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Adama Traore "could easily play for Manchester City or Liverpool", according to Joleon Lescott, who has talked up the talents of the Wolves talisman.

Traore has been a bright spark for Wolves since moving to Molineux from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018.

The 24-year-old has built on an encouraging first year with the club to establish himself as a key member of Nuno Espirito Santo's squad this season.

Traore has featured in 52 games for Wolves in 2019-20, scoring six goals while also providing 12 assists.

His performances helped the team secure a seventh-place Premier League finish, and he will be back in contention for a place in Santo's line up when they take on Olympiacos in their Europa League round of 16 second-leg tie on Thursday.

Traore has impressed enough to attract a number of high profile potential suitors, including Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Lescott certainly believes the talented attacker has the ability to play for one of England's top two clubs, after seeing him hone his skills at Molineux and add a "final product" to his game.

The former City defender told Football Index: "Adama Traore has the ability to play for any side in club football. Traore could easily play for a Manchester City or Liverpool. I have never seen such speed and strength on a football pitch before.

"Before this season, there were question marks over his game management and his final product, but he has really improved over the last 12 months.

"Traore has simplified his game and has taken his foot off the pedal. He used to sprint at his absolute fastest to beat defenders which meant he had no time to deliver a telling cross or shot.

"He now beats defenders only running at 80% which has given him that extra bit of time he needs to make the position count with a goal or assist. He was a star in the Premier League this season."

One man who now looks destined to complete a move to City is Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, with Goal reporting that a £40 million ($52m) deal will likely be finalised in the coming days.

Lescott thinks the 25-year-old will be valuable addition to Pep Guardiola's ranks due to a combination of his Premier League experience and technical ability.

"I think Nathan Ake would be a very good signing for Manchester City if he does sign," the former England international added. "He’s an established Premier League defender and while Bournemouth were relegated, Ake has proven to be more than capable at this level.

"He probably didn’t perform as well this season as he would have liked, but he rarely has a bad game and his decision making is excellent. He loves to defend and he is comfortable on the ball so I could see him settling in well at Manchester City."

Rangers defender Leon Balogun has been named in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Week after his impressive debut on Saturday.

The Nigeria international who moved to Scotland at the end of the Championship season with Wigan Athletic, helped the Gers defeat Aberdeen 1-0 in their maiden game in the 2020-21 season.

Balogun was handed his first start at the Pittodrie Stadium as Ryan Kent's 21st-minute goal separated both teams to get the visitors off to a flying start.

The 32-year-old defender was in action from start to finish in the fixture and he made the most clearances (3) for the Gers. He also completed one tackle.

Celtic right-back Jeremie Frimpong was recognised in the weekly team selection after helping the defending league champions begin their new campaign with a commanding 5-1 win against Hamilton Academy on Sunday.

Apart from his defensive role, the player of Ghanaian descent contributed to the Bhoys’ attack on the right flank and he was able to score a goal in the rout of their visitors at Celtic Park.

Also included in the Team of the Week are Motherwell goalkeeper Trevor Carson, Hibernian duo Martin Boyle and Ryan Porteous, Celtic duo Odsonne Edouard and Greg Taylor, Ross County's Ross Stewart, St. Mirren's Jamie McGrath, St Johnstone's Liam Craig and Dundee United's Ian Harkes.

Balogun is not eligible to play for Rangers in Thursday's Europa League round of 16 return fixture against Bayer Leverkusen. However, the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender will be hoping to help Steven Gerrard's side build on their fine start to the season when they host St. Mirren at Ibrox Stadium for their next Premiership match on Sunday.

Kagera Sugar coach Mecky Maxime has offered himself for the vacant role at Young Africans (Yanga SC).

The Jangwani Street-based giants are in the market for a new coach after they fired Belgian Luc Eymael.

Maxime, who guided Kagera to a top-eight finish in the just-concluded season after they accumulated 59 points, has openly come out to state he will not mind replacing the fired Belgian in the hot seat.

“I am still attached to Kagera Sugar but will not mind if they [Yanga] come for my services,” Maxime is quoted by Sokaletu.

“If they come for my services, I will be readily available, I will take up the job, if all goes well, and they give me a good contract, I will definitely take up the job and strive to do well with the club.”

On Wednesday, Yanga continued with their reshuffle as the club has let go of key members of the technical bench.

First assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa and goalkeeping coach Peter Manyika are the latest to end their association with the Dar es Salaam-based club.

Mkwasa and Manyika’s exits follow the recent decision to part ways with 14 players that included captain Papy Tshishimbi and striker David Molinga.

Others dropped are veteran striker Mrisho Ngassa, Jafary Mohamed, Mohamed Issa Banka, Tariq Seif, Andrew Vincent Dante, Patrick Sibomana, Muharami Issa, Ali Ali, Rafael Daud, Ali Mtoni Sonso and Eric Kabamba.

Surprisingly, the club has retained controversial Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who has missed training since the team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against rivals Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final clash and was since arrested under suspicion of marijuana possession.

Yanga have been the busiest Mainland Premier League side since TFF opened the transfer window on August 1.

They have so far signed highly-rated defender Bakari Mwmanyeto, left-back Yassin Mustapha, striker Waziri Junior and midfielder Peter Zawadi Mauya.

Yanga finished a distant second to Kariakoo arch-rivals Simba SC and their new signings together with the expected new technical bench is a suggestion they are building and hoping for a better 2020/21 campaign.

Next season will start on September 6.

India national team players will have to submit a 'training consent' form before they join the preparatory camp, that is expected to start next month, for the World Cup qualifiers under coach Igor Stimac, Goal has learnt. 

According to the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) athletes are required to declare that they are voluntarily joining the training session in spite of being aware of the prevalent Coronavirus situation. 

The consent form requires the athletes to "acknowledge the risks associated with resuming training at the centre under the present Covid-19 pandemic situation."

The rest of the points in the consent form are:

1. I hereby acknowledge that the risks involved, necessary precautions and protocols for resumption of training have been duly informed to me by _______ (name of National Sports Federation (NSF)) and the centre.

2. I hereby acknowledge the centre cannot guarantee the complete elimination of risks posed by COVID-19 through the implementation of the precautions and protocols identified by the centre.

3. I hereby declare that I am willing to resume training at the centre on my own consent without the influence of any other party and I shall adhere to suggested safety precautions and protocols at the centre. 

The NSFs are also required to sign an undertaking, where they are also acknowledging the risks of resuming training in the current scenario, declared that they have studied the SOP in detail and that they will adhere to the protocols of the SOP and government orders.

Premier League players had also provided written confirmation that they agree to their club's new safety measures before they returned to group training in May. 

SAI has permitted 11 disciplines to resume outdoor training following relaxations in the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. However, football has been kept out of the ambit. 

According to the current schedule announced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), India are set to host Qatar on October 8 before facing Bangladesh away from home on November 12. Their last group stage fixture against Afghanistan is set to be played on November 17 at home.

But these dates were subject to how the Coronavirus situation unfolded across Asia and the travel regulations, as applicable to each country. However, given the increase in the number of cases in many countries, AFC might end up tweaking the dates and changing the venues.

They might consider holding the remaining matches at centralised venues in each of the groups. It could well see matches in each group being played at one venue in one of the countries in that group. 

India are currently placed fourth in Group E with three points from five matches. Qatar top the table with 13 points while Oman are hot on their heels with 12. India are virtually out of contention for the top two spots but a third-place finish is well within the reach of the Blue Tigers. That will book them a direct berth in the third round for the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers. 

India lost narrowly to Oman at home before pulling holding Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw. The inspiring result was followed by two more draws and a loss against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Oman respectively. 

On first glance, Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Andre Ayew may seem far-fetched, but it may prove to be an astute move for the French giants.

It’s an issue that divides this week’s African Football HQ podcast, with Ed Dove and Malek Shafei unable to agree on whether or not there would be any sense in the Ghana forward moving to the Parc des Princes.

For Malek, the rumours are nonsense; surely the French champions wouldn’t be interested in a 30-year-old who’s currently in the second tier of English football, having failed to secure promotion for Swansea City.

However, PSG’s signing of Cameroon’s Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting from Stoke City sets a precedent, and he could be—at least—a valuable squad player capable of making the difference in Ligue 1.

For Dove, the Black Star—who scored 16 goals and contributed seven assists this term—still has an awful lot to offer, and at a rumoured €5 million, could be one of the bargains of the summer for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

However, how would Olympique de Marseille fans respond to one of their golden boys signing for their sworn rivals?

Also up for discussion this week, the pod dissect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance in the FA Cup final, as he netted twice and became the first African player to lead a team out in English football’s traditional season closer.

It’s a magnificent landmark for African football, as the continent’s stars continue to enjoy increasing prominence at the highest levels of the European game.

What remains to be seen, however, is whether Aubameyang’s double in the final—and him finally getting his hands on silverware—can translate to a sustained stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta appears confident, but his performance against Chelsea will have only reminded Europe’s biggest clubs of his enduring class.

Also on the agenda, we discuss the end of the season in Tanzania—and Simba SC’s dominance—as well as preview some of the African stars set to feature in the Europa League and Champions League as those two competitions return to action this week.

We also focus on Glasgow Rangers and their African contingent, while discussing the futures of the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Ismaila Sarr and Aissa Mandi.

Antonio Rudiger says Chelsea will miss Willian should he ultimately decide to leave the club on a free transfer and compared the Brazilian winger's abilities to former Blues talisman Eden Hazard.

Chelsea next face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on August 8 but have an uphill task to reach the quarter-finals after a 3-0 defeat in the home leg back in February.

And the match at the Allianz Arena is likely to be Willian's last for the Stamford Bridge club, with him having rejected a new contract offer  and  Arsenal having been heavily linked with signing him when his contract expires.

Having arrived in the Premier League in 2017, Rudiger was welcomed into the dressing room by the 31-year-old and he says he'll miss the winger should he leave in the summer.

"Since day one of coming to Chelsea, he and David Luiz got me into the team and helped me out in the first couple of months because it was not that easy," the Germany international told reporters.

"He is a great guy and a really, really good footballer. He is calm and humble and it will be sad if I don’t see him again as a team-mate. He is not the type of player who talks that much.

"He does his thing on the pitch, just like Eden Hazard. By playing, he shows what he is about. He is a guy who dictates the game and not many players in the world have this type of quality.

"He is always training [hard] and practicing free-kicks after. He is someone who always wants to improve."

Willian helped Chelsea to a top-four finish in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season and Rudiger has praised the work done by Frank Lampard in what is his first season in charge of the west Londoners.

He added: "To be honest, he is not like [Antonio] Conte or someone who, when you lose games, will rant at you. Of course, the coach is a bit quieter in the way that he says things. But the most important thing is that he gets to the point, and he does.

"We are all grown men and everyone can hear what the coach has said. I think he dealt very well with that pressure and kept us alive. Even if it went good or bad, he always kept us alive.

"For me, it is about the human being I am talking too. It is not only because someone wins titles. Of course, it can help because he is an open-minded coach and you can ask him about the times when he was playing.

"He knows the pressure and what the people want to see at this club. He knows about those pressure games, finals and everything."

Kasper Schmeichel's "biggest dream" is to join Manchester United, according to his ex-Manchester City team-mate Mikkel Bischoff, who says the Leicester goalkeeper "will do anything to get to" Old Trafford.

Schmeichel has enjoyed a stellar career in English football over the past 15 years, which began when he graduated to City's senior squad in 2005.

The Denmark international spent four years at Etihad Stadium but ultimately failed to earn the No 1 jersey after a string of loan spells away from the club.

He ended up joining Notts County in 2009 and spent one season at Meadow Lane before joining Leeds United, where he did enough to attract the attention of Leicester.

The Foxes snapped Schmeichel up on a three-year contract in June 2011 and he has since made 378 appearances for the club, becoming a Premier League winner in the process.

The 2019-20 campaign has been another strong one for the 33-year-old, who recorded 13 clean sheets to help Brendan Rodgers' side finish fifth in the top-flight.

Schmeichel is now being linked with a move to United, with his only previous affiliation to the club coming due to his father Peter's status as an Old Trafford legend.

The Red Devils' current first choice keeper David de Gea has allowed errors to creep into his game this term which have cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men valuable points on several occasions.

United have been urged to replace the Spaniard before the 2020-21 campaign gets underway, and Bischoff insists that Schmeichel won't hesitate to jump ship if he gets a call from the Manchester outfit in the coming weeks.

The ex-City centre-back, who was on the books at the Etihad between 2001 and 2006, told Ekstra Bladet: “United will certainly not be deterred by his [Schmeichel's] age of 33 years. The most successful goalkeepers at the club in recent years have been well into their thirties. He can easily play three or four good years there.

“Schmeichel is a huge United fan. He always has been and always will be, it will be the biggest dream come true if he were to succeed [in joining United].

“If Kasper gets the opportunity to play just ten games for United, then he jumps. It’s simply so big for him. He is such a big fan that he will do anything to get to that club.”

Bafana Bafana attacker Percy Tau has officially completed a season-long loan move to Anderlecht from Brighton & Hove Albion. 

The club confirmed Tau's arrival on Wednesday morning after weeks of speculation they were interested in the former Mamelodi Sundowns star. 

Tau enjoyed spells with Royale Union Saint-Gillioise and Club Brugge over the past two years in Belgium.

Anderlecht sporting director Peter Verbeke spoke highly of Tau but admitted the attacker will need time to adapt to his new surroundings for the bigger role he's earmarked to play in the upcoming season. 

"Percy is a player who already knows our capital and the league," Verbeke told the club's website.

"He is a creative, technically strong, fast and agile player, he can play in various attacking positions.

"In addition, he has already demonstrated that he can be efficient and decisive. Due to a lack of preparation, we just have to give him some time to be important for us, but we are of course happy with his added value to our squad," he concluded.

Speaking to the club's website after putting pen to paper, Tau said Anderlecht's style of play suits his style of play and he has vowed to contribute positively to the club's success during his loan stint. 

"I am part of a team that always wants to play good and attacking football. That suits me perfectly. RSCA plays my style of football. We are made for each other. I will do everything I can to contribute to this team and guide the club back to where it belongs: to the top of Belgian football," said the Witbank-born attacker. 

After two successful loan stints with Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge, Tau's camp worked hard to earn him a move to the Premier League but those plans were not achieved. 

Rwanda international Patrick Sibomana has bid farewell to Young Africans (Yanga SC) after he was released by the club on Monday.

Sibomana was among the 14 players released by the Jangwani Street-based giants, who are in a restructuring process after missing out on silverware in the just-concluded 2019-20 campaign.

“I thank the management, teammates, and fans who supported me during my time with Yanga. It was a great time and I had the best memories here,” Sibomana told New Times.

“Unfortunately, I will not be part of the team next season, but I will forever wish the best for the club. I will take a few days to rest and refresh before thinking about my next destination.”

New Times has also reported the player has already entered talks to sign for Rwandan club SC Kiyovu.

On Monday, Yanga sent packing 14 players among them former Gor Mahia striker Gnamien Yikpe, who took much criticism last season, alongside captain Papy Tshishimbi, who refused to renew his contract and Congolese striker David Molinga.

Others dropped are veteran striker Mrisho Ngassa, Jafary Mohamed, Mohamed Issa Banka, Tariq Seif, Andrew Vincent Dante, Patrick Sibomana, Muharami Issa, Ali Ali, Rafael Daud, Ali Mtoni Sonso and Eric Kabamba.

Surprisingly, the club has retained controversial Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who has missed training since the team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against rivals Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final clash and was since arrested under suspicion of marijuana possession.

Other players retained include Kenyan keeper Farouk Shikhalo, Metacha Mnata, Ramadhan Kabwili, Haruna Niyonzima, Lamine Moro, Bernard Morrison, Feisal Salum, Juma Mahadhi, Adeyum Saleh, Said Makapu, Balama Mapinduzi, Deus Kaseke, Ditram Nchimbi, Abdulaziz Makame and Paul Godfrey.

The Jangwani Street-based giants have already signed four players – defender Bakari Mwamnyeto from Coastal Union, striker Waziri Junior from Mbao FC, left-back Yassin Mustapha from Polisi Tanzania and midfielder Peter Mauya from Kagera Sugar.

The Timu ya Wananchi have also been linked to a number of foreign-players, including Kenyans Jesse Were and John Makwatta, who play for Zesco United, Sven Yidah of Kariobangi Sharks, Erick Rutanga of Rayon Sports and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Roger De Sa believes Lucas Radebe should be the next president of the South African Football Association (Safa).

The 55-year-old backed Radebe to replace Danny Jordaan as Safa president due to his experience as a former professional footballer. 

Radebe was ineligible to run for the top job in 2018 as he didn’t meet the requirement and Jordaan was re-elected unopposed after Ace Ncobo withdrew from the presidential election race.

The organisation's electoral code states the candidate needs to have served in the Safa structures for a period of five years in the lead up to the election

However, the former Bafana Bafana captain, Radebe had only served in the technical committee alongside Farouk Khan, Buti Mathathe, Anna Nyman, Neil Tovey and Natasha Tsichlas. 

When speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja), De Sa explained Safa needs a great influencer like Radebe, who had a successful playing career. 

“We need people that can speak like Lucas with a lot of experience to head the federation," De Sa told Daily Sun.

"He also made his name in Europe, but does he want it [the job]? I doubt it. He will be a great leader in football. He would probably need to have a good team around him.”

Radebe won trophies with Kaizer Chiefs, before moving to English side Leeds United where he achieved legendary status and he was also part of the Bafana team which clinched the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.

De Sa is now a football administrator as he is serving as the general manager at National First Division (NFD) club Cape Umoya United.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper said Safa should look to emulate Cricket South Africa (CSA) which is run by a retired professional cricketer, Graeme Smith, who is the former Proteas captain.

“It’s nice to see ex-professionals lead the game. Graeme Smith [Director of Cricket at Cricket SA] is now doing it in cricket, so we need others [former players] to lead football," he added.

The next Safa elections are set to take place in 2023 and it remains to be seen whether Jordaan will run for a third term. 

Radebe has previously admitted his interest in taking over the Safa presidency, but he will have to meet the requirements .

Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga SC) have continued with their reshuffle as the club has let go of key members of the technical bench.

First assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa and goalkeeping coach Peter Manyika are the latest to end their association with the Dar es Salaam-based club.

Mkwasa and Manyika’s exits follow the recent decision to part ways with 14 players that included captain Papy Tshishimbi and last season’s top scorer David Molinga.

The team had also sacked head coach Luc Eymael, who had been with them for just half a season, for demeaning comments he made towards their fans and the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF).

“The reshuffle means our assistant coach [Boniface] Mkwasa will leave because his contract has ended and we have jointly agreed he is going to leave the club,” Yanga’s Competitions Committee’s chair Dominic Albinus told Mwanaspoti.

“Goalkeeping coach [Peter] Manyika will also leave but our team manager Abeid Mziba and kits manager Fred Mbuna will exchange roles in the team.

“The club would like to thank and appreciate them [Mkwasa and Manyika] for the services they rendered for us during their period of service.

“They are still part of the Yanga family but because of one or more reasons as I have already explained, we arrived at the joint decision.”

The reshuffle means the current composition of Yanga consists of just foreigners as Manyika and Mkwasa were the only Tanzanians.

“In the senior team, we will continue to have Reidoh Berdien and Fareed Cassim as our assistant fitness coach and the team doctor respectively,” added Albinus.

“The duo will work with the new head coach and the technical bench that we are going to unveil soon.”

The two who have been retained are South Africans.

Yanga have been the busiest Mainland Premier League side since TFF opened the transfer window on August 1.

They have so far signed highly-rated defender Bakari Mwmanyeto, left-back Yassin Mustapha, striker Waziri Junior and midfielder Peter Zawadi Mauya.

Yanga finished a distant second to Kariakoo arch-rivals Simba SC and their new signings together with the expected new technical bench is a suggestion they are building and hoping for a better 2020/21 campaign.

Next season will start on September 6.

Gareth Bale is in the top three players in the world at his best, according to Casemiro, who insists the Welshman is still "very important" to Real Madrid.

Bale's position at Santiago Bernabeu has been the subject of much speculation since Zinedine Zidane's return to the club in March 2019.

The 31-year-old was touted for a big-money move to China last summer having initially been deemed surplus to requirements by the Frenchman, but his manager ultimately performed a U-turn which saw the deal fall through at the eleventh hour.

Bale has since found himself restricted to a bit-part role in the Madrid squad, making just 20 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Wales international cut an awkward figure during the club's La Liga title celebrations last month, and it has been suggested that his time in the Spanish capital will soon end.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy has been among those to advise Bale to return to north London and rediscover his "passion" for the game, while Manchester United has also been mooted as a possible next destination for the winger.

However, Casemiro is adamant his out-of-favour team mate still has a future at the Bernabeu, and that he remains fully committed to the cause ahead of their return to Champions League action later this week.

"He's working," the Brazilian told Esporte Interativo. "He knows it's not the best time in his career, but he has our support, that of the coach and of the club.

"He's very important for us, he can spring a surprise at any time and he's already shown that. He's a decisive player who scores goals in Champions League finals.

"We have to be honest and say that he's not at his best, but when he is he's incredible and in the top three in the world. I have a lot of love for him and that's why I try to take care of him as much as I can."

Bale will be in contention for a place in Zidane's squad when the Blancos arrive at Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Friday, where they will be aiming to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to progress to the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League.

After several months of uncertainty, Kenya international Johanna Omolo has finally extended his stay with Cercle Brugge.

The Harambee Stars midfielder had run down his contract with the Flemish club at the end of June and was yet to renew the same with his future remaining unknown.

However, the Belgian club has now confirmed on their official website they have extended the stay of the Kenyan star for another one year.

The statement confirmed: “Johanna Omolo has signed a new contract. The 31-year-old Kenyan international signed a new one-season deal and is entering his fourth football year at Cercle.”

Omolo had featured for Brugge for the last three seasons managing to feature in 59 matches. Omolo who is capped 19 times for the national team, Harambee Stars, featured in 12 matches for the club in the 2019-20 campaign.

On signing the deal, Omolo said: “This new contract is a great feeling. It clicked well with the coach, and it is also nice that I can play football for a long time here. I hope that we can achieve our ambitions in this period as a club, but I am anyway confident I made the right choice.”

Omolo was an important link in the Cercle team in 2018, which clinched the league title to earn promotion to the top-flight.

Omolo scored the lone goal for Kenya as they battled to 1-1 draw against Togo in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has featured for several clubs in Kenya, Belgium, and Luxembourg among them Coast Stars, Vise, Fola Esch, Beerschot, and Lommel United, and received his first call-up to Harambee Stars’ in September 2010, making his debut for the country in 2011.

In 2019, Omolo won the prestigious Fifpro Merit Award for his community work in Dandora through his foundation. The award came with a Ksh2.5 million cash prize.

Started in 2017, the Johanna Omolo Foundation has been supporting kids in Dandora, where the Belgium-based player grew up, through education scholarships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship programmes, providing sanitary pads to teenage girls among many other initiatives meant to uplift the livelihoods of the youth of the informal settlement in Nairobi.

Omolo is also a member of Common Goal, a charitable organisation that draws willing professional footballers and coaches to donate 1 percent of their wages to non-governmental organisations working in football.

All the buzz that Odion Ighalo’s extended stay at Manchester United generated at the start of June has slowly faded in the last two months owing to the striker’s lack of appearances.

Having played a somewhat significant part in the FA Cup and Europa League before the lockdown, the Shanghai Shenhua loanee had little play time after the restart. The Nigerian got only 61 minutes on the pitch despite the intense scheduling in the Red Devils’ Premier League run-in, which may have disappointed supporters of the former Watford man.

In truth, while there was always the understanding that Ighalo wouldn’t be first choice, especially after Marcus Rashford’s return gave the team more attacking options, those willing the striker on hoped he’d get some time on the pitch given the frenzied run of matches.

Admittedly, he had barely featured in the Prem before football’s suspension in March but circumstances as regards scheduling of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team’s remaining nine games, played within five weeks from mid-June to late July, meant he was a viable option in some fixtures.

However, the ex-Nigeria frontman was at a disadvantage when it became obvious the club’s Norwegian boss was throwing all he had into Man United’s fight to end in the top four. This was ultimately accomplished as the red half of Manchester ended joint-third just above Chelsea on goal difference.

Indeed, Solskjaer took huge risks choosing to start the same XI for five games on the trot against Sheffield United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Southampton, risking burnout in their run-in. Ighalo got cameos in four of those games, before being an unused substitute in the team’s 2-2 draw with the Saints at Old Trafford.

It was significant that in the quartet of brief appearances, United had established unassailable leads thus allowing the 1999 Champions League winner rest his key players. When the going got tough, however, he was reluctant to turn to the Nigerian and other fringe players indicating a worry in the drop-off in quality between the starters and substitutes.

The threat of fatigue told in their performances toward the end of the season as United tended to start slowly before their superior quality eventually saw them overpower the opposition. They conceded early against the Cherries before winning 5-2 and the woodwork saved them from falling behind at Villa Park in their 3-0 success.

They didn’t quite get lucky against Southampton while Crystal Palace were in the game at Selhurst Park in the opening exchanges, were hard done by as VAR ruled out Jordan Ayew’s equalizer in the 56th minute for the most marginal of offside calls before Anthony Martial made it 2-0 with 12 minutes to play.

Despite his side’s laboured showing vs the Eagles, Solskjaer’s lack of trust in Ighalo and co. on the bench was evident as he made only two changes all game. Still, the West African frontman was to endure the most painful snub days later in the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea.

Having hinted with his changed line-up that a top four spot was the priority, the ex-United striker left the experienced forward out of the XI at Wembley, only introducing the 31-year-old 10 minutes from time. At the time, the Red Devils trailed 3-0 having just conceded the third but found a late consolation strike in the 3-1 defeat.

There was opprobrium directed at Ole in the media which seemed odd as the criticism didn’t seem nuanced enough to take into consideration that, despite the appeal of a trophy, ending in the Champions League positions was the main goal for the Red Devils.

Having missed out this season, the Manchester giants could ill-afford successive years outside the top four. Also, the Norwegian’s lack of rotation in previous games left him with little choice but to tweak his selection against Frank Lampard’s troops, who were at full strength.

Expectedly, Ighalo didn’t start against West Ham United and Leicester City. Regardless of an insipid showing against the Hammers, the ex-Super Eagle was uninvolved until the 85th minute as it ended 1-1 and didn’t get a look in against the Foxes till deep into second-half stoppage time.

In truth, that was par for the course given Solskjaer’s prime concern post-lockdown but his selections for the resumption of the Europa League will fascinate the average observer.

Again, the enforced change to the format of the competition may not necessarily be to Ighalo’s benefit. While he’s expected to start against LASK on Wednesday, where United already hold a 5-0 lead, the on-loan frontman may then be restricted to watching briefs as the team’s heavy-hitters are called upon in the latter stages of Europe’s second-tier competition.

Had the pandemic not disrupted the season, the Nigerian was likely to play a huge role as the Red Devils chased success in a competition they won in 2017. With the deviation from the usual weekend-Thursday-Sunday scheduling, replaced with this year’s tweaked design it remains to be seen if the Shanghai Shenhua loanee will play a leading role.

However, if Solskjaer takes an unexpected route with his selection and trusts Ighalo to lead the line in Europe, it’ll give the marginalised man a chance to rescue what was once an uplifting loan spell.

Neymar says he is in his "best form" since arriving at Paris Saint-Germain, and that he is ready to "fight" for Champions League glory.

PSG acquired the forward for a world-record fee of €222 million (£201m/$262m) in the summer of 2017, in a move which sent shockwaves through the European football landscape.

The Brazil international called time on a hugely successful four-year spell at Barcelona to undertake a new challenge in France, with a view to increasing his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

He hasn't quite been able to reach the same heights at Parc des Princes as he did at Camp Nou, despite scoring 70 goals in his first 82 appearances for Thomas Tuchel's side.

A string of serious injuries have hampered Neymar's progress at PSG, and he has often found himself in the headlines for his conduct away from the pitch rather than his brilliance on it.

However, since failing to manufacture a return to Barca last summer, the 28-year-old has rediscovered his best form to silence his critics and begin to justify his huge price tag.

The dynamic attacker's performances have helped PSG win a domestic treble and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, with a huge showdown against Atalanta on the cards next Wednesday. 

Neymar is determined to help the club pick up an elusive piece of silverware this month, after putting the most "difficult" stage of his career firmly behind him.

"During these three years I have acquired a lot of knowledge," Neymar told PSG's official website.

"I have lived through happy moments and difficult ones, especially when the injuries didn't allow me to play.

"With the help of my team-mates, I was able to overcome them and focus on what really matters, our performances on the field which translate into titles.

"Our fans, the club and all fans can see the fight of our team in any game.

"I am in my best form since I arrived in Paris, the team is like a family.

"We want to win the Champions League title. We will fight because we have never been so close."

Vipers SC have remained ambitious for the coming campaign after unveiling Simon Peter Njuba as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on Wednesday.

The Venoms, who were crowned the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions when the 2019-20 campaign was prematurely ended owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, have been very active in the transfer window and have now appointed Njuba to take over the void left by his namesake Peter Lwanga.

Lwanga was relieved of his duties three months ago and the club has been searching for a replacement with almost 85 applicants applying for the vacant role.

According to Vipers Legal Director and Executive member Alex Luganda, who presided over the handing over ceremony, Njuba was picked from a pool of 85 applicants and that the selection for the most important job at the Venoms was thoroughly and ethically done through a Human Resource firm whose final shortlist comprised of six names.

“It was a very competitive race,” Luganda told the club’s official website. “The firm confirmed to us the best candidate that will take us forward is Simon Peter Njuba. Our job now is to make sure we give him the necessary support.”

Njuba, who had previously worked for the club as the Transfer Match System (TMS) manager, will work on a two-year contract and will be tasked with providing proper management and direction to the club will take part in the Caf Champions League by virtue of being declared the league champions.

Speaking after taking over the oath of office, Njuba said: “I have some good experience in football. I have also dealt with the federation before so it will not be hard for me to manage this job. I will make sure I fulfil the obligations of the club.”

On the pressure of working for the league champions in Uganda, Njuba explained: “I am very humbled to work with champions and I am coming with a champion’s mentality. I also know the job comes with the pressure to deliver but I am prepared for the task at hand to ensure Vipers stay at the top; both sporting and management wise.”

Njuba’s appointment comes just a few weeks after the club moved to beef up their technical bench with the arrival of Paul Kiwanuka and Francis Mugerwa, who will work as assistants to head coach Fred Kajoba.

In the transfer market, Vipers have already signed three players among them midfielders Ibrahim Orit from Mbarara City, Jamil Kalisa from Bright Stars, and left-back Disan Galiwango from Express FC.

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro said playing behind closed doors at Manchester City can help the La Liga holders overturn their Champions League deficit.

Madrid travel to Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Pep Guardiola's City on Friday, having lost the opener 2-1 prior to the coronavirus-enforced break.

Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne condemned Madrid - who had captain Sergio Ramos sent off in the Spanish capital - to defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in February.

Madrid have a mountain to climb in Manchester, but star Casemiro believes Zinedine Zidane's side can benefit from playing without fans on the road.

"Without fans it's a different game," Brazil international Casemiro told Esporte Interactivo.

"It will be a very good game and difficult for both sides, but we're Real Madrid and we know we have a chance to go through.

"They won't have their fans and that might favour us a little.

"But the players are the same, the coach is the same and we all know that the difficulty level will be the same because they're a great team."

Casemiro's team-mate Raphael Varane explained the Los Blancos' drive to overcome the deficit against City and the team will be ready to put their best foot forward.

"We want to win every day, we're Real Madrid," the France international said in a video message posted on the club's social media accounts. "We want to win everything possible and gain more confidence that way.

"We haven't had games to play beforehand, so we have time to prepare ourselves. The best team on the day will win. We'll go into [the game] with hunger to win and the necessary determination."

Varane added on the likelihood of another fiercely competitive contest between two elite teams: "[It will be] a difficult game against a very good team. The first leg was a top-quality game, with pressing from both teams. "It was decided by the small details.

"[Real Madrid and City are] two teams that like to have the ball, are very intense and that require lots of concentration.

"These are the best games in the Champions League - the ones that are decided by very little. They are why we love this competition."

Madrid won three European Cups in a row during Zidane's first spell in charge, and Varane says that experience holds them in good stead to avoid an early exit this time around.

"We know what we've achieved in recent years is something exceptional," he continued. "What we have to do is carry this experience with us and know that the small details make the difference in big games.

"Now, we're a bit more relaxed, but we have the same determination and we know the traps we have to avoid. We have years of experience, but it's hard to win every game, repeat victories and always be at the top."

Henry Onyekuru has joined his Monaco teammates who are preparing for the resumption of the 2020-21 season.

In his first spell at Stade Louis II under manager Leonardo Jardim, the Nigeria international got one assist in four league appearances before he was loaned to Galatasaray.

At the Turk Telekom Stadıum, the winger scored once in 10 league appearances for Fatih Terim’s men before ending his loan spell to return to the French Ligue 1 outfit.

And on Tuesday, he teamed up with Niko Kovac’s team who are perfecting their strategies for next term.

“Henry Onyekuru is back,” the eight-time French elite division champions tweeted.

“Back soon,” the former Eupen, Everton and Anderlecht man responded.

Onyekuru joined Monaco on a five-year deal in August 2019 after an unsuccessful Everton spell but his debut campaign in the French top-flight did not go as planned.

He will be aiming to fight his way to into Kovac's team after he struggled to establish himself in Robert Moreno's system before the Spanish manager was fired this month.

Ultimately, the winger’s ambition is to feature in the English Premier League.

"We have our plans but then life brings its own plans, but I am still working on it, and hopefully I will be back soon, maybe not with Everton but surely in the Premier League," Onyekuru told BBC Sport.

"I have been with players like Keita Balde from my days at the Aspire Academy, Cesc Fabregas is a top guy, who welcomed me when I arrived at the club, it's like going back home.

"Monaco are a big club they know how to work with their players when it comes to transfers, just look at Anthony Martial.

"I hope to make a good season or two and hopefully the future will be bright."

Onyekuru has been a regular fixture in Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles set-up since his debut outing against Togo in an international friendly in June 2017.

A knee injury ruled him out of the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia but he was part of Nigeria's 23-man squad that won bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.