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Rangers midfielder believes the presence of Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister in Rangers' backroom could help him become a proven goalscorer from his position.

The 24-year-old helped Rangers to back-to-back victories in their first two matches in the Premiership this term and he is hoping to do more with his contribution in front of goal.

Ahead of the Gers' battle against St. Johnstone on Wednesday, the Super Eagles star disclosed how he's working to improve on his goalscoring abilities.

“That’s the one thing I’ve always wanted to be known as, a goalscoring midfielder,” Aribo was quoted as saying in Rangers matchday programme.

“I’ve sat down with the gaffer and we spoke about it, so I know that is one area I need to improve on.

“I think it’s a case of wanting to be in the right place at the right time and having the willingness and the desire to be there.

“It’s also about being calmer in front of goal as well, not slashing at shots and taking your time with them. Hopefully, that will help me get more goals.

“But I feel I have developed a lot and I’m learning day in day out in games and on the training field as well.

“When you look at the staff, you have the gaffer and Macca, two great players that have played in my position too. So I can just take little things off them every single day and, of course, you learn in matches.”

Rangers have played league matches against Aberdeen and St. Mirren so far this season without fans who have been barred from stadiums due to coronavirus restrictions.

Aribo explained that Steven Gerrard's side misses the atmosphere created by fans in the stadium, but they will continue to make them happy with their results.

“When you get the backing of the fans that gives you that extra 10 per cent, so sometimes I feel like we miss it because if we are not making noises on the pitch it just feels quiet,” he said.

“You don’t have the bounce and energy of the fans to get you going so it is a bit weird, but we just have to deal with what is going on right now.

“I just want to keep scoring goals and keep the fans happy, even if they are not in the stadium cheering.

“I know they’ll be at home smiling, so we need to put on a show and that’s all I really want to do, put on a show every single game and just do all I can do to help the team get the best performances and the best results that we can get.”

Andros Townsend says Wilfried Zaha "should be playing in the Champions League", with it his belief that the Crystal Palace winger is capable of starring for the "very best in the world".

Zaha has carved out a reputation as one of the best homegrown players in the Premier League since rejoining Palace on a permanent basis from Manchester United in 2015.

The Ivory Coast international failed to make the grade during a two-year spell on the books at Old Trafford, but has managed to rebuild his confidence in familiar surroundings.

The 2018-19 campaign marked the best year of his career to date in terms of individual numbers, as he contributed 10 goals and 10 assists to Palace's cause in 34 top-flight outings.

Zaha's dynamic displays in the final third attracted the attention of Arsenal last summer, but he ultimately missed out on a move to Emirates Stadium after the club opted to bring in Nicolas Pepe from Lille instead.

The 27-year-old's performance levels have dipped since then, with Eagles boss Roy Hodgson admitting as much after their final-day draw against Tottenham.

Hodgson also revealed that a prized asset still has his heart set on a transfer away from Selhurst Park, as he told reporters: "It's a dilemma for the club and a dilemma for him if he is so set on leaving.

"If he feels he just does not want to be with us anymore, that would be sad."

Everton were reportedly interested in signing Zaha in the January transfer window, and he appeared to send out a 'come and get me' message to Arsenal when filmed partying in a nightclub over the weekend.

Townsend believes his team-mate belongs on Europe's biggest stage, but is still holding out hope that he will remain with Palace for at least one more year.

“Wilfried Zaha could play for the very best in the world,” the Eagles attacker told talkSPORT.

“He’s the most talented player I’ve ever played with and he should be playing in the Champions League.

“I’m very grateful that we have him at Palace, everyone at the club is grateful, and if we have him beyond this window we’d be even more grateful!

“If that’s the case I’m sure he’ll knuckle down and have another great season.

“He deserves to be playing at the highest level, but as long as he’s a Palace player and I'm hopeful it does continue beyond this window, we’re grateful and delighted to have him.”

Reaching semi-finals is "not good enough" for Manchester United, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is eager for the Red Devils to take the "next step" towards becoming an elite force again.

United booked their place in the last four of this season's Europa League by beating Copenhagen 1-0 after extra time in Cologne on Monday.

The Old Trafford outfit haven't picked up any major silverware since winning the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017, with Solskjaer the latest man charged with restoring past glories.

A Bruno Fernandes penalty set up a meeting with Sevilla on Sunday, which will mark the first time the two sides have met since a round-of-16 Champions League tie in 2018.

The Spanish outfit triumphed on that occasion, and Julen Lopetegui's current crop will likely provide United with another stern challenge after beating Wolves to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 games.

The Red Devils were dumped out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup at the semi-final stage earlier in the season, and Solskjaer is determined to avoid more disappointment this weekend.

The Norwegian believes his players will be extra motivated to finish the campaign with a trophy after falling short domestically, as he told MUTV: "We’ve had two semi-finals before but we want to go to the next step. 

“Reaching semi-finals is a good effort, decent, but it’s not good enough for Man United.

“The team has been developing and getting more and more hungry, and let’s make sure that hurt that we felt in the two other cups we went out of can maybe be the marginal difference, in that we want it more than them.

“When I lose a game or lose at something you don’t want that feeling again so I would think they’re ready for Sunday.”

Solskjaer went on to insist that the fitness levels will not be a problem in the clash with Sevilla after the 120-minute slog against Copenhagen, while stressing the importance of the mental side of preparations.

“Physically we’re fine, all the teams have played many games anyway. Now it’s about who is mentally strongest,” he explained. “You can look at the opponent and know they’re tired but you want them feeling more tired than you.

“You’ve got to be strong mentally, concentrated and focused, and any of these games can be, and will be, decided on a marginal decision or finishing. We’ve just got to keep them [the players] focused with the right attitude.”

Solskjaer added on the revised straight-knockout format the Europa League has taken on amid the coronavirus pandemic: “It’s like a European Championships or a World Cup, you don’t get a second chance and you just know you have to leave everything on that pitch which for me is fine.

“It’s a different set-up to what we’re used to, we’re used to home and away, but for me, this is the best scenario so that we can finish this tournament.”

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is a ridiculously competitive online tournament where, in order to come out on top, you have to be better than over 7 million other dedicated players across the world.

However, this season, the FPL manager who finished top of the pile at the end of the campaign was not crowned champion and his profile was deleted.

Alexander Antonov's team amassed 2,575 points across the year to finish first out of over seven million players, but his achievement was rendered null and void by Fantasy Premier League organisers.

An official statement explained that Antonov's team was removed from the game "due to a breach of our terms" and the title was instead given to Joshua Bull, whose team 'The Bulldozers' earned 2,557 points.

"The English Premier League and FPL had a right to do what they did," Antonov said in a video broadcast on his YouTube channel in the aftermath. 

"It is their game, it's their rules, their prizes and, frankly, they had a good reason in their eyes to disqualify me that I can't really argue with."

So what exactly was Antonov's FPL disqualification all about?

The Guardian reported that the breach was related to alleged offensive comments made in a private group chat about Manchester City star Raheem Sterling.

Antonov has admitted on his Twitter account that the comment which resulted in his removal from the 2019-20 league was "a mean comment". 

In a series of tweets, he referred to the Bulgarian N-word and said that he was "ashamed and sorry" for his words.

"It may sound stupid, but I actually really don't condone racist behaviour," he wrote. "And this is not just for black people but all other races, from which I have had many friends especially when living in the UK.

"I do have to apologize to anyone that has taken as an offense against them or their friends on racial basis. I understand why this is."

In the video he shared on his YouTube channel, Antonov began by congratulating Bull on winning the the top prize - which includes VIP tickets to two 2020-21 Premier League games along with a number of other items - before trying to describe what had happened. 

"The reason for my disqualification was a moment of frustration with a player put into words between friends," he explained. 

"It was never meant to offend any footballer on any basis. It's not something I posted or said directly towards a footballer in the public eye with the aim to offend them. It wasn't something I shouted at a stadium."

The Bulgarian FPL aficionado added: "I've learnt a life lesson here: don't say bad things about someone in a private chat just because he's not there to read it."

While Antonov's team was removed from the 2019-20 edition of Fantasy Premier League, he says that the organisers will still allow him to enter the 2020-21 game, using the same profile, meaning he will have a chance to redeem himself next season.

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has taken to social media to announce that he has contracted coronavirus.

The 26-year-old, who is eligible for play for either Spain by birth or Ghana via his parents, confirmed the result after taking a test ahead of the club’s preparations for pre-season.

He admitted he has no symptoms and will undergo the necessary self-isolation measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus.

“Today they confirmed that I have tested positive in the PCR test. I am asymptomatic and I feel fine. It is time to be at home in isolation until I overcome the virus. I really want to join the pre-season,” Williams posted on his Twitter account.

Williams played the entire 38 games during the concluded 2019-20 season, scoring six goals and providing two assists. All his strikes came before the league was suspended in March due to the spread of Covid-19 of which Spain was one of the most affected countries in the world at that time.

Spain has the 11th most infections in the world with 326,000 confirmed cases, 28,500 deaths and 150,000 recoveries.

The rate of infections in the Iberian country had slowed down at some point, but a recent resurgence in some places like Catalonia has put the region under partial lockdown.

During the forced lockdown in March, Williams had narrated how he was keeping in touch with family, especially his Ghanaian mother, and keeping in shape with his teammates.

"At home, I am with my girlfriend, I train, I watch series like La Casa de Papel," he told Cadena SER.

"I honestly expected worse. My mother instead gets bored and makes me a video call, we talk a lot.

"It's sad to see the city of Bilbao like this, all empty. Athletic has provided us with the tools to keep us in shape, but I can't wait to get back in."

Bilbao are the third club in Spain to have a team member test positive for coronavirus in as many days after Atletico Madrid confirmed two cases ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash with RB Leipzig at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday. Barcelona announced one positive case.

Athletic finished the La Liga season in 11th place with 51 points, five points short of Europa League qualification.

Williams has played 196 times for the Basque club since his debut in 2014, scoring a total of 40 goals and providing 26 assists.

Safa has appointed Frans Mogashoa as the new acting Technical Director.

Mogashoa replaces Neil Tovey who exited the role in June and has since moved back to his hometown Durban.

Described as “highly qualified” by Safa, the new acting Technical Director’s highest level of club coaching was a three-year stint with Winners Park FC in the then National First Division between 2002 and 2005.

He, however, comes in with vast experience in coaching education, including being a Caf A Licence external assessor outside South Africa as well as being a local coaching instructor.

“Mr Mogashoa comes into this position with lots of experience and is not new in this environment. He has worked closely with Mr Tovey and his profile on the continent is well documented,” Safa acting chief executive officer, Tebogo Motlanthe said.

“We need to develop a huge number of coaches in the country to help in the development of the sport at grassroots level and Mogashoa has already been doing that. He has the passion and zeal required for this demanding job.”

According to Safa,some of the high profile Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches who have come through Mogashoa’s hands include Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama, Kaizer Chiefs legends Arthur Zwane, Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse.

Lesotho coach Thabo Senong, South Africa Under-23 coach David Notoane, Rhulani Mokoena and SuperSport United’s Kaitano Tembo have also been taught by Mogashoa.

He becomes another key office-bearer working on an acting capacity at Safa after Motlanthe.

Juventus have announced that centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has undergone shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for three months. 

With the new Serie A season set to begin on September 19, the Dutch international could be sidelined for the first two months of the domestic campaign. 

"This morning, Matthijs de Ligt underwent stabilisation surgery on his right shoulder, at the UPMC Salvator Mundi clinic in Rome," a statement from Juventus read on Wednesday.

"The operation, performed by Dr. Volker Mushal, assisted by doctors, Bryson Lesniak and Fabrizio Margheritini and in the presence of Juventus’ Head of Medical Department, Luca Stefanini, was a complete success.

"The estimated recovery time is approximately three months."

The 21-year-old defender made 39 total appearances in his first season with Juventus, all but three of which were starts.

There were major expectations on De Ligt's shoulders after he rejected interest from all over Europe to join Juventus for €75 million (£68m/$85m) from Ajax in July 2019.

De Ligt came in for major criticism at times during his debut season in Turin, but his performances stabilised as the season went on and he admitted he felt much more comfortable near the end of the campaign. 

"I feel much better physically now and mentally I am in a much, much better place," he told Sky Sport Italia last month.

De Ligt admitted he heard the criticism early in his Juve career but said that scoring the winner against city rivals Torino early in the season helped to make him feel more at home in Turin.

"It wasn't an easy time for me, I received a lot of criticism and I was under pressure. That goal raised my spirits and made me and my team-mates happy. Thanks to that goal, I became the footballer I am today."

De Ligt went on to help Juventus clinch their ninth consecutive Serie A crown, but their European season ended in disappointment last week when they were eliminated from the Champions League at the last-16 stage at the hands of Lyon.

That defeat saw head coach Maurizio Sarri sacked and replaced by former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Express FC have confirmed their second signing after unveiling goalkeeper Denis Otim.

The 20-year-old has arrived from Mbarara City to join the Red Eagles after agreeing to pen a four-year deal ahead of the new Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season set to kick off on October 17.

A statement in the club’s official website confirmed: “Express have on Wednesday August 12 confirmed the capture of Uganda Hippos goalkeeper Denis Otim.

“The 20-year-old, formerly at Mbarara City joins the Red Eagles on a four-year deal and can’t wait to get started.”

Speaking after being unveiled, Otim said: “I have joined the Red Eagles because it’s a big club in the country and I expect to use it as a spring board to further my career.”

Otim, who was also being trailed by UPL champions Vipers SC and Nyamityobora FC becomes the second custodian to join Wasswa Bossa’s charges after Cryspus Kusiima who joined on Monday August 10, 2020.

The young keeper was in the Uganda Hippos U20 squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Cecafa tournament held in Uganda and his arrival now means he will have to fight for a starting role alongside first choice Matthias Muwanga and Kusiima.

The goalkeeping department could be very competitive for Express, with Kusiima, who arrived from Tooro United a two-year contract, already promising to keep 18 clean sheets if he gets the chance to play in the league.

The 24-year-old confirmed on Tuesday why he had signed for the Red Eagles stating it is because they are a big brand in the top-flight and revealed his target is to keep as many clean sheets as possible next season.

“I joined Express FC because it’s a big brand and club, the target is to create as many clean sheets in my case am looking at 18 because I know if I achieve that, we shall be in the top three a position I want us to finish in as well,” Kusiima told reporters.

On how he will cope fighting for a place with the keepers already at the club, Kusiima said: “I know I’ve joined a team with competitive players but the good thing is its healthy competition and I also believe if we work as a unit, we shall all win as a team.”

Juventus have confirmed the departure of Blaise Matuidi, with the France midfielder set to move to MLS and sign with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

Goal reported on August 10 that Matuidi had reached an agreement with Juve, allowing him to leave for free despite having a contract until 2021.

Matuidi spent three seasons in Serie A after joining from Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Italian title each year and proving an important part of the Juventus squad throughout his time at the club.

In all, he made 133 appearances for Juve, also winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana – as well as lifting the World Cup with France in 2018.

During his time at the club, Paulo Dybala was the only player to make more appearances for Juventus.

That underlines his status at the club, and perhaps gives an indication of the level Miami will be expecting from him.

While Matuidi turned 33 in April, he made 45 appearances for Juve in 2019-20 and the MLS side will be hoping to have signed a midfielder still near the top of his game.

Head coach Diego Alonso will no doubt be eager to integrate him into his squad as soon as possible, with Miami having lost all six of their games so far.

They have suffered five defeats in the regular MLS season and the MLS is Back tournament, all by a single goal.

Juventus wished Matuidi a fond farewell in their official statement, which read: “It was, above all, his substance in the midfield that made the difference, and which made him a player much loved by the Juventus fans: for his determination, for his grit and for his ability to never give up.

“And it is because of all these characteristics, and for the great commitment he has always put in place with us, that we thank him.

“Blaise is someone who will always be in our hearts and we wish him all the very best for the future.”

Previous to his time at Juventus, Matuidi had spent his entire career in France with PSG, Saint-Etienne and Troyes.

Leeds United will be back in the Premier League in 2020-21 thanks to the hard work and persistence of Marcelo Bielsa and his players.

Having gone agonisingly close to achieving promotion in 2018-19, the Argentine cracked the code in 2019-20, guiding the Yorkshire club to an automatic elevation to English football's top table.

However, despite the elation of the glory associated with that feat, Leeds fans are concerned that Bielsa has not yet signed a new deal with the club.

So, will he stay or will he go? Goal takes a look at why the contract has been delayed and whether the renewal will happen at all.

Why has Marcelo Bielsa not renewed his Leeds contract?

Bielsa is an assiduous individual and prefers to take time to carefully consider all things, from preparing for a game and scouting a player to signing a new contract.

As the conclusion of the Championship season approached at the end of July, the Argentine explained, when asked about his future, that he wanted to savour the glory of promotion to the Premier League with his players, the supporters and the people of Leeds first. Then he would turn his attention towards addressing his new contract with the club.

"The sign of our times is we want to make things happen before the process requires," the typically philosophical Bielsa told reporters ahead of the final match of the season. "Always, everybody answers, they don’t want to take the time for things to happen as they wish." 

He added: "I think the ideal is try to keep this moment as long as we can. After, naturally, this moment will go. I don't want to put another feeling on this moment that is very special.

"Maybe I am so happy in this moment I don’t want to make this moment pass quickly."

Leeds director Angus Kinnear vowed that negotiations would commence as soon as the season ended, indicating that they did not happen sooner because club officials did not want to risk distracting Bielsa from the task of managing the club to promotion. 

"We wanted Marcelo to enjoy the moment and we're also very conscious that he focusses incredibly diligently on the next match and he wanted to win tonight," Kinnear told reporters after the final game against Charlton Athletic. "He wants to honour the competition, then we'll be sitting down and having that conversation."

Will Marcelo Bielsa sign a new Leeds deal?

The good news for fretting Leeds supporters is that Bielsa is strongly expected to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Figures at the club remain very confident that the renewal will happen, despite the delay, and believe that he is the person to lead them into their first Premier League campaign in 16 years.

“We’re having very positive talks with Marcelo daily,” Leeds director Victor Orta said in an interview with The Athletic at the beginning of August.

"We’re hoping that we’re going to be working towards the Premier League season (with him) because we’re planning a really good project there."

Indeed, if the words of Orta do not reassure doubters, there are other positive signs that Bielsa will remain at Elland Road for the 2020-21 Premier League season. 

For example, he has been seen around Leeds in recent weeks, apparently working on things such as scouting reports from his usual seats at the city's coffee shops.

In one notable instance, he was pictured with a piece of paper that appeared to show the name of St Pauli midfielder Finn Ole Becker, suggesting that he is very much invested in a future at the club.

Furthermore, a number of the club's new signings, such as Joe Gelhardt, have spoken in enthusiastic terms about the prospect of working with Bielsa, so all the signs point to a prolonged stay in west Yorkshire.

That said, one can never be quite sure with Bielsa, and he has been known to stick to his guns on points of principle - such as when he walked away from the Lazio job in 2016 despite agreeing to take charge.

SuperSport United are open to selling their first choice striker Bradley Grobler at the end of the current 2019/20 season.

This has been confirmed by the club's chief executive officer Stan Matthews with the prolific marksman having impressed with his goalscoring form this term.

Grobler hit the back of the net 15 times across all competitions before the current season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. 

Matsatsantsa will once again look to the Bafana Bafana international when they resume their league campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday.

Matthews explained that the club is ready to let go of Grobler if they receive a lucrative offer and he also indicated the 32-year-old player is free to decide on his own future.

“With Grobler, it is about whether he wants to see it out (at SuperSport) or make a move,” Matthews told the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja) on Wednesday.

“Right now he probably only has one more move in him. We will have to sit down with him and see how he feels at the end of the season.

"We (SuperSport) have offered him something until the end of his football career, and potentially beyond, we have offered him a coaching spot. But at the same time, money is money."

Grobler was heavily linked with a move to Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the current season after Matsatsantsa bought Kudakwashe Mahachi and Thamsanqa Gabuza from the Soweto giants.

However, Matthews dismissed the reports and he indicated they are yet to be contacted by Pirates regarding the player's services last month.

The Tshwane giants are now willing to part ways with Grobler, who has been on their books since January 2013 having joined the club from Ajax Cape Town.

“If Bradley is offered something big I don’t think anyone at SuperSport can be saying he must be seeing out the rest of his career here, when he can earn double elsewhere in the twilight of his career," he added.

“(With) the proceeds of what we sell Bradley for, we would need to get another very good striker, which is not easy to do.”

Grobler has enjoyed some success with Matsatsantsa having helped the team clinch two MTN8 trophies, two Nedbank Cups and the Telkom Knockout Cup.

Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo has confirmed he tested positive for Covid-19 after the club stated earlier on Wednesday that they had one positive test result on their playing squad.

Todibo announced the diagnosis in a statement on Twitter, saying: "Hello everyone, I am informing you that I have tested positive for Covid-19, I am asymptomatic and I feel fine.

"I am at home following the proper health protocol. I really want to get back to training, but now it's time to stay home until the virus has passed.

"Thank you all for the support and I offer my encouragement to all the people who are also experiencing the virus."

Earlier in the day, Barcelona revealed that an unnamed member of the squad had contracted coronavirus, but said the player had not been a part of the team's squad for Friday's Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich and had no contact with any of the 22 players traveling to Portugal on Thursday.

"Following PCR tests conducted this Tuesday afternoon on the group of nine players due to begin the pre-season today, one of them has tested positive for Covid-19," a club statement read.

"The player has no symptoms, is in good health and has been quarantined at his home. The club has reported the matter to the relevant sporting and health authorities.

"All persons who have been in contact with the player have been tracked to perform the corresponding PCR tests.

"The player has not been in contact with any of the senior team players who are scheduled to travel to Lisbon this Thursday to compete in the Champions League."

Todibo was part of a nine-player group who had returned to the club to begin pre-season training, which also included Pedri, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Moussa Wague, Carles Alena, Rafinha, Juan Miranda and Oriol Busquets.

The 20-year-old defender played sparingly for Barca in the first half of the 2019-20 season before heading to Bundesliga outfit Schalke on a half-season loan. Todibo made 10 appearances for Schalke before his loan expired. 

Barcelona originally landed Todibo from Toulouse in January 2019. The centre-back has made five appearances for France at Under-20 level. 

Uganda international Fahad Bayo has delivered an emotional message to Vipers SC as he prepares to start a new life with new club FC Ashdod.

The towering Bayo, has left the Venoms after a one-year spell which saw him make 24 appearances, score 15 goals in all competitions and win the Fufa Super 8 and Uganda Premier League (UPL) medals.

The burly forward penned a four-year contract to join the Israel Premier League giants a week ago.

Bayo has now delivered a moving statement to Vipers on his social media pages to express his gratitude to the coaches and players he has worked with, and for the support of the fans, during his time at St Mary’s stadium.

“After one season at Vipers, the time has come to say goodbye,” Bayo wrote. “It’s been an incredible honour to represent one of the biggest clubs in Uganda, and to achieve things that few players ever managed to achieve.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the fans for their support during the good times and the bad. I also want to thank all the coaches I’ve worked with during my spell here; their knowledge and expertise have been invaluable.

“I’ve shared the pitch with some fantastic players in my season at Vipers, but the squad is the best I’ve ever been a part of. I’ll never forget my debut in the Fufa Super 8 final in Wankulukuku, and I’m glad I got to share it with such a terrific group of lads.”

Bayo continued: “It’s been a great ride. There have been ups, downs and everything in between, but I’ll always look back on my time at St Mary’s Kitende with fondness. I have no regrets – I’ve given my all, and I’ve always done my best to wear the shirt with pride, and to represent the club with dignity and professionalism.

“Once part of the family, always part of the family. Deep inside I’ll always be a Venom. Thanks for the memories Vipers, and good luck for the future.”

Bayo, who has also played for local club Proline FC, joined Vipers last year from Zambian outfit Buildcon FC.

He inspired Vipers to the 2019/2020 league title after scoring 12 goals in their hunt for domestic football's biggest title.

Over the last 12 months, Bayo's impressive run had earned him calls to the national team. He was part of the Cranes side that won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup and scored a wonder goal against Malawi last year during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has cleared Ghanaian Bernard Morrison to play for Simba SC.

His former club Yanga SC had sued the player for breach of contract, at the same time accusing Wekundu wa Msimbazi of player tapping. After a sitting which took the better part of Wednesday, TFF has cleared the attacker of any wrongdoing.

However, the player will have to refund the Jangwani Street-based side $25,000 to be fully cleared and be allowed to turn out for the newly crowned Tanzania Mainland League champions.

The 27-year old has since expressed his delight by joining the 21-time-league champions.

"I am here with you [Simba supporters] because from today [Wednesday] ... I am officially a Simba player," the Ghanaian told the club's media team.

"I hope you guys will welcome me and love me the way you love your players because I am very happy to join your club and I am hoping to make you guys happy."

The player has been accused of indiscipline especially by his former team, Timu ya Wananchi, but he has hinted on turning a new leaf and ensuring he respects everyone at his new home.

"So can you please accept me in your homes? I am going to respect this club and every supporter, respect the management and make you guys happy," Morrison concluded.  

Former Yanga captain Papy Tshishimbi is also reportedly on his way to the 21-time champions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) player was among the 14 players who left Yanga a week ago.

Goal now understands, Tshishimbi, who was the captain of Yanga, has now agreed on personal terms to cross over to the Mainland Premier League champions.

"Simba have completed talks with [Tshishimbi] and he will be unveiled anytime this week, to become the second player arriving from Yanga this window," the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal on Monday.

The rivalry between the Tanzanian giants hit a dizzy height over the weekend when Simba CEO Senzo Mbatha Mazingiza resigned from his post at the club and moments later was unveiled by Yanga in the same capacity.

Simba, who clinched a treble in the just-concluded 2019-20 campaign, have come out to state the exit of Mazingiza will not affect their plans for the new season, nor deny them the chance of winning three titles again.

Barcelona have confirmed one positive Covid-19 test, but their upcoming Champions League clash with Bayern Munich is not in doubt.

Barca have revealed that an unnamed member of the squad has contracted coronavirus, but the player in question was not included in Quique Setien's final shortlist for Friday's quarter-final tie against Bayern.

The club have released a statement via their official website, which reads: "Following PCR tests conducted this Tuesday afternoon on the group of nine players due to begin the pre-season today, one of them has tested positive for Covid-19.

"The player has no symptoms, is in good health and has been quarantined at his home. The club has reported the matter to the relevant sporting and health authorities.

"All persons who have been in contact with the player have been tracked to perform the corresponding PCR tests.

"The player has not been in contact with any of the senior team players who are scheduled to travel to Lisbon this Thursday to compete in the Champions League."

The statement also linked to a page confirming the nine players that had returned to pre-season training, including Pedri, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Jean-Clair Todibo, Moussa Wague, Carles Alena, Rafinha, Juan Miranda and Oriol Busquets.

Setien will still take his original 22-man squad to Lisbon on Thursday as the Champions League reaches its conclusion in a revised straight knockout format in Portugal.

All players within that group are still being subjected to regular testing, and as it stands, the fixture against Bayern will go ahead as scheduled.

This latest news comes just two days after a coronavirus scare in Atletico Madrid's camp ahead of their last-eight meeting with RB Leipzig.

Atletico confirmed that two members of their Champions League squad had been forced to self-isolate at home after testing positive for Covid-19, raising fears over the potential postponement of their tie against the German outfit.

However, Atletico announced changes to their preparations to ensure the safety of players and staff in the following club statement: "The corresponding action protocol foreseen for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on the first team and members of the travelling party to Lisbon and the closest contacts of the positive cases.

"These tests will result in changes to training schedules, and in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital.

"The club will coordinate the new schedules with UEFA and as soon as there is a new plan, it will be made public."

Barca and Atletico could meet in the Champions League final, with the former set to face Manchester City or Lyon in the last four if they beat Bayern, and the latter in line to tackle Paris Saint-Germain or Atalanta should they overcome Leipzig.

Azam FC have welcomed the latest move by the Tanzanian government for clubs in Mainland Premier League to continue signing 10 players from a foreign land.

On Tuesday, Minister for Information, Culture, Artists, and Sports Dr. Harrion Mwakyembe confirmed the majority of clubs wished for the quota-rule to remain the same rather than reducing it by half hence the decision to uphold the same.

“Clubs can continue signing up to 10 foreign players to strengthen their teams,” Mwakyembe told reporters.

“We had to involve others before reaching the decision and carried out a poll where 977 people participated.

“809 voted in favour of allowing teams to sign up to 10 foreign players and we have no problem with it. Only that the ministry has recommended that those foreign players should learn the Swahili language.”

Azam, who have already signed five new players so far this window, have become the first club in the top-flight to support the move by the government with CEO Abdulkarim Amin ‘Popat’ terming it as good news.

“It is a great decision, otherwise, the clubs to have been affected if the government chose to trim the number could be us (Azam), Simba SC, and Young Africans (Yanga SC) because we have more foreign-based players,” Amin is quoted by Daily News.

“We have received the decision wholeheartedly and we thank the government for listening to opinions made by football fans in the country.

“Until now, most countries have not yet opened up their borders that is the setback we are facing to finish the deals but soon, everything will be done.”

On making the decision, the minister also opined on the quality of the players to be signed by teams in the country.

“It will be good if players signed are of good quality and of exceptional talent,” Mwakyembe continued.

“If possible, we should have players from countries ranked below 50 in Fifa rankings joining the teams; this is just an opinion and not a law.”

The Board of Sports will continue regulating the imports made by the teams in the Tanzania Mainland League and other divisions in the country.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) picked September 9 as the date to kick off the 2020-21 Mainland Premier League campaign.

Atletico Madrid have made Eibar's Marko Dmitrovic their top goalkeeping target in the transfer window, with the Serbian being eyed to provide back-up for Chelsea-linked Jan Oblak between the sticks.

With Oblak's current understudy Antonio Adan looking increasingly likely to join Portuguese side Sporting CP, the Rojiblancos see Dmitrovic as the ideal replacement for the 33-year-old former Real Madrid youth player.

Sources close to the situation have revealed to Goal that the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is complicating matters, however, as Dmitrovic's €20 million (£18m/$24m) buyout clause is steep for a man who would likely be playing second fiddle to first choice Oblak.

On the other hand, what does work in Atleti's favour is the fact that the 28-year-old, who continues to improve under the guidance of Jose Luis Mendilibar, has only one year left on his contract, meaning Eibar have a decision to make if they do not want to lose him for free next season.

As such, an agreement between the sides could be reached to see Dmitrovic swap the Basque Country for the Wanda Metropolitano at a price lower than his release clause, providing the Serb is open to being behind Oblak in the pecking order.

Oblak, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, remains an undisputed starter under Diego Simeone and Goal reported in July that Chelsea would have to pay the Slovenian's full €120m (£110m/$138m) buyout clause if they want to act on their interest.

Current Blues shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga is no longer Frank Lampard's automatic first choice after a string of error-strewn performances and the club are actively looking to replace him as Willy Caballero deputises in the meantime.

With few teams having cash to spend, it seems unlikely that another side would gamble on the former Athletic Club man, though, and any move for Oblak would surely require Kepa being moved on first.

Should Atletico fail in their pursuit of Dmitrovic, the Spanish capital club will turn to Olympiakos's Jose Sa or Granada's Rui Silva.

Simeone's men return to action in the Champions League on Thursday when they face RB Leipzig in Lisbon for a spot in the semi-finals.

For the first time, the quarters, semis and final of the UEFA Champions league will be played in a tantalising two-week competition.

And Mastercard are setting out to capture fans’ joy at the return of word football’s most prestigious club competition with a #PricelessWave, creating a new and unforgettable experience that connects football fans and players as they support their teams while watching the games from home.

The target is to create the world’s largest wave and help fans everywhere celebrate their love of the game and their love of the competition.

It will be amplified through a partnership with the world’s fastest-growing social media platform, TikTok and be further leveraged across all social platforms including Instagram and Facebook.

Kick-starting the #PricelessWave challenge are football legends Fernando Torres and Marcel Desailly, encouraging their fans to start the wave.

Fans can then take part in the #PricelessWave by accessing the challenge on TikTok and recording themselves. By raising their arms from the bottom of the screen to the top they will instantly be rewarded with the Mastercard football sonic as well as a ‘confetti of football’ to encourage further celebration.

Get involved and join Mastercard’s #PricelessWave challenge by filming your own celebratory virtual wave on TikTok to show support for your team. https://www.tiktok.com/tag/pricelesswave.

Manchester City-linked Houssem Aouar could leave Lyon this summer, the club's sporting director Juninho has admitted.

Aouar has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in Ligue 1 since breaking into the Lyon first team in 2017.

The 22-year-old has contributed 24 goals and 25 assists to the French outfit's cause in 135 appearances across all competitions, and has played a key role in their run to the Champions League quarter-finals this season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed among Europe's elite clubs, as City and Juventus have both been credited with an interest in his services in recent months.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insisted in April that the club will do everything possible to keep hold of a prized asset who still has three years left to run on his current contract.

“Houssem has not said he wants to leave," Aulas said. "We want to try to keep him even though the interest is considerable. There are no negotiations ongoing.”

However, Juninho has now opened the door to a potential sale, hinting that Lyon will have to consider any substantial offers for their best players, with Aouar reportedly valued in the region of €50 million (£44m/$54m).

Quizzed on the French midfielder's future by RMC Sport, the Lyon chief responded: “Houssem Aouar? When you have great players in the squad, it is quite logical that other bigger teams with greater economic power come to seek the players.

“There is a risk of losing important players. If we lose important players, I have already spoken with the president, we will have the right to balance the workforce.”

Aouar is in line to feature against his potential suitors on Saturday, with Lyon scheduled to face City in a last-eight Champions League showdown in Lisbon.

The talented young playmaker got 90 minutes under his belt in last week's 2-1 round of 16 second-leg loss to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, which ensured that Rudi Garcia's side progressed on away goals.

City, meanwhile, knocked out 13-time winners Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate, and will be favourites to advance against a Lyon outfit that must win the trophy to qualify for the competition again in 2020-21.