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Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has revealed how he is keeping tabs on the Kenya international players amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Football was suspended in March as a result of the outbreak, and four months down the line, players have been training on their own.

The 44-year-old has now shed some light on how he ensures players are maintaining their fitness levels.

"It is a difficult situation now but we have been engaging with the players at a personal level," Kimanzi told the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) website.

"We have also been doing a lot of planning and following up on our scouting database. Player selection is never easy, but what counts is the current form.

"Take for instance, when [Gor Mahia midfielder] Lawrence Juma was in top form, we picked him into the starting team ahead of other foreign players. Playing abroad is secondary to the player’s current form when it comes to selection."

Kimanzi was serving as the assistant coach to former Kenya coach Sebastien Migne when the team participated in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt.

The Stars finished third in their group after defeating Tanzania 3-2 but lost the other two matches 2-0 and 3-0, against Algeria and Senegal, respectively.

"The tournament itself was a magnificent experience, but it is the run-up to the tourney that drew a lot of lessons," Kimanzi continued.

"Being together for a month, and working under a top coach was such a learning experience."  

One thing the current regime has managed to do better is to ensure the Harambee Stars are involved in the international window. The former Mathare United coach has explained the importance of keeping the players and teams active.

"It is important for the team to remain active since these players are from diverse backgrounds. Building a team takes time and it is for this reason that we need to utilize every opportunity to squeeze in a match," he added.

"Our logistics team has also done a good job: booking flights, hotels, and training sessions on time. We always need to have the players in proper mental shape if we are to produce results."  

Kimanzi has also urged the players to keep safe amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Keep safe. We need you healthy, hopefully, when things get back to normal," he concluded.  

Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial can develop into “one of the best strikers” in the world, according to team-mate Nemanja Matic.

Signed from Monaco in the summer of 2015, the Frenchman initially started his career at Old Trafford in fine form but hit a difficult spell for the Old Trafford side, returning a relatively disappointing 31 goals over the course of three seasons.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, though, the 24-year-old has been resurgent, with his performances increasing in strength over the the last 18 months.

He has been instrumental in United’s push for a top-four finish, scoring seven goals and creating another in their last nine games, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United.

Matic says that it is reward for the work he has been putting in on the training ground over a long period of time.

“A good game for one football player doesn't come like that. It's hard work,” Matic, who also talked up teenage prospect Mason Greenwood, told Stats Perform News.

“Anthony, in the last year or year and a half, I have seen him working a lot, trying to improve in every part of the game.

“Of course, then on the pitch that gives you more and you deserve it. Anthony is going great. In training sessions he is fighting for every ball, trying to help his team-mates.

“Even when we don't have the ball he is trying to defend. He's doing fantastic. I think if he continues like this he will be one of the best strikers or attacking players in the world.

“He is still young, I have to say, still a lot to improve and time works for him, so he just needs to continue to work like this.”

Martial will hope to continue his recent run of success when Solskjaer’s side welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Monday, with the home side having the opportunity to jump to third in the standings with a victory.

The decision to overturn Manchester City’s two-year European ban means that they will need to finish in the top four in order to play in the Champions League next season – unless Pep Guardiola’s side go on and lift the title this term.

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston believes Inter Milan star and compatriot Kwadwo Asamoah still has a lot to offer despite his limited opportunities at the Italian outfit.

Asamoah has struggled to break into Antonio Conte’s set-up since hurting his knee last year and has since been in and out of training.

He has made just eight appearances in Serie A this season, prompting rumours about a likely transfer away this summer. His last outing was in a 0-0 draw with AS Roma in December last year.

“For me, I think he still has years ahead of him. So far, he’s done very well for himself but he still has some years in him if he makes up his mind,” Kingston told Goal.

“My only problem is he’s not playing regular football now. That’s my only worry. But if he finds himself a club where he can play week in week out, trust me he still possesses a lot of qualities.

“He plays wing-back or left full-back but sometimes he goes up and you can see he has the eye for assists and sometimes he can also strike.

“It would be good for him to move to a team where he would be able to play in his comfortable position – No.10 or around the box. He can be great and get to the peak that he wants to be.”

Reportedly likely to join Turkish side Fenerbahce at the end of the season, former Udinese ace Asamoah has over the past years shifted from playing as an attacking midfielder to being largely deployed on the left side of defence as a left-back or wing-back.

“For me, I think Kwadwo Asamoah is a No.10 player, behind the striker because that was where I saw him play from the beginning and he did very well,” Kingston, a team-mate of Asamoah for Ghana at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, opined.

“Even when he was with Udinese, he was playing in that position and was doing very well. But sometimes, as a player, if you go to a team and a coach puts you in another position, you have to be a little bit professional.

“No.10 is where he feels comfortable and when you ask him today, he will say the same thing.”

Asamoah, who has also been linked to Galatasaray, joined Inter from Udinese in summer 2018.

With the South African Freestyle Championship kicking off on July 20, Goal South Africa took the opportunity to throw some quick-fire questions to the three-time South African Freestyle Champion and the World Football Freestyle Association’s Head of Freestyle for Southern Africa, Ashley “Floorise” Mkhize.

Working and playing in the Freestyle space for 11 years, Mkhize has built up quite the CV. His most recent victory came representing Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Champion Skills tournament in May 2020.

Ranked third in Africa and the Africa Panna Champion for 2019, the Barcelona and Chiefs supporter was the Champion freestyle in South Africa for three straight years (2013- 2015).

Mkhize has also been the 2016 5fives pop up freestyle champion, 2014 Back to the City freestyle football champion, 2012 Urban sessions freestyle champion, and 2011 Champion (Kicka ball Tapping competitions). 

Can do better than MKhize?  Then enter the South African Freestyle Championship from July 20-24 2020 by loading your 40s-60 second freestyle videos on your Facebook or Instagram profiles using  #ZAFreestyle #HitecSA and #GoalZA and join in the fun. Cash prizes and vouchers are up for grabs for the winners, and a few treats for Goal readers are available too, courtesy of Hi-tec. Check out how to enter here. Terms and Conditions Apply. U18 require the permission of their parents or guardians. 

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte revealed Victor Moses is raring to return to action after recovering from an injury.

The 29-year-old forward last featured for the Black and Blues in their 6-0 victory over Brescia, where he played for 69 minutes before his replacement.

The versatile player has now missed his side’s last two games, against Bologna and Hellas Verona, owing to a thigh problem.  

Conte has provided an update on the injury of the former Nigeria international ahead of their Serie A game against Torino on Monday evening.

“Moses is doing well: he’s fully recovered and raring to go, and we'll make sure to make the right call together with the player and the medical staff,” Conte told the club website.

The former Nigeria international joined Inter temporarily in January from Premier League side Chelsea after cutting short his 18-month loan with Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce.

His move to the San Siro outfit saw him reunite with his former coach Conte, under whom he enjoyed success at Stamford Bridge.

Since teaming up with Inter, the former Crystal Palace player has made 12 appearances across all competitions, including seven in Serie A.

Moses has now featured for five different clubs on loan since joining Chelsea from Championship side Wigan Athletic in 2012.

Besides Inter Milan, the former Super Eagles winger has played for Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United and Fenerbahce.

The Black and Blues are winless in their last two games which have seen them drop to the fourth spot on the table with 65 points from 31 games, behind Juventus, Lazio and Atalanta.

Should he get to play against Ola Aina’s Torino, Moses, who had 38 caps for the Super Eagles before his retirement from international duty, will hope to help his side bounce back to winning ways in the encounter.

Mohun Bagan have named Spanish midfielder Joseba Beitia as their Player of The Year for the 2019-20 season.

The Spaniard was in excellent form throughout last season and played a crucial role in guiding the club to their second I-League title. Beitia played 16 matches during the campaign, scored three goals and provided three assists.

Sajal Bag, a member of the Mohun Bagan U-18 team has been named as the Best Youth Player of the season.

Every year, Mohun Bagan celebrate July 29 as ‘Mohun Bagan Day’ in a grand manner to commemorate the famous IFA Shield triumph over British regimental side East Yorkshire in 1911. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the club has decided against organizing a grand celebration.

The club’s highest honour, the ‘Mohun Bagan Ratna’, will be awarded to former Indian Hockey legend Gurbux Singh and former Bengal and Mohun Bagan Cricketer Palash Nandi.

The awards would be presented in person to the people who are in Kolkata. Those who are presently unavailable in Kolkata will be given the award later. 

Here is the list of awardees in 2020:

Mohun Bagan Ratna

Shri Gurbux Singh (Hockey)

Shri Palash Nandi (Cricket)

Lifetime Achievement

1. Shri Ashok Kumar (Hockey)

2. Shri Pranab Ganguly (Football)

3. Shri Monoranjan Porel (Athletics)

Best Football Player (Senior)

Joseba Beitia

Best Youth Player

Sajal Bag (U18 team)

La Liga president Javier Tebas has responded angrily to Manchester City’s successful appeal against their two-year European ban.

City had been banned from participating in UEFA competitions for two years and fined €30 million (£25m/$33m) for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

However, the Premier League side appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and on Monday, their appeal was found successful.

City’s UEFA ban was lifted, meaning they will play in next season’s Champions League, and their fine reduced to €10m (£9m/$11m).

"Manchester City FC did not disguise equity funding as sponsorship contributions but did fail to cooperate with the UEFA authorities," read the CAS statement.

"The CAS award emphasized that most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred," added CAS, which will publish its full written reasons over the coming days.

La Liga chief Tebas was supportive of City’s ban, and is clearly unhappy to see it repealed.

“We have to reassess whether the CAS is the appropriate body to which to appeal institutional decisions in football,” he said.

“Switzerland is a country with a great history of arbitration, the CAS is not up to standard.”

After City were originally banned in February, Tebas said on Twitter: “UEFA is finally taking decisive action.

“Enforcing Financial Fair Play rules and punishing financial doping is essential to the future of football.

“Years ago, we called for severe action against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Better late than never.”

City had maintained their innocence throughout the process, and there will surely be a sense of relief for Pep Guardiola and his players.

A statement from the club said: "Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present.

"The club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered."

Manchester City have already qualified for next season’s Champions League and are still in with a chance of lifting this season’s trophy.

They hold a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid ahead of the home leg of their as yet unfinished last-16 tie.

Arsenal are being held back by basic errors and certain players placing too much emphasis on statistics, says Paul Merson, with the Gunners warned that the combined forces of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger could not help them if players “can’t pass the ball five yards”.

Sead Kolasinac struggled on that front during a north London derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday, with the Bosnian defender teeing up Heung-min Son to cancel out Alexandre Lacazette’s opener.

He had been looking to pick out David Luiz, but a wayward pass slipped past his Brazilian colleague and into the path of the clinical Korean forward.

Questionable marking from a set-piece then allowed Toby Alderweireld to grab what would prove to be the winner for Spurs, with Mikel Arteta once again left cursing his luck after seeing individual mistakes undermine the collective effort.

Merson admits that is proving to be a regular occurrence for an inconsistent outfit, with the former Gunners star telling Sky Sports: “Against Spurs, I don't care if you've got Pep Guardiola sitting on Jose Mourinho's lap, on top of Sir Alex Ferguson's lap, on top of Arsene Wenger's lap and all four of them are one manager: if you've got a defender who can't pass the ball five yards to another defender, you are in trouble.

“When the manager puts on a training session and you're doing five-yard passes to start off with, everybody is moaning: ‘What the hell are we doing this for? Who can't pass the ball five yards?’ But that is why. It's concentration, so you can keep on doing it without even thinking about it, like you're brushing your teeth in the morning.

“It's just a really, really poor pass. But that's Arsenal, they have that ability to shoot themselves in the foot. He could play that in his sleep, he didn't even have to turn around.

“But this raises another question, and I don't know why footballers do this. All Kolasinac has to do is dink that down the line, but if he sticks it down the line and a defender comes across and clears for a throw in, that doesn't count as a completed pass in the stats. Footballers are so obsessed with pass percentages. Defenders want 88, 89, 90 per cent pass completion, but they're all five-yard passes to each other! Who cares? Honestly?

“There are so many stats now, and players are scared of them, so try to play the easy ball! If that ball reaches David Luiz, what is he going to do with it? I'll tell you: he'll roll it back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper will get closed down, and he will clear it up to halfway, which is where Arsenal were to begin with! It's just common sense. These are international players!

“All these players should care about is keeping clean sheets: that should be like scoring a hat-trick for a defender. You want defenders who think that way.”

Arsenal, who have slipped to ninth in the Premier League table, will seek to get their bid for European qualification back on track when they play host to champions Liverpool on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard insists Chelsea were never “pinning hopes” on Manchester City’s European ban being upheld, with those in west London determined to earn Champions League qualification.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned UEFA-imposed sanctions on City that would have seen them ruled out of continental competition for two years.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be back among the elite in 2020-21, with the intention of those at Stamford Bridge being to join them.

Inconsistency is making life a little difficult in that quest at present, but Chelsea’s fate remains squarely in their own hands.

A ban for City would have meant that they could slip as far as fifth and still book a Champions League berth, but Lampard insists his focus has always been on finishing inside the top four.

The Blues boss told reporters ahead of a home date with relegated Norwich on Tuesday: “I genuinely don't see beyond the games at hand. We've got a few games now, we know that. We want to win them and then see if it gets us European, Champions League football for next season.

“I was never pinning my hopes on it being an extra team getting in or not, we worry about ourselves.

“If we win enough games now we can get into the Champions League.”

Lampard added on whether pressure on his side has now been ramped up: “I don’t know. We are sitting third, it is in our hands.

“I wouldn’t want the players to be thinking that there is an extra place, can we relax a little more? It can’t be the way.

“The pressure is there to get Champions League football. It is just what happened [with City], it is clear now. It’s the position and we have to fight for it.”

Chelsea are already piecing together ambitious plans for next season, with deals done for the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner .

The plan is to give them a Champions League stage to grace, with Lampard confident that even more top talent can be lured to west London.

He said when asked whether missing out on the top four would impact his recruitment plans: “Not really a question just for me and it is a hypothetical one for me to answer before the event, hence why I don’t jump forward into that.

“We have brought a couple of players into the club already, which shows positivity about where we want to go.

“We know the club not being able to do business in the last two windows has meant we haven’t been able to bring in, move players out and I think that is as an important thing than bringing players in at times, to keep freshening up the squad and keeping the competitive nature of it.

“I know where I want to go with the squad, but that has to be a fluid conversation with the club. Of course, economics will come into it, so we will cross that bridge when it comes.”

Jack Grealish would be a “bit-part player” at Manchester United, according to Stephen Warnock, with the Aston Villa playmaker considered to hold little sporting and commercial value to the Red Devils at £80 million ($101m).

That is the price tag the 24-year-old midfielder is said to have around his neck heading towards the next transfer window.

United are among those said to be mulling over a big-money raid on Villa, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having had Grealish in his sights for some time.

The Red Devils have, however, seen Bruno Fernandes thrive in their engine room, with World Cup winner Paul Pogba now fit and firing alongside him.

Solskjaer can also call upon the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in wide attacking berths, with there seemingly little room for Grealish at the Theatre of Dreams.

Warnock concedes as much, with the former Villa defender considering it unlikely that United will splash the cash on a player who would add little more than depth to their ranks.

He told Stadium Astro: "It's the going rate for players, but for £80m I want someone who's going to start week-in and week-out.

"When you think about his global appeal for Manchester United, is he going to sell you shirts week-in and week-out to repay a lot of that money that he's going to cost? I'm not so sure he will.

"But who else will buy him for £80m with the pandemic that we're coming out of and can clubs afford to shell out £80m?

"I don't think they can. That figure would have to come down considerably and I think it will as well."

Warnock, who spent four years at Villa between 2009 and 2013, added: "If he was to join a club like Manchester United then being around better players, playing higher up the pitch and not having to do three or four jobs on the football pitch that he feels he has to do drag the team back up to where they need to be, I think he'll be a far superior player in a much better team.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows that and he understands the qualities that Jack Grealish possesses, it adds to the quality of United's squad.

"Would he play every week? That's what Jack has to work out in his head.

"If he was to go to United, is he happy being a bit-part player?"

Grealish is currently trying to help steer Villa towards Premier League survival, but they remain inside the bottom three as things stand – four points from safety with three games left to take in.

Nemanja Matic says Mason Greenwood reminds him of Arjen Robben - and there aren’t many young players in world football who compare to his Manchester United team-mate.

The 18-year-old forward has seen his star rise since the Premier League resumed in June, a key part of his side’s flourishing attack with four goals and one assist in his last three games.

Matic says Greenwood has developed since making his first-team bow in March 2019, and praised his effect on the rest of the dressing room.

“There are not many players his age of that level,” Matic told Stats Perform News. “He has this natural instinct for goals.

"There is a big difference from now to six months ago. He is young and he is changing, and his approach to training and to everything is different.

“He's a great person, great for the changing room.

"He is quiet, I have to say, but the boy is always very positive and we are happy to have him in the team."

Greenwood has 16 goals and five assists to his name so far this season, a remarkable tally for a teenager in his first full campaign at senior level.

United are keen for him to keep his feet on the ground but Matic has high hopes for him.

Asked which player he most reminds him of, Matic picked one of the 21st century’s most dangerous attackers.

"I don't want to put too much pressure on the lad, but if I had to say someone, it would be [Arjen] Robben," Matic said.

Matic also added to the inevitable comparisons being made between Greenwood and fellow United academy graduate Marcus Rashford.

"I think that when he has seen players who came through the academy, he has seen Marcus as a role model and he has tried to follow those steps, it was easier too for him to see that someone can achieve big things coming from the academy, so I am happy for him," he added.

"It is important to have players from the academy. They are making big players, good people, it's important they are good people for the changing room.

"The expectation from our fans is high and they have to be ready to play at the highest level."

National Super League (NSL) side Nairobi Stima have confirmed their dissolution after their sponsor Kenya Power and Lighting Company withdrew.

In a letter sent to players confirming the termination of their respective contracts, the club confirmed it was doing so as it dissolves following KPLC’s financial withdrawal as their sponsor.

Kenya Power had informed the clubs; Nairobi Stima and its NSL rival Coast Stima as well as the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) team Western Stima of its intention to terminate existing sponsorship deals.

“This is to inform you that your contract with Nairobi Stima Welfare Football Club is terminated from June 30 as per clause 2.1 termination by the club part e. [without notice or payment in lieu of the notice when the club is dissolved as a result of the withdrawal of the sponsorship by the sponsor,” a letter to an affected player and obtained by Goal on Monday read in part.

“We want to thank you for the services rendered to the club.”

When KPL informed the clubs of the intention to cut sponsorship deals, the state-owned company said their business had gone down thus they are unable to meet their sponsorship obligations to the teams.

Nairobi Stima chairman Johnstone Sakwa told Goal on Monday they have scheduled a meeting in the week to deliberate on the unfolding issues.

“We have a meeting lined up on the way forward. KPLC has been supporting us since 2000 and to be honest, they have helped us a lot. It is unfortunate things are happening like these,” Sakwa said.

“The company could not sustain us considering currently there are no games ongoing.”

“We were told the team has no money to sustain our services and we have no option but to accept the decision and move on. We hope that we will get new teams and develop our careers,” one of the affected players told Goal.

Nairobi Stima had enjoyed a rather good run in the second tier as they finished fifth with 35 points when Football Kenya Federation (FKF) cancelled the leagues in May.

In the 2018/19 season, they lost to Posta Rangers in the two-legged KPL play-offs.

As Nairobi Stima stand dissolved, Coast Stima confirmed on Monday they have secured a shirt sponsor with a deal that may help them remain afloat and participate in the 2020/21 season.

Six North Rift Counties have endorsed Sam Nyamweya as their preferred Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential candidate.

In a meeting held on Sunday, leaders from West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo Marakwet agreed in unison to support the administrator in his bid to return to football management in the country.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the resolve is stronger than before," read a joint statement from the leaders and obtained by Goal .

"We are pleased to announce to you after a full day of discussions and deliberations, we, as members of Upper Rift have resolved to endorse Sam Nyamweya as our preferred choice.  

"The meeting was graced by our FKF National Executive Council member Evans Rono.  

"Mr Sam Nyamweya joined us via video and addressed his people. Our people, let regions meet and chat for the way forward, the time is now."

During Nyamweya's tenure, Kenya won the right to host the 2018 Chan competition but the country was stripped of the privilege after his exit from office and the current regime under incumbent Nick Mwendwa failed to convince the government to finish the stadiums selected to host the tournament.

The administrator has also revealed other achievements realised during his era.

"I left when Kenya was ranked 90th on the Fifa rankings and, during my entire time in office, there was no time we were ranked below the 100 mark. Now, we are ranked 107," Nyamweya said in an earlier interview.  

"The national team players were covered by UAP Insurance. All of them were covered and there were no complaints of failure of treatment."

On the current grandstanding between FKF and the Kenyan Premier League, Nyamweya revealed the strategy he used to solve such issues at the time.

"FKF and KPL always worked out their differences through negotiations. Anytime there was a misunderstanding I would call Ambrose Rachier [then KPL chairman] so that we could sit and iron out issues.

"The joint Executive Committee was meeting at least once every two weeks.

"It is now two years since the current members met that is why you can see everything is in disarray."

Nyamweya also took credit for the fact that a number of Kenyans served in key positions in international events or bodies during his tenure.

"I can remember that I also pushed a number of our officials to join the Caf Executive Committee and one of them was Doris Petra who was a representative in the Women Committee. Robert Asembo served in the Caf's Constitutional Committee," he concluded.

"I am proud of the two. Aden Marwa served during the 2014 World Cup courtesy of my lobbying efforts and you know that is not an easy task.

"All these [achievements] are there to be seen."

The date for elections is yet to be made public but already several candidates have come out to confirm their interest in the top seat.

Apart from Nyamweya, those keen for the top seat include former Cecafa Secretary Nicholas Musonye, Herbert Mwachiro, Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda, former NEC member Twaha Mbarak, former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga and Sammy Shollei.

The Chairperson of the Caf Organizing Committee for women’s football Isha Johansen has explained the motive behind the decision to create the Women's Champions League.

The African football body announced plans to start a women's club competition in 2021, the same day it also confirmed the cancellation of the 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations.

The outrage and continental-wide condemnation that followed the 2018 Awcon scrapping has since been addressed by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) president, citing varying factors.

The 55-year-old also revealed the inauguration of the Champions Lague was not as a replacement for the Awcon but to compel associations to invest in women's football.

"We've had two women's symposia in Caf and there was a spate cry for the Women's Champions League to start," Johansen said in an interview with Caf made available to Goal.

"Everybody wants to see more of women's football to play and get the girls more exposure and more experience. And this was a welcoming idea. We did not really have the platform then, but now we do. 

"It's always been on the cards. Now we are ready, even though it is strange times. It is not going to be replacing the women's Awcon and the domestic women's leagues. 

"With the Women's Champions League, member associations will be compelled to improve the level of their domestic leagues in order to be eligible to participate. They will have to up their game and increase their participation."

In November, women's football stakeholders launched a four-year women's football strategy blueprint at a workshop in Egypt, which the Caf Executive Committee later gave its seal of approval.

In June, Fifa announced a coronavirus relief plan for world football, offering member associations a universal solidarity grant of $1m, with an additional $500,000 grant specifically for women’s football. 

With the latest financial support, the Sierra Leone FA boss is confident women's football will enjoy improved investment across the continent, especially in various women's domestic leagues.

"Caf is giving our financial support to the MAs during the Covid-19 and Fifa recently just announced 500,000 dollars for women's football to every member association [MA]," she continued.

"This will go a very long way in helping the women's domestic leagues. There is a recent survey which confirmed that over 30 MAs have women's leagues. This is a very good start to build on.

"If 30 MAs are working towards a vibrant and appreciable women's league or women's football in their country, the remaining which is less than half will also follow suit. 

"Caf and Fifa are ever ready to support member associations in the development of women's football. It is a great time for us, strange and abnormal times but we should also not forget that women's football is a normal thing and we will not allow Covid-19 or the abnormal times to erode the normality of things. 

"We are going to raise our game, we will change our narrative in the game as women in football, players and administrators. I think, now is the time that we should look ahead and look forward and all come on board participating to push our women's game forward on the continent." 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das revealed that the Indian men's national team camp ahead of the World Cup 2022 qualifier match against Qatar will be held in Bhubaneswar.

He also revealed that the Indian FA is in talks with Jharkhand Government over holding the U17 women's national team camp in the state.

During a webinar organised by the West Bengal Chamber of Commerce on the topic 'Future of Indian football post-COVID-19 scenario', Das revealed that the Indian FA has already written to the Odisha government and enquired about the standard operating protocols which are to be followed to arrange the national camp.

"If there is a camp it has to be in Bhubaneswar. We have written to the Odisha government for their suggestions. We are looking to start the camp by the third week of August. Don't know whether a six-week camp is possible. We are still waiting for a response from the Odisha Govt."

The Indian FA are also concerned about the travelling arrangement for the Qatar national team and when the government's regulations regarding international travel will be clear.

"The travel of the Qatar team is another huge issue. From July 15 international flights are supposed to start. Vande Bharat flights have a 14-day quarantine mandatory. I am not sure about the protocols that the Central government will give us. Right now it is a wait and watch approach.

"We have written to MYAS. They also do not have the answers. Once international flights start, we will get the protocols. We will then inform Asian Football Confederation, FIFA, and Qatar."

The AIFF have been on the lookout for venues for the Indian U17 women's team who are set to play in the U17 World Cup which will be held in India next year. The Federation has shortlisted Goa and Jharkhand as destinations to hold the India U-17 women's team's national camp.

"We have discussed it with the Goa government about the camp. Then Jharkhand is also a possibility. Their Chief Minister is very interested. We would like to start by August first week or latest by August 15. Precious Dede (goalkeeping coach) is still in Goa. Alex Ambrose will take charge in the absence of Dennerby. But I hope by August 15 he can travel back to India," said the AIFF General Secretary.

"Jharkhand's project is being led by the Chief Minister himself. We are waiting for their response. They have excellent facilities in the state and 8-10 girls are there in the state. And since it is led by Chief Minister, we are hopeful that the protocols that they will lay down will be manageable."

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been told to teach his side how to win 1-0, with Gus Poyet calling for better “balance” from a Blues team that remain inconsistent at the back.

Those flaws were highlighted once again in their most recent outing as the west London outfit slipped to a 3-0 defeat away at Sheffield United.

That setback has Lampard’s side sweating on Champions League qualification, with a top-four finish far from being wrapped up.

Fate is, however, still in their own hands with three games left to take in, while there remains plenty of potential to unlock heading towards 2020-21.

Poyet hopes Lampard can find a way of getting Chelsea firing on all cylinders, with too many players being carried at times in his debut campaign.

That was the case at Bramall Lane, with a team blessed with a wealth of attacking options unable to find a solution when it comes to keep opponents at arm’s length.

Former Blues star Poyet told Stadium Astro: “We are all different, that’s the good thing about football, we all train in a different way, we all think in a different away.

“For example, myself, even if I like my team to treat the football very well, and pay attention and create attacks, I start my team from the back.

“I make sure that first we are organised, we are tight, we make it difficult for the opposition, we care about not conceding, like our goal is our house, they cannot get in there.

“Sometimes we try to split, he’s an offensive manager, he’s a defensive manager, and there’s nothing in between, but there is. The best teams in the world defend very well and attack very well.

“It’s having the right balance and that’s what I want to see from Chelsea next year – a better balance in their play. More practical sometimes, win 1-0, why not?

“The best teams in the world win leagues winning 1-0 when they are not having a good day. [Sheffield United] was a day for Chelsea to say, ‘we’re not having a good day, let’s make sure we’re solid, we’ve got enough players to score a goal and we win 1-0’.

“I would start with that, to have a better organisation in terms of defending. I’m not going to take out [Kurt] Zouma because he’s a very strong defender. Without going too far, the tackle the other day against Crystal Palace in the last minute, there are not many players who can do that.

“But he was static. He was static in everything. Even in the last goal which everyone will remember for [Antonio] Rudiger not kicking the ball away but he [Zouma] doesn’t even try to stop the cross.

“He’s running but he didn’t even stretch himself, he didn’t even have to stop, it was like he was having one of those days where you’re not feeling well and you’re not really there, concentrating enough.

“In football I say a team can carry one player in a game, two players [more difficult], more than two you can’t carry because the opposition can play. And that’s what happened to Chelsea, there were too many who were not at the level you need to be to win football games.”

Chelsea have moved into third spot in the Premier League table, but they are just a point clear of Leicester and two ahead of a resurgent Manchester United side – who could rise above them with victory over Southampton on Monday.

Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo has expressed his delight after returning to action in their pre-season game against Hamilton on Saturday.

Calvin Bassey’s strike cancelled out Ronan Hughes’ opener before Markus Fjortoft scored the match-winner from the penalty spot to hand Steven Gerrard’s men a 2-1 victory.

Super Eagles midfielder Aribo came close to scoring in the encounter when he struck a shot but the effort was blocked by Hamilton's defenders.

The outbreak of coronavirus in March forced football activities to be suspended in Scotland and around the world as many countries imposed a total lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The 2019-20 Scottish Premiership was subsequently ended abruptly as a result of Covid-19 and the Gers finished second on the league table behind Celtic.

After the Scottish government allowed football activities to return, Rangers immediately kick-started their build-up to the 2020-21 season.

Aribo, who has been part of the preparations, has taken to the social media to express his feelings on his return to action after 17 weeks of inactivity.

“Felt good to be back on the pitch,” Aribo posted on Instagram with his image during the game.

Aribo has been in fine form since joining the Gers last summer after turning down a chance to extend his contract with Charlton Athletic, where he spent two years.

The 23-year-old midfielder scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 45 appearances for the Ibrox Stadium outfit in his debut campaign.

His eye-catching performances earned him a call-up to the Nigeria national team and he has since made four appearances for the three-time African champions.

Aribo will hope to continue his impressive performances for the Gers in their remaining pre-season games.

Antoine Griezmann’s struggles at Barcelona in 2019-20 are of no concern to France national team coach Didier Deschamps.

Having long been linked with a big-money move to Camp Nou, the World Cup-winning forward finally saw it happen in the summer of 2019.

Given the success that Griezmann had previously enjoyed at Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, he was expected to thrive in Catalunya.

The 29-year-old has, however, fallen short of expectations, with only 15 goals scored in 46 appearances.

Questions have been asked of his working relationship with Lionel Messi and whether Barca will keep him around if they dip back into the market for another fearsome frontman.

Deschamps, though, claims Griezmann’s quality is “inarguable” and believes a proven performer at the very highest level will come good in time.

He told RTL: “His situation does not worry me.

“I have no doubt over his abilities. They are inarguable.

“All players have a period in a first year at a new club where things are maybe a bit more difficult. He has the mentality to deal with it.”

It could be that Griezmann is not seen again in the current campaign, with an untimely thigh injury having been picked up.

With Barca having just two La Liga games left to play, it is unlikely that the Frenchman will figure in Quique Setien’s plans.

That is set to ramp up the pressure on others, with the Blaugrana refusing to throw in the towel on their title defence.

Real Madrid have edged a point clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand, but a door remains open to Barca.

They are, however, having to chase their ambitious targets with no loyal fan base to cheer them on, with competitive action continuing to take place behind closed doors.

On the absence of supporters from football around the world, Deschamps said: “It is not really football.

“Normally, there are emotions, full stadiums, but today that is not possible. Even for the players, they are missing adrenaline. It is not complete pleasure, it cannot be.”

Barcelona, without Griezmann, will be back in action on Thursday when they face Osasuna at home.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s angry reaction to being substituted during AC Milan’s 2-2 draw at Napoli on Sunday wasn’t cause for concern for his coach Stefano Pioli.

The Swedish striker was visibly annoyed by Pioli’s decision to take him off, just after Dries Mertens had put Napoli 2-1 up.

Milan equalised through Franck Kessie’s late penalty to continue their six-match unbeaten run since the restart – including impressive wins over the top two, Juventus and Lazio.

“Ibra was angry because we were losing,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

“We had just conceded a goal and he always expects the best from himself and others.”

After having only one shot in the game, losing six of his nine aerial duels and conceding possession six times, Ibrahimovic may also have been frustrated at a below-par individual performance.

Nevertheless, another game unbeaten extended Milan’s good run and kept them in with a chance of a top-six finish – though they remain two points behind sixth-place Napoli.

“It was tough, really tough, as after Lazio and Juventus, we’ve had a really difficult run of games against the best teams in the league, but we showed that we were up to the task,” Pioli said.

“When you get results and put in strong performances against this kind of opponent, it really boosts your confidence.

“We scored a great goal to take the lead, we fought back to equalise and a point is a good result.”

Pioli also agreed with sporting director Paolo Maldini, who suggested Milan had improved because the coronavirus lockdown afforded the coach – who took over from Marco Giampaolo in October – more intensive training time as the squad returned.

“It takes time to get a team working in a smooth way and with everyone aware of what they need to do,” Pioli said.

“We didn’t have the time to achieve that, now we have and the results are positive, so it’s only right that we now raise the bar and keep aiming higher.

“It’s difficult playing every three days, as I had some players at the final whistle tonight who were just wrecked. We’ve got to keep going.

“Naturally, there are going to be some changes on Wednesday [against Parma], as we know there are players who have kept us afloat this far and they need to rest.”

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) have extended the stay of right-back Ronald Kigongo ahead of the new season.

The Uganda Premier League (UPL) club have confirmed the development on their official website stating by extending the contract, Kigogo will become the second longest-serving player at the club after Saidi Kyeyune, who played for the club for eight years while Kigongo will be at the club for six years.

“Ronald Kigongo has renewed his stay with the tax collectors by further 3 years after his contract expired in June 2020,” the statement by the club revealed.

“URA has triggered a three-year extension on Kigongo’s contract to keep the right back at the club until 2023. Former coach Alex Isabirye signed Kigongo from Maroons FC back in 2014 as a striker and later transformed him into the defender.

“With this contract in place, it means the right-back will be at the club for nine years. Kigongo is the second-longest serving player in the current squad (6 years) with Saidi Kyeyune (8 years) topping the list having also joined the tax collectors from Maroons.”

The stay of the right-back will be good news for URA coach Sam Ssimbwa, who is keen to build a strong squad to challenge for titles next season.

In a recent interview, former URA CEO Ivan Kakembo hit out at Ssimbwa who he described as a man who wanted to be everything at the club.

The two did not have a smooth time during their time at the Kampala-based side and the administrator left the team last December after his contract with the four-time Ugandan Premier League champions expired.

"Nothing brings me together with Ssimbwa but the job, even when I go for a holiday, I will be in Miami in the USA but Ssimbwa will be at Pine," Kakembo told Sanyuka TV.

"What Ssimbwa failed to understand is that he cannot work under organizational structures. He is a coach but wants to be the CEO and everything at the same time."

The 53-year-old former Sofapaka tactician at one point fell out with his star player Steven Bengo while at SC Villa and Kakembo has also commented on the issue.