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Former Baroka FC manager and Kaizer Chiefs striker Wedson Nyirenda has been unveiled as the new manager for Zambian Super Division giants, Lusaka Dynamos.

‘Wada’ parted ways with Bakgaga Mphahlele in the middle of the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign and has expressed delight after taking on his new role.

In an official statement, Dynamos announced the former Amakhosi hitman will be assisted by Ian Bakala, Josphat Nkhoma, and Stephen Mwansa as he joins on a short-term deal until the end of the current term.

"It is great to be associated with Lusaka Dynamos FC. For the next 3 months, we shall work tirelessly to see that we end this current season in the best position,” said Nyirenda in a statement released by the club.

“If everyone works accordingly, and pulls in the same direction we can achieve the unthinkable. God will guide us through.”

The Elite also confirmed that Mwansa will also double as a goalkeeping coach while Manchi Janza is the physical trainer.

Nyirenda tendered his resignation with the Limpopo-based club in December last year and the former Zesco United and Zanaco boss joins Dynamos at the back of winning the Telkom Knockout Cup in the 2018/19 campaign as they overcame Orlando Pirates.

Although Bakgaga endured a poor start to the current season which saw them struggling at the bottom end of the PSL log table, the 53-year-old tactician was reportedly not pleased with the alleged interference by the club's management during his team selection.

At Baroka, he was replaced by former Gor Mahia manager Dylan Kerr who was unveiled just before the end of 2019 and they now sit 13th with 23 points from 24 matches so far.

On the other hand, Nyirenda guided the Team Ya Ziko to their first-ever league championship in his first spell at the club in 2007 and achieved a similar feat after guiding Mozambican side Ferroviario de Beira to their first trophy in the club’s 92-year history in 2015.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the “disgraceful decision” to lift a two-year European ban imposed on Manchester City for alleged Financial Fair Play breaches.

The Blues were barred from competing in Champions League or Europa League competition by UEFA in February.

Those at the Etihad Stadium were, however, quick to plead their innocence and lodge an appeal.

Their case was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the decision taken at the end of that investigation to lift a continental ban.

City have still been stung with a €10 million (£9m/$11m) fine, but that is a drop in the ocean for a club bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour’s billions.

Mourinho is among those to have been left stunned by the ruling from CAS, with confusion continuing to reign as mixed messages are fed out.

The Portuguese has pointed out that if City were guilty of enough to merit a fine, then the original sanctions should have stood.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss fears that FFP is no longer fit for purpose, with it difficult to see how regulations can be pushed out when there are obvious loopholes to exploit.

Mourinho told reporters of the City ruling: “In the case it's a disgraceful decision because if City are not guilty of it then you are not punished with 10m.

“If you're not guilty you shouldn't have a fine. If they are guilty the decision is also a disgrace and you should be banned from the competition.

“I don't know if Manchester City are guilty or not but either way it's a disgraceful decision.”

Mourinho added on the approach Tottenham will now take: “Spurs is Spurs and I don't think Spurs change this mentality and in this aspect it's more than correct. I'm happy with the way we act here.

“I think it's the end of Financial Fair Play.”

Jurgen Klopp is another to have questioned the future of FFP after seeing UEFA’s authority undermined, with the Liverpool boss admitting that the events of Monday were not “a good day for football”.

Those at Anfield can at least console themselves with the fact that they have beaten City to the Premier League title this season, but Mourinho and Spurs now need to force their way into the top six in order to guarantee a place in the Europa League for 2019-20.

Nemanja Matic is optimistic Paul Pogba will remain with Manchester United "for a long time".

The Serbian has formed an impressive midfield trio with Pogba and Bruno Fernandes since the Premier League's resumption, helping United extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions.

Pogba's future at United has long been the subject of intense speculation, with comments from his agent Mino Raiola causing controversy earlier in a 2019-20 season where he has struggled with injury.

But the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the club's upturn in form since the World Cup winner returned to the pitch to join new signing Fernandes have led to increased hopes he will stay.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed confidence that Pogba – who is contracted until 2021 with the option for a further year – would sign a new deal and Matic thinks his team-mate is enjoying life at the club.

"I think at the moment he is happy," Matic, who himself signed fresh terms with United this month,  said to Stats Perform News.

"When you are injured and outside of the pitch people will always talk and rumours will always be around him, but he can do anything. 

"As soon as he came back to training with us and playing I think he has shown that he is happy to play football and he is a great guy. 

"I think for me it is very important that Paul stays because that gives us more quality. Also, with his personality, he brings a lot to the team. 

"Of course, you never know what is going to happen in life but I see him happy at the moment.

"I wish for him to stay, I wish for the team. It is good he is a great guy for the group, there is always fun around him. I will be happy to see him for a long time at Manchester United."

Pogba said this week United felt like "a proper team" again and he does not think they can be stopped if they continue on their current path.

He also praised the balance of the starting XI under Solskjaer and Matic feels the arrival of Fernandes is what has helped get the best out of Pogba.

Matic added: "With him and Bruno, I think that Paul can now, in my opinion, do what is his job.

"He is the player and kind of midfielder that can play box to box, he is not only an attacking midfielder like people were thinking. 

"He is a box-to-box player because he is strong, he can run, he can shoot, he can also defend very well, he can read the headers. 

"So now with Bruno, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, when they play in front of him, then in my opinion he can do the best.

"He is a player for everything, so I don't think he is a typical playmaker to be behind the strikers, but that player like a number eight, box to box.

"For me he is one of the best players in the world. So, I expect him next season to be even better, but what we saw in the few games of him [after the restart] he was absolutely fantastic, a proper player."

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has revealed he has identified players he will sign for the club ahead of the new season.

K’Ogalo will be taking part in the Caf Champions League after being declared champions for the 2019-20 campaign after the league was ended owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus effect and will also chase the league and domestic Cup titles.

With that in mind, the British coach has confirmed to Goal he has already identified the areas he will work to strengthen and has gone ahead to engage the new signings who will be unveiled in due course.

“We are talking to players, we are talking to a few players and let us see what will happen, but I am not going to give out their names because our rivals will jump for their services,” Polack told Goal on Tuesday.

“We talking to players in the Kenyan league, we are talking to a lot of Kenyan players and I will not give you the names or positions, just know we are in talks with several players and the talks are very positive for now.

“Let people know, and we have to do it a little more professional, about the transfers because if you start saying the names then everything might fail before they even sign, so we are not going to give names, we will let people know when the deals are done and I want to set the bar, we want to get them all signed first and then we unveil them in one press conference.”

Polack, however, took his time once again to hit out at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and KPL officials for the uncertainty which is still surrounding the fate of last season.

“You know after the president said there is no social gathering, we are doing nothing, we are still in the dark, will the league continue, was the league ended? In fact, everyone is in the dark.

“Imagine after three months, FKF and KPL have refused to come out and tell us what is happening, we are all in the dark, we don’t know what is happening, it is not good at all for Kenyan football, something needs to be done, and it should be made public.”

While Gor Mahia will take part in the Champions League, Kenya will have no representative in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Manchester United are not concerning themselves with what Chelsea or any other Premier League rival does, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Red Devils boss confident that his side are not about to buckle under pressure.

The Red Devils saw a top-four door flung open to them ahead of their latest outing against Southampton.

Shock defeats for Chelsea and Leicester presented United with an opportunity to clamber up into third spot.

They fluffed their lines, with a dramatic late equaliser conceded in a 2-2 draw with the Saints at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer’s team continue to sit fifth as a result, but with fate still in their own hands when it comes to securing Champions League qualification through their remaining three fixtures.

Maximum points from those outings will see United book their place among Europe’s elite for 2020-21, with there no need for the Red Devils to be looking to others for favours or slip-ups.

Quizzed on whether handling expectation could be a problem, Solskjaer told United’s official website: “Absolutely not.

“I don’t think any of our players have been thinking about: ‘Oh what have Chelsea done this weekend.’ Not at all. It’s just the way the games go.

“We all play against the same teams and we all have 38 games to go through and it will even itself out during the long season. You’ll deserve the position you get in the end.”

Solskjaer is confident that United will hit their ultimate goal, with a group of players that have gone unbeaten through their last 18 games in all competitions being backed to find a formula that delivers a top-four finish.

The Red Devils boss added: “I have to say the mentality of the boys has been brilliant.

“We’ve had a few setbacks over the season, of course, and this is another challenge for us. I’m very confident in the mentality of them.

“I'm very disappointed of course, but you have to take the disappointments, as well as the positives when you win games. Of course, the disappointment with this [the Southampton draw] is when it’s one of the last kicks of the ball and you concede a goal and you lose two points.

“That’s part of football and we’ve learnt a hard lesson, hopefully. We’ll make it right, we’ll put it right. I trust them in that respect.”

United will be back in action on Thursday when they take in a trip to Crystal Palace.

Lille striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly entered into negotiations with Napoli, having made up his mind to join the Serie A side.

The forward has been linked with a number of European clubs following his eye-catching performances for Christophe Galtier’s men in the 2019-20 season.

The Parthenopeans have, however, been leading the race to secure his signature and the striker was believed to be close to securing a move to the side last month but his agent raised the issue of racism in Italy.

Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly recently revealed the Super Eagles striker called him to make an enquiry about racial discrimination in the country and advised him on steps to take if he eventually joins the Parthenopeans.

Goal gathered the 21-year-old forward recently changed his agent which led to the delay in wrapping up his transfer to the Stadio San Paolo outfit.

The striker is now close to sealing an €81 million move to the Parthenopeans which is subject to successful medical examinations, having been swayed by manager Gennaro Gattuso’s genuine interest in him.

According to L'Equipe, Osimhen could complete his move to the side on Thursday and it is believed the striker will earn seven times more money than he currently earns at Lille.

Last summer the French outfit sold Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal for £72 million but Osimhen’s deal could be the best ever for the Mastiffs.

The forward joined the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit last summer from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi and impressed in his debut campaign with the side.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, winning the club’s Player of the Season award and the Marc Vivien Foe best Ligue 1 African Player prize in the process.

The forward burst into the limelight at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile, where he won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards to help Nigeria win the title.

The Ultimate Strikers Academy graduate, who currently has nine caps for the Super Eagles, will link up with Koulibaly if his transfer is successful.

Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal and Newcastle in an ongoing bid to free up squad space and funds that will allow them to launch a raid on Inter for Lautaro Martinez, Goal has learned .

It has been clear for some time that Brazil international playmaker Coutinho does not figure in the long-term thinking at Camp Nou.

Barca snapped Coutinho up from Liverpool in the winter window of 2018 , but have seen little return on their investment.

With the South American having struggled to find a spark in Catalunya, he was allowed to head out on loan in the summer of 2019.

A season-long stint at Bayern Munich has only served to raise further questions of the 28-year-old’s form and fitness .

Barcelona are now looking to put another deal in place, with the Liga giants aware that they cannot incorporate another sizeable salary into their plans for 2020-21.

There is acceptance on the part of the Blaugrana that they are going to struggle to find a European suitor willing to take on both Coutinho’s wage and a sizeable transfer fee.

Bayern passed up on their purchase option some time ago, leaving the door open for others to make a move, and Barca believe that a return to the Premier League for Coutinho would now be the best option for all concerned.

With that in mind, they have started to seek out potential landing spots, and Arsenal and Newcastle have been sounded out, with both clubs having been heavily linked with the midfielder in the past.

No answer has been received from either club as yet, with the Gunners and Magpies continuing to mull over the terms of a deal and their respective standings for next season – on both sporting and financial fronts.

It could be that they explore the option of putting another loan agreement in place with Barca, who are not ruling out such an arrangement, with all offers set to be considered.

The Blaugrana concede that they are going to lose money on Coutinho in the long run, having acquired him for a base fee of €120 million (£109m/$136m), but they need to get him off their books.

Efforts to bring in alternative options, such as Argentina international Lautaro , can only be made if money is saved and raised elsewhere.

When the Super League was stopped in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, a couple of days before the Movement Control Order was announced by the Malaysian government, Perak were sitting pretty in second place after four rounds of matches played.

Only two points behind Johor Darul Ta'zim in the standings, there was a real possibility of a title fight between the two teams for the 2020 season. Now fast forward four months later, the situation is less clear as there has been no matches played during this period.

Slowly but surely football has been allowed to return by the highest authority in Malaysia starting with the individual training that began on June 15 and the contact training that will begin on July 15. The Malaysian government has also given the green light for competitive matches to be played as early as August 15.

"Everything depends on MFL on what is the priority before they decide on the actual dates for the resumption of the M-League. Now we have the time to gather our players in the same session and whether we begin next month or in September, all the teams are in the same boat.

"Everyone will experience the same things in terms of period of training, so it's not a problem. If it starts in August maybe there will be some reasoning behind it but I leave it at the hands of MFL because either options are comfortable for me.

"I'm very satisfied with the physical level of my players and there are currently no injury concerns. It's all about working harding in training to regain back the game momentum," said Mehmet Durakovic in an interview with Malaysian Football League (MFL).

After the high of finishing second in the 2018 season, which saw them competing in the 2019 AFC Champions League qualifying round, Perak dropped down to fifth in the 2019 season. Despite the loss of influential figure in Brendan Gan prior to the start of the 2020 season, the Bos Gaurus has shown great fighting spirit in the opening rounds of the new season.

Still unbeaten, Durakovic's side will feel that with the league reduced to just 11 matches and only seven remaining, they will have a real say on where the title will head to in 2020. If Perak can keep their squad injury-free for the rest of the season, a finish like 2018 could be on the cards.

Manchester City avoiding a European ban could work in Liverpool’s favour, claims John Aldridge, with the Reds’ closest rivals in the Premier League set to have continental distractions again in 2020-21.

It appeared at one stage as though that would not be the case, with the Blues about to see their focus narrowed on domestic matters.

UEFA stung City with a two-year ban from European competition, with those at the Etihad Stadium accused of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has lifted those sanctions on appeal, with Pep Guardiola able to plan an assault on multiple fronts next season as a result.

Liverpool are doing likewise, having ended their 30-year wait for title glory in the current campaign.

Jurgen Klopp and his troops are determined to defend that crown over the course of the next 12 months, with Aldridge of the opinion that their cause has been aided by Monday’s ruling on City.

The former Reds striker told the Liverpool Echo: “From a Liverpool perspective, the Court of Arbitration of Sport's decision to overturn Manchester City's two-year ban from the Champions League will help them.

“If City were out of that competition for next season, then they would have so much more time to focus and dedicate their energies on domestic trophies and obviously that includes the Premier League.

“With this decision, it is more of a level playing field across the board for both clubs next season. So both teams will be going for the Premier League and the Champions League and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out again next time out.

“The only thing is perhaps some of City's top stars who were maybe contemplating leaving will now stay at the Etihad as it has been turned around for them.

“That will no doubt make Liverpool's job tougher next season but I think having all the competitions to focus on will make it an even keel for both.”

Liverpool and City still have three games left to take in this season, with it possible for the Reds to finish on 102 points and raise a bar that City set when reaching three figures back in 2018.

Aldridge is hoping to see them hit that mark, adding on a side that will next be in action at Arsenal on Wednesday: “What they have done is truly fantastic this season and I am pretty sure they will want to finish this season on a high and that will mean breaking the points record.

“If they do manage to get over 100 points then great, but if they don't, what they have achieved anyway has been quite magnificent.

“In a 12-month period they won the Champions League, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and, of course, the Premier League.

“Everything before them they have taken, pretty much. It has been an incredible year for Klopp's team and they remind me of the 1977 side.

“They were going for the treble but got beat in the final by Manchester United. That was a brilliant team like so many we've had in the past. But you have to say, Klopp's side are right up there and they have just got to keep going.”

Christian Eriksen has been warned that he needs to raise his game in order to deliver on expectations at Inter, with Antonio Conte pointing out that the playmaker is not in England anymore.

A Denmark international was taken to San Siro in January after enjoying six-and-a-half productive years in the Premier League at Tottenham.

He contributed 69 goals and 89 assists to the Spurs cause, allowing him to establish a reputation as one of European football’s top creative talents.

Inter were happy to buy into those qualities once it became clear that an exit door would be opening in north London.

Eriksen opted against committing to an extended contract at Tottenham, freeing him to head for Italy in the winter transfer window.

The 28-year-old has not made the impact expected of him in Milan, with a coronavirus-enforced break stunting his progress, and Conte admits improvement is required in order to earn a starting berth in his side.

The Inter boss told Sky Sport Italia after giving Eriksen just six minutes off the bench in a 3-1 victory over Torino: “He has to hold down certain levels, but balance is needed. He’s improving and he’s aware that he joined an ambitious club that is asking a lot of him.

“Expectations are high in Italy. The bigger the name you are, the more people expect from you.

“I’ve worked in England and the situation there is more enjoyable, more peaceful. He’s committed and doing well, but I have to make decisions for the good of Inter.

“When I pick a player, I don’t look from the neck up. I want them to carry on like this. This team have great spirit. Sometimes they need to believe in their quality more.”

Victory over Torino has lifted Inter back into second place in the Serie A standings, but they are eight points back on leaders Juventus and Conte says he is happy to step aside if his services are no longer required.

He added: “I was called to Inter for a three-year project, to bring them back where they deserve to be.

“Inevitably, that takes time. I came here with so much enthusiasm. I have faith. I started a three-year project and [my contract] lasts three years. After that, if they want to extend my contract...

“I’m happy, I know there’s a long way to go, but I don't want to overstay my welcome. If everyone’s happy with the job I’m doing, and I think that’s the case right now, from what I’ve been told, then I don’t see why we shouldn’t go on.

“If they’re not happy with the job I’m doing then I won’t hesitate to step aside.”

James Rodriguez is a "great talent" but he's not the right fit for Real Madrid's "tactical system", according to Fernando Morientes.

Madrid completed the signing of James following his stellar displays for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup, prising him away from Monaco for a fee of €75 million (£68m/$85m).

The 29-year-old has since racked up 125 appearances for the Blancos in all competitions, scoring 37 goals and laying on 42 assists, but has never quite managed to establish himself as a first-team regular.

Madrid decided to send the midfielder out on loan to Bayern Munich for two years in 2017, and he found himself even further down the squad pecking order upon his return to Santiago Bernabeu last summer.

James has only featured in 14 games for Zinedine Zidane's side this season, with just eight of those outings coming in La Liga.

He was left out of Madrid's matchday squad for the 2-1 victory away at Granada on Monday, which saw them move to within one more victory of domestic glory.

The former Monaco star still has one year left to run on his current contract at the Bernabeu, but the Blancos have been tipped to cash in on the out-of-favour star when the transfer window reopens.

A move to the Premier League has been mooted for James in recent months, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton all credited with an interest in his services.

Morientes cannot see the Colombian forcing his way back into Zidane's starting XI, but he is certain that James is capable of rediscovering his best form at another club.

The former Madrid striker told La Liga TV: "He has a great talent and he is a special player but does not fit in Real Madrid's tactical system. I am sure he can succeed in any other team."

The Blancos are currently sitting top of La Liga by four points ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona, with only two fixtures remaining.

Karim Benzema notched his 24th goal of the season against Granada to ensure Madrid kept one hand on the title, and Morientes has been hugely impressed by the Frenchman's contribution this term.

"Benzema is having a fantastic season, he has assumed the role of leader with [Sergio] Ramos and if nothing prevents it, he will soon be a league champion," the Spaniard added.

"He has given the team what they needed after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure."

Zidane's men will be named La Liga champions if they can secure a 10th successive victory at home to Villarreal on Thursday.

Mikel Arteta is refusing to give up on Arsenal’s European qualification ambitions until it is “mathematically impossible” for them to finish inside the top seven.

Inconsistency continues to hinder the efforts of the north London giants in 2019-20 and that has been an issue for some time, with the Gunners regularly taking two steps back after establishing forward momentum.

A derby defeat to arch-rivals Tottenham in their last Premier League outing saw that sequence continue, with Spurs helped on their way to a 2-1 win by individual errors from Arteta’s side.

Arsenal are, however, just four points adrift of surprise package Sheffield United – who sit seventh – with three games left to take in.

They are also through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they will meet holders Manchester City.

Routes to continental competition remain open to the Gunners, and that is helping to keep Arteta upbeat.

He has told Arsenal’s official website: “I'm going to keep going and I'm going to try to persuade the boys to keep going, and fight until we have a little bit of hope and until it's mathematically impossible. This is where we are.”

Arteta is aware of the areas in which Arsenal must improve if they are to deliver on expectations.

Defensive leaks have been undermining their efforts for far too long, with more lapses in concentration costing them dear at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Sead Kolasinac teed up Heung-min Son to restore parity on derby day with a misplaced pass, before Toby Alderweireld was given a free run to nod home from a corner.

Quizzed on whether set-pieces have become a cause for concern, Arteta added: “It's one of them but in this league it's very difficult.

“It is part of the process we are trying to do. We will improve there and we know how important they are in big matches.

“We talked about it before the game that set-pieces in this game are crucial, and it cost us the three points.”

Arsenal will be back in action on Wednesday when they welcome newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to Emirates Stadium.

Stoke City have announced Mame Diouf has signed a contract extension with the Championship club until the end the 2019-20 season.

The forward has been with the Potters since the summer of 2014 after joining the side from German Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a four-year contract deal.

The Senegal international has made 144 league appearances for Stoke, scoring 24 goals since his return to England, having previously featured for Manchester United.

In the current campaign, Diouf has been limited to 11 appearances across all competitions, including eight in the Championship, owing to injury and other issues.

Stoke are currently five places and four points above the relegation zone after 14 wins, seven draws and 22 losses.

The Potters are now left with three games against Bristol City, Brentford and Nottingham Forest before the end of the season.

Following the expiration of his current deal with the side, Stoke have now extended the 32-year-old’s contract to enable him to participate in the remaining games.

“Stephen Ward and striker Mame Diouf, whose contracts were due to expire at the end of June, have both signed extensions until the end of the current season,” read a statement from the club website.

Diouf started his career from his home country in Senegal with Diaraf before moving to Europe in 2007, joining Norwegian club Molde.

The forward bagged 29 goals in 62 league games for the Aker Stadion outfit which generated interest from a number of clubs, including Arsenal, Feyenoord, Groningen, West Bromwich Albion and Red Bull Salzburg.

Diouf later signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2009 but only played five Premier League games under Alex Ferguson and had to make do with a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers before departing the Old Trafford in 2012 to join Hannover 96.

The forward has 47 caps for Senegal since he made his debut for the West Africans against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a friendly in 2009.

Teddy Osok has revealed he was shocked and in denial after learning of his release from Wazito FC.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side released 11 players and opted against extending the contract of Paul Modo Kiongera. The 25-year-old was released from the team he helped gain promotion to the top-tier after winning the 2018/19 National Super League title.

"I was shocked and in denial after receiving the dismissal letter, it was like a dream," Osok revealed to Goal on Tuesday. 

"This is a team I helped to get promoted from the second-tier, and when on the pitch I usually gave my best. I could not imagine, even in my wildest dreams, that I will be dismissed this soon.

"To date, I do not know the reason behind my release, only Wazito know, but I have accepted and I'm ready for the next move."

The lanky midfielder has also revealed his situation after getting released by his former side a couple of days ago.

"Currently I am doing everything to ensure my fitness level is good," Osok added.

"I have not been approached by any team since my release. However, I want to state that I am ready to play anywhere as long as we get to an agreement, that is all.

"My quality is there, and potential is also there for everyone to see, it is about time I move on."

Osok joined Wazito in November 2018 from 2009 league champions Sofapaka, signing an initial one-year deal with the team. He worked his way into the then-led Fred Ambani first team and helped the team gain promotion to the top-tier.

Injuries hampered his involvement in the abandoned 2019/20 season, but when fit, he always commanded a starting berth.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side axed foreigners Issioffu Bourahana, Paul Acquah, Piscas Kirenge and Augustine Otu. Others released include goalkeepers Steve Njunge and Kevin Omondi. Victor Ndinya, Derrick Otanga and Lloyd Wahome were not spared either.  

On Monday, July 6, Wazito and coach Stewart Hall parted ways. Hall left the team after joining them in November 2019.

The British tactician had managed to steady the club after it had struggled to cope with the pressure in the top-tier since their promotion at the start of the season.

Manchester United have become “exciting” to watch for the first time in years, says Paul Scholes, with the likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford offering cause for optimism.

The Red Devils did drop points in their most recent outing, with a 2-2 draw at home to Southampton preventing them from clambering into the Premier League’s top four.

Champions League qualification remains very much on the cards, though, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side having gone unbeaten through their last 18 games in all competitions.

Bruno Fernandes has been a talismanic presence in that run, but the Portuguese is assisted by a star-studded supporting cast.

Home-grown talents such as Rashford and Greenwood have thrived, while Paul Pogba is looking to add consistency to his game after overcoming form and fitness issues.

United legend Scholes is encouraged by what he has seen, with a man who collected 11 top-flight crowns in his remarkable career telling Premier League Productions: “It’s such a difference from what we saw before Christmas.

“You just can’t wait to watch them play now and for the last five or six years it’s not been like that.

“It’s exciting and we can’t wait to watch these young players – Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, young players playing at the top end of the pitch in a really good team now.

“It’s exciting. They are local lads as well. You couldn’t get any better.”

United did miss the chance to establish further momentum during their meeting with the Saints.

Michael Obafemi snatched a late leveller at Old Trafford to ensure that the visitors left with something, but Scholes is not overly concerned by that slight setback as the Red Devils’ top-four fate remains in their own hands with three games left to take in.

A member of the fabled Class of ‘92 added: “I don't think it's changed that much.

“Obviously they would have liked to have won the game and get into the top three. But they've still got to win the games.

“Even if they'd won 3 or 4-1, it didn't really matter. They've still got to beat Crystal Palace, West Ham, and then Leicester. I still think that's the case.

“Leicester will be a difficult game, we know that. But it's exciting until the end of the season for neutrals to watch.”

United will be back in action when taking in a meeting with Palace on Thursday, before their attention then shifts away from Premier League matters and towards an FA Cup semi-final date with Chelsea at Wembley.

Kenya defender Joash Onyango has revealed he is ready for another challenge after his current contract with Gor Mahia expires. 

The K'Ogalo assistant captain has been consistent for the Kenyan side and has been influential both for the club and the national team. The Harambee Star is now keen on making a move but has not ruled out chances of staying at his current team.

"To be honest my contract with Gor Mahia expires in December," Onyango revealed to KTN.

"I am ripe for another challenge; Gor Mahia have not approached me regarding my contract extension.

"So if any team approach me with intentions to get my services, I will not think twice."

The 27-year-old has been strongly linked to Tanzania Mainland Champions Simba SC who are desperate to replace Ivorian Pascal Wawa.

"Yes, I have heard numerous reports linking me with a move to Simba," Onyango stated.

"However, to date, I have not been contacted by any representative of the team. I have been reading a lot regarding the move, but nothing tangible, those are just rumours."

Onyango joined K'Ogalo from Western Stima in 2017, and has gone to help them win back-to-back KPL titles and helping them in continental assignments. He was part of the team that qualified for the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-finals in the 2018/19 season.

The team went on to fall 7-1 on aggregate to RS Berkane of Morocco.

Other players whose contracts at K'Ogalo have or are about to expire include Charles Momanyi, who has been linked with a move to KCB, winger Nicholas Kipkirui and Ghanaian Jackson Owusu.

Skipper Kenneth Muguna had also stated in an earlier interview that he might not be at the club for next season.

"It is true I might be leaving the team," the Kenya midfielder answered when asked whether he will be at the club.

"But it will depend on the outcome of our negotiations. If it all goes well, I will be with the team next season, if not, I will be playing for another team."   

The midfielder is one of the best players in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and his quality has seen him get into the national team for Harambee Stars.  

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has praised his players for a good display that saw his side hammer their rivals 4-1 in an FA Cup contest on Sunday.

Goals from Gerson Fraga, Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone and Muzamiru Yassin were enough to make Simba fans smile wide at a half-packed National Stadium, and kept alive their hopes of sealing a double this season.

On the other hand, the defeat dashed Yanga’s hopes of earning a direct ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup next season.

The Belgian tactician has now thanked his players for showing the character and earning sweet revenge against the side that had beaten them 1-0 in their second-round league encounter.

“It was the kind of performance I had asked my players to produce and they did exactly that,” Vandenbroeck told the club’s official website.

“What else could I have asked from these players? The quality of the game was perfect, the passing was excellent our attacking was good and we scored well-taken goals, I think we deserved to win with this margin because we were the better side.

“It was also sweet for the win because we had lost against them in the league, it is a match which I would have never known how we could lose it because we were the better side, dominated them but they got one chance, from a free-kick and we scored to run away with the three points.

“My players were keen to revenge, and they had the chance on Sunday and they did it in style, they showed Tanzanians why they are the league champions, they proved they are good and I am happy for them and the entire team and also the fans for always rallying behind the team.”

Vandenbroeck also confirmed Simba players will take a two-day rest and resume training on Tuesday ahead of their league match against Mbao FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

“I asked the players to take a rest, they have done a good job and deserve to rest then we can regroup again for the remaining matches and also the final.”

Simba will now take on Namungo FC in the final set for August 2 at Nelson Mandela, in Sumbawanga, Rukwa, seeking to seal a double as they had already been crowned Mainland Premier League champions with six matches to spare.

Harry Kane looks "isolated" up front at the moment, according to Michael Dawson, who says the Tottenham striker "misses" the service of Christian Eriksen.

Kane has struggled for form in the final third since the resumption of the Premier League season on June 17.

The England international has only managed to score twice in his last six outings, taking his overall tally for the campaign to 19.

It has been suggested that the 26-year-old is still working his way back to full fitness, having spent the majority of 2020 on the sidelines recovering from a hamstring injury.

However, Dawson believes Eriksen's absence is the main reason behind Kane's recent goalscoring woes, with Spurs now short on invention and guile in the middle of the park.

The Danish playmaker completed a move to Inter in the January transfer window, and Jose Mourinho's side have since been unable to string a significant run of wins together.

“When they let Christian Eriksen go we didn’t see the best of Christian before he left, maybe that’s because his head was turned and he couldn’t agree a new contract," former Tottenham defender Dawson told Talksport.

“Probably 18 months ago he was the best No.10 at creating goals for Harry Kane. He was incredible, he was different class.

“I don’t believe they’ve replaced him… I love [Giovani] Lo Celso, I think he’s incredible and before lockdown, he was finding his feet and coming back.

“You talk about Lucas Moura, Dele Alli in there but I think Harry Kane misses someone like Christian Eriksen in there. He finds those balls and makes opportunities for Harry.”

Dawson did, however, go on to back Kane to rediscover his clinical edge in front of goal despite a lack of support in advanced positions.

The 36-year-old, who currently plies his trade in the Championship with Nottingham Forest, added: “He scores goals, he’s incredible but maybe he’s a little bit more isolated now.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’ll be scoring goals. He’s done it for years and years and he’ll do it for the rest of his career because he’s a goalscorer. When you get chances, you never lose it.”

Heading to Celtic was always part of Andy Robertson’s career plan, but the Premier League title winner is now ready to shelve those ambitions and see out his playing days at Liverpool.

The Glasgow native has never shied away from the fact that he would welcome the opportunity to represent the club he supported as a boy.

Dreams of turning out at Parkhead were, however, formed before the 26-year-old made his way to Anfield.

Liverpool snapped Robertson up from Hull City in 2017 and found considerable value in an £8 million ($10m) deal.

The highly-rated left-back is now a European, world and English champion, while working on a contract through to 2024.

Robertson is now hoping to extend that agreement at some stage and hang up his boots on Merseyside, with a return to his roots no longer part of the long-term strategy.

“If you asked me when I was playing for Hull if I wanted to go back and play for Celtic, then I would have said that 100 per cent I wanted to play for my boyhood club,” Robertson told The Lockdown Tactics podcast.

“But now I’ve found my home at Liverpool and I love playing for this club. If I could retire at Liverpool, then I’d bite your hand off for it now. Playing at this club is amazing. To play in front of the fans every second week at Anfield is incredible.

“When I was younger, I wanted to play for Celtic and give my best years to Celtic. I didn’t want to be hanging on and going there at 33 or 34 when I knew my best years were gone.

“It might be something I’ll need to think about at some stage. I still follow Celtic and they still have a place in my heart. 

“It would be hard to say ‘no’ but, if I did have the option of retiring at Liverpool, I’d bite your hand off for it — and I’d probably sign the contract now.”

Robertson has seen his stock soar while at Anfield, to the point that many now consider him to be the finest left-back on the planet, and he is delighted to have played a leading role in what has been an historic run of success for the Reds.

He added: “For this club to go 30 years without winning the league was something we had to change. That’s why people were more emotional than usual.

“We had quite a few wet eyes in the small party we had (after Manchester City’s loss at Chelsea confirmed their coronation on June 25).

“When you play for Liverpool, winning just means so much. I’m hopeful we won’t have to wait 30 years for the next one. Hopefully, winning the league will become normal again for Liverpool.”

Arsenal will look to pick themselves up when they face Liverpool in Premier League action on Wednesday night, having been defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s North London Derby.

Spurs, out of sorts after their recent 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, came from behind to win 2-1 after goals from Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette’s opener.

It’s a loss that threatens to undermine the Londoners’ recent progress under Mikel Arteta, and leaves their hopes of European qualification in tatters.

With three matches to play, they find themselves in ninth position on 50 points, two behind their local rivals, four behind Sheffield United in seventh and five behind sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Certainly, they’ll be desperate to take points from Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, otherwise they risk having to rely on the FA Cup in order to secure any kind of presence in Europe next season.

The Reds may have got their hands on the title, but they still have much to play for this season, with Jurgen Klopp’s side making little secret of their desire to claim the Premier League’s all-time points record.

Their 100-percent home record was ended when they were held 1-1 by Burnley at the weekend, when Jay Rodriguez’s equaliser cancelled out Andy Robertson’s opener, but they must win if they’re to overtake Manchester City’s 2017-18 haul of 100 points.

At the moment, they are seven points short with nine points still to claim, so even a draw would mean they could only equal the record set by Pep Guardiola’s side two seasons ago.

City are also in action on Wednesday, taking on Eddie Howe’s revived Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

The Cherries have the wind in their sails after downing Leicester City in style on Sunday, but will their momentum be halted in its tracks by City?

Also in Premier League action on Wednesday, Europa League hopefuls Spurs—surely buoyed by their North London Derby triumph—are away at Newcastle United as they look to round off the campaign in style.

SuperSport Fixtures

Monday 13 July – Manchester United vs Southampton (Premier League)

Monday 13 July – Granada vs Real Madrid (LaLiga)

Monday 13 July – Inter Milan vs Torino (Serie A)

Tuesday 14 July – Chelsea vs Norwich (Premier League)

Tuesday 14 July – Atalanta vs Brescia (Serie A)

Wednesday 15 July – Manchester City vs Bournemouth (Premier League)

Wednesday 15 July – Newcastle vs Tottenham (Premier League)

Wednesday 15 July – Arsenal vs Liverpool (Premier League)

Wednesday 15 July – Udinese vs Lazio (Serie A)

Wednesday 15 July – Sassuolo vs Juventus (Serie A)

Wednesday 15 July – AC Milan vs Parma (Serie A)

Earlier in the week, Manchester United host Southampton on Monday, while Chelsea welcome already relegated Norwich City to Stamford Bridge.

United are ending the season strongly—they’ve won their last four league games on the bounce—with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting the best out of the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and wonderkid Mason Greenwood.

Bruno Fernandes, of course, is receiving the vast majority of the plaudits for his instrumental role behind the front three, while Paul Pogba appears determined to play his part as United get over the line in Champions League qualification.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have proved that they’re not yet the real deal under rookie coach Frank Lampard, losing two of their last four.

They were hapless as they were thumped 3-0 by Sheffield United, and the visit of Norwich—already bound for the Championship—may yet be a banana skin.

Across the rest of Europe this week, we’re also set for crunch fixtures in Serie A and LaLiga.

All of the top three in Italy dropped points this weekend, with Lazio and Internazionale failing to capitalise on Juventus’ slip-ups.

The Old Lady have taken just one point from their last two matches—and were held by Atalanta on Saturday—but Lazio’s form has evaporated, and they’ve lost their last three.

Juve are away at Sassuolo on Wednesday, looking to return to winning ways, while Inter—held by Hellas Verona on Friday—will be desperate to take all three points when they face 16th-placed Torino on Monday.

Atalanta are also in action this week following their heroics against Juve on Saturday; twice the Serie A surprise package took the lead, and twice they were pegged back by Cristiano Ronaldo penalties.

They’re nine points behind Juve ahead of the visit of Brescia on Tuesday, so can they keep up on the leaders—and reduce the gap—before Ronaldo and co. take to the field on Wednesday?

In Spain, Barcelona’s return to form has put the pressure back on Real Madrid.

Barca have won their last three in a row, following a stutter in which they drew back-to-back games, and Real’s lead is only one point as we approach the final week of the campaign.

Zinedine Zidane’s side can take a giant step towards the title if they win their game in hand—away at Granada on Monday—which would leave them needing one more victory from their final two matches (at home against Villarreal and away at Leganes) to secure the title.

"It's the last week and we have three games," Zidane told journalists. "It's the most difficult week, the most important one.

"All the teams have things to play for and we want to put all our energy into [Monday]'s game."