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Nigeria international and Genk star Paul Onuachu has been named as winner of the 2021 Ebony Shoe award.

The lanky striker saw off competition from Club Brugge's Clinton Mata (Angola) and Genk's Theo Bongonda (DR Congo) to the prize to succeed Dieumerci Mbokani - who represents Royal Antwerp.

The Ebony Shoe prize is an annual award given to the best African player in the Belgian Pro League.

Onuachu was in blistering forward in the 2020-21 campaign – helping John van den Brom’s Smurfs to finish as runners-up in the Belgian top-flight behind winners Club Brugge.

For his contributions, the 26-year-old found the net on 33 occasions in 38 league outings, amid other stunning displays.

His eye-catching performances also saw him win the 2020-21 Belgian League Player of the Year and winner of the Golden Boot award.

With this feat, he becomes the fifth Nigerian to claim the prize after Daniel Amokachi (1992 and 1994), Victor Ikpeba (1993), Godwin Okpara (1995), and Celestine Babayaro (1996).

Babayaro was the last Super Eagle to claim the diadem after seeing off competition from the Congolese duo of Michel Ngonge and Jean-Claude Mukanya.

Also, Onuachu is the fourth player from Genk to win the Ebony Shoe after Guinea’s Souleymane Oulare (1999), Burkina Faso’s Moumouni Dagano (2002) and Tanzania’s Mbwana Samatta (2019).

The forward has two years left on his current contract, but he is unsure about seeing out the deal, with a number of European clubs believed to be interested in his services.

“For me, you never know what the future holds but I think scoring a lot of goals this season for KRC Genk and of course my career is going to be one of the most important periods for me," Onuachu told the club's YouTube channel. 

“It is going to be difficult to say I'm going to repeat it where I am going but I think the players we have in this team really make all this possible for me, but like I said earlier you don't know what the future holds.

“As it is now I think I'm really happy for the figure I have in the league and of course for KRC Genk.”

Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane held his cards close to his chest regarding his future at the club.

The 47-year-old took over from the fired Gavin Hunt alongside Dillon Sheppard and went on to help the team finish in the top eight in the PSL.

Their predecessor had managed just two wins in his previous 17 league matches, however, the caretaker coaches managed to collect two wins in a row to ensure the team qualified for the annual MTN8 competition.

"I am one person that, you know, takes one step at a time," Zwale said during a press conference on Tuesday.

"I believe that I'm a student of the game, so whether I'll be part of the first team next season or not, I'm still part of Kaizer Chiefs because I'm the reserve team coach."

The youthful tactician went on to say he will welcome any decision made by the Chiefs management over the future of the club.

"So when given the opportunity you always give your best and if things work out you move on," Zwale continued.

"It was a good learning curve for me, being given the opportunity with myself, Dillon, and the rest of the technical staff, obviously, to take the team forward.

"Fortunately, we managed to get maximum points in both games. So yeah, what's next? Whatever that happens, you know, it will still benefit us as a team, because it will be for the good of making sure that it gets better, and will get where it belongs.  

"Not because maybe Arthur is not good enough. It will be because we believe that now if we bring this new personnel or these people, they will take the team forward and we’ll give them our support because that's what we’re supposed to do as coaches."  

The former midfielder made 193 appearances for Amakhosi from 2000-2010, scoring 25 goals in the process. 

He has also played for Jomo Cosmos, Santos, Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu, and Dynamos. 

Chiefs are preparing to play Wydad Casablanca in the Champions League semi-final first leg on June 19.

The South African heavyweights made it to the last four after eliminating Simba SC of Tanzania 4-3 in aggregate in the last eight.

Former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan has stated he believes head coach Hugo Broos tapped into Molefi Ntseki's think tank in selecting the Bafana Bafana squad for the friendly against Uganda.

The Cranes will travel south for the match against South Africa at Orlando Stadium on Thursday and Khan believes, Broos, who was appointed this year and will not be in charge during the friendly, does not know the players well enough to make an independent selection yet.

Broos, 69, will be out of the country as he travelled to Belgium to get his second coronavirus jab meaning the team will be led by Cedomir Janevski and former Bafana Bafana forward Helman Mkhalele.

"I don't think he had too much to do with that because, you know, you can not expect [Hugo] Broos to know the players as well," Khan told News24.

"I think he tapped into the think tank of [Molefi] Ntseki and asked them, and he obviously gave them a heads up on the players they feel that will perform for Bafana.

"In saying that, you must not read too much into that [team selection] he needs to come back [to South Africa] and get his feelers out and see what he has at his disposal.

"And that is why it was so critical that we selected a local coach who has knowledge of the local players as well as the international players."

Janevski and Mkhalele had to adjust the squad as some players, including Percy Tau, were ruled out of the friendly as Covid-19 hit their camp. 

Tau, Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule, Mosa Lebusa, Mothobi Mvala, and Rivaldo Coetzee are the players ruled out and were replaced by Denwin Farmer and Evidence Makgopa of Baroka FC, in-demand Swallows ace Njabulo Ngcobo and Ethan Brooks of TS Galaxy.

South Africa Squad for Uganda friendly:

Goalkeepers: Bruce Bvuma (Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport)

Defenders: Rivaldo Coetzee, Mosa Lebusa, Rushine De Reuck (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Golden Arrows), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Mabiliso (AmaZulu)

Midfielders: Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France) Lebohang Maboe, Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba (all Mamelodi Sundowns) Craig Martin (Cape Town City), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates)

Strikers: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United)

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will join Ghana’s squad for their second friendly fixture against Cote d’Ivoire, having been excused for Tuesday’s friendly tie with Morocco, the football Association has stated.

The news follows earlier media reports that the 27-year-old was sent away from camp by Ghana coach CK Akonnor after turning up late for the training exercise.

The Black Stars are set to play as guests of Morocco on Tuesday and return home to host Cote d’Ivoire three days later.

“Thomas travelled to Cape Coast on Thursday to meet Coach Charles Akonnor over some personal issues. After the meeting which lasted for about an hour, the Coach excused him from the trip to Morocco – and asked him to report to camp for the second game against Ivory Coast,” the GFA said while providing team news.

“As the first deputy captain of the Black Stars, Thomas later joined his colleagues in training to show solidarity and support before leaving for Accra.

“The Arsenal midfielder will therefore team up with the rest of the squad on Thursday when the team returns from Morocco.”

Like Partey, Brentford winger Tariqe Fosu has also been left out of the side for the Morocco duel but is expected back for the Cote d’Ivoire engagement.  

“Tariqe reported to camp Saturday evening, after the sides last training session in Cape Coast," the GFA statement added.

"Coach Akonnor engaged him briefly and told him that reporting late has scuppered his chances of travelling with the team to Morocco. The Brentford winger will also join the team on Thursday for the game against Ivory Coast."

Nordsjaelland winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who has been linked to Ajax, Liverpool and Manchester United, has not joined camp, nor did Leicester City attacker Kamal Sowah and Joseph Paintsil.

“The trio gave varied reasons that clearly confirm that they are not ready for the games. They, therefore, turned down the invitation,” the FA said on their absence from camp.

China-based midfielder Mubarak Wakaso will also miss the matches as he “couldn’t make the trip due to Covid-19 complications. He would be required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine upon his return from Accra – hence the decision to leave him out of the squad for now.”

His club-mate Frank Acheampong is similarly out: “Frank is bereaved. He laid his late mother to eternal glory over the weekend and couldn’t make time to join the team for the matches. But the China-based winger was at the Airport to see the team off as a sign of support.”

Finally, there was news on South Africa-based goalkeeper Richard Ofori: “Groin injury. He sustained a groin injury during his club’s (Orlando Pirates) CAF Confederation Cup game against ES Setif in March this year. The lanky goalkeeper is now recovering from the setback.”

A squad of 25 players, led by captain Andre Ayew, have already touched base in Morocco for the fixture.

Spain have called up five players to train separately from the rest of the squad as a precaution after Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19.

Barcelona midfielder Busquets has been isolated from the rest of the squad after he was found to have contracted the virus on Sunday, but is asymptomatic.

The rest of the team returned negative tests, but the players are being kept in isolation while they determine the severity of the situation.

As a result, Rodrigo Moreno, Pablo Fornals, Carlos Soler and Brais Mendez have been called up to work in a "parallel bubble" in case they are needed. The arrival of defender 35-year-old Raul Albiol was announced later on Monday. 

What has been said?

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) released a statement confirming they have taken the precautionary measure.

"In anticipation of the possible consequences that the positive test of Sergio Busquets could bring, the coaching staff has decided to incorporate a group of footballers to complete training during the next days under Luis Enrique's orders within a parallel bubble," the statement read.

"Tomorrow, the players Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Pablo Fornals (West Ham United), Carlos Soler (Valencia CF) and Brais Mendez (RC Celta) will join the sessions in Las Rozas. 

"In addition, once the game against Lithuania is over, a small group of footballers yet to be confirmed will join the training sessions of the senior team under the same conditions as the previous ones. They will train at different times and will not mix in any case with those already called up."

A follow up was published later confirming Albiol is also being held in reserve and will train with the other four.

"Villarreal CF footballer Raul Albiol will join his teammates Rodrigo Moreno, Pablo Fornals, Carlos Soler and Brais Mendez in the group of footballers to complete training sessions over the next few days under Luis Enrique's orders within a parallel bubble," it said.

What happens next?

The four players will train every day but will not be allowed to mix with the rest of the squad.

The players will be tested for Covid-19 every day and it will soon be determined in the next couple of days if they can all still compete at Euro 2020.

When do Spain play their first Euro 2020 game?

La Roja will face Lithuania in a friendly on Wednesday in their last match before the tournament begins, but it will be their Under-21 side who line up in the friendly while the rest of the squad is in isolation.

Luis Enrique's men kick off their Euro 2020 campaign with a clash against Sweden on June 14, followed by a game against Poland five days later. They will finish the group stage with a clash with Slovakia on June 23.

Further reading

Arsenal star Thomas Partey is in the social media trends for reportedly being “sacked” from Ghana’s camp ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire.

According to local media reports, the midfielder was turned away after reporting late to join the Black Stars training camp in Cape Coast.

The Ghana Football Association has not made an official statement on the situation but other reports suggested the 27-year-old left camp with permission from Ghana coach CK Akonnor and has been excused from the friendlies.

Social media has been awash with reaction to the rumour.

Below are the best reactions:

Percy Tau and Teboho Mokoena have been ruled out of Bafana Bafana’s international friendly match against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Midfielder Sipho Mbule is being closely monitored after coming into contact with his SuperSport United teammate Mokoena. 

There are also injury concerns in the Bafana camp as the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of defender Mosa Lebusa and the versatile Rivaldo Coetzee are in a fitness race. 

Lebusa lasted just 30 minutes in Sundowns’ final Premier Soccer League match against Cape Town City last Saturday while Coetzee was ruled out of that game. 

But it is the absence of Tau which has headlined Bafana’s build-up to the Uganda clash, with Hugo Broos’ assistant coach Cedomir Janevski highlighting the Brighton and Hove Albion attacker’s qualities. 

“Everybody knows the quality of Percy Tau,” said Janevski as per Phakaaathi.

“He was a player at Bruges, my ex-team, he was in Anderlecht, he is an important player for the national team of South Africa. We hope for the next camp he will be ok.

"He has the skills, he is [now] in England, he has a good mentality and can give his quality not just individually but around the players who will be with him in the next game of qualification [ the World Cup].”

“I know it is also the end of the season, the last game finished last weekend, we should normally have more days to prepare. It is not just physical preparation, just to meet each other. I hope before the September qualification time we have more [time].”

Janevski and fellow assistant coach Helman Mkhalele will take charge of the Uganda match in the absence of Broos, who is in Belgium to receive his second Covid-19 jab. 

Before returning to Belgium, Broos selected a younger squad for the Uganda match.

Big names like captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Themba Zwane, goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Andile Jali, Sifiso Hlanti, Ben Motshwari and Ruzaigh Gamildien were all dropped.

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabang Monare is the only player above the age of 30 in the squad but Broos said the door has not been shut for the overlooked senior players.

After Thursday’s friendly, Bafana will then face Zimbabwe and Ghana in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in September.

Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has compared Tunisia’s style of play to Atletico Madrid ahead of Algeria’s trip to Tunis for a friendly match.

The African champions will battle Mondher Kebaier's men at the Stade Olympique de Rades on Friday as both teams intensify preparations for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers that will begin in September.

Algeria are on a 26-game unbeaten run with their last defeat dating back to October 2018 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin, while Tunisia are yet to lose their last 11 games since their 1-0 loss to Nigeria in the third-place match at 2019 Afcon.

“The match against Tunisia will be a different match. It's a tough team to play. Maybe a less playful team, but we know Tunisia. It's like Atletico Madrid, you dominate and in the end you get screwed,” Mahrez told DZ Foot.

On Sunday, Mahrez played a starring role as his strike helped Algeria pip Mali 1-0 at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium.

It was a tense affair in the first 45 minutes until the 30-year-old broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

In his assessment of the game, Mahrez described Mali as a difficult team that lacked the firepower to convert their chances.

“It was a complicated game. Mali are clearly not an easy team to play. We struggled in the first half, but the second half was better,” he said.

“Mali was good, we couldn't get the ball out well. It was a good team and the coach was able to sort out the problems at half-time. We're not always going to win by 3-0 or 4-0! It's one of the tough matches in Africa.

“Mali is a team with a lot of personality, very well organized in the middle, where they hurt us. However, they lacked a little presence in front to materialize their opportunities. It's a very good team.”

AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer and Galatasaray’s Sofiane Feghouli did not make the matchday squad but the Man City star applauded the performances of Ramiz Zerrouki, Hachim Boudaoui and Adlene Guedioura who held the midfield.

“Bennacer and Feghouli are important to us. They are not here today but Ramiz was not bad, Guedioura too and Hicham too even if it was a bit complicated. We were put in difficulty but the friendly matches are made for that,” he added.

Gareth Southgate has opened up on how the struggles of his own career have helped shape his approach as England manager, reflecting on how players must learn to not let rejection define them despite the setbacks they face.

The Three Lions boss takes charge of his second major tournament this summer, following a last-four finish at the Russia 2018 World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2019 Nations League in Portugal.

It comes after a testing term, with multiple factors from Covid-19 and bizarre crowd reactions to anti-racism protests to potential burnout and the pressure of a near-home event, all factored in - and speaking ahead, the 50-year-old has reflected on how those difficulties can be part of growing up in the professional game.

What has been said?

"I struggled a lot at the start [of my career]," Southgate revealed in a new YouTube documentary, Raise Your Game with Gareth Southgate. "It wasn't just for fun anymore, it was your job. 

"I was dropped from the youth team. You then have that realisation 'if this is what I really want to do then I have to step up'. We all get rejected and we either allow that to define you or you bounce back.

"Football, like a lot of sports, you have got to mature at a very young age and very quickly. By that point your family can't necessarily help you, they don't understand the world that you have gone into.

"I had to realise that "this is a man's world, it is highly competitive and if this is what I want to do I have got to get better."

Southgate acknowledges selection blows

The uneasiness of the Covid-19 situation, combined with three Premier League teams making the twin European club finals this term, means that Southgate's preparations have been wildly disrupted, forcing him to name an expanded provisional squad last month ahead of the final cut.

It means that several players invited into the fold, such as James Ward-Prowse and Jesse Lingard, will head into the off-season having seen their hopes of playing at a major tournament dashed, and the manager has admitted that it takes something special to not only be in the mix for international honours but to face near-miss rejection too.

"The process of surviving the cut off of different selections at different ages hardens you and you realise to survive in the professional game is almost an achievement in itself," he added.

"To actually get to the top is so difficult. People would say 'sacrifices' but maybe 'choices' is the better word. That commitment to living your life in the right way. It gives you the best chance to succeed."

The bigger picture

The rescheduled pan-continental competition will thrust Southgate and his side further under the spotlight given the circumstances it is being played under, and will require all the mental mettle that the former England youth boss has shown since taking the role in 2016.

Tests against old World Cup enemy Croatia, a clash with neighbours Scotland and the potential banana-skin of the Czech Republic all await a Three Lions side coming off two second-string victories in warm-ups over Austria and Romania.

In a worst-case scenario, Southgate is unlikely to face additional pressure surrounding his future, however, the quick turnaround ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup next year all but assures he will likely lead England into a third major tournament.

Further reading

Pep Guardiola has ruled out returning to Barcelona as their head coach, with the Manchester City boss adamant that Ronald Koeman "deserves" another year at Camp Nou.

Guardiola forged one of the greatest sides in club football history at Barca between 2008 and 2012, winning 14 trophies including three Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

The Spaniard has since enjoyed success at Bayern Munich and Manchester City, who he led to their fifth Premier League title in 2020-21, but he continues to be linked with a homecoming in Catalunya.

What's been said?

Guardiola stated before City's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea last month that he will remain in charge at Etihad Stadium until his contract expires in 2023, and reiterated his stance when quizzed on the Barca rumours this week.

"I have a two-year contract at Manchester, I'm happy and so it will continue to be," he told Cadena SER .

Guardiola on Koeman

Guardiola went onto give his backing to current Blaugrana manager Koeman, who was finally given a vote of confidence by club president Joan Laporta last week after months of speculation over his future.

The Dutchman will carry on in the Camp Nou dugout next season and has the option of an extra year if he meets targets, which Guardiola thinks is a fair reward for a debut campaign that saw him deliver Copa del Rey success.

"Koeman is the ideal coach for next season, I am very happy and the president is convinced," Guardiola added. "It has been a difficult year for everyone and Ronald deserves one more year, with people in the stadium. Besides, second years are always better.

"At times the team has played very well, they are among those who played better football in Spain."

Barca's raid on Man City

Barca have already begun to strengthen their ranks for 2021-22 by agreeing deals for City duo Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero, who will move to Camp Nou on free transfers when their contracts in Manchester expire at the end of the month.

Guardiola is sure that both men will do well in the Spanish top-flight, and has predicted that 20-year-old defender Garcia can go onto skipper the club as he matures in the coming years.

"Aguero and Eric Garcia are two great signings," he said. "Kun is a scorer, with Eric I will tell Koeman that he has a spectacular fit, he is a good guy, really intelligent. He will be one of the captains of the next decade."

Further reading

Goal can confirm that Fabio Paratici will sign a deal to become Tottenham's new sporting director this week.

Paratici spent the last 11 years serving as Juventus' chief football officer, but officially stepped down from the position last week while citing a desire to explore "new challenges".

Spurs are now on the verge of securing the 48-year-old's services as the club starts moving ahead with their plans for the 2021-22 campaign.

Paratici's imminent arrival in England

Goal has learned that Paratici will fly to London in the coming days before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with Tottenham.

The two parties have already thrashed out personal terms and the Italian will act as the middle man between club chairman Daniel Levy and whoever is appointed their new permanent head coach from next season.

Will Conte be joining Paratici at Spurs?

Antonio Conte was being tipped to become Tottenham's next manager after leaving Inter last month, which would have seen him link up with Paratici for the first time since his departure from Juve in 2014.

The Lilywhites entered into negotiations with the 51-year-old, only to see a final deal collapse due to a number of key issues regarding the squad.

Goal has reported that Conte distanced himself from the role after being told he would not be given a sizeable transfer budget, while Levy was also unable to offer him any assurances over Harry Kane's future.

Paratici's credentials

Paratici joined Juve's backroom staff in 2010 and the Italian giants went onto win 11 trophies on his watch, including nine successive Serie A titles.

He worked closely with former chief executive Beppe Marotta to identify transfer targets, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Allianz Stadium for a club-record €100 million fee from Real Madrid in 2018.

Juve's powers dwindled somewhat in 2020-21 as Inter snatched the Scudetto away and Paratici's contract wasn't renewed, but they did manage to send him off with a Coppa Italia triumph in May. 

Further reading

Uganda coach Abdallah Mubiru has included five U20 players in his final squad for the friendly against South Africa on June 10.

The Police FC tactician picked his traveling contingent for the trip down south after their final training session on Monday and included youngsters Abdul Kayondo, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Isma Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda, and Derrick Kakooza in the 23-man squad.

The five players have been elevated to the senior team following their superb performances for the U20 national team where they reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Mauritania earlier this year.

According to Kawowo Sports, the team is scheduled to leave for South Africa on Monday with Chippa United goalkeeper Ismael Watenga and SuperSport United's Moses Waiswa set to link up with the squad in Johannesburg.

The friendly is expected to fine-tune team Uganda ahead of their World Cup qualifiers pooled alongside Mali, Rwanda, and Kenya.

Uganda and South Africa played out a one-all draw in the 2019 Cosafa Cup plate semi-final in Durban – Luther Singh canceled out Dan Sserunkuma strike – before Bafana Bafana won 4-2 in the shootouts.

South Africa also won the two legs in 2004 against Uganda of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Uganda squad: Goalkeepers: Ismael Watenga, Mathias Kigonya, Charles Lukwago.

Defenders: Paul Willa, Kizza Mustafa, Kayondo Abdu Aziizi, Enock Walusimbi, Murushid Juuko, Halid Lwaliwa, Paul Patrick Mbowa, Hassan Muhamud.

Midfielders: Lwanga Taddeo, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Shafiq Kuchi Kagimu, Allan Okello, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Abdul Lumala, Ibrahim Orit, Isma Mugulusi Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda.

Forwards: Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Captain), Steven Desse Mukwala, Derrick Kakooza.

Officials: leader of delegation: Chrizestom Kalibbala, Head coach: Abdallah Mubiru, Assistant coach: Livingstone Mbabazi, Goalkeeping coach: Fred Kajoba, Team Coordinator: Geofrey Massa, Team Doctor: Emmanuel Nakabago, Kit Manager: Frank Bumpenje, Media officer: John Batanudde, National Teams officer: Paul Mukatabala, Fufa Secretariat staff: Innocent Bagenayabo, Delegates: Jamal Ngobi and Charles Mawadri.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has lauded striker Peter Shalulile, stating he has been one of the biggest revelations for the club in the concluded season.

The Namibia attacker played a vital role for the Brazilians after scoring 15 goals and providing six assists. He went on to win both the PSL Footballer of the Season and Player’s Player of the Season accolades after inspiring Masandawana to the league title.

However, the tactician believes the attacker could have done more for the champions. 

"He is one of the biggest revelations for the club. As much as I don't want to single him out and say he is the best signing and all that, the numbers and everything show that he delivered to the expectations of the club, even though I believe he could have done more," Mngqithi said in his recent interview , as reported on Kickoff.

"More than that, the lessons we learned from Peter Shalulile, which all players should have learned, is his high level of professionalism."

The 50-year-old went on to reveal why the striker remained consistent this season for Sundowns.

"[Peter] is a very selfless individual, somebody who works for the team gives everything to the team and for that, I regard him highly and whatever he has achieved in football is at the back of the person he is," Mngqithi continued.

"At training, he is never late. Every day he gives his best, even when things are going well for him after scoring a few goals, he still fights very hard to do more than the people who didn't do better in the previous match.  

"And that is the quality that is going to help the whole group because everybody is learning a lot from him, and for those attributes and values I rate him very highly."  

Meanwhile, Denis Onyango walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Season Award. The Uganda Cranes legend kept 15 clean sheets in the 25 league matches he played in.

Masandawana finished the season with 67 points. It was the fourth time in a row they bagged the league title, an achievement no team has managed in the PSL era.

Mats Hummels says that he is certain Germany will avoid major tournament humiliation at Euro 2020, three years on from their dismal title defence at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Joachim Low's side head into this summer's rearranged pan-continental tournament looking to atone for a shock group-stage exit in their last competition, having entered among the favourites to defend the crown they won at Brazil 2014.

Hummels, recalled alongside Thomas Muller to the international set-up for the first time since an effective early retirement following those failures, feels however that the assembled squad hold a greater camaraderie this time around - one which will ensure they do not make another early departure.

What has been said?

"At that time, we had the problem that we had not yet found each other as a team, neither in the training sessions before nor in the game itself," the Borussia Dortmund man told Kicker.

"That will certainly not happen to us against France. It mustn't happen to us again to lose sight of the team. I can honestly say the feeling now is different than it was back then.

"Everyone wants to become a unit, everyone is ready to sacrifice themselves for the team. We can go far. We are on the right track; we know that we have the skills to win this tournament."

Hummels opens up on shock return

Low's decision to cut several members of his World Cup-winning side in the wake of Russia's shortfall was met with criticism and a pair of below-par Nations League finishes later, the 61-year-old has confirmed the return of Hummels and Muller for his final tournament in charge.

Speaking on his recall, the centre-back has stressed that there was no falling out between him and the coach, adding: "We never had a problem with each other personally.

"In terms of sport, the views were different - but that's quite normal in sport. There are always different opinions. I was rather sad because I always enjoyed playing for Germany.

"We talked about [a return] for the first time a few months ago. From that moment it was clear to me: If he wants me there, I'll be there."

The bigger picture

Though Hummels believes that Germany can avoid any major pitfalls early on, the fact they must progress through Group F - which also consists of reigning World Cup holders France and Euro 2016 winners Portugal, plus Hungary - will be cause for concern.

If they top their group, they are likely to be rewarded with a softer last-16 tie and a more favourable route to Wembley Stadium for a prospective final - but if they finish second, they may be forced to spar with old enemy England, or Russia 2018's beaten finalists Croatia.

Regardless, Low will look to sign his decade-and-a-half spell in charge off on a high note, with outgoing Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick set to succeed him at the conclusion of the tournament.

Further reading