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Former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah believes in Asante Kotoko's dreams of becoming continental champions in the short-term but reckons some conditions must first be fulfilled.

Two-time Caf Champions League winners, the Porcupine Warriors have set their sights on recapturing their glory days following the set-up of new leadership.

New chief executive officer (CEO) Nana Yaw Amponsah has stated the club aspires to win the elite continental inter-club championship and aims to play in the Fifa Club World Cup for a historic first time.

"Everyone must play his role very well in Kotoko reclaiming its lost glories but the supporters have the greatest of roles to play. They put pressure on coaches and management for results," Appiah, who represented Kotoko during his playing days, told Kumasi FM.

"Everyone must have patience as we find ways of keeping our players for at least two or three years and how the technical team and management will work effectively.

"If all these things are put in place very well and the supporters exercise patience for the technical team to work on the team, automatically the target of winning trophies on the continent in the next two or three years will materialise.

"We cannot just sign players, assemble them and dream of winning trophies because we are Kotoko."

Kotoko won their first Champions League title in 1970 when they beat Congolese side TP Mazembe in the final. The Porcupine Warriors repeated the feat in 1983, accounting for Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the climax.

Kotoko's closest attempt at winning a continental title came in the 2004 Caf Confederation Cup where they succumbed to country rivals Hearts of Oak in a final penalty shoot-out.

Maxwell Konadu’s fold, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2019-20 Champions League, are set to represent Ghana in the competition again next season.

On the domestic scene, the Kumasi-based side remains the most successful club in the history of the Ghana Premier League, having won the cup on 23 occasions.

Their last title, however, came six years ago in 2014.

Kotoko have also clinched the Ghana FA Cup on nine occasions and the Super Cup three times. 

Frenkie de Jong has revealed that Lionel Messi remains in Barcelona players' WhatsApp group chat despite recently asking to leave the club.

Messi recently revealed his intention to leave Barcelona, with the likes of Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and, most prominently, Manchester City linked to the Argentinian star. 

In the week since Messi's announcement shook the football landscape, he has done little to walk back that initial request as he reportedly continues to insist that his time at Barca is over.

The club, meanwhile, have been determined to hold onto their star while La Liga backed Barca by stating that Messi can only leave if his €700 million (£624m/$823m) release clause is met or if another club negotiates a lower transfer fee with the Camp Nou outfit.

Messi has already skipped the start of the club's pre-season as the forward and his team believe that his contract has expired, meaning that he is free to do as he pleases and join another club.

De Jong says that, as far as he is concerned, Messi remains a part of the group, even if he has not been a part of the start of 2020-21 training.

"I hope that Messi is still there when I get back, but that is not something that is up to me. He's still in the group chat," the midfielder told Fox Sports.

"I'm not anyone to talk about it with him, I'm sure he has many people around him doing that these days."

De Jong joined Barcelona last summer, having broken through at Ajax throughout the club's run to the Champions League semi-final the season prior.

The midfielder made the move to the Camp Nou for a €75m (£65m/$85m) fee, making 42 total appearances for the club in all competitions. 

De Jong is currently with the Dutch national team, which recently saw Ronald Koeman depart his role as head coach to take over as Barcelona boss.

The midfielder has earned 15 senior caps, having scored one goal for his country so far in his young international career.

Under interim boss Dwight Lodeweges, the Netherlands are set to take on Poland and Italy in the UEFA Nations League this week.

Cedric Bakambu scored four goals and assisted another as Beijing Guoan hammered Chongqing Dangdai Lifan 5-2 in a Chinese Super League match on Tuesday.

The efforts stretched Bakambu's tally to seven goals in his last four league outings after going without scoring a goal in his first four appearances this season.

Bakambu opened the scoring for Beijing Guoan at the Kunshan Sports Centre Stadium in the 13th minute and later doubled their lead in the 43rd minute.

The 29-year-old continued from where he stopped after the break by providing an assist for Wang Wiming who scored the hosts' third goal in the encounter.

Bakambu scored Beijing Guoan's fourth goal of the day in the 48th minute and he wrapped up their victory in the 62nd minute.

Two minutes later, the DR Congo international was replaced by Zhang Yuning.

With eight goals after seven matches, he is now the leading scorer in the Chinese top-flight with a goal ahead of Cameroon forward John Mary who has scored six goals for Shenzhen so far this term.

The victory powered Beijing Guoan to second in the Chinese Super League table with 17 points after eight matches, and three points behind leaders Shanghai SIPG.

After Tuesday's heroics, Bakambu will be aiming to help Bruno Genesio's side to their second straight win when they visit Wuhan Zall for their next league fixture on September 6.

Donny van de Beek will challenge for Paul Pogba's position at Manchester United, according to Steve McClaren, who says the Frenchman could be made to pay for a lack of consistency.

Van de Beek is on the verge of sealing a £40 million ($54m) switch to Old Trafford from Ajax, with the midfielder reportedly set to commit to a five-year contract with the Red Devils.

The 23-year-old, who has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in Europe over the past few years at Johan Cruyff ArenA, had also been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona, but has ultimately decided to continue his devolvement in Manchester.

Bruno Fernandes and Pogba filled the main creative roles in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's line up last season, with the likes of Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay serving as defensive midfielders.

Van de Beek's arrival will likely see the Norwegian head coach shuffle his pack, and McClaren fears Pogba could be the man to make way for the Dutchman unless he starts proving that he can deliver the goods week in, week out.

The former United assistant has compared Van de Beek's style of play to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, while also praising Solskjaer for increasing competition for places heading into a crucial campaign for the club.

“Van de Beek is exactly like Frank Lampard in his heyday; he gets in the box, scores, assists, his goal record of one in three is fantastic. He’s an excellent player," McClaren told talkSPORT.

“He’s a little bit similar to Fernandes but I think Fernandes has got that pass that, where Van de Beek is in the box Fernandes will pick him out – Manchester United didn’t have that before.

“The only one I probably fear for, and it’s a debate that’s gone for a while, is Paul Pogba. Because you can’t play Van de Beek as your controlling, holding midfield player, he’s got to be an ‘eight’ or a ‘ten’, and at the moment Pogba is the ‘eight’ and Fernandes is the ‘ten’.

“Manchester United hope to have lots of games with the Champions League, etc. and Ole knows you need a strong squad, so maybe, maybe he’s getting three of them so two can play in every game.

“But maybe because of Pogba’s inconsistencies and Ole wanting more consistency there, Ole is laying down the gauntlet for Pogba. At the moment no one is challenging Pogba in that position and Van de Beek will challenge him and challenge Fernandes.

“With Pogba, there is a great player in there but you’ve got find a way of getting it out of him in every game and across the whole 90 minutes.

“I do think Pogba has been a far better player since he’s come back. It seems that Fernandes has ignited his passion, he’s got someone he can play with and now Van de Beek is coming in too.

“You need competition at the top level. I think that’s what Van de Beek brings to Manchester.”

Donny van de Beek will have mentally adjust to playing for a club the size of Manchester United, says former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie.

Van de Beek is expected to be confirmed as a United player imminently after the club agreed a fee in the region of £40 million ($53m) for 23-year-old Netherlands international.

Van Persie knows all about making the jump from the Eredivisie to the Premier League having moved to Arsenal from Feyenoord as a 20-year-old in 2004.

Eight years later he made the move to Old Trafford, helping the side lift the Premier League title in what turned out to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge of the club in 2012-13.

Van Persie has drawn on those experiences to warn Van de Beek about the challenges involved in making such a high-profile transfer.

Though he has every confidence in his compatriot being a success, he says playing for Manchester United will be completely different to what Van de Beek has experienced so far in his career, both on and off the pitch.

“Donny van de Beek is 23-years-old and that is a nice age to make a transfer to the Premier League," Van Persie wrote in a column for De Telegraaf.

“I was a bit younger when I went to Arsenal, and in the locker room, I was considered a player for the future. Winning the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord meant nothing. The Premier League is a completely different world.

“Donny will be brought in as a major purchase from Manchester United, but he will discover that those other 22 players have also been brought in as a 'major purchase'. One with an even bigger transfer [fee] than the other.

“It means that he has to stand there right away and he has to mentally adjust to that. Because Manchester United is in every way a beast of a club.

“The size of Manchester United also has an impact on the commercial activities expected of Donny in the future.

“In my first year at United that number was zero, in my last year I had to show up every week.

“When I was with Marcus Rashford recently, I asked him how often he has to do something commercial now. He couldn't remember the last afternoon off after a workout.

“That is a bit different than taking a siesta after a training.”

Memphis Depay insists he has never expressed a desire to leave Lyon, though he also hinted as a possible departure by admitting "I also have my dreams".

Depay has been linked with a move away from the Groupama Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Barcelona all said to be interested in the former Manchester United forward.

He scored six goals for Lyon in the 2019-20 Champions League, helping Lyon reach the semi-finals as Les Gones knocked out Juventus and Manchester City last month following the resumption of the competition from its coronavirus-enforced suspension.

However, Rudi Garcia's side could only secure a seventh-place finish in the truncated Ligue 1 season last term, which meant that they missed out on European qualification for the first time in 24 years.

Despite that disappointment Depay hit the ground running in Lyon's first game of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Dijon on Friday.

Speaking to Dutch outlset NOS, Depay, whose contract expires at the end of the season, said of speculation over his future: "I never said I want to leave. When I say something, it is often distorted.

"I still have a one-year contract, I am captain, and we have a good team. We have shown that. I feel good about myself but also have my dreams. I have always expressed that too.

Speaking about his treble against Dijon, he added: "If you score three times in the first match, you can't complain. Even though I didn't think the match was great in itself. Ultimately, it's about being important and decisive, but I do expect more from myself."

A move to Barca would see Depay reunite with Ronald Koeman, who left his post with the Netherlands to take over at Camp Nou.

When asked Koeman's departure ahead of the Oranje's Nations League meetings with Poland and Italy this week, Depay said: "I don't see it as abandonment.

"He left something behind here. We have to pick it up and continue with it. We will see who will be the next national coach. As a group, we have to take responsibility."

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.

The defender arrives in a £25 million ($33 million) deal and has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners.

He becomes the club's second signing of the transfer window, following the capture of fellow Brazilian Willian - who joined on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Speaking about the signing, Arsenal's technical director Edu said: "We are delighted to have signed Gabriel. He is a player we have been studying for a while and he was in demand from many clubs, so we are proud to have agreed and completed this transfer with Lille and the player.

"Gabriel is a player of high quality and Mikel and his coaches are looking forward to integrating him into the club.”  

The 22-year-old arrived in England last Monday when he travelled to Arsenal's training ground at London Colney to put the finishing touches on his transfer. He then underwent a medical in the capital.

Gabriel has been in quarantine ever since he arrived from France, a country which is currently on the UK Government's quarantine list. Gabriel will have to self-isolate for 14 days before being able to link up with his new team-mates.

He was allowed into London Colney on Monday under strict medical supervision to take part in the squad's latest round of Covid testing.

Gabriel's arrival will be a major boost to boss Mikel Arteta, who had been keen to add another centre-back to his ranks this summer.

Speaking about his latest capture, Arteta said: "We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal. He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team.

"He has proved with Lille that he is a defender with many outstanding attributes and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player."

Gabriel himself added: “[Edu and I] had several chats about Arsenal and the new project, we had many good conversations.

“As the days went by I was getting very excited about it, then I had a call from the coach and that was very reassuring.

“Having the coach himself calling you to say he wants you in his squad motivates you a lot. That is the very reason I am here today.
 
“We did not talk about [details], he just told me he is aware of my quality, my capacity and how far I can go. He also said he will be very demanding with me.

"I know he is a great coach and I will make progress with his help.”

Gabriel will soon be followed into Arsenal by Dani Ceballos, who is close to returning to north London for another season-long loan deal from Real Madrid.

Talks between the two clubs have progressed well in the last 48 hours and the midfielder will soon travel to England to complete his switch to Emirates Stadium.

Mame Diouf has expressed his delight after completing his move to newly-promoted Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor.  

The Senegal international sealed a one-year deal with the Star of the South after successful medicals with the side on Monday.

Diouf spent six years with Championship club Stoke City before he asked to be released from his contract at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 32-year-old centre-forward has taken to social media to reveal his eagerness to continue his progress in Turkey.

“[I am] happy to announce to you that I have joined Hatayspor, my new home,” Diouf posted on Instagram.

“Thanks to all the people that been involved to make this happen. Can't wait to get started.”

During his time with Stoke City, the centre-forward scored 26 goals in 157 appearances across all competitions, having joined the club from Hannover 96 in the summer of 2014.

In the 2019-20 season, the former Manchester United striker scored one goal in eight Championship appearances.

Diouf started his career with Diaraf before signing for Molde, where he shone, scoring 29 goals in 62 league games.

His eye-catching performances inspired Premier League giants Manchester United to secure his signature in the summer of 2009.

Diouf played five English top-flight games for the Red Devils and was part of Alex Ferguson’s side that won the 2010 League Cup before leaving to join Hannover 96 in 2012.

Diouf has 10 goals in 47 appearances for Senegal since he made his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August 2009.

The striker could make his debut for Hatayspor when they open their Turkish Super Lig campaign against Istanbul Basaksehir on September 14.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane appears not bothered by the stiff challenge for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title from log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, saying as a professional coach he is enjoying being under pressure.

Only goal difference separates Chiefs and Sundowns who have 53 points each, with two league games remaining.

With Mosimane having pipped Orlando Pirates to the league title in the last two seasons, he is not new to such a close tussle for the league title and is not complaining about the pressure involved.

“In our job there is pressure. As coaches, we are paid to be professionals and we are trained to take the pressure that comes with it," Mosimane told the media.

“In our profession, there is always pressure‚ there are always expectations and there is always opinion from everybody. One day you are loved, one day you are not. We don't make excuses. Professionals must play with the pressure. In fact‚ they must enjoy the pressure and thrive under pressure.

“I come out stronger under very high criticism and I like to look back and say to whoever who said these can never happen or we can’t make it and say‚ you look at us now.

“If you don’t want to be criticised‚ don’t be a coach‚ if you don’t like to be criticised‚ then don’t be a player. It’s your life. It's an everyday story. You can ask all the other coaches, the Peps [Guardiola], the [Jose] Mourinhos."

"We just have to make sure we fight for this thing until the end because you never know. No no no‚ we are going with this thing [title race] until it ends‚ it does not matter.

“It’s your life. You are a professional. You are getting paid to work under pressure. You are getting paid to be criticised. So my players should understand that‚ including myself.”

While Mosimane appears to be withstanding the heat of the title race, his Chiefs counterpart Middendorp appears to be under pressure.

Middendorp snubbed the post-match press conference in apparent frustration after his side lost 1-0 to Bidvest Wits on Sunday.

“As you said coach Middendorp did not even go to his post-match interview. It’s frustration. We are human beings and expectations are high," said Mosimane.

“You know behind us in an institute‚ it is everybody‚ it is our families, with the support we get we can be disappointed [after losing] and we as coaches we have to take the blame as much as we take the credit.

"But let's see how it goes. It's unbelievable, you never know what's going to happen. But we don’t want to make excuses. The last two games we go for it and we fight for it.”

Sundowns now prepare to face basement side Polokwane City on Wednesday, while Chiefs resume their title push against Chippa United the same evening.

Kenyan Premier League side Gor Mahia have signed Western Stima striker Benson Omalla.

The highly-rated teenager had been linked with Wazito FC but K’Ogalo have had the last laugh as they have confirmed him as the newest star in their bus.

"We are pleased to announce the signing of teenage sensation striker Benson Omalla Ochieng," Gor Mahia said as they confirmed the arrival of the Form Four Student at Kisumu Day.

Omalla was a key figure for the Powermen last season as he registered a number of records. He became the first Western Stima star to hit a hat-trick in a KPL match; a record he wrote against Zoo FC at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium in December where they won 4-1.

He was subsequently named the KPL Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Player of the Month for December. Omalla broke a six-year history by becoming the third Western Stima player to win the award.

Kenneth Muguna, who is set to be his new teammate and captain at Gor Mahia should he not leave, lifted the SJAK award in 2015 as he was serving the Kisumu side. The other player to have done so is Wesley Kemboi.

Omalla featured in the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom All-Stars team that visited Spain in 2019 after he emerged as the Nyanza region's top scorer.

The teenager made his debut against KCB, did score his maiden goal versus the Bankers and did not look back since then.

He also earned a national team call-up for Kenya U20 in the 2019 Cecafa Challenge Cup that was held in Uganda where he found the back of the net in two occasions. 

His arrival at Gor Mahia means he has followed in the footsteps of Geoffrey Ochieng, Bernard Ondiek, Joash Onyango and Muguna from Western Stima to K’Ogalo.

Omalla will be expected to vie for first team places with former Zoo striker Kipkirui and Ugandan star Okello.

Okello is among the new players who have been signed by the Green Army in the ongoing transfer season.

The arrival of Omalla comes as Juma Balinya – the former Police FC striker was signed from Yanga SC in January – is understood to be on his way out of the club and is negotiating with KCCA FC.

He is the third player to arrive at Gor Mahia from Western Stima in this window after goalkeeper Samuel Njau and midfielder Sydney Ochieng did so.

Bertrand Konfor, John Macharia and Andrew Juma are the other new faces at the club that is preparing to carry Kenya’s flag in the 2020/21 Caf Champions League.

Pernille Harder has joined Women's Super League champions Chelsea from Wolfsburg.

The 27-year-old leaves Germany after almost four years, during which she won four Bundesliga titles and four German cups while scoring 103 goals in 111 games.

She played her final game for the club on Sunday in the Women's Champions League final, but was unable to secure a dream goodbye in the form of a European treble, with Lyon winning their fifth successive title in the competition.

After being one of the hottest properties in Europe when she signed from Swedish club Linkopings in 2017, Harder has taken her game to another level with Wolfsburg. She ranked at No.5 in last year's Goal 50 and arrives at Chelsea as one of, if not the best player in the world right now.

‘I’m extremely happy and extremely excited to get started, to finally be here and be a Chelsea player. I couldn’t be more happy," she said.

"I’m excited to just play for such a big club, to play with so many amazing players and to also be playing in the league. The English league, it’s so exciting at the moment and I’m really looking forward to it."

Harder joins a squad that already contains the likes of Sam Kerr, Bethany England, Ji So-yun and Guro Reiten - Goal's 2019-20 WSL Player of the Season.

It is a deal that further underlines the club's desire to secure a European title that has not only eluded the Blues over the years, but Harder herself too, with Sunday's defeat in the final her second in three years.

"Pernille is one of the best players in the world," Emma Hayes, head coach at Chelsea, added.

"Her record at Wolfsburg and Linkopings, as well as internationally with Denmark, shows how valuable she has been to her teams.

"She is a fantastic team player who wants to take her game to the next level. She chose Chelsea as the club that can push her to that level. She can play for any team in the world, but she chose us.

"She chose the players, the staff, the environment, the playing style. You can’t get a bigger compliment than that from one of the best players in the world."

Rumours of this deal have been around for some time, with Harder's partner, Magdalena Eriksson, currently the captain of Chelsea.

The pair played together at Linkopings and when asked about her future earlier this year, Harder admitted that the plan was for them to play together again, albeit when her contract expired in 2021.

"It is clear that we miss each other in everyday life, so the plan is that we, at least when my contract expires, will play together again," the Denmark captain told Fotbollskanalen in March.

"We talk a lot about this, about our future, and we think the same," Eriksson added. "We feel dangerous that our contracts expire at the same time and we want to try to find a solution that is good for both of us, which above all means that we get closer to each other.

"It will have more priority than it has had in our other decisions that we have made before."

Because Chelsea have chosen to secure Harder's signature this summer instead, Sportsbuzzer reported last week that the Blues would have to pay €350,000 for the forward - a record fee for a Bundesliga player.

Talks between Eriksson and Chelsea over a new deal are now expected to accelerate too, with less than 12 months left on the Swede's current contract.

Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood would relish having Lionel Messi in the Premier League – even if that means facing the six-time Ballon d'Or winner in Manchester City colours.

Pep Guardiola's side is viewed as the frontrunners for Messi's signature after the player handed in a transfer request at Barcelona last week , although the huge finances required to secure his services represent significant obstacles to overcome.

Greenwood, who is in line for his first senior England action in the forthcoming Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark, is excited by the prospect, even if it would be so beneficial to Manchester United's crosstown rivals Manchester City.

"Obviously it'd be amazing to come up against him. All young footballers know about Messi," the 18-year-old told a video news conference from England's St George's Park base.

"To be on the same pitch playing against him would be another dream come true - not just for me, for everyone.

"Having someone that high profile coming to the Premier League would be a big thing."

Greenwood's club captain Harry Maguire is absent from England duty after he was arrested while on holiday in Greece and convicted of aggravated assault, before securing a retrial after the verdict was quashed.

"It's really not for me to say, but Harry's a good lad and I'm looking forward to seeing him back at the club after this international break." he said.

In the meantime, Greenwood will vie for a place in Gareth Southgate's forward line and he is unfazed by competing with the likes of skipper Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and prospective United target Jadon Sancho.

"I feel ready to compete with anyone," he added. "Like in the league, just going out there with a smile on your face and playing football is what it's all about.

"It's good that everyone is pushing for places. It makes the training and the games better.

"I'm looking forward to playing with Harry Kane. When I was in the youth team I was watching him in the Premier League. He is one of my team-mates and a role model as well."

Highlands Park co-director Sinky Mnisi says he will fight tooth and nail to stop the sale of the club to TS Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi.

The veteran administrator has vowed to ensure the Lions of the North are not sold, saying he doesn’t know anything if the media reports suggesting the Rockets boss has acquired his club are true or not.

Although he is in a minority, Mnisi also insinuated he was not informed of the sale as he only found out about it in the media.

“I don’t know if it is true or not but if there is such a thing like reports suggest to us. Then I will make sure I get my way,” Mnisi told Phakaaathi.

“I want to show even the new generation that you can get your way even if you are a minority. I will get my way about the sale of the club.

“I will stand my ground. I will stop whatever is coming to the club with that sale. I don’t know if it is true or not but if it is I will fight it.”

Mnisi’s sentiments come after chairman, Brad Kaftel, confirmed to local media that they are in talks with Sukazi in an aim to ease the club’s expenses, saying should they sell the club, the money will go to pay their debts brought about by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although the latest reports suggested the MTN8 losing finalists have already been sold, Kaftel‚ refuted the claims adding that there’s a possibility of selling should Sukazi meet their financial demands.

Meanwhile, the former player's agent recently failed to acquire Bloemfontein Celtic’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) status and is reportedly setting his sights on the Tembisa-based club.

Following the sale of Bidvest Wits to National First Division (NFD) outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) who are set to relocate to the Limpopo province, speculation is rife that coach Owen Da Gama’s side could also be under new ownership in the 2020/21 season.

Under the leadership of the former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana coach, Highlands finished in the top eight bracket last season and are gunning for the same feat this term.

They are set to face Cape Town City in the league on Wednesday evening and are placed ninth on the log table with 35 points from 28 matches.

South Africa youth international Khanya Leshabela has opened up on his working relationship with his Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers.

The young left-winger has been part of the Foxes first team pre-season training as they prepare for the 2020/21 Premier League season. 

Leshabela was a regular for Leceister's reserve team in the Premier League Two last season as he made 18 appearances in the competition and he netted once.

The 20-year-old explained that Northern Irish tactician Rodgers believes in him and Leshabela looks to break into the first team of the 2015/16 English champions.

“I have a very good relationship with the manager, he gives me motivation and advice on where to improve my game,” said Leshabela on Far Post.

“The manager believes in me because I offer him versatility and dynamism with my abilities as I can play in several positions on the pitch.”

The recent departure of English left-back Ben Chilwell has given Leshabela an opportunity to impress the former Liverpool FC manager.

The Foxes sold Chilwell to Premier League giants Chelsea in a deal worth £50 million ($66m). 

Leshabela was deployed in the left-back position in Leicester’s recent win over English Championship side Birmingham City in a pre-season friendly match.

“Yes, yes I played as a left-back against Birmingham mostly because there was a shortage of left-backs in the team with [Ben] Chilwell having left for Chelsea and [Christian] Fuchs injured so I slotted in,” he concluded.

The Foxes are set to start their new Premier League campaign against West Bromwich Albion at Hawthorns on Sunday, September 13.

Leshabela will be hoping to become the first South African player to play in England’s top-flight since 2017.

Former Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar remains the last South African to play in the glamorous league when he turned out for Sunderland three years ago.

Leshabela was part of the South Africa squad at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup and Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2019.

He will be hoping to impress South Africa under 23 head coach David Notoane and make the final squad for next year's Olympic Games which will be hosted by Tokyo, Japan.

Ghana Football Association's (GFA) Kurt Okraku has criticised some of its members for becoming drawbacks for the development of the sport.

The chief made the remark in his address to delegates at the football's governing body's 26th Ordinary Session of Congress held at the FA's Technical Centre in Prampram on Tuesday.

"There are a few of us who continuously go out of this family and go out to the public space to malign your product, my product, your business. We must reject these people," Okraku told Congressmen and women.

"If I go to corporate Ghana on a daily basis preaching Ghana football and yet some of us, just a few of us, continuously damage the image of the product we intend to love, [product] that we spend our money on, we need to reject these people; we must say no to such people.

"Football is the passion of the nation and the only sport that unites the country, thus the need for a conscious effort to develop the game by creating wealth for everyone.

“Let’s come together and build our football. This is the sport that has made me who I am today. This is the sport that brings the country together.

"We are all from various ethnic groups but we are here as one body all in the name of football but my worry is how some of us tarnish the brand we are all trying to protect.

"Football is our commodity that generates us money and sponsorships so why would a stakeholder tarnish the same brand?

"We must desist from tarnishing the image of our football. I am imploring all stakeholders to stay united because this is a new era. Some members did not show up but we are still united as one body."

At the session, there was a review of the activity report for the 2019-20 domestic football season which was cancelled midway due to outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

Congress also voted for ratification of the GFA's 2019-20 budget and as well approved the budget and work for the 2020-21 financial year.

Furthermore, there was an approval of a proposal seeking to increase allowances and incentives of the GFA president, vice president and members of the Executive Council.

A new football season, 2020-21, is expected to commence in October. 

Juventus have confirmed the signing of Samuel Iling-Junior following his departure from Chelsea.

The 16-year-old, who has been training with the Italian giants since July, completed a long-awaited move to the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday.

Iling-Junior was unveiled alongside France U-17 international Felix Nzouango, who agreed a deal to join Juve from French outfit Amiens earlier this summer.

Chelsea were reluctant to lose Iling-Junior and offered him the chance to sign his first professional contract at Stamford Bridge, but his head was turned when the reigning Serie A champions registered their interest back in May.

The teenage winger confirmed his exit in a heartfelt post on social media on Sunday, which read: "Full of vast emotions, being at Chelsea from such a young age has truly built me, not only as the player I am today but also as a person.

“It’s been a blessed journey and I’m deeply thankful for all those in the Academy. From the groundsmen, kitchen staff, players, coaches, the list goes on.

“I would also like to give thanks to the people around me, my family and friends who have consistently supported me.

"This is just the start. I wish Chelsea all the best for the seasons ahead."

The likes of Bayern Munich, Ajax and Schalke had also been linked with Iling-Junior before he opted for Juve, having seen the talented youngster impress for Chelsea's U-18 side last season.

He has become the third player to leave Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window, following the departures of experienced first-team duo Pedro and Willian, who went on to join Roma and Arsenal respectively as free agents.

Frank Lampard has, however, been able to add a number of new players to his ranks ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, with former Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva the latest man to arrive in west London.

The Brazilian joined the club on a free after leaving Parc des Princes, with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell also snapped up as Chelsea bid to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

The Blues have also signed Malang Sarr from Nice on a five-year deal, and Goal understands that they have reached an agreement to bring in Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial fee of £72 million ($97m).

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck believes the new 2020/21 Mainland Premier League season will be tough.

The new season is set to kick off this weekend after champions Simba beat Namungo FC 2-0 to lift the Community Shield at the weekend, which serves as a curtain-raiser to the new campaign.

The Belgian coach has now claimed the decision by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to reduce the number of competing teams in the top-flight from 20 to 18 will have a huge impact on the league.

“It will be a very tight season because we will play minus two teams and that means teams will have enough time to prepare well for matches,” Vandenbroeck told reporters in Arusha.

“It means the teams will have ample time to recover after matches and this will give teams especially those so-called small teams the edge to prepare well for the matches and it will prove difficult, it will be a tough league, I can assure you that, it will not be easy.”

Vandenbroeck has, however, assured Simba fans that they are the favourites to retain the league title if they keep the squad free from injuries.

“If we manage to keep our squad fit throughout the season then I don’t have any doubts that we will be crowned champions again,” Vandenbroeck continued.

“We have signed very quality players, a very good addition to our squad, but we have to make sure that they are fit to see through the season, injuries can sometimes spoil your plans, and we hope they will be able to see through the season.

“One thing I like about this team is the teamwork and solidarity of the playing unit, we proved that again against [Namungo], they always play as a team and fight to cover for one another something other teams luck in the top-flight, it is always an advantage to us.”

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi, who won a treble last season, will open their title defence with a clash against promoted side Ihefu FC at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya on Sunday.

Simba’s rivals, Yanga  SC, will start against Coastal Union at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam while Azam FC, who finished third last season, will face Polisi Tanzania at Chamazi Complex also on Sunday.

Lionel Messi is already mentally out of the door at Barcelona and is sure to continue his career elsewhere, believes Jorge Valdano.

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi did not take part in Barca's first day of pre-season training under Ronald Koeman on Monday, having informed the club of his desire to leave.

The Argentina international believes a clause in his contract allowing him to leave on a free transfer has been activated, though the club and La Liga are of the opinion his €700 million (£624m/$823m) release clause remains the only valid way to terminate his deal, which runs until next June.

Manchester City are thought to be leading the race to sign Messi , with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter also credited with significant interest.

Former Real Madrid forward, head coach and director general Valdano, who began his playing career at Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys and won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina, is confident the 33-year-old's future lies away from Camp Nou.

He thinks Barcelona have to accept that reality sooner rather than later, or risk an ever more acrimonious parting of the ways further down the line.

"Either he goes to another club or to his home, but he has already left Barcelona. I am totally convinced. I have no doubt," he said on Onda Cero show El Transistor.

"The sooner Barcelona realise they are going to lose the best player in their history, the sooner they can focus on rebuilding."

It has been suggested Messi could perform a U-turn on his decision to leave Barca, as he did after announcing his international retirement in the wake of Argentina losing the Copa America Centenario final to Chile in 2016.

"They are completely different situations because there is no contract or anything similar when Leo left the Albiceleste and returned," Valdano added.

"There are no personal problems. I don't know how far this period is going to go, which is toxic for the club, player and La Liga.

"[Barca president Josep Maria] Bartomeu must think that when Messi leaves, he should go too… but prolonging this seems to me to be harmful to Barca."

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) are considering friendlies with Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria for the women's team ahead of the Olympic Games next year, according to a top official.

In March, Zambia defeated Cameroon 2-1 in Lusaka to qualify for the first Olympic Games in their history on away goals after drawing 4-4 on aggregate following a 3-2 first-leg defeat in Yaounde.

The Olympics, initially scheduled to take place between July 24 and August 9, 2020, was postponement by a year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

With six Fifa windows before the tournament in Tokyo, the Southern Africans are planning a preparation camp in Spain during the international break.

“The women’s team is scheduled to play Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa,"  FAZ vice-president Rix Mweemba told Daily Mail.

"We believe that these teams will give them a good run as they prepare to meet the world’s best.

“Preparations to camp in Spain are already in the pipeline and it is our prayer that the Covid-19 cases will soon reduce as the country is one of the worst-hit.” 

Zambia are only the fifth African side to qualify for the Olympics' women's football tournament, after Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

They will compete with Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, United States, Sweden, Netherlands, Great Britain and hosts Japan.

Thomas Partey is keen on a move to Arsenal but the Gunners' hopes of landing the midfielder this window will rest on the club’s ability to move players on over the coming weeks.

The Ghana international has long been the north London club's priority capture this summer, but talks with Atletico Madrid have so far proved unsuccessful.

Madrid do not want to lose Partey and still hope to convince him to sign a new contract. His current deal runs until 2023 and there had been talks over extending his stay.

The financial implications brought on by the coronavirus pandemic have meant, however, that Atletico have not been able to offer him the size of deal they had initially planned. They have instead given the player assurances that he will be given a substantial increase once the club is on a more secure financial footing in a year’s time.

Arsenal remain extremely interested in Partey, however, and sources have confirmed to Goal that the player is keen on a move to north London, providing a deal can be agreed between the two clubs.

The Gunners have been trying to tempt Atletico into a swap deal involving cash and Matteo Guendouzi, but the Liga outfit are adamant that the only way Partey will be leaving this summer is if Arsenal trigger his £44.5 million ($60m) release clause.

As it stands, Arsenal have made it clear they are not in a position to do that, with the club having been focusing their attentions on completing the signing of centre-back Gabriel from Lille, who will be joining in a £25m ($33m) deal.

Partey, meanwhile, is happy to wait to see how things progress over the coming weeks. Although he is keen on a switch to the Premier League and is likley to move to Arsenal if a deal can be agreed between the two clubs, he will not look to force his way out of Atletico

Arteta is well aware of the need to improve his options in midfield and will soon be boosted by the return of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, who is close to joining on loan for a second successive season.

But Partey is a player who has long been identified as someone who could come in and give Arsenal the type of quality and aggression they have been missing in the middle of the park.

Former head of international recruitment Francis Cagigao and his scouting network have watched the player closely over the past 18 months and, prior to their shock departure last month, had advised the north London club to pursue a move.

There were initial discussions over a move for Partey last summer while Unai Emery was still in charge, but they never materialised into a firm offer. Arsenal have maintained their interest, however, and still hope to get a deal done before the transfer window closes on October 6.

Those hopes will be boosted significantly if they can move players on over the next few weeks to raise some extra funds and free up space on the wage bill. Henrikh Mkhitaryan left for Roma on Monday, with the Armenia international having his contract terminated a year early.

Although that meant Arsenal did not receive a fee for the 31-year-old, it got him off the wage bill - saving the Gunners around £9m ($12m) over the course of the coming season.

Arsenal now hope to find a buyer for Matteo Guendouzi, who has been linked with Valencia in recent days, while Lucas Torreira could soon return to Italy - with several Serie A sides interested in the Uruguay international.

Mohamed Elneny is another player who would be allowed to leave, along with Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Mesut Ozil.

Talks over the future of Alexandre Lacazette, who returned to London Colney on Monday, are also expected to take place over the next fortnight, with Atletico Madrid keen on the French striker, who now has less than two years left on his current contract.

Meanwhile, there is significant interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Emiliano Martinez, who both starred in Saturday’s Community Shield victory against Liverpool, but Arsenal are reluctant to lose either player and would much prefer to try and move other members of the squad on first.

There is an acceptance, however, that funds must be raised to add further additions to the captures of William and Gabriel and the imminent arrival of Ceballos on loan.

Signing Partey remains a priority. What happens in terms of outgoings over the next few weeks will be key to determining whether that interest can be followed up by the north London club.