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Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC have extended their stay on top of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League table after claiming a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Mathare United at Ruaraka Grounds on Saturday.

The lone goal came in the second half from Derrick Otanga who converted from the penalty spot.

It was the hosts who started the match on a high and would have gone ahead after just 10 minutes. But David Ambulu's well-taken free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard area narrowly missed the target.

Eugene Wethuli and Khalid Jumaan had chances for the struggling Slum Boys in the first half but they lacked much-needed composure to find the back of the net.

The best chances of the first half fell to the Bankers: Michael Oduor's effort in the 27th minute came off the crossbar, while Otanga failed to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one in the 33rd minute.

Eventually, the first half ended goalless but the league leaders surely felt they should have got at least a goal owing to the massive chances they created.

After the break, the Zedekiah Otieno-led charges upped their tempo in search of an opening goal. They were eventually rewarded in the 58th minute. Lennox Ogutu brought down Badi Baraka in the danger zone.

The referee handed the hosts a penalty and Otanga stepped up, held his nerves before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Bankers a deserved lead.

With 12 minutes to go, Tyson Otieno teed Jumaan in a good area, but the latter failed to composure himself and shot wide with the goalkeeper well beaten.

KCB are now on 42 points, four more than second-placed Tusker FC who are on 38, and five more than Leopards. The Brewers and Ingwe have played 19 matches each.

On the other hand, Mathare are at the bottom of the table with eight points from 19 games.

KCB XI: Joseph Ochuka, Baraka Badi, Dennis Odhiambo, Rama Mwenda, Nashon Nanyendo, Brian Ndenga, Michael Oduor, Vincent Wasambo, Victor Omondi, Derrick Otanga, David Ambulu 

Subs: Gabriel Andika, Daniel Odiwuor, David Simiyu, Harun Thomas, Curtis Wekesa, Henry Onyango, Victor Ochami, Samuel Mwangi, Reagan Otieno, Martin Mbugua, Bethuel Achola, Simon Munala

Mathare United XI: Job Ochieng, Kennedy Ochieng, Lennox Ogutu, Anthony Oginga, Norman Ogola, Cercidy Okeyo, Chrispin Oduor, Khalid Jumaan, Tyson Otieno, Eugene Wethuli, Klinsman Omulanga 

Subs: David Okello, Martin Ongori, Austine Ochieng, Alphonce Ndonye, Clifford Alwanga, Daniel Otieno, Danson Kago, Boniface Akenga

Juventus are readying an official approach for Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli that will see them offer €30 million (£26m/$36m) and Radu Dragusin, Goal has learned.

The Bianconeri have been admirers of the 23-year-old for some time, with Goal confirming back in April that a bid was in the pipeline.

Efforts to do a deal are now set to be stepped up, with Locatelli starring for Italy at Euro 2020.

What is the offer?

Juve are prepared to make a part-exchange bid for a man that has seen his stock rise considerably in recent times.

Those in Turin hope that a deal with Sassuolo can be sweetened by including one of their rising stars.

Romanian youngster Dragusin is held in high regard, but faces fierce competition for places at the Allianz Stadium.

The 19-year-old could, therefore, be allowed to fill Locatelli's boots at a domestic rival.

Could a deal be done?

Sassuolo continue to hold a strong hand when it comes to any talks.

They are understood to value Locatelli at around €40m (£34m/$47m) and are not about to relax their stance.

A talented performer is seeing his value rise at this summer's European Championship, with two goals netted on his last outing against Switzerland.

With that in mind, Sassuolo will not be rushing into any deals and Juve may have to dig a little deeper - especially with rival interest being mooted from England.

What has Locatelli had to say?

The classy midfielder is reluctant to be drawn into a debate on his future, with international duty taking his full focus at present.

He has said on the speculation he is generating: "[The transfer rumours are] just talk. I will decide after the European Championship.

"There's such an important competition to play in, and I'm only focused on this.

"I rely on what happens on the pitch, the real things, everything else is just gossip, it's useless to talk about it."

Further reading

Undefeated middleweight boxer Jaime Munguia will be the favorite on Saturday against Kamil Szeremeta, who was booked on short notice, but Szeremeta's effort in a defeat to Gennady Golovkin last year showed his toughness in the ring.

The GGG loss was the first of Szeremeta's career, though the level of his opponents beforehand had been underwhelming relative to Munguia.

The fight will take place at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, where it should be a home crowd type of atmosphere for Munguia, who hails from Mexico.

Ahead of the fight, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream live online, and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (U.S.), the fight can be streamed exclusively on DAZN.

Jaime Munguia vs Kamil Szeremeta: Tale of the tape

Munguia last fought in October 2020, defeating Tureano Johnson. He also toppled Gary O'Sullivan last year.

Of his 36 career victories, 29 have been via KO.

Szeremeta fought GGG last December, losing in seven rounds.

Of his 21 career victories, five have been via KO.

What have Jaime Munguia vs Kamil Szeremeta said?

“I think I need to make a statement," Munguia said at his final press conference. "I’m on the rise, so I have to keep doing things better with each fight.

"We have a great fighter in front of us. We have a lot of respect and admiration towards him, so we have to make sure we do things correctly so that we get a big fight next.”

Szeremeta, meanwhile, isn't concerned about the atmosphere.

"I’m not worried about being in a place that will be full of Jamie Munguia’s supporters," he said. "I don’t even care. I’m used to this. I’m always fighting in other territories.”

Who is on the Jaime Munguia vs Kamil Szeremeta undercard?

Kai Havertz ended the 2020-21 campaign at Chelsea with a match-winning goal in the Champions League final and has now become Germany's youngest scorer at a European Championship.

Questions were asked of the 22-year-old midway through his first season at Stamford Bridge and whether value could be found by the Blues in a £70 million ($97m) deal.

The highly rated forward silenced his doubters in style, particularly in continental competition, and has now re-written the record books with his country at Euro 2020.

How did Havertz make history?

Havertz put in lively performance during a heavyweight clash with Portugal on Saturday.

His presence led to Ruben Dias putting through his own net after Cristiano Ronaldo had broken the deadlock in a thrilling tie at the Allianz Arena.

He was then involved in a second own goal minutes later when posing problems inside the box and grabbed Germany's third himself six minutes into the second half.

Robin Gosens provided the assist for Havertz as he was left with the simplest of tasks of bundling home from close range.

In the process, a piece of European Championship history was made.

The bigger picture

Germany needed inspiration from somewhere against Portugal, having lost their Euro 2020 opener to France.

Havertz stepped up in what quickly became a eye-catching collective outing from Die Mannschaft.

They have leaks to plug at the back, having also allowed Diogo Jota to breach their back line in Munich, but they look a real threat going forward.

Havertz has a key role to play in that, with the only blot on his copybook against the Portuguese coming when he collected a second-half yellow card.

Germany would go on to win the match 4-2, giving them a lifeline in Group F after they fell to France in their opener.

Further reading

Georginio Wijnaldum shunned an offer from Liverpool to keep him at Anfield, says the Dutch midfielder's agent, while Serie A champions Inter also saw attempts to do a deal come up short.

Paris Saint-Germain have won the race for a much sought-after signature, with the classy 30-year-old leaving Jurgen Klopp's side as a free agent.

Efforts were made to prolong a five-year stint on Merseyside, while Italian heavyweights were keen at the turn of the year, but Wijnaldum decided to make "another choice" and will now be taking on a new challenge in France.

What has been said?

Wijnaldum's representative, Humphry Nijman, has told the Here We Go Podcast: "He had a fantastic time at Liverpool.

"It started when we visited the house of Mr Klopp and a plan was made that they wanted to win the championship and the Champions League, and that was achieved.

"That was fantastic for the fans in Liverpool, fantastic for the manager and fantastic for the player. The player was really happy they achieved their goals.

"His contract was expiring so he was a free agent after this season.

"Of course, an attempt was made [to keep him at Liverpool] but he made another choice."

Nijman added on the interest his client attracted: "It started quite early, in January Inter Milan showed interest.

"They made an offer for Gini but there were problems with the owners getting the money out of China so Inter wasn't able to fulfil their initial obligations.

"They had made him a very, very good offer. If the financial problems were not there, it could have been a serious option.

"After that the director of Juventus phoned me and showed interest. Also in the same period, (sporting director) Leonardo from PSG approached me. We knew [head coach Ronald] Koeman at Barcelona would like to bring Georginio to Barcelona. At a later stage Bayern Munich showed an interest.

"[PSG boss Mauricio] Pochettino had talks with Gini and how he saw his role and what he expected from him.

"Barcelona we had some talks and initially it looked all really good and we were along the way [to an agreement] but Paris were telling us their interest was quite serious. When both offers came on the table, he had to make a choice."

The bigger picture

Barcelona were considered to be leading the chase for Wijnaldum at one stage, with Koeman making no secret of his desire to get a fellow countryman in alongside him at Camp Nou.

Time was taken, though, with an important career call, with PSG able to nip in and agree a notable deal.

Wijnaldum took in 237 appearances for Liverpool, claiming Champions League and Premier League titles along the way, but will be representing Ligue 1 heavyweights in 2021-22.

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo has another piece of history in his sights after matching the record of Germany legend Miroslav Klose when it comes to combined goals at World Cups and European Championships.

The Juventus superstar was back on target for Portugal in their latest outing at Euro 2020, with a first effort of his remarkable career recorded against Germany.

That strike was his 19th at major international tournaments, with no European player boasting more.

How did Ronaldo match Klose?

Portugal had survived an early scare against Germany, with Robin Gosens seeing a well-taken goal ruled out as Serge Gnabry had strayed marginally offside.

Ronaldo wasted no time in making Joachim Low's side rue that misfortune as he raced away in the 15th minute to put the finishing touch to an impressive counter.

Diogo Jota displayed a notable unselfish streak to tee up the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was left with the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

Who has Ronaldo scored against?

An all-time great opened his tournament account on home soil against Greece at Euro 2004, before also going on to find the target against the Netherlands at that event.

One effort was recorded against Iran at the 2006 World Cup and another versus the Czech Republic at another Euros two years later.

The 2010 World Cup also delivered just a solitary strike, in a 7-0 mauling of North Korea, but Euro 2012 saw Ronaldo bag a brace against the Netherlands and one in a meeting with the Czechs.

He hit the net against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup and three times en route to tasting continental glory at Euro 2016 - with two efforts registered against Hungary and a crucial one in a semi-final clash with Wales.

Ronaldo burst out of the blocks at the 2018 World Cup, netting a stunning hat-trick against Spain, and was also on target versus Morocco.

The 36-year-old also opened Euro 2020 with a late brace in his side's 3-0 win over Hungary.

Further reading

Gor Mahia head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto has revealed why he was given a local nickname by the fans of the FKF Premier League side.

Vaz Pinto stated that since he was born at lunchtime, according to the Luo culture - a community the club derives most of their supporters from - a child born during that time is named 'Ochieng' and thus he has accepted the name.

The tactician also revealed his dream of living like an African man who can have a number of women.

"Most people around me are Luos and they told me if you are born at lunchtime you become Ochieng and I accepted and told people that I am now 'Vaz Pinto Ochieng'. Vaz Pinto told Arocho Live.

"My dream has always been to be like an African man because the culture allows one to have two or three women, unlike in my culture, where one is only allowed.

"But, of course, I look for women like other men, because I am not different from other men."

The former St George SC tactician also explained what had helped him stabilise Gor Mahia, who were struggling when he arrived to take charge.

"First of all it is not only me, it is all about the staff I have there and they have played important roles. We created a family and I feel the connection is very strong which has been critical," he added.

"I arrived on Sunday and my first game was in three days, which was a challenge, but I believe the most important thing is to analyse the team and the characteristics of players.

"And after a few weeks, we began to feel some changes and we also brought in a few players like Wilson Silva, Karim Nikiema, Harun Shakava and Fred Nkata and all brought what we needed for the team. 

"We also changed how we train and we have implemented just one model of doing it and that has been positive progress for our team so far."

Vaz Pinto has given opportunities to youngsters, including Frank Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango, and has defended his decision to have them feature in the senior team regularly.

"In football, we look at the quality and not the name, the past record and even the age. The coaches sometimes do not like taking risks with young players but they are always giving us something different. They show commitment and also give us intensity," he continued

"Age is not important, it is the quality that is very important and what we need to be keen on is the choice of time, the right game and when to introduce them. There is also the need to create a perfect environment for them to grow well."

Gor Mahia have joined the title race after climbing from the 16th place - where Vaz Pinto found them - to the current fourth position ahead of their match against Sofapaka on Sunday.

Barcelona have completed the signing of Memphis Depay.

The 27-year-old winger has joined on a free transfer after running down his contract at Lyon.

The attacker is the fourth player to join the Spanish side this summer, following Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, who were both signed after leaving Manchester City, and Emerson Royal.

How long has Depay signed for?

The former PSV and Manchester United player had long been linked with a move to Camp Nou.

Barca were linked last year and again in January but the winger has finally reunited with former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, penning a two-year deal.

The announcement comes days after Ronald Koeman said that a deal was in the works, telling reporters : "It's not signed yet, but it's almost there."

His comments were made hours after Depay said that he wanted to play under Koeman again and suggested no other teams were in contention to sign him.

How did Memphis perform at Lyon?

The Netherlands international joined Lyon from Manchester United in 2017. 

He scored 76 goals in 178 appearances in all competitions over his four years with the French side.

His final season was his most prolific, however, as he netted 20 times in Ligue 1 to end up the joint-second top scorer behind Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, who got 27. Depay was top of the assist chart with 12.

Depay and Koeman reunited

Depay worked with Koeman for almost two years while the 58-year-old was in charge of Netherlands.

He was a crucial player as Netherlands improved following their unsuccessful Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup qualifying campaigns under Guus HIddink and Danny Blind.

Depay scored 11 times in the 18 matches he played under Koeman before the coach was lured to Barcelona last August.

Further reading

France remain world champions and favourites for Euro 2020 glory, but Didier Deschamps' side are still searching for a spark after being held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary in Budapest.

Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Attila Fiola's opener in that contest, which was played out in front of a lively full house in Budapest, but Les Bleus were unable to find a winner despite boasting an enviable array of attacking options.

They also required an own goal from Mats Hummels to edge them past Germany in their European Championship opener, and suffered an attacking blow at the Puskas Arena as Ousmane Dembele - who was only introduced as a second-half substitute - was forced off late on.

What has been said?

Asked for an update on Dembele's fitness after seeing him replaced by Thomas Lemar, France boss Didier Deschamps told reporters afterwards: "He's been hit on the tendon, behind the knee, it will be necessary to check. 

"He continued for a bit, he wanted to cross and felt a fairly significant discomfort. I brought him out. It will be necessary to keep an eye on it."

What about the game?

Deschamps made just one change to his starting XI for a meeting with Hungary, as Lucas Digne came in at left-back.

He kept faith with Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema in attack, but could only muster one goal against stubborn opposition.

"In a first period where we deserved to score, we found ourselves behind after their only opportunity," Deschamps told TF1.

"With this support, it gave them strength. They defend very well, they also did against Portugal until the 83rd minute.

"This is a point. This is obviously not what we hoped for but given the context, we will take it anyway.

"We had some great opportunities in the first half. We had the chances to score but we didn't, it's football. They hardly got anything too. 

"We had a few opportunities, we scored that goal. It is not enough compared to what we hoped for, but we have to accept it."

Who else has had their say?

While France are yet to produce their best, Barcelona frontman Griezmann remains confident that they can move through the gears as another major tournament progresses.

He has told beIN Sports: "It was a tough game in front of a home crowd. We lost our way with the stadium full, we couldn't get going, the pitch was dry and it was super hot. 

"We got caught on a counter-attack. We couldn't find each other or put the chances away that we had in the first half. And we paid for it. But there are great players everywhere and even against Hungary it's tough. 

"Am I worried ? No. We have the group to react. We know we have the players to make a difference at any moment. 

"We will have to continue to learn and improve on two or three things up front. We have the team to do it and I have confidence in our team, whether it's those who started or those who are on the bench."

France will be back in action when taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, by which time they could have been knocked off top spot in the so-called 'Group of Death'.

Further reading

Simba SC have increased their chances of retaining the Mainland Premier League title after a vital 1-0 win against Polisi Tanzania in a match played at CCM Kirumba Stadium on Saturday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi went into the match knowing a win will help them stretch their lead at the top of the 18-team table to six points and they did exactly that after a beautifully converted goal from winger Luis Miquissone in the 28th minute.

Ahead of the fixture, Simba head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa welcomed back Kenyan defender Joash Onyango, who has been out injured since they played against Kaizer Chiefs in the return leg of the Caf Champions League fixture on May 22, to the starting XI.

The former Gor Mahia star was partnered alongside Shomari Kapombe and Pascal Wawa as goalkeeper Aishi Manula kept his place between the sticks while striker Chris Mugalu and captain John Bocco were handed the attacking role.

It was the reigning champions who set the ball rolling and they started on a high note as Bocco was put through by Mugalu in the fifth minute but his weak effort did not trouble Polisi custodian Mohamed Yusuph.

Simba then created another chance in the 15th minute, Bocco combining well with Mugalu and Mzamiru Yahya, but a cross intended for Larry Bwalya, who was in a position to score, was cut out by Polisi defender Juma Haji for a fruitless corner.

However, Miquissone finally put them ahead in the 28th minute, after a surging Kapombe was fouled outside the 18-yard box and the Mozambican winger stepped up to power the ball with his left foot past keeper Yusuph.

The goal was enough for Simba as they headed into the half-break ahead, and they returned a more rejuvenated side in the second period with Bocco’s glancing header from a Mzamiru corner bouncing over the post in the 54th minute.

Polisi, who are yet to beat Simba in the last seven league meetings, almost levelled matters in the 67th minute when striker Kelvin Yondani raced onto a through-ball from Darueshi Saliboko, and as he prepared to pull the trigger, Onyango reacted quickly to clear the danger.

The win has seen Simba reach 70 points from 28 matches, six more than second-placed rivals Yanga SC, who are on 64 points from 30 matches, but they will have a chance to cut the lead as they face Mwadui FC on Sunday.

Polisi Tanzania XI: Mohamed Yusuph (GK), Datius Peter, Juma Haji, Mohamed Kassim, Kelvin Yondani, Abdulaziz Makame, Kassim Shaban, Hassan Nassor, Tariq Seif, Pato Ngonyanyi, and Darueshi Saliboko.

Subs: Kelvin Alfred (GK), Shaban Stambuli, Yahya Mbegu, Deusdedity Cosmas, Gerard Mathias, Jimmy Shoji, Abdulmaliki Adamu.

Simba SC XI: Aishi Manula (GK), Shomari Kapombe, Joash Onyango, Pascal Wawa, Mohamed Hussein, Taddeo Lwanga, Chris Mugalu, Larry Bwalya, Luis Miquissone, Mzamiru Yahya, and John Bocco.

Subs: Beno Kakolanya (GK), Bernard Morrison, Erasto Nyoni, Meddie Kagere, Perfect Chikwende, Hassan Dilunga and Kennedy Juma.

Gor Mahia head coach Manuel Vaz Pinto has claimed Portugal are not as strong as they were in 2016 when they won the European Championship.

Although they were somewhat outsiders then, Portugal won the title five years ago, but Vaz Pinto, who believes there is brilliant individual talent in the current squad, stated that the players have to stick together a little bit longer in order to be seen as a really strong side.

"Portugal have a chance if only they grow as a team. We have talent, but I feel this national team is not as strong as the one in 2016," Vaz Pinto told Arocho Live.

"We have more and better talents now because, in 2016, we did not have Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Diogo Jota.

"But the 2016 team had played for a long time and, as I said about Gor Mahia, they had established a strong family connection.

"Now they have started to renew the team, but game by game, I think they will grow as a team and if they do that, they could be champions again although we are a small country, but we have talents." 

The former St George SC head coach, however, explained how the clubs and the FA have ensured the national team always have a great supply of good players.

"The secret of success has been with the clubs," explained the tactician.

"For example, if a club has a budget of $1 million, the club will ensure 30% of that budget goes to the academy for development.

"The federation also created the U23 league, which is critical, in my opinion, and this is where you will find even the U17 or U18 players featured and, because of that, the kids grow meticulously.

"Bernado, Jota, and Felix all came from there because the structures encouraged the development of such abilities.

"The federation also ensured teams could not participate in the leagues if they did not have the facilities. You will not be able to grow if you do not have better facilities."

Portugal are in Group F, a pool seen as the most keenly contested, as Germany, France and Hungary are the other rivals.

Gor Mahia head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto has explained how the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side can retain the title.

Vaz Pinto has managed to stabilise the club that is now sitting fourth on the log and with one game on hand, after they were languishing in 16th early in the season.

The Portuguese tactician has emphasised the need for Gor Mahia to keep their eyes focused on their immediate assignments and not where they could be at the end of the season.

"I believe we can win, but as I always say, we don't need to focus on the end result; all we need to do is focus on the next match," the former St George SC head coach told Arocho Live.

"Looking at the end result, I believe it is a poor strategy because we operate as a business and must first examine our processes and procedures.

"A process is what we can control, we control our training, where we can play and we also control our medical staff and how things are done, and that's how we train our players to focus on the process, not on the final result.

"It is true that we are now closer, but we still need to keep our focus on our own process."

Although the local giants have been facing financial hiccups, Vaz Pinto has revealed how they have managed to stick together and look a more stable side than when the season began.

"What matters is that you move as a family; when you have problems, you choose to move forward together; if you fail to do so, there will never be any positive outcomes," he added.

"The players need to understand that the moment is not easy and it is not only in Kenya and that means we need to move together as a family and failure to do that we will die.

"We need to win so that we can get better contracts in the future, because if we lose, no one will be interested in us in the following season. If we also lose, it would be difficult for our chairman to get money for us, so we emphasise the need to pick up victories."

K'Ogalo have managed to pick up maximum points from the last five league games they have played and also qualified for the FKF Shield Cup final, where they will face off with arch-rivals AFC Leopards.