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Former Nigeria international Victor Ezeji has slammed Gernot Rohr, describing the German as a coach who has not improved the Super Eagles, with reference to their style of play and talent management.

Rohr recently helped the three-time African champions qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after their third-place finish at the 2019 tournament in Egypt.

Despite the team’s success, the former Enyimba striker said the tactician – who has been at the helm since 2016 – has not impacted the Super Eagles with a particular style of football and he lacks the class to co-ordinate the players.

Ezeji expressed his frustration after Rohr’s men failed to score a goal in their twin friendlies against Cameroon. They suffered a 1-0 loss against the Indomitable Lions last Friday before playing out a goalless draw on Tuesday.

"I have never been a fan of Gernot Rohr but the truth is, sometimes it is not even about the result and sometimes, your team can play very well and lose, people could say they lost and there is prospect for the team,” Ezeji told Goal.

“But in the case of this Gernot Rohr's team, they are not playing very well and they are not winning so people will definitely complain. We have known our Super Eagles to have flair when playing, but that has not happened under him, whichever way he wins his game.

“There is no flair in their game, I think he is done with the team if you ask me because he is not showing anything, no class. We've got the players but I think what we lack is who co-ordinates them.”

Last year May, Rohr agreed on a two-and-half-year contract extension to remain as Super Eagles coach with the target of guiding the country to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar and also win the 2022 Afcon.

Ezeji argued that the former Bordeaux manager has not been a success in Nigeria and he recalled how indigenous coaches Christian Chukwu also led the country to a third-place at 2004 Afcon before Stephen Keshi’s side triumphed at the 2013 edition in South Africa.

“I don't know what his contract with the NFF looks like but personally, I don't think he has not achieved anything because even our indigenous coaches got to third at Afcon and we became the continent's champions,” he continued.

“In his own case, third-place is not enough at all with the kind of personnel and abundant of talents we have in Nigeria presently, he should do better. As I stated earlier, it is not about winning the cup but it is about playing good football and there are ways you do that.

“Remember Imama's [Amapakabo] U23 boys' game against Libya in Asaba [U23 Afcon qualifier in March 2019], we needed three goals to go through but after the first-half, everybody was like even if they did not get through we are satisfied with their performance but the boys got the result and advanced.

"We need to start seeing that kind of performance in our Super Eagles, nobody has any confidence now that even if we play market women they will win. We need to have that confidence in our team and be rest assured of good football against any opponent.”

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas believes his side will be able to land Barcelona star Lionel Messi in the future. 

Messi's contract with Barcelona will expire at the end of this month and the club is desperately trying to tie down the 33-year-old to a new deal. 

Various reports have stated that Messi's potential Barca extension would include a provision for him to play two more seasons in Spain, then move to Inter Miami in 2023.

What was said?

Mas confirmed that he and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham have been involved in talks to bring Messi to Florida.

“David and I have been working really hard, we have aspirations of bringing the best players here and Leo Messi is a generational player, arguably the best player of all time,” Mas told the Miami Herald.

“I am optimistic Messi will play in an Inter Miami shirt because I think it will complete the legacy of the greatest player in our generation and will meet with the ambitions of the owners of Inter Miami to build a world-class team.”

Messi's MLS interest

In an interview late last year, Messi confirmed that he is interested in playing in the United States at some point in his career.

"I always said that I have the impression that I would like to enjoy the experience of living in the United States, of living in that league and that life, but if it happens or not I don't know," the Argentine told La Sexta.

Will Messi re-sign with Barcelona?

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that extension talks with Messi are "going well," but stressed that no deal is done as of yet.

Barca have been undergoing an extensive audit of their finances to determine how much they are able to offer the 33-year-old.

Messi is also looking for assurances that Barca will be able to put together a competitive squad for the 2021-22 season after falling short in La Liga and the Champions League this past season.

PSG and Manchester City have been most heavily linked with a potential move for Messi should he decide to leave Camp Nou.

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Kermit Erasmus has blamed injuries for slowing down his season which saw him falling way short of what he had set to achieve.

After a promising start to the season where he was part of a threatening combination with Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile, the 30-year old set himself a target of 30 goals.

But a spate of injuries hampered his game and limited him to just 17 Premier Soccer League appearances in which he managed a meagre three goals. 

“In the first few games of the season things were looking good,” said Erasmus as per Phakaaathi.

“Yes, I did not get to 30 goals and if people consider me as a failure, then so be it, I am not ashamed to say I failed. If you see me injury free, there is very little I cannot do… being injury free is my main concern now.”

Erasmus’ teammate Shalulile went on to end the season with 15 league goals and was crowned the PSL Player of the Season as well as Players’ Player of the Season.

Zwane on the other hand had 10 goals and Erasmus feels that he still has a chance to reach 30 goals next season.

“If we have to be honest we have to look at how the season went, whether I played all the games or not,” Erasmus said.

“People are going to be critical about it, I am also critical about it but there is no need for people’s criticism. We just focus and work on that in the new season. There is always an opportunity to try and do it again, that’s the beauty about football.”

Most players have struggled to reach the 20-goal mark in the PSL era, but former Umtata Bush Bucks forward Wilfred Mugeyi managed 22 goals during the 1996/7 season, followed by Pollen Ndlanya’s 21 for Kaizer Chiefs in the 1998/99 campaign. 

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs marksman Collins Mbesuma remains the record scorer in a single PSL season after he struck 25 goals during the 2004/05 term, while Siyabonga Nomvete was the last to get 20, for Swallows FC in the 2011/12 season.

The Tanzania Premier League Board has revealed they are ready to move on after the exit of Vodacom as the Mainland Premier League sponsors.
 
After a long association, the telecommunications firm ended its relationship with Tanzania's top flight due to financial difficulties.

A Tsh30 billion loss in the last financial year is the main reason why they ended the contract - which would have come to an end at the end of last season - early.

Vodacom were to disburse Tsh9 billion - Tsh3 billion each season - to the league, but a huge loss made in the 2020/21 financial year is all that brought to an end a three-year deal that was signed in 2019.

TPLB CEO Almas Kasongo said they are ready to move without their long-time partner. 
 
"Vodacom lately have had financial problems and, as I speak now, teams parading in the top-flight league have not received their transport portion as required in the signed contract," Kasongo told Daily News.

"They wrote us a letter indicating they were facing difficult periods as they were not making profits, so they asked us to find other means to cover transport fares for this season, so that next season they can pay back the debt.
 
"Those were our internal talks and, according to our formalities, we are not supposed to disseminate such information to the public.
 
"They have been sponsoring the league for nearly 20 years, but when we received the official letter from them on the financial constraints they were going through, we conducted a meeting with the leaders of all the teams to update them on the situation.
 
"In one voice, they all understood the challenges expressed by Vodacom in the letter and agreed to pay all their transport fares for the season, which will be paid back next season. 
 
"All these were internal matters, but since our colleagues have come out in public and shown the intention of terminating the contract, there is nothing much we can say from our side."
 
Kasongo added that there are numerous companies that have shown interest in partnering with the Tanzania top flight: "There are several companies that have shown interest in sponsoring the league and we have begun talks with them. We were only delaying talks because we already had an active contract and it could have been unacceptable to have them aboard.
 
"For us, this is not new because we already talked to them but all the time, we handled the issue internally. But they have decided to go public."
 
Vodacom left at a time when Azam TV had just signed a new big Premier League broadcasting deal with the Tanzania Football Federation.

Former England star Shaun Wright-Phillips labeled Gareth Southgate's squad selection as "confusing" ahead of the Euros this summer.

Southgate initially selected four right-backs in his squad, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker all picked by the England boss over midfielder options such as James Ward-Prowse and Jesse Lingard.

Unfortunately for Alexander-Arnold, an injury has ruled him out of the tournament, with Southgate instead turning to Brighton's Ben White.

What did Wright-Phillips say?

“When I saw the squad with four right-backs it was quite confusing to be honest," he told SBK Sportsbook. "I can understand why he’s doing it but at the same time I feel people like Ward-Prowse and Jesse deserved a place to balance out the squad.

"I’m obviously not the person to make that decision but that was the only surprise to me. I think what’s amazing about this team, especially across the front five or six, they can all have an impact off the bench, so I feel like there will be a bit of rotation. I think Southgate’s got a nice problem on his hands.

'I'd prefer to play against Shaw'

As a former winger, Wright-Phillips was also asked to compare England's left-backs Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell.

And, despite his incredible campaign with Manchester United this past season, Wright-Phillips says he believes he'd fare best going against Shaw if he had to choose.

“I think the way Chilly [Ben Chilwell] defends, he stands up, very rarely takes chances," he said. "He would be a harder match.

"Luke Shaw I would prefer to play against. I think he does fall asleep sometimes and lose his position and when he does venture forward he doesn’t have the same qualities as Chilly does.

"Chilly plays more like a defensive winger, whereas I think Shaw’s just a defender that can go forward. But I’d rather play against Luke Shaw.”

Further reading

Former Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah has arrived in Ghana on holiday, following in the footsteps of Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

In a photo posted on social media, Fosu-Mensah, who currently plays for German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, was seen in an unknown location, with a caption "Akwaaba", meaning 'welcome' in the Ghanaian Twi language.

This follows an earlier comment he made on a social media post of Hudson-Odoi, stating he was also making his way to Ghana.

Born to Ghanaian parents in the Netherlands, Fosu-Mensah has made three senior appearances for Oranje.

His post on Wednesday has generated a lot of reaction on social media, with many suggesting a possible meeting with Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, as has happened with Champions League winner Hudson-Odoi amid talks of a switch of international allegiance from England to Ghana.

Below are the best reactions:

Safa has announced that Bafana Bafana assistant coach Janevski Cedomir has tested positive for Covid-19.

This comes after the national team underwent their second coronavirus tests on Tuesday as the team prepares for the international friendly match against Uganda's Cranes on Thursday.

Cedomir, who hails from Macedonia, was expected to be in charge of the team along with local assistant Helman Mkhalele during the game which will be played at Orlando Stadium.

However, Safa released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon announcing that the 59-year-old tactician will miss the match against the Cranes.

"As per Covid-19 requirements and protocol, Bafana Bafana team conducted the second Covid-19 tests on Tuesday for the entire team ahead of the match against Uganda," a statement read.

"Unfortunately, Assistant coach Janevski Cedomir tested positive while the rest of the team is negative.

"As is the norm, all team members – players and support staff – are tested ahead of entering into camp and all results were negative. However, during the second round of tests conducted on Tuesday, 8 June 2021, Assistant coach Cedomir tested positive."

This is in addition to the Bafana players who have also tested positive for the virus and have since been withdrawn from the squad.

Brighton and Hove Albion forward Percy Tau, SuperSport United central midfielders Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena, and Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Mosa Lebusa, Mothobi Mvala, and Rivaldo Coetzee are the six players that have tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Bafana's team doctor Tshepo Molobi says they will continue to check players and staff for clinical symptoms and als follow Covid19 protocols. 

"We continue to check for clinical symptoms and encourage the staff to wear masks without failure, practice social distance and everyone is accommodated separately," Molobi said.

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos will miss the game against Uganda as he is still in Belgium to receive his second Covid-19 vaccination.

Therefore, Mkhalele, who has been serving as South Africa's under-20 head coach, will be in charge of Bafana on matchday against the Cranes.

Bafana will look to return to winning ways having lost 2-0 to Sudan in their last game which was the 2022 Afcon qualifier in March this year.

Tarila Okorowanta has lashed out at the performance of the Nigeria national team against Cameroon following their two international friendlies in Austria.

The Super Eagles failed to win either of the matches in the doubleheader against the Indomitable Lions, losing the first outing 1-0 before playing out a 0-0 draw in the second.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has largely blamed the not-too impressive performances on the number of players who withdrew from the game.

Okorowanta believes the Super Eagles should have won the games and Rohr should have relied on his experienced players against the Indomitable Lions.

“For us not to win any of the games with Cameroon is not good. I think the coach is trying to test some players in these matches,” Okorowanta told Goal.

“You are supposed to pick the best for Cameroon. You cannot underrate any team. Football has changed.

“Result is what Nigerians want, whether the Super Eagles play well or not is not the most important thing but the maximum result which is victory.

“Rohr is supposed to be preparing the team for the World Cup qualifiers not testing players, he is supposed to use his best against a team like Cameroon. “

The Cameroon friendlies have been arranged as part of the Super Eagles' preparation for the World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde Islands in August and September, respectively.

Okorowanta reiterated that the Super Eagles must rely on their established players for the games and avoid bringing in too many new players.  

“If we continue like this that you keep testing players I am afraid it might not go well for us in the qualifiers but if we go with the established players then that will be okay,” he continued.

“These new players he is bringing to the team are yet to blend with other players and it might take another one year or more before they can acclimatize with the team and we don’t have time for this.”

Before the World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles will square off against Mexico in another international friendly on July 4.

The three-time African champions also recently qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon.

UEFA has delayed potential punishments of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus for the clubs' participation in the Super League plan.

Barca, Real Madrid and Juve were the only three of the 12 announced Super League founders to not pull out of the plan in the days after it came to light.

The three clubs had been facing the potential of a Champions League ban for their roles in the potential breakaway league but any potential punishment will not come in the near future.

What did UEFA say?

"Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against FC Barcelona, Juventus FC and Real Madrid CF for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, the UEFA Appeals Body has decided to stay the proceedings until further notice," a statement read.

Premier League clubs hit with sanctions

While Real Madrid, Barca and Juve have escaped punishment for the time being, the Premier League's 'Big Six' have paid off a settlement for their roles in the Super League plan.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham have agreed to pay a total of £22 million ($31m) as part of a settlement with the Premier League.

Additionally, the clubs have agreed to a potential fine of £20m ($28m) each and 30-point deductions if they move to join a similar breakaway league in the future.

"The six clubs involved in proposals to form a European Super League have today acknowledged once again that their actions were a mistake, and have reconfirmed their commitment to the Premier League and the future of the English game," the league and FA said in a joint statement.

"They have wholeheartedly apologised to their fans, fellow clubs, the Premier League and The FA. As a gesture of goodwill, the clubs have collectively agreed to make a contribution of £22m which will go towards the good of the game, including new investment in support for fans, grassroots football and community programmes.

"Furthermore, the clubs have agreed to support rule changes so that any similar actions in the future would lead to a 30 point deduction. Each of the six clubs, in that event, would also be subject to an additional £25m fine. The Premier League and The FA have worked closely together throughout this process and this agreement brings both investigations into the matter to a conclusion."

Further reading

Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr have confirmed the signing of Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar on a free transfer.

The Mrsool Park outfit disclosed that the former Porto and Lorient striker has penned a three-year contract that will keep him in Riyadh until 2024.

Aboubakar left Besiktas at the end of his contract on May 31, after helping the Black Eagles win the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup.

He played a crucial role in Sergen Yalcin's title-winning squad with his contribution of 16 goals in 29 matches across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.

As a result of his switch to Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old becomes the third African star in Mano Menezes’ team alongside Morocco duo Abderrazak Hamdallah and Nordin Amrabat.

“The management of the Saudi Al-Nasr Club officially signed with the Cameroonian star Vincent Aboubakar and that was during a free transfer deal and with a contract that extends for three years, with best wishes for the success of the international star,” the club statement read.

Aboubakar has enjoyed playing stints in France, Portugal and Turkey since he started his professional career in Cameroon-based club Coton Sport in 2009.

A year later, he joined Valenciennes in Ligue 1 where he spent three years before joining rivals Lorient on a free transfer in 2013.

Following his outstanding record of 16 goals in 35 Ligue 1 matches, Aboubakar made a move to Porto in 2014 where he enjoyed a hugely successful time. During his stay at the Estadio do Dragao, the Cameroon international won two Primeira Liga titles, one Super Cup and the Portuguese Cup.

He had two spells at Besiktas - firstly in the 2016-17 season and he won the Super Lig crown before returning last September on a short-term deal to help them to another top-flight crown.

On the international scene, Aboubakar was not present in Austria for Cameroon’s double-header of friendlies against Nigeria but he will be expected to make Toni Conceicao’s squad when the Indomitable Lions begin their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Thanks to Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s strike, Cameroon first defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 last Friday before both teams settled for a goalless draw at the Wiener Neustadt Stadium on Tuesday.

The appointment of Stuart Baxter as Kaizer Chiefs head coach has generated mixed reaction among the fans as the former Glamour Boys boss returns to Naturena.
 
The former Bafana Bafana tactician has been appointed on a two-year deal that can be extended by two more years and he arrives to take the mantle from where Gavin Hunt left off.

Despite leading Amakhosi past Simba SC to the Caf Champions League semi-finals, Hunt was shown the door as the club struggled in the Premier Soccer League and at one point threatened to be dragged into a relegation battle.
 
Baxter, 67, will be assisted by Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard, who have been in charge since Hunt's exit, and their first responsibility will be a first-leg semi-final match against Wydad Casablanca in Morocco on June 19.

The last man to lead them to a league title, Baxter has returned at a time Amakhosi are expected to be heavily engaged in the transfer market after the ban by Fifa elapses at the end of the month.
 
Although some fans have hugely welcomed the return of the Briton, some feel that his playing style is not pleasant enough to watch and thus the return is not deserved.

This is how the fans reacted on Twitter: 

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has asked for more patience for Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abolora, whose howler led to Morocco’s goal in a 1-0 friendly defeat on Tuesday.

In the absence of injured first-choice goalkeeper Richard Ofori, Akonnor put faith in the former Azam man but his outing ended in disappointment as he fumbled with a Hakim Ziyech free-kick which was capitalized on by Jawad El-Yamiq for the match winner.

The goalkeeper has consequently come under fire as the Morocco blunder was his second straight error leading to goal, having committed an earlier mistake in a 3-1 loss to Sao Tome and Principe in March.

“He [Abalora] has made a mistake, he knows himself but we are not in the position to kill him,” Akonnor said, as reported by Ghanafa.org.

“We need each and every one to be at good level. Yes, we have to move on, we have to encourage him.

“He is a good goalkeeper. No doubt about that. We will not kill him; we will encourage him on how to improve.”

The Morocco tie was one of Ghana’s two scheduled friendlies in preparation for commencement of the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

“In my opinion we didn’t look bad at all, first of all it was important for me to see how discipline we could play, the team spirit, work ethics, we showed great understanding of how to play," Akonnor added.

“Obviously we played against opponent who have been very, very good in previous matches and like I said earlier on they have not lost a match since the 2019 Afcon.

“We made things very, very difficult for them especially in the first half and in the second half we opened up and attacked.

“If you look at the way we played the negative part is that we lost so there have been a lot of positives. We have some few guys to join us, if we get all of them and work like this, I think going forward we are very hopeful.”

Ghana next focus attention on Cote d’Ivoire whom they face on Saturday.

“We will have a meeting to discuss the match. What we did right and what went wrong and we look forward to the Ivory Coast match and going to that game, we have to do video analysis and see how bet we can play and of course outsmart them and win the match," he continued.

“We need to win and that is what we are concerned about.”

The Black Stars are set to welcome Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and Brentford winger Tariq Fosu back for Saturday’s game after they were excused from the trip to Morocco.

Newly-appointed Kaizer Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter has apologized for the comments he made using a rape analogy in India earlier this year.

The English tactician was dismissed by Indian club Odisha FC in February 2021 after complaining during a post-match interview about the refereeing in a defeat.

Baxter stated that his players 'would have to rape someone or get raped himself if he was going to get a penalty' and his comments caused a public outcry in both India and South Africa.

The 67-year-old has now apologized for his “insensitive” comments for the second time as he starts his second stint as Chiefs coach.

“Hi, given the unfortunate nature of my exit from India, and the unfortunate comments, and to be very honest, stupid comments that I made," Hunt told the club's media department. 

"I felt strongly that I needed to make another apology before recommencing my work in South Africa. Anything that I said that offended anybody, I humbly apologize. 

“I know that it [rape] is a heinous crime that it looked like I was making light of I was not. I was not, that was absolutely not my intention. That does not reflect me as a person. But I do know that many people were upset."

 The former Finland head coach promised that he will not make similar comments in the future as he made a heartfelt apology.

“And for that, I’m truly sorry. In the future, there will not be an issue with me making such clumsy, insensitive, and downright stupid comments," he added.

"I really hope that anyone that was offended by my insensitive words, will accept this really heartfelt apology. Thank you.”

Baxter had successful spells with Chiefs and SuperSport United in South African football - winning trophies with both PSL clubs.

The retired midfielder guided Chiefs to four trophies including two PSL titles and he led SuperSport to two Nedbank Cups, before being named as Bafana Bafana coach for a second time in May 2017.

He remains the last coach to win a major trophy with Chiefs when he led the Soweto giants to the PSL title in May 2015.

AFC Leopards have reached the semi-finals of the FKF Shield Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Tusker at Ruaraka grounds.

Captain of the day Isaac Kipyegon scored the all-important goal in the 36th minutes after converting from the penalty spot to send Ingwe to the last four of the competition where they will now face Division One side Equity Bank.

Equity reached the semis after securing a shock 1-0 win against defending champions Bandari in the earlier quarter-finals duel also at the same venue.

Tusker came into the game seeking to protect their chances of winning the double as they are also leading the Premier League table and coach Robert Matano made only one change to the starting XI that played in their Round of 16 fixture against Luanda Villa, Luke Namanda coming in for Chris Ochieng.

On the other hand, AFC Leopards brought in goalkeeper John Oyemba for Benjamin Ochan and they were the first to threaten the Brewers’ dangerzone as lead striker Elvis Rupia glanced a header wide in the 3rd minute.

Tusker responded with an attack of their own in the 12th minute but Sammy Miseh could not finish off a cross from Eugine Asike, as he sent it wide.

But in the 36th minute, Ingwe took the lead when a corner from Rupia was handled by a Tusker defender and up stepped Kipyegon, who sent goalkeeper Robert Mboya the wrong way.

Immediately AFC took the lead, Tusker could have levelled matters but Henry Meja hit the woodwork after combining well with Apollo Otieno and Boniface Muchiri.

On resumption, Oyemba was called upon to deny Meja twice, first punching to play his right-footed effort before he dived full strength yet again to send his rebound to a fruitless corner.

Ingwe will now face Equity Bank in the semis after they beat Bandari 1-0. The Bankers who reached the last eight following a 1-0 win against Vegpro, needed a 57th-minute goal courtesy of Sande Katumba to knock out the defending champions.

It was Bandari who came into the game as favourites and having beaten Sigalagala 5-0 in the Round of 16, they were already tipped to get past the Bankers, who are handled by former Harambee Stars striker John Baraza.

In the other quarter-final matches set for Thursday, Gor Mahia will take on Kariobangi Sharks while Nairobi City Stars will come up against Bidco United.