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Matt Doherty was forced to delete some awkward past tweets after completing a transfer to Tottenham on Sunday morning.

Doherty became Spurs' third signing of the summer after moving to north London from Wolves, where he had spent the previous ten years of his career.

The 28-year-old has followed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joe Hart to Tottenham ahead of the new season, which will see Jose Mourinho's side try to improve on a disappointing sixth-place finish last term.

Doherty said at his unveiling: "My time at Wolves was fantastic - I haven't got a bad word to say about the whole club at all.

"I just feel like coming here is going to take my game and my career to the next level."

The Republic of Ireland international went on to discuss on his playing style and goals for the future at Spurs, before starring in a light-hearted video which showed up his previous loyalties to Arsenal.

During the 30-second clip, Doherty can be seen deleting a couple of incriminating posts on Twitter dating back to 2012, the first of which read: "I love Arsenal forever and ever and ever."

The former Wolves star then removed a second Tweet reading: "Yes I am a HUGE Arsenal fan!"

Doherty will be expected to help Tottenham finish above their local rivals for a fifth successive season in 2020-21, and supporters will also hope that he can inspire a silverware charge.

The Lilywhites haven't won a major trophy in 12 years, despite enjoying an impressive run in the Premier League's top four under Mauricio Pochettino between 2014 and 2019.

Mourinho replaced Pochettino last November after a poor run of results which saw Spurs drop into the bottom half, and was able to guide the club to Europa League qualification despite losing a number of key players to injury.

Doherty, meanwhile, played in all 38 games of Wolves' Premier League campaign as they ended up in seventh, while also playing a key role in their run to the Europa League quarter-finals.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has expressed hope Joe Aribo will be ready in time for their next Scottish Premiership clash, with Dundee United at the Ibrox on September 12.

The Nigeria international has been out of action with an ankle injury missing the Gers last three matches against Livingston and Kilmarnock and the latest being Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hamilton Academical at the Fountain of Youth Stadium.

Gerrard had already ruled out the possibility of Aribo playing for the game along with former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe.

The ex-Liverpool captain, however, wants both men involved against the Terrors.

Another Nigerian in Leon Balogun was also out of action with a muscle injury, but returned to training during the week and was selected for the matchday squad. The former Brighton and Hove Albion man was, however, an unused substitute.

“I am hoping to have a real selection dilemma when we come back to play Dundee United as I am hoping to have Joe Aribo back, Jermain Defoe and Leon [Balogun] were back in the squad today," Gerrard told Rangers TV.

"So that is how we need to be as a squad - it needs to be very difficult to pick 11 and it is at the moment."

The victory-maintained Rangers’ unbeaten start to the season now reading five wins and one draw from six matches, three points clear of Hibernian who play Aberdeen later on Sunday afternoon.

Even without Balogun’s presence, Rangers have been able to keep their streak of 100% clean sheets this season which Gerrard was thrilled about.

“The lads deserve a lot of credit keeping clean sheets - which is a fantastic record to have and they deserve a lot of praise for that,” he said.

“I thought Hamilton were there for a stronger scoreline, but we take the win, we take the clean sheet, we take the three points and we move on.”

Lionel Messi can only leave Barcelona if his €700 million (£624m/$823m) release clause is met, La Liga confirmed on Sunday.

Messi handed in a transfer request to the Barca board last week, with a view to triggering the clause in his contract which allows him to leave the club at the end of each season.

The clause in question expired in June, but the Argentine's legal team are ready to argue that he should be allowed to terminate his deal unilaterally due to the 2019-20 season being extended into August because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester City is thought to be the most likely next destination for Messi, with Goal reporting that ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola has been in touch over a potential reunion at Etihad Stadium.

Paris-Saint Germain, Juventus and Manchester United are also thought to be considering a move for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, but La Liga have now revealed their stance on his current situation.

Spanish football's main governing body have now said that the terms of Messi's current contract, which is due to run until 2021, remain valid, which means he will not be able to leave the club unless a potential suitor pays his €700m (£624m/$823m) buy-out clause in full.

An official statement on La Liga's website reads: "In relation to the different interpretations (some of them contradictory to each other) published in recent days in different media, related to the contractual situation of the player Lionel Messi with Barcelona, ​​La Liga considers it convenient to clarify [matters].

"The contract is currently in force and has a 'termination clause' applicable to the event that Lionel Messi decides to force the early unilateral termination of the contract.

"In compliance with the applicable regulations, and following the corresponding procedure in these cases, La Liga will not carry out the process for the player to be removed from the federation if they have not previously paid the amount of said clause."

Messi's battle to secure a move away from Barca is now threatening to become a drawn-out saga, even though he has already decided that he no longer wishes to play for the club.

The 33-year-old purposely failed to report for medical testing at the club's training facility ahead of the new season in order to put pay to any lingering doubts over his mindset.

Bidvest Wits are set to square off with Kaizer Chiefs in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match on Sunday.

The Clever Boys' hopes of qualifying for next season's Caf Confederation Cup are still alive despite having drawn 1-1 with Bloemfontein Celtic in their previous game.

Coach Gavin Hunt will be keen to guide his side to a win over Chiefs which would take the team to position three on the standings with two matches left.

However, Wits will face a wounded Chiefs side which is keen to return to winning ways following their 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns which left them winless in three games.

A victory for Ernst Middendorp's side against Wits will see them open a three-point lead at the top of the league standings with second-placed Sundowns set to take on Baroka FC on Sunday evening. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport 4. 

Squads & Team News

Wits have not reported any new injuries in their camp ahead of their clash with Chiefs with the teams having recently played to a 1-1 draw in the first round league clash.

The 2016/17 PSL champions also do not have any players on this weekend's PSL suspension list which has definitely boosted Hunt's team selection. 

The accomplished coach will once again look to highly-rated winger Deon Hotto, who has netted six league goals this season and he has the ability to inspire his side to a win over Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Chiefs are set to welcome back their key striker Samir Nurkovic after the deadly marksman missed the match against Sundowns due to suspension. 

However, the Soweto giants will be without Leonardo Castro with the Colombian centre forward having been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a muscle injury.

Middendorp will look to Nurkovic, who netted against Wits earlier this month, and Lazarous Kambole to lead Amakhosi' attack and inspire the team to a much-needed win in Nasrec, Johannesburg.

Match Preview

Chiefs are unbeaten in their last two league matches against Wits having recorded a draw and a win.

The last time Clever Boys hosted Amakhosi in a league match was in January 2019 and the latter secured a 2-0 win.

In head-to-head stats since 1985, Chiefs and Wits have clashed in 67 league matches.

Amakhosi have the upper hand having registered 32 wins compared to 13 for the Clever Boys, while 22 matches ended in draws. 

Furthermore, Chiefs have won 19 of the 34 away matches in the rivalry, suffering only three defeats in the process.

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands feels Saturday’s 2-1 Premier Soccer League (PSL) win over SuperSport United is what they needed to gain “confidence going forward” following a difficult run of form.

Pirates beat Matsatsantsa at Ellis Park Stadium to end a streak of two defeats and four draws which compromised their chances of ending the season in the top three.

It was a heroic afternoon for Sandilands who saved two penalties to keep the Soweto giants on track for maximum points.

Now as Pirates are left with facing Maritzburg United and Stellenbosch before they complete the season, Sandilands feels that they are still far from being at their best but the latest result was a morale booster going forward.

“Since we have been in the bubble it’s been a bit of a hard ground for us but I am just super happy that we can come away with three points. For us it’s good, the vibe going to the hotel will be a lot better than it has been,” Sandilands told SuperSport TV.

“Sometimes it goes your way on your day so I am grateful that I was able to help the team and it was our day today and we got the three valuable points that we needed. It’s a quick turnaround and we still have a lot of work to do in the upcoming week. That will give us a bit of confidence going forward.

“He kept me busy throughout the game, he is a quality player so yeah I am just grateful for the three points once again.”

Pirates and other widely-followed teams have had to adjust to playing behind closed doors since the resumption of the season, and Sandilands says they are now accustomed to it.

“It takes getting used to [playing inside empty stadiums] but I think obviously you have a task at hand that you have to set your mind to,” said Sandilands.

“You know in these games there is a lot riding on them everybody is fighting for points trying to finish as high on the table as you can so you get on with it. It is different it’s not easy but we get on with the job and take it one step at a time.”

Sandilands has 10 clean sheets from 25 league games this season with SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams being the only other PSL goalkeeper better than the Pirates shot-stopper with 13 clean sheets.

Gor Mahia have turned down an offer from TP Mazembe to sign their captain Kenneth Muguna.

Goal can exclusively reveal the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) giants have tabled a bid to acquire the services of the midfielder, who has 18 months still remaining on his contract.

However, the offer from Mazembe was turned down by K’Ogalo, who have vowed to keep their best players after a recent exodus had threatened to derail their quest to defend the KPL title and do well in the Caf Champions League.

A source in K’Ogalo, who is privy to the transfer, has told Goal they have been approached by Mazembe but they have refused to let go of their captain.

“It is true they [Mazembe] have come to us twice seeking the services of Muguna but we have told them we are not interested to listen to the offer they are tabling,” the source told Goal on Sunday.

“We have already lost enough players and cannot afford to lose more players, we also have to keep our best players and Muguna is part of the coach’s plans for the new season, we don’t want to listen to them [even if they give us good money], we are not ready to lose more players now.”

K’Ogalo have already lost defender Joash Onyango who left to sign for Simba SC of Tanzania, keeper David Mapigano joined Azam FC, winger Dickson Ambundo signed for promoted side Dodoma Jiji while Boniface Omondi and goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo have been unveiled by Wazito FC.

In a recent interview with Goal, Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack maintained Muguna was part of his plans for the new season.

“I am just reading in social media and newspapers that Muguna has left Gor Mahia, or he intends to leave but I am not aware of his transfer, he has not told me anything nor has the club told me if the captain is going,” Polack told Goal.

“[Muguna] has a contract with the club and he cannot walk away just like that, so I am very sure Muguna will stay and I have plans to build a team around him ahead of the new season.”

Gor Mahia will carry Kenya’s Caf Champions League flag by virtue of being declared the KPL champions in the last campaign.

Kenya international Michael Olunga has described their 3-2 defeat to Kashiwa Antlers on Saturday as a "difficult game".

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Olunga as he ran clear in the J1 League Golden Boot race but on a day Reysol lost a vital league match at home.

The former Gor Mahia striker struck the first goal of the encounter at Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium in the 57th minute with an assist from Masatoshi Mihara.

Kento Misao equalised for the visitors in the 72nd minute before Olunga’s second effort allowed Kashiwa Reysol to regain the lead in the 84th minute.

Kashima Antlers punished Olunga and his teammates in the last two minutes when they managed to score two goals that tilted the scale of the match in their favour.

Shoma Doi scored in the 89th minute with an assist from Katsuya Nagato. Doi earned his brace in the first minute of added time as Kashiwa Reysol failed to deal with constant attacks from their opponents in the last moments of the tie.

“We fought till the end with 10 men but it was frustrating not to get something from the match,” Olunga wrote on his social media pages.

“We must pick positives and get going again next week. Thank you for the support and I thank God for the two more goals today [Saturday].

“We can pick some positives from the game and shift our focus to the next match.”

The 0-0 draw against Oita Trinita last weekend saw Olunga miss out on breaking a league record set by Julio Salinas of scoring in eight consecutive matches. The Spaniard - who was turning out for Yokohama Marinos - had set the record in the 1997/1998 season.

The Kenyan star now has 14 goals and is the run-away leader in the Golden Boot race at the moment as his closest challenger is Leonardo Nascimento of Urawa Reds, who has eight goals.

Coincidentally, Olunga and Leonardo were the closest rivals for the J2 League Golden Boot in 2019 but the Brazilian went on to win the award in a tight contest.

Leonardo, then playing for Albirex Niigita, scored 28 goals and Olunga ended the season with one strike fewer.

Olunga scored a hat-trick – his first in the J1 League – on July 26 against Vegalta Sendai when Kashiwa Reysol emerged 5-1 victors as he raced clear of his 2020 rivals.

After 12 matches, Kashiwa Reysol are now seventh with 20 points whereas the win helped Kashima Antlers pick up their 18th point from their 13th matches. They are ninth on the log.

Kashiwa Reysol will next face Cerezo Osaka in the quarter-finals of the J League Cup on Wednesday before taking on Shimizu S-Pulse in a league match on Saturday.

Kevin De Bruyne is the "best midfielder in the world", according to Xavi, who says the Manchester City star is "on another level" to his peers.

De Bruyne has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Premier league since completing a £55 million ($73m) move to City from Wolfsburg in 2015.

The 29-year-old has hit 57 goals in 222 appearances for the Blues, while also providing a staggering 89 assists, 20 of which were recorded in the top-flight last season.

The Belgium international was rewarded for his outstanding contribution with the Premier League Player of the Year award, and also managed to pick up the eighth major trophy of his career at Etihad Stadium in the form of the Carabao Cup.

Xavi, a man who was widely regarded as the standout midfielder of his generation at Barcelona, thinks De Bruyne should now be held up in a similar light due to his decision-making and ruthlessness in the final third of the pitch.

The Blaugrana legend and current Al Sadd head coach told Qatar Airways : "Kevin de Bruyne, from Manchester City, seems to me of another level, brutal, he is able to make a difference. He is the best midfielder in the world and relatively young."

Xavi went on to express his belief that Pep Guardiola remains the best head coach in the business, highlighting the way he has revolutionised the way football is played.

The Spain international, who played under a fellow countryman at Barca between 2008 and 2012, added: "Pep is the best manager in the world. He has given a twist to our sport. He is very good for what he transmits and his leadership ability. In addition, the way he convinced us, he is very good."

Xavi went on to select Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk when asked to name the leading defender in European football. The ex-Barca talisman said of the Dutch centre-back: "I would choose Van Dijk due to his leadership, physical strength and good technical ability."

Xavi has won two trophies as a manager since taking charge of Al Sadd, and has already been linked with the top job at Camp Nou. He is quite content in his current surroundings for the time being though, having seen his family settle into a new way of life in Qatar.

"Arriving in this country has been one of the best decisions of my life," said Xavi. "I would highlight security, there is no crime, with strong laws, and for family life it is extraordinary. The people are very respectful. The quality of life is extraordinary.  My wife is happy, my children they were born here, my staff is fine too. I'm delighted."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to explain why they settled for Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotic to handle the side for the next two seasons.

The Jangwani giants had hired Burundian Cedric Kaze, who later turned down the offer to attend to family matters back home, and they immediately turned their focus to the Serbian, who signed a two-year contract.

GSM director Hersi Said has since revealed why they picked the much-travelled Serbian despite having a list of many coaches who had offered themselves to replace Luc Eymael, who was fired at the end of last season.

“The experience [Zlatko] has of handling teams in Africa gave him the job,” Said is quoted by Sokaletu. “We gave him the job because he has worked in Africa before, he has coached Zesco United in Zambia and even Polokwane City in South Africa.”

Said further explained they have now given the new coach a chance to bring in two more foreign signings before the transfer window closes down on August 31.

“We have asked him to sign two more players of his choice, if he wants players from outside he feels he can work with, we don’t have a problem, we are ready to hire the players for him,” Said continued.

Yanga have already signed Michael Sarpong, Yacouba Sogne, Carlos Stenio Fernandes Guimaraes do Carmo ‘Carlinhos’ and Waziri Junior and the team is likely to unveil Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge on Sunday.

The Serbian coach arrived in Dar es Salaam on Saturday ready for the task ahead, and promised fans he will do his best to help the team win silverware in the coming campaign.

“I have just arrived and will have to meet the team and see what kind of players we have in the squad but I can promise a good campaign in the coming season,” the coach told reporters after arriving on Saturday.

The 62-year-old has vast experience in coaching in Africa, having handled APR of Rwanda, Zesco United (Zambia), Tout Puissant Mazembe (the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Polokwane City in South Africa.

Timu Ya Wananchi have been without a coach since July 27 when they sacked Eymael for derogatory comments towards the club, the fans, and the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF).

The Belgian coach was appointed earlier in the year and took the reins of the team from Boniface Mkwasa, who was acting as an interim coach.

Eymael’s comments saw him sacked even after leading Yanga to second spot, a position they fought to the end with Azam FC to attain.

His first match in charge will be against Tanzania Prisons on September 6.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has celebrated Arsenal’s latest achievement to win another trophy in England.

The Gunners won their second trophy in August as the FA Cup winners beat Premier League champions Liverpool 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Community Shield on Saturday.

Just 28 days after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice to sink Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley, the Gunners triumphed in the new season's curtain-raiser in London.

Mikel Arteta's side were forced to do it the hard way, with Takumi Minamino's first Liverpool goal having cancelled out Aubameyang's 12th-minute opener.

However, Rhian Brewster – who has enjoyed a fine pre-season for Liverpool – missed his spot-kick, setting the stage for Aubameyang to wrap up another Wembley triumph for the Gunners.

The latest win has left the President of the East African nation celebrating yet another success for his beloved club.

“Very Happy for Arsenal,” Kagame wrote on his Twitter handle. “Building slowly but steadily back to greatness! Congratulations.”

When Arsenal won the FA Cup, Kagame challenged the team to aim for “bigger things.”

"Bravo, congrats Arsenal for a well-deserved and needed FA Cup win,” Kagame tweeted then. “We, fans, and supporters kept faith in you...going forward let's aim at much bigger things and yes we can.”

Both sides will lose players for the upcoming international break, before they kick off their respective Premier League campaigns on September 12. Arsenal will face Fulham, while Liverpool host Leeds United.

Rwanda and Arsenal have a good relationship since the country moved to sponsor the Premier League giants, whose players display a ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo on their sleeves.

The three-year deal which became Arsenal’s first-ever sleeve sponsorship was signed on May 23, 2018, with the Rwanda Development Board, through their subsidiary, the Rwandan Convention Bureau, aiming for the country to become a leading global tourist destination.

The ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo features on the left sleeve for all first team, U-23, and women’s matches.

Jose Mourinho says the Tottenham documentary being released on Monday will show he's not a "crazy guy" and that people will see the "real" side of him.

Mourinho undertook his third head coaching role in England back in November, replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium after an 11-month break from management.

The Portuguese won three Premier League titles during two separate spells at Chelsea, and also delivered three trophies at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018.

However, the acrimonious nature of his Old Trafford exit led to question marks over his ability to compete at the highest level in the modern era, and he has had to gradually try and rebuild his reputation in north London.

Mourinho ultimately managed to guide Spurs to a sixth-place finish in the second half of the season, with the team's form post-lockdown bettered by only Manchester City and United.

Tottenham qualified for the Europa League as a result, a feat made all the more impressive due to the fact the squad was decimated by injuries between January and March.

Amazon Prime Video’s 'All or Nothing' documentary on the club will allow viewers a sneak peek into the first nine months of Mourinho's tenure, and he is hopeful that the show will help to change the public's perception of him.

In the build-up to the show's release, several clips have been released to raise anticipation levels, with the former Chelsea boss seen accusing his players of being too nice while using profane language in one of the teasers.

“If people only watch the video that was leaked, people will think that I am a crazy guy,” Mourinho told PA. “I don’t know, but they will see the real Jose. As I was saying before, nothing is fake. Lots of people will have a perception about me and now they can confirm if the perception is correct.

“If they misjudge me and they analyse me in a different perspective, I really don’t know. The only thing that I know is that I am that and what they watch is what I am as a football coach in my football, day by day.”

Asked how the process of filming affected his day-to-day duties at Tottenham, Mourinho responded: “Sometimes I felt it was quite weird after.

"Sometimes, after a certain meeting, reaction, words or approach then you feel yourself feeling like, ‘This is part of my intimacy. This is something that I don’t want people to understand. I don’t want people to know so much inside the intimacy of my work’, but in the end, we learned how to live with it and it was fine.

"The dressing room is like a temple. We used to say what happens inside stays inside. So to imagine that people would be able to watch a half-time team talk, along with all of the good, bad and crazy moments, is great.

“We are giving people access to all of the things that you normally aren’t able to show. I can promise because I know that everything was real in this case. Nothing was prepared. Everything was just us.”

Mourinho added on how he stays motivated after almost two decades of success at some of the world's biggest clubs: “First of all, because I’m very young.

"People think I’m very old because I have been at this level since 2002. I’m not very old. I’m very young for a football manager. It’s the kind of job where you become better with experience and not worse.

“I am not impulsive any more. I am more in control of my emotions. I think better, decide better. I think a coach, the older you get, there’s an accumulation of experience.

“You are not a player. You don’t need your body to work in the same way. You need your brain to be better. I don’t need to sprint. I don’t need to jump. I don’t need to run for 90 minutes. I need to think. So a coach gets better and better until the motivation is gone.”

Premier League side Onduparaka FC have completed the signing of free agent Augustine Opoka.

Opoka, formerly turning out for Busoga United, has signed a two-year deal with the Caterpillars and becomes the 10th new player to arrive.

“You requested for a UPL material, we heard you and now we give you a UPL material,” the club announced. “Welcome goalkeeper [Augustine] Opoka from Busoga United who has joined us on a two-year deal”

At Busoga United, Opoka did not manage to command a place in the starting line up regularly with stiff competition coming from Rodgers Omedwa and Ali Kimera.

At his new home, he will have to square it out with Yussuf Wasswa, who was largely trusted last season. Opoka had featured for Spartans FC, Kamwoka and Kampala University FC.

Coach Vialli Bainomugisha will work with the new players including Gabriel Matata, Augustine Akoch, Nelson Opiyo, Emmanuel Odur, Emmanuel Okech, Bony Musema, Jerry Jakisa, Kennedy Atibuni, and Jasper Okello.

Meanwhile, the Caterpillars have announced Dan Obote as their chief scout.

The club has maintained that their strategy of spreading to other parts of the country will be achieved if they tap talents far away from the West Nile region.

“As Onduparaka Football Club aim to extend its love beyond West Nile to other regions of the country and abroad, we are delighted to welcome and announce  [Dan Obote] as the club’s chief scout for Lango and North Eastern region,” the club announced.

“Obote who holds coaching qualifications in Fufa beginners Level D and Caf C Coaching license is a retired professional Uganda Cranes international who also featured for the U20 [Hippos] and U23 [Kobs].”

During his heydays, Obote had an active career that saw him feature not only for Ugandan clubs but also for regional outfits.

Obote played for Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC), SC Villa, and Boroboro FC in Uganda. The scout played for Rayon Sports of Rwanda as well as a number of South African clubs that include Vasco Da Gama, FC Cape Town and Ikapa Sporting.

“As bote continues to scout more grass-root talent for the Caterpillars in the Northern and Eastern regions, he has been instrumental in the acquisition of five new signings which include, Akoch, Opiyo, Odur, Okech, and Okello,” the statement concluded.

Kenya midfielder Francis Kahata has stated it will be business as usual when they take on Namungo FC on Sunday in the Community Shield.

The two teams will meet in the curtain-raiser of the 2020/21 Tanzanian domestic season. Wekundu wa Msimbazi won the league and the FA Cup while their opponents were losing finalists in the latter.

"We just want to go back to our winning ways and it will have to start with us winning on Sunday," Kahata told Goal.

"It is business as usual for us but it does not mean that we are underrating our opponents. They are in the game owing to their merit and it means they have to be taken seriously.

"However, we have prepared well and we will prove that on the pitch, in front of the fans and everyone else."

In the FA Cup final, John Bocco and Clatous Chama were on target for the 21-time league champions while Charles Manyama scored a consolation for his team.

This will be the fourth time the two teams will be meeting in all competitions. The Msimbazi based-side have won twice while the other game ended in a goalless draw.

"We cannot dwell on the past results, this is football and things change so fast, today you are winning and tomorrow you are not," Kahata continued.

"Last season, we started the season by winning the Community Shield, we went on to win the FA Cup and the league and I believe if we give our best against Namungo and win it again, it will give us the momentum for the upcoming season."

In his pre-match interview, coach Sven Vandenbroeck had explained why winning the game on Sunday is important.  

"Of course we all know if you win you get a trophy, it is okay with that but my main focus is we must win to make sure it sets our road to a good campaign this season," the Belgian told reporters in Arusha ahead of the match.  

"We won the league and the domestic cup last season and every team will be fighting to beat us [this season], so a win will give us the boost that we need to start the new campaign well, I have told my players why the win is important and we must do everything to achieve the target, win the match."  

Harambee Stars and Simba SC defender Joash Onyango has revealed what he is going to do to silence those who have doubted his age based on his looks.

The former Western Stima centre-back has had to deal with claims that he is older than the actual age of 27 years, but he is ready to offer good performance on the pitch in order to answer the doubters.

“I have heard different people claiming that I am way older than 27, based on my looks. Such remarks do not bother me,” Onyango said as was quoted by K24 TV.

“It is normal for people to speculate and speak about everything and anything.

“What I know, is that their comments never change who I am. I think those mocking me saw how I played against Vital’ O six days ago, a match in which Simba, which I play for, won six goals to nil.

“I will continue to work hard and play at the highest level. By doing so, I would be in a position to non-verbally shut those who claim I am too old for the Tanzanian football league.”

Since appearing for Kenya in the African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt last year, ‘Berlin Wall’ as he is fondly known, has seen people question his real age, but he produced regular good performances, especially for Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier League.

As he made his debut in the friendly tie against the Burundian side Vital’ O during the Simba Day celebrations, Onyango was paired at the back with Ibrahim Ame, who was signed from Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC).

Meanwhile, Wekundu wa Msimbazi are expected to miss a number of first-team members during the Community Shield meeting against Namungo FC on Sunday.

Ivorian defender Pascal Wawa, Mozambican winger Luis Miquissone, Brazilian midfielder Gerson Fraga and Chris Mugalu are expected to miss the tie for various reasons.

The league’s curtain-raiser will be hosted at Amri Sheikh Abeid Stadium om Sunday at 15:00.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk blamed his side's Community Shield penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal on their profligate finishing.

The Gunners won 5-4 on spot-kicks at Wembley on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with the Premier League champions.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fine effort put Arsenal ahead but Takumi Minamino equalised in the second half with his first goal for the Reds.

Liverpool created the better openings, with Van Dijk seeing a goal disallowed for offside and James Milner spurning a good chance, but it was Rhian Brewster's penalty miss that ultimately handed Arsenal the trophy.

"I think their main chance was the goal. It was a good finish but we should have done better there and shouldn't have let him come onto his right foot, but obviously he finished it off," Van Dijk told Liverpool's website.

"During the whole game, we played well, dominated, pressed them well, and created many chances. Obviously in the end penalties is just a lottery and anything can happen.

"We are disappointed but we have to move on. Last year we lost on penalties as well and we won the league so we shouldn't panic, but obviously we wanted to win.

"We had a massive chance with Millie [Milner], obviously my disallowed goal and a couple of dangerous moments, but if you look at the game as a whole I think we created many chances that we should have done better maybe."

Van Dijk expects to see Minamino hit the ground running in 2020-21, the Japan international having taken some time to adjust to life in England since his move from Salzburg in January.

"I think Taki has been very good," the centre-back said. "After lockdown, he has been the Taki that we all saw when we played against him at Salzburg. He is very, very energetic and he is a fantastic player. It's good for him that he's coming out of his shell and for us as well."

Van Dijk’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, also praised Minamino, who became the first ever Liverpool player to score their maiden goal for the club at Wembley.

Klopp said: “I am very pleased for him; it was very important for us to stay in the game and for him, just to make this first important step."

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Wolves defender Matt Doherty for a reported fee of £15 million ($20m).

Doherty has committed to a four-year contract with Spurs and was handed the No 2 shirt on Sunday.

Tottenham confirmed the 28-year-old's arrival via an official statement on their website: "We are delighted to announce the signing of Matt Doherty from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Doherty has missed just seven league matches in the last four seasons. He has featured in 95 games in all competitions since Wolves returned to the Premier League in 2018, contributing 15 goals and 15 assists in that time.

"Born in Dublin, Doherty has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 and Under-21 levels and won the first of nine senior caps in 2018.

"He will now join up with his national team ahead of their UEFA Nations League games away to Bulgaria and at home to Finland next week before returning to Hotspur Way to train with the rest of the squad ahead of our opening match of the season against Everton."

Doherty expressed his delight after being officially unveiled as a Tottenham player: "I'm very proud to be joining such a big club. The best stadium in the world and possibly the best training ground in the world from what I've seen.

"You can probably see it in my face, I'm so excited to get going and I want to get off to a fast start. I feel like coming here will take my career to the next level. I'll give absolutely everything I can for this club."

The experienced right back spent the last 10 years of his career at Wolves, having joined the club from Irish outfit Bohemians as a youngster in 2010. He racked up 302 appearances for the club in total, scoring 28 goals while also contributing an impressive 41 assists.

He played a key role in Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League in 2018, their seventh place finish in the top-flight the following season, and their run to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2019-20.

Doherty will now be tasked with helping Jose Mourinho's Tottenham challenge for a place in the Premier League's top four, and will be expected to slot straight into the defence.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) will use about Tsh. 13 million of the gate collections in Sunday's Community Shield match between Simba SC and Namungo to help in giving back to the community.

In a statement signed by communications officer Cliford Mario Ndimbo and obtained by Goal, the Federation has committed to help several people in the society, including former players.

"TFF will part with some money from the Community Shield game between Simba and Namungo to help in community activities," TFF confirmed.

"Every year, TFF uses Tsh. 2 million to pay for the health insurance of former players and the association of former players will decide on who to be helped first.

"Another Tsh. 1 million will be channeled to former player Allan Shomari who is undergoing some difficulties, while the Arusha Province head Idd Hassan Kimanta will be handed between Tsh 5 million to Tsh. 10 million which he will decide on how to help the community."

This will be the fourth time Namungo and Simba will be meeting in all competitions. The Msimbazi based-side have won twice while the other game ended in a goalless draw.

"We cannot dwell on the past results, this is football and things change so fast, today you are winning and tomorrow you are not," Simba SC midfielder Francis Kahata told Goal.

"Last season, we started the season by winning the Community Shield, we went on to win the FA Cup and the league and I believe if we give our best against Namungo and win it again, it will give us the momentum for the upcoming season."

In his pre-match interview, coach Sven Vandenbroeck had explained why winning the game on Sunday is important.  

"Of course we all know if you win you get a trophy, it is okay with that but my main focus is we must win to make sure it sets our road to a good campaign this season," the Belgian told reporters in Arusha ahead of the match.  

"We won the league and the domestic cup last season and every team will be fighting to beat us [this season], so a win will give us the boost that we need to start the new campaign well, I have told my players why the win is important and we must do everything to achieve the target, win the match."  

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch exclaimed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal in Saturday’s Community Shield victory over his old team Liverpool would be something former Gunner Thierry Henry would have been proud of.

The Gabon international put the North Londoners in front in the 12th minute with a fierce shot that gave Alisson Becker in goal no chance.

As was hoped by fans on social media, Auba paid tribute with the famous “Wakanda Forever” salute to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman who died from colon cancer at the age of 43 on Friday.

Takumi Minamino equalised for Liverpool in the 73rd minute, but the Gunners held firm to prevent them from getting a winner in normal time. When it got to penalties, Aubameyang got the winner in a 5-4 triumph.

Crouch believes the Gunners are growing from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta who has secured his second trophy in the space of 28 days having lifted the FA Cup on August 1 with Aubameyang again the catalyst.

"It was beautiful football," Crouch said on BT Sport as reported by the Express.

"The two runners, I think it's [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles and [Kieran] Tierney, they create this goal.

"Obviously it's all about Aubameyang and the finish but those two runs create it and they just give Neco Williams something to think about.

"And from then it was [Thierry] Henry-like, it was a finish he would have been proud of.

"If anyone looked sort of sloppy in the opening minutes, it was Liverpool.

"Arsenal started really, really well and they've gone from strength to strength.

"In the last sort of 15-20 minutes Liverpool have come in, they've dominated possession, and Andrew Robertson has looked dangerous down the left with the crosses and I think it's a matter of time.

"But I think Arsenal have defended very, very well and nullified Salah and Mane to very little."

Crouch also praised Anglo-Nigerian winger Bukayo Saka, who assisted Aubameyang for his goal and was at the heart of much of the Gunners' attacking moves.

"He's been involved in everything, Saka," Crouch said.

"I've been very, very impressed with him. He's been picking the right passes, here he is again involved, creating the chance for Nketiah.

"They've got some talented players, Saka included obviously, I've been impressed by Arsenal."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted Takumi Minamino can have a big impact after scoring his first goal for the Premier League champions in the Community Shield.

FA Cup holders Arsenal upstaged Liverpool 5-4 on penalties following Saturday's 1-1 draw in the new season's curtain-raiser at Wembley.

Minamino's first Liverpool goal cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 12th-minute opener in London, where a shoot-out was needed behind closed doors.

Japanese attacker Minamino joined Liverpool from Salzburg in January, however, he found opportunities limited as the Reds secured their first league crown in 30 years.

But after Minamino opened his account for Liverpool, Klopp told reporters: "It was big for him and big for us because it was the only thing he lacked since he is with us.

"He didn't score a goal [before], but had situations and was close in plenty of moments. That helped of course. The shape he is in is obviously good, I think everybody could see when he came on.

"Then, the goal is more or less the logical step after performing on the level he performs now, especially in the pre-season. I am very pleased for him; it was very important for us to stay in the game and for him, just to make this first important step."

Klopp added: "He can have an impact, that's why we signed him. That's easily said. I don't want to put, after one or two really good performances in the pre-season, massive pressure on his shoulders that there's absolutely no need for.

"We have a good football team and it's difficult to come into the team anyway. But he is a player who is really useful for us, let me say it like this. It was not only the goal today. He is in between, he is really good in small spaces, his first touch is exceptional, then his decision-making between the lines is really quick. That helps as well.

"So, yes, he can be a real player for us – that was always clear. He came in in the most difficult period of all our lives, I would say, and had to adapt to different things, being alone in England in the lockdown and all that stuff. That's all not something that’s nice.

"But he dealt really well with it because he's a super professional. So I'm really pleased for him that he could score the goal today and that's another big step for him."

Meanwhile, Klopp said he is in favour of the continuation of the five substitutions rule to help with the wellbeing of footballers.

Five substitutions were introduced after the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic before resuming in June, and there are talks for the two additional changes per match to remain in 2020-21.

"I know the discussion will then go again of whether it is an advantage for the bigger clubs. Look, I don't discuss it from that point of view, I don't want to have an advantage in the competition or whatever," said Klopp, whose Liverpool open their title defence against Leeds United on September 12.

"We have 38 Premier League games in a four-week-shorter season, that says it all. All the other competitions will be pretty much the same as far as I know, so that means that these things will help. But I can imagine other teams see it differently.

"It is never about having an advantage; I saw it last season as well when we played in the last nine games of the season, I thought, 'Oh, good, [Manchester] City bring on five players...not bad!' But it is all about how we can get through this season and not who gets a little advantage here and there. It is really, how can we get through the season.

"I think for getting in a good way through the season, for the sake of the football players and the performance levels, I think it would make sense. But I don't make the decision."