEFA want teams to go on their own plane.

“It was the most amazing news when he told me he would cover that. He is an incredibly generous man.

“His generosity is unmatched in anything I have ever seen in Scottish women's football. We cannot say thank you enough.”

Montgomery revealed that after overcoming Chertanovo and Brondby, it would have been a bitter blow not to be able to continue their quest for glory.

“Our players were absolutely magnificent in defeating Brondby to, unbelievably, get to the quarter-finals and it would have been a tragedy for our game if we would have been unable to take our place,” she said.

“Thankfully, with the biggest act of kindness we have known in our 22 years as a club, this is something we now no longer need to worry about.”

Anderson, meanwhile, has otherwise pledged £250,000 ($306,000) to the women’s game in Scotland, as well as providing a donation of £3 million ($4m) to SPFL clubs.

Sergio Ramos revealed he enjoys the responsibility of taking crucial penalties for Real Madrid, although he claimed he would be playing tennis if he was looking for individual recognition.

For the second time in four days, Ramos grabbed the only goal from 12 yards for Madrid, this time to secure a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.

A seventh straight victory moved the Liga leaders seven points clear, at least until Barcelona take on Villarreal later in the day.

Ramos is focused on ensuring Madrid keep winning, having been flawless since the season's restart – a period in which the captain has now scored five times, including from the spot against Getafe on Thursday.

"All I think about is the three points," he said. "But those moments of doubt [when taking penalties], that's when I feel most comfortable.

"I just wanted to take that responsibility. What matters most is the overall result. The only thing that matters is that it helps the team win."

On his personal exploits, Ramos added: "The individual recognition is second for me.

"What matters is that the team get the objectives we want and manage to get the three points in every game we play. Luckily, for the moment, we are getting those results.

"I would have probably played tennis if I were more interested in individual recognition. This is a very beautiful sport, a team sport, and it's very nice to win as a team."

Having also overcome Getafe this week and with relatively kinder fixtures to come, Ramos acknowledged the magnitude of Madrid's latest victory.

"It was very important for us. We knew today was going to be one of the most important games of those that are left for us," he said. "It's a very difficult game always, travelling away to Bilbao.

"We just organised it like that: we had 11 finals left coming back from lockdown and we just had to go game by game, getting the three points.

"I believe today, again, the team proved that against a team like this, you always have to be at it. We're very happy with the three points. That was our objective.

"It's three very important points to put more pressure on Barcelona, who play later today.

"We just want that league title. From the first minute, you could see how we wanted to go for that game and get the result today.

"We knew we weren't going to win 3-0 or 4-0 today – it was going to be a very tough game – but it was important."

SuperSport United have announced their return to training ahead of the 2019/20 season resumption.

The campaign has been suspended since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the government has given the PSL the go-ahead to complete the suspended season.

Matsatsantsa released the following statement on Sunday afternoon:

"WE'RE BACK. A safe and secure first training session for Matsatsantsa as we returned to Megawatt Park," a club statement read.

This comes after Cape Town City became the first PSL team to resume training on Thursday after complying with safety protocols to ensure a safe return to the first phase of training.

SuperSport made the announcement on their official Twitter account with photos of the players working with the club's head coach Kaitano Tembo at Megawatt Park in Sunninghill, Gauteng.

PSL players and officials have already undergone the first round of tests and clubs are also expected to fumigate their training facilities.

There have been 13 confirmed positive cases that have been reported across both the PSL and National First Division (NFD) thus far. 

Prior to SuperSport's return to training, Megawatt Park was fumigated as confirmed by the club's Twitter page on Saturday.

SuperSport will be looking to continue moving up on the PSL standings when the season resumes soon.

The Tshwane giants recorded two successive wins over Highlands Park and Bidvest Wits which took the team to the third spot on the league log just before the season was suspended.

Matsatsantsa are four points behind second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have three games in hand.

Tembo's side will be without the experienced trio of Dean Furman, Thabo Mnyamane, and Thabo Qalinge after they were released by the club during the break enforced for the coronavirus pandemic.

Furman decided against renewing his contract which expired on Tuesday, June 30 and the central midfielder returned to the United Kingdom (UK) where he started his football career.

While the attack-minded duo of Mnyamane and Qalinge left the three-time PSL champions after their expiring contracts were not extended by the club earlier this week.

Promising goalkeepers Thakasani Mbanjwa and Thato Lesoma have also been released by Matsatsantsa.

The team has a new captain in long-serving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was appointed following Furman's departure.

Achraf Hakimi left Real Madrid to sign for Inter because of head coach Zinedine Zidane, the player’s agent has claimed.

The Morocco international had spent two campaigns on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but after they failed to match the Italian side’s financial package, he ultimately moved to the Serie A side for €40 million (£36m/$45m).

Martin Camano, the player’s agent, has explained why the right-back was on the move, hinting that three-time Champions League-winning boss Zidane was the catalyst.

Speaking to Al Mountakhab, he said: “Zidane is the reason for Hakimi’s transfer to Inter Milan. He must explain why Hakimi moved.”

But while the Frenchman was a driving force out of Madrid, counterpart Antonio Conte, who has enjoyed success with Juventus and Chelsea, is one of the attractive factors in Inter’s favour.

“He was always in contact with Hakimi,” the representative said. “He talked to him about the club’s future project, so we decided to move to Inter.

“I believe that when a high-value coach like Conte calls you and strongly insists on contacting you, this is evidence that he wants you to become an important piece in his project. His team represents him.”

The presence of Spain international Dani Carvajal holding down a coveted position at Santiago Bernabeu is one of the reasons that a deal was made.

“I think that Hakimi’s return at the current time is not appropriate given the presence of a distinguished player like Carvajal and I’m sure that Hakimi’s future will be bright after taking this step forward,” Camano continued.

The 21-year-old has spent the last year distinguishing himself with Borussia Dortmund, with whom he featured on 33 occasions as they finished second in the Bundesliga. Featuring primarily on the right of midfield, he scored five goals and laid on another 10.

Hakimi had been on the books of Madrid since 2006 and signed professional terms in 2016, debuting for the first team a year later and featuring on 17 occasions for Zidane’s side in all competitions, scoring a couple of goals in the process.

He will have to wait until the beginning of the 2020-21 season before making his debut for Inter.

Sergio Ramos was Real Madrid's penalty hero for the second time in four days as a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao sent the LaLiga leaders seven points clear.

Zinedine Zidane's men have been flawless since the season's restart to claim control of the title rice, but they were given a stern test by Getafe on Thursday and again had their work cut out for a time on Sunday.

Yet as against Getafe, Ramos stepped up to net a second-half penalty and secure all three points in Bilbao, with his latest decisive goal coming after Dani Garcia tripped Marcelo in the area to prompt a VAR review.

A seventh straight victory ensured Madrid made the most of playing before rivals Barcelona, who will kick-off at Villarreal later in the day knowing they have an even more significant gap to make up.

Madrid recalled Marco Asensio for his first start of the season in a move which almost brought immediate reward.

The fit-again forward drew a low save from a fourth-minute free-kick, with Karim Benzema then unable to direct his header goalwards when Dani Carvajal squared the rebound.

That was about the extent of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon's involvement before half-time, while Thibaut Courtois repelled Raul Garcia's powerful header at the other end.

Simon might have had a far greater role to play, though, as both Rodrygo and Benzema squandered huge headed opportunities from searching Asensio centres, each missing the target completely.

The second period appeared set to play out in similarly frustrating fashion for Madrid until Marcelo went down in the area and a penalty was eventually awarded, with Ramos coolly tucking his finish inside the left-hand post in the 73rd minute.

Simon saved smartly with his legs from Benzema in the closing stages, but the one Ramos goal proved enough for Madrid again.

What does it mean? Madrid unscathed after testing week

Madrid have not been quite as stylish in their past two matches as in earlier performances, but Getafe and Athletic provided potentially tricky opponents.

In both games, Los Blancos had to rely on late penalties. But given the relatively kind fixtures to come, it was crucial Zidane's side simply collected the points in any way possible. They are well on course for the title now.

Asensio deserves assist

This has been a difficult season for Asensio due to injury, but he might yet have a key role to play in the run-in.

The Spain international was involved from the outset at San Mames and twice was let down by team-mates following fine crosses. His deliveries for Rodrygo and Benzema were begging to be nodded in.

Ramos rash at the back

Ramos has now scored five massive goals in the past month, but his work at the other end of the pitch was of slight concern in Sunday's first half.

The centre-back was grateful to an offside flag following an awful early slip that let in Inaki Williams, who soon profited from some more hopeless defending on halfway. Eder Militao stepped in superbly on that occasion and often battled Williams alone.

What's next?

After a couple of tough tests in quick succession, Madrid will welcome the opportunity to rest until Friday when they host out-of-form Deportivo Alaves. Bilbao's next encounter is a home clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

Christian Kouame will finally have the chance to make his Fiorentina debut after he was named in the matchday squad that travels to the Stadio Ennio Tardini to tackle Parma in the Serie A on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has been out of action since November 2019 because of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury while he was with Genoa.

Despite failing to recover, he joined Fiorentina on loan in January but still failed to make an appearance.

Had the Serie A season ended in May, Kouame might not have been able to play for the Viola. However, lockdown measures that suspended football activities because of the coronavirus gave him more time to work on his fitness and his improvements convinced his loan deal to be extended until the end of the season.

“It’s been 235 days, almost eight months, have passed since that November 12 injury, the pain, the operation and the long rehabilitation,” Kouame wrote in an Instagram post.

“In January I transferred to Fiorentina and I’m finally able to be on the field again to play ball after the enormous joy of reading my name on the squad list today.

“235 days, almost 8 months, in which I grew up as a man. But now I can only think about putting my soccer shoes back on and go back to playing.”

Getting to feature for Fiorentina has been something desperately on Kouame’s mind, previously describing whenever he gets to wear the purple shirt as both emotional and at the same time fantastic.

"I certainly really want to go back to playing, but everything must be done without haste,” the former Citadella player told TuttoMercato.

“I am constantly followed by medical and technical staff and only when it is all right and the doctor will give his ok then I will return to full capacity with the group, with which, however, I am already doing various parts of training and preparation.

"I am sure it will be an extraordinary emotion [making Fiorentina debut]. When the time comes, it will be fantastic to be able to wear this shirt. Since my arrival I have received so much affection from clubs and fans, I hope to be able to return as soon as possible."

Kouame’s return could be a boost for Fiorentina who have been winless in their three league games since the restart, drawing one and losing two, including a 3-1 home defeat to Sassuolo last time out.

They sit in 13th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Andre Ayew scored his 14th goal in the Championship this season to seal Swansea City's 2-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 30-year-old stepped forward to double the hosts lead at the Liberty Stadium with his 66th-minute strike from the penalty spot, 10 minutes after Rhian Brewster opened the scoring.

Ayew who has played 39 Championship games for the Swans in this campaign, was on parade from start to finish, to help them return to winning ways after settling for a 1-1 draw against Millwall on Wednesday and conceding a 1-0 loss against bottom-placed Luton Town last Saturday.

In the encounter, the Ghana international registered the most shots on target (3) and he also completed the most dribbles (3) as Swansea City secured their 15th league win of the season.

The victory shot Steve Cooper's men to eighth in the Championship table with 60 points from 40 games, to boost their chances of sealing a play-off spot as they are four points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Ayew is currently enjoying his best scoring form in a league season in his career with a contribution of 14 goals and six assists in the English second division so far.

He joined Swansea City from West Ham United in 2018 and his three-year contract at the Liberty Stadium is expected to expire in June 2021.

Following the Swans' relegation from the Premier League in 2017-18, Ayew moved to the Turkish Super Lig to join Fenerbahce on a season-long loan for top-flight football.

During his stay in Turkey, the Black Stars captain scored five goals in 38 games for the Yellow-Navy Blues.

Ayew will be aiming to boost Swansea City's push for the play-off when they visit Birmingham City for their next Championship fixture on Wednesday before hosting league leaders Leeds United on July 12.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela says George Maluleka’s switch to the Brazilians is not about challenging Andile Jali and Hlompho Kekana, but all about strengthening the squad.

The retired Kaizer Chiefs hitman explores why some of the players from Naturena tend to struggle at Chloorkop, as he looks to George Lebese’s time under coach Pitso Mosimane, saying ‘Mido’ is like Portugal’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

On the other hand, ‘Killer’ is confident the Tembisa-born midfielder made the decision to join the reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions to secure his future whilst looking at new challenges and ambitions.

“For me, I’ve been in this situation before and I think he has thought about his family and his security. I think he made up his mind based on a number of things and as a professional player, he managed to decide and join Sundowns,” Mphela told Goal.

“Maybe there are things that happened in between and its only George who knows. I’ve played for Sundowns and it’s a good environment for a player like George. Even at Chiefs, it was a good place for him.

"But we need to also look at big players such as Ronaldo, he left Real Madrid and went to Juventus and I think George is in that space where he wanted to set new ambitions in terms of winning trophies with Sundowns and also play in Africa.

“We just have to wait and see what will happen at Sundowns. I’ve played with both George Lebese and Maluleka, they are talented players.

“I think Maluleka was convinced by the coaches at Sundowns and he saw the bigger picture that he can fit and do well there. He’s a hard worker, competitive, and talented.

“For me, I think he will be able to fit in and do well there.”

On whether the former SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town anchorman can be able to challenge the likes of Jali and skipper Kekana, the 35-year-old shares his thoughts.

“I don’t think it’s about fighting the likes of Jali, Hlompho, and so on. But it’s about strengthening the team because we all know Sundowns competes on so many fronts,” he added.

“We all know George brings a different quality into the team. Hlompho is not getting younger.

“So, I think all the players at Sundowns cannot be available for all the games and George will definitely come in to boost their depth.

“He will have to compete against Andile and all the other guys but not to force some of the players out of the team. He will bring good competition and I really can’t say, he will focus on taking places for certain players.”

Xavi's long-awaited return to Barcelona has been put on hold after his decision to sign a one-year contract extension with Al-Sadd.

Barcelona said goodbye to a club legend when Xavi called time on a hugely successful spell at Camp Nou spanning 17 years in 2015.

The Spaniard spent the next four seasons playing in the Qatar Stars League for Al-Sadd, before hanging up his boots in May of last year.

Xavi was subsequently appointed Al Sadd's new permanent head coach, and has since guided the club to two trophies.

The 40-year-old has been heavily linked with the top job at Barca since moving into management, as the Spanish champions continue to try and rediscover the spark of previous eras under former players Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

Quique Setien is the latest man attempting to bring back the glory days at Camp Nou, but he is already being tipped to leave the club after just six months in charge.

Xavi, who recently admitted that he harbours ambitions to coach Barca in the future, has been touted to replace Setien if he fails to deliver success in either La Liga or the Champions League come the end of the season.

However, the former Blaugrana captain has now committed his immediate future to Al-Sadd, with an official announcement posted on the club's Twitter account on Sunday.

Xavi has delivered a message to supporters after agreeing to fresh terms, which reads: “Happy to renew my contract with Al Sadd, I’m working with the club’s management during the current period on a number of issues, including the renewal of Akram Afif’s contract, and signing foreign players to replace Gabi and Marco Fabian."

Despite the World Cup winner's decision to remain in Qatar, Barca could still end up bringing back an influential figure after the club's next presidential elections in the summer of 2021.

Xavi's old team-mate Juan Antonio Pizzi, who played for the Blaugrana between 1996 and 1998, is certain that the ex-midfielder will end up in the Camp Nou dugout eventually.

“I am absolutely convinced that the future of Xavi and the future of Barcelona will come together at one point, I don’t know if in two years or five years or eight years but Xavi is going to be Barcelona coach, there is no doubt about that," Pizzi told the Daily Mail in March.

Marcus Rashford has advised Mason Greenwood to ignore outside influences and keep focusing on his football.

The teenager became the youngest Manchester United player to reach 15 goals in a season since Wayne Rooney after he scored a brace against Bournemouth in United’s 5-2 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.

His impressive finishing has already led to comparisons being drawn between the 18-year-old and Robin van Persie, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to compare the forward with the likes of Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo after the game.

Rashford has told his teammate to ignore praise and negativity and carry on focusing on his football.

“He's a fantastic player. I've watched him before he got to the first-team. It was never a matter of if was going to play with us, it was just when. When can we get him involved? Ole has done a terrific job with him,” Rashford said.

"First of all, he put him in the squad and brought him on against PSG and that for a player, as a first step, it's huge and it shows that the manager had confidence in him. You've got no reason not to have confidence in a player like Mason.

"But, for me, I just tell him to keep doing what he's doing because what he does is score goals, so he doesn’t need to do anything else. You know, forget everything whatever people are doing outside, whether it's praise or negativity.

“I just think there's a massive flood of positivity right now and momentum. For us, we want to keep that going. All three of us scored. Mason scored two. That's the type of momentum we want to keep going. That's it, really.

"He's done very well for the whole season. It's not just these bits he's been scoring goals. He's been working hard for the team and doing the dirty work, you know the unseen work. He does it so he deserves all the credit that he gets."

While Greenwood has received plenty of praise in the past few weeks, Rashford is also having a successful campaign. His penalty on Saturday took him to 20 goals for the season in all competitions.

“It's definitely a nice feeling to back scoring goals, but you know for forwards you just take it one game at a time,” Rashford explained. "Whether you score or you don't score, the next game is always about scoring.

"That's what I'll continue to do, like I've done for the whole season, really, so game-by-game we want to win games and just keep competing for the trophies we're still in."

The win saw United keep pressure on Chelsea and Leicester in the top four and extend their current unbeaten run to 16 in all competitions and Rashford gave credit to Solskjaer for improving the team.

"The manager has helped us a lot. He's stuck with us in difficult times and we've listened and tried to take on board what he's saying and what he wants us to deliver on the pitch,” Rashford said. "Where we are now, it's getting closer to what we picture but there's still a lot more work to do to be back challenging for the Premier League."

Ugandan Premier League side SC Villa have extended Joseph Nsubuga's contract by two years.

The experienced right-back has been with the 16-time league champions since 2016 after signing from Bright Stars. However, he has not been involved much especially in the last two seasons owing to injuries.

"It has been four years since I arrived at Villa Park, time has soared so quickly," Nsubuga said in a statement after his contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2022.

"I am proud to sign a new contract and continue my career at this great club. I love playing for this club and I am looking forward to what the future holds. The hard work continues so I can continue living my dream.

The 2019/20 season was halted after the Covid-19 outbreak and the new season is set to kick-off in October. The 25-year-old has already revealed his desire once normalcy returns.

"I cannot wait to get back into the game to hear our loyal fans supporting the team," Nsubuga added.

"I want to let everyone know that I will give everything back to repay the club and the fans who have stood by me in my trying times."   

The defender also had a word for the entire management and those who have stood by his side despite being out of the pitch.

"I would like to thank the management of SC Villa, my teammates and friends that have stood by me during my trying times of a long injury and supported me."

The Jogoo coach Edward Kaziba believes the right-back will remain to be an asset for the team and will give the team much-needed depth next season.

"Joseph is a great player; he deserves this contract," the tactician said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"He has worked very hard to get out of that long injury and you would see him grind it every day.

"Joseph is a player that has a deep knowledge of the game. We cannot wait to have him back and give us the depth that we are looking for in a defender of his potential and experience. [He] is a top player the team has missed for a while."

Villa finished third in the abandoned season with 46 points.

Former South Africa forward Benni McCarthy says his four goals against Namibia at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations finals were inspired by the grudge he held against the fellow Southern Africans whose supporters had taunted him earlier.

A first-half 14-minute goal blitz by McCarthy saw Bafana Bafana beat Namibia 4-1 to complete their Group C campaign in style on their way to the final of the tournament held in Burkina Faso.

But a few weeks before, South Africa had been stunned 3-2 by Namibia in a Cosafa Cup qualifying round match in Windhoek, in what was McCarthy’s full national team debut after making his maiden appearance against the Netherlands in June 1997.

During that match in Windhoek, McCarthy was inundated with “banana” chants which angered him before plotting his revenge in Burkina Faso.

“But for me, it was more of a grudge match because I made my debut coming on as a substitute against Holland, under Clive Barker, when we lost 2-0 at FNB Stadium [in June 1997], with a cameo for a few minutes,” said McCarthy as per Sowetan Live.

“I had a pretty special game [Cosafa match against Namibia], with an assist for ‘Chippa’ [Phil Masinga], but unfortunately we lost. And I remember the celebrations of the Namibians because they had beaten us. And the whole stadium sang this song, ‘Banana Banana’.

“That game was just the curtain-raiser for the Afcon for us. And I said to myself, ‘If I’m in that Afcon squad then I’m going to make them eat their words, those bastards’.”

South Africa drew 0-0 with Angola in their Afcon opening match, before a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast, making their final group match against Namibia a decider. McCarthy had missed the Ivory Coast match due to injury.

“We needed to win against Namibia, so I just told Jomo [Sono then Bafana coach] that I would take an injection because I really wanted to play, and I wanted to shove those ‘Banana Bananas’ that they called us down their throats,” McCarthy said.

“Come the game I was psyched up. I had a nice strapped ankle and I genuinely couldn’t feel the pain. As the game went on that was the only thing in my mind — ‘Banana Banana, Banana Banana’. And every goal that went in I kept singing to myself, ‘Banana Banana, Banana Banana’.

“The game finished, and I had scored the four goals, which was incredible and I was so jubilant.”

To make it sink into the Namibians, McCarthy then declined to exchange his shirt with the Namibian players after the match.

“And shame, even now when I think about it I was a bit of an a**hole to the Namibian players at the end because every one of them came up and wanted my shirt,” McCarthy said.

“And I said, ‘I ain't giving my shirt to you — you were singing Banana Banana’. So that was for me what was behind that performance. Just getting them back for calling us Banana Banana.”

The former FC Porto and West Ham United man then finished the 1998 Afcon tournament as joint top goalscorer with Egypt’s Hossam Hassan, each having managed seven goals with Bafana losing the final to the Pharaohs.

Victor Osimhen "is precisely the type of footballer that Napoli needs", according to Dries Mertens, who has backed the club to bring in the Lille striker this summer.

Few could have predicted the impact that Osimhen would have in Ligue 1 when he arrived at Lille from Charleroi for €12 million (£11m/$13m) in August 2019.

The 21-year-old was targeted after the departure of club talisman Nicolas Pepe, who completed a £72 million ($90m) move to Arsenal after an outstanding season at Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Osimhen has filled Pepe's boots admirably, scoring 18 goals in his first 38 appearances in all competitions to help Lille finish fourth in Ligue 1, while also competing in the Champions League.

The Nigerian frontman's performances have not gone unnoticed among Europe's elite clubs, with the likes of Juventus, Napoli, Liverpool and Tottenham among those taking an interest in his services in recent months.

Napoli are reportedly leading the race for Osimhen's signature, with the Lille star's agent confirming he has already been in contact with the Italian giants over a potential move.

Mertens would welcome the talented forward's arrival at Stadio San Paolo, having been made aware of his unique abilities while he was still on the books of Charleroi.

"My friends from Charleroi told me how well he played before going to France," the Napoli talisman told Il Mattino. "I don't know if he will come, but in any case, he is precisely the type of footballer that Napoli needs."

Mertens went on to express his hope that Jose Callejon remains at Napoli beyond the end of the season, with the midfielder's current contract set to expire this summer.

The 33-year-old added on his team-mate's future: "I tried to convince him to stay, and I'm still trying, I'm not giving up. Losing a friend like him would be sorry but also giving up a teammate and an extraordinary professional like Jose is not easy. I don't know what will happen. There's still time."

Napoli have been in good form since the resumption of the Italian season in early June, winning two of their three Serie A fixtures after beating Juventus in the Coppa Italia final.

Mertens is hoping Gennaro Gattuso's men can build on that platform to reach even greater heights in the coming years.

He said: "I am convinced that the victory in the Italian Cup is the starting point of a project that will bring us success. I really believe that the gap to Juventus is minimal, much less than what the current standings say."

Merseyside Police have instructed Liverpool supports to stay away from Anfield and the surrounding area during and after the Reds’ Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp and his side ended a 30-year wait for the title as Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea on June 25 pushed them over the finishing line, sparking wild celebrations in the Merseyside city.

However, with the coronavirus pandemic still very much an active threat, these scenes were widely condemned and the local constabulary are hoping to avoid similar incidents as the champions play their first home match since their first Premier League crown was secured.

"Please DO NOT come to the ground," Merseyside Police tweeted. "We are ALL living and working in unprecedented times. The players want your support but ONLY from home.

"Covid has NOT gone away. NOBODY wants another lockdown. Do the right thing and watch the game with your Sunday roast."

Since Liverpool clinched the title, pubs in England have opened, exacerbating fears that fans may congregate in the area around the historic ground, particularly after the Police Federation said it is “crystal clear” that people under the influence of alcohol will not follow social distancing guidelines.

The club have also sent out a message via LFCTV , in which young people who stay around the ground were showcased.

In their first fixture since winning the title, the Reds were routed 4-0 by second-placed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, slumping to a 3-0 deficit at half-time as they struggled to show the qualities that had seen them win the division with a record number of matches to spare.

Although Klopp has indicated that he is liable to rotate his side in the weeks ahead in order to give the younger players in his ranks the opportunity to earn a Premier League medal – even stating he would give away his own if need be – he will be hopeful that his team will bounce back against an opponent that find themselves at the opposite end of the table.

The Reds can still accumulate a record number of points in the league, with Manchester City’s 100, achieved in the 2017-18 campaign, their target. If they win their remaining six games, they will hit 104.

Former Orlando Pirates striker Jerry Sikhosana has opened up about his love-hate relationship with Kaizer Chiefs. 

Sikhosana used to give Amakhosi a torrid time during his playing days, and he remains the last player to have scored a hat-trick in a Soweto Derby. 

"By the way, I am a Kaizer Chiefs fan but there's one incident that made me want to give all whenever I played against Chiefs," Sikhosana told Lesedi FM. 

"When I was playing school sports, Sadaam Maake, their No.1 supporters from Tembisa, organise a meeting with Kaizer Motaung because he apparently raved about me to him and wanted the club to sign me - that was before I turned professional," he recalled. 

"We got there, and we were told that Kaizer Motaung was in a meeting and we waited for him. He came out of that meeting and we met him. 

"Surprisingly, our meeting took five minutes, and he said to me, 'Jerry, don't call me, I will call you' and I am still waiting for that call even today," he continued.  

Sikhosana, 51, said Motaung still reminds him of that painful meeting every time they meet even though he has long retired from professional football.  

"And he (Motaung) knows that story because whenever we meet, he still asks, 'Jerry, are you still waiting for my call?" 

"So, that was the reason I hated playing against Chiefs although I loved the club. I wanted to show them Bra Kaizer what he could have had at his club." 

Sikhosana further revealed his mother would be angry every time he scored for Pirates against Chiefs because she also supported the Naturena-based side.  

"Even my mom would be angry every time I score against Chiefs because she was also their big fan," added Sikhosana.      

The former South Africa international is one of the many former players who played for teams they never grew up supporting. 

Benni McCarthy is another player who turned out for Pirates even though he grew up supporting Amakhosi. 

Sikhosana's late friend, Isaac Shakes Kungwane supported the Buccaneers but he played for the Glamour Boys among other teams.  

Danny Rose has admitted that his "days are numbered" at Tottenham, and that he knew he "wasn't needed" at the club anymore after Mauricio Pochettino's departure.

Rose joined Spurs from Leeds as a teenager in 2007, and has since racked up 214 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 10 goals.

The England international enjoyed the best spell of his career to date under Pochettino's stewardship between 2014 and 2019, as the Lilywhites became Premier League title contenders and Champions League finalists.

However, the 30-year-old found himself on the fringes of the action after Jose Mourinho was drafted in to replace the Argentine in November and was subsequently sent out on loan to Newcastle in the January transfer window.

Rose still has one year left to run on his current contract at Tottenham, but is now determined to extend his stay at St James' Park after accepting his lengthy spell in north London has already drawn to a close.

Ahead of Newcastle's clash with West Ham on Sunday, the left-back wrote in the club's official matchday programme notes: “First and foremost, I am playing for my future. I don't think I need a bigger motivation than that. I have settled in very well, I love the lads, and staff and the fans.

“It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that my days are numbered at Spurs. I am playing for my future – no bigger motivation.

“It is probably the first time in my career I have been in this situation – never have I been down to less than one year on my contract – so it's a new experience for me.”

Rose added on how quickly he became aware that he wasn't going to play a key role in Mourinho's plans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: "It's not enjoyable that you are training and you know you're not going to be playing at the weekend. That's difficult. When my old manager lost his job, that was pretty much the end for me.

“I spent November not playing, December not playing, and then I joined here in January. It was very frustrating. I wasn't needed in the manager's plans at the moment in Tottenham.”

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has offered his support to financially hit Schalke, praising their qualities of youth development and stating that they could have been Bundesliga champions had they not sold their talented academy products.

Bayern wrapped the German domestic season up on Saturday by winning a second double in succession as they overcame Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 in the DFB-Pokal final, but Schalke had a more modest finish of 12th.

While there was little danger of relegation, they face an arguably greater problem for their long-term health due to economic issues brought on by the coronavirus crisis, which saw no professional football played in Germany for three months and the season finishing behind closed doors.

They suffered a further blow with Manchester City’s €49 million (£44.7m/$55m) sale of Leroy Sane to Bayern as they missed out on a sell-on profit after City had bought him for €50m in 2016. 

With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Ilkay Gundogan having also come through their ranks recently, they have been prolific producers of fine young players, though they have not been able to capitalise fully upon it.

“The pool of players to have come through their youth teams is one of the best in all of Germany,” Rummenigge recognised in an interview with Sport1 . “Schalke could have been German champions in the meantime if they could have kept the many players who they have trained well in their youth division.

“The fact is that they have always sold very promising players, such as Leroy Sane to Manchester City in 2016, to meet their financial needs.”

Rummenigge said that while Schalke might once have hoped Sane would be sold for a fee in excess of €100m, recent events mean that was never likely to be on the cards.

“A year ago, the transfer sums still had another dimension, but this year prices seem to be on a more rational scale,” he said.

“Nobody wants to be pitied. With a new concept, a new spirit and the necessary patience, Schalke will find their way back to their old strength. They are one of the traditional clubs in Germany and an important part of the Bundesliga.”

He also reacted to reports that Schalke will put in a self-imposed salary cap of €2.5 million per player next season.

“Every club has to find its own philosophy. The salary structure of the team is an extremely sensitive one,” he said.

Sergio Ramos was Real Madrid's penalty hero for the second time in four days as a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao sent the LaLiga leaders seven points clear.

Zinedine Zidane's men have been flawless since the season's restart to claim control of the title rice, but they were given a stern test by Getafe on Thursday and again had their work cut out for a time on Sunday.

Yet as against Getafe, Ramos stepped up to net a second-half penalty and secure all three points in Bilbao, with his latest decisive goal coming after Dani Garcia tripped Marcelo in the area to prompt a VAR review.

A seventh straight victory ensured Madrid made the most of playing before rivals Barcelona, who will kick-off at Villarreal later in the day knowing they have an even more significant gap to make up.

Madrid recalled Marco Asensio for his first start of the season in a move which almost brought immediate reward.

The fit-again forward drew a low save from a fourth-minute free-kick, with Karim Benzema then unable to direct his header goalwards when Dani Carvajal squared the rebound.

That was about the extent of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon's involvement before half-time, while Thibaut Courtois repelled Raul Garcia's powerful header at the other end.

Simon might have had a far greater role to play, though, as both Rodrygo and Benzema squandered huge headed opportunities from searching Asensio centres, each missing the target completely.

The second period appeared set to play out in similarly frustrating fashion for Madrid until Marcelo went down in the area and a penalty was eventually awarded, with Ramos coolly tucking his finish inside the left-hand post in the 73rd minute.

Simon saved smartly with his legs from Benzema in the closing stages, but the one Ramos goal proved enough for Madrid again.

What does it mean? Madrid unscathed after testing week

Madrid have not been quite as stylish in their past two matches as in earlier performances, but Getafe and Athletic provided potentially tricky opponents.

In both games, Los Blancos had to rely on late penalties. But given the relatively kind fixtures to come, it was crucial Zidane's side simply collected the points in any way possible. They are well on course for the title now.

Asensio deserves assist

This has been a difficult season for Asensio due to injury, but he might yet have a key role to play in the run-in.

The Spain international was involved from the outset at San Mames and twice was let down by team-mates following fine crosses. His deliveries for Rodrygo and Benzema were begging to be nodded in.

Ramos rash at the back

Ramos has now scored five massive goals in the past month, but his work at the other end of the pitch was of slight concern in Sunday's first half.

The centre-back was grateful to an offside flag following an awful early slip that let in Inaki Williams, who soon profited from some more hopeless defending on halfway. Eder Militao stepped in superbly on that occasion and often battled Williams alone.

What's next?

After a couple of tough tests in quick succession, Madrid will welcome the opportunity to rest until Friday when they host out-of-form Deportivo Alaves. Bilbao's next encounter is a home clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has singled out three men to thank the most for this season's Premier League title triumph.

The Reds were crowned champions of England for the first time in 30 years when Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on June 25. That result gave Jurgen Klopp's side an unassailable 23 point lead at the top of the table with seven matches to spare, a feat which has never before been achieved.

City reduced that gap to 20 by beating Liverpool 4-0 at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, but a new points record could still be achieved if the Merseyside outfit win at least five of their remaining games.

Ahead of their latest outing against Aston Villa, Henderson took up some room in the club's official matchday programme to show his appreciation to the key figures that inspired him to become a Premier League-winning skipper.

The England international began by thanking Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, who was seen celebrating at home with a glass of champagne shortly after their coronation was confirmed.

Henderson said: “I could fill the entire programme listing people I am grateful to and, by the way, none more so than all my current teammates, the gaffer, his direct staff and the unreal club staff, who we don’t get to see as much of, but there are three people whose contribution to me personally here at Liverpool I want to highlight and thank.

“Firstly, Sir Kenny Dalglish. One of the things that set me off on the night we won it was seeing Kenny on TV immediately after and how emotional he was. Along with Damien Comolli, to whom I will also be forever grateful, Kenny is the reason I got the opportunity to play for this amazing club."

The next man on Henderson's list was Brendan Rodgers - the man who made way for Klopp back in 2015 after three years in charge of the first team.

The 30-year-old said: “Secondly, is Brendan Rodgers. I think on the outside Brendan probably isn’t given the credit he deserves for the role he played in our journey as a club, but I know on the inside, from people who know and understand, it’s hugely appreciated. You only have to listen to our gaffer now speak."

Henderson concluded by expressing his gratitude towards Liverpool's former captain Steven Gerrard, insisting the legendary playmaker was the main reason he signed for the club in the first place.

He continued: “Thirdly, is Steven Gerrard. It’s impossible to sum up the importance of Stevie to the modern Liverpool and what we are achieving together now.

"If you speak to every player in our dressing room – from the oldest to the youngest – they’ll all tell you that following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard was a massive factor in wanting to sign for this club. It was for me, and I was lucky to play alongside him for club and country."