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In the midst of media reports Bidvest Wits could be sold, coach Gavin Hunt says there is nothing that has been discussed but admits it’s a sad situation.

The Clever Boys are reportedly set to relocate to Limpopo province with media reports suggesting talks to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila’s management are close to securing the Braamfontein-based club’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) status.

However, Hunt has diverted questions of the matter to the club’s management, adding they will have to move on and become jobless should the sale go through.

“Look, I can’t comment or say anything about what is happening to the club. It’s not my place but that of Alan Fainman [Wits chairman],” Hunt said as quoted by Daily Sun.

“If that is the case then we will have to move on and be unemployed. It’s sad! Nothing has been discussed with us.

"We just read about it everywhere. Let’s hope we will finally be told something.”

It is reported by the website that TTM’s owner Mosala Mulaudzi has already confirmed to having sold his National First Division (NFD) club for a whopping R10 million and put up a deposit for a PSL club, which in this case is strongly believed to be Wits, for R20m.

On the other hand, media reports surfaced that the 2016/17 PSL champions are set to part ways with key players such as skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo, winger Deon Hotto, Gift Motupa and Phathutshedzo Nange who are rumoured to be heading to reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Meanwhile, the former Ajax Cape Town defender and Bafana Bafana skipper has always been linked with a move to join Orlando Pirates whilst Hunt recently denied Motupa’s switch to Chloorkop.

According to the publication, former Jomo Cosmos midfielder Thabang Monare and left-back Sifiso Hlanti are both set to join the Sea Robbers.

Although Monare has been linked with a move to join Kaizer Chiefs in the past few transfer windows, it remains to be seen if their moves will eventually happen.

Everton centre-back Michael Keane has opened up about his battle with coronavirus.

The 27-year-old contracted the disease after the Premier League had been suspended and had to isolate as a result.

Keane has revealed that he had difficulty breathing and could not go for a run before he tested positive.

“I got the virus after we’d finished training but before the country went into lockdown," he told The Mirror.

“I went to play golf at Wentworth, felt ill driving home but my pals didn’t get it so I don’t really understand where I got it.

“I was in the shower and all of a sudden I felt like I was going to faint. It wasn’t something that I’d had before. I came out of the shower, I was soaking wet, just lay on the bed and I just needed to lie down.

“I didn’t think too much of it, I was OK but then I woke up the next day and I felt really off. I didn’t have a cough but felt lethargic, low on energy and then went to bed that night and had the sweats for two nights.

“I went out for a run, was going out for 20 minutes but had to stop after three and a half minutes because my chest wasn’t right, I was really heavily breathing and I had to stop and walk home.

“I knew at that point something was wrong. I told the physios and they sent me a test, it arrived six days later by which time I felt better but it still came up positive.

“Even when I felt better, it probably took two weeks for my chest to feel back to normal when I was running.”

The Premier League has been suspended since March but will return later this month, with Everton hosting Everton on June 21.

The England international says he is excited to start playing again after such a long wait.  

“Three months without football has felt like an eternity and I can’t wait to get back to playing for Everton because I’m not sure I’ve ever gone this long without playing or knowing when I would play again," he added.

“It’s been such a strange time as I had the virus myself early on, training at home in lockdown, watching Netflix and getting back to contact training with all the new protocols.

“It’s been such a long time and when it became obvious that we wouldn’t be going into training for a while, I turned my garage at home into a gym to keep myself fit.

“I’ve got a peloton bike in there, treadmill, weights and flooring and mirrors. It’s a good set-up and once it’s in place I had no excuse!

“You knew you had to put the work in, you can’t cut corners and, looking at the lads since we’ve been back, I think everyone’s done that.

“I watched lots of Netflix, Ozark, Money Heist and then Gangs of London on Sky.

“But I also got back in touch with my old youth team coach Paul McGuinness at Manchester United and I ended speaking to him four or five times on Zoom.

“He works for the FA now and he really helped me with a few things. We looked at some clips and talked about my footwork, how I can turn quicker and going through drills which I can use to improve that.”

AmaZulu striker Bonginkosi Ntuli says he is not thinking of leaving the Durban-based club, but his mission is to overtake Premier Soccer League (PSL) current top scorer Gabadinho Mhango of Orlando Pirates.

Despite the 2019/20 PSL season being halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Usuthu hitman has netted 12 goals so far and explains he has not received offers.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns striker also states he is happy at Usuthu and that playing regular football brings satisfaction as far as his career is concerned.

“It’s not something that I am currently thinking about [to leave AmaZulu]. It’s all about rumours, something that is reported in the media,” Ntuli told Isolezwe.

“There’s no club that has approached me in terms of offers. I am happy at AmaZulu and I am getting game time. So, there is no need to think of leaving the club or get a new team.”

The former Golden Arrows striker has been linked with a move to the Buccaneers and as things stand, the burly hitman is focusing on catching up with the Malawi international.

“Honestly, I want to catch up with him [Mhango]. I cannot hide it that it would be good to catch him,” he added.

“The time we were not training completely, I was focusing on doing well and I worked hard as I trained alone.

“There’s a field close to my home and I have been practising on hitting the target preparing to get ready when the games resume and that I maintain my sharpness.

“We are happy now that we are back to do things in a normal way and to do what we love. We just hope we will go back to training in the field.”

Ntuli has found the back of the net on 12 occasions for coach Ayanda Dlamini’s troops and was on target when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs back in March just before the season was indefinitely suspended.

Meanwhile, Dlamini will be pinning his hopes on the 29-year-old to lead his side to safety as they occupy 15th spot on the log table with 23 points from 24 matches so far.

Gareth Bale is the greatest athlete former Real Madrid medical chief Jesus Olmo has seen, with the Wales star “capable of excelling at practically any sport”.

After making a world-record move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013, the 30-year-old has split opinion in the Spanish capital, despite scoring 80 goals in 169 matches.

While agent Jonathan Barnett has often been forced to shield his charge from media and fan attacks, Olmo has sung the praises of the attacker, who he says is the most impressive player he has seen during a career in which he has worked with many leading stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Possibly the best athlete I’ve seen is Gareth Bale,” he told Ideal. “He’s a natural athlete capable of excelling at practically any sport. He has unusual genetics and athletic ability, and I would say technical ability as well.

“He’s the one who impressed me most in all aspects, although there is then performance, which comes about from different circumstances.”

Olmo has suggested that Madrid fans have not seen the best of the star because he has played through injuries.

“All athletes have their handicaps,” he said. “People only see when a player is injured, but there are footballers who play when they’ve got physical problems. 

“A good medical team ensure that you have the minimum possible chronic problems, but the only way to overcoming them is by working hard and very well in a target way. That requires effort and depends a lot on the player.

“Nothing detracts from a high-level athlete’s performance more than chronic pain. Solving a small tendon problem is the best thing you can do for a footballer.”

Olmo had a reputation of being a fiery character and he admits that he once clashed with Sergio Ramos.

“With Sergio, I had a unique relationship because we had a very great confrontation,” he admitted. “He’s a person, like me, who says things to your face. I did things he didn’t consider appropriate, and although I explained them to him, he defended his position with the utmost respect.

“I didn’t place myself at his command. My judgement must be my own.

“We had our differences, but from there our professional relationship was very good. 

“We respect each other a lot and he always trusted my judgement with his injuries and did what I told him. 

“I still have a very good relationship with him and he works with professionals very close to me. When I have to give him a hand, I'll give it to him.”

The merged entity of Kolkata clubs, ATK and Mohun Bagan will take part in the Indian Super League 2020-21 season as ATK Mohun Bagan, Goal can confirm.

The new entity, whose 80 per cent shares are owned by Sanjiv Goenka’s ATK and 20 per cent by Mohun Bagan, is already reserved with the Government of India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The new entity has been named as ATK Mohun Bagan Private Limited.

The status of the company has already been 'reserved' on the official site of the ministry which means it cannot be allocated to any other entity henceforth. The name has been approved and set 'reserved' for concerned parties and they can now move to further formalities.

The two clubs had decided to enter a merger back in January 2020 that would help Mohun Bagan enter the ISL from the 2020-21 season.

The new entity was supposed to come into existence on June 1, 2020, but due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting nationwide lockdown since March 25, the deal got delayed. With the new company already being reserved, an official announcement from both parties is expected soon.

While Mohun Bagan have won the league title for the fifth time in their history this year, ATK won their third ISL title beating Chennaiyin FC in the final back in March.

Other than participating in the ISL, the merged entity will also take part in the group stages of AFC Cup 2021 by using Mohun Bagan’s I-League 2019-20 champions’ slot.

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to Samuel Okwaraji’s mother who died at the age of 83 on Monday.

Lady Janet Okwaraji was a retired teacher, a school proprietress and a devout Christian before her death was confirmed by her eldest son, Patrick.

She lost her son Samuel, who was a Nigeria midfielder, during a Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Angola on August 12, 1989.

He tragically collapsed and passed away while in action for the Super Eagles at the age of 25.

A month ago, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare assured the Okwaraji's family of improved welfare packages from the government while the Nigeria Football Federation announced a monthly stipend of N30,000 for the matriarch and Rashidi Yekini's mother.

In a message released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, President Buhari praised Lady Janet for her resilience after the death of her son at the National Stadium in Lagos.

“President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with family of Lady Janet Okwaraji, a teacher and school proprietress, who passed on at 83, leaving a lasting memory of kindness, love and charity as a devout Christian,” the condolence note read.

“The President believes Lady Okwaraji, whose son, Samuel, died in August 1989 while playing for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier, will always be remembered for the sacrifices of the family for the nation.

“President Buhari affirms that the matriarch of the Okwaraji family, like her son, defined simplicity, loyalty and patriotism in many ways as she remained steadfast, believing in Nigeria, despite the vicissitude of life.

“As a mother, who lost her son in an unexpected situation, the President believes Lady Janet deserved to be acknowledged for her resilience and nobility, despite the odds.

“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant her soul eternal rest, and comfort her loved ones.”

Uganda forward Hasifah Nassuna has claimed women's football in the country is still underrated.

The Uganda Christian University Lady Cardinals striker says the little attention women's football has attracted in Uganda is one of the reasons that make her unhappy.

“The fact that women's football is still underrated do make me feel bad. I feel like the coverage should be balanced. But often people believe football is meant for men,” Nassuna told Football256.

Nassuna also pointed out the death of her former UCU Lady Cardinal's coach Peter Ssebulime as another challenge which has had a negative impact on her. Ssebulime died in May 2019 from what was reported as kidney failure.

“Coach [Peter] Ssebulime’s death is the biggest challenge, I found it so hard to get back on track after him passing away, at some point, I felt life was meaningless not until they took me for counselling.

“I still have a feeling that if he was still alive, maybe some of us would be successful by now.

“The expensive injuries that also take longer to heal and keep me out of action [also] make me very sad.”

The star further expounded what she thinks are her achievements and how they have been beneficial to society.

“I’ve been able to inspire many girls out there, for me, it’s an achievement and the biggest,” Nassuna added.

“Then, of course, winning the Airtel Female Footballer of the year in 2016, the 2019 MVP and top scorer awards, and lastly winning the Elite League with two different clubs.”

The Crested Cranes' forward revealed how she has come to love Barcelona and Argentina's great Lionel Messi as she plans to play professional football, own an academy and an orphanage.

“[Lionel] Messi, for me has done incredible things on the pitch, he is a game-changer and you expect him to score any minute,” explained Nassuna.

“I think people should remember me according to how they feel they should, some wish you good and others bad. So, some people will appreciate what I did whereas others won’t, but I wish to be remembered for the good things.

“I want to play professional football. I see myself playing for a big club out there one day, then looking at my country, many kids out there are suffering without parents, so starting up an orphanage to look after those kids is also in the plan.

“Then lastly, I dream of owning a Soccer Academy to help promote and develop Ugandan football especially the female games.”

From the 2015 to 2018/19 seasons, Nassuna scored double-digit goals.

Plans have been put in place by the Italian FA (FIGC) in order to decide Serie A should the league be stopped again because of coronavirus.

Football in Italy was put on hold in March due to the outbreak of the illness, which infected close to 250,000 in the country and took the lives of almost 34,000, with the north of the country particularly hard hit.

With the infection increasingly under control - there were 280 new cases announced on Tuesday - Serie A is gearing up to begin again after a three-month break, but a contingency plan has been put in place to decide placings should it prove impossible for top-level football to continue.

If play stops before July 10, playoffs and playouts will be used, but if the game is forced to stop after that date, an algorithm will be used as a last resort to decide the standings.

Serie B will follow with the same formula, but it has been announced that Serie C has been definitively ended, leading to the promotion of Vicenza, Reggina and Monza.

“Football is the winner today, with regards to consistency,” FIGC President Gabriele Gravina told reporters after the meeting.

“From the outset, we all supported the need to stay in the international scene.

“Italy is one of the big five leagues in European football. We made the decision to finish our competitions and we’ll continue on this path.

“Today, football has shown consistency. I’m convinced there will be great togetherness and that we’ll coordinate like we’ve always done with all our stakeholders, including Lega Serie A, which doesn’t come out as the loser in all of this.

“In the event of a stop, we’ve planned a new format with playoffs and playouts, like UEFA asked for.

“The pitch aside, there’s no better solution than to contest playoffs and playouts.

“A mini-tournament is always better than an algorithm, which has been clarified anyway: it’s a weighted average that takes into account the weight derived from the average number of points picked up at home and away from home, multiplied by the remaining games.

“Lega Serie A has approved and accepted it, even though we hope we won’t need it.”

Serie A will begin again on Saturday, June 20 with Torino hosting Parma, but professional football will return on Friday, June 12 as Juventus as AC Milan meet in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg, while Napoli host Inter 24 hours later.

Currently, Juve lead the standings by a single point over Lazio with 12 games remaining.

Tanzania Mainland League champions Simba SC have defeated fellow top-tier side KMC FC 3-1 in a friendly game staged at Mo Simba in Bunju, Dar es Salaam.

Captain John Bocco scored a brace with Ibrahim Ajibu getting the third for the hosts while the visitors scored what turned out to be the consolation courtesy of Charles Ilanfya.

The two teams had already met twice in the top-tier, with the 20-time league champions claiming an identical 2-0 scoreline. having beaten Yanga SC 3-0, the Municipal side was motivated and on high spirits. 

Avenging the two defeats in the league were on top of their agenda against the Msimbazi based side who are targeting their third title in a row.

It took the visitors half an hour to open the scoring through Ilanfya who finished a fine move which was poorly defended by the Sven Vandebroeck-led charges. It was a goal which silenced hundreds of fans who had turned out to support Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

However, Simba fans were up on their feet again cheering louder as John Bocco scored the equaliser four minutes later. The two teams headed to the break on level terms.

Taifa Stars striker Bocco completed his brace with a quarter of an hour to go after getting the better of the defenders before Ajibu's fine strike sealed the win in the 88th minute.

Earlier in the day, the league leaders defeated Transit Camp 4-2 in the same venue.

The Democratic Republic of Congo forward Deo Kanda was the first to strike for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the third minute.

Gerson Fraga scored the second for Sven Vandenbroeck's charges in the 15th minute before Tairone Santos added the third goal of the encounter two minutes after Fraga's strike.

Simba did not add a fourth goal until after the first half ended but they also could not keep Transit Camp at bay, as their opponents reduced the deficit in the first minute of added time courtesy of Hamadi Habibu.

In the 46th minute, Meddie Kagere added his name onto the scoresheet as he stretched Simba's lead further. Transit Camp answered back in the 64th minute from Nisile Kisimba's strike but their resurgence did not deny Simba a convincing win.

This was Transit Camp's second friendly match against a top club in the country after they had fought to a 0-0 draw against Azam FC a day ago.

The win for the Tanzanian 20-time league champions was witnessed by a large group of fans who followed proceedings from the terraces.

Teams are in a race to raise the level of fitness of their players before the league resumes on June 13 after it had been suspended in mid-March due to the restrictions the government had applied to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Simba will face Ruvu Shooting on June 14 at home as they restart their title defence. The Wekundu wa Msimbazi enjoy a good lead at the top and coach Vandenbroeck had urged them to ensure they bag the first 12 points to win the title in earnest.

With three of their four foreign players already in Tanzania, Simba are assured of an almost full squad for the matches, which also includes the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Azam.

Sharaf Shiboub is the only foreign player yet to report for duty.

U.S. men's national team veteran Fabian Johnson will become a free agent at the end of the Bundesliga season.

Borussia Monchengladbach announced that the midfielder, who can also play defense, will leave the club following the expiration of his contract.

Johnson has been with the German side since 2014, having made the move from Hoffenheim.

The 32-year-old, who has also played for 1860 Munich and Wolfsburg, has spent his entire professional career in Germany.

Johnson made a total of 140 appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach during his six-year stay, scoring 15 total goals.

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Johnson's upcoming departure on Monday while also announcing that veteran Tobias Strobl is also set to depart.

"Tobias Strobl has informed us that he would like to join FC Augsburg at the end of the season," Eberl said. "We have also reached an agreement together with Fabian Johnson to let his contract run out."

Johnson originally sealed his move to Monchengladbach just prior to the 2014 World Cup, where he shone as a member of Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT setup.

During the USMNT's run in Brazil, Johnson started each of the team's three group stage matches while also being named as a starter in the eventual round-of-16 loss to Belgium.

Johnson has earned a total of 57 caps for the U.S., having been a part of the 2015 Gold Cup and 2016 Copa America squads.

However, he has not been called up since 2017, although USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter said in 2019 that he was open to having Johnson return to the national team.

Since Johnson's USMNT breakthrough in 2011, he has been linked with moves to MLS, most notably a reported move to FC Cincinnati ahead of the club's first MLS season.

A deal never came to fruition and, should Johnson look to come to MLS as a free agent, the winger/defender would be subject to the league's allocation order.

Before departing, Johnson, who has made six appearances this season, will finish off the campaign with Gladbach, who sit fourth in the Bundesliga.

The club's next match will be a difficult one, though, as they'll visit Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Former Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy has explained why too many coaches fail at Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

According to McCarthy, coaches have to make it clear as soon as they get appointed that they should be in charge of the playing personnel. 

However, McCarthy admits that giving the coach too much freedom may be catastrophic, saying teamwork is what makes the team tick. 

"It's about making it clear [at the Big Three]. When you come in as a coach, you’ve got to let your bosses and club owners know the intentions and what you want to achieve and the way you want to work. It’s not about the coach making every single decision for the club; it’s about working together," said McCarthy to the South African Football Journalists’ Association. 

"At the end of the day, everyone wants the same success [and] when the team does well, the club gets the recognition. I know the big problem at these clubs is that coaches, the majority of the time, don’t bring in the players. They don’t get to choose the players they bring in. They find the players there and they’ve got to make them better," he explained. 

Speaking from his home in Scotland, the 42-year-old mentor said team managers and club chairmen should work together for what is best for the team. 

"What clubs at home need to understand is that the coach is the one who is in charge of the team; he knows what the team needs to progress to be better when they go out there.

"The football managers and chairmen need to work with the coach on the kind of players that come in and make a difference to the team and are better than what the club already has," continued McCarthy.

"If they can establish that, you will see that there will be more success for a club that implements that first," he said.  

"I don’t think coaches should have 100 per cent free reign - that’s abusing the system, especially because there are so many you hear take backhanders. That’s why there needs to be working together," added McCarthy. 

Asante Kotoko skipper Felix Annan has thrown his club's hat in the ring as debates over Ghana's possible representatives for next season's Caf inter-club competitions continue.

Talks about the West African candidates for the 2020-21 Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup have become rife due to the unlikelihood of the completion of the current season due to coronavirus disruption.

The 2019-20 Ghana Premier League and FA Cup have been on hold since March 15 when a ban on public gatherings came into force and it is presently uncertain when football will return.

“Per what I know about Caf rules, we [Kotoko] are still eligible to play in the champions league," Annan told Skyy Power FM.

“The Caf rules state that if a season is not completed or cancelled or suspended because of a problem, the previous champions are to represent the country.

“So if the league is suspended or cancelled, I think we are still eligible to play in the champions league."

The league champions will represent Ghana in the Champions League while the FA Cup winners take a place in the Confederation Cup.

Winners of the Ghana Tier One Special Competition which replaced the Premier League last season, Kotoko participated in the Champions League this season but the adventure ended early as they were knocked out by Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the first round.

Ashanti Gold, who won the Ghana Tier Two Special Competition - which replaced the FA Cup last year - and played in this term's Confederation Cup, have also expressed interest in playing in Africa next season.

Football in Ghana, meanwhile, remains suspended until at least July 31. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has said it would not take a final decision on the future of football in the country until June 30.

“Frankly speaking, as at now and as per what the president said that all contact sports activities are suspended until at least July 31, it will be difficult for us to continue the season,” Annan added.

“Even if authorities are able to place measures so that the restriction will be lifted on July 31, clubs will need like one month or six weeks to prepare.

“So we are entering into August-September, so when are we going to finish all these 16 remaining games, [before] we start the next season?

“In my estimation, I think we are not in the right frame to start the league now."

Hearts of Oak, who won the Champions League in 2000 and the Confederation Cup in 2004, have also expressed interest in the 2020-21 continental action. 

Germany boss Joachim Low has revealed that he planned to use Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka as a right-back.

The 25-year-old has been in eye-catching form with the Bundesliga leaders since the resumption of play following the coronavirus crisis by scoring two goals and laying on three more as FCB have extended their advantage over second-placed Borussia Dortmund to seven points.

While the former Schalke man has been impressing with his acumen in the final third, Low admits that he has toyed with using the midfielder at the opposite end of the field.

“It was always my idea to use him as a full-back because he can also be this type of player,” the 60-year-old said in an interview with Kicker.

Low, though, revealed why he has been reticent to use Goretzka, who has 11 goals in 25 international appearances, in that role.

“He’s never played this role,” he said. “Games and training are necessary for this. Why his dynamism, his feeling for the ball and his understanding of the game, he would be an option.”

The coach, meanwhile, believes that his evolution is likely to lead him to playing in a more advanced role, for example as a No.10.

“He is a player with a combination of a lot of dynamism, very good technique and good positional ability,” he said. “From the central position he exudes – and this is what sets him apart – a goal scoring threat because he keeps pushing forward. He knows how to score with his right and left foot, as well as his head. That’s why I think we’ll see him in a more attacking central role in the coming years.”

But the player is not simply excellent technically; Low has been left impressed with the midfielder’s attitude.

“He’s very critical and is aware of trends and what’s going on around him,” he said. “He’s very good to talk to for young players. He’s someone who thinks outside the box and it’s interesting to talk to him. He’s also got a very acute sense of justice.”

Goretzka has featured 28 times for FCB in all competitions this season and has scored seven goals, while delivering nine assists.

Former Watford star Tommy Smith believes Ismaila Sarr can move to the next level in his career after already showing glimpses of his potential in the Premier League.

The Senegal international joined the Hornets last summer as the club’s record signing following his consistent showings for Rennes during his two-year stay with the French side, where he featured in 59 league games and scored 13 goals.  

The winger, however, struggled to adapt to the English top-flight on his arrival at Vicarage Road but has been in superb form since December.

The forward has scored five goals and contributed four assists in 19 Premier League appearances, including his man-of-the-match display against Liverpool in February, where he scored two goals as his side ended the Reds’ unbeaten run.

Smith is delighted with the performances of the 22-year-old since he acclimatized to the league and praised the Hornets for securing his signature.

“He looks like an incredible talent. He took a little while to get used to the pace of the league and strength of the players and looked like he lacked a little bit of belief, which is understandable,” Smith told the club website.

“He's now got that belief and he looks like he can go on to the next level. It's another brilliant scouting find by Watford and he'll look even better in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Andre Gray, who arrived at Watford from Burnley in 2017, is also in awe of the potential of the Senegalese forward and believes he can reach the peak of his career.

“He was very shy and doesn't speak the language properly yet, but he's looked the part since he got his goal at Southampton,” Gray said.

“The gaffer now makes life simpler for him and every time he gets the ball, it's just the encouragement to go, go, go. He is so quick – he's the quickest player I've played with and can just knock it and go.

“He's so fit as well and can go both ways [up and down] and he's unplayable on his day, as we saw against Liverpool.

“He's a threat to everyone and if you watch the games, you see the full-backs he faces and they step off him every time he gets the ball, but even then he manages to get past them. He relieves so much pressure and enables us to counter-attack. He can be whatever he wants to be.”

Sarr will hope to continue his blistering performances when the Premier League resumes on June 17, having been suspended since mid-March.

The winger was part of Senegal’s squad that finished as runner-up in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, behind Algeria.

He will be expected to play a key role for the Teranga Lions when the 2021 Afcon qualifiers, which have been in hiatus due to Covid-19 restart.

Adel Amrouche has sensationally claimed he does not want to see Kenya miss out of the 2022 Africa World Cup qualifiers.

The former Harambee Stars coach is currently embroiled in a tussle with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) who were ordered by the world governing body Fifa to pay him Sh109million for alleged wrongful dismissal.

While FKF has maintained they don’t have money to pay the coach, who won the case in the arbitration court based in Zurich, the country will thus face a host of sanctions with the main one being banned from taking part in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022.

Goal exclusively reported two weeks ago FKF and Amrouche had reached an agreement with Fifa on how the money he is owed will be settled and thus Kenya will take part in the qualifiers.

Amrouche has now told Goal the reason why he doesn't want to see Kenya banned from the qualifiers, because of the respect he has for Kenyan supporters and also he did not want to kill the dream of Kenyan players from playing in the World Cup final.

“I don’t want to be that person who kills the dreams of our players,” Amrouche told Goal exclusively from Botswana, where he is handling the national team.

“Most of the players in the Kenyan squad are my former players and friends and it will hurt me most if they miss out on playing in the qualifiers just because my case against FKF brings the sanctions from Fifa.

“I also have respect for Kenyan supporters, they are good people, I enjoyed their support when I was the coach back in Kenya, I enjoyed their hospitality and will be offended to see them miss to watch and support their team during the qualifiers.”

Asked on whether he has now forgiven FKF in regards to the fine, Amrouche said: “No, we are still fighting but I would not want Fifa to ban Kenya.

“I am going to make an arrangement with my lawyer and will give you more details on what we have decided in regards to the issue, maybe by next week, I will have a good answer.

“Now there is nothing happening, but I am deeply thinking about the issue, I hope it will be sorted and my players will have the chance to play in the qualifiers.”

Kenya under Francis Kimanzi have been drawn to face Uganda, Mali and Rwanda in the qualifiers set to kick-off in October.

Lyon returned to training on Monday, with the Champions League hopefuls having been at ease since the middle of March due to the coronavirus crisis.

Although the Ligue 1 season was confirmed to be over at the end of April, leaving OL controversially seventh in the standings and, therefore, without a European spot for next season, they are working with the second leg of their European tie against Juventus in mind.

With regards that fixture, the Rhone side have been boosted by the return of Memphis Depay and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, both of whom trained having missed out since December because of long-term knee injuries sustained in a clash against Rennes.

The attacking midfielders had been two of Lyon’s outstanding players this season, with the Netherlands international, whose contract is up in the summer of 2021, particularly eye-catching as he scored nine times in 13 Ligue 1 matches, plus five in five in the Champions League.

Lyon hold a 1-0 advantage before the second leg in Turin, having dominated the opening fixture against Maurizio Sarri’s side and taken the initiative thanks to a goal from Lucas Tousart, who is due to join Hertha Berlin this summer.

Rudy Garcia’s side are the first French side back working since the virus ended the Ligue 1 campaign, with Lyon returning to the training pitch a full week before any of their top-flight rivals.

Although PSG will also play in the Champions League, albeit at a later date as they have already booked their passage through to the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-2 aggregate success over Borussia Dortmund, their return is slated for June 22 – the date Bordeaux, Montpellier, Rennes and Monaco will all go back.

For many Ligue 1 sides, the pre-season will be a particularly long one, with France’s top flight not scheduled for any action until the weekend of August 23, when the 2020-21 campaign will begin.

Meanwhile, the French transfer window opened on Monday, with deals permitted between domestic clubs in a bid to ease the financial anxieties of any sides straining under the pressure imposed by a lack of action in the last three months.

KCCA defender John Revita has finally undergone successful surgery on his knee after about five months since getting injured.

The Uganda Cranes international picked up the injury against URA FC in January as the holders went down 1-2 in the Ugandan Premier League match, and as a result, was ruled out for the rest of the season after the club’s doctors recommended he undergoes an operation to repair the damage.  

The 27-year-old has received medical attention and the healing process has begun.

"Just in, John Revita has undergone successful knee surgery and he is doing fine. Quick recovery, John," the club communicated on Monday through their official social media outlets.

The defender was part of the Johnathan McKinstry team that qualified for the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) competition which was to be played in Cameroon on April 4-25. 

Revita’s injury led to his exclusion from the Uganda team that was preparing for Chan before the training was called off after the competition was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the player might have a chance to help the East African nation in the competition if he manages to recover on time. The new date of Africa's second-tier competition has not been confirmed yet.

The Cranes defender joined the Taxmen from rivals Express FC at the start of the current season, replacing captain Timothy Awany, who left the club to join Israel Premier League side Ashdod FC.

Peter Magambo, Hassan Musana, Filbert Obenchan, Musa Ramathan, and Samuel Kato are some of the defenders who could have filled in for the centre back in competitive matches.

However, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) opted to cancel the league owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vipers SC, who were leading the table with 54 points, were crowned with KCCA, who were hot on the heels of the Venoms finishing second. SC Villa finished third on 46 points.

The league was annulled with five rounds remaining.

The former champions had not played in the second round against Villa (away), Busoga United (home), Wakiso Giants (away), Onduparaka (away) and BUL (home).  

Chelsea youngster Tino Anjorin has signed a five-year contract extension, the Premier League club have confirmed.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been with the west London outfit since the age of six and has made two appearances for Frank Lampard's side this season.

The England Under-19 international made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup third round against Grimsby, coming on midway through the second half as the Blues trounced the League Two side 7-1.

Anjorin then came on to replace Willian in the second half of Chelsea's 4-0 win over Everton in the Premier League in March.

Anjorin had reached the agreement to commit to another five years with the Stamford Bridge side in April, and the club have now confirmed he will stay put.  

"It’s a brilliant feeling. I’ve been at the club since I was six years old so to get to this stage and then be offered another five-year contract on top of that is amazing," Anjorin told the club's official website.

"I had no hesitation but to take it straight away because to play for the club I always dreamed of playing for is really special for me."

As one of eight academy players to be given a chance in the first team under Lampard, Anjorin feels at home among the Chelsea stars.

"It’s been a really crucial season for young players here. Frank, Jody Morris and Joe Edwards have taken us on board and really committed themselves to bringing young players through," he added.

"Hopefully I can try to carry on being a part of that as long as I keep working hard and impressing the coaches."

He is hungry for more top-flight action after feeling the support of the Chelsea fans.

"You feel like everyone is behind you. When I was about to come on, I remember just hearing this massive roar which was completely unexpected.

"I thought it would be quiet because nobody knew who I was but I think they knew I was from the Academy so the support was brilliant. It put a smile on my face for the rest of the day!

"Against Everton, I’ll never forget the fans singing my name because it just felt so amazing.

"I was on the pitch playing and then I just heard them chanting ‘Tino, Tino, Tino’. It was unbelievable to hear that."

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has celebrated with former internationals Dickson Etuhu, Efan Ekoku and Carl Ikeme on their birthdays.

Kano-born Etuhu clocks 38 years while former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikeme and Ekoku are celebrating their 34th and 53rd birthdays respectively.

Etuhu played 12 Premier League games for Manchester City before his departure from the Etihad Stadium outfit in 2002, having joined the side in 2000.

He then moved to Preston North End and spent four years with the club where he featured in 134 league games before joining Norwich City in 2006.

The midfielder played for Sunderland before he signed for Fulham, where he enjoyed great success, inspiring the side to finish as runner-up in the Europa League during the 2009-2010 season.

Before his retirement from professional football, he featured for Blackburn Rovers, AIK and IFK Rossjoholm. 

On the international scene, the midfielder had 33 caps for the Super Eagles and was part of Lars Lagerback's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The NFF has taken to social media to send a congratulatory message to the defensive midfielder as he reaches a new age. 

Ekoku, meanwhile, was born in Manchester and starred for Sutton United, Bournemouth, Norwich City, Wimbledon and Sheffield Wednesday, among others before he quit professional football in 2004.

The former striker was inducted into the Norwich Hall of Fame in 2012 and was part of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ikeme, on the other hand, spent his entire career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, featuring for the side between 2003-2018 and played 191 league games for Wolves.

The goalkeeper had a short spell with the Super Eagles after making his international debut on September 2015 against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game.

He made three appearances during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers before he abruptly retired from professional football after he suffered an acute leukaemia but has since recovered from illness.

Ghana international Joseph Attamah Larweh will be happy to see compatriot Thomas Teye Partey make a transfer move to Arsenal in the summer.

Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Partey has become the subject of transfer speculation following a run of fine performances for the side in the Spanish capital.

Aside from Arsenal, there is also Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and PSG linked with the Ghanaian.

“I will be happy if he goes to Arsenal," Attamah, who plays for Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir, told Citi Sports.

“He has done it all at Atletico and is well known as one of their best players.

“He has to move forward to a different league to prove his worth there as well.

“He needs to let people know that he is capable of succeeding in other places and not just Spain."

Since completing a loan move to Almeria in 2014-15, Partey has made a combined 118 La Liga appearances involving 80 starts. He has registered a total of 11 goals and seven assists.

He helped Los Rojiblancos win the Europa League and the Uefa Super Cup in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Attamah's comments come on the back of similar remarks by compatriot and international teammate Kasim Nuhu Adams.

“Atletico Madrid is a very good club so he is playing one of the biggest clubs in the world and Arsenal is also one of the biggest,” Adams told TV3 in a recent live Instagram chat.

“For me, it is his decision because playing at Atletico Madrid is the same as playing in Arsenal.

"The two teams always make the same category in the league, fighting for the third and fourth place to play in the Champions League.

"But as we all know the Premiership is the best league in the world so if he joins Arsenal, I will be happy for him.”

Partey, who joined Atletico as a youth team player, spent the 2013-14 season on loan at then second division outfit Real Mallorca.

The 26-year-old, together with Attamah and Adams, represented Ghana at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.