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Victor Wanyama and Montreal Impact failed to build on their recent good form after they went down to Philadelphia Union in a 2-1 defeat on Sunday.

Montreal Impact had ended what had become a poor run by drawing against Chicago Fire before handing Columbus Crew SC a first defeat of the year but the latest results mean the momentum has been slowed.

The win ensured Philadelphia Union are in second place on the Eastern Conference table after a match that included the fans for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamiro Monteiro and Sergio Santos ensured Thierry Henry's side was not going to register a second straight win while Amara Sejdic was Montreal Impact’s scorer on a rainy Sunday.

Henry bemoaned the chance that was wasted by Romell Quioto that would have tied the game at 2-2 in the 86th minute.

“We need to learn, as quickly as possible because there’s been a lot lately, how to manage our moments,” Henry said in his post-match reaction.

“We had a one-on-one, an opportunity to come back into the game, and once again we don’t understand moments. Instead of burying the goal, some people think about trying to be pretty. You have to score there it’s not about being pretty.

“You have to be more aggressive in terms of finishing and not try to be pretty. But having said that, the team didn’t give up, they came back into it and again I’ll say it; I don’t think we deserve to lose but we did.”

The World Cup winner said facing two strong teams in a span of a week was not an easy task and ultimately they fell short.

“We could have gone out, logically I think, with a draw but unfortunately it’s not the case. Now, going to Columbus and then Philadelphia wasn’t easy,” he added.

“We could have pulled a coup, where four points against the both of them aren’t bad. Now, when you look at the game we played you can say that it was a missed opportunity.”

On his part, Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin acknowledged their opponents were unlucky.

“[It's] a Montreal team that for me has been on the unlucky side of a lot of results and is a real quality team,” Curtin said.

“Thierry has them playing very good soccer, they're disciplined, they're tough to break down, they play the right way. I thought they made us very uncomfortable, especially in the first half and it really disrupted us.

“A very good opponent that I'm sure we'll probably see down the road in the playoffs.” 

Wanyama and teammates will face New England on September 15.

Luka Modric accepts that he has reached a “certain age”, but the 35-year-old believes he still has plenty to offer at Real Madrid and would welcome the opportunity to extend his association with the club.

As things stand, the Croatian playmaker is due become a free agent in the summer of 2021. He will have spent nine years at Santiago Bernabeu by the time his current contract ends.

Many notable highs have been experienced since swapping Tottenham for the Spanish capital back in 2012. Modric has enjoyed two La Liga title triumphs and four Champions League successes, while also landing the Ballon d’Or in 2018.

He has seen regular game time under several different coaches, with Zinedine Zidane continuing to find a role for him in his present star-studded squad.

With there no sign of him slowing down, Modric hopes fresh terms will be put to him at some stage in 2020-21.

Discussing his club future while away on UEFA Nations League duty with his country, the classy playmaker said: “It's the same as with the national team. I go from match to match and then we'll see what happens.

“Of course I'd like to stay at Real Madrid. However, I am aware that I am at a certain age and the club must do the best for everyone. 

“As long as I feel that I am an important part of Real Madrid, I would like to stay. When that is no longer the case, I will look for new challenges. However, this issue is not yet on the agenda.”

Modric is approaching the 350-appearance mark for Real and 130 caps for Croatia. He has been a talismanic figure for club and country at times and believes he can maintain his standards for the foreseeable future, with there no plans on his part to start considering retirement any time soon.

Modric added: “I don't want to set any limits or dates for myself. I'm going from match to match and I'll see how I feel both physically and mentally. As long as I feel good, I want to play for the national team.”

As you are aware, we were blessed with a newer edition of the FIFA series recently. To celebrate the launch of FIFA 21, we at Goal.com have teamed up with the series to identify the top 11 players exisiting in the game today. Here is your chance to select your favorite player in each position starting off with the 'Goalkeeper'.

Join us in the poll sponsored by FIFA 21 and vote for your favorite goalkeeper below but before that here is a quick snippet on some of the players:

Jan Oblak: The highly-rated 27-year-old GK is considered among the top talents in his position, having impressed at Atletico Madrid since moving to the Madrid based club in 2014.

Winner of four consecutive Ricardo Zamora trophies since 15/16, the lanky Slovenian, apart from his technical ability, is very agile and is very good with his hands.

Alisson Becker: Alisson has starred for Liverpool since becoming the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when signing from Roma two years ago, playing a crucial role in the Reds’ successes in both the Champions League and Premier League over the past two seasons.

Thibaut Courtois:  Thibaut Courtois has been one of the stand out players for Real Madrid in a season that has seen the team win two titles: Spanish League and Spanish Super Cup. In the 43 games played the goalkeeper conceded 32 goals, and put in some spectacular performances that contributed significantly to the successes of Zidane's team. 

Manuel Neuer:  Bayern Munich captain is back to his best and is ageing like a fine wine between the sticks for the European champions. His heroics in the last crucial games topped off a sensational few months for the Bayern goalkeeper, who led his side to Champions League and Bundesliga glory. 

Marc-André ter Stegen: Watching Marc-André ter Stegen collect and quickly distribute it to a defender or a midfielder beginning an offense is truly a sight to behold. 

The German’s footwork is so often lauded ahead of his goalkeeping skills. While his kicking and handling abilities have impressed the Blaugrana since his move to Barcelona in 2014, his ability to remain calm under pressure is as impressive as his first two qualities.

Emerson Palmieri has admitted his Chelsea career is "not going as I wish" and that he only feels "important" to Italy.

Chelsea forked out £18 million ($23m) to sign Emerson from Roma in January 2018, tying him down to a four-and-a-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old has played second fiddle to Marcos Alonso at left-back since then, and fell even further down the squad pecking order following the arrival of Ben Chilwell from Leicester in August.

A return to Serie A was mooted for Emerson before the summer transfer deadline, with ex-Blues boss Antonio Conte reportedly keen on arranging a reunion with the defender at San Siro.

However, a final deal never came to fruition, and the ex-Roma star now has no choice but to remain on the sidelines until the market reopens again in the new year.

Emerson remains a regular in Roberto Mancini's Italy set-up despite his current situation at Chelsea, and took in the full 90 minutes of a 0-0 draw with Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.

The full-back says he feels more valued at international level than at Stamford Bridge, with a lack of competitive action in England coming as a huge source of frustration.

Emerson told reporters after Italy's trip to Poland: “When I arrive here I change my head. I feel important and part of the group.

"At Chelsea, things are not going as I wish in this part of the season. I just have to work.”

The Chelsea outcast also appeared in Italy's 6-0 friendly win over Moldova last week, and will be back in contention for a place in Mancini's line-up when the Azzurri take on the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Emerson added ahead of a second Nations League encounter in the space of four days: “When you play for the national team, you always have to be ready.

"We are due to play three games in 10 days, when I knew I had to play I was happy but it came as no surprise.

“When I play with this shirt I have to give my best.”

Italy might have ended up losing against Poland were it not for Emerson's timely challenge on Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski as he bore down on goal in the first half.

The defender also missed a chance of his own at the other end and saw a penalty shout waved away by the referee, which he felt was the wrong decision.

“We are defenders, when we face players of this level, that tackle was almost like a goal. I am also happy for the defensive department, it was very important to stop someone like Lewandowski," said Emerson.

"We did not concede any goals and we must give value to that. I couldn’t score, it’s part of the game but I think there was a penalty for me.

"The defender moved me a little bit and I tried to stand and shoot. I did not see the images, but my feeling is that it could have been a penalty.”

Lionel Messi is feeling “motivated” at Barcelona and could go on to spend “many years” at Camp Nou, claims Carles Puyol.

It appeared at one stage over the summer as though the six-time Ballon d’Or winner would be bringing his career-long association with Barcelona to a close.

Messi believed that an exit clause in his clause would allow him to move on, but Barca made it clear that the  agreement had expired, leading the 33-year-old to reveal to Goal that he will be honouring the final year of his contract.

A move in 2021 could still be on the cards, with Manchester City among those continuing to monitor the situation, but a new deal at Camp Nou cannot be ruled out.

Puyol believes Messi can be convinced to stay put, with the Argentine having looked fully committed to the Barca cause through the opening weeks of the current campaign.

“Like any fan, I did not want Messi to leave, but this is football,” former Blaugrana captain Puyol told reporters. “In the end he decided to stay. He recently said that he is motivated, that he wants to win and we hope he can continue with us for many years.

“He is a huge asset for La Liga, he is one of the best in the world.”

Puyol says he can appreciate why Messi may have considered making a move away from Camp Nou. The legendary former defender passed up many opportunities to leave Barcelona himself before ending his career as a one-club man.

Serie A giants Milan came as close as anybody to putting a deal in place, with the World Cup-winning centre-half admitting that an Italian adventure alongside Paolo Maldini held plenty of appeal to him.

Puyol added: “In 2014, after my injury, I chose to retire despite the offers from English and Italian clubs. When your club is also your home you don't feel like wearing another shirt

“I would have loved to go to Milan to play with Maldini, my idol. The Rossoneri will be back, even if they are going through a difficult moment now. I would have been happy to end my career in Italy.”

Messi has also seen a move to Milan mooted, with Inter among his many suitors.

The permutations was simple for Perak going into the final Super League encounter of the 2020 season at Perak Stadium against Kedah, where a win would not only secure the team a second place finish behind Johor Darul Ta'zim but also would put the stamp on a place in the 2021 AFC Cup competitions.

But despite a rousing first half comeback which saw them overturning a 2-0 lead, the Bos Gaurus simply ran out of juice in the second period and lax defending of a corner kick saw Anthony Golec unable to keep up with Renan Alves' run gave the win to the Red Eagles. 

Mehmet Durakovic started the match with a hand tied behind his back because club captain Shahrul Saad was suspended and key striker Guilherme de Paula had failed to recover sufficiently from an injury, and the Australian was quick to point out that things could have turned out differently had the two been available.

"I think my players gave everything and I'm very proud of them. For 95 minutes they run, they chase and they fight. We had so many chances wasted and to be honest, that third goal really killed us. Coming back from two nil down wasn't easy, then we had a few chances in the second half. But at the end of the day, congratulations to Kedah who won and we didn't.

"Shahrul Saad is our captain. A fantastic player and you know how he play for Perak and Malaysia. De Paula was also a big big miss. So to have two players missing for a crucial game is not easy. But the players that came on for them did a very good job, I cannot ask anything more from them," said Durakovic in the post-match press conference.

Leandro dos Santos sparked the possibility of one of the greatest comeback story of the Super League with two goals in the 42nd and in the third minute of added time in the first half, after Perak had fell behind to a goal each Kpah Sherman and Fadzrul Danel.

With Guilherme not available for selection, all focus shifted towards Shahrel Fikri, what with the Malaysian international in sparkling form and only needed one goal on the night to finish as the Super League top scorer. However the forward was not up to much in this game and Durakovic explained just why that is.

"Many don't know but Shahrel is playing for us with an injury. He knows we need the help and you can see his commitment to want to give to the team. He's been fantastic all year and it's not easy for a local player to be up there among the top goalscorers even if he ultimately did not win the Golden Boot. 

"But tonight was not his night. Had he been injury free, he might have been able to score one or two goals."

But the Perak head coach chose to remained positive on what his charges were able to achieve in the league this season despite missing out the ticket to Asia. Pointing to the departures of the likes of Brendan Gan and Nor Hakim Hassan as big impacts to the squad, Durakovic was however comforted by the big efforts shown by his players for the season.

"If you look back to the start of the season and see that when we lost a couple of big experienced players, everyone thought that Perak are going to finished sixth or seventh. The way that my players have played this year to be second and then drop a little bit to four, everyone should be very proud of what we achieved.

"Of course we would have love to go to Asia. We tasted that last year beating Kitchee and then going to Seoul. What an experience for the players. But at the end of the day, experience counts. If you look at the Kedah side, all their players are very experienced and they've got a big squad," he explained.

TS Galaxy boss Tim Sukazi has confirmed the club's interest in former Orlando Pirates midfielder Xola Mlambo. 

Mlambo parted ways with the Sea Robbers last week after a frustrating few months which saw him become a benchwarmer under Josef Zinnbauer. 

And Sukazi feels the Soweto-born midfielder would fit in like a hand in a glove at the Rockets because his style of play is identical to that of the club. 

"Xola can fit in like a glove at TS Galaxy. His style of play is identical or synonymous with how we play at TS Galaxy," Sukazi told reporters in Durban.

Furthermore, Sukazi believes Mlambo would quickly settle in at TS Galaxy as there are familiar faces, including that of coach Dan Malesela. 

The pair worked together at both Chippa United and Cape Town All Stars before Mlambo went to join Bidvest Wits.  

"There is a lot of familiar faces for him at Galaxy. That is a suitable environment for him. He has an opportunity to settle much better here at TS Galaxy," he said. 

Sukazi has no doubt that Mlambo is an excellent and talented player and admits they would be foolish not to want to sign the central midfielder. 

However, the former agent understands that other clubs are also keeping an eye on Mlambo, and said whether or not they win the race to sign him is something they will have to wait and see. 

"Yes, very much so. He is such a talent. We would be foolish to say we are not interested in him. Whether we will manage to have him, it remains to be seen. There is competition after all. Other clubs also want him," added Sukazi.

Mlambo, 29, made 50 appearances for the Soweto giants during his two-and-a-half-year stay, found the back of the net once and registered six assists, and TS Galaxy would hope to see him replicate the same form for them provided they acquire his services. 

Sukazi is already assembling a solid squad that will compete in the PSL and one of their marquee signings was Ebrahim Seedat, who joined the club from Cape Town City last week.  

Arsene Wenger is hoping to see Thierry Henry return to Arsenal as manager, but only after Mikel Arteta has delivered another Premier League title at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have already turned to one familiar face for inspiration as they seek to recapture former glories.

Former club captain Arteta returned to north London in December 2019 after Unai Emery was ushered through the exits.

One Spaniard replaced another as the man initially charged with the task of succeeding Wenger failed to deliver on expectations.

It was suggested when another change in the dugout was made that Henry – Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer – could come into contention for a retracing of his steps to English football.

That may still happen at some stage in the future, with an iconic Frenchman back in coaching with MLS side the Montreal Impact.

Success there will have him registering on Arsenal’s radar again the next time they need someone to fill the dugout, with Wenger hoping a fellow countryman is targeted once the Gunners are back in contention for the most prestigious of honours.

A man who delivered three Premier League title triumphs across his 22-year reign in north London told The Guardian when asked if he would like to see Henry follow in his footsteps: “Well, I wish.

“I hope that Thierry Henry is successful in his career as a manager, and if he’s successful as a manager he might one day come back to Arsenal.

“But I especially wish that we go back to win the championship before that happens.

“For example, now we have Mikel Arteta in charge, why should we not do it? A club is about identity.

“Identity is about values and values are about the people who carry these values. And so it’s important there is a continuity on that front for me.”

Wenger believes Arsenal can take a positive step towards becoming title challengers again in the 2020-21 campaign, with there every reason to believe that Arteta – with some shrewd transfer deals under his belt – can deliver a top-four finish this term.

“I think there is a good team spirit and they have a good chance to do well,” Wenger added.

“I believe it will not be very difficult to improve on the number of points they got last season.

“But I’m convinced Arsenal can be in the top four, if not more. Why not more?

“They can be the surprise package for me this year: they bought well, they strengthened the defence well.

“And they kept the players who were already there. In my last year I bought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they kept him. They have every ingredient and no real weakness.”

Arsenal have taken nine points from their four games so far and will return to action on Saturday with a trip to Manchester City.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has confirmed the club has completed their signings and in due time they will be unveiled to the public.

While rivals Gor Mahia, 2009 champions Sofapaka and other top tier teams are busy in the market and have confirmed their new players, the 13-time league champions have not done so.

"Leopards are doing things in their own way and soon the new players will be unveiled," Shikanda told Goal.

"We have made about five signings to bolster the team; they are players who will help us challenge for top honours. As opposed to our rivals, we are not making wholesale changes since we did not release many players.

"For them, it is like they are building a new team, but for us, we are strengthening what we already have. All I can assure our fans is that we have completed our signings."

On Monday, October 12, the 13-time champions confirmed Washinton Munene had signed a permanent deal with the team.

The defender had joined Ingwe last year, initially on loan from Wazito FC, but convincing performances with the first team in the season that was cancelled, have triggered AFC Leopards to make the move permanent. 

"We have reached an agreement with Washington Munene to join the club on a permanent deal," the 13-time KPL winners confirmed on their social media accounts.  

"The left-back joined us initially on loan in September 2019 from Wazito FC and after impressing on and off the pitch he has signed a two-year contract with us.

"We welcome Munene to the club on a permanent basis and look forward to his continued contribution."  

Munene’s development is the second transfer activity AFC Leopards have confirmed in the ongoing window. Goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan has already agreed to a one-year contract extension after an impressive KPL debut season with Ingwe.  

The former league winners are also eager to complete Harrison Mwendwa’s move but reports have emerged the process has been slowed due to the demand made by the player’s agent.  

Munene and Ochan have extended their stays even with rumours interim head coach Anthony Kimani is set to leave for further studies sponsored by the club.  

Gareth Southgate is misusing Trent Alexander-Arnold for England, according to Ashley Cole, who doesn't "like to see him playing as a wing-back".

Alexander-Arnold played 79 minutes as the Three Lions secured a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Belgium in their Nations League clash at Wembley on Sunday.

A Marcus Rashford penalty and a Mason Mount strike gave England all three points, but they rode their luck in a first half which was largely dominated by the visitors who took the lead via Romelu Lukaku's 16th-minute spot-kick.

Southgate fielded a much-changed line up from last week's 3-0 friendly victory against Wales, with the inclusion of Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier - all right-backs by trade, raising more than a few eyebrows.

Trippier was asked to take up an unnatural role on the left and Walker formed part of a back three alongside Harry Maguire and Eric Dier, while Alexander-Arnold started at right wing-back.

The 3-4-3 system ultimately proved ineffective in an attacking sense as England struggled to break into the final third of the pitch, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford cutting isolated figures upfront.

Alexander-Arnold is used to playing in a more conventional right-back role for Liverpool, who have benefitted hugely from his superb passing range and overlapping runs in both the Premier League and Champions League in recent seasons.

Cole says Southgate failed to play to the 22-year-old's strengths against the Belgians, feeling the wing-back role actually limited his contribution going forward.

“I don’t like to see him playing as a wing-back,” the ex-Chelsea and England star told Sky Sports. "He’s better-suited playing from deeper and arriving into areas.

“With [Alexander-Arnold] coming into that space, you start to see his range of crosses and passing. He did most of his work chasing the left wing-back, trying to get in behind him, which I don't think suits him.”

Alexander-Arnold will be in line to feature once again when England continue their Nations League campaign with a home fixture against Denmark on Wednesday, three days before Liverpool are due back in Premier League action away at Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the 2020-21 campaign.

In what is a sad development for Indian football aficionados, former national team midfielder Carlton Chapman breathed his last on Monday morning at the age of 49. Under his leadership, India won the 1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup. 

The cause of death is reportedly a heart attack. 

Chapman was one of the leading midfielders in the country during his heydays. He was a product of the Tata Football Academy (TFA). He joined TFA in 1990 and after graduating he joined East Bengal in 1993. Most notably, he scored a hat trick for East Bengal against Al Zawra of Iraq in Asian Cup Winners Cup.

After winning hearts with his passing and control at the centre of the park in Kolkata, he left for JCT in 1995. 

At JCT he won 14 competitions and his spell with the Punjab-based side remains his most fruitful one. Along with I M Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia, they even won the first edition of NFL (National Football League). 

In 1997, he joined FC Kochin and after a year with the club, he returned to East Bengal. 

In the 2000-01 season, East Bengal won the NFL by just a point over arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and Chapman was one of the instrumental figures in that squad. 

After hanging up his boots, he joined TFA as an instructor. He remained there for six years before taking up the managerial role of Royal Wahingdo in Shillong. Under his tutelage, Wahingdo won three successive Shillong Premier League titles and the Bordoloi Trophy in 2011.

In 2017, he took up the role of the technical director of Quartz FC in Kozhikode.

After scoring a whopping 26 goals in seven games for Manipur Police in the Indian Women's League 2019. it took only a few months for Bala Devi to earn a contract at Scottish club Rangers. 

The 30-year-old, who is a two-time All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year, recently made her debut for Rangers following several months without action due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

For a player who played for Eastern Sporting Union, KRYPHSA and Manipur Police in the Indian Women's League which barely lasts for two months, the Scottish league was a welcome change. 

"It's a wonderful opportunity for me as I am not only enjoying my time here in the professional set up but also learning every day," Bala Devi told Goal. "The setup is so professional, it is a full-time women's team with many international players. The coaching staff and management are top class and so are the facilities."

As one of the first names on everyone's lips currently when talking about women's football in India, the three-time SAFF Championship winner knows the importance of playing regularly throughout the year to help the development of women footballers.

"It (Scottish league) is a full-time league, there are about 30 matches in the season including League and Cup matches. We also play friendly matches in between. We are fortunate that it is a home-and-away system and to play regular matches for 8-9 months in a year is the only way forward for professional women's football," she said. 

After becoming the first woman footballer to sign a professional contract for a club outside India, Bala, who can be a role model for a lot young aspiring footballers in India, has already set her next objective. 

"For the next year, (my target) is to do well at Rangers and prove my worth in Europe as well. My dream is to stay and play in Europe and hope that more (chances) follow. In 2022, I am looking forward to the AFC Asian Cup on home soil for the national team."

Following AIFF's suggestion that all Indian clubs can contribute to women's football by launching a women's team, the Rangers striker has expressed a similar sentiment. 

"I would be happy if we could have a full-time women's football (league) in India. I hope the ISL clubs will invest in women's football as well so that it can grow more in the future. We have to have a full-time league for this."

The next IWL tournament is set to take place in May next year. While that also is set to be a one-month affair, Bala Devi is hopeful that things will improve soon.  
 

The outlook seems bright for football in Kerala right now. With the advent of clubs like Kerala Blasters and Gokulam Kerala, football fans from the state have had a team to root for in the top leagues of the country after a long time. 

There is more good news in the offing as United World Group, a leading sports management firm which has three football clubs under their umbrella including Premier League outfit Sheffield United, have made their foray into Indian football. 

United World Group have bought Quartz FC, an established club based in Kozhikode, and have rechristened it as FC Kerala United, Goal can confirm. Though the deal has not been officially announced, the paperwork and all the formalities have been completed. 

Kerala United becomes the fourth club to come under the umbrella of the United World Group. Apart from Sheffield United, who finished ninth in the Premier League last season, K Beerschot VA (currently playing in the Belgian Pro League) and Al Hilal United (UAE Second Division League) are also part of the group.

Goal understands that Kerala United will be participating in the Kerala Premier League and the I-League 2nd Division in the 2020-21 season and are aiming to play the top tier league of the country in due course.

There are long term plans in the offing for the group, including the establishment of football academies and grassroots projects across the country, not just in Kozhikode. The projects will aim to bring kids into a professional coaching fold at a very young age, as they have done in Dubai with Al Hilal United FC. 

However, the short-term aim for the group will be to establish a fan base and foundation for the club before venturing into the long term plans.

United World Group had identified Asia, and India in particular, as having huge potential for the growth of football, given that the market has reached the saturation point in Europe. The group cast their eyes initially on clubs in Mumbai or Kolkata in India, as per sources close to the development. But after evaluating the market, the passion for the game in Kerala convinced them to buy a club in the South-Western coastal state. 

The group had also tried to register a club from Malappuram, given the kind of following the game gets in the district, but were then forced to look elsewhere before they zeroed in on Quartz FC.

Quartz FC, established in 1976, was previously owned by Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA) secretary P Haridas. The club was a regular participant in the state leagues and tournaments and have even taken part in the I-League 2nd Division in the recent past. 

Now as a sister club of the famed Sheffield United, Kerala United will become yet another fully professional club from the state and will look to sow the seeds of a football revolution. On a whole, this is good news for Indian football. 

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela is set for a shock move to Mamelodi Sundowns from Golden Arrows. 

According to local reports, the 53-year-old mentor has resigned as head coach of Abafana Bes'thende. 

This because Komphela is reported to have already accepted an offer to work alongside Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena at Chloorkop. 

Mngqithi and Mokwena were appointed as co-coaches last week following the departure of Pitso Mosimane to Al Ahly. 

However, a Goal source within the Sundowns camp isn't aware of any developments and changes in the technical team. 

"I am not aware of what has been reported in the media that Komphela is coming to Sundowns," the source told Goal. 

"I also don't know if Komphela has resigned at Arrows. So, I am in the dark really but we will see what the story is when we get to the office on Monday," concluded the source.   

Other reports in the media claim Komphela is already in Johannesburg to finalise his move to Sundowns.

Should the swirling rumours prove to be true, Sundowns would have maintained an all-South African technical team - the trend which has been followed by the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United. 

Komphela is a well-travelled mentor having coached eight different teams since becoming a head coach in 2002. 

He is considered one of the most tactically gifted coaches in the country although he hasn't been too fortunate when it comes to lifting trophies.

The Kroonstad-born spend last season at Arrows with Mandla Ncikazi as his assistant and the pair guided the Durban-based side to a 12th-placed finish at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. 

This was on the back of a successful tenure with Bloemfontein Celtic whom he turned into one of the PSL strongest teams between 2018 and 2019. 

Komphela's biggest break as a coach was when Amakhosi afforded him the opportunity to lead the first team in 2015. 

And while he had very promising first season, reaching two Cup finals - the MTN8 and the Telkom Knockout Cup - things took a wrong turn as he was forced to resign by a section of fans three months before the expiry of his contract.

Raja Casablanca have ended their seven-year wait for the Moroccan league title by pipping neighbours and fierce rivals Wydad Casablanca to the crown on the final day of the Botola season, thanks to a double by Abdelilah Hafidi.

Hafidi, nicknamed ‘The Moroccan Messi’, scored a 90th-minute winner for Raja against FAR Rabat to ensure they got their hands on the gold with almost the final kick of the season, having earlier netted the equaliser for Jamal Sellami's side.

Only one point separated the two Casablanca giants heading into the last matchday, with both Casablanca clubs up against neighbours from the capital Rabat; Raja hosting FAR, while Wydad made the short trip to FUS Rabat.

Raja needed to match or better Wydad’s result in order to clinch the crown, having had two points whittled off their lead following recent back-t0-back draws against RSB Berkane and Mouloudia Oujda.

Raja fell behind, but after equalising just after the hour mark through Hafidi, they struggled to find the winner they so desperately needed to confirm the title.

Over in Rabat, Wydad managed to bounce back from going a goal down to take a 2-1 lead over FUS in the 88th minute, putting them into the driving seat heading into the final minutes of the campaign in light of Raja’s failure to breach FAR.

However, just as time appeared to be ebbing away for Raja, Hafidi stepped up to score his second goal of the evening—in the 90th minute—to end the Green Devils’ wait for the crown.

The title triumph is the 12th in their history—a first since 2013—and they overtake their opponents on the evening, FAR Rabat, into second place in the all-time Moroccan standings behind Wydad (20 titles).

Next up for the Casablanca duo will be a pair of Caf Champions League semi-finals next weekend, as Raja meet Egyptian giants Al-Ahly, and Wydad square off with the Red Devils’ Cairene rivals SC Zamalek.

With first and second-placed finishes in the Moroccan league table, Raja and Wydad will enter this season’s Caf Champions League, while RS Berkane qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup after finishing third.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos was left frustrated by a lack of creativity and "explosiveness" as his side drew 0-0 with France in the Nations League on Sunday.

In front of a home crowd of around 1,000 socially distanced fans at the Stade de France, a host of European football's elite stars were on display in a generally entertaining encounter.

But despite all of the attacking talent on show, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, the match failed to yield a goal, with France unable to claim revenge in the two teams' first meeting since Portugal's triumph in the Euro 2016 final.

Although Portugal came away with a commendable point, Santos seemed a little underwhelmed, as if he was expecting more of a spectacle.

He said: "It was a very balanced game between two teams that were too cautious, especially in offensive terms.

"It doesn't seem like too much respect, we had quality players, but it wasn't a very fast game.

"There was a lack of more aggressive dynamics in the search for the goal. It's in these games that coaches always want more.

"We had to be organised, sure, but we expected creativity, explosiveness to be unleashed. Both teams played on the back foot a bit too much.

"Whenever the game changed from that, the teams created problems for each other."

Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo had a more positive outlook, however.

He said: "I think, in general, the team played a great game. The defence did very well.

"They have a great team, many good players and we managed to control them. We ended up with a draw, we wanted to win, but I don't think it's a bad result."

The stalemate leaves Portugal and France tied on seven points at the summit of Group A3 after three games – Croatia, who beat Sweden 2-1, are four points adrift.

Edinson Cavani is excited by the prospect of linking up with fellow Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri at Manchester United as he is already a big fan of the teenager's "mischievous" style of play.

Like Cavani, 18-year-old Pellistri signed for United on transfer deadline day, though his signing came as more of a surprise than the former Paris Saint-German star, who became the source of speculation a few days earlier.

Pellistri had been linked with some major European clubs, including United's local rivals Manchester City, but the Red Devils seemingly worked efficiently to bring the forward in with few media reports catching wind before deadline day.

It remains to be seen how much of a role Pellistri plays during his first season at Old Trafford, given he only broke into the Penarol senior side last year.

As such, the majority of United fans have only just begun to learn about Pellistri since his signing was confirmed on Monday.

But Cavani has seen plenty of him and is already sold on the attacker's abilities, commenting that his style of play resembles that of a playground footballer with a hint of added mischief.

"Pellistri is a young lad and I really love the way he plays the game," Cavani told United's official website.

"He's the typical South American footballer who has that mischievous nature to his game, and the way he lives his football is a bit like, as we say in Uruguay, being on 'el campito', as we call it, a makeshift pitch where you have a kickabout for fun with your mates or whoever.

"He's a youngster who has a lot to learn but who has a lot to offer too. He's already shown what he can do at Penarol in the games where he's featured.

"I've liked him from the moment he made his first-team debut at Penarol, I liked him a lot. He's coming here to the club, without a doubt determined to learn and mature as a player, but also to make a good contribution here himself.

"Learning his trade here is also going to be a great experience for him. So, it's going to be good meeting up with him and travelling together on this journey in this new chapter for us both."