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Frank Lampard has further explained his spat with the Liverpool coaching staff in midweek, saying that 'arrogance' is an important trait in winners and honed in on the Reds backroom team rather than Jurgen Klopp as the target of his criticism.

Lampard's side are chasing a point against Wolves to get in the Premier League top four on the final day and qualify for the Champions League, but the manager had to further explain his comments which have caused a stir on Merseyside.

"When you are in a role at a club or whether you are talking about how benches work, what my feeling was the bench at Liverpool, or one person in particular, was absolutely crossing that line so that became arrogant to me," Lampard clarified.

“I haven’t contacted Liverpool. I shook Jurgen Klopp’s hand at the end and said ‘well done’ and I would easily have sat and had a beer with him and congratulated him on what an incredible job he has done.

“I know how hard it is to win a Premier League, I know how much work goes into it. He’s been there four or five years and the journey and the work has been incredible. He deserves everything. That row was nothing to do with him. What happened on the line can happen a fair bit.

“With cameras and microphones it was in full view and I regret the language that I used. I couldn’t help the passion that I felt. It wasn’t a foul as I saw it but even then I shouldn’t be swearing, but I had an issue with some of the staff and it was against the code of how it world on the bench."

Subsequently, Lampard was further asked on what the code of conduct should be in the heated enviornment of top level football: "What is the code? I think when you speak between managers, and there are lots of decisions that go and you can hear it more clearly now without the crowd.

"Lots of managers will call for decisions and it may be right or wrong, and then you speak with each other, but when people on the bench jump up and want to speak across to me and then smirk and smile and then continue to do so for quite a while, I think that is past the code."

Before becoming a manager, Lampard won 11 major honours as a player in the most successful time in Chelsea's history, giving him legendary status with the fans.

Lampard is comfortable with having both a level of arrogance and an edge to try to succeed in his aims to get the Blues back to where they were when he was a player for the club.

"I think arrogance is a very important quality in terms of how you attack a football match as a player, in terms of how you attack a football match as a manager, because you will be aware of expectations around you, criticism of anything you do that might be seen as being wrong or not quite right," he said.

"If you don’t have a level of arrogance in what you do, you can be affected negatively and you might not be able to do your job as well. I do have an edge. I would not have been able to play for Chelsea for so long in a team that was fighting for Premier League or Champions League winners in pretty much every season I was here.

“I have seen people around me who have an edge. I can’t stand there and demand an edge from my players and not have that in myself to try to drive the club forward, but it was not the right way to do it with the language I used.

"It can happen in the game. I have huge respect for Jurgen Klopp. I shook his hand at the end. It had nothing to do with what Liverpool Football Club had done. I applaud them to the highest degree no matter what the result would have been the other day. It was an in-game moment from me.

"You can probably find a rap sheet for all managers in the game because we are in a very high pressured job and we want to do well for our team. I would expect, and I don’t like my language, but I would expect if I was a Chelsea fan or Liverpool fan or Man United fan, you want people to care as much as the fans do.

"When a decision goes against me and it is 25 yards from goal and I know that Trent is going to put it in the top corner, then you feel a bit silly afterwards and I had a small smile at that point. I knew that was a pivotal moment for my team in the game that I knew was wrong. We had a lot on the game.”

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have no ‘margin for error’ this summer as they attempt to close the gap that has opened up between themselves and the Premier League’s top teams.

The Gunners bring their league campaign to a close on Sunday when they host Watford at the Emirates knowing victory can take them no higher than eighth in the table.

It will be their lowest finish to a league season since 1995, and failure to beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final the following weekend will result in them failing to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years.

That will result in a major loss of revenue for the north London club, which - when combined with a £230 million ($293m) wage bill and the crippling financial effect of the coronavirus pandemic - will make the summer transfer market an incredibly difficult one to navigate.

Arteta is aware of the challenges that are facing the club and admits they can’t afford to get decisions wrong ahead of his first full season in charge in north London.

“We know that we don’t have any margin for error and everything has to be so planned,” said Arsenal’s head coach.

“I have to say that I am very confident with the way that the owners and the board are approaching this crucial time for us. With a great process to put the team into the next level very quickly. Once we know a little bit more and have more information about where we are it will be easier to make those decisions.”

Arteta came out in support of owner Stan Kroenke on Tuesday night after a group of Arsenal fans paid for a plane to be flown above Villa Park towing a banner which read ‘Back Arteta, Kroenke out’.

The Spaniard insisted that the American and the rest of the club’s hierarchy were putting a strong plan together ahead of the summer window.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s league finale, Arsenal’s head coach reiterated he was excited about what the future will bring - despite the challenging circumstances that currently surround the club.

“I came here and I knew the challenge,” he said. “I am so convinced that we are going to do it right but we need a little bit of time. The fans when they get nervous it’s normal. For me, it’s not that they get nervous, it’s frustration. This club and its history is there.

“People are relating this badge with success, with joy, with trophies and emotions. We can’t change that and we must not try to change it. Because it makes us big and we only have to think like that.

“For me it’s the only way to think about this club and the future of it. If we are all in the same place on that we will make it, but we have to do it and then transmit it to the players, to every member of the staff and then to the fans. If we do that and we are together with that mindset we will do it.”

Simy bagged a brace as Crotone earned a 5-1 Italian Serie B win at Livorno and gained automatic promotion to the Serie A after Spezia were held to a goalless draw with Cremonese.

The Pythagoreans came into this match six points clear of the Little Eagles and were well aware they would be making it back into the top-flight if they won their match while Spezia failed to garner maximum points at the Stadio Giovanni Zini.

It didn’t start well for Giovanni Stroppa’s men as Livorno took a 12th minute lead thanks to Mattia Trovato.

It was all Crotone from there however with Niccolo Zanellato and Alberto Gerbo netting in between Simy’s 35th-minute strike. Junior Messias made a run down the right flank and his pass found Simy who tucked the ball home with consummate ease.

Crotone extended their 3-1 first-half lead after the break via Salvatore Molina before Simy put the final nail in the coffin from the penalty spot in the 59th minute for his 20th Serie B goal of the season which now takes him top of the charts ahead of Pietro Iemmello and Stefano Pettinari.

The 28-year-old Nigeria international simply had a storming game with a total of seven shots, three of which were on target while he also missed two big chances. He made 10 accurate passes which was at 90.9%.  Simy equally won four of five total duels.

Crotone are back in the Serie A for the first time since the 2017/18 season when they finished 18th. It was just their second season in the top-flight having gained promotion the previous season for the first time ever and finished in 17th spot.

Simy joined the Calabria outfit in 2017 from Gil Vicente and scored seven goals in 23 outings in that campaign.

Having gone three games without a goal after the restart of Serie B in June, Simy scored in his next three matches which started with a hat-trick against league champions Benevento in a 3-0 win before solo goals against Cittadella and Pordenone.

Crotone end their season with a home tie against Frosinone before travelling to Trapani on July 31.

Ibrahim Amada says Madagascar’s first-ever participation at the Africa Cup of Nations during the 2019 edition in Egypt was “indescribable.”

The island nation made it into the continental tournament after finishing second in Group A of the qualifiers behind Senegal – who were runners-up in the final, and ahead of Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.

In the tournament proper, the Barea were paired with three-time champions Nigeria as well as Guinea and debutants Burundi.

To the surprise of many, Madagascar finished top of Group B, one point ahead of the Super Eagles and reached the quarter-finals where they lost 3-0 to Tunisia.

"We'd been dreaming of participating in the AFCON since our childhood, and that materialised at the age of 27 or 28," Amada told Fifa.com.

"What we experienced in Egypt was indeed indescribable. Qualifying for the competition for the first time in our history was already a great achievement, let alone our stunning run to the quarter-finals.

"We were extremely happy. With limited resources, the people of Madagascar have a tough life. But we managed to bring some joy into their lives during the month of the tournament.”

"For our people, the event was more than just a football competition. We helped reunite our people. For me, participating in the AFCON and progressing to the quarter-finals is still the finest memory of my career, and I'm sure it will remain engraved in the collective memories of the Malagasy people."

Madagascar’s feat at Afcon 2019 has made them a team to be reckoned with and 19-time capped Amada wants the team to carry that strong form into having a shot at making it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Indian Ocean-based country have never made it to the Mundial before and will have to navigate their way past Benin Republic, DR Congo and Tanzania - who all featured at Afcon 2019, before they make their way into the final qualification round that determines the five African representatives at the global showpiece.

"We want to carry that momentum into the World Cup qualifiers, but we must take it one step at a time and not rush things,” Amada continued.

“Not many people were watching us or knew our playing style before the AFCON, but now everyone is paying attention to us and knows exactly how we play. As a result, they will prepare well to face us.

"Naturally, not everyone will qualify for the World Cup, but we'll do everything we can to improve our chances of qualifying. It would certainly be great to take part.

"In Africa there are no small or big teams. Congo DR will be lying in wait for us, as we eliminated them in the Round of 16 at the AFCON. I don't think they'll have forgotten that so soon. Tanzania performed strongly in the AFCON qualifications, and Benin are very well known. I believe we all have an equal chance and that any of us could top the group. But let's not get into permutations: the teams that perform best on matchdays will qualify.

"Our goal is to pull off the impossible and qualify, but we must focus on one game at a time. Our strength lies in our team spirit. It would be great to participate in the World Cup. Everything is possible, as the latest AFCON tournament proved."

Algeria's Yacine Brahimi and Ivory Coast's Yohan Boli were on target as Al Rayyan came from behind to defeat Qatar SC 2-1 in Friday's Stars League fixture.

The victory boosted Al Rayyan's chances in the title race as they moved to a point behind league leaders Al Duhail who have a game in hand.

Brahimi cancelled out Kayke's opener for Qatar SC at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.

The strike extended the Algeria international's tally to 12 goals after 18 games, and he is the second highest goal scorer in the Qatari top-flight with a goal behind his compatriot Baghdad Boudjenah who has scored 13 goals for Al Sadd so far this campaign.

Boli's 84th-minute goal secured maximum points for Al Rayyan as they grabbed their 12th league win of the season.

The Ivorian attacker who moved to Qatar from Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden in January, has scored four goals in six league outings so far for the Lions.

Boli, Brahimi and Cameroon’s Franck Kom were in action for Diego Aguirre's side from start to finish.

Al Rayyan, placed second with 41 points after 18 matches, host fifth-placed Al Arabi for their next Stars League fixture on August 1.

Younes Belhanda netted from the penalty spot after Galatasaray were held to a 2-2 draw at Antalyaspor on Friday night in what was the first game of the final round of Turkish Super Lig fixtures.

The Yellow-Reds came into this match having no chance of making it into any European competition as Istanbul rivals Besiktas occupied the final qualification spot for the Europa League with a four-point gap after they got the better of another city rival in Fenerbahce 2-0 last weekend.

For the Scorpions, they were safe with a top-half finish guaranteed regardless of their result and the team closest to them on the log, that being Gaziantep.

The home team started brightly here with Angolan midfielder Fredy Kulembe putting them in front in the 19th minute. Eren Albayrak played a great cross into the box and Fredy pulled the trigger with a half volley.

Antalyaspor took a 1-0 lead into the break but Galatasaray levelled it up in the 58th minute via Marcelo Saracchi.

Fatih Terim’s men had the opportunity to take the lead in the 65th minute after Amilton Silva committed a handball offence in the box. Belhanda stepped up to take the resultant penalty kick, sending Antalyaspor goalkeeper Ferhat Kaplan the wrong way.

It did seem Gala would claim all three points, however the home team equalised in injury time thanks to Gustavo Blanco with the assist coming from Silva.

Belhanda played for 87 minutes and was replaced by Jimmy Durmaz. Algeria winger Sofiane Feghouli was also taken off in the same minute and Yunus Agkun coming on.

The Moroccan ends the season with five goals and two assists.  All games he scored in ended without defeat (W2, D3), the most productive being a 3-2 win at Kayserispor on August 30, 2019.

He has been in the Turkish commercial capital since 2017 when he joined from Dynamo Kyiv in between loan spells at Schalke 04 and Nice. Belhanda has played 103 times in competitions for Gala, scoring 13 goals and providing 23 assists.

The 30-year-old has five titles in his time in Turkey so far (two Super Lig, one Turkish Cup and one Turkish Super Cup).

He started his career at Montpellier in France and was part of the squad that miraculously won the Ligue 1 title in 2012 ahead of strong favourites Paris Saint-Germain.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says his side’s Coupe de France triumph over Saint-Etienne was an “expensive victory” after losing star striker Kylian Mbappe to a potentially serious ankle injury.

The France forward was left in agony after a horror challenge by Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin during the first half at the Stade de France, with Perrin shown a straight red card.

The 21-year-old was close to tears as he limped off the field and down the tunnel, reemerging late in the second half on crutches.

The incident sparked a brawl between both sets of players, with an ill-tempered encounter producing 10 yellow cards along with Perrin’s red, the third time Saint-Etienne have had a player sent off in the first half in a match against PSG this season.

The injury puts Mbappe’s participation in next week’s Coupe de la Ligue final and, perhaps more significantly, next month’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, in serious doubt.

On the pitch, a solitary first-half goal from Neymar was enough to secure the win as PSG lifted the Coupe de France for the 13th time in their history, though Mbappe's injury overshadowed the result.

"Yes, we won. In a final, that's most important. It was complicated for several reasons,” Tuchel told Eurosport. 

“There are many things to improve and analyse. That's good. But it's an expensive victory. 

“In the last three matches against Saint Etienne, they always have a red card in the first 30 minutes. And I'm not telling you what is said in the locker room before. And in addition, we are the ones who had three yellow cards.”

When asked about Mbappe, Tuchel added: “I have no news at the moment. Everyone would be worried after seeing the images of the injury. Of course, I'm worried."

Reflecting on the result, which was PSG's first competitive match since the coronavirus shutdown in March, Tuchel added: "It was hard despite the numerical superiority. It was the first competitive match [since the shutdown], but we had a lot to lose. We were the big favourites. 

"We had opportunities to score the second and I remembered last year when we lost after leading 2-0. 

"The satisfaction remains to have won. We did not concede a goal and we did not get angry even if we were not at our best”

PSG defender Marquinhos was also satisfied with the win, though he conceded the injury to Mbappe and Thilo Kehrer, who limped off early on, overshadowed the win.

“It wasn't our best game. But we had to win,” Marquinhos told France 2. “Obviously, Mbappe's injury worries us, and that of Kehrer. Hopefully they are not too serious. We will see how it goes. They are two important players in the squad.

“You just have to think about preparing and working well. There are still trophies to go for. We will see day by day.”

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini bemoaned Kylian Mbappe's injury as he claimed he hopes to face a fully fit Paris Saint-Germain side when his team take on the Ligue 1 club in the Champions League.

While Atalanta's Serie A title hopes were all but extinguished by a 1-1 draw against Milan at San Siro on Friday, PSG returned to competitive action for the first time since March with a 1-0 triumph over Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France final. 

Their victory came at a cost, however, with star forward Mbappe going off injured following a robust challenge from Loic Perrin in the 31st minute.

Following a scuffle and, eventually, a review from the referee, Perrin was sent off moments later in what was his last game for Saint-Etienne.

In the second half, Mbappe returned to the bench on crutches with one leg in a brace, and the forward seems to be a major doubt for PSG's Champions League clash with Atalanta in Portugal next month.

However, when informed of Mbappe's injury, Gasperini lamented the fact PSG may be without one of their best players as he says he was hoping to take on a full-strength version of the Ligue 1 champions.

"I'm sorry for him, I didn't know," Gasperini told Sky Italia. "Mbappe is a great guy, I hope it's not serious.

"We don't want to win due to the misfortunes of others.

"In fact, if you win against these types of players, your result means even more."

Atalanta's draw leaves them five points shy of Serie A leaders Juventus, with Maurizio Sarri's side able to clinch their ninth successive Scudetto with a win over Sampdoria on Sunday, though a point would be enough if both Inter and Lazio fail to win their matches.

Gasperini, though, decided to take a positive approach.

"This was an important game for the run-in, it's not easy to play Milan these days," he added. 

"We conceded in the first few minutes, then we regained balance and had a good game. I would say it's an excellent point."

Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Ruslan Malinovskiy missing a penalty for Atalanta before Duvan Zapata drew them level.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has again revealed his admiration for Thiago Alcantara, but he refused to be drawn on whether his side are looking to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Though the Reds are still basking in the glory of their first league triumph in 30 years, attention has already started to turn towards the defence of their title next campaign and whether Klopp will strengthen his squad this summer.

Spain midfielder Thiago is rumoured to be high on the Anfield club’s wanted list, with the player almost certain to leave the Allianz Arena this summer.

The 29-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and has so far refused to sign an extension, telling Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that he is keen to experience another league.

That has sparked rumours of a move to Anfield, with the Premier League champions rumoured to be keen on strengthening their midfield during the close season.

Klopp has regularly spoken about how highly he rates Thiago, who he will have seen play at first hand during his time as Borussia Dortmund boss, but has never confirmed whether Liverpool are making moves to try and recruit him.

The German was again coy on any potential deal for the former Barcelona star, though he did reiterate that he was a fan of his abilities.

"I have no idea who will play for me next year, there is nothing to say at the moment,” he told Sky Germany.

“Thiago Alcantara is a great player, but also a Bayern Munich player. That’s actually all there is to say. There’s nothing to say!”

Thiago has scored 31 goals in 231 appearances since making the move to Germany from Barcelona in 2013, while also laying on 37 assists.

He has won 14 major trophies in total at Allianz Arena, including seven consecutive Bundesliga titles.

He has been a regular in Hansi Flick’s side again this campaign, helping the Bavarian giants yet another domestic double, with the prospect of a first treble since 2012-13 also on the cards when the Champions League resumes next month.

Adam Lallana says the current Liverpool squad are a “group of legends” for bringing the league title back to Anfield after 30 years, as he prepares to bid his farewell to the Anfield club.

Lallana will bring his six-year stay with the Reds to an end next week, with his contract due to expire after their final Premier League game of the season at Newcastle on Sunday.

The 32-year-old has been able to witness first hand the club’s rise under Jurgen Klopp, having been signed from Southampton by his predecessor Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2014.

Since Klopp’s arrival in the autumn of 2015 the team has been on a steadily upward trajectory, reaching the final of the League Cup and Europa League in 2016, before losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2018.

It has been nothing but glory for the Reds since that defeat in Kiev, though, with last season’s European triumph in Madrid followed up by the Super Cup, Club World Cup and now the Premier League this campaign.

Of all the trophies won over the past few years, it is the Premier League that has been most keenly welcomed by the Merseysiders, given the long wait since their last title success in 1990.

Klopp recently described Lallana as a legend before his summer exit, and although Lallana himself cannot agree with that assessment, he does feel this current generation of players will rank alongside some of the illustrious teams from Liverpool’s past.

“Maybe he has gone a bit over the top there,” he told Liverpool’s website. “But we are a group of legends, I can definitely see that. 

“It’s not due to one or two individuals as why we have been so successful - it really is the infrastructure and the manager has created that. He’s recruited, he’s let people go when he’s saw fit or necessary, he’s moulded and created the culture that breeds throughout Melwood now.”

The moment Liverpool players, fans and staff were waiting for came on Wednesday, when they finally they got their hands on the Premier League trophy after their game against Chelsea.

For Lallana, it was the highlight of his time at the club.

“The Champions League [win] was amazing, don’t get me wrong, amazing,” he added, “I didn’t feature much and obviously I had injury troubles that year but it was great that I got back to being on the bench [for the final] because we were allowed nine subs. 

“But on Wednesday night I really do feel like I’ve contributed to this season. Maybe not all the time on the pitch but I’ve had important moments. My goal at Old Trafford was lovely, I enjoyed it, but there have been big moments as well coming off the bench seeing games out. It’s over the course of a season, so everyone plays their part.”

Looking ahead to the future and Lallana believes it is the right time for him to move on from Anfield for the sake of his career, but says his spell on Merseyside has created a lasting bond.

“There are parts of me that are excited about my next challenge, which I’m close to knowing what’s happening, so there’s a mixture of emotions really at the moment. But what I keep bringing it back to is just making sure I enjoy every last day of my last week really because there’s a lot happening," he said.

“It’s the right time for me to leave. I’m desperate for a new challenge, I’m desperate to play a bit more. I still feel like I’ve got two or three years left at the top.

"It’s more of the relationships that you create and, in a week’s time, I will be somewhere else and not seeing these people that I’ve fought for and fought with over the last six years.

"So that’s where the element of sadness comes, but I’m thoroughly excited by next challenge and what that will bring.”

Sofapaka FC president Elly Kalekwa has welcomed the deal between the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and betting firm BetKing which will see clubs pocket annual grants of at least KSh8 million.

The Federation announced BetKing will sponsor the Premier League for five years and is expected to fork out up to KSh1.2 billion for the participating teams in the next five years. 

Speaking to the media on Friday, the Congolese businessman stated it is a big relief to clubs and has confirmed he is fully behind the deal.

"So far so good. Before this deal, we had nothing and clubs were really suffering and so this is a big relief to us and we fully support the deal with BetKing," Kalekwa told reporters. 

The Transitional Committee was formed a couple of days ago to go through the contract and advise clubs on the same.

The name of the top-flight will also be changed from Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to BetKing Premier League and the administrator has commented on the matter.

"It is really not a big deal to have to change the name of the league," Kalekwa added.

"What is important is that clubs get and have money to do their operations like paying players and honouring fixtures. Everything else is secondary."

Meanwhile, the administrator has insisted the league has to be run independently to maintain its professionalism. 

"We have run the league for many years under the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and it worked perfectly," he continued.

"Our request is that whatever name we will run the league under going forward, we will be able to maintain the sense of independence and professionalism that existed. In this day and era, associations do not run the league and we are happy that FKF are keen to maintain the same even with the new arrangement."

In an earlier interview, promoted side Nairobi City Stars lauded the FKF for signing the deal with BetKing Kenya.

Simba wa Nairobi earned promotion to the top tier as they were leading the National Super League after the 2019-20 season was ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and have now welcomed the move with club CEO Patrick Korir saying it will go a long way to boost the clubs financially.

"We are very happy with the sponsorship, we are extremely happy with the new deal," Korir told Goal on Friday.

"That is a good package for starters and KSh8m will go a long way in helping clubs, you cannot say it is small money, eight million compared to zero shillings, it is a huge take home for the clubs and as City Stars, we are very happy with the deal."

Everton midfielder Tyler Onyango has finally penned a professional contract with the club.

Onyango, who was born to a Kenyan father and an English mother, penned a three-year deal which will run until the end of June 2023.

“Everton midfielder Tyler [Onyango] has signed a first professional contract with the club, penning a three-year deal until the end of June 2023,” the club confirmed on their official website.

“The 17-year-old, who joined the Blues aged eight, has been rewarded for his impressive progress throughout his time at Everton Academy.

“Having consistently shone for Everton’s U-18s team, Onyango was promoted to the Blues’ U-23s set-up during the 2019/20 campaign.

“A skillful, athletic central midfielder who boasts a tireless work ethic and eye for goal, Onyango played in seven Premier League 2 matches before the campaign was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“His development was further underlined by his selection in two of the young Blues’ Leasing.com Trophy games in 2019/20.

“Onyango featured in matches against Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town in the competition, which sees David Unsworth’s side test themselves against senior opposition.

“Luton-born Onyango is a current England Under-17 international.”

In a recent interview, Onyango revealed he would not mind playing for the Kenya national team as he is not yet capped by the England national team.

“I have been to Kenya many times over the years most recently in the summer of 2018,” Onyango told Nation Sports.

“I have a very big family in Kenya so it is always nice to come home to visit everyone. Unfortunately, I can’t speak Swahili or Luo. Expect a few odd words but it is definitely something I want to learn.

“I am eligible to play for Kenya and it is definitely something I’d be open to as you never know what the future holds so I want to keep my mind open to any opportunities that may occur.”

Kaizer Chiefs striker Lazarous Kambole has provided an update on his fitness and also discussed the team's hopes of clinching this season's PSL title.

The Soweto giants are back in training as they look to perform well in their remaining eight matches in order to clinch the league trophy which has eluded Chiefs for five years.

The current campaign was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March with Amakhosi placed at the top of the league standings, and the PSL is working on resuming the suspended season.

“We are doing well as a team and personally, I feel good. Training has been fantastic this week and I am very much enjoying being back," Kambole told the club's official website.

“It’s good to be back – we missed football. I missed my teammates, so it’s good to be around them again.  It’s fantastic to be doing what we enjoy and that is playing football.

 “My body is managing with the training regime since we returned. I am happy with my fitness because even during the lockdown when we were training on our own, we were pushing ourselves hard."

Kambole believes that the team will be ready when the season resumes with the remaining matches expected to be played in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

"Training as a group was a challenge for the first week after we returned, but right now, I am happy with everything," the Zambia international continued.

“I am putting in a lot of hard work looking and forward to resuming play again. As a team, we are on right track and we are doing a lot to ensure that we will be ready when we play our first game.”

Chiefs are four points above second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand.

However, Kambole believes that they have enough experience to help ensure the season ends successfully for Amakhosi.

“We are professionals and we know how to handle the challenges that lie ahead.  Being the log leaders requires a lot of hard work from the team because the pressure is on us,” he explained.

“Response from each player is good and we are working in the right direction and I am certain we will continue from where we left off before the lockdown."

Kambole will be looking score his first goal for Chiefs when the season resumes, having made 12 appearances across all competitions for the team without finding the net.

The speedy frontman joined the Soweto giants from reigning Zambian champions Zesco United in July 2019.

Atlanta United announced on Friday that the club has mutually parted ways with head coach Frank de Boer.

The Dutchman leaves on the heels of a disastrous MLS is Back tournament run, with the Five Stripes failing to advance out of the group stage of the tournament.

Atlanta failed to score a goal across its three games, losing to the New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew during their time in Orlando.

De Boer originally joined Atlanta United ahead of the 2019 season, replacing Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who left Atlanta to take over as manager of Mexico after winning the 2018 MLS Cup.

Under the former Dutch star, Atlanta finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2019 while winning two trophies: the U.S. Open Cup and the Campeones Cup.

However, De Boer's style failed to mesh with Atlanta who, under Martino, had become one of the most dynamic attacking teams in MLS. This season, without star forward Josef Martinez due to injury, Atlanta struggled with De Boer making a number of unsuccessful tactical tweaks to account for the absence of the forward and key offseason departures like Darlington Nagbe and Julian Gressell.

The club won its first two games of the MLS season, but struggled mightily during the MLS is Back tournament, paving the way for Friday's move.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had with Atlanta United,” De Boer said. “Coaching in Major League Soccer and living in Atlanta has been a wonderful experience and a welcome new challenge. I will never forget the incredible supporters here in Atlanta, they are truly special. 

"I want to thank the players, coaches and staff for all of their support, it has been my pleasure to work with all of you.” 

“On behalf of Atlanta United, I would like to thank Frank for his leadership and commitment to the club,” added Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “Under Frank’s guidance, the club had a strong 2019 season in both MLS and international competition. 

"After discussing it with Frank, the decision was reached mutually to part ways.  In winning two trophies in his first season in charge, he will always be a part of the club’s history, and with great appreciation and respect we wish him all the best in the future.”

With no true MLS return officially on the schedule just yet, Atlanta will announce an interim coach in the near future while beginning a search for a new permanent manager.

Uganda captain Denis Onyango has paid tribute to Egypt legend Essam El-Hadary, who retired recently.

The veteran custodian hung up his boots at the age of 47 with a host of records during his football career and the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper has taken to his social media accounts to laud the Egyptian.

"Congratulations to arguably the best goalkeeper in Africa of all time on a happy retirement," Onyango tweeted.

"Essam El-Hadary, thanks for the inspiration and memories. You have earned a long and happy retirement. "A true legend in every sense of the word. Good luck legend."

The goalkeeper announced his retirement from football on July 24 after 27 years in the game.   

"Football is my second wife and I have divorced it. I am not returning to play football again, the entire system has errors and club heads attacking each other, and may God be in the help of the players," El-Hadary said in a statement.

"There is nothing to add to my footballing history. There is no goalkeeper in Egypt better than me. I only sat on the bench in 1998 for goalkeeper Nader El-Sayed."  

The former Egypt goalkeeper made 159 appearances for the Pharaohs after making his debut in 1996.

During this time, he helped his country win the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) four times - in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

He was named the best goalkeeper in the competition thrice - in 2006 in Egypt, in Ghana 2008 and in Angola in 2010.

The custodian made history when he became the oldest player to play in the Fifa World Cup in 2018 at 45 years and 161 days of age.

During his 27-year-old career, the Egypt legend played for more than 10 clubs in and out of the country.

In 2018, he announced his retirement from the national team.

"This is a moment I didn’t want to come, I trained hard day and night to reach high performances and to be with the Egyptian team, I am very proud to play 159 matches with Egypt, won the African Cup of Nations four times, reached the final in 2017, won the best goalkeeper in Africa four times, won the Arab games in 2007 and finally reach the World Cup," the custodian said in a statement to the press upon his international retirement.

“Finally, thank God for everything. I want to thank my family for always helping me, especially my father and thank every one of you for your support that helped me a lot to reach all these achievements."

Jennifer Cudjoe has lauded the performance of her teammates as Sky Blue were sent crashing out of the 2020 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Challenge Cup at the hands of Chicago Red Stars.

Cudjoe joined Freya Coombe's team on a six-month deal from Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves in June and starred in their fairytale run to the knockout stages for the first time since 2013.

Having edged past Washington Spirit on penalties on Saturday, they were hoping to upset last season's runners-up who considered favourites for Thursday's semi-final clash.

But the effort from Evelyne Viens and Julie Ertz's own goal could not rescue Sky Blue from defeat as they bowed to first-half strikes from Bianca St. Georges, Rachel Hill and Savannah Mccaskill. 

That 3-2 loss means the Sky Blue are out of the competition and the Ghanian feels her side were impressive despite their exit.

"Words cannot express my feelings. This is not how I imagined my bubble days will end soon!," Cudjoe wrote on social media. 

"It was not the best result we anticipated but I am super proud of my team and the entire staff. 

"I can go on and say a million things that I have learnt from each player and staff, every moment with them has been joyous. 

"Thank you all for your help, support, and believing in me. Couldn’t have made these moments special without you guys!!!"

The result at Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah will see Chicago Red Stars face off against Houston Dash in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup final on Sunday, July 26.