Looking for Soccer News?

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer says his charges' performance was not good enough to claim a win over a "motivated" TS Galaxy side on Sunday.

The Buccaneers saw their three-match unbeaten run in the PSL come to an end when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to the Rockets at Mbombela Stadium, with Masilake Phohlongo grabbing an early goal for the hosts.

Zinnbauer felt that Pirates had a poor start to the match, which saw them being reduced to 10 players after Abel Mabaso was sent off, but the hosts also went a man down after Given Msimango was red-carded. 

"Yes we were first 15, 20 minutes not in the game, you know when Pirates comes most opponents are motivated against us," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV.

"To win the duels, to win the game and if you're not in the game then you have no chance you can win, especially when you concede [early] and it's very hard. And the red card is coming, ok the opponent also got a red-card

"But in the second-half we had chances for the equaliser, we had it but if you don't score it's not possible you can win a game or get a draw. It was not enough today, the performance was not enough to get the three points."

Key attackers Thembinkosi Lorch and Deon Hotto were surprisingly left out of the starting line-up and Zinnbauer indicated that the duo was not fit enough to start the match. 

"The problem is that you have the players ready and if have the feeling or you get the information that the player, the muscle is tight or the conditioning is not enough for 90 minutes then it's better you bring fresh players," he continued.

"We have a good squad, we can change the squad but it's always before the game or after the game you have more information but Hotto is always on the highest level, Lorch was not possible from the start, it was clear. But we need him, that was the reason for the substitute.

"But overall it was not enough, ten, 20 minutes in the first-half, it's not enough you can win the game. You were not in a structure, you were not forward passing, it was always a reaction and it was not enough for a win."

The defeat left Pirates placed fourth on the league standings - level on points with third-placed Lamontville Golden Arrows and four points behind second-placed AmaZulu FC as the race to finish in the top three continues with two games left. 

"Yes, the second-half yes but it's not easy during the game you get the goal, you get the chance for the equaliser but [if] you can't score, you can't win a game," he added.

"We need the three points, I know the players know what has happened, they know after this 90 minutes what's happening [regarding the Caf spots on the log].

"We have to focus, analyse this game quick and then we need the head up, we play against Baroka, it's also a special game, we need the points if you want one of these places in the table, we need three points for this."

Pirates will play host to Baroka FC on Wednesday before they wrapped up their league campaign with a clash against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Polokwane on June 5. 

Simy Nwankwo’s agent Vincenzo Morabito has revealed his client has received offers from some Premier League clubs.

The 29-year-old delivered spectacular performances for Crotone in the 2020-21 season although his effort was not enough to help the club maintain their Serie A status.

Simy scored 20 goals and provided three assists, amid other dazzling displays, which have seen him linked to a number of clubs.

Morabito has now confirmed the Nigeria international, who has one year left on his current contract, has also been courted by English top-flight sides.

"Simy has a very interesting market in England, there are at least a couple of interested clubs in the Premier League,” Morabito told TuttoMonza.

"His preference is for foreign countries, eventually we will consider offers from the upper-middle-range Serie A club.

"We are therefore working mainly on the English market, where the clubs are economically more solid and can offer important figures both to Crotone and to the player. He deserves a championship like that.

"Let's see what happens in the next few weeks. At the moment, I repeat, the most concrete track is the one that leads to the Premier League".

The centre-forward has spent five years with Crotone after joining the club in the summer of 2016 from Gil Vicente.

Simy bagged 20 goals in the 2019-20 season to help the Pythagoreans gain promotion to Serie A, the strikes also ensured he scooped the top-scorer award.

The attacker was recently recalled to the Nigeria national team following his impressive goalscoring form for Crotone.

The forward has made four appearances for the three-time African champions since his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018.

The forward will be expected to link up with the Super Eagles for their upcoming international friendly against Cameroon in Austria on June 4.

France international and Chelsea star N'Golo Kante deserves to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, according to African football fans.

The pint-sized midfielder added the Champions League title to his list of successes which includes the World Cup and Premier League crowns, as Thomas Tuchel’s Blues defeated Manchester City 1-0 at the Estadio do Dragao.

Kai Havertz’s 42nd-minute effort separated the English sides in the keenly contested showdown.

Also, Kante’s solid display against Pep Guardiola’s Citizens fetched him a third successive man of the match award in the competition.

With the Stamford Bridge giants’ success still generating attention on social media, fans claim that no player is more deserving of winning the individual accolade than the 30-year-old.

Meanwhile, some do not agree with this assertion as they queried how the Frenchman who was not considered as the Blues’ Player of the Season has suddenly become favourites to dethrone Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 to win the UEFA Champions League 2020/21 and become the champions of Europe on Saturday night. 

Other than the team's big win, the Chelsea supporters and football lovers in India have one more thing to be proud of. The European champions have an Indian presence at their club. 

The person in the limelight now is a Malayali named Vinay Menon, who is a Wellness Consultant at the club since 2009.

Who is the Indian Vinay Menon at Chelsea? 

Vinay Menon is the grandson of an experienced Yoga guru from Kerala who completed a physical education degree from Calicut University before moving on to achieving big things abroad.

He then took an M.Phil in sports psychology and joined for Yoga Studies at the Pondicherry University. 

He worked at a resort in the Himalayas and hotels in Dubai before getting an offer to become the personal health consultant for Russian business tycoon Roman Abramovich, who is also the billionaire owner of Premier League club Chelsea. 

Later, Abramovich appointed Vinay as the club's wellness consultant and has been with the Blues since 2009, working with several high-profile stars like Didier Drogba and John Terry. 

Interestingly, Vinay was not into football until he joined the Blues. He has represented Kerala in judo and was a state-level player. 

Vinay, who was part of the team that lifted the Champions League trophy in 2012, has witnessed a historic victory once again as Thomas Tuchel's team repeated the feat in Porto this weekend. 

Further reading

Tottenham defender Serge Aurier admits that he is set to depart the club this summer.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a return to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but AC Milan and Spanish clubs are also interested in his services.

Aurier, meanwhile, has indicated that it is time to move on from Spurs.

What did he say?

“Everyone is aware that if I wanted to extend my deal at Tottenham, I would’ve done so already. I’m not going to do it in six months,” he told L’Equipe.

“I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere. The two parties, Tottenham’s board and my agents, have agreed upon the conditions. We’ll see after that.

“I’ve never hidden by desire to return to PSG one day. It’s the club of my heart, the one that I support and I feel free to speak about it.

“But I don’t want people to think that I’m stuck on them and I’m not closing the door on anyone.

“But if the club were to make an offer this summer, it’s sure that PSG would be my first choice.”

Aurier on Pochettino

A move back to PSG could see him reunite with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, though the Argentine coach could leave this summer.

But Aurier says the pair have a good relationship and believes Pochettino could thrive in the French capital if he stays. 

“We had a great relationship, despite what happened,” he said. “There was no serious problem between us but you are never the happiest player when you’re not on the pitch.

“I’ve always respected his work and his choices. I took pleasure in the style he wanted to play – and it’s the one he wants in Paris too.

“Physically, we were monsters. At PSG, we’ll really see his hand next season.”

Further reading

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has re-joined the Belgium backroom team for this summer’s European Championship.

Henry was due to work as a TV pundit for the tournament but has decided to swap media duties for a return to the Red Devils' dugout.

The 43-year-old first joined Roberto Martinez’s coaching staff in 2016 but stepped down just over two years later to take over at Ligue 1 side Monaco.

What’s been said?

News of Henry’s return was confirmed with a brief statement on Twitter, which read: "Unfinished business. We welcome back Thierry Henry in the staff for Euro 2020."

The former France international became Martinez’s second assistant alongside Graeme Jones in August 2016 and helped oversee a successful qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.

Belgium went on to reach the semi-finals in Russia, losing to eventual winners France in the last four before beating England in the third/fourth place play-off.

Jones left the coaching staff after the tournament and Henry was promoted to assistant coach. However, his time in that position was short-lived as he left for Monaco in October.

Henry’s spell at Monaco was also brief, lasting just three months before he was sacked in January 2019. He then moved to MLS side Montreal Impact in November 2019 but stepped down in February this year in order to be closer to his family in London.

The bigger picture

Belgium are considered one of the favourites for the tournament thanks to a golden generation of talent that includes the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.

They have been placed in Group B alongside Russia, Finland and Denmark. Their opening match of the tournament is against Russia in Saint Petersburg on June 12.

Further reading

Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib has lauded Pitso Mosimane, describing him as a diamond who deserves a worthy contract.

The tactician has been a hit at the Red Devils, winning four trophies at the club to date, and the administrator has revealed not everyone at the club believed in the South African.

"I stand before you in peace and in pride," El Khatib said after a recent achievement where the club won the Caf Super Cup after defeating RS Berkane. 

"I saw a diamond in South Africa and I went alone to bring it over here, whilst no one believed in Pitso Mosimane. The board was amazed by this move.

"The first time I saw my diamond, my team was six years without winning the Caf Champions League. When I brought him over to Cairo, the doors of Africa opened and he brought to my hands the desired medal of Africa."

However, the administrator revealed not everyone is happy with what Mosimane has achieved.

He has further stated he went for brains and hopes no one will take his diamond away from the club. 

"I know a lot of mourning voices back home in Egypt are now angry because Mosimane once again delivered not one, not two, not three but the fourth title to my hands. Now he does not owe me anything, I am the one who owes him a worthy contract," El Khatib continued.

"Since no club has ever defeated Ahly by 5-0 in the Champions League [like Mamelodi Sundowns did in 2019 in the quarter-finals which was the biggest loss in Ahly's history] and only Mosimane did it.

"When I hire, I hire the brain, not the skin colour. I know Qatar has seen my diamond and there are no thieves around to steal it."

On Friday, Mohamed Sherif and Salah Mohsen struck a goal each at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, to hand their team the Super Cup trophy.

This season, the Red Devils are aiming at successfully defending their Champions League crown and winning the Egyptian top-tier title as well.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Mark Williams believes the TS Galaxy defenders succeeded in distracting Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango with their robust play in a 1-0 home win at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

Having conceded an early goal against Galaxy, Pirates went on to enjoy the lion's share of chances for the rest of the game.

Mhango in particular had a lot of opportunities, but was guilty of missing the target as well as being denied by some great saves by Galaxy keeper Marlon Hugh. He also struck the post.

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Mark Williams, speaking in the SuperSport TV studio after the game, believes that the Rockets defenders had purposely tried to rough Mhango up in order to distract him from what he does best.

"I think that Mhango knows how to score goals," Williams said. "It's not that he doesn't know how to score goals.

"But if you get him at the right place, and you touch on certain buttons, he reacts towards that.”

The former Bafana Bafana striker, who won the 1996 Afcon with South Africa, thinks that the physical approach towards Mhango may well have been a ploy by the TS Galaxy technical team.

"And that's a weak point - as a player you need to forget about those things and focus on what the job is that you need to do.

"Because once they got into his mind, he then lost the plot. He needs to make sure he can put them up 1-0, he can put them up 2-0. But it’s what happened earlier (which distracted Mhango).

"And you know with the coaches they have – I can just imagine Shaun Bartlett and Owen [da Gama], saying listen here, ‘don't be scared, go a little bit in (with the challenges), a bit of physical, and that’s what we saw this afternoon'."

Both teams ended the match with 10 men – Pirates had Abel Mabaso sent off while Spiwe Msimango was dismissed for the Rockets; both men picked up two yellow cards.

The Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A is the top level of soccer in Brazil and has been the breeding ground for some of the world's greatest players including Pele and Neymar.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

As a result, football fans and scouts from all over the world watch the Brasileirao to see some of tomorrow's stars today, as well as some of the most exciting and entertaining games on television, filled with amazing technical ability and plenty of goals.

The 2021 Serie A season kicked off on the weekend of May 28 following the conclusion of Brazil's state championships, and will run without interruption until the final round of fixtures in December.

How to watch Flamengo vs Palmeiras

Flamengo were crowned back-to-back Serie A champions in February as they pipped Internacional to the title in a thrilling finale. 

On the last day the Rio side were downed by Sao Paulo, but Inter failed to get the victory needed to take the summit as they were held 0-0 by Corinthians, handing the Mengao the title by one point. 

Rogerio Ceni's men followed that up with a state triumph, beating out Fluminense in the Carioca final to take their latest gong. 

Palmeiras, meanwhile, started 2020 on a high as they downed Santos to win the Copa Libertadores - while they also emerged victorious in the Copa do Brasil.

Unsurprisingly, the Verdao's league form suffered while their attentions were turned elsewhere, and they could only take seventh in Serie A. 

They also missed out on the Paulista Championship to Sao Paulo, who prevailed in the final 2-0 on aggregate.

Flamengo vs Palmeiras is available to stream worldwide on Fanatiz , where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

Brasileirao 2021 is exclusive to Fanatiz outside Brazil.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

Flamengo vs Palmeiras team news and preview.

Flamengo will be at full strength for Sunday's Serie A curtain-raiser. 

Bruno Henrique and Willian Arao return to the hosts' starting line-up after missing Thursday's Copa Libertadores meeting with Velez Sarsfield through suspension.

Marcos Rocha, Kuscevic and Gabriel Veron are all on the injured list for the visitors, while Renan is also a doubt as he recovers from a knee problem.

Watch all this weekend's Brasileirao matches on Fanatiz  with a 7-day free trial.

What other Brasileirao matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch the Brasileirao live on Fanatiz.

Former Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe believes Kaizer Chiefs were right in firing Gavin Hunt since he had failed with a performing squad.

Amakhosi opted to fire the tactician after struggles in the PSL; the team had lost 2-1 to Black Leopards last Wednesday, and two days later the experienced tactician was shown the door. 

Many were surprised by Chiefs' decision to fire the coach, but not the 37-year-old former Bucs attacker.   

"A lot of people might be surprised, but I, for one, am not surprised," Manenzhe said on Sunday.

"Hunt inherited a squad that came second in the league in the previous season, barring the exclusion of George Maluleka who had left, [for Mamelodi Sundowns], the rest of the team was basically the same.

"So for me, in a football sense, how can a team that finished second struggle to finish outside the top eight the following season? I find that hard to understand."

Since Chiefs are serving a Fifa transfer ban, Hunt could not strengthen the team. He further had to deal with the absence of top scorer Samir Nurkovic who missed the first half of the season owing to injuries.

But Manenzhe believes that is not enough of an excuse for the 56-year-old to finish in the bottom half of the table.

"Play the players to their strengths so that they can get to second place again," the former attacker continued.

"Are you telling me Hunt was not playing these players to their best to finish outside the top 10? Hunt has been in [South African] football for a long time so you cannot tell me what he needs to understand." 

Earlier on, a senior player had stated the tactician was not in the good books with the players and he wanted to make changes once he had a chance to do so.

"Hunt had a poor relationship with many players at the club," he told Goal.

"He had intentions of releasing about half the team and bringing in new players. But things have happened and he is no longer with us. 

"We remained positive and worked professionally. Every player gave his best and no one sabotaged him or even planned a go-slow.

"We were playing for the badge, not Hunt.

"Too bad that some results were not going our way, especially in the PSL, but we want to finish stronger." 

AFC Leopards fans have openly criticised the team after they missed another chance to move top of the FKF Premier League table on Sunday.

Ingwe went into the match against Bidco United knowing a win will see them move to 39 points on the log and take control but it was not the case as the promoted side humiliated them 3-1 at Ruaraka grounds.

Goals came from Alex Juma, Peter Nzuki, and David Orem in the 7th minute, 41st, and 51st minutes respectively. Midfielder Shaka Bienvenue pulled a goal back for Ingwe in the 81st minute but it was not enough to help them get something from the game.

AFC Leopards had another chance to move top of the log eight days ago but they also fluffed it after battling to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Posta Rangers, and against Bidco it was another chance for them after leaders KCB had suffered a 1-0 defeat against Sofapaka on Saturday and which they have now wasted.

Tusker, who beat Vihiga United 4-0 at Mumias Complex also on Sunday, have now assumed leadership of the table but Ingwe should blame themselves for their disjointed display against Bidco United, whom they had beaten 2-0 in their first-round meeting.

Below is how Twitter reacted to Ingwe’s latest setback in their quest to move top of the 18-team table.

 Achraf Hakimi’s agent Alejandro Camano has dismissed the rumours making the rounds that he is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain for his client to join the French side.

The wing-back delivered eye-catching performances during his debut season with the Black and Blues, helping the club to win the Serie A title.

The Morocco international made 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists.

The defender has been heavily linked away from San Siro to PSG and the departure of manager Antonio Conte from the club has further fueled the defender’s exit.

Camano has, however, quashed the rumour, insisting the 22-year-old has four years left on his contract and he has not held any discussion with the Parisians on the possible move of his client to the French side.

“He is the best player in Europe in his position. That’s why there are so many rumours about him,” Camano told Calciomercato.

“Hakimi has four years left in his contract with Inter, and I want to clarify I haven’t talked to any other club.

“We are serene. Hakimi has joined his national team and has a long-term deal with Inter. I want to thank all the Inter fans who send him messages these days.”

Hakimi teamed up with the Black and Blues last summer from Real Madrid after impressing on a two-year loan with Borussia Dortmund.

He helped the German side to win the DFL-Supercup and was named in the 2019-20 Bundesliga Team of the Season for his fine displays.

The defender has been with Real since 2006 and made nine league appearances for the side before permanently departing from them.

Hakimi is also a prominent member of the Morocco national team and has 34 caps for the African country.

Inter will hope to keep the versatile wing-back beyond the summer as they will be looking to compete for another league title next season.

TS Galaxy dented Orlando Pirates' hopes of finishing in the top two in the PSL after securing a 1-0 win over the Soweto giants on Sunday afternoon.

Masilake Phohlongo was the hero for the Rockets as he scored the only goal of the encounter in the first half and the Mpumalanga-based side was able to see out the match. 

The Rockets were hoping to avoid a third successive defeat and also climb back into the top eight on the league standings with a victory over the Buccaneers.

Former Pirates coach Owen Da Gama deployed experienced attackers Lindokuhle Mbatha and Mxolisi Macuphu upfront, while Given Msimango led the defence and Marlon Heugh started in goal. 

While Bucs were looking to move into the top three on the standings with a win over the Rockets and also make it two wins in a row after defeating AmaZulu FC 1-0 on Thursday.

Wayde Jooste, Abel Mabaso, Nkanyiso Zungu, Vincent Pule and Kabelo Dlamini were all recalled to the starting line-up as coach Josef Zinnbauer made five changes to the team which faced AmaZulu.

Galaxy caught Pirates by surprise as the hosts grabbed an early goal just three minutes into the game through Masilake Phohlongo, who had also scored in the first round 1-1 draw between the two teams in January 2021.

The former Ajax Cape Town attacking midfielder headed home from close range to hand Galaxy a 1-0 lead after the visitors had failed to clear Ebrahim Seedat's curling cross from the left flank.

The Rockets were able to cut open the Bucs defence with ease with Tshegofatso Nyama's effort narrowly missing the target after he beat his marker before Mbatha was denied by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha.

Pirates did threaten when Frank Mhango hit the upright, but the visitors were then reduced to 10 players in the 31st minute after Mabaso was red-carded having received his second yellow card of the game.

The visitors attacked in numbers despite being numerically disadvantaged and Galaxy also went a man down when Msimango was sent off after collecting his second caution of the game on the stroke of half-time.

The introduction of Deon Hotto prior to the second half brought some needed pace and trickery to the Pirates attack and he set up Mhango, whose shot was blocked by Heugh from a one-on-one situation.

Heugh was the busier of the two keepers as he finger-tipped Hotto's attempt from a corner-kick over the crossbar, before producing a breathtaking save to deny Jooste with Galaxy under siege.

Bucs continued to push for the equalising goal, but they were wasteful in front of goal as Thembinkosi Lorch dragged his shot wide of the target from inside the box, before Mhango miscued his shot from the edge of the area.

The Rockets then stood firm at the back in the latter stages of the match and ultimately, the game ended in a 1-0 victory of Galaxy, who climbed up to eighth place on the standings and they will face Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday.

While Pirates, who are set to take on Baroka FC on Wednesday, remained fourth on the standings - four points behind second-placed AmaZulu FC.

The Soweto giants' hopes of qualifying for next season's Caf Champions League are out of their hands with two games left. 

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka says he is proud to have attracted admiring glances from Jose Mourinho amid Roma's interest in trying to sign him.

Despite playing an important role at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, the Switzerland international could be on his way out of London this summer.

He has just two years left on his contract and there have been no negotiations with the Gunners over a new deal.

What has been said?

With Roma showing serious interest in him at the behest of Mourinho, Xhaka is flattered and interested in working under the Portuguese coach.

“Of course I read [about the interest]. But now I'm one 100 per cent focused on the national team here," the 28-year-old told Blick as he prepares to compete at Euro 2020 with Switzerland. 

"That's more important than Arsenal or rumours right now. I have another two years on my contract in London and Arsenal they know what they have in me. When the time comes to talk about a transfer, I'll be here."

He added: “To be honest, I didn't hear what Mourinho has said about me. But that makes you proud. Everyone knows Mourinho, knows what he has achieved. Mourinho knows how to win titles.

"You can now see what work I have done over the past few years."

What are Roma's chances of signing Xhaka?

Arsenal are in a hurry to have Xhaka's future wrapped up and the same goes for right-back Hector Bellerin.

But Roma hope to snap him up in a deal worth less than £15 million ($21m), which is far short of what the Premier League side hope to get for him. 

Xhaka has also been linked with a move back to Borussia Monchengladbach, but said previously that he is "very happy" at Arsenal. 

Xhaka joined Arsenal from Gladbach in 2016. He made 45 appearances in all competitions in 2020-21 as the north London side finished eighth in the Premier League and reached the Europa League semi-finals.

Further reading

Leroy Sane has reflected on his "difficult" first year at Bayern Munich, admitting he knows that he did not play an "outstanding season", and is now looking forward to Euro 2020.

Sane completed a €60 million (£52m/$73m) switch to Bayern from Manchester City last summer, bringing to an end a long-running transfer saga that had stretched on longer than expected due to his battle to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 25-year-old has since become a Bundesliga champion at Allianz Arena, but has only shown flashes of the form which saw him emerge as one of the top wingers in Europe at Etihad Stadium.

What has Leroy Sane said?

While Sane acknowledges the fact he has fallen short of expectations at the start of his Bayern career, he is now looking ahead to Euro 2020 with optimism as he seeks to get back to his best level.

"I know that I haven't played an outstanding season," the Germany international said in a video chat with Goal and SPOX.

"For me it was a bit more difficult in general due to the corona break and my knee injury. It was important to me to get back my rhythm, to be fit, which I managed to do.

"Now I'm putting all my focus on the European Championship."

Sane added on Germany's chances of winning their first major trophy since the 2014 World Cup: "It's a very big dream to win this title. We have to give our best, and we are preparing very well.

"There is a certain pressure, but each of us is looking forward to this challenge."

Sane's record for Bayern

Sane featured in 44 games across all competitions in Bayern colours this term, but only started 18 of their 34 fixtures in the Bundesliga.

The former City star finished the season with 10 goals to his name and also managed to contribute 12 assists, including one in a 5-2 final day victory over Augsburg.

Sane on City's Champions League final defeat

Sane went on to express his sympathy towards his ex-City team-mates following their Champions League final defeat to Chelsea in Portugal on Saturday.

"I felt very sorry for the boys, the club and the fans. I would have wished them to win this title," he said

"Unfortunately it did not work out, but I know that they will stay hungry and give everything to win this trophy one day. I wish them only the best!"

Further reading

Simba SC have for the second time this season taken the decision to suspend midfielder Jonas Mkude.

Goal can exclusively reveal the Taifa Stars player, who is yet to report to training since May 18, has now been asked by the club to stay away after he decided to abscond duty.

 A source within the club and, who did not want to be named, has told Goal the decision by the club is final and the player will have to explain himself before regaining his place back in the team.

What has been said?

“The club has reached a decision to suspend midfielder Jonas [Mkude], who is not and has never reported to camp since the team returned from South Africa where they played Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League,” the source told Goal on Sunday.

“Two days after the team arrived from South Africa, all the players were asked to report to camp to start preparations for the return leg having lost 4-0 but Mkude did not show up, and he never sent an apology or reason as to why he was missing.

“But when he came to camp, he gave his reason to the team’s head coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa and team manager Patrick Rweyemamu but all of them did not agree with his reason, they felt he was lying and asked him to leave.

“Since then, Mkude was asked not to report to camp but stay away from the team and he thus missed the return leg against Chiefs which Simba won 3-0 but failed to qualify for the semi-finals.”

The source continued: “But even after the Chiefs game, the club is yet to allow him to return to camp or join the rest of the squad, but what I know is he has been stopped from attending anything to do with the club because of disciplinary issues, and the case is now with the team’s disciplinary committee for discussion.”

Similar problem?

In January, Mkude was fined by the Wekundu wa Msimbazi Tsh200, 000 after he pleaded for forgiveness after he was found culpable for three offences.

The first offence was his decision to skip the club’s seminar which was held to discuss the team’s targets for the season, his second mistake was reporting late to training ahead of their Mainland Premier League match against Coastal Union with his third mistake being failure to report to camp on December 26, 2020, without permission.

Wilfried Bony expressed his pain after Swansea City suffered a 2-0 loss to Brentford in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

The defeat quashed Swansea City’s hopes of playing in the Premier League next season and it was their second successive disappointment in the play-off after they were knocked out by the Bees in the semi-final last year.

First-half goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes did the damage to the Swans at Wembley Stadium.

The result came as a blow to Bony who had two stints at Liberty Stadium and he also encouraged Steve Cooper’s men to keep fighting for their return to the English top-flight next season.

Bony wrote on Instagram. “I am with a broken heart, as many of Swansea fans, but I can tell you guys, you have done a lot during this long and difficult season, you have to be proud of yourselves and I believe that you will get the support from all the fans.

“I also believe that you will make it to the Premier League next season, because without failure we can’t improve. Learn from those 2 finals and the next one will be ours.”

Ghana captain Andre Ayew was in action for the Swans on Saturday but his contributions were not enough to help the team achieve their promotion target.

Cooper, in his post-game reaction, maintained that his team will bounce back from the disappointment and will continue pushing for promotion.

“For me, I have always worked on the basis that although setbacks are the hardest thing, they are the most important thing that defines you,” he told the club website.

“So don’t worry about me. We’ll get back to Swansea and the off-season plans will kick on as normal.

“Setbacks have got to make you stronger and define you. You either sulk and things get even worse, or you come back fighting even stronger.

“That will definitely be this set of players’ mentality because they have always done that.

“We have had to do that this season to get as far as this, particularly in the circumstances we’ve had to work in. That will be the lads’ approach I am sure.”

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has sent a passionate plea to the government to consider giving them access to the main stadiums – Kasarani and Nyayo – for their FKF Premier League matches.

Since the league resumed four weeks ago, teams based in Nairobi have been sharing two pitches – Ruaraka and Utalii grounds – and with rains pounding the city and its environs on a daily basis, the playing surfaces are in a deplorable state.

Despite efforts by the Football Kenya Federation to secure the usage of the main stadia – Kasarani and Nyayo – the government has remained mum on the matter, insisting the former is being prepared to host the World Athletics Championship, while the latter is still under renovation.

Shikanda has now told Goal they face a dilemma over the pitch issue as their head coach Patrick Aussems has threatened to quit because of the condition of the surface his players are being forced to use.

What has been said?

“It is not a laughing matter anymore, we just want to appeal to the government to come to our rescue and give us access to either Kasarani or Nyayo for the remaining league matches, we are kindly asking, please help us,” Shikanda told Goal on Sunday.

“The situation is now affecting even the team including our coach [Aussems] who has insisted if we don’t change the venues we are using, for now, then he will quit, he has mentioned it to us not more than three times.

“He is very upset to play at Ruaraka and he was telling us, the venue is not for professionals but maybe for the upcoming players, he wants to see a top brand of passing football which cannot be displayed at Ruaraka, he feels the venue can harm players with injuries and it is not to the required standards.

“He had mentioned after the Posta Rangers game he will not go back to Ruaraka and then when we played our next game, it was lined up there, we had to convince him to take the team, he was very upset and still we don’t see if anything is being done to save the situation.”

Are Kenyans serious with football?

Shikanda continued: “Aussems was asking us, don’t you people love football in Kenya? This is unacceptable, why do you have to play football in such conditions and deplorable pitches?”

“We want to ask the government to come in and help us, let them give us either Kasarani or Nyayo, we are all sportsmen, athletics is sports and football is sports, we should not pick who uses what, we are intending to use the inside pitch while athletics is using the tartan track, those are two different things which cannot stop the government from allowing us access.”

Apart from AFC Leopards, other teams based in Nairobi include champions Gor Mahia, Tusker, KCB, Posta Rangers, Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United, and Kariobangi Sharks.

Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel has said that he "didn't want to be at Arsenal because of the atmosphere" while claiming he was "picked on" during his time at Emirates Stadium.

Lawrence-Gabriel began his career in Arsenal's academy set-up as a 14-year-old in 2013, and played alongside the likes of Joe Willock, Tolaji Bola, Marcus McGuane, Charlie Gilmour, Josh Dasilva and Nathan Tella before being released the following year.

The right-back, who is currently on loan at Blackpool from Nottingham Forest, says a combination of a lack of support from coaches and a toxic environment in the dressing room led to his eventual departure.

What's been said?

Lawrence-Gabriel told The Mirror of his ill-fated spell with the Gunners: “We were all Arsenal fans in my family. My dream had always been to play for Arsenal and to play at the Emirates, which I eventually did in the U14s.

“The ability our team had was frightening. When you went away for tournaments you went with your year group. I remember in 2006-2007 we went to Dirinon and won the tournament in France.

“But talent only gets you so far. If you have staff who want to push players through, that helps. Not everyone had that. Coaches can have their favourites they are going to push, whether they have a bad attitude or not.

“So it is not always a nice atmosphere to be in. A lot of the time I didn't want to be there at Arsenal because of the atmosphere. Sometimes I didn't really want to go to training because you'd get picked on.

"The staff wouldn't really do anything about it. There was more chance of people being rewarded than punished. Coming through at a young age, you get a lot of knocks. Some people don't get up from that and they don't want to go through that.

“They put it aside and drop out of football because they lose belief."

What was Lawrence-Gabriel told upon his exit?

Lawrence-Gabriel went on to recall the exact moment he was told his Arsenal dream had come to an end, with club legend and academy director at the time Liam Brady the one who broke the bad news.

“I remember being released like yesterday," the 22-year-old added. "I went in with my dad and had the conversation when Liam Brady said: 'there is potential there and we love having you but I am not quite sure we can see you getting a contract later on'.

“That is when my dad said: 'It is probably best that we split paths'. From that, I literally left the office, got in the car and didn't look back. It was massively heart-breaking.

“You felt shock and hurt. But as soon as I went from there I felt I would show them what I am capable of.”

Lawrence-Gabriel chasing promotion with Blackpool

Lawrence-Gabriel has featured in 29 League One games on loan at Blackpool, helping them reach the play-off final against Lincoln City.

The Englishman is hopeful that he can boost his career prospects by helping the club return to the Championship before he heads back to Forest.

“Promotion would be massive for my CV and massive for Blackpool,” he said. “I have been to Wembley before on a tour of the stadium but the play-offs will be better.”

Further reading