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South Africa international Janine Van Wyk has confirmed that she is leaving South Africa for Scotland to join her new side, Glasgow City.

On July 14, Goal reported that Glasgow has signed Banyana Banyana defender, a move described by the Scottish champions as "one of the biggest ever signings in Scottish women’s football".

The 33-year-old, who is South Africa's record cap holder with 170 appearances, has been to the previous two Olympic Games and led her country to a debut Women's World Cup finals last year.

Before securing her latest move, Van Wyk was forced to part ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring in January due to an injury she picked up during Banyana's Cosafa Cup campaign last year.

The veteran centre-back has also featured for Moroko Swallows and Palace Super Falcons in her home country as well as Houston Dash in America.

Having procured her entry visa, the founder of Sasol Women's League side JVW FC is excited about the prospect of fulfilling her many dreams, including playing in the Champions League. 

"And suddenly you know its time to start a new and exciting journey," she wrote on her Twitter page.

"Today I'm off to Scotland to join my team Glasgow City FC. Looking forward to a thrilling season ahead."

Glasgow City are scheduled to travel to Spain next month, where they will face German champions Wolfsburg in the Champions League quarter-finals in San Sebastian, Spain on August 21. 

And head coach Scott Booth believes van Wyk's "incredible experience" will be key for his side's campaign as the third signing after the earlier arrival of striker Krystyna Freda and full-back Zaneta Wyne.

Simba SC fans and their counterparts from Yanga SC have selected their best players for the concluded Tanzania Mainland League season.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi faithful decided on Zambian play-maker Clatous Chama who has been instrumental for the champions. This despite the good form by skipper John Bocco and Meddie Kagere, who managed to get 22 goals and scoop the Golden Boot for the second straight season.

Yanga SC fans decided on the 22-year-old Feisal Salum who they feel has been consistent for Wananchi. 

Both Chama and Salum will pocket TSh1 million each after getting the most votes from their respective fans. This competition was regulated by the teams' sponsor, betting firm SportPesa.

The 27-time league champions have not had a good season both on and off the pitch.

The height of it all was on July 27 when former coach Luc Eymael called fans dogs and monkeys and it warranted him his ticket to Belgium after the club decided to fire him.

Simba have been the best team by far domestically. They managed to finish the season with 88 points, 16 more than their bitter rivals Yanga..

Of the 38 matches played, Simba managed to collect 27 wins, drawing seven and losing just four. The Msimbazi-based side managed to score most goals in the division, 78, and conceded 21, which is the least number of goals conceded as well.

The team is aiming at winning a double after they defeated Yanga 4-1 in the semi-final of the FA Cup to seal the final berth, where they will play Namungo FC.

Yanga got 19 wins from the same number of matches. Despite losing just four matches, they drew 15 games which dented their chances of pressuring their bitter rivals at the top. They scored 45 goals and conceded 28.

Simba will have a chance of representing the country in the Caf Champions League, hoping to make it into the group stage. Namungo will play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Alliance FC, Ndanda FC, Singida United and Lipuli FC were relegated from the top tier with Dodoma Jiji and Gwambina promoted.

Jesse Lingard has opened up on his personal struggle during the 2019-20 season, saying he lost his sense of identity on and off the pitch.

The Manchester United midfielder enjoyed a cathartic end to a difficult campaign, scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in the 98th minute of the final game against Leicester to seal qualification to next season’s Champions League.

Lingard has scored FA Cup-winning goals for United and netted at the 2018 World Cup for England, but he endured an intensely frustrating season this year.

The 27-year-old posted a frank assessment of his struggles on Instagram, writing: “This season has been difficult for so many reasons. I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up, I knew who I really was on and off the pitch and knew that having been there before, I could get there again.

“This meant working harder than I’d ever done before and trusting in those around me that they knew how to best help me achieve that.

“I know the fans have been frustrated but in all this time my love for this club and everyone connected to it has never left me. 

“This team, this club is my family and I will continue to keep working harder than ever to help this team achieve its goals.”

Lingard’s relief at scoring with virtually the last kick of the league season was palpable from his celebration, after he robbed Kasper Schmeichel of the ball to slot into an empty net.

United’s star midfielder Bruno Fernandes said he thought Lingard deserved a goal for his hard work throughout the campaign.

"Of course it's a mistake from the keeper, also but if Jesse doesn't go there the goal doesn't come so this is why we work,” Fernandes told MUTV.

"For me, Jesse deserved this goal because of what he works for all week, for all the things everyone is saying about him and other players because they don't play too much or they don't play good enough. I think this is the reason Jesse scored because we're training hard, training hard to help all the team."

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Omondi Aduda believes a clear road map should be put in place for the elections to be held as soon as possible, before the resumption of football in the country.

The FKF elections were set to be conducted early this year, but twice, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) cancelled it as the outgoing office failed to adhere to the guidelines necessary for free and fair elections to happen. The Gor Mahia CEO says it is high time to sort out the problem hindering the process from happening.

"I wish to bring to the attention of all football stakeholders in Kenya that it is time to sort out a clear direction with respect to the governance of football in the country," Aduda said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"We have in the past almost six months now had a Federation without a substantive leadership across its administrative strata with the mandate of the former office-bearers having elapsed on February 10, 2020. 

"This coupled with the fact that due to constitutional anomalies occasioned by the then leadership have seen the intended FKF elections nullified twice by the SDT. This has hitherto rendered the actions currently being undertaken by the outgoing president and the Secretary-General [Barry Otieno] illegal in, so far as the FKF Constitution is concerned."

The incumbent Nick Mwendwa has been insisting Article 42(2) of the FKF Constitution gives him powers to continue discharging his duties until he is either re-elected or a new person is elected.

However, the administrator insists the article has been misinterpreted and all stakeholders have been urged to come up with ways of ensuring the new office is put in place soonest.

"It is this breadth that I implore the stakeholders to understand that the current status of FKF is a recipe for chaos should the world governing body Fifa and Caf declare the resumption of Sporting Activities. 

"It is imperative that we set up a roadmap that will lead to a free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive election as a matter of urgency instead of the current circus of musical chairs. 

"This will enable the Federation usher in legitimate leadership especially at the NEC level."  

Aduda has concluded by saying this is a joint effort which needs all to put heads together without political shenanigans.

"As an aspirant for the position of FKFpresidency I call upon all the stakeholders to shelve the parochial political theatrics and ensure that we live true to the expectations and directions of the FKF Constitution and join efforts in ensuring that elections are conducted ahead of the resumption of sporting activities," he concluded.  
  

Prominent Orlando Pirates supporter Mandla Sindane has died.

Sindane, popularly known as Mgijimi, was found dead at his home in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga on Tuesday morning after complaining of an undisclosed ailment the previous night.

His brother Bonginkosi confirmed the superfan’s death.

“What happened is that he arrived home yesterday as he always used to do especially since we are in lockdown he spent more time at home and was not moving around much,” Bonginkosi told Marawa Sports Worldwide on Metro FM.

“He stayed somewhere at his own place and he got [at our parents’] home. He was complaining that he was not feeling well and he asked our parents to pray for him. Our father and mother are church elders.

“Then they laid their hands on him and told him that he would be fine. He was complaining about symptoms of normal flu and that he was not feeling well.”

Sindane is said to have then gone back to the place where he was staying alone to retire for the night.

When the family went to check on him on Tuesday morning, they knocked on his door but received no response, before they forced entry into his house where they found him dead.

Orlando Pirates eMalahleni branch secretary‚ Puleng Semela‚ also confirmed Sindane’s death.

“I can confirm that he has passed on‚” said Semela as per Sowetan Live.

“According to his father they found him in his place where he was staying at around 11 am. He had left the family [the day before] and he went to go and sleep where he was staying in eMalahleni.”

Sindane is remembered for following Orlando Pirates around South Africa and in January 2019 he was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for their Caf Champions League group match against FC Platinum which ended 0-0.

Tributes for the passionate fan have been pouring in.

Cape Town City midfielder Ayanda Patosi, on-loan at Iranian Pro League side Foolad, says South Africa national team coaches have a tendency of overlooking overseas-based players in their selection.

Patosi claims he was in top form for Iranian outfit Esteghlal Tehran when he was snubbed by former Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Baxter’s Afcon squad, which reached the quarter-finals, was composed of 17 Premier Soccer League (PSL) players and six overseas-based players.

Former Lokeren star Patosi last played for South Africa in November 2016 during an international friendly match away in Mozambique.

“I feel like I'm overlooked. When I'm playing outside, they don't see what I'm doing. I had some good seasons and I can say I was not given enough chance," Patosi told an online press conference with SA Football Journalists Association as per Sowetan Live.

“When Stuart Baxter was selecting the Afcon team I was the best player in Iran. I was scoring goals left, right and centre. But I was overlooked and they didn't call me or even ask me to come to training. I was a South African doing well outside. But that didn't happen.

"I don't know how the coaches are watching the games, especially for players playing overseas. Maybe they watch a few players. I don't know how it works but in the end, I'm doing my best where I am and hopefully, the new coach [Molefi Ntseki] will give me a chance now."

Patosi’s sentiments could be backed by the fact that midfielder Thibang Phete is a regular for OS Belenenses in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, while Preston North End midfielder Tom Barkhuizen has been consistent but the two have escaped the attention of national team coaches.

Patosi calls for the widening of the national team’s scouting network.

“We need scouts to go around and look at South African players. I remember it took long for [Lebogang] Phiri [to be called] when he was playing in Denmark,” said Patosi.

“And he was doing well there. We need to improve more on that. Now that he is playing in France they started calling him. Mihlali Mayambela is playing in Israel and he has not been called up for under-23s.

"You can't tell me Mihlali doesn't deserve to play for the under-23s when they select a player from the lower leagues, whereas there is a player who is playing in Israel for a top league."

Little has been done to convince 21-year-old Crystal Palace defender Nikola Tavares to play for the South Africa Under-23s. 

Henry Onyekuru has not been included in Monaco’s 26-man team for their five-day pre-season trip to Poland.

The Nigeria international recently ended his loan Galatasaray spell during the Turkish Super Lig campaign to return to the Ligue 1 club.

The Red and Whites did not give any reason for Onyekuru's snub while Stevan Jovetic and Cesc Fabregas, who missed the trip, are said to be at La Turbie as they continue their recovery to action.

Senegal's Keita Balde is another notable omission from the selection while Malian descent Youssouf Fofana, Ivory Coast's Jean-Eudes Aholou and Senegalese descent Sofiane Diop made the cut.

Monaco will spend the entire week in Opalenica before heading to Germany to play Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt at Commerzbank Arena on Saturday.

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

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

The 23-year-old played just four Ligue 1 matches for Monaco last season before he was loaned to Galatasaray in January for his second loan spell with the Lions.

He revealed his ambition to rediscover his form at Monaco when the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season begins on August 22.

"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,” Onyekuru said.

"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."

Equatorial Guinea defender Oluwatobiloba Olanrewaju has signed a new one-year deal with Spanish side Racing Santander.

Olanrewaju joined Racing in January 2020 from top-flight side Sporting de Huelva, where she spent three months, making five appearances since arriving from Nigerian club Rivers Angels. 

She impressed, for the most part, playing in several positions and scoring once at Racing before the Spanish Reto Iberdrola cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic in May. 

Her fine input in a brief campaign with Racing in their top-flight promotion bid saw the club reward her with a contract extension.

The Santander outfit confirmed the news of the centre-back extending her stay for one more season in a statement on Monday night.

She becomes the sixth player to earn a contract extension at the second division club after Carmen Gutierrez, Carlona Diaz, Irene Dela Puente, Ali Ruiz and Lincija Vaitukaitite.

"Today is the renewal of our team lung in the midfield Tobi another year defending the green colours," the club wrote on Twitter.

Before her move to Spain, Olanrewaju starred for Confluence Queens and Sunshine Queens before helping Rivers Angels to a 2018 Champions Shield title and 2019 Federation Cup runners-up.

She shone brightly in the colours of Equatorial Guinea, featuring at U17 and U20 level before later turning out for the senior team.

Having extended her stay in Santander, Olanrewaju will be hoping to lead her side to achieve their promotion in the coming season.

Adam Lallana has explained his decision to leave Liverpool for Brighton, describing the Seagulls as “the perfect fit”.

Lallana brought to an end his six-year spell at Anfield last week, capping his time on Merseyside with the Premier League title.

The 32-year-old joined Brighton on a three-year deal, and will be hoping to help them improve on this season’s 15th-place finish under Graham Potter.

Lallana says he wanted to go somewhere outside of his comfort zone, and Brighton fit the bill.

“For me in my life now, if you know me as a person, I don’t think I’m ever in my comfort zone,” Lallana told talkSPORT. “I’m always looking to push myself and improve myself.

“One thing I have learnt over the last year is that there is no limit to whatever you want to achieve. You can always better yourself every day. I’ve seen the best players in the world living with that attitude.

“People might see it as a brave move but I see it as a very calculated but perfect move. The perfect fit. It will probably go down as a big signing for Brighton but I don’t see it as that. I see it as a big move for myself coming to a fantastic club with huge ambition. I’m looking forward to being part of a great journey that lies ahead.

“I see the qualities of Brighton. I’ve seen the infrastructure. I’ve spoken to the manager. Spoken with the chairman and Dan Ashworth, the technical director. There’s a plan there and a vision and a project.

“I’m so excited to be part of that. Add to what they’ve already got and hopefully improve every aspect. Willingness to learn and keep improving as a player and person and I think we can achieve good things moving forward.”

Lallana was also asked about his emotional tribute to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. He welled up when talking about Henderson after Liverpool lifted the league title, saying nobody deserved success more than his skipper.

“It’s obviously very apparent that we are best mates and our wives are best mates, our kids are best friends and go to the same schools,” he said.

“I didn’t want to hold anything in or block anything in. I felt like I got all my emotion out. As soon as Saturday arrived and Sunday came and I knew I was heading down for my medical on Monday, I was so ready for my next challenge.

“Everything was Brighton this and Brighton that. I know it sounds pretty blunt to put a line under Liverpool but it is. I felt like I dealt with leaving Liverpool and want to make that transition over to Brighton. I felt like I’ve done that as well as possible.

“Me and Jordan will be in contact forever. Best mates. I’ll have to introduce him to the south coast so when we are both retired maybe he’ll have a little place down there, who knows.”

Caf Medical Committee member Prince Pambo wants Ghana to ensure all national team players are tested for coronavirus ahead of the commencement of camp for upcoming international assignments.

Ghana's U20 female team and both men and women's U17 sides have been given special clearance by the national government to regroup despite a current ban on all contact sports, including football, as part of measures to curb the spread of the disease.

“All the players must be tested before they begin camping. An isolation centre must be created in camp so that when a player is infected, they can be quarantined and possibly treated," Pambo told Happy FM.

“An ambulance must also be made available at the camp while all players must have a room to themselves. Two buses must be provided for the team so that proper social distancing can be done."

Ghana's U17 women's team are set to take on Nigeria in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers in October and November while the U20 women's outfit have a World Cup qualifier against Guinea-Bissau in September.

The U17 male team are preparing for a Wafu tournament.

“The minister of sports had earlier on presented proposal on the national teams who had international assignments so we had to advice the president to allow the teams train beginning 1st August 2020,” Ghana's special advisor on health at the presidency Nsiah Asare told Kumasi FM on the special dispensation for the three teams.

“The return matches of these national teams will be played behind close doors. The GFA will choose the venues for these games.

“The teams will be camped with tight security where no one will be allowed to come out - as is done in our second cycle institutions - until they complete the return encounters.

“We will be doing the mandatory testing for these national teams as Fifa has recommended and the European clubs are following.”

In a separate interview with Asempa FM, Nsiah revealed: "The Government will take care of the testing and all the health protocols of the players while in camp".

The Covid-19 situation resulted in the premature termination of Ghana's 2019-20 football season.

Allegations that Manchester City artificially inflated commercial agreements with their main sponsor Etihad were "not established to the comfortable satisfaction" of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which also concluded the Premier League club showed a "blatant disregard" for UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) investigation principles.

City had a two-season ban from UEFA competitions quashed earlier this month after CAS found they were not guilty of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions", although they were fined €10 million (£9m/$11m) for not co-operating with the investigation launched by European football's governing body.

UEFA, which previously punished City for FFP violations in May 2014, opened a fresh probe on the back of a series of articles published by German publication Der Spiegel in November 2018, which drew upon information obtained by the whistleblower Football Leaks.

On Tuesday, CAS released its full findings on the case, which explained those emails were admissible evidence.

Tthe allegation that sponsorship money from Etihad - the Abu Dhabi airline that adorns City's playing shirts and lends its name to the club's stadium and training facility - was funnelled in via the Abu Dhabi United Group and Sheikh Mansour's personal fortune could not be proven.

"There is no doubt that Etihad fully complied with its payment towards MCFC [Man City] and that MCFC rendered the contractually agreed services to Etihad in return," the CAS verdict read.

"The majority of the panel finds that Etihad Sponsorship Agreements are presumed to be negotiated at fair value and that MCFC, HHSM [Mansour], ADUG and Etihad are considered not to be 'related parties'. The Etihad Sponsorship Agreement were legally binding contracts.

"There is no evidence that agreements were backdated or that MCFC otherwise retrospectively tried to cover up any alleged violations following the publication of the leaked emails."

During the period addressed by the investigation, City were entitled to sponsorship fees and bonuses of just over £220m ($285m).

Similar claims concerning City's arrangements with Abu Dhabi telecommunications company Etisalat were found to be time-barred under UEFA's rules, because the alleged offences took place more than five years before the case was referred to the adjudicatory chamber of UEFA's Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) on May 15, 2019.

Despite the relief felt by Pep Guardiola and his club upon learning they would be able to compete in next season's Champions League, CAS said City should be "strongly condemned" for failing to assist UEFA's investigation.

"The majority of the panel finds that MCFC's failure to cooperate with the CFCB's investigation is a severe breach and that MCFC is to be seriously reproached for obstructing the CFCB's investigations," it concluded, adding it hoped the fine would be a "sufficiently strong deterrent" to any other clubs that might contravene the FFP process.

UEFA has come in for criticism in the weeks since the verdict, but the Swiss-based court said it had a "legitimate basis to prosecute" City and did not instigate "frivolous charges".

Indeed, CAS felt the responsibility for the case going so far lay at the door of City and their standoffish approach.

"The new evidence presented by MCFC in the present proceedings before CAS had an impact on the panel's findings," it said.

"The panel cannot put itself in the shoes of the adjudicatory chamber at the time of issuance of the appealed decision, but it finds that the possibility cannot be excluded that the adjudicatory chamber may have reached the same conclusions as the panel in the present proceedings, had such evidence been made available to it.

"The relevance of this is that MCFC may have avoided the appealed decision by already filing such evidence before the CFCB. The appealed decision is therefore not per se wrong, but, at least to a certain extent, is a consequence of MCFC's decision to produce the most relevant evidence at its disposal, only in the present appeal arbitration proceedings before CAS."

Mamelodi Sundowns have officially parted ways with midfielder Oupa Manyisa. 

The Tshwane giants confirmed the news in a statement released on Tuesday night, adding that the relationship between them and the former Orlando Pirates captain ended on June 30.  

Sundowns then decided against exercising an option they had on Manyisa's contract, the club confirmed.

"The relationship between Mamelodi Sundowns and Oupa Manyisa has come to an end after the club elected not to exercise its option for an extension," read part of the statement on the Sundowns website. 

"The 31-year-old Manyisa has spent 3 seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns having joined the team in August 2017 from Orlando Pirates and played nearly 50 games for Mamelodi Sundowns.

"During his stay, the midfielder contributed to the club’s success and is one of the most decorated players in the Premier Soccer League having won two of his league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns.

"Manyisa’s contract with the club officially ended on the 30th of June 2020."

Coach Pitso Mosimane said Manyisa was a pleasure to work with and lauded the midfielder for managing his social life well. 

"Oupa has been a pleasure to work with. Despite his near iconic status, he gave 100 per cent in training and managed his social life well," said Mosimane. 

Manyisa's final season with the Brazilians was marred by a nasty Achilles tendon injury suffered against Kaizer Chiefs in the Shell Helix Cup in October 2019. 

And Mosimane admits Manyisa's only fully recovered in February - a month before the lockdown.   

"It's a pity that he didn’t play much this year and his Achilles only healed just a month before the lockdown break and he had played in a few friendlies. He is an exceptional player that can play in any position and will be an asset to any team," concluded Mosimane. 

He leaves Sundowns having made just nine appearances across all the competitions in the past two seasons, including two so far this term. 

Overall, Manyisa managed just 47 matches in his three-year stay with Sundowns. He found the back of the net just once and registered two assists since his arrival from the Buccaneers. 

Manyisa was expected to regain his form when his former teammate at both Pirates and Bafana Bafana Andile Jali joined the club in 2018, but he failed dismally to dislodge Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda for a place in Mosimane's midfield.

Kakamega Homeboyz have finally complied by remitting their bank account and will thus receive their first payment from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as part of the sponsorship from BetKing Kenya.

After Gor Mahia complied on Tuesday, Homeboyz were left on their own as the other teams in the top-flight, including promoted sides Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United, had already submitted the forms and received first grants from Friday.

Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula confirmed to Goal they have submitted their bank account to the federation and were expecting to receive the payments anytime soon.

“We wanted to read the deal which was signed between FKF and BetKing Kenya and on Monday, my club officials were at the federation to go through the same, we are not 100% satisfied but have decided to submit what they [FKF] had asked for,” Shimanyula told Goal.

Goal now understands the FKF had threatened to kick out Homeboyz from the top-flight had they not responded to the letter in the next seven days.

“We will give them seven days to confirm their participation or otherwise they get relegated to the lower tier league and we will not promote any team thereafter. In that way we will end up having 16 teams in the top tier,” an insider from FKF, and who did not want to be named, told Goal.

“We will remove them and let them go to court and we will handle it from there. They have clearly shown that they are not willing to work with us.”

In a previous interview, Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula told Goal they will only fill the form after getting a clearance from their legal team.

“We are not in a hurry to get the money, first of all, we want to know whether the deal signed by FKF is genuine or not,” Shimanyula told Goal on Friday.

“We are not starving, and furthermore Ksh500, 000 is very little to even pay player salaries so we are not in a hurry to go for the money, we will sign the form and remit our bank account when we are very sure that the deal signed between FKF and BetKing is binding.

“I know some other club chairmen have been lured to sign and submit their bank accounts but I can assure you Homeboyz, will be the last, we have to be very sure what we are doing is legal and binding.”

A week ago, the FKF signed a lucrative sponsorship deal worth Ksh1.2billion with the betting firm, who is replacing SportPesa, and will see each club in the top-flight receive Ksh8million annually.

AFC Leopards legend Charles Okwemba feels youngster Austin Odhiambo was misled by going to the media and publicly expressing his frustrations.

The Ingwe youngster has been under pressure from the fans for revealing he is 90% sure about leaving the team. He went on to reveal he has not been able to pay his rent and the 13-time champions are doing nothing about it.

The midfielder categorically stated he wants to play in the Caf Champions League next season, but might consider staying at the Den if Ingwe clear what they owe him.

"I understand his frustrations, but he could have taken them to the office and not in the media," Okwemba told Goal on Tuesday.

"The best thing he could have done is send his agent or if he does not have one, get a representative who can go and negotiate with the team on his behalf. 

"It is a very concerning situation, yes, but it needed sober and wise handling. It is the only way to go because we also understand the situation of most teams in the country."

The 40-year-old believes the move was misinformed and might bring him dire consequences once the season resumes. To avoid that, the former Kenya international has advised the young creative midfielder to be humble and own up to his mistakes.

"The outbursts put the boy at loggerheads with the fans and it might put him under pressure when the league resumes," Okwemba continued.

"The fans will not make it easy for him during his bad days in the office, they will hit him with all kinds of insults. The best thing for him to do is use the same channel or maybe find a way of apologising to the fans.

"He has to mend the otherwise spoiled relationship with the Ingwe faithful."

So to avoid all these, should Leopards let him leave?

"No, he is a good player and can be influential for the team," Okwemba stated. 

"We all know he is talented. All that the team need to do is talk to him and advise him. Being a young boy, he needs to be guided.

"Furthermore, he still belongs to the team and has a running contract."

Timo Werner says Frank Lampard was the main reason he decided to join Chelsea this summer.

The 23-year-old Germany forward joined from RB Leipzig for £47.5 million ($59m), signing a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge, and he has now begun training with his new side.

For some time previously it had seemed certain that Werner would end up at Liverpool with the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also linked, but Chelsea got their man.

Explaining why he chose the Blues, Werner told the club’s official website: “He [Lampard] was the main point.

“We talked a lot about things like the system, how he wants to play and sees me playing, and how the system fits me.

“He is a really nice guy who not only told me what he wants from me as a player because he wants to help me as a guy.

“He knows me now a little bit better and it fits very well between us and now I am happy to be here.”

After four successful years with Leipzig, Werner was keen to ensure he made the right move once he decided to leave.

He left Leipzig as the club's record goalscorer, including 34 goals in 45 games in 2019-20, and he will be looking to continue that form in his new, more storied surroundings.

“When you have a decision to go from your old club and you come to a big club like this, it was for me a dream which came true because Chelsea is a very big club,” he added.

“I know of the players before when they won the Champions League with [Didier] Drogba, with my new manager Frank Lampard, Petr Cech as the technical advisor, it is like a little dream for me but I want to become, not the same player as them, but I want to be part of a new era here so I will try to give my best.

“The style of the Premier League is very fast and my speciality is that I am really fast so I think it is perfect for me to play here.

“It is another league in another country so I can improve myself and go to another level, so those are the reasons I came to the Premier League and to Chelsea.”

Demba Ba has recalled how former manager Jose Mourinho blocked a move to join Arsenal during his time with Chelsea.

The 35-year-old, now at Istanbul Basaksehir, joined Chelsea in January 2013 from Newcastle after impressing during his two-year stay with the Magpies, where he scored 29 Premier League goals in 54 games.

The Senegal international, however, wanted to leave the Blues in the summer as the arrival of Cameroon and Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o was expected to limit his playing time.  

Ba remembered how he was close to teaming up with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal on transfer deadline day before the deal was scuttled by the Portuguese tactician.

“I was really close [to joining Arsenal]. I was at my house in Paris, having a day off, when I got a phone call from Arsene Wenger – he asked if I’d come back to London for a medical,” Ba told FourFourTwo. “I woke up at 9am on transfer deadline day, jumped on a train, got to London, but then it never happened.

“Arsenal made a couple of signings on the same day [Mesut Ozil and Emiliano Viviano] and Mourinho chose to block the deal, as he didn’t want to help make one of Chelsea’s competitors stronger.”

Ba only started five Premier League games in the 2013-14 season but made key impacts for the Blues coming off the bench.

The striker recalled one of his most eye-catching performances for Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain when he scored the match winner in their Champions League quarter-final.

“Being a young kid from the hood in Paris, growing up in poverty and then scoring the goal that took Chelsea to the Champions League semi-finals, that felt like a great achievement,” he continued.

“I had to find a way of dealing with not starting matches, but when you don’t play and you’re surrounded by players who do, the negativity comes.

"Near the end of that season, I decided to stop moaning, work hard until the season was done, then move on. When I stopped complaining, I started to score and play more.

“I remember having a chat with Mourinho once the season was finished when he asked me to stay for another year, but I had already decided to go.”

Ba left Chelsea in 2014 to join Turkish side Besiktas before moving to China to team up with Shanghai Shenhua.

The forward, who has also previously featured for Goztepe, recently helped Istanbul Basaksehir to win the 2019-20 Super Lig title.

The centre-forward has made 22 appearances for Senegal, scoring four goals but was not part of the side that finished as runner-up in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Police FC have announced the signing of goalkeeper Tom Ikara from Mbarara City FC.

Ikara was one of the players being targeted by the newly crowned Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC but has instead, opted to sign for the ‘Cops’ on a two-year deal.

Police have confirmed the arrival of Ikara on their social media pages by stating: “Tom [Ikara] has put pen to paper to a two-year deal with ‘The Cops’.”

On signing the deal, Ikara, who has also featured Busoga United and KCCA FC before he signed for Mbarara on a loan deal, said: “I'm going to do my best and put in a better performance than before.

“Police is a big team with history and I am happy to associate with it.”

On his part, Police head coach Abdallah Mubiru stated: “We thank God who has enabled us to acquire his services because he brings a lot of experience and commitment.”

The signing of Ikara was done on Tuesday at the club’s offices based at CID Police headquarters, Kibuli. Before signing for Mbarara, Ikara had been approached by Vipers, a move he turned down the same as Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) who had sought his services.

Ikara becomes the third signing for Police, who have already captured the services of experienced midfielder Tony Mawejje from Al-Arabi SC in Kuwait, and Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka FC.

Meanwhile, midfielders Yusuf Ssozi and Johnson Odong have all renewed their contracts with the club, who have set their sight in winning major titles in the coming season.

On unveiling Mawejje a week ago, Police chairman Asan Kasingye stated they will make sure they leave a mark in the league come the new season.

“We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big,” Kasingye told reporters.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

Pele has paid tribute to the efforts of “modern athlete” Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Juventus superstar having added a second Serie A title to his enviable collection of honours.

The Bianconeri have wrapped up a ninth successive domestic crown in the Italian top flight.

Ronaldo’s presence in Turin has helped to cement that dominance, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner showing no sign of slowing down at 35 years of age.

He continues to set the standard for those around him, with a place among the all-time greats safely secured.

Pele also occupies that talent bracket, and the Brazilian legend remains a big fan of a modern-day superstar.

He is pleased to see Ronaldo’s remarkable professionalism and dedication to his craft being richly rewarded, with major honours collected on a regular basis.

An iconic figure of the past is also happy for fellow countrymen Douglas Costa, Danilo and Alex Sandro, who have picked up another medal alongside their illustrious Portuguese team-mate.

Pele said in a post on his official Instagram account: “@Cristiano is the modern athlete, who shows everyone that success always comes to those who are dedicated and love what they do.

“Also, I would like to congratulate my fellow Brazilians @douglascosta, @alxsndro12 and @daniluiz2. Great work winning the @seriea title, @juventus.”

Pele has aired his admiration for Ronaldo on a regular basis down the years, with the three-time World Cup winner going as far as to place the Juve forward at the top of the global game.

For him, Portuguese power wins out over Argentine flair, with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi forced to operate in the shadow of an eternal rival.

Pele has said: "Today the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I think he's the best, because he's more consistent, but you can't forget about Messi, of course, but he's not a striker."

After helping Juve to another Serie A title, Ronaldo is about to turn his attention towards the pursuit of a sixth Champions League crown.

Maurizio Sarri’s side still have two domestic fixtures to take in this season, but focus is already drifting towards the second leg of a Champions League last-16 encounter with Lyon on August 7 that the Bianconeri currently trail 1-0.