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Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has openly claimed they will be going for revenge when they take on Azam FC in a Mainland Premier League match on Sunday.

The top-flight resumed on June 13 with Yanga beating Mwadui FC 1-0 and then managing a 1-1 draw against JKT Tanzania while Azam have only played one match, beating Mbao FC 2-0 at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.

The two giants will now clash in the second round fixture at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday and the Belgian coach has confessed they will be going for revenge having lost the first round battle 1-0.

“They beat us 1-0 in the first round and it was an own goal, a mistake by my own keeper but, we have prepared well, the players looked tired because of the long travel back to Dar es Salaam but our training on Friday was perfect," Eymael told Goal on Saturday.

“I know my boys are ready and yes it is good to take revenge against them [Azam] and also win the match to keep our chances of finishing second on the league table alive, I also hope to see a good brand of soccer because we are playing in a good pitch, and not a bouncing pitch.

“I know it will be a good brand of soccer in the display from both teams, they like playing a passing game and we also do like playing a passing game, so it will be an entertaining game for the fans but we are ready to get maximum points.”

Eymael also confirmed striker Bernard Morrison had returned to training after missing the first two matches after it was reported rivals Simba SC had tried to hijack his services.

However, Eymael could not state whether the Ghanaian striker will be available to start only confirming the absence of defender Lamine Moro, who was sent off against JKT Tanzania and right back Juma Abdul, who is suspended because of two yellow cards.

“I will not be able to tell you whether Morrison will start or not, I don’t tell my starting eleven to journalists but I only tell my players first before the game, but Morrison is back in training,” Eymael continued.

“My right-back Juma Abdul will miss the clash because of two yellow cards, we didn’t know this until yesterday [Friday] when we were informed he is suspended and will not play but it is not a big deal, we will handle the situation same as Moro, who will also sit it out.”

A win for Yanga will see them move above Azam in the 20-team league table.

The Busoga Kingdom has withdrawn the use of their name by the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Busoga United.

The withdrawal of the use of the name by the team comes after the reported misunderstanding between the two parties over the club ownership boils.

The move taken by the Busoga Kingdom also means, Kyabazinga, King William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, ceases to be the club's patron.

“We agreed that the Busoga Kingdom, upon request of [Ms Diana] Nyago [the club's chairperson] permitted her to use the name Busoga United FC to register a football club in interest of Busoga community,” read a letter by the Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muvawala as reported by Sports Nation.

“Automatically, the Kyabazinga of Busoga became the patron of this club which position he maintained to date.

“We have noted with concern that the said Nyago, allocated herself 51% shares of the club and also purportedly allocated Busoga Kingdom and Dr Joseph Muvawala 2% shares each without their consent and knowledge.

“The signatures on the share allotment do not belong to the representatives of the Busoga Kingdom or Dr Muvawala and the same needs to be investigated.

“We have never authorised the said Nyago to allot shares in the same club as has been revealed.

“In light of the above, Busoga Kingdom is withdrawing the Kyabazinga as patron for this club and the name Busoga United FC and request that the same should not be used by Ms Nyago until proper procedures of registration are followed.”

The development comes a few days after Nyago had claimed the club does not get any financial support from the Kingdom at all.

“But the club is not called Busoga Kingdom United, it’s Busoga United FC,” Nyago said then.

“I don’t think to change the name gave us an attachment to the kingdom, like when you go down the market here, you will find a mall called Busoga Mall, is it attached to the kingdom? No.

“So, the name just gave us an attachment to Busoga, and, to me, Busoga Kingdom is different from Busoga United.”

Busoga United, formerly known as KJSSS FC, was promoted to the Premier League in the 2013/2014 season and changed its name last year.

Harry Winks has come in for criticism from Patrice Evra for his role – or lack of a role – in Manchester United’s goal against Tottenham on Friday.

Spurs were leading 1-0 through Steven Bergwijn’s goal when Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot, with the match finishing 1-1.

Substitute Paul Pogba won the penalty, dancing around Eric Dier at the edge of the area before being brought down.

Evra felt Winks, the next-closest Spurs player to the action at the time, should have given his team-mate some help instead of watching on as he gave away a foul.

“It’s funny, people criticise Paul when he makes a mistake,” Evra said on Sky Sports.

“I have got so much respect for Fred, for Scott [McTominay], but you can see the difference when Paul is on the pitch.

“This goal here, he has just destroyed Dier. I think maybe Dier saw an invisible fan!

“I am complaining as well about the number eight, Winks, because he is just looking at Dier being destroyed. He looks like he’s waiting for a cup of tea or something.”

Pogba impressed after coming on for the final half an hour of Friday’s game, linking up well with new midfield partner Bruno Fernandes as the pair played together for the first time.

The France international completed 18 of his 19 attempted passes, four of his six duels, and won possession five times for his side.

“I saw that anger [from Pogba], that appetite to show everyone that he is one of the best midfielders for Man Utd,” Evra added.

Pogba has long been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, but it now seems as though he will stay and fight for his place at United.

Solskjaer says he has a part to play with his side still fighting on numerous fronts.

“Paul Pogba is one of the best players in the world and he has been training hard, training well but I need to make sure I look after everyone,” the Norwegian told Sky Sports.

“We have the Europa League, FA Cup and Paul will gradually play more and a vital part."

Manchester United are coming back stronger after the coronavirus break but Chelsea can beat them to a top-four finish, according to Joe Cole.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side returned to action with a 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday night, with Chelsea travelling to Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Blues, currently in fourth, can extend their lead over fifth-placed United to four points with a win at Villa Park.

Paul Pogba impressed on his return from injury for United, but Cole thinks Frank Lampard’s side have enough to hold off their Champions League challenge.

“It's hard because none of us have seen any kind of form, we don't know what's going on,” Cole said on BT Sport.

“You look at the logic and Pogba is going to be back fit for Man Utd. Bruno Fernandes will have settled in a little bit more. He looks like an excellent signing. They'll be chasing Chelsea down.

“The logical thing is Man Utd will come back stronger because they've got their best player back in Paul Pogba, but I think Frank's got enough to hang on in there and nick that fourth place.

“I know Frank's a winner and he'll be looking at the FA Cup as well. That's vitally important for that club because over the last 20 years has been built on winning trophies and that's what the fans want to see.”

Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but face a difficult trip to Leicester at the end of June.

Back in the Premier League, Cole also cast a glance over the relegation battle.

The bottom six are separated by just eight points, with three teams level on 27 points going into this weekend’s fixtures.

While Cole is backing the relative rookie Lampard to thrive at Chelsea, he thinks experience is key at the other end of the table.

“The managers have a real hire wire job to do, you've got to crack the whip to get the players fit, and any players in their squad who are a little bit fragile, or susceptible to injuries, they're the ones that you risk losing,” he said.

“A hamstring problem, a three or four-week problem now, that's the season done. Managers have to get the right balance to get the fitness into the legs but also keeping them fresh enough so they don't pick up any silly niggling injuries.

“An experienced manager now is vital. If you get it wrong and lose two or three of your best players for a three or four-week spell, you really give yourself less of a chance of achieving your goal.”

Ghana striker Michael Sarpong has confirmed he has held talks with Simba SC over a possible transfer.

The 24-year-old striker is currently a free agent after Rayon Sports fired him three months after he protested the decision to suspend player salaries and wages owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Though Rayon were keen to re-sign the striker, the Rwandan giants have reportedly dropped their interest and are now keen to sign Togolese striker Alex Harlley Nyarko.

Sarpong has now confirmed that Simba officials have held talks with him over a possible transfer and it could be made public soon.

“We have an agreement in place and everything seems to be going smoothly, hopefully, the deal can be sealed in the near future. The contract is being worked on between my agent and Simba,” Sarpong is quoted as saying by New Times.

“There are just a few minor details we are yet to agree on.”

Sarpong joined Rayon Sports in 2018 and has been one of their key strikers, topping the goalscoring chart with 16 goals during the 2018-19 season and he led the side to clinch their ninth league title.

Sarpong is confident he will replicate the same form if he signed for Simba.

“I believe in my craft and the ability to succeed anywhere,” he said. “If I sign for Simba, I will make sure to give my best for the club’s success. All I require is a good working environment,” Sarpong continued.

Meanwhile, Simba midfielder Jonas Mkude will miss their league match against Mwadui FC at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

The Taifa Stars player picked up an injury during the friendly against KMC, and despite returning to training under the care of fitness trainer, he will not be fit to face Mwadui, in a match Simba must-win after dropping points in their first match against Ruvu Shooting.

“We don’t want to rush him back and must wait for a clearance from the team doctor,” Simba’s team manager Patrick Rweyemanu told reporters on Friday.

Simba will also miss the services of Sudanese player Sharraf Shaiboub, who is still stranded in his native country owing to the lockdown imposed by the government to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Moses Simon has ambitions of playing in the Premier League and would welcome the chance to represent Chelsea in the future.

As a teenager, the winger never hid his love for the English elite division while expressing his love for the Stamford Bridge giants.

Simon turned heads in his debut season in France following a loan move from LaLiga outfit Levante.

Featuring in 30 matches for La Beaujoire-Louis Fonteneau giants before football in France was called off owing to the coronavirus pandemic; the 24-year-old was the Canaries’ top scorer with nine goals across all competitions.

In the French top-flight, he registered five goals and five assists which earned him the team’s Player of the Season accolade – garnering 40 percent of votes in a poll conducted by the club’s faithful.

Furthermore, he was handed a four-year deal that would see him remain in Christian Gourcuff’s squad until 2024, nonetheless, he is considering a future with the 2012 European champions.

According to him, he fancies their style of play while disclosing that former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel and Cote d’Ivoire legend Didier Drogba made him admire the west London club.

“It is the Blues because I think I play their kind of football and will fit in well,” Simon told Goal.

“I like the way they play and I love them because of John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba.

“Should that happen, I’ll be so happy because that will be a dream come true for me.”

Born in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State, Simon began his career at GBS Academy before heading to the famed Ajax Youth Academy.

In January 2014, he signed a three-year contract for Slovak side AS Trencin. Thanks to his impressive performance in the Slovak top-flight, he was snapped up by KAA Gent.

After four seasons with the Buffalos – where he won the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup titles - the Super Eagles star joined Levante on a five-year contract before crossing to France.

Should his dream before a reality, he will become the fourth Nigeria international after Celestine Babayaro, Mikel and Victor Moses to play for Chelsea.

New West Ham signing Daniel Jinadu has identified Lukasz Fabianski as a source of inspiration as he looks to improve his game.

The goalkeeping prodigy will continue with his progress in Stratford having been handed his first professional contract.

The Nigeria youth international began his career with Chelsea before joining the Hammers in December 2017 – taking up a two-year scholarship in the summer of 2018.

In the 2019-20 season, he made five appearances with the U18s and now has a chance to work his way through the first team.

Fabianski, 35, is one player in West Ham the teenager hasn’t struggled to gel with as he notes the former Swansea City and Arsenal player has contributed a great deal towards helping him improve his game.

“I have trained a couple of times with Lukasz Fabianski, he is a very good goalkeeper. Whenever I train with him, he is so encouraging and very supportive,” Jinadu told Goal.

“He is always encouraging me and would give me tips. What I’ve really learnt from him is how quick and sharp he is around the goal and his attention to detail.

“He moves around the ball so well, his footwork, his body weight forward and everything.

“So, just watching and training on how professional he does everything. I wouldn’t have learnt that. He’s really good.”

Unlike so many players of his age who have household names as their role models, the case is different from Jinadu who clocks 18 on Monday.

He has no specific idol, instead, he lists several great goalkeepers across the globe that he is learning from to aid his growth in the beautiful sport.

“I don’t actually have one role model, I just learn from a lot of goalkeepers,” he continued.

“To name a few, I like [Manuel] Neuer, [David] De Gea, Allison [Becker] and Ederson. These keepers have really changed the game

“Ederson’s distribution is outstanding, Dea Gea’s saves - so, I like to just watch all of them with their distributions, make great saves and their confidence. It really encourages me.”

Jinadu had a decent performance for Nigeria at the 2019 U17 World Cup staged in Brazil, and he is expected to form the fulcrum of the next set of the country’s U20 national team.

Kenyan goalkeeper Lucas Indeche has revealed he would love to turn out for Gor Mahia in future.

The custodian is one of the experienced players in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) having turned out for bitter rivals AFC Leopards, Thika United and Sony Sugar.

"No Kenyan player would not wish to play for Gor Mahia, and I am not an exception," Indeche, who plays for South Sudan top-tier side Atlabara told Goal.

"We all know K'Ogalo is a big team and have a massive following. Their track record is enviable and in future, if I get a chance to play for them, I will not hesitate. It will be one of my best moves.

"KCB and Sofapaka are also good teams in the Kenyan top-flight football. Their organization and ambitions are consistent."

Any goalkeeper would like to play for the National Team and the 29-year-old Indeche is not an exception.

"No sane player will turn down a chance to play for Harambee Stars, it is what everyone wishes for," Indeche continued.

"I have the ability to play for Kenya, but again, it all depends on the head coach. Every tactician has his players who he feels will fit in a certain system and I respect that.

"However, with consistency, I will break into the team, but if I don't, it will be a motivation for me to push harder."

Indeche made a silent move to South Sudan in January this year. The custodian signed a two-year contract at the Juba-based side.

"My move to South Sudan was exciting and scary at the same time because it was the first time I was going to play outside Kenya," Indeche told Goal.

"Initially I did not know what to expect considering I was not with my family and friends. However, I was welcomed well and settled fast. It is a move I wanted; far from distractions to bring my career back on track."

Atlabara have won the league three times, in 2013, 2015 and 2019. Last season, they represented the country in the Caf Champions League, but they were eliminated in the preliminary round by Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.

After falling 4-0 at home, the East African side fell 9-0 away to bow out 13-0 on aggregate. 

Ryan Giggs wants to see Manchester United sign Jack Grealish, but he believes his old side are still “three or four players” away from challenging neighbours Manchester City.

Even during City’s own disappointing campaign, they started the weekend 15 points clear of United in the Premier League table.

The size of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rebuilding job is clear and he is expected to be busy in the upcoming summer/autumn transfer window.

Grealish has been heavily linked along with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek.

"I mean, if a quality player like that comes available, United are going to be [interested],” Giggs told Premier League Productions of Grealish.

"He looks like a United player, he takes the ball, he attracts loads of fouls.”

However, what United really need, according to Giggs, is a new striker.

Anthony Martial has 16 goals to his name in all competitions but has little real competition for a starting place.

Marcus Rashford has been enjoying playing on the left, and Mason Greenwood is still only 18.

Fans have taken to Odion Ighalo but the Nigeria international is 31 and hasn’t yet scored a goal against a Premier League side for United.

"I would say that we definitely need a centre-forward,” Giggs said.

"Someone who, if a team is deep, is going to play deep and be on the end of those passes, crosses and score 25 goals.

"I still think if we're going to catch City, we're three or four players short.

"But [it's] definitely exciting and promising with Bruno [Fernandes] and [Paul] Pogba coming into the team."

There were signs of promise in the Fernandes-Pogba partnership against Tottenham on Friday night.

After Pogba was brought on for the last half an hour, he won a penalty from Spurs’ Eric Dier which was confidently dispatched by Fernandes.

Fernandes put in another assured performance while Pogba showed signs of being back near his best form, with one perfectly weighted cross-field pass to Marcus Rashford drawing admiring comments on social media.

United’s next game is a home fixture with fellow Europa League challengers Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Taking Bournemouth in isolation, there was probably no team in the bottom-half that needed a break more when the Premier League was suspended in early March.

The Cherries’ last game pre-pandemic was at Liverpool, a game they lost 2-1 despite leading 1-0 after nine minutes. By half-time, the Reds had turned the game around at Anfield to lead, and it stayed that way till the final whistle.

Sat in 18th after 29 gameweeks, Eddie Howe’s troops were staring relegation in the face following a run of one victory in five outings, and the prospect of losing their status in the top flight after five years was looking like a reality.

Even though the game at Anfield offered some positives for the side from the south coast, they needed the respite brought by the enforced break. Against the champions-elect, perhaps the biggest encouraging sign for Howe was how his midfield stood up to the might of the outgoing European champions.

Marshalled by the towering Philip Billing, the visitors gave everything in the middle of the park and could have equalized but for a goal-line clearance by James Milner in the second half. The Danish-Nigerian star was, without a doubt, Bournemouth’s best midfielder in that lunch-time kick-off on Merseyside; getting stuck in where necessary and creating three chances for the away team, which was higher than any of his other teammates.

Howe’s side mustered six attempts and he was involved in setting up half of those efforts. They created two clear-cut chances and the gangly Billing created one, unlucky to not register an assist against the best side in the country.

While that performance was exceptional, Billing has won the highest aerial duels for midfielders in the Premier League while posting impressive figures for total interceptions and clearances.

At the time, only Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi had made more interceptions than the former Denmark U-21 international, showing he had the nous to not only read the danger but also win back possession for his team.

Be that as it may, Bournemouth’s struggles this term have originated from their final third ineffectiveness and a painful lack of invention from the middle of the park. Despite forming a solid understanding with Colombia star Jefferson Lerma in the centre, the pair don’t offer enough going forward by measure of goals and assists, which has hurt the Cherries somewhat.

It's harsh to place the blame at the door of Lerma and Billing given their primary responsibility in the side isn’t to deliver goals and assists. Still, there’s a feeling both could be better in their output going forward.

Billing has played 0.6 key passes per game, while Lerma’s stands at 0.4 per match. The pair have created two big chances each this season and have both hit the back of the net once.

The sheer lack of goals in the Bournemouth side, as well as dearth in creativity, has majorly contributed to their difficult situation this season.

The want-away Ryan Fraser, one of the league’s top creators last term, has tailed off spectacularly this term. There’s been a frustration with the wideman for failing to match 18/19’s performances, with many speculating the 26-year-old downed tools as his heart was set on a move away from the side.

Howe has since confirmed that the side’s primary creator has played his last match for the strugglers owing to his refusal to commit to the club beyond June 30.

In attack, Bournemouth’s return of 29 goals is among the lowest in the division. They’re averaging exactly a goal a game and have the fifth-worst return in the competition. This hasn’t been helped by the lack of scoring options across the side: Callum Wilson, Harry Wilson, and Joshua King are the leading scorers with eight, seven and four respectively...Nathan Ake, a centre-back, is next with two goals.

The disappointing Fraser had netted just once before the lockdown while the supporting cast of Dominic Solanke, Junior Stanislas, and Jordon Ibe have contributed nothing for goals, and Solanke’s sole assist remains the only goal contribution from the trident.

While Billing and Lerma could’ve done a bit more in the final third, the struggles of the aforementioned attackers lay bare the south coast club’s battles to get going up front all season.

Notwithstanding, they’d be buoyed by the return of long-term absentee David Brooks who hasn’t featured all season. The young Wales international contributed 12 goals (seven goals and five assists) in his debut Prem campaign, and supporters of the club will hope he gets up to speed in time for the last nine gameweeks, beginning with Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

The Eagles had won three on the spin before the league’s interruption and would have been resounding favourites against a Cherries side with just one win in five had the game gone ahead in March.

It’s why the break was timely for Howe’s side, whose form before football was halted left a lot to be desired.

Interestingly, though, every club in the bottom seven was in wretched form before the break, none had won more than once in their previous five matches, while Brighton & Hove Albion are without a win in 2020.

Creating chances and scoring were Bournemouth’s major challenges in the first 29 games of the campaign, and ostracising Fraser, the team’s primary creative outlet could make their finish extra arduous. They’ll also need goals from the likes of Billing if they are to survive their toughest Premier League campaign to date.

However, unless the towering Danish-Nigerian midfielder suddenly morphs into a prolific goalscoring operator, history suggests there’s little he can do in the Cherries’ run-in as they fight to retain their place in the big time.

Khalid Aucho has revealed five players he never wanted to miss during his time in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with Gor Mahia.

Aucho was signed by Gor Mahia in 2015, lifted the KPL title unbeaten under Frank Nuttall, and stayed until 2016. The five players, who the Ugandan never wanted to miss, were also critical to the Green Army but none is at the club now. 

“I will mention four, not three, let me mention five; [Godfrey] Walusimbi, [Meddie]Kagere, [Michael] Olunga, [Collins] 'Gattuso' Okoth, and [Innocent] Wafula,” Aucho told Gor Mahia's website.

“Whenever l had those five players on the pitch, l knew we were going to win whatever the situation was – those were real winners and they made every game easy for me.”

Apart from picking Okoth as a player he never wanted to miss in the team, Aucho also said the Kenyan midfielder is a man he enjoyed turning out for.

“Okoth remains to be that player l enjoyed playing with – he was a fantastic player,” said the 27-year old star.

On why Ugandan players have done well not only at Gor Mahia and but also in the region, Aucho picks hard work as their primary virtue.

“It’s always easy for Ugandan players to cross-over to East African countries. Once in a club, they work hard and put in a lot of effort to prove their worth,” explained El Makkasa's player.

“They always want to show what they have and working hard is always part of their plans; no laziness.”

The defensive midfielder also spoke how he felt after signing for K'Ogalo, and how his time there helped grow his career.

“Penning a deal at Gor Mahia was the best thing to happen to me. It boosted my confidence and l knew l was at a place where more people will get to know me,” Aucho revealed.

“To be honest, most of my fans are in Kenya and not Uganda and Gor Mahia gave me that free billboard to advertise myself to the world.

“From Gor Mahia to national team, l was so much at ease – no pressure at all. Gor Mahia has a special place in my heart. I truly appreciate the love Gor Mahia, as a club, gave me.

“I never imagined l would sign for Gor Mahia. Tusker were my employer then and being my first time in Kenya, my focus was all on the team but yes, a move to Gor Mahia was a big blessing.

“The best news ever to happen to me while in Kenya. It was a good one and it was about me to show the club and all the fans that indeed, they never went wrong in signing me.”

When Aucho left the Green Army, he joined Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Baroka FC.

La Liga has revealed why they picked Young Africans (Yanga SC) over their Mainland League rivals Simba SC for a historic strategic consultancy agreement.

La Liga, in conjunction with Sevilla FC, entered into a deal that targets to help the record Tanzanian league champions transform in various development aspects.

The deal, signed in June and expected to run for three years, will see the Timu Ya Wananchi advised on management and activities with the fans, digital transformation, marketing and sales, economic control, digitalisation or international development.

In an exclusive interview with Goal, Juan Botella, La Liga Regional Manager Africa, explained why they settled on Yanga for the project.

“Yanga and Simba are the two top teams of the country so they both have a huge fan base,” stated Botella.

“Looking specifically at Yanga, the most awarded club in the country, we do not have to forget some of Yanga figures; it boasts a large community on social networks, they are not just numbers, but the level of engagement is huge.

“Just think that during the official presentation of the deal, after an hour of the streaming event, more than 3000 people were still connected to YouTube and continued to send messages of gratitude.

“They have 27 Premier League titles [with five wins across the last 10 years], four Tanzania FA Cups, five Cecafa Club Cups, and the club also has leading sponsors in their fields.”

Botella revealed specific objectives of the pact and why he thinks it will succeed in the end.

“In La Liga we want all the clubs to improve and our main objective is the professionalization of football in the world. In this case, we are working with Yanga and it’s going really well,” said Botella.

“We share a dream, a common vision with Yanga that a Tanzanian club could become and inspire other entities not just in the country but also in the rest of Africa. It was very easy since the beginning to work together.

“When we start talking about this collaboration, we both envision the transformation of Yanga and how the club could achieve its huge potential beyond their own limits. That makes everything easier.”

The official further stated why La Liga chose Tanzania over other African countries as their ideal destination for such a strategic project.

“Africa has become a strategic region for La Liga, with the biggest increase in TV audience and a great interest in our clubs,” Botella concluded.

“Tanzania is one of the key countries of the region, where we are achieving great opportunities and we feel completely at home.

“We have had a permanent presence in the country for over three years which allows us to be the European league with the greatest understanding of the country and its socio-cultural importance.”

Jose Maria Cruz, who is the Director of Sevilla, on Friday revealed the club's coaches will travel to the East African nation when the coronavirus-related travel restrictions are lifted in order to implement the objectives of the pact.

Crystal Palace are bracing for another battle to keep hold of Wilfried Zaha, manager Roy Hodgson has admitted.

The Eagles are expecting more interest in their star player after fending off the advances of Arsenal last summer.

Zaha was Unai Emery’s number one target during his final window in charge of the Gunners, but he instead had to settle for Nicolas Pepe.

Arsenal are unlikely to be able to afford to finance a move for Zaha this time around, but Hodgson is still expecting bids to come in.

“It’s an unknown isn’t it, how much money is going to be floating around in the next window,” Hodgson pondered in a press conference.

“I think we’d be very foolish to relax and start thinking there will be no bids for Wilf Zaha, no big-money interest in him, because he’s such a good player.

“He has the ability to play at any level, anywhere in the world, so who knows? If we find it easy to keep him because there aren’t big bids coming in, that would be fine.

“But I certainly wouldn’t count on that because if I was at another club, I’d be looking to sign players of his quality.”

As well as Zaha, Palace are wary of interest in former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho.

The 30-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to France with Lyon, but Hodgson says he isn’t aware of any contact.

“As far as I know, our club hasn’t had any contact with Lyon at all,” he said.

“So I don’t quite understand where that is coming from and until such time as the president of Lyon contacts Steve Parish or Doug Freedman, if he wants to go in that route and start discussing the possibilities and options of Mamadou Sakho joining Lyon, as far as I am concerned it doesn’t exist.

“This is just talk in the newspaper and who knows where that comes from because we have had no concrete dealings with Lyon at all.”

Crystal Palace travel to Bournemouth on Saturday evening in their first game back following the coronavirus-enforced break in play.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have officially written to Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) demanding action to be taken against rivals Simba SC for trying to hijack their striker Bernard Morrison.

The Ghanaian forward is yet to play for Yanga since the Mainland Premier League resumed on June 13 owing to the matter and the Jangwani Street-based giants have now reached out to TFF after the player claimed Simba had offered him USD5, 000 to ditch them.

According to Yanga’s Information Officer Hassan Bumbuli, Yanga have already gathered enough evidence to support their case and have forwarded the same to TFF for disciplinary action to be taken against Simba.

“Since the matter has been taken to the concerned authorities, I cannot say much but rather to let them conduct their work thoroughly while we wait for their final decision,” Bumbuli is quoted by Daily News.

Despite Yanga taking the matter to TFF, Simba have already denied tapping up the player with their Information Officer Haji Manara saying the player had lied to have been approached by the club’s president.

“In his audio clip, Morrison said the money was sent to him by Simba president but at Simba, we do not have a president as such, I do not really understand what he is talking about,” Manara is also quoted by Daily News.

On his recent claims, Morrison was quoted as saying: “I got a message from one agent of Simba who said the club wants to sign me so I can help them in the Caf Champions League next season.

“I told him to send me the offer via my WhatsApp address but he did not and instead, he personally brought it together with 10,000 dollars, which he said was sent by the club’s president saying that if I accept, we should share the amount equally with him.

“I told him to give me enough time to go through the contract and because everybody needs money, I pocketed my share but after they heard that I have signed a two-year contract extension at Yanga, the agent has been on my neck now.”

Goal understands Morrison is among the players who returned to Yanga training on Friday as they prepare to face Azam FC in a league match on Sunday.

Rostov were thrashed 10-1 by Sochi on Friday, but their teenage goalkeeper Denis Popov set a new all-time Russian Premier League record for a stunning individual performance.

Rostov attracted attention for all the wrong reasons after the scoreline found its way around social media.

They had actually gone 1-0 up in the first minute of the game, but were eventually beaten by nine goals away from home.

Aleksandr Kokorin scored a hat-trick, Antonin Zabolotny and Dmitry Poloz bagged two each, while Andrei Mostovoy, Ivan Novoseltsev and Nikita Koldunov all got on the scoresheet.

After seeing themselves go viral, Rostov released a statement explaining the result.

It read: “A lot of supporters of our club who don't speak Russian cannot really understand how today's tie could end with a 10-1 score.

“We would like to explain. Six players of our club have been infected with coronavirus, and thus, the entire team had to be quarantined.

“Football Club Sochi turned down our offer to postpone the match, and this is exactly why these young players aged 16-19 had to play in this match.

“The score was most likely upsetting, however, we do want you to stay on the bright side!

“First of all - our 17-year-old goalkeeper, Denis Popov, made 15 (!!!) breathtaking saves (including one penalty), which is a Russian Premier League new record! Denis absolutely stole the whole show today and got his well-deserved Man of the Match award!

“Another mind-blowing highlight was definitely our first goal! 17-year-old Roman Romanov scored an incredible goal and became the youngest person to score in the history of our club as well as top three in RPL history!

“Romanov is also among the top three young goal scorers in the history of Russian Leagues.

“We know you would agree our players were fighting for every inch of the pitch - each and every one of them showed incredible character and attitude today!

“We would like to express our gratitude to everyone, all the supporters of our club around the world.”

Despite the result, Rostov finished the day fourth in the 16-team Russian top flight, with Sochi in ninth.

Simba SC striker Meddie Kagere has described his striking partner John Bocco as a hard worker who always does not want to lose in a match.

The Rwandan striker, who signed for Simba from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, has labelled the Taifa Stars’ striker as one of the coolest players in their squad, and who always knows what he needs to do to help the team.

“[Bocco] is one of the best leaders and top players that I have ever worked with,” Kagere told the club’s official website .

“He is one kind of a leader, who always wants to win and who always believes in winning, if you lose a game, you will see how mad he becomes, he never wants to lose in a match, he is a fighter and always a winner.

“Whenever you step onto the pitch [Bocco] will keep rallying the boys, he always wants three points and nothing else, he is also a very cool guy, and he knows what to do on the pitch, he knows how to get the goals and also he is very good at setting up someone to score.

“Whenever we lose or draw in a match, he will always come to us to explain to forget about the result and focus for the next match, that is him if he doesn’t win, then he will just encourage the players, to go for a win in the match.”

Kagere’s sentiments come a few weeks after Coastal Union defender Bakar Mwamnyeto heaped praise on Bocco saying his style of play can help him perform well in Europe.

Mwamnyeto described the forward as a complete player, who knows how to hold onto the ball when in possession, position himself to score and deliver a pass quickly when he sees an opposing defender.

Mwamyeto further confessed he has never come up against a striker of Bocco’s calibre insisting he is the only player to have troubled him since he made his debut in the top-flight.

“Without malice or favouring anyone, [Bocco] is the best striker in the Tanzanian league currently, he has the physique you need in a striker and I am sure many upcoming players are working hard to be like him,” Mwamnyeto said.

“He also has the advantage of being tall and can easily score goals either by using the head or leg and because of his experience, most defenders have always struggled to play against him, you don’t know what he will do when with the ball."

Bocco’s partnership with Rwandan striker Meddie Kagere has helped the latter to lead the goalscoring charts with 19 goals.

Barcelona coach Quique Setien disagreed with Gerard Pique and believes Real Madrid will drop points late in the La Liga season.

Setien's men were held to a 0-0 draw at Sevilla on Friday, giving Madrid the chance to join them on 65 points when they visit Real Sociedad.

Pique said it was hard to see Madrid dropping points in their remaining nine games, but Setien disagreed.

"I think that about Pique is the frustration of the moment. We were very confident because we had 30 very good minutes at the beginning of the game and then we got messy," he said, via AS.

"In the second half, we lost balls that gave them life.

"Tomorrow, he will surely think differently because I am sure that Madrid will not win everything."

A win against Sociedad on Sunday would send Madrid top of the table thanks to their head-to-head record against Barcelona after their El Clasico victory in March.

But Setien, whose side host Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, is remaining upbeat.

"The rivals always have things to say, there are very tough confrontations and you have to be optimistic," he said.

"We don't depend on ourselves, but you have to be optimistic."

Barcelona were on top in the early stages against Sevilla but it was Jules Kounde from the latter who drilled a shot wide early.

It then took two Sevilla players to stop Lionel Messi at the expense of a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area at the 20-minute mark.

Up stepped Messi, and his shot beat the wall and might have beaten Tomas Vaclik too, but the goalkeeper was done a favour by Kounde, who cleared the ball from almost on the line with a flicked header over the bar.

Messi tested Vaclik moments later with another free-kick, and the goalkeeper was more comfortable second time around.

Inevitably at the centre of things, Messi avoided punishment for shoving Diego Carlos to the ground in first-half stoppage time after the home defender fouled Suarez.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen came to Barcelona's rescue early in the second half with a fine parry to deny Lucas Ocampos, the goalkeeper's strong left hand keeping out a thunderous shot from a tight angle to the right of goal.

The German thwarted Munir moments later too, pushing away a vicious left-footed strike.

Vaclik tipped another Messi free-kick over his crossbar at full stretch as the game entered its final 20 minutes, before Jordi Alba made a key block at the other end as Sevilla launched a three-on-one breakaway raid.

Ocampos drew a save from Ter Stegen with a low shot but neither side could successfully plot a way to a goal, Sergio Reguilon failing to properly get hold of a close-range shot at the death, to Barcelona's great relief.