Looking for Soccer News?

If Neymar is worth £200 million ($260m), then Ronaldinho would be priceless in today’s transfer market, according to former Germany international Roberto Hilbert, who lists the former Barcelona No.10 as the greatest player he ever faced in his career.

Hilbert’s Stuttgart side faced the Blaugrana on two occasions during the group stage of the 2007-08 Champions League but lost both matches, 3-1 and 2-0.

Barca also had Thierry Henry, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and a young Lionel Messi in their squad that season, but one player stood above all others, as far as Hilbert was concerned.

"The best player I ever faced was Ronaldinho," Hilbert told Goal. "For me, he is possibly the best player ever still.

“He was quick, strong and always happy. [It was] Stuttgart versus Barcelona and it didn’t go so well for us but I say it was an experience! I just tried to hit him but it wasn’t easy to hit him.

"Him and Franck Ribery, who was the best I faced in Germany, they play football for fun and not work. They are happy to be on the pitch and play with the ball at their feet, they love it, feel it in their hearts and they play for fun.

"They have that talent that God gives them and no one else has it. They are difference-makers because no one else can do what they do.

“Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all do it too. They love it and have fun at the top level.

“They are never insecure or thinking they are not good enough. They think they are the best player in the world when they enter the pitch which is why they are so good.

“I think Ronaldinho or Ronaldo would be too expensive to buy in the market the way it has gone.

"If Neymar was £200m ($260m) and with his salary, then I think Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Fenomeno would cost even more to the point that they would be impossible to afford."

Hilbert now coaches the second team at Greuther Furth, where his playing career began, in the fourth tier of German football.

Villarreal have completed the signing of Francis Coquelin from rivals Valencia, with Dani Parejo seemingly set to follow.

Former Arsenal midfielder Coquelin has signed a four-year deal with Villarreal, having spent the last two-and-a-half seasons of his career with Valencia.

The 29-year-old expressed his delight after being unveiled at his new club on Wednesday, saying: "I am very happy to sign for Villarreal today, we hope it will be a great season. Endavant!"

Coquelin joined Valencia from Arsenal in 2018, bringing to an end his 10-year stay in north London.

The Frenchman never quite managed to establish himself as a key member of the first team at Emirates Stadium, but he quickly became a mainstay in the starting XI at Mestalla.

Coquelin took in 89 appearances across all competitions for Valencia, and helped the club win the Copa del Rey during his debut season.

It is anticipated that Spain international Parejo, the current Valencia skipper, will join his team-mate in making the short trip to El Madrigal.

Parejo had previously spoken of retiring at Valencia but was subsequently criticised by new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres, who completed a £21 million ($27m) move to Etihad Stadium earlier this month.

Goal reported on Monday that both Coquelin and Parejo were set to join up with the Yellow Submarine for a combined fee of €13 million (£12m/$15m) after being deemed surplus to requirements at Mestalla.

New Villarreal boss Unai Emery has been busy in the transfer market since replacing Javier Calleja in the managerial hot seat at El Madrigal, with Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo also signing for the club on loan at the start of the week.

After a fifth-place La Liga finish in 2019-20, Emery will be expected to guide Villarreal back into the Champions League next term, with a view to repairing his damaged reputation after being sacked by Arsenal in November 2019.

Leading betting firm Betika has extended its sponsorship of Sofapaka FC by a further two years.

The deal, worth Ksh 77 million, is a massive upgrade from the initial Ksh 15 million given in the 2017/18 season, and the Ksh 35 million in 2019.

Batoto ba Mungu president Elly Kalekwa has welcomed the deal, stating it will go a long way in motivating his charges.

"We are glad to see the partnership with Betika growing from strength to strength," Kalekwa told reporters during the signing of the contract on Wednesday. 

"The firm has come again to our rescue at a time when we as a club are facing difficult times with the [Covid-19] pandemic.  

"Our players were feeling demotivated from the league but through Betika’s input, our performance on the pitch will improve and we hope to do more.

"Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, our target has always been to fight for the title and this financial help that has been extended to us will go a long way in motivating the players and giving them the support they need to do better."

Betika's head of business John Mbatiah assured all that the firm will continue investing in Kenyan football to ensure it develops.

"Investing in Sofapaka is one of the nationwide activities that we have focused on," Mbatiah said during the unveiling. 

"Apart from Sofapaka, we commit to continue investing in the National Super League, through a partnership with FKF and grass-root football through the ‘Betika Na Community’ initiative." 

The firm has already contributed Ksh 50 million in cash and much more in the form of training gear and equipment.

However, more teams are also benefiting across the country.

"Betika remains committed to the growth of football in Kenya and to date, we have kitted over 3,000 football teams across the country and we commit to doing more as the country continues to open up after the pandemic," Mbatiah continued.

"Our plan is to continue holding Sofapaka’s hand as they identify and nurture football talents and acquire peak performance from all the players, consequently achieving the best possible results."  

Former Uganda captain David Obua has called on the government to lift the ban slapped on sporting activities in the country.

Like many East African nations and across the world, Uganda moved to ban all its social gatherings and sporting activities immediately after the coronavirus pandemic struck the country.

Football was not spared either as the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) was halted for some weeks before it was prematurely ended, and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to award the league title to Vipers SC, who were sitting top at the time the league was suspended.

Since Uganda has only registered 1,000 cases since the virus struck the East African nation, Obua now feels it is high time the government moved to lift the ban on sporting activities.

“In spite of the unfortunate realities of Covid-19, I’d wish for African countries to find a way through consultations, naturally through the ministries of health, to have our football leagues getting back gradually. I hope it’s not done [too] late which can affect team preparations,” Obua, who captained the Cranes, is quoted by Daily Monitor.

Obua’s sentiments have also been supported by Cranes keeper Denis Onyango, who plays in South Africa for Mamelodi Sundowns, where football returned at the weekend, who called on the government to relax the rules and allow football to return in Uganda.

“But at the same time, my humble appeal goes to the government to look at measures that will enable sports activities to resume soon,” Onyango also told Daily Monitor.

“In Uganda’s case, I think the deaths have been few and the infection has not been so high. Sports employs a lot of people and a lot of youths play football. Sports in general has not been mentioned anywhere in the President’s speeches.”

Seven days ago, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni sent a strong indication that sporting activities could resume in the country soon.

The long-serving head of state has left Ugandan sportsmen and women in joy after he tweeted he was considering lifting the ban of sporting activities so that sports can be played without fans.

"On the Covid-19 pandemic, I welcome the positive suggestions like the idea of sports without audiences that have been tried in other countries of Europe,” Museveni tweeted.

Initially, the UPL was set to return on April 19 after the elapsing of the initial 32 days of lockdown, only for time to be extended after the situation failed to normalise. Already, teams in the top-flight are currently busy in the transfer window as they wait for the date to resume the league.

Vipers, who will carry the country’s flag in the Champions League, have already signed three players, among them midfielders Ibrahim Orit from Mbarara City, Jamil Kalisa from Bright Stars, and defender David Galiwango from Express FC.

KCCA have also signed midfielder Bright Anukani from Proline, midfielders Denis Iguma from Kazma FC, Stefano Mazengo Loro from Sheffield FC (Futsal), Charles Lwanga from SC Villa, Ashraf ‘Fadiga’ Mugume from Police FC and Brian Aheebwa from Mbarara City.

Puma have today launched their stunning new football boot, the ULTRA 1.1.

Engineered to deliver the game’s fastest football boot, it combines a dynamic silhouette that utilizes a fully engineered and technologically advanced, lightweight MATRYXEVO® upper with an instinctive running spike outsole to create the ultimate weapon for speed.

[Video Embed]

The new design follows years of testing and player feedback from some of the world’s best attacking players, including Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Aguero and Nikita Parris.

Speed is in PUMA’s DNA, continuing this legacy PUMA introduce the next generation of speed. The ULTRA 1.1 features PUMA exclusive MATRYXEVO® technology, providing elite-level stability, durability and traction, bringing groundbreaking innovation and uncatchable speed to the world of football.

“A key feature of the new MATRYXEVO® material is that it is one layer. We wanted to embed all the functionality into one upper material to make it as foot-friendly as possible,” said Romain Girard, Senior Head of Innovation, PUMA.

“This helps to create a superior fit without perforating the material to keep it lightweight, strong and durable. The feedback from our professional players and our consumer testing has been exceptional.”

The MATRYXEVO® upper enables PUMA to utilize a single layer of material that is closer to the foot, whilst providing outstanding support at an extraordinary light weight. This signals the first time this material has ever been utilized in a football boot.

A GripControl Pro skin has been applied to key areas of the upper to provide complete and decisive control of the ball when moving at uncatchable speeds. Bonded to the upper is a lightweight PEBA SpeedUnit outsole, featuring a split sole design inspired by PUMA running spike DNA for dynamic acceleration. The sole plate combines subtle ‘spikes’ in the forefoot and V-shaped blades for added aerodynamics, configured for explosive speed.

The PUMA ULTRA 1.1 launches in the Chasing Adrenaline color combination of shocking orange, black and white and is available on pre-sale from August 12th at PUMA.com and key football accounts, with global release on August 24th at PUMA.com, PUMA stores and at leading football retailers worldwide.

Ligue 2 club Toulouse have confirmed the signing of Ivory Coast youth international Vakoun Bayo on a season-long loan from Celtic.

Bayo will be hoping to secure regular first-team action in France after struggling for opportunities in Neil Lennon's team since he moved to Scotland from Dunajska Streda on a four-year contract in 2019.

Since his arrival from Slovakia in January 2019, the 23-year-old played just nine games in the Scottish Premiership for the Bhoys.

He joins Patrice Garande's side as their fourth summer signing, and he will be aiming to help them stage an immediate return to Ligue 1 following their relegation last season.

The transfer connects Bayo with compatriots Max Gradel, Ibrahima Sangare, DR Congo's Ndombe Mubele, Cameroon's Stephane Zobo and Guinea's Issiaga Sylla at Stadium de Toulouse.

Toulouse have the option to make the loan deal permanent should the Ivorian striker impress in the 2020-21 season.

“Toulouse Football Club is strengthening its offensive sector. Ivorian U23 international, striker Vakoun Bayo committed this Wednesday with the club of the Pink City, where he is on loan for a season with an option to buy,” the club statement read.

“The Toulouse Football Club and all of its supporters welcome Vakoun Bayo on the banks of the Garonne!”

Born in Daloa - a city in the western part of Ivory Coast, Bayo started his football career at a local club Stade d'Abidjan before switching to Tunisia.

He joined Etoile du Sahel in 2015 and spent two years at the club where he won the Tunisian Ligue 1 title in his debut campaign before departing in 2017.

A year later, Bayo completed his first move to Europe to team up with Slovak side Dunajska Streda on a free transfer.

The 23-year-old spent less than a year in Slovakia and he returned 14 goals in 25 Super Liga outings across two seasons.

Bayo has two made appearances for Ivory Coast and he was also part of the country’s U23 set-up that finished second at the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

In October 2019, he came off the bench in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Central African Republic to make his debut for the Elephants.

Yanga SC have completed the signing of Club Deportivo Tenerife B forward Farid Mussa Shaha.

The Taifa Stars winger has been a long-term target for the Jangwani-based side and they have finally landed their man in preparations for the 2020/21 season. The news has been confirmed by the 27-time league champions on their official social media accounts.

"Official, Farid Mussa is a Mwananchi," Yanga confirmed on their official Facebook page on Wednesday.

"In a bid to strengthen the attacking department for the new season, [Yanga SC] have completed the signing of Tanzania international winger Faridi Mussa Shaha."

The winger joins from the Spanish lower-tier side, a club he joined in 2016 from 2014 Mainland League champions Azam FC. The move is meant to fill the void left by Rwandan winger Patrick Sibomana who was released at the end of the recent campaign.

This is the eighth signing for Wananchi this season. Others who have already joined the team are Zawadi Mauya, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Yassin Mustapha, Sacoub Songne, Kibwana Shomari, Abdallah Shaibu, and Waziri Junior. 

The Morogoro-born Mussa made his Taifa Stars debut in November 2013 when he came in as a substitute in a friendly match against Zimbabwe, a match that ended in a goalless draw.

In a separate interview, the new Yanga signing Waziri has set a target of 30 goals in the new season.  

The forward was playing for the now relegated Mbao FC and managed to get 13 goals, eventually finishing second behind top scorer Meddie Kagere of champions Simba SC.

"My target is to get 30 goals or more for Yanga in the new campaign," Waziri told the club's online TV channel.

"I have a very big chance of hitting my target because scoring opportunities here will definitely come. It will be up to me to ensure I become clinical in front of the goal and take my chances."

Timu ya Wananchi are currently without a coach after the sacking of Belgian Luc Eymael.

Waziri revealed how he intends to woo the new tactician, who is yet to be appointed, to ensure he features on a regular basis.

"Yes, we are currently without a coach but the situation will definitely be solved soon," he concluded.

"I want to give my best on training and prove I am good to convince the incoming tactician that I have what it takes to be given the first priority."

Sudeva FC are all set to take part in the 2020-21 I-League after winning a bid for direct entry into the competition.

The decision to induct Sudeva was taken by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Bid Evaluation Committee who met via video conferencing on Wednesday.

Sudeva's inclusion means the number of participating teams go back to 11 after defending champions Mohun Bagan merged with Indian Super League (ISL) champions ATK to form a new entity ATK Mohun Bagan which will play in the ISL.

Sudeva FC will also bring back top-level football back to the national capital after a brief hiatus. ISL outfit Delhi Dynamos had shifted bases to Odisha before the start of the 2019-20 season while the Indian FA's developmental side Indian Arrows, who used to play from New Delhi, moved to Goa last season.

Here's all you need to know about bid process:

Table of contents

1. When were the bids invited?
2. Which teams submitted bids?
3. AIFF's Bid Evaluation Committee
4. Who analyses the bids?
5. Immunity for Sudeva?
6. Notable clubs to have come in through direct entry?

When did AIFF invite bids for a new team?

The AIFF decided to invite bids for a new team in the I-League after the exit of Mohun Bagan who merged with ISL outfit ATK. The Indian FA were looking to expand the league's footprint and sought bids from teams based in New Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and a few other similar smaller cities.

The invitation to bid was open from 10th June 2020 till 20th June 2020.

Which teams submitted a bid for a spot in the I-League?

The New Delhi-based Sudeva, along with Shillong's Ryntih SC and Visakhapatnam-based Sreenidhi FC picked up the bid document and submitted the same.

Sudeva FC were the front-runners to win the bid from the outset and have landed a spot in the competition after their bid satisfied the AIFF's Bid Evaluation Committee.

Who comprises the AIFF's Bid Evaluation Committee?

AIFF's Bid Evaluation Committee comprises general secretary Kushal Das, senior vice-president Subrata Mukherjee and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar. The committee makes use of independent auditors to evaluate the bids and then takes a final call after considering numerous factors.

Who reviews the bids for the AIFF's Bid Evaluation Committee?

Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), a multinational professional services network of firms headquartered in London, are the independent auditors who go through the bid documents of each interested party and place their thoughts in front of the Bid Evaluation Committee.

Are Sudeva FC immune from relegation?

Sudeva FC, as a result of winning the direct entry, will be exempt from relegation for the upcoming season, ie the 2020-21 campaign. However, the exemption is for one season only.

Who are the notable clubs to have played in the I-League through direct entry bids?

Two-time I-League winners Bengaluru FC were the first club to enter the league directly in 2013. However, they moved to the ISL at the start of the 2017-18 season.

Two other clubs to have entered the league via corporate entry and have won the league are Minerva Punjab (Punjab FC) and Chennai City FC. Both outfits are still in the I-League.

Bharat FC were handed a spot in 2014 but the club winded up operations after just one season. DSK Shivajians came into the I-League in 2015 but halted operations in 2017.

Gokulam Kerala FC were the last team to enter the I-League through a direct berth, back in 2017.

Gareth Bale must wish he was back at Tottenham, according to Andros Townsend, who says the exiled Real Madrid star will be wanting his "freedom" back after another frustrating year in Spain.

Bale has been heavily linked with a move away from Madrid after falling out of favour with head coach Zinedine Zidane in 2019-20.

Zidane left the Welshman out of his 22-man squad for last week's Champions League clash with Manchester City, claiming that the winger had asked not to be included.

Bale only scored three goals in 20 appearances for the Blancos in total last term, and was an unused substitute in eight of the club's final 10 La Liga fixtures.

Much was made of his antics on the bench during that period, and how he appeared out of sync with the rest of the group as they celebrated a 34th league title triumph at the end of July.

While on international duty earlier in the campaign, Bale was pictured holding up a 'Wales. Golf. Madrid' banner after helping his country qualify for the European Championships, and he subsequently became an unpopular figure among the Madrid faithful.

The 31-year-old's agent has insisted that his client will remain at Santiago Bernabeu despite ongoing speculation over his future, but reports of a potential return to the Premier League have surfaced in recent months.

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Bale, while Spurs have been tipped to re-sign a former talisman on loan.

Townsend has dismissed the suggestion that his old team-mate is happy to remain on the sidelines and pick up his weekly pay cheque at the Bernabeu, while insisting he would welcome a move back to north London to escape the scrutiny he finds himself under in Madrid.

"I think if anything the Bale situation, he'd want to go back to Spurs," the ex-Tottenham star told talkSPORT. "The memories of Spurs. His happiness.

"He was the main man. He was loved. He was at the top of his game. So, if anything I think it would work the other way.

"He would be like, 'I wish I was at Spurs now and had the freedom to do whatever I want, to express myself and not worry about where I am now... where I get scrutinised for playing golf.'"

Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix has been backed to star in the Champions League knockouts in his home country of Portugal, with the club's president, Enrique Cerezo, throwing his support behind the youngster despite an up and down season in La Liga.

Following a stellar breakout season with Benfica, Felix was snapped up by the Spanish side for €126 million (£113m/$148m) and big things were expected of the 20-year-old in his first campaign under Diego Simeone.

He has, however, struggled to make the same impact for Atletico, scoring only eight goals and laying on three assists across all competitions – a big difference from his previous tally of 20 strikes and 11 assists at his former side.

Cerezo is unperturbed by the versatile forward's dip in numbers, though, asserting that Felix has been far from poor throughout a campaign that is largely about acclimatising to new surroundings and feels he could be the one to star for his club on familiar soil.

“We have a great squad and a great coach, although I think the star could be Joao Felix,” the Atleti supremo told AS. “He is in his environment, in his home, in his land and he will give everything in these games. 

“When you join a team it's never easy in the first year. Joao Felix has had to adapt to Atletico, Simeone, his team-mates, La Liga... And he hasn't had a bad season. It's been a year to get situated. It is rare to see a player come from another country and have a very good first season.

“Acclimatising takes time, but the boy has a great desire to succeed and he's eager to show that he's an important player. Playing in his home country will be different for him – the Champions League is a great chance to end the season in the best way.”

While Atletico boast three Europa League triumphs, a Champions League title continues to evade them.

Having been runners-up on three occasions, Cerezo feels that that fact alone is enough to claim that football “owes” the Wanda Metropolitano outfit a UCL crown after so many “cruel” losses in the past.

“We have played three finals and due to various circumstances we could not win them,” he said. “Football owes us a Champions League and I hope this is our year. Football is like that – we had the Champions League in our grasp three times and we lost it at the last moment.

“Each [loss] was more cruel than the last. We must be patient, calm and play well. If we do that, we can win.”

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has told AFC Leopards to forget about their day-to-day dreams of signing Peter Thiong’o.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) transfer window swung open on August 10 with Ingwe repeatedly being linked with a move to land the services of the Homeboyz midfielder, whose contract at the club is coming to an end in December.

Shimanyula has now told Goal they are not ready to negotiate on the transfer of the player since he remains part of the team and that no team, including AFC Leopards, have approached the club for his services.

“I want to repeat here very clearly because all this are just rumours, we have not talked to any team including AFC Leopards for the services of Thiong’o,” Shimanyula told Goal on Wednesday.

“Thiong’o is contracted to Homeboyz until December and we are not ready to do business with any team, and furthermore, AFC Leopards are broke and cannot afford the player, they don’t have money to buy players.

“We are also working round the clock to renew contracts of players that are running down and those that have already ended and [Thiong’o] is one of them, we don’t want to let him go and what I know, AFC Leopards are just making noise on social media and they don’t have money to buy players, let alone afford Thiong’o.”

On his transfer plans for the team, Shimanyula said: “We will definitely work out on bringing in new faces, we have a list from the technical bench which we will work on, the window just started so we are not in a hurry to do the business.”

Thiong’o was part of the Homeboyz squad that did exceptionally well in the 2019-20 campaign where they almost beat Gor Mahia to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title before the season ended prematurely owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

After ending the season, Gor Mahia were declared champions on 54 points, while Homeboyz finished second, seven points behind and they still had a game in hand.

Shimanyula is still adamant Gor Mahia were lucky to be crowned champions for the third season in a row as his side were in a very good position to beat them to the title before the pandemic.

Chennai City FC, India's lone representative in Asia this season, have quite a task on their hands as they prepare for the resumption of the AFC Cup.

After the Coronavirus pandemic played spoilsport and brought all live sports to a standstill, the AFC Cup group stages were also halted with just one round of games completed in several groups.

Group E of the AFC Cup, which contains teams from the South Zone, is now set to resume at a centralised venue in Maldives. Chennai City's campaign kicks-off again on October 23 against Maldives' TC Sports Club, as of now.

However, the team have a very tough task ahead of them to prepare themselves for the rest of the group stages, given the Covid-19 situation in India.

The cases are rising fast in India, and especially Chennai where the team was set to play their AFC Cup home matches before the pandemic struck. As thing stand, Chennai City have currently no choice but to observe how the situation develops.

It must be noted AFC's 2022 World Cup qualifiers, set to be held in October and November, have been postponed to 2021.

With restrictions still in place with regards to free movement in Chennai and Tamil Nadu, it is tough for the club to assemble their squad. Even if they do, finding practice facilities or even accommodation for their players is a challenging task right now.

It must be noted that Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Chennai Cuper Kings are holding a limited five-day camp for their local players at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.

"Training is out of the question right now. We also don’t know how we’ll assemble the squad right now. The cases in Chennai and Tamil Nadu are fluctuating and there doesn’t seem to be a solution in sight. We don’t know when the borders will open," club owner Rohit Ramesh told Goal.

He also admitted that bringing back head coach Akbar Nawaz who is in Singapore is also an issue for the club.

"First thing, we are not sure how we will bring the players within the state together. Then, we will need to bring the players outside the state. But because of the travel restrictions and quarantine protocols in each state, it is a bit tough. We also don’t know how we will bring the head coach back from Singapore right now. It will be a monumental task to assemble the squad in Chennai. 

"The training facilities are another issue for us. Most of the facilities and hostels have been given for Covid purposes. Private grounds are not available right now. Even if we get the players together and get facilities to train, where we will put them up is a problem because the hospitality industry is completely closed right now. That will be a challenge too."

Then there is the issue of travelling to Maldives from India. Currently, international travel is not completely open and there is also the isuse of quarantine protocols and other logistical nightmares the club has to consider.

What Chennai City have done currently is approach the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and see if they can somehow get to Maldives much earlier and conduct their pre-season training in the island nation.

Resumption of live sports is not yet permitted in India and it is very unclear when it might be. Hence, Chennai City feel it would be better for them to conduct their pre-season in Maldives in a bio-secure environment rather than in India.

Then again, the developing situation in Maldives also needs to be monitored.

"What we have done is send a mail to AFC explaining our situation and we are trying to see if AFC can accommodate us for pre-season in Maldives itself. We might try to push off to Maldives by October first week itself. Maybe the coach can come straight to Maldives or we can drive down to another city and take a flight to Maldives. All this is still unclear. AFC has acknowledged our request and have asked us to inform them of the developing situation in the country. 

"More or less, we are looking to do the pre-season in Maldives, if things are better there. If not, it is going to be very difficult for us to assemble, go to Maldives without practice and then take part in the tournament," Rohit said.

Then there is the matter of overseas players. Signing foreign stars in such a situation at a short notice is also a cumbersome task and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Lions play an all-Indian squad in the AFC Cup. However, if there is a situation where they could secure the services of a foreign player, the club will conduct due diligence.

"Till a week ago, we were looking into fielding an all-Indian squad. We are also contemplating if we can get any foreigners to join us. We’ll have more clarity on whether we need reinforcements and whether we can get these reinforcements in time to play the tournament by the month end when our budget for the season will also be clear.

"If I sign players and they cannot travel because the situation is different in each country, then we are in a fix. We don’t want such complications. In such cases, it is pointless to fight with the player also in terms of contractual obligations. 

"We are also looking at options as to which countries are open when it comes to travel. Our options are limited but we are looking at what we can do."

The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown life out of gear across the world. It has certainly stirred the pot for Chennai City in what should have been a memorable first ever season in Asia. However, overcoming tough challenges is nothing new for the former I-League champions. It remains to be seen how they maneuovre themselves in Maldives.

New Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) signing Samson Kigozi has opened up on why he signed for the side and what he wants to achieve during his stay.

The 22-year-old winger became the seventh signing to be unveiled at the Lugogo-based giants after he landed from Uganda Premier League (UPL) rivals Police FC ahead of the new season, which is set to kick off on October 17.

Kigozi, who scored a total of five goals in all competitions for the Law Enforcers, penned a three-year contract that will run from August 2020 until August 2023.

Kigozi has now revealed to the club’s official website, why he signed for the 13-time UPL champions.

“When joining KCCA I knew the kind of competition I am to face and I am ready for this. I am going to work hard and see that I fit into the manager’s plans," he said.

“KCCA has great players and is a great team so I know of the competition I am bound to face at my new home but such challenges make great players. I am ready for this.

“I feel so happy about joining KCCA. It is a dream come true. This is a team of trophies with great players and coaches and with great history and success.

“I want to play at the highest level, I want to compete with the best on the continent and at KCCA I have a chance to play in Caf competitions.

“This will give me more exposure as a player. The fans should expect a hardworking man and one who is ready to help the team achieve its goals.”

On signing the player, KCCA coach Mike Mutebi said: “I have really followed [Samson] for a very long time and I know he is one kind of a player, who can help us achieve our targets for the new season.

“I know we will be competing in several competitions and it is good to have such players, he can score goals and he proved that with Police last season and can also set up the goals, so he is a good addition to my squad.”

He was part of the Uganda squad preparing for the 2020 African Nations Championships (Chan) finals that were scheduled to be held in Cameroon before it was postponed owing to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kigozi has now become the seventh signing for the Mike Mutebi led side, after Lwanga Charles, Mugume Ashraf, Mazengo Stefano, Iguma Denis, Bright Anukani and Brian Aheebwa.

KCCA are keen to beef up their squad after losing the league title to Vipers SC when the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to end the top-flight prematurely owing to the pandemic.

Vipers, who were by then topping the table, were declared champions and will represent the country in the Caf Champions League while KCCA, who were second, will take part in the Confederation Cup.

Manchester United have been urged by Rio Ferdinand to continue their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, with the ex-defender claiming that the England international is the best young player in the world “bar none”.

It is understood that Sancho is the Red Devils' top transfer target this window, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to add more quality to a side that has seen a dramatic upturn in form since signing Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes in January.

Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, however, has stated that the club's prized asset will not be leaving before the end of the 2020-21 season, with the German outfit having set a deadline of August 10 for any interested parties to get a deal over the line.

Goal recently confirmed that United have not given up hope of signing Sancho despite Zorc's comments though, and Ferdinand has backed the 20-year-old to sparkle for the Old Trafford side should they eventually come to an agreement with Dortmund.

“He is fantastic,” the former centre-back told BBC Radio 5 Live. “If he does come he'll be an added value in terms of quality, no doubt.

“Manchester United need top players who are going to have an effect on their first XI and I think Jadon Sancho falls into that category.

“If you look at successful Man Utd sides over the years, successful periods, there were players fighting for every position and if you substitute one out and you brought one in there was no change in the quality or the output.”

Ferdinand's old club have struggled to hit the heights of years past since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho failing to win the hearts of fans and pundits alike.

Solskjaer's ongoing squad rebuild has given the United faithful renewed optimism, however, and Ferdinand feels that a return to “attacking, vibrant football” - as well as Europe's premier club competition – means his former side are heading in the right direction.

“That's been the most pleasing point,” he added. “He's ticked a box in terms of getting the team back into the Champions League, which I think would have been his remit at the beginning when he got his hands on the reins.”

Thomas Tuchel is convinced Neymar will play a pivotal role for Paris Saint-Germain against Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Neymar was on target in both legs as PSG dispatched Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 and has been in fine form since returning to action after Ligue 1 was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic in April.

The Brazil international scored in warm-up friendlies against Le Havre, Waasland-Beveren and Celtic before notching the winner in the Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne.

Tuchel is banking on Neymar again coming to the fore, particularly with Kylian Mbappe set to be limited to the role of substitute following an ankle injury sustained in the meeting with Saint-Etienne.

"I have the impression there's always a lot of pressure on Neymar. You can't imagine the pressure that's on Ney. But he is a lad who likes that, who's used to playing with that pressure," Tuchel told his pre-match news conference.

"We're glad he has the possibility of finishing the match with Kylian - they like playing together a lot.

"He likes the big matches and he likes decisive matches. He's a player you can trust in the big matches.

"I'm absolutely convinced he will put on a big performance and that he holds the keys for us, he has the mentality for situations like this."

PSG defeated Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue final on July 31 to complete a domestic treble, with a final friendly against Sochaux taking place last week.

The squad travelled to Lisbon for the Champions League finale following a short training camp in Faro and Tuchel believes they are ready for the challenge of knockout football.

"It is hard to play against Atalanta. It is a huge challenge but there are always possibilities," he said.

"It will be a tactical game, but also a mental game. Our latest training sessions were a good mix of concentration and team spirit. We suffer together, but we also fight and play together.

"We all have the feeling we've prepared in the best fashion. For us it was really important to win the two finals.

"It wasn't easy to restart after a four-month pause and then four weeks' preparation to play two finals as the big favourites. That was a big challenge mentally for the players but to win was the best preparation for this tournament."

Joao Felix hopes to emulate Antoine Griezmann's rise under the stewardship of Diego Simeone, whose style of football the Portugal star insists he has no problem with at Atletico Madrid.

Atleti stumped up €126 million (£113m/$148m) to sign the prodigious forward from Benfica after Griezmann departed for Barcelona, beating several suitors across European football to his signature.

It has been a hit-and-miss debut campaign for Joao Felix, who has so far scored eight goals and provided three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

Inconsistent form and injuries mixed with flashes of brilliance have been the story of his season, but the 20-year-old still harbours ambitions of becoming a star at Atleti like Griezmann before him.

"If I can do what Griezmann has done or improve it, it will be fine because he has made history in this club," Joao Felix told Marca. 

"He has done it very well, he has grown a lot with El Cholo [Simeone], and if I do it the same, better for me."

Some pundits have suggested that Joao Felix's attacking nature is at odds with the rigid nature of Simeone's coaching style.

Simeone has maintained Joao Felix will show his best form once he has fully adapted to La Liga, though, which the Portugal international agrees with.

"Many people say one thing, others say another, but I am here to play Cholo football and I do what he asks," he added.

"Let's see. I'm adapting to Spain, doing my football, I'm meeting the club and always thinking of improving."

Joao Felix's situation has been likened to that of Sergio Aguero, who scored just six La Liga goals in 38 appearances in his debut campaign at Atleti before becoming a fan favourite and earning a move to Manchester City.

"Kun is now a great player, but when he was at Atletico, I was five years old and I don't remember anything," Joao Felix, who overtook Aguero as the youngest Champions League goalscorer in Atleti history, said of such a comparison. 

"It's good to break records, all the players like to make history and of course I'm happy to be part of Atletico's history and to have surpassed a player like Kun." 

As for the criticisms, Joao Felix says the comments of others do not affect him.

"No, you [the media] do your job and I try to do mine, if things don't go the way you like it, I don't care," he said.

"As I said, I play because I like it and I am not worried about what the press or others think.

"I try not to see [the criticism], but there are some that I hear or come to me, but what am I going to do? Listen and follow my work."

There is high interest in Joao Felix this week as he returns home with Atleti to complete a Champions League campaign disrupted by coronavirus with the tournament being finished in a one-match knockout format in Lisbon.

Atleti face RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals on Thursday and Joao Felix is excited to be playing on home soil.

"Yes, the Champions League is always the high point of any player and even more so playing it here in Lisbon, at home, I am very happy and it is very good for me," he said.

Sofapaka FC's hopes of landing former Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed have reached a dead end.

The 2009 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions were keen on landing the Kenya international, whose contract with the newly crowned Zambian Premier League champions Nkana FC had expired. 

However, it was not the case, as the player reportedly demanded a huge sign-on fee which the Kenyan side was not ready to part with.

"Musa is an exceptional talent, and the coach [John Baraza] was keen on working with him," a source close to both the player and the club told Goal.

"The only obstacle was on the sign-on fee where the player wanted Ksh 6 million before committing. It was too much for the club; the club is now working on plan B to ensure everything is seamless by the start of the new campaign."

When reached for comment, club owner Elly Kalekwa was not keen to reveal the details but he confirmed the deal is off.

"We did not agree on some things and we decided to chase other targets," the Congolese told Goal on Wednesday. 

"Sometimes also the coach decides who he wants to work with, in the team, so if he again recommends otherwise, we have to follow because he is the one who will work with these players and not the management."

Recently, the 29-year-old has been linked with a move to the 27-time Tanzania Mainland League champions Yanga SC.

"Yanga are still negotiating with my agent and so we can just wait and see how the talks will proceed. It is just my hope everything will turn positive," Mohammed told Goal in an earlier interview. 

Should Musa opt to join the Wananchi, the former Gor Mahia and Kenyan Premier League (KPL)-winning captain will be playing for the fourth club in his career.

Mohammed featured for K'Ogalo from 2010 to 2017 before moving to Albania for a short stint with KF Tirana. When he ended his contract with the European club, he returned home before moving to Zambia in 2018.

Should he cross to the Tanzanian league, he will be linking up with his international compatriot Farouk Shikalo, who joined the club right after the African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt in 2019.