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Two of the quarter-finals concluded on Thursday with a couple of cracking battles. Watch the highlights from those games:

The action continued to Friday where Siyabonga Kubheka took on Mzwandile and 2020 runner-up Rishaad Ebrahim squared off with Gcina. 

Goal will continue to publish the winners of each round, all details and selected videos in their different platforms.

There will also be a competition for readers where we will be giving away SIX prizes worth R1000 each. 

FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia are among the 11 clubs which received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Friday.

The exercise, which kicked off at 09:00 at Kasarani Gymnasium, was facilitated by the local federation in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Health.

Wazito and Bidco United were vaccinated at 09:00 with Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks following suit at 10:00, while KCB and Mathare United acquired their second dose at 11:00

At noon, it was the turn of Nairobi City Stars and Posta Rangers to receive their second dose while Sofapaka and Tusker were vaccinated at 13:00 as AFC Leopards closed the vaccination process in Nairobi at 14:00.

Speaking to Goal after overseeing the exercise, FKF president Nick Mwendwa thanked the Ministries of Sports and Health for their efforts to make sure that Premier League players are vaccinated heading into the end of the season.

What has been said?

“We are happy that all the players now in the 11 clubs have been vaccinated without a hitch and we are not looking forward to have the teams outside Nairobi also vaccinated so that we can complete the season,” Mwendwa told Goal.

“We also thank the government for the support they have given football especially the federation and making this exercise a success.”

The teams outside Nairobi that are yet to receive the jab include Bandari, Kakamega Homeboyz, Nzoia Sugar, Vihiga United, Ulinzi Stars, and Western Stima.

What is the state of league and FA Cup?

The second vaccination has come at the right time when the federation is rushing to finish the FKF Premier League, which has already been halted once, owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and also the FA Cup.

While the team representing the country in the Caf Champions League must be decided by June 30, the domestic cup has also reached the semi-finals stage with matches set for Sunday.

Gor Mahia, who beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 to reach the semis, will take on Bidco United, who eliminated Nairobi City Stars 1-0 while AFC Leopards will face Division One side Equity Bank, who eliminated defending champions Bandari FC after a 1-0 win.

On the league front, Tusker are topping the table on 38 points from 18 matches and are followed closely by KCB and AFC Leopards on 36 points each but the former have a better goal difference.

Belgium have confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel will both miss the team's Euro 2020 opener against Russia on Saturday.

De Bruyne is still recovering from a fractured nose and eye socket he suffered in the Champions League final with Manchester City, which required a minor operation.

Witsel, meanwhile, has been out since January after suffering a torn Achilles with Borussia Dortmund.

What was said?

"Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne did not travel to Russia. They stayed in Tubize to continue their recovery," read a tweet from Belgium's official Twitter account.

At a press conference, Red Devils manager Roberto Martinez elaborated on his star duo.

“The next two days will be really important, just to get him back to really being able to move freely and start getting the exercise needed before he can come to the group,” Martinez said of De Bruyne.

Martinez said that Witsel was "progressing well” and added: “I don’t expect Axel will need a lot more work with the group."

What's next for Belgium?

The third-place finishers at World Cup 2018 will begin their Euros campaign against Russia in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

Belgium’s second Group B game will also be on the road, against Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday.

The Red Devils then close out group play on June 21 against Finland in St. Petersburg.

Further reading

Mason Mount will face Luka Modric once again in England's opening Euro 2020 match against Croatia and the Chelsea midfielder is looking forward to taking on one of his biggest idols.

Being small in stature as a youngster in Chelsea's academy, Mount looked up towards the likes of Modric and former Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta while taking his own path to the top of world football.

Now an established player at Chelsea, Mount was key to his side's win against Real Madrid over two legs in the Champions League, as the Blues, would go on to win the competition against Manchester City in the final, but as well as his medal, Modric's shirt also served as an important momento earned from the run in Europe.

What he said?

"I've got it at home along with a couple of others. It's always good to keep those special shirts," Mount told reporters from St. George's Park.

"I spoke to Kovacic before the first game and asked if I could get his shirt at a later date. I managed to do that and he asked for mine in the second game because I didn't actually give him mine in the first.

"Kova said he likes to swap with players so he came up and said he wanted mine, just said good luck in the upcoming games. It was brilliant for me obviously to speak to him and he wants my shirt so I was quite overwhelmed.

"He has always been a player that I have looked up to. Ever since he has been in the Premier League with Tottenham, I have watched him quite closely. Playing against him, it was weird because I had watched him so much, I kind of knew his moves and what he was going to do.

"It helps being a fan of a player and then playing against him because you know what he likes to do. The experience of playing against him helps because you want to be in these big games and learn how to handle the pressure and big moments.

"Them two games [against Real Madrid] were massive in our run and I gained a lot of experience from the two games."

How will England use Mount?

Gareth Southgate will likely lean heavily on the 22-year-old midfielder throughout this upcoming tournament having played him in almost every match over the last 12 months.

Mount has played in central midfield and as a forward for England and he will likely adapt his roles to the different opponents who the Three Lions face.

Indeed, he is comfortable playing in different roles, having come through Chelsea's academy who like to produce versatile footballers.

"I think if you look at the amount of talent going forward we have in the group it kind of speaks for itself," he added. "We've got players that can handle the ball, keep the ball and play possession football, create chances and be a threat going forward.

"That is something we're obviously always trying to work on to perfect. It's never going to be 100 percent perfection, you know that in a game there's going to be times when things don't click at times but with the players we have and what we've been working on in training, I have full hope that it's going to work.

"We're going to play together and it's going to connect when the game comes around, so that's what we're focused on and hopefully that happens."

He went onto say that his side can win glory this summer. 

"We've never won a Euros before so, for us, we're a team that's very hungry to want to do that," he concluded.

"We want to create history that no one has ever done before and I feel like with this group, with this young group, we can do that and we know what we can do."

Further reading

Sullay Kaikai has revealed his eagerness to make his debut for Sierra Leone when they take on the Republic of Benin in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on June 14.

The Blackpool winger was born in England to Sierra Leone parents and had turned down a previous opportunity to feature for the Leone Stars.

The forward explained his inability to establish himself at club level during the period made him snub the chance but having now decided for the West Africans, he is excitedly hoping to make his debut for the side.

"I feel like the timing is right now. Back when you interviewed me about five years ago I was undecided because I wasn't a first-team regular, I said I wanted to establish myself to become a first-team regular and then try for the national team,” Kaikai told BBC Sport Africa.

"So I feel like now I'm in the position to do that, I have been playing for solid two years now regularly as a starter so I feel like now is the right time.

"I'm at a good age, I have been looking forward to it, but it's just about the timing. I feel like the timing is right now.

"I'm looking forward to making my international debut against Benin. It'll be a dream come true to play for your country.

"Qualifying for the Nations cup it's something I hope and pray for. The more players that can come and play for the national team the better.

"You know we need to make the national team stronger so that we can start qualifying regularly for this kind of tournament. So I hope I can make an impact."

Kaikai also revealed he has been in regular contact with the national team coach and revealed it played a key role in his decision.

"I have been in contact with the Leone Stars manager for the last year or so consistently. And even before that to be fair like here and there I have been speaking with the national team but like I said it's just about time, I feel now the time is right so I feel like that's the main factor. That was what motivated me to come," he continued.  

"For about a good three to four years I have been following the national team. I have been following one of the pages that keeps me updated on the national team and players that are playing for the national team and how they're doing in their respective countries where they're playing their club football."

Sierra Leone will hope to make their first appearance third appearance in the competition by defeating Benin.

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Themba Zwane is close to signing a new deal with the Tshwane giants after helping the club clinch a record-extending 11th PSL title. 

This is according to Zwane's agent, Jazzman Mahlakgane with the Bafana Bafana international's current deal set to expire at the end of this month, but Masandawana have an option to renew for another year.

Mahlakgane is confident that Zwane will soon sign a new deal with Sundowns, who have allowed one of their most influential players to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

“He is signing, that’s why we are talking to them for another contract and we are engaging with them only,” Mahlakgane told Sowetan.

“People must not worry he will sign a new contract with the club.”

Zwane has spoken of his ambition of playing abroad in the past, but he is now keen to stay with the Chloorkop-based giants where he has enjoyed a lot of success. 

The Tembisa-born player has won five PSL titles with Sundowns and he is now eager to win another league trophy with the ambitious club. 

“What I can say is that I love the team and we are still talking. That’s all I can say and the supporters can keep on supporting the team," Zwane recently told the media. 

“Moving forward, I would like to see myself on the team. It feels good to have won five league titles, even though I set myself a target of six titles, that’s why I’m pushing so hard every season to win the title.”

The 31-year-old played an instrumental role in helping Masandawana clinch the 2020/21 PSL title and he was nominated for the league's Footballer of the Year and Player's Player of the Season accolades which he won in the 2019/20 campaign.

However, Zwane was beaten by his teammate Peter Shalulile, who won both accolades during the PSL awards ceremony last weekend. 

“To be honest, when the season started, I wanted to go for it because I spoke to Teko Modise and he said to me he feels like I’m the one who can win again. That’s why I started stronger, but unfortunately, during the season, I got an injury,” Zwane said.

“But I was happy to see Peter getting it. I think he deserves it. If you check all our games, he helped us.

“Whenever it was tough, he raised his hand and said ‘I will save the team’. He played well for the team throughout the season.”

Kaizer Chiefs forward Bernard Parker's agent has commented on the experienced player's future at the Naturena-based giants.

The former Bafana Bafana international's current contract with the Glamor Boys is set to expire at the end of this month and he has been one of the team's key players this season.

A source has told Daily Sun that Parker and his teammate Willard Katsande have been offered a one-year deal respectively by the Soweto giants.

Katsande's current deal with Chiefs is also due to expire at the end of this month having been used as a bit-part player this term.

“The management will engage the players about their new contracts after the Caf Champions League," a source said. 

"The two players still have a big role to play for the club as they will also guide youngsters on and off the pitch.”

Amakhosi are set to take on Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in the Caf Champions League two-legged semi-final tie with the first-leg game scheduled to be played on June 19 in Casablanca, while the second-leg match will be played on June 26 in Johannesburg.

When contacted for a comment by the same publication, Parker's agent, Mike Makaab explained that Chiefs' management is yet to engage him about the new deal.

“Nothing has been discussed as yet," Makaab said. 

Parker is one of the longest-serving players at Chiefs having joined the Soweto giants in June 2011 from Dutch club FC Twente.

The 35-year-old has been used as a central midfielder, winger and striker this season and he has made 38 appearances across all competitions - recording one goal and one assist in the process. 

While Katsande, 35,, who is a former Zimbabwe captain, also joined Amakhosi in June 2011 after the Glamour Boys purchased him from the now-defunct Ajax Cape Town.

The defensive midfielder has featured in 23 matches across all competitions in the current campaign and he has registered two assists. 

Parker and Katsande won four major trophies with Chiefs under Stuart Baxter, who recently returned to the club replacing Gavin Hunt as the head coach.

The duo were key players under Baxter as the Soweto giants clinched two PSL titles, Nedbank Cup and MTN8. 

Former Spain star Luis Garcia says Spain will miss Sergio Ramos at Euro 2020 but admits it would have been risky for coach Luis Enrique to select him.

Ramos is not part of the final squad for the tournament after the 35-year-old endured an injury-ravaged season at Real Madrid.

Ex-Liverpool and Barcelona winger Garcia believes the tournament may have been too much for Ramos if he is not at his best.

What has been said?

"With Sergio Ramos, we have our doubts because he struggled in the last stages of La Liga," he told Goal. "It’s true that he’s a leader, he’s the captain of the national team for many years and when he was needed he always stood up and proved what an amazing player he is. He gave confidence to the players near him.

"I think at this stage, you are going to need 120 per cent off every player. With the Covid-19 situation, with the travelling, there are a lot of things happening and if you arrive into the tournament and you are not in your best shape, there is always going to be a doubt.

"To bring in a player who might have an injury in the first game, or even in training, like happened with Sergio Ramos, it is a little bit risky.

"Yes, we are going to miss him, but Luis Enrique will have thought about that a lot. He is a coach who is always going to be honest with the players, who tries to find the players who are performing the best, and that is what he decided to bring in Eric Garcia, Laporte, Pau Torres and Diego Llorente."

Will Pedri be a star for Spain?

While Ramos will miss a major tournament for the first time in his international career, Barcelona teenager Pedri is gearing up for his maiden appearance.

The 18-year-old midfielder has just four caps but Garcia has backed him to become a key player for the national team.

He added: "It is important to see the players who have experience too, like [Sergio] Busquets and Thiago [Alcantara]. They have played at the highest level, they have won tournaments, and they know how to pass that experience on to the young players. 

"Pedri I think is one of the players we are all looking forward to seeing, to seeing how he develops in the next years. I think he’s an amazing player who can bring something different to the national team and to Barcelona.

"At 17 or 18 I was playing with my mates on the street, and he’s there playing in the biggest games and the biggest grounds in the world! He looks so cool, he looks like he’s been playing for 10 years at Barcelona, which is so important.

"We need to see how he develops in the coming months, years, but I think he’s one of those special players that is going to give a lot to the Spanish national team."

Further reading

Garcia was speaking as new research commissioned by Booking.com, the official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner of UEFA EURO 2020™, found that 84% of rival fans will miss opposition supporters from other countries this summer.

Toni Kroos says he hopes Sergio Ramos stays at Real Madrid as the defender's contract nears its expiration.

Ramos can leave Madrid on a free transfer this summer as his deal runs out at the end of the month.

The Spain international has been linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea, while a return to Sevilla is reported to be an option.

What has been said?

But Madrid are said to have offered Ramos a deal to keep him in the Spanish capital for one more year and Kroos hopes he signs it.

"I don't know how things are going with the club. Of course he's a top colleague and I enjoyed very much playing with him and I really hope that we'll have some more years together," the midfielder told reporters.

"But in the end it's not my decision. What I can say is that he's a great guy - and the best captain I ever had in my career."

How long has Ramos been at Madrid?

The 35-year-old joined Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, and he has won five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Los Blancos.

Ramos has made over 670 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants but was limited to just 21 games in 2020-21.

Will Ramos play at Euro 2020?

The centre-back will not be present at the European Championship this summer.

Ramos was left out of the squad for the tournament despite being the team's captain.

The defender admitted last month that it may be best for him to spend the summer resting to be ready for next season.

"It hurts me not to have been able to help my team more and not defend Spain but, in this case, it is better to rest, fully recover well and, next year, return as we have always done," he said.

"It hurts not to represent your country, but you have to be honest and sincere."

Further reading

Juan Foyth has joined Villarreal on a permanent basis from Tottenham.

The Spanish side signed the 23-year-old defender on loan with an option to buy last summer.

The centre-back was limited to just 16 appearances in La Liga because of injury but the club have activated their option to sign him outright.

What has been said?

Villarreal confirmed on Friday that the Argentina international has signed a five-year contract.

"Villarreal CF have taken up the purchase option on Juan Foyth, who played for the Yellows on loan during the 2020-21 season," a statement from the club read.

"The Argentine player will be a ‘groguet’ for the next five campaigns (until June 2026)."

Tottenham then released an announcement on their website, which read: "We can confirm that Villarreal has exercised the option to sign Juan Foyth on a permanent basis."

How many games did Foyth play for Tottenham?

Foyth joined Spurs from Argentine side Estudiantes in 2017 and made his first appearance in the EFL Cup against Barnsley that year.

He had to wait until November 2018 to make his Premier League debut for the London side and went on to feature 32 times in all competitions.

Foyth also has 12 caps for Argentina, having played in their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Colombia this month.

Further reading

Former Nigeria striker Victor Ezeji has named Paul Onuachu as Nigeria’s best player in the 2020-21 season because of the number of goals he scored in the Belgian First Division A.

Onuachu scored 33 goals in 38 league appearances for Genk as they finished second behind champions Club Brugge on the table, and he also helped them win the Belgian Cup.

Thanks to his individual brilliance, the 27-year-old became the fifth Nigerian to win the Ebony shoe (Best African player in Belgium) after Daniel Amokachi (1992 and 1994), Victor Ikpeba (1993), Godwin Okpara (1995), and Celestine Babayaro (1996).

Elsewhere in Italy, Crotone's Simy Nwankwo produced some outstanding displays in front of goal with 20 goals in 38 Serie A matches but his efforts were not enough to save the Pythagoreans from relegation.

However, the 29-year-old eclipsed Obafemi Martins' goals record during the season to become the highest-scoring Nigerian in Italian top-flight history with 30 goals across three seasons.

Another Nigerian who improved his performance was Kelechi Iheanacho, who helped Leicester City win the FA Cup with a return of four goals in six games, and he also scored 12 goals in 25 league appearances - his best tally in a Premier League season since he made his debut in 2015.

Ezeji, in his assessment of the players, did not hesitate to pick Onuachu and he applauded him for the hard work he put in to score 33 league goals.

“Onuachu is my best Nigerian player this season, for him to have scored that number of goals in Belgium shows class even though we might say the league is not up to the top five leagues in Europe, to score goals in Nigeria is difficult talkless of Europe,” Ezeji told Goal.

The 2003 Caf Champions League winner with Enyimba also urged Onuachu and Nwankwo to seek bigger challenges elsewhere with more emphasis on the latter, whose club dropped to Serie B.

“I believe for someone to have score that amount of goals, he [Onuachu] should be going to a bigger league,” he continued.

“For Simy, nobody knew his club would be relegated at the end of the season but he has shown that there is so much in him. I think he will get somewhere and not go down with the club because that is the most important thing.”

Uganda interim coach Abdallah Mubiru believes his charges were punished by Bafana Bafana after switching off in the second half in the 3-2 loss in Johannesburg on Thursday evening.

Goals from Evidence Makgopa, who scored a brace, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane inspired the hosts to a narrow victory over the Cranes, who scored through Ibrahim Orit and Abdu Lumala.

The caretaker tactician, who doubles up as Police FC coach in the Ugandan Premier League, has now pointed out what contributed to the team's loss.

"It was completely two different halves; We had a good performance in the first half, we did not allow the opponents to have even one shot on target," Mubiru told Fufa Online TV.

"We switched off in the second half and Bafana Bafana punished us. However, we finished stronger, but we have learned."

It was a third consecutive game Mubiru was in charge after the suspension and eventually the sacking of former coach Johnathan McKinstry.

The Ugandan was in charge as the Cranes were held at home to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

The East African heavyweights went on to lose their next game away to Malawi by a solitary goal to be eliminated from the competition.

Meanwhile, captain Emmanuel Okwi believes the Cranes have a lot to do to be ready for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Despite being thankful as the team ended the Bafana Bafana match without injuries, the newly appointed skipper, who took over from the retired Denis Onyango, conceded that more work needs to be done before their next international matches.

"I thank God that we have finished the game well without any serious injuries," Okwi told the same platform.

"I believe we have seen there is a lot to do in the coming months so that we are ready for the World Cup Qualifiers.

"But there are positives we have taken as well; we have seen so many good players in the team and we can build on that and make sure we are stronger in future assignments."

Uganda and Kenya were pooled in Group E of the qualifiers alongside West African giants Mali and Rwanda as well with the top team qualifying for the third qualifying round. 

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has responded to claims he coached Kariobangi Sharks against Gor Mahia during the Shield Cup fixture on Thursday.

In a video going around on social media, Mwendwa is seen giving instructions to the players and the FKF chief has stated he has been doing it for years. He also affirmed that he was not going to leave Kariobangi Sharks just because he was the head of the federation.

"I'm just wondering if anyone is unaware that I always train the Kariobangi Sharks?"People are just mad out there. I train them once a week, and I didn't start yesterday," Mwendwa told Goal.

"I have done it for around six or seven years continuously and I believe it will not bring any problem from Fifa.
 
"I have a question: Will Patrice Motsepe resign as president of his club simply because he won the Caf position?"It is a very petty issue because if I leave the club, the boys will just be at home hungry. Will, they [critics] pay them.
 
"The club has 55 people and if I quit will they pay them through online gossip? This is petty and somewhat stupid and people know I have been handling the Kariobangi Sharks' training sessions. They are my team and no one can claim not to know that. 
 
"I have been training them for long, for years and years, for 21 years to be precise. People just do not have work to do."
 
Kariobangi Sharks fell to K'Ogalo by a 2-0 margin at Utalii Ground after goals from Karim Nikiema and Sydney Ochieng condemned them. After the match, Gor Mahia head coach Manuel Vaz Pinto admitted the game was tough.
 
"It was a tough game, of course, a difficult game, two good teams with very good players and the game was good but I am very proud of my players because they again put a lot of commitment into the game despite the fatigue and now we have won nine games in a row, I am happy about this," Vaz Pinto told Goal.

"Of course we are happy to reach the semis, and of course when we get a good result I am happy but in the last 24 days we have played nine games, we have travelled to Mombasa, to Wundanyi and the number of players in the squad is not big but I am happy with result and performance of the team."
 
Gor Mahia will face Bidco United in the penultimate stage, while AFC Leopards will tackle Equity FC, the only lower league side still in the competition.

Former South Africa defender Lucky Lekgwathi has claimed senior players at Orlando Pirates have not supported under-fire captain Thulani Hlatshwayo.

Lekgwathi has stated some players feel the skipper - famously known as 'Tyson', who joined from Bidvest Wits and was given the armband in his first season with Bucs - was too new to be handed the captaincy roles.

"The problem is that if you wear the arm belt, you are the captain; you must take all the responsibility," Lekgwathi told News 24.

"Even other senior players, they don't support you, but all these guys are supposed to support you.

"But now, if I look at Pirates, my team, if someone is the captain, they don't give him that support. So, I think Tyson is new now, and some guys are thinking, "No, he's new, so he can't just come in and be the captain."

Lekgwathi had a successful time with Pirates as he lifted a treble at one point over six years ago and has drawn parallels between his stint and Hlatshwayo's.

"For me, I was lucky because of the guys that I found in this team; they helped me. But most of the senior players aren't playing their role in supporting Tyson," he said.

"I'm so happy for him, yes, football is a game of mistakes, and he makes mistakes, but you make mistakes to rectify them, and he's working hard on that."

Due to numerous mistakes on the pitch, Hlatshwayo missed a number of games towards the end of the Premier Soccer League season. He was also not considered for the Bafana Bafana friendly against Uganda on Thursday as the hosts depended on less experienced centre-backs.

"I think the guy has done well, it's just those smaller mistakes, but he gave us a trophy," said Lekgwathi, who enjoyed 14 caps for Bafana between 2002 and 2005.

"Today we are bragging that we are the champions of MTN8, and he is one of the guys who played a big role in winning that trophy. 

"Yes, a team is not only one player... [but a collective], but I think he played a big role in that. So, the pressure at Pirates is always high and wearing that number 14; people expect miracles from him. So, he must just work hard and encourage the players to be together; they must support him."

Malawi have confirmed they will travel for their international friendly against Tanzania without head coach Meck Mwase.

The Flames are due to travel to Dar es Salaam on Friday ahead of the friendly match set for Benjamin Mkapa Stadium with both teams using it as part of preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.

However, the Flames have confirmed coach Mwase has tested positive for Covid-19 as the team was planning to depart alongside his assistant Lovemore Fazili and defender Peter Cholopi.

What has been said?

“Mwase tested positive to Covid-19 alongside his assistant Lovemore Fazili and defender Peter Cholopi,” Malawi said in a statement on their official website. “They are all asymptomatic and have since gone into isolation.

“In the absence of Mwase and Fazili, assistant coach Bob Mpinganjira will take charge of the team.”

Ahead of the friendly, Mwase had named a 22-man squad with Be-Forward Wanderers midfielder Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Nyasa Big Bullets defender Eric Kaonga and Scotland-based defender Kieran Ngwenya making their first trip with the Flames.

The Flames will be without four key players namely captain Limbikani Mzava, vice-captain John Banda, Gerald Phiri Junior, and Francisco Madinga. Mzava and Phiri are injured while Banda and Madinga were excused due to club commitments.

Mpinganjira to lead Flames in Tanzania

The assistant coach Mpinganjira has described the absence of Mwase as a blow to the team but promised to win the game in Tanzania.

“It is unfortunate coach Mwase and Fazili will not be with us just like Cholopi and the other players. We wish them quick recovery,” Mpinganjira explained to the same portal.

“The preparations have gone on well and the boys looked good in training and we hope that we will do well in Tanzania. The new guys have done well in training and now it is time for them to show that they are ready to be part of this project.

Full Malawi squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernest Kankhobwe, William Thole, and Brighton Munthali.

Defenders: Charles Petro, Stanley Sanudi, Erick Kaonga, Nickson Nyasulu, Paul Ndlovu, Denis Chembezi, and Kieran Ngwenya.

Midfielder: Chimwemwe Ngwenya, Ngwenya, Ngwenya, Ngwenya, Ngwenya, Chester, Peter Chester, and Peter Kumwenda.
.
Strikers: Vincent Nyangulu, Gabadihno Mhango, Richard Mbulu, and Khuda Muyaba.

Jose Mourinho says he "wouldn't think twice" about selecting Ben Chilwell over Luke Shaw to play at left-back for England and believes Jack Grealish should get the nod over Marcus Rashford.

Mourinho coached both Rashford and Shaw during his time in charge of Manchester United and often publicly criticised the latter.

While the Portuguese manager admits the 25-year-old full-back has improved in the last year, he feels Chelsea star Chilwell deserves to start at Euro 2020.

What has been said?

“Left-back I would go with Ben Chilwell, I wouldn’t think twice," he said on Talksport. "He is intelligent, he covers the space, the diagonals inside very well, he is dangerous in attack, he is good in the air, good on set-pieces.

"Shaw had a good season and clearly an evolution in terms of emotion, professionalism, but Chilwell has something more, especially with the ball, the way he thinks, he is very calm under pressure. I like Chilwell."

Should Rashford play?

Mourinho believes Rashford is at his best playing on the left wing, but says Grealish is the one manager Gareth Southgate should choose to start.

“Harry Kane is untouchable, Jack Grealish is untouchable and the best position for Grealish is coming from the left," he said.

"For me, Marcus Rashford can only play there. When he plays on the right, he is completely lost. He is very good on the left attacking spaces, but Grealish for me is tremendous and what he creates and his personality. He reminds me of Luis Figo. I like him very much."

Asked about the midfield, the Roma boss said: “To play with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham would be perfect but maybe this first game play Kalvin Phillips with Rice."

When does England's Euro 2020 campaign begin?

England kick their campaign off against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday. Southgate's men will then take on Scotland on June 18 before finishing Group D against Czech Republic on June 22.

Further reading