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Coventry City have announced the signing of Bright Enobakhare from Indian Super League side SC East Bengal.

The former Nigeria U23 star joins the Sky Blues on a two-year contract that will keep him with the EFL Championship side until 2023, with the option of a further year extension.

"Coventry City are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Bright Enobakhare," a statement from the club website read.

"The 23-year-old has agreed to a two-year contract with the Sky Blues, with the club having the option of a further year extension, following the expiry of his contract with Indian Super League side SC East Bengal.

"Bright is a familiar face for City fans, having had a successful loan spell at the Club from Wolves in the 2018-19 season.

"After joining in January 2019, Bright played 18 times for the Sky Blues and scored 6 goals, providing three assists.

"At the end of the campaign, Bright’s performances earned him the Young Player of the Year award.

"The Nigerian playmaker has Championship experience from his time at Wolves, where he came through the Academy ranks."

The striker began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2015 before moving to AEK Athens.

Before then, he had completed loan moves to Kilmarnock, Coventry and Wigan Athletic due to a lack of playing time at Molineux Stadium.

During his first stint at the Coventry Building Society Arena in 2019, the Nigerian scored six goals in 18 appearances before moving to the Latics.

Meanwhile, manager Mark Robins was delighted to have the African star in his squad while relishing the prospect of working with him again.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Bright back to Coventry City," Robins told the Coventry website.

“Bright is a very talented footballer who has the ability to turn a game and create opportunities and goals out of nothing.

“We are delighted to have the chance to work with him again.”

Enobakhare is expected to join the rest of his new teammates for pre-season on Wednesday afternoon. He could make his debut when the Sky Blues take on La Liga side Sevilla in a friendly match billed for July 17.

Having finished in the 16th position in the English second tier last term, Robins and his players would be hoping to double up their efforts this term to earn promotion to the English elite division.

AFC Leopards midfielder Collins Shichenje asked to be excluded from Kenya's Cecafa squad in order to complete talks with the Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki, Goal has learnt.

Shichenje, who can also play as a centre-back, asked to be excused from the Emerging Stars squad in order to make travel arrangements and complete the expected move to the Greek top-flight side.

The former Green Commandos midfielder has a few months remaining on his contract with the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side.

"He opted to leave the Emerging Stars camp in order to complete the PAOK Thessaloniki talks because he wants to chase his European dream," a source close to the 21-year-old told Goal on Wednesday.

"He was elated to get a call-up from Stanley Okumbi, but the desire to complete the deal with the Greek club made him reconsider his place in the national side.
 
"He has the blessings of AFC Leopards and it is the club that requested the federation to release him from the Cecafa squad in order to chase the dream."
 
 PAOK had engaged the Kenyan midfielder in April, but travel was made impossible by the restrictions placed in order to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Although rumours indicate Shichenje has been offered a two-year deal by the Greek side, the source did not confirm whether that is true.
 
"I can not confirm whether that deal has been tabled, but what I know is that the player and the team have agreed on the majority of the issues. PAOK are satisfied Shichenje has qualities that could be of help to them, and the midfielder is eager to grab the opportunity," the source added.

USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath says that he is relishing the "new challenge" presented by his move to Nottingham Forest.

Horvath, fresh from his CONCACAF Nations League heroics for the USMNT, has arrived at the City Ground on a three-year deal from Belgium Pro League outfit Club Brugge.

Restricted to only a handful of games last term owing to the presence of Red Devils international Simon Mignolet, the 26-year-old hopes that he will be able to push on this year in England and says that he will be proud to pull on Forest's colours this term.

What has been said?

“It feels great to be here," Horvath told the club's website after becoming the Championship club's first summer signing. "Nottingham Forest is such a historic club.

"I really like the stadium and training ground and the people have been fantastic. It’s a new challenge for me. I’m hoping all my experience can help Forest.

“I’ve heard about the fans and the 30,000 crowds and that even when it’s not full, it’s loud. The shirt carries a lot of history and I’m proud to be part of that history.”

Horvath out to impress as Forest eye resurgence

The arrival of Horvath - mere weeks after he made a man-of-the-match appearance off the bench for the USMNT in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Mexico in Denver - signals Forest's intent to challenge at the top end of the Championship once more.

Having parted ways with Sabri Lamouchi last October with the club mired in the relegation zone, Chris Hughton steered them to a mid-table finish with room to spare at the end of the campaign.

Now, they will look to push on towards the top six, having not made the play-offs since back-to-back campaigns in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Further reading

Portsmouth are investigating claims that a number of their academy players aimed racist abuse towards members of the England squad following their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.

England lost their first European Championship final on penalties against Italy on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missing from 12 yards to hand the Azzurri their sixth international title.

The Three Lions trio were targeted by social media trolls after the game, and Portsmouth have now been caught up in the controversy as football authorities continue to struggle with the issue of online racism.

What claims have been made against Portsmouth?

Images have surfaced on social platforms purportedly showing screen grabs from a Portsmouth U18 group chat, during which racist language is used.

Offensive pictures are also visible in the posts, which originated from the popular multimedia messaging app Snapchat.

Portsmouth's response

Portsmouth have responded to the allegations against their academy stars by launching an internal investigation.

"Portsmouth Football Club are aware of images circulating on social media that allegedly originate from an academy U18 group chat and which are discriminatory in nature," a statement on the club's official website reads.

"The club have launched an immediate investigation and will provide an update once this has been completed.

"Portsmouth Football Club strongly condemn racism and are totally committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination. There is no place for it in our game or society as a whole."

The FA's stance on racism

The English Football Association released its own statement following England's defeat to Italy, condemning the actions of those responsible for aiming racist abuse at Rashford, Sancho and Saka while calling on the government and social media companies to do more to protect players online.

"We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and are appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media," the statement read. "We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. 

"We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible. We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore the government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real-life consequences. 

"Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making the platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse."

Further reading 

Kaizer Chiefs have a golden opportunity to emulate their fierce local rivals Orlando Pirates this weekend and clinch a maiden African championship.

Of Africa’s big three today, Chiefs are the odd ones out, having never before won the Caf Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns were African champions in 2016, while Pirates—South Africa’s pioneers in the competition—clinched the big one in 1995, but to date, the Amakhosi have never won the big one.

Admittedly, they won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 2001, but while that triumph against Interclube lives long in the memory, the Caf Champions League would be a different scale of success altogether.

As the final against Al-Ahly approaches, comparisons between this current Chiefs generation and the Pirates team of ’95 are becoming more prevalent.

There are similarities between the two sides, but also major differences.

Both, for example, were well off the pace in their domestic title race in the season they reached the African Cup final.

Admittedly, while Pirates’ third-placed finish in 1995 was far between than Chiefs’ eighth-placed finish this term, the Buccaneers were 11 points off the pace in that title race, and finished far below champions Cape Town Spurs.

Both sides also headed into their respective finals as underdogs.

Pirates were not expected to down ASEC Mimosas in 1995, particularly after being held 2-2 at home in Johannesburg in the first leg, but the heroic Jerry Sikhosana ultimately netted the winner in the second leg in order to secure the title.

For Chiefs, it’s a similar story; they face Africa’s biggest side—Al-Ahly—now managed by Pitso Mosimane, a man who knows Amakhosi well, away in North Africa.

It’s a tough assignment, and—if they were to win it—a case could certainly be made that Chiefs’ success would eclipse even Pirates’ magnificent triumph over their Ivorian opposition in 1995.

As well as not wanting their Soweto rivals to match their achievement on the continental stage, there would also be added consequences for Bucs if Chiefs win.

With South Africa only having four teams qualifying for continental competitions next season, victory for Chiefs would see them qualify for next year’s Champions League—taking AmaZulu’s place.

AmaZulu would then drop into the Confederation Cup alongside Marumo Gallants—who qualified as Nedbank Cup winners—while Pirates would miss out altogether.

Further Caf Champions League final reading 

Former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo leapt to the defence of Arthur Okonkwo following his howler in Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Hibernian on Tuesday.

A mistake from the English shot-stopper of Nigerian descent on his debut ensured the Gunners ended up on the losing side in the pre-season friendly played at Easter Road. 

The Scottish side took a 21st-minute lead after Okonkwo failed to deal with a back pass from Cedric Soares. Profiting from that, Martin Boyle had the simple task of putting the ball into an empty net.

Daniel MacKay doubled Hibs' advantage in the 69th minute, but Emile Smith Rowe reduced the deficit for Mikel Arteta's men eight minutes from full-time.

The 19-year-old's gaffe generated contrasting reactions on social media, but the Abia Warriors goalkeeper made light of the incident, quipping that even world-class goalkeepers make such errors.

"It was quite unfortunate that such happened to him on his debut for one of the greatest clubs in the world," Ojo told Goal.

"I really feel for him. Truth is even great goalkeepers commit blunders despite their years of experience.

"Talking from experience, I'm sure Okonkwo would not be happy with the blunder that cost him team victory. We will keep making mistakes as humans and we'll keep learning every day. 

"All I know is that he'll come back better and stronger. The Premier League side's goalkeeper trainers also have a role to play in this too."

Okonkwo was promoted to Arsenal’s senior team this month after signing a long-term contract with the Emirates Stadium giants.

His error could hinder his chance to rival Runar Alex Runarsson and Bernd Leno for a place in the starting XI.

"That does not make him a poor goalkeeper and you can’t define his ability by just one game. All he needs now is encouragement from people around him," Ojo continued.

"Although, if he had kept a clean slate against Hibernians, he would have earned rave reviews and now that it is the other way around, he should not let that affect him.

"The deed has been done and the game can never be replayed. He is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has a very bright future ahead of him."

The Londoners will continue their training camp in Edinburgh, before taking on Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday. 

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At their most basic, football autobiographies offer fans a glimpse into the person behind the persona we’ve come to know through our TV screens. At their best, they provide a unique look into an individual’s thought process that would be impossible to get from a simple biography. 

This selection of autobiographies follows the careers of some of football’s biggest stars, from both on and off the pitch, and gives a raw insight into what it’s like to play at the highest level.

Side Note: If you prefer to listen to your books than read them, Audible is offering a free 30-day trial for new customers, giving you access to a free audiobook copy of any title in this list.

The World Cup and Champions League-winning midfielder gives a humorous and insightful look back on his career, filled with plenty of anecdotes involving his former team-mates at Juventus and AC Milan.

Get it from Amazon for £7.89

In his own words, legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks revisits the highs and lows of his career, from his role in helping England to World Cup victory to the car accident that left him blind in one eye. 

Get it from Amazon for £6.55

As the name suggests, The Accidental Footballer is different from your usual football memoirs. Pat Nevin writes about his life with honesty and humour while never shying away from difficult topics.

Get it from Amazon for £14.50

In this autobiography, the enigmatic Bergkamp details his life, career, and inspirations, while also giving his own opinion on the game of football and how it should be played. 

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Widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, Johan Cruyff’s life was just as extraordinary off the pitch where the 1973 European Footballer of the Year dealt with bankruptcy and a kidnapping attempt.

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Written just a couple of years after the loss of his wife Rebecca to cancer, Rio Ferdinand’s autobiography is a meditation on grief and loss written with the inspiration of helping others. 

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This definitive autobiography of the revolutionary football manager is not only a must-read for Arsenal supporters but essential reading for anyone who considers themselves a football fan.

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Peter Crouch's autobiography is one the funniest memoirs put to paper, which is no surprise coming from the man widely regarded as one of the funniest men in sport. The book has an equally hilarious sequel I, Robot: How to Be a Footballer. 

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From his early days struggling at Oxford City to lifting the FA Cup at Portsmouth, Harry tells the full story of his career as one of the most recognisable managers in the history of football.

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The Liverpool legend and one of the most colourful characters to ever play football shares stories from his stints at Liverpool, Newcastle, and just as entertainingly, his time off the pitch.

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In his own unique style filled with witty one-liners, Zlatan recalls his time at Barcelona, PSG, and Manchester United on his journey to becoming a modern sporting icon.

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Paul Merson’s autobiography is as much a manual as it is a memoir. The book contains a treasure trove of anecdotes told in Merson’s usual entertaining and laugh-out-loud manner.

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The Sunday Times bestselling memoir from Ian Wright covers the former England striker and current TV pundit’s career in front of the fans, as well as topics such as racism, social media, and retirement. 

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Originally published in 2013, this autobiography has recently been updated to include Sir Alex Ferguson's thoughts on events at Manchester United since his retirement, as well as more anecdotes from his post-managing career. 

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Now a pundit for talkSPORT and Sky Sports, Ray Parlour’s memoir takes a candid look back at his on-field career including his time on Arsenal’s famous unbeaten team of 2003-04.

Get it from Amazon for £8.15

It’s not just the footballers and managers who have entertaining autobiographies to their name, as this book delves into the career of one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting.

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Called by some “the most candid sports book ever written”, McGrath’s autobiography doesn’t shy away from the more difficult chapters in his life which includes his upbringing as an orphan and his struggle with alcoholism.  

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A rare behind-the-scenes look at the illustrious career and life of the Irish goalkeeper whose career has spanned over three decades and included World Cups and FA Cup finals.

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Perhaps a little overshadowed by the dozens of biographies written about Brian Clough, this book offers a rare insight into the legendary Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager in his own words. 

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After making his fortune outside of football, Simon Jordan decided to follow his childhood dream by purchasing Crystal Palace. This book lifts the lid on how only a decade later the club went into administration.

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Written with the help of Man Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle, Keane’s autobiography offers a brutally honest account of the former Manchester United captain, leaving no stones unturned.

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One of the greatest managers of all time, Carlo Ancelotti reveals the full story of his career managing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Released in 2021, this illuminating insight into the career of Luka Modric reveals his journey from growing up in war-torn Croatia to playing for his country in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.

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Shortlisted for the Best Sports Autobiography at the 2020 British Sports Book Awards, Heskey’s revealing autobiography charts the rise of the England footballer as he overcame fierce criticism.

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Italy's open-bus parade following their Euro 2020 triumph "was not authorised", according to the current Prefect of Rome, Matteo Piantedosi.

The Azzurri claimed the second European Championship crown in their history after beating England on penalties in the showpiece event at Wembley on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini and the rest of his squad celebrated by taking the trophy to the streets of Rome on Monday, but it has now been revealed that they were originally denied permission to ride through the city in an open-top bus due to Covid-19 restrictions.

What's been said?

Rome prefect Piantedosi has told Corriere della Sera: "We had denied permission to celebrate Italy's victory in the European Championships on the open bus, but the pacts were not respected.

"Last Friday we convened a committee for order and security. I had agreed the line with the Minister of Interior Luciana Lamorgese and with the police chief Lamberto Giannini.

"The meeting was precisely to decide what to do and for this reason we also directly involved the FIGC, which asked to allow the athletes of the national team to take a ride around Rome on an open bus, but it was clearly explained that it was not possible. We said we could not authorize them. "

Why did the parade go ahead?

Piantedosi went on to explain that Italian authorities reluctantly allowed the parade to go ahead in order to avoid any public disorder, with thousands of fans having turned up to see their country's heroes show off their new piece of silverware.

"I understand that [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Leandro] Bonucci represented their understanding with determination to the staff on the order service; at that point it was not possible to do anything but take note of the situation and manage it in the best possible way," he said.

"It was the strong intention of the players to continue the celebrations by taking a ride on an open bus. There were thousands of people waiting for the bus ride, banning it could have created problems of public order.

"In Rome, we have always tried to apply the measures anti-Covid by stimulating the collaboration of citizens and productive categories rather than imposing draconian measures." 

Further reading 

There’s always a certain grimace that accompanies a goalkeeper winning a man of the match award, an expression that lies in the sentiment your shot-stopper shouldn’t have too much to do during the 90 minutes.  

Manchester United’s David De Gea is not alien to this, neither is Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak. In his prime, the Spaniard’s incredible shot-stopping was a joy to behold while Diego Simeone owes a lot of his team’s success over the years to the Slovenian superstar.

For Nigerians, it was Vincent Enyeama. The undoubted belief in the ex-Super Eagles captain wasn’t out of place with the retired goalie often nullifying opponents and, at times, looking unbeatable.

His incredible showing against Argentina at the 2010 World Cup immediately comes to mind, where he especially denied Lionel Messi multiple times and prevented a Super Eagles humiliation.

While it was always going to be an uphill task replacing the former Lille man, who hit a century of caps for the West African nation, few anticipated it would take so long.

Carl Ikeme looked the part in the mid-2010s, offering hope that the three-time African champions didn’t have to anticipate too long, but illness — he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 — and retirement in 2018 meant Gernot Rohr had to restart his search.

Just as the former Wolverhampton Wanderers’ icon offered an immediate solution after Enyeama, Francis Uzoho appeared to do likewise, after a pretty commendable debut against Argentina in November 2017.

Nigeria had fallen behind 2-0, with Daniel Akpeyi’s panicky misjudgement in picking the ball outside the area and subsequent lapse from the resulting free-kick not going unnoticed. To date, fans have never truly trusted the goalie between the sticks.

In truth, Uzoho didn’t have much to do after replacing the Kaizer Chiefs man against the South Americans, but his handling and perceived calmness inside his box well received by supporters. He was forced into a pretty routine save with seven minutes remaining.

However, that joy was short-lived. The then-teenager's composure and assuredness gave for anxiousness between the sticks.

Criticism soon followed but Rohr didn’t back down and kept faith in the Nwangele-born shot-stopper.

The German’s perceived bias for the 22-year-old has never gone away and despite a brief dalliance with Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Akpeyi returning as first-choice at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the goalkeeping situation appeared complicated.

Perhaps Uzoho’s erratic form was expected. His youth meant there was going to be growing pains and it’s a process that may still occur under incumbent Maduka Okoye.

The Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper replaced Uzoho against Brazil in a friendly in October 2019 after the latter tore ankle ligaments in that 1-1 draw vs the Selecao and subsequently benefitted from Akpeyi’s injury at Chiefs.

Reduced pressure allowed for smoother integration into the side and Rohr declared him the new number one in February.

“No. 1 is Maduka. These decisions, I take them with [goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu] because he is a specialist for goalkeeper training,” Rohr told ESPN . “Myself and Alloy, we agreed that it's actually Maduka.

"We have the experienced [Daniel Akpeyi] doing good matches with this club in South Africa. We have the young [Francis Uzoho] coming back after injury, but he has to play also now not only on the bench. We have also [Matthew Yakubu]. There's a good potential now because this position was a big problem for us, so we have more now.”

Rohr’s candour in equally recognising the issues in recent years made for interesting reading, but has Okoye now solved the five-year crisis since Enyeama and Ikeme’s retirement definitively?

In truth, you’d forgive supporters for not being overly optimistic, fearing another false dawn between the sticks. Having said that, the 21-year-old’s debut season in the Eredivisie offered promise in the youngster’s maiden campaign in top flight football.

The acquisition from Fortuna Dusseldorf largely thrived in 2020/21, making 28 appearances and keeping 10 clean sheets — only three shot-stoppers had higher.

This is impressive because he began the campaign as Benjamin van Leer’s understudy — an unused substitute in five of the opening six games — after Henk Fraser revamped De Kasteelheren’s goalkeeping position.

Interestingly, though, his underlying numbers don’t measure up among other goalkeepers in the league, so it remains to be seen whether this year was a one-off.

Regardless of those doubts, Okoye’s performances, especially towards the end of the campaign, saw him voted the club’s best player. In his debut season in top flight football and a new league no less, this feat shouldn’t be watered down.

Transfer links to Ajax have surfaced , a move that shouldn’t be ruled out with Andre Onana expected to sign for Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon in the coming days.

Whether or not the 21-year-old is ready for such a move given his limited experience of football at the highest level is uncertain, but it gives credence to the belief that he’s on the up and improving.

Indeed, Nigeria could be a beneficiary of Okoye’s emergence.

On the rare occasions where the man between the sticks is named player of the season, eyebrows are raised. Not this time, though, as Nigerians hope the growing goalkeeper becomes a long-term solution to the Super Eagles' Enyeama bugbear.

Jorginho sees no reason why he could not prove to be a shock winner in the race for this year's Ballon d'Or, noting that nobody has won more trophies than he has this season in terms of his rivals for the prized honour.

The Chelsea and Italy star has enjoyed a richly successful few months for club and country, claiming Champions League and Euro 2020 glory with a string of pivotal performances.

Speaking in the wake of the Azzurri's penalty shootout triumph over England at Wembley over the weekend, the midfielder feels he has a chance of being named the best player this year.

What has been said?

"We all have dreams," the Brazil-born playmaker told SporTV. "But, I'll be honest, it depends on the criteria that the decision is based on.

"If we're talking about talent then I know I'm not the best in the world. But if it's going on titles, then nobody has won more than I have this season.

"How could I compare myself to [Lionel] Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo? They've got completely different characteristics to me. But, I repeat, it depends on the criteria."

Ballon d'Or race hots up after Euro and Copa America finals

On the back of a busy international calendar, the race for the honour bestowed by France Football is hotting up, with Jorginho firmly in the mix among a number of key contenders.

Having been cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic - when Robert Lewandowski was the presumed frontrunner following frustrating campaigns for both Messi and Ronaldo - the award is set to return this term with familiar faces contesting the race at the top.

Per Goal's Power Rankings, Messi's triumph at the Copa America has further cemented the Argentina star's place in top spot, while Lewandowski's record-breaking year with Bayern Munich has kept him in second.

Jorginho's superb Euro 2020 however has catapulted him from outside the top half-dozen contenders into third place, edging out Chelsea team-mate N'Golo Kante in the race for the ceremony later this year.

Further reading

Ferran Torres has addressed rumours linking Antoine Griezmann with Manchester City and described the French forward as a "great player".

City are being tipped to add greater depth to their attacking ranks in the summer window following the departure of club legend Sergio Aguero, who signed for Barca upon the expiration of his final contract at Etihad Stadium.

It has been suggested that Aguero's new Barca team-mate Griezmann could make his way to Manchester, and Torres has welcomed the prospect of linking up with a World Cup winner.

What's been said?

“He’s a great player,” The City winger told Marca when quizzed on the speculation surrounding the Frenchman's future.

“Obviously, he’s at Barca; let’s see what can happen. I don’t know if [Pep] Guardiola has spoken to him.

“City are one of the best teams in the world, and they want to have the best players to win everything. If he comes, fine; if not, we’ll keep working.”

Could Griezmann join City?

Griezmann has the experience and quality to add a new dimension to Guardiola's City lineup, having enjoyed successful spells at Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid before joining Barca in 2019.

The 30-year-old has scored 220 goals in 558 senior matches since turning professional in 2009, but has struggled to produce his best form in his first two seasons at Camp Nou.

Griezmann has only managed to find the net 35 times in 99 appearances for Barca to date, and it has been reported that he could be sold this summer amid the club's attempts to reduce their wage bill and re-sign talismanic captain Lionel Messi.

City could be the ideal next destination for the France international, but Guardiola has warned that it may be "impossible" for the Premier League champions to bring in a new forward due to the current inflated transfer market prices.

Torres on potential Valencia return

Torres joined City from Valencia for £23 million ($32m) in August 2020, and he impressed in his debut campaign at the Etihad, scoring 13 goals in 36 outings across all competitions.

The 21-year-old is tied to the Blues until 2025, but has now admitted that he would like to return to the Mestalla at some point.

"I've always said it and always will," said Torres. "Valencia is my home is where I grew up and it has given me everything. Why not come back here in the future?"

Further reading 

Zambia captain Barbara Banda has stated they are not intimidated ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, where they are set to face Brazil, the Netherlands and China in Group F.

In the 2020 Olympics, the Copper Queens are set to open the campaign with a game against the European group rivals and Banda said the toughest task was the qualification process, where they emerged as Africa's sole representatives and are thus ready for the task.

"We have played so many high-level games. We are not intimidated at all; our great achievement was in qualifying and our aim now is to do our level best," the Shanghai Shengli striker told the Faz media.

"The morale has been high in the camp, and this is the day that everyone has been waiting for and it has finally come. We are very much ready as a team and the preparation has been going on well.

"The first game is always important. As we go to our first game, we must be on top of our game and get the first three points. This will determine how far we will go in the tournament."

Banda also explained how the chance to participate in the global bonanza is an opportunity for her teammates to market themselves.

"This is the best opportunity for each and everyone to show off their talent and to sell themselves. I think in our team we have a good number of players that are capable of playing professional football.

"It's up to them to show what they are capable of, and I am sure that most of them will go professional," she concluded.

Zambia Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hazel Nali (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), N’gambo Musole (Zesco Girls), and Catherine Musonda (Indeni Rose).

Defenders: Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musesa, Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (all Green Buffaloes), Vast Phiri (Zesco Girls), and Fikile Khosa (Red Arrows).

Midfielders: Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Esther Namukwasa (Indeni Roses), Susan Katongo (ZISD Queens), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Girls), Hellen Chanda (Red Arrows).

Strikers: Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli - China), Grace Chanda (Red Arrows), Hellen Mubanga (CFF Zaragoza - Spain), Rachael Kundananji (BIIK Kazygurt - Kazakhstan), and Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows).

Lionel Messi will never be able to better Diego Maradona "even if he wins four World Cups in a row", according to Argentina legend Mario Kempes.

The forward finally ended his international drought with the Albiceleste after claiming a long-awaited maiden Copa America triumph against Brazil on Saturday.

It leaves the World Cup as the lone major honour the 34-year-old is yet to collect for club - with Barcelona - and country, but now Kempes has claimed that, for all his achievements, he will always be in the shadow of his late compatriot, a cultural icon within his home country and around the world.

What has been said?

"For Messi, the misfortune is that he was the replacement for Diego Maradona," Kempes, who won the World Cup in 1978, told ESPN . "And it is very difficult to overshadow Diego, with the idolatry that he has received around the world

"If [Messi] wants to be better than Maradona, he is not going to achieve it even if he wins four World Cups in a row.

"He still hasn't won the World Cup. No matter how many [titles he] wins or what he wins, it can never be compared to what Diego did."

Copa triumph furthers GOAT debate

Messi's success at the weekend has further intensified debate over whether he can be considered the greatest modern footballer of all time or whether Cristiano Ronaldo - who enjoyed national success with Portugal at Euro 2016 - is his equal or superior.

The former has now won 34 major honours at club level - including the Copa del Rey last season under Ronald Koeman - but save a gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, he had not won silverware with his country until this month.

His haul in terms of pure trophies far exceeds that of Maradona, who passed away last November aged 60 - but the latter's World Cup triumph, combined with his larger-than-life personality on and off the field, means that he still has some way to go to achieve the same status, at least in Kempes' eyes.

The bigger picture

Having completed his international commitments with Lionel Scaloni's side, Messi will now mull over his future after the expiration of his contract at Barcelona last month.

A long-running transfer saga last year looked to signal a departure ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, but a change of leadership at Camp Nou seems to have convinced the attacker to renew at the only club he has ever played senior football for.

However, the Blaugrana's financial situation means that the finer details of a new deal - and when it could be announced - remain up in the air, leaving the free agent available to pursue other avenues with other suitors should he so choose.

Further reading

Swallows FC chairman David Mogashoa has provided an update on former Kaizer Chiefs winger George Lebese, who is currently on trial at his club. 

The 32-year-old player among the four players currently being assessed by Swallows head coach Brandon Truter ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, which is expected to start next month.

Mogashoa explained that Truter will soon make a decision on whether they will sign Lebese or not, with the club having already confirmed the signing of Thandani Ntshumayelo (free agent) and Khethukuthula Ndlovu (Uthongathi FC) in the current transfer window. 

“There are players we are assessing in the team. We have good players, George Lebese and three others. I haven’t been to the training ground, but the coach will decide who will be signed," Mogashoa told Daily Sun.

Lebese is hoping to find a new club having parted ways with USA-based outfit Colorado Springs Switchback in March this year. 

The former Mamelodi Sundowns player had initially signed with Marumo Gallants (Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila) in April this year, but the move failed to materialize after he was unable to obtain his clearance from Switchback.

Meanwhile, Swallows recently lost defenders Sifiso Hlanti, Njabulo Ngcobo and winger Kgaogelo Sekgota, who have all joined their Soweto rivals Chiefs.

Chiefs also recalled Given Thibedi, who spent the last two seasons with Swallows on loan from Amakhosi, but Mogashoa insists that Hlanti, Sekgota and Thibedi were not key players. 

“Apart from Ngcobo, Hlanti, Sekgota and Given, were not really regulars in the team,” he said. 

“They didn’t complete or start the matches, so we have always had results without them on the pitch. We still have a quality team with players who are capable to help the team reach the top four at the end of next season.”

Mogashoa was pleased with how the team performed in the 2020/21 season, which saw the Soweto giants set a new record for the most draws (20) in a single PSL campaign.

“There are a lot of positives that I took from our first season in the PSL. But the most important lesson is to never undermine other people," he added. 

"Truter came through to the Premiership and proved those who doubted his ability wrong. He stood his ground and built a strong team with players who are not big names, except for Vuyo Mere, Hlanti and Lebogang Mokoena.”

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has revealed the competitiveness of the FKF Premier League came to an end on June 30 when Tusker were handed the ticket to the Caf Champions League for next season.

Ingwe were among the teams fighting for continental qualification after the Football Kenya Federation directed, in accordance with the Caf directive, that the team at the top of the 18-team table at the end of June 30 will earn Kenya's Champions League slot.

However, Tusker managed to secure the ticket after topping the table ahead of KCB and AFC Leopards, while Gor Mahia will go for the Confederation Cup after beating Ingwe in the FKF Shield Cup final.

Shikanda has told Goal he does not see the sense of teams playing in the top-flight to finish the remaining matches because they already know which team will compete in the Champions League.

What has been said?

“The flavour for the league ended on June 30 when Tusker were given the Caf Champions League ticket, I don’t even know what we are playing for, because we don’t have anything at stake now,” Shikanda told Goal on Wednesday.

“If you have decided to say one team is going to continental football, so what are the rest of the teams playing for? I don’t even know what we are playing for in the league, because we don’t even have the number one slot available.

What will number one slot give you?

“What will number one team take for the season when you have already given the Caf ticket to Tusker? Even if number one becomes the champions at the end of August 22 and we already have Tusker going for continental, so why should teams fight for a position that has already been given out?

“Even if you play the season to the end, nothing will change at the top because FKF has picked Tusker, we play football to get a continental ticket and not the prize money of Ksh3million, we want to represent the country and for now the league is done and dusted and we should focus for next season.

“The competitiveness of the league ended on June 30, whatever the clubs were fighting for then ended the same day and we don’t have anything to play for now.”

Ingwe are currently third on the table with 43 points from 23 matches, seven fewer than table-toppers Tusker, who have 51 while KCB are second on 47 points from 23 matches.

Further FKF Premier League reading 

England and their supporters "deserve the trauma" of their Euro 2020 final penalty shootout heartbreak against Italy owing to their conduct throughout the tournament, claims Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.

The Three Lions suffered a 3-2 spot-kick reverse against the Azzurri at Wembley on Sunday, having held Roberto Mancini's side to a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

And former Ballon d'Or winner Matthaus has little sympathy for Gareth Southgate's side, with the 60-year-old particularly unimpressed with the behaviour of certain supporters.

What has been said?

"English fans were hostile to the little girl in the Germany jersey," Matthaus wrote in SportBild. "They were whistling the opposing national anthems.

"Denmark's goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was blinded with a laser during a penalty that Raheem Sterling dived to get in the semi-finals.

"Add to that the racist hostility towards their own players after the final. Dear Englishmen, that was unsportsmanlike behaviour that we did not know from you and never want to see again.

"So, sorry for the players but you deserve the trauma after the final was lost on penalties."

What incidents is Matthaus referring to?

Matthaus's comments about the "little girl in the Germany jersey" relate to England supporters mocking a young German fan after she was seen crying during the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Joachim Low's side in the first knockout stage of Euro 2020.

The whistling of the opposition national anthems at Wembley became something of a recurring theme, with Southgate having even publicly requested the fans didn't boo the Italy anthem before the final.

There was controversy in the semi-final win over Denmark, meanwhile, with UEFA having subsequently hit the Three Lions with a £26,000 fine for offences including the shining of a laser pointer at Leicester City goalkeeper Schmeichel before Harry Kane's penalty.

Indeed, Sterling has been accused of diving to win the spot-kick that Kane went on to miss before tapping home the rebound to score the goal that took England through to the final.

There has also been abhorrent racist abuse on social media aimed at Three Lions players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, with the trio having been unsuccessful with their spot-kicks in the shootout loss to Italy.

Further reading

Harry Maguire has revealed that his father suffered an injury in the Wembley stampede that took place prior to the Euro 2020 final.

A number of ticketless supporters gained entry to the stadium before kick-off after overpowering security staff, with the Metropolitan Police subsequently making 53 arrests amid the chaotic scenes.

Several officers were injured while attempting to deal with the situation, and Maguire has now confirmed that a family member was caught up in the mayhem along with his agent.

What's been said?

Alan Maguire and Kenneth Shepherd were both crushed underfoot while making their way to the players' family seating area near the entrance tunnel, with it reported that the former was left with suspected broken ribs.

England centre-back Maguire has delivered an update on his father's condition while expressing his relief over the fact his children were not in attendance.

“My dad was in the stampede. I have not spoken with him too much but I am pleased my kids didn’t go to the game," he told The Sun.

“It was scary — he said he was scared and I don’t want anyone to experience that at a football match.

“I have seen a lot of videos and have spoken to Dad and my family. It was my dad and agent who suffered the most.

“My dad’s a big fan — he got on with it. He was struggling with his breathing afterwards because of his ribs, but he’s not one to make a big fuss.

“The main thing is you want it to be an amazing experience and you don’t want anyone to have any bad memories of the final.

“That is the disappointing thing. Things could have been a lot worse but we have to make sure it does not happen again.”

Pressed on whether the actions of England fans will affect the country's chances of hosting the World Cup in the future, Maguire added: “Wembley is an amazing place. It has been an amazing home and the fans and the way they have acted have been unbelievable, apart from the odd few in a final.

“We need to learn and we will — and it would be an amazing place to hold the World Cup.”

Maguire on racist abuse 

Maguire also spoke out on the racist abuse that Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka received online after missing penalties in the Three Lions' painful shootout defeat to Italy.

It has been suggested that Gareth Southgate was wrong to put three of the youngest players in his squad in such a high-pressure situation, but Maguire has commended the bravery of his team-mates.

“It does not surprise me," the Manchester United centre-back said of the social media abuse. "For the three lads who have given everything for the country and been so brave to get this is terrible.

“When I was 19 or 20, I would have been standing there saying ‘I don’t want to take one’. There is no chance I would have been putting my hand up at their age.

“So look at the courage and bravery of these young lads, look at the age of Bukayo, Jadon and Marcus. These people who are being abusive would not be able to handle the pressure.

“It is the highest amount of pressure you will feel, so to do it at their age and to show such bravery should be applauded.

“I spoke with the three lads afterwards. I have checked up with them and seen how they are but they are courageous lads."

Further reading