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Mikel Arteta Is Now More Important Than Anyone Else at Arsenal - Even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The best player in FIFA 20 isn't Messi nor Ronaldo, but Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder

FIFA 20 has the most 99-rated cards ever, with ICON players, Team of the Year items and now Team of the Season So Far selections receiving the game's highest rating.

Despite the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Pele having the top overall score, the player widely regarded as the toughest opponent to come up against has not received a 99 rating.

Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder has been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season (TOTS) after 18 goals in 26 games before the French top flight was cancelled, receiving an upgraded 97-rated card, which has already become one of the most expensive players in the game, worth more than even 99 Messi or 99 Ronaldo.

Ben Yedder's TOTS card may not have a 99 rating on the front of the card, but many of his key attributes are maxed out, including acceleration, finishing, positioning, agility, balance and jumping. He has 98 at heading accuracy, shot power and dribbling too, making him unstoppable anywhere near the penalty area.

His total in-game stats add up to 2516, making him a better all-rounder than legendary Brazilian strikers Ronaldo and Pele.

The 29-year-old has four-star skills which combine with his excellent dribbling stats, but perhaps even more importantly has a five-star weak foot, meaning he can shoot from any angle with both left and right feet.

During FIFA 20, regular and upgraded versions of Ben Yedder proved extremely popular on FUT Champions Weekend League and Divisions Rivals, but the 97-rated TOTS version is so dangerous that even Ben Yedder himself has joked "How many broken controllers with this one?"

Getting such a game-breaking card into your team will not be easy: you'll need either French or Ligue 1 players in midfield or attack to link him to in order to ensure he plays at maximum chemistry.

However, the bigger hurdle to having TOTS Ben Yedder start up front for you in Weekend League is his astonishing price. When he was released into packs, TOTS Ben Yedder sold for over 7 million coins on PC, over 6 million on PlayStation and over 5 million on Xbox.

For comparison, you could buy one TOTS Ben Yedder for that price or both 98-rated ICON Pele and 99-rated TOTS Messi and still have some coins to spare.

Original author: Ronan Murphy
  150 Hits

Pogba setback as star injured taking free kicks

The Jangwani Street-based giants says they will use the friendly to gauge their players and fight to return a winning mentality

Young Africans (Yanga SC) assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa has revealed they will use the friendly against KMC to bring back a winning mentality ahead of the Mainland Premier League's resumption.

The Jangwani Street-based giants will come up against fellow top-flight side in a build-up contest at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

“I know it will be a tough match since [KMC] are among the good sides in the league but we are well prepared to win and bring back winning mentality to players,” Mkwasa is quoted by Daily News.

“It will give us an opportunity to see the balance of the team and where we should fix the problems before heading to the battlefield next week.”

Mkwasa further revealed his side is ready to navigate the congested fixtures when the season resumes, saying they have a huge squad to pick from and hence can rotate.

“As you know, we gave individual training sessions to be accomplished by players at their own homes when the league was suspended but that is not enough to make them fit for competitive games that is why we thought of playing friendly encounters to assess the players,” Mkwasa continued.

“We also need to get prepared with the many fixtures coming up and know how to rotate the squad, and this friendly will help us a lot.”

Mkwasa, who is standing in for head coach Luc Eymael, also confirmed most of the players in the squad had shown great improvement ahead of the league resumption.

“Our aim is to continue doing well in the league and ascend to the top positions of the table since we are preparing to win and not to lose games,” Mkwasa added.

He, however, confirmed four players - David Molinga, Yikpe Gislain, Said Makapu, and Patrick Sibomana – had gained weight while in lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, but assured they were working on the problem.

Yanga will start their remaining league matches with an away match against Mwadui FC on July 13 at Kambarage Stadium. Yanga have already given up on the chase for the title as they lie 20 points behind table-toppers and rivals Simba SC.

However, they still have a chance to win the FA Cup where they are in the quarter-finals.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  142 Hits

Gerard Pique makes extreme declaration over Barcelona corruption charges

By his own admission, he is no bookworm, but Malaysia U-19 and Selangor 2 defender Zikri Khalili constantly studies ways to give himself an edge.

Name: Ahmad Zikri Khalili
Age: 18
Siblings: Third child among five siblings
Academy: ProKids 1972 Soccer Academy (2013-2014), Project 2019 (2014), Pahang Malaysia Sports School (2015), Bukit Jalil Sports School (2016), Mokhtar Dahari Academy (2017-2019) 
Current Club: Selangor 2
National Team: Malaysia U-16 (qualified for 2018 AFC U-19 Championship finals), Malaysia U-19 (qualified for 2020 AFC U-19 Championship finals)
Position: Defender

ALSO READ: From Luqman Hakim to Arif Aiman - Meet the future of Malaysia

Early years

The defender recalled his first experience training as a young boy:

"I had been playing for my primary school back home in Kuantan since I was in Standard Four, but it was just for fun. Only in the following year I started training more seriously.

"My older brother, Ahmad Nuri wanted to join a youth training club, ProKids 1972 Soccer Academy but he didn't want to do it alone so he took me along. But overtime it was me who remained, while he focused on his studies."

Zikri with ProKids 1972 and former Pahang player Jalaluddin Jaafar in 2014

Learning the importance of education at AMD

Much like the first batch of the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) students who eventually began their training and education there in Form Three in 2017 (the academy now trains students beginning from Form One, the first year of secondary education for almost all youth in Malaysia), he was first selected for the 2019 Project team. He moved to Bukit Jalil in Standard Six to train with the team, along with boys who would go on to be his AMD classmates.

After detours through the Pahang Malaysia Sports School (2015) and the Bukit Jalil Sports School (2016), only in 2017 would they move properly into and began training at AMD.

As a youth footballer, he had expected to have to sacrifice his attention towards his formal education; a decision that was supported by his parents. But his eventual time at AMD instilled the importance of schooling.

"In Standard Six I often missed class due to my training commitment. Just before I started my Form One education, my parents sat me down and told me to decide properly between focusing on my studies, or football. They didn't think I can focus on both. But they were utterly supportive of my decision, and in the end I went with football.

"Having said that, we at AMD still tried to do well in our studies. We went to school in the morning while the evening is for training. They also provided us with evening talks on matters of football.

"The training by our coach back then, Lim Teong Kim (former AMD director and National Football Development Programme of Malaysia director) was always tough, but he was always supportive of me. He once asked me: 'What do you want to do if you were not in football?' I told him I want to study. But he explained that it was not impossible for me to do both at the same time, and that footballers can still go on to pursue other endeavours. That advice has provided me with the drive to succeed academically as well.

"After signing with the Selangor reserve team (along with 27 other 2019 AMD graduates), I also applied to pursue my sports science diploma studies at UiTM (Mara Institute of Technology). Studying while playing is something I've always planned on doing; as a sort of back-up plan. I'm just waiting for the application result now," noted the youngster.

Now in his first ever professional season with Selangor 2 after graduating from AMD last year, Zikri constantly utilises his academic inclination to better himself.

"I read a lot of research articles on sporting and endurance," he stated. "According to them, we athletes need to take care of our diet in order to take care of our endurance. So whenever I'm home, I have to tell my mother to go easy on the sugar and oil when she cooks for me.

"While at AMD all the information was obtained through coaches, I now take the initiative of reading up on sports science, although admittedly I'm by no means a bookworm. It's a sort of research for myself too, which is made easy by the prevalence of fitness-centred Instagram accounts." 

With the guidance and training received from his AMD stint, the teenager who can play as either a left back or a right centre back is now looking to meet two objectives.

"My target for now is to break through to the first team, to play in the Super League. There was once a rumour that they would call me up due to injuries, which got me all motivated in training, but in the end it didn't happen. Maybe next time!

"But my long-term aim is to play club football in Europe. Although I'm not at the level needed to go there yet, I'm willing to push myself. I need to work on my technique and endurance first for this to happen," he explained.

Original author: Zulhilmi Zainal
  123 Hits

Dest: I want to play with Ronaldo, Messi

The former Jangwani Street-based giants’ defender says he will be happy if the Rwandan striker does not win the gong again

Former Young Africans (Yanga SC) defender Oscar Joshua says he will be a happy man if Simba SC striker Meddie Kagere is beaten to the Mainland Premier League Golden Boot this term.

The Rwandan striker won the gong last season after notching 24 goals and he is currently leading the race to win it twice in a row having scored 19 goals already this term already.

With the league set to resume after it was halted in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Kagere has a good chance to claim the award with only nine rounds of matches remaining to the end of the season.

Joshua has now challenged other strikers in the top-flight, led by Reliants Lusanjo, Paul Nonga, and Yusuph Mhilu, to make sure that they catch up with Kagere and beat him to the crown.

Lusajo and Mhilu, both of Kagere Sugar, have scored 11 goals while Nonga of Lipuli FC has managed 10 goals.

“First Emmanuel Okwi took the Golden Boot and then came Kagere and won the award last season, and still it seems Kagere will do it again this season,” Joshua is quoted by MwanaSpoti.

“But I have a feeling that we have Nonga, Lusanjo, and Mhilu who can also challenge for the gong and I want to urge them to make sure they don’t allow Kagere to win the award again, nine matches are enough to give them the award.

“I watch the three players before the league took a break and they were really a joy to watch, they were pushing him [Kagere] hard and I know when the league resumes, they will continue from where they had left.”

On the resumption of the league, after it was given the green light by President John Pombe Magufuli, Joshua said: “That is what every Tanzanian was waiting for, to have the action back and we are glad now we can follow the game we love again.

“I know most players are burning with ambitions to prove themselves after the break and thus we are in for an entertaining run. It will be a tough race to the end but we hope to see good football.”

Simba are chasing a third straight title as they sit top of the table on 71 points, 17 points ahead of Azam FC in second while Yanga are third, three further points behind.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  140 Hits

Tanzania champions Simba SC unveil new logo, 2020/21 season jersey

The Italian defender has described the Portuguese superstar as a "champion" while talking up his professionalism on and off the pitch

Leonardo Bonucci has admitted to being in awe of Cristiano Ronaldo's physique upon his return from lockdown, insisting the Juventus forward has "presented himself in perfect condition".

Italian football has been suspended since March 9 due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused 402,561 deaths worldwide to date.

Players and staff members from clubs across Serie A were forced to self-isolate in accordance with new government legislation regarding social distancing for two months, but restrictions are now beginning to ease amid a significant drop in Covid-19 cases.

Juventus are now gearing up for a return to the pitch on June 12 after being cleared to resume full-contact training, with a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg tie against Milan on the cards.

Bonucci says Ronaldo reported for duty in the same exemplary shape he was in before the hiatus. He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "How did I find him? How I left him.

"He is a super athlete, a great professional. He told me what he did to keep fit during the quarantine. He presented himself in perfect condition. He cannot amaze, he is a champion, from all points of view."

Bonucci has also been a star turn in Juve's starting line up since returning to the club from Milan in the summer of 2018, playing a key role in the club's march towards an eighth successive Serie A crown last season.

His performances in defence have helped the Bianconeri fight for a domestic double and Champions League success this time around, and he is delighted to be back with his "family" after a difficult spell at San Siro.

The 33-year-old admits that he rushed into his decision to leave Juve following their 2017 European Cup final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, but insists that the whole experience helped shape his character.

"It was a difficult year for me. Both on a personal and working level," said Bonucci. "There had been disagreements and I, in the end, especially after the defeat in the Champions League, made an unpolished decision - but I have to say that that choice, that it certainly influenced my career, it improved me as a man.

"Those months at Milan allowed me to look inside and understand that my place was in Juventus, in this one that I feel like my family. I met beautiful people at Milan before among these Rino Gattuso. It was a difficult year, but not in vain. At the end of which I was very happy to go home. "

  111 Hits

Jason Sudeikis' clueless soccer coach Ted Lasso gets own sitcom

The Bafana Bafana star relives the moments he cherishes most in his football journey including coming up against the Spanish giants

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda says they "really needed this rest" from competitive football as he took time to reflect on his most cherished career moments, with his mind also set on "restarting the engine" if the season resumes.

Recent years have seen a busy time for Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the Caf Champions League, where they have established rivalries in North Africa.

The Brazilians also hosted European giants Barcelona in a Mandela Centenary Cup in May 2018 and all these matches remain etched in Mabunda's mind as special memories.

The 32-year-old lasted until deep into injury time in the 3-1 defeat to Barca at FNB Stadium, a match he says brought the best out of him, together with battles against North African sides.

"I have played against some of the biggest teams in the world and on the continent and that’s really a great feeling to have gone up against Barcelona, Zamalek, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca – those are the games you cherish because they bring the best out of you because you dig deep and exhaust all the efforts that you have,” Mabunda told the Sundowns website.

“I have something to be proud of. I have special moments against each of those teams. We’ve also built such a great relationship with Wydad and their fans.

"Playing in Japan at the Fifa Club World Cup was a great blessing for me. It’s something to cherish and something I will never forget.”

Shifting attention to the domestic front, Mabunda's is now focused on the possible return of football which has been suspended due to the coronavirus.

The current halt has come as a refreshing period for Sundowns who had not enjoyed an off-season break or rested for at least a month since 2015, while participating in the Caf Champions League.

“We have been through a difficult time with the pandemic and the lockdown, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We look forward to returning to the field of play because that is who we are and what we stand for. We want to continue where we left off, but we really needed this rest,” said Mabunda.

“So I am looking forward to restarting the engine and playing high-intensity football. We are geared up to retain our title. I believe the boys are ready and want to also celebrate the club turning 50 years.”

Sundowns are on course for a third successive league title as they trail log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs by four points although they have played a game less.

They are also gunning for the Nedbank Cup and have Bidvest Wits to worry about in the semi-finals.

Original author: Michael Madyira
  128 Hits

David de Gea wins February Castrol Save of the Month award

The Tanzanian giants would want to sign top talent in order to mount a meaningful contest in the Caf Champions League
Original author: Kiplagat Sang
  127 Hits

Man Utd shake off Liverpool rout to trounce Betis

German football resumes has resumed amid the Coronavirus pandemi with a full fixture schedule involving Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

The Bundesliga was the first of Europe's major leagues to resume after play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the league having kicked off again on May 16th.

With France ending the 2019-20 season early and the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga aiming for June restarts, football fans who may not normally watch the German top flight will turn their eyes to the Bundesliga for a taste of live football.

So, if you're keen to tune into the Bundesliga during lockdown to get your football feast, Goal brings you everything you need to know

Contents

Where can I watch the Bundesliga in India?

The Star Sports network (Star Sports and Star Sports Select) have the rights to show Bundesliga matches in India.

Matches will also be available on streaming mobile application Disney+ Hotstar VIP, allowing supporters to watch multiple games simultaneously and catch the replay of matches.

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Who leads the Bundesliga title race?

Ahead of the restart of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich held a four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund, with RB Leipzig sitting third - trailing by an extra point - and Borussia Monchengladbach occupying fourth place six points behind the leaders.

Bayern have maintained their seven-point lead at the top courtesy a 5-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf while Borussia Dortmund defeated Paderborn 6-1 in matchday 29. RB Leipzig have kept pace at third followed by Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen who also recorded victories to remain in the top five.

Click here for the full Bundesliga table

Bundesliga fixtures post Covid-19 break

Matchday 26

Return to top 

Matchday 27

Date Match
May 23 Hertha Berlin 4-0 Union Berlin
May 23 Borussia M'gladbach 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
May 23 Wolfsburg 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
May 23 Freiburg 0-1 Werder Bremen
May 23 Padderborn 1-1 Hoffenheim
May 23 Bayern Munich 5-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
May 24 Schalke 0-3 Augsburg
May 24 Mainz 0-5 RB Leipzig
May 24 Koln 2-2 Fortuna Dusseldorf

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Matchday 28

Date Match
May 26 Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich
May 27 Werder Bremen 0-0 Borussia M'gladbach
May 27 Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 Freiburg
May 27 Bayer Leverkusen 1-4 Wolfsburg
May 27 RB Leipzig 2-2 Hertha Berlin
May 28 Augsburg 0-0 Paderborn
May 28 Union Berlin 1-1 Mainz
May 28 Hoffeheim 3-1 Koln
May 28 Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-1 Schalke

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Matchday 29

Date Match
May 30 Freiburg 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
May 30 Schalke 0-1 Werder Bremen
May 30 Wolfsburg 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
May 30 Mainz 0-1 Hoffenheim
May 30 Hertha Berlin 2-0 Augsburg
May 30 Bayern Munich 5-0 Fortuna Dusseldorf
May 31 Borussia M'gladbach 4-1 Union Berlin
May 31 Paderborn 1-6 Borussia Dortmund
Jun 02 Koln 2-4 RB Leipzig

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Matchday 30

Date Time (IST) Match TV Channel/Stream*
Jun 04 12 am Werder Bremen 0-3 Eintracht Frankfurt SS 1 SD & HD, SSS 2 SD & HD
Jun 06 12 am Freiburg 1-0 Borussia M'gladbach SS 1 SD & HD, SSS 2 SD & HD
Jun 06 6:45 pm RB Leipzig 1-1 Paderborn Star Sports Select 1 SD & HD
Jun 06 6:46 pm Bayer Leverkusen 2-4 Bayern Munich Star Sports Select 2 SD & HD
Jun 06 7 pm Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-2 Hoffenheim Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Jun 06 7 pm Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 Mainz Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Jun 06 9:46 pm Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Hertha Berlin SS 1 SD & HD, SSS 2 SD & HD
Jun 07 4:46 pm Werder Bremen vs Wolfsburg Star Sports Select 2 SD & HD
Jun 07 7 pm Union Berlin vs Schalke Star Sports Select 2 SD & HD
Jun 07 9:16 pm Augsburg vs Koln SS 1 SD & HD, SSS 2 SD & HD

*All matches can be streamed online on Disney+ Hotstar VIP

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Original author: Anselm Noronha
  128 Hits

Graham Potter's Chelsea aren't playing like a Potter team right now, but that's OK

The Reds legend does not believe the German striker would have fit in at Anfield given the attacking riches Jurgen Klopp already has at his disposal

RB Leipzig's Timo Werner would not have been good enough for Liverpool, according to Robbie Fowler, who insists the Chelsea-bound forward is far from the finished article.

Goal has reported that Chelsea have agreed to pay Werner's £54 million ($68m) buy-out clause, after offering the 24-year-old a contract worth £9m per season at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool had initially been touted as the most likely next destination for the Germany international, who admitted back in February that Jurgen Klopp's philosophy would suit his style of play.

However, the Blues now look set to win the race for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window, while the Reds continue to feel the pinch financially amid the coronavirus crisis.

Fowler isn't too fussed that his old club have missed out on Werner though, and doesn't believe he would have found a place in Klopp's starting XI ahead of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

"I’ve heard the noise ­surrounding Timo Werner in recent weeks – but I’m not a big fan," the Liverpool legend wrote in The Mirror.

"I realise he’s a talented player, he has moments of real brilliance in matches that underline his quality, but I stand by this: is Werner up to the standard of Liverpool’s current front three? Not for me. Obviously my opinion will be put to the test next season if he does complete a move to Chelsea.

"There has been so much rumour around his intended destination for months now, with my former club at the heart of that, but most of the other big names in European football have been linked to him.

"I’ve also seen the meltdown from some Liverpool fans when they ­realised he’s probably not leaving RB Leipzig for Anfield after all. It makes it seem as though he’s a Marco van Basten, a world-class player who would walk into any side.

"For the life of me, I don’t know why. I’ve watched him a fair few times and there are things about his game I like and admire, but does he influence games consistently enough? Not for me. Does he match up to the players you are signing him to challenge and replace? Not at Liverpool. Maybe at Chelsea."

Fowler added on Liverpool's reluctance to meet Werner's price tag: "I’ve heard so many people ­complaining about Liverpool owners not splashing the cash, not diving in on ­Werner when he’s a ‘steal’ at £52m. Is he really, though?

"This is the reality – all those other clubs, Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus, Real Madrid, Man City and United have looked at him and thought, in the current market, his release clause fee is too high. How do we know that? Because otherwise, they would have activated it.

"To be honest, I see a situation where Chelsea saw perhaps the only circumstance in which they would sign Werner. That they had to pay the ­release fee to get him – because other clubs wouldn’t.

"In short, they had to pay a massive premium to make him come to their club. We’ve seen it before with clubs struggling a tiny bit – they pay over the odds to get players. City had to do that for a while, Chelsea themselves too. At times, Liverpool have done that over the past two decades. It rarely worked for them."

  126 Hits

Kaizer Chiefs launch environmentally inspired jersey ahead of Orlando Pirates showdown

Goal brings you everything confirmed on how to watch the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and more in 2019-20's conclusion
Original author: Ryan Kelly
  252 Hits

Vipers SC's Bayo blames Uganda involvement for losing Golden Boot race

The award was won by Steven Mukwala who had scored 13 goals in what was a close race

Vipers SC striker Fahad Bayo has blamed his international engagements with the Uganda national team for missing out on the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) Golden Boot.

Bayo lost the race to Maroons FC's Steven Mukwala when the league was cancelled due to the ongoing measures put in place against the coronavirus.

Bayo had scored 12 goals in his maiden season at Vipers since his August 4 arrival and his tally was bettered by Mukwala, who scored one goal more.

Mukwala was on loan at Maroons from Vipers.

When coach Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry picked Bayo for Cranes duties, the forward was leading on UPL scoreboard with eight goals while Mukwala had scored seven.

Bayo was first summoned for the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso in November, before he was called up again for an African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against Burundi.

He grabbed his maiden goal for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup record holders against Burundi and was on the score sheet again against Malawi at Namboole Stadium in an Afcon qualifier.

“Any player can be on form, but I missed two league games while with the Cranes which also affected me in that [Golden Boot] race,” Bayo told Football256.

“[It is] because I was in my greatest form when I was handed the opportunity to represent my country in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Playing for Uganda at such a big stage was a dream come true but that’s how I lost the league's Golden Boot.” 

The international engagements saw the former Buildcon FC striker miss two critical matches, against KCCA FC at Lugogo Stadium and against URA FC at St Mary's Stadium in Kitende.

Vipers won the encounter against the Tax Collectors and lost the second to the Kassasiro Boys.

As Mukwala and Bayo occupied the first and the second slot on the top scorers' chart, Ben Ocen of Police FC was third with 11 goals in what was a very tight race.

Viane Sekajugo of Wakiso Giants was joint fourth alongside Frank Kalanda of Express FC after both netted nine goals.

 

 

Original author: Kiplagat Sang
  478 Hits

Parliamentary Committee on Sports chairman Munyaka satisfied with Nyayo Stadium progress

The facility has been undergoing renovations since 2017 and it could be available as early as next week

Renovations at Nyayo National Stadium is set to be completed in the coming week, satisfied Parliamentary Committee on Sports Chairman Dan Munyaka has said.

The stadium has been under renovations for close to three years and Munyaka has confirmed the contractor working at the facility is about to get his work done and hand over it to the government.

The contractor is now racing against time to finish landscaping and drainage as the changing rooms and VIP sections are already done.

Initially, the government had promised the public facility will be ready by the end of May but it has not been the case as the due date has been pushed back by another week.

“The committee is pleased by the progress of the work at Nyayo National Stadium and the assurance that it will be ready by next week has been made by the contractor,” Munyaka told the media during his visit at the Stadium inspecting the progress.

Nyayo's unavailability has made Nairobi teams scramble for stadiums outside the city with Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos and Narok Stadium in Narok County offering their services for the city's clubs.

Tusker have been enjoying home advantage given their ownership of the Ruaraka Grounds, which has undergone renovations and was unavailable in the past.

Moi International Sports Complex has always been designated for Caf Confederation and Champions League matches as well as the Mashemeji Derby, an encounter between arch-rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

Nyayo Stadium, when available, has always been preferred to Kasarani to host the Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards clash.

Posta Rangers coach Sammy Omollo, in an earlier interview with Goal, explained the importance of the availability of Nyayo Stadium, especially for the city clubs.

“We have had a problem with availability of grounds and in such situations, everything is always in a mess. Most teams are located in Nairobi and their home ground is usually the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos,” Omollo said.

“Most times you see AFC Leopards going all the way to Bukhungu Stadium or Mumias Sports Complex while Posta Rangers, after training in Nairobi, go to Narok Stadium and Gor Mahia will always have to travel to Kisumu to host matches.

“In all these scenarios there is no home ground advantage for teams. These are the things that have affected our leagues for sure.

“Having a ground in the city centre is very good especially for Nairobi teams because it will greatly cut the cost of travelling to stadiums located in far-flung areas. I am happy Nyayo will be back soon.”

Nyayo Stadium, opened in 1983, has often been used for other national functions as well.

 

 

Original author: Kiplagat Sang
  542 Hits

'Pogba must be more consistent to earn Real Madrid move' - Man Utd talisman yet to fulfil potential, says Herrera

A man who witnessed the Frenchman's talents up close at Old Trafford says he must prove he can deliver the goods week in, week out

Paul Pogba must be more "consistent" to earn a move to Real Madrid, according to Ander Herrera, who does not think the Manchester United midfielder has reached his full potential.

Pogba has flattered to deceive at Old Trafford since making his way back to Manchester for a second spell at the club in 2016. United forked out £89 million ($113m) to bring the 27-year-old back from Juventus, but he has only shown flashes of the brilliance which saw him emerge as one of the top players in Europe at the Allianz Stadium.

Critics have often singled Pogba out as a scapegoat for United's mediocre performances in recent years, leading to plenty of speculation over his future.

The World Cup winner was reportedly courted by Real Madrid last summer after admitting that he was ready to undertake a new challenge away from United.

Real have been tipped to revive their interest in Pogba when the transfer window reopens, despite the fact he has sat out the majority of the 2019-20 campaign through injury.

However, Herrera is not so sure that Madrid will pursue his old team-mate, with it his belief that the mercurial playmaker has yet to prove that he can maintain his best form over an extended period.

The ex-United midfielder - who now plies his trade in France with Paris Saint-Germain - told AS: "As a footballer, Paul has everything: he cuts through the opposition, he wins the ball back, he’s good in the air, he’s aggressive, he defends, he attacks, he scores goals, but he’s had his ups and downs in Manchester.

"He’s played games where he completely made the difference and others where he just didn’t, and for a player at that price, you have to always be awesome.

"If he’s able to be consistent then, of course, Madrid or any big European club would want him. However, it’s the same as with [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar, he’s at one of the biggest clubs in the world and for him to leave it’s difficult."

Pogba has worked his way back to full fitness in recent weeks, and is currently preparing with the rest of the United squad for the return of the Premier League, which has been on hiatus since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men will officially resume their season on June 19, with a trip to north London to face Tottenham on the cards.

 

 

 

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Klopp says Liverpool's Premier League title parade could happen next season because of coronavirus disruption

If the Reds end their 30-year wait for a league title in 2020, their manager is happy to put off the open-top bus until the time is right

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested holding a Premier League title parade next season when coronavirus restrictions could be eased.

The Reds were just two wins from securing their first league triumph in 30 years when the 2019-20 season was halted in March due to the pandemic.

The Premier League is set to return on June 17, but matches will be held behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, denying fans the opportunity to celebrate inside Anfield.

Regulations limiting mass gatherings outdoors also means a parade with the trophy through Liverpool is likely to be impossible. Klopp, however, thinks there is no reason why such a celebration could not simply be deferred until it is safe.

"That you can't celebrate in the way you've always dreamed of, that's not nice, I totally understand that," he told Sky Germany. "I feel the same way. It's not that my ideal is to celebrate alone in the stadium, then just drive home.

"It wasn't like that when you thought about it. But that cannot be changed now. Why should we now make a big deal about something that can't be changed?

"There comes a day when life will get back to normal. When someone has found the vaccine, when someone has found a solution to the problem, when infection rates are zero or below – that day will come eventually. Then we have the right to celebrate what we want to celebrate on that day.

"If this is the 12th or 13th matchday of next season and we want to celebrate it, who is going to stop it? Then we still have the trophy and then we can drive it around town and stand on the bus. If other people then think that we are completely crazy, I honestly don't care.

"Can it then still be a special celebration? No question. It's different, but different is sometimes absolutely okay."

Liverpool won 27 of their first 29 league games of the season and are on course to break Manchester City's record points tally of 100, something Klopp wants his players to target.

"This [season] can become historic, I have to say so clearly," he said. "And not only club historical, but historical in general. We have the chance to get an unbelievable number of points and so we prepare ourselves and then we will see what comes out of it."

Klopp also praised his players for the decision to take a knee around the Anfield centre-circle this week as a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

"I have been very proud of the boys for a long time, but this was another extraordinary moment," he said. "When I saw them there and this photo was taken, I was really proud, because it is also an important message. No question about it."

Original author: Joe Wright
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Football on TV this week: Matches to watch & live stream in UK today, tomorrow & this weekend

Goal brings you all the matches that are being shown live on television so you can plan your next few days of viewing pleasure

Football never stops - pandemics aside - whether it is the Premier League, Champions League or the international games such as the European Championship, there is almost always some action to watch on television.

Here are all the fixtures that are being shown live in the United Kingdom tonight, tomorrow and this week on channels such as Sky Sports, BT Sport, Premier Sports, La Liga TV , BBC, ITV and more.

Click here for soccer on US TV.

*All times are UK.

**Live football has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but updates will appear here**

Sunday June 7

BT Sport 1 will have all of Sunday's Bundesliga matches, beginning with Werder Bremen vs Wolfsburg at 12:30pm. Schalke follow in their match against Union Berlin in the afternoon, with Koln vs Augsburg in the evening.

Time Match TV channel
12:30pm Werder Bremen vs Wolfsburg BT Sport 1
2pm FC Vitebsk vs BATE Borisov Belarusian Football Federation YouTube
2:30pm Union Berlin vs Schalke BT Sport 1
4pm Copenhagen vs Randers Premier Sports 1
4pm Belshina Bobruisk vs Dinamo Minsk Belarusian Football Federation YouTube
4:30pm Wisla Krakow vs Legia Warsaw FreeSports
5pm Augsburg vs Koln BT Sport 1
6pm Shakhter Soligorsk vs Energetik-BGU Minsk Belarusian Football Federation YouTube

Monday June 8

Monday evening will see just one live match broadcast on UK TV: the game between Hamburg and Holstein Kiel.

Time Match TV channel
7:30pm Hamburg vs Holstein Kiel BT Sport 1

Tuesday June 9

FreeSports are showing Polish football live on Tuesday night, with Lech Poznan hosting Pogon Szczecin.

Time Match TV channel
7:30pm Lech Poznan vs Pogon Szczecin FreeSports / Premier Sports 1 

Wednesday June 10

Premier Sports and FreeSports are showing Polish and Portuguese football on Wednesday night. Benfica play Portomonense in the earlier kick-off, while Porto host Maritimo in the late kick-off.

In Poland, Ekstraklasa leaders Legia Warsaw face off against Arka Gdynia.

Time Match TV channel
7:15pm Portomonense vs Benfica FreeSports / Premier Sports 2
7:30pm Legia Warsaw vs Arka Gdynia Premier Sports 1
9:30pm Porto vs Maritimo FreeSports / Premier Sports 2
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Man Utd switch attention to Sancho & Grealish after Ighalo extension

Having tied down the Nigerian forward until January, the Red Devils have now shelved plans to attempt to sign a striker this summer

Manchester United are still hoping to add to their attack in the summer transfer window despite extending Odion Ighalo’s loan move, but a deal for a striker is no longer a priority. 

Ighalo’s deal was finally extended on June 1 and will run until January 31, 2021 after protracted talks with the striker’s parent club, Shanghai Shenhua.

The 30-year-old remaining at Old Trafford gives manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer another option up front alongside Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who is set to return from injury when the Premier League resumes in the coming weeks.

England international Rashford is expected to be fit for United's first game back against Tottenham on June 19 having missed the first few months of the year with a fractured back.

Ighalo’s extended stay and Rashford’s return from injury - along with Solskjaer's desire to continue to give Mason Greenwood an opportunity - mean a move for a striker has fallen down United’s priority list.

Jadon Sancho remains their top target as Solskjaer hopes to bolster his attacking line, but Goal has learned that there is less focus being placed on bringing in a centre-forward given Ighalo’s extended terms.

The new loan deal for the former Watford star does not include an option to buy and it is understood the club have not been considering a long-term deal.

Harry Kane is of interest, although a move has already been ruled out with the price tag prohibitive. Lyon’s Moussa Dembele has been monitored as was Timo Werner, though the latter has agreed to join Chelsea in the transfer window.

While United were interested in the RB Leipzig striker, it is understood a formal approach was never made for the 24-year-old and the club do not plan to hijack Werner’s move to Stamford Bridge at the last minute. Instead they will continue to prioritise moves for Sancho and Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.

With Ighalo’s deal running out next January, and the club deciding against bringing in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku last summer, they will continue to monitor striker targets ahead of future moves.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward warned it would not be “business as usual” when the transfer window opens due to the financial impact of Covid-19.

However, it is understood there is still a budget available for transfers this year, though deals worth £100 million or more have been ruled out due to the current climate.

Original author: Charlotte Duncker
  382 Hits

Letsholonyane 'wants to repay Kaizer Chiefs for everything'

The Soweto-born youth coach has revealed why he never made it as a player during his stint at Amakhosi

Kaizer Chiefs academy coach Tshidiso Letsholonyane has revealed what he plans to achieve with the club.

The retired midfielder was nurtured in the Amakhosi academy and played for the reserve team before he was promoted to the first team in 2011.

Letsholonyane was part of the Chiefs first team at the same time as his older brother, Reneilwe, after signing a three-year deal, but the club decided to loan him out.

“I started playing football at the age of eight and joined the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development in 2009. I played for the under-19 team and then moved to the reserve team a year later," Letsholonyane told the club's official website.

“I was loaned out to a National First Division side Dynamos FC. I was there for a season but didn’t get that much of a game-time though. It was a disappointing experience for me but I never looked back. I continued to focus on the future.

“I came back to Chiefs from the loan spell and spent the last two years of my contract in the reserves team where I enjoyed my football and we won the SAB league. The Kaizer Chiefs U-19 was coached by legend Ace Khuse when we won the SAB League in 2013/14 season.”

Letsholonyane parted ways with the Soweto giants in 2014 after his contract with the club expired, but his career was hampered by injuries

“I went on to try my luck at another National First Division side Thanda Royal Zulu. I struggled to secure a contract due to a recurring knee injury," he added

In 2017 Letsholonyane retired from professional football and decided to pursue a coaching career and Amakhosi offered him a chance to do his practical training in their academy.

“I felt I no longer had the desire to play football and that’s when I decided to take a different route. I decided to go to school and do a short course to help kick start any role in a football environment," he revealed.

"I did a Sports Coaching Science course with Trifocus Fitness Academy. As part of the course, I was expected to do practicals and shadowing in a football environment.  I am glad Kaizer Chiefs offered me the opportunity to do my practical in the Development Academy.

“My passion for coaching grew from there onward. I proceeded to do coaching badges with Safa Coaching Education. I decided from there on to pursue a career as a coach.”

The 28-year-old played with the likes of Hendrick Ekstein, Zitha Macheke and Kgotso Malope in the Chiefs reserve team.

“I’m glad to have witnessed the promotion of my reserves teammates to the first team. I saw Hendrick Ekstein [now with Sabail FK in Azerbaijan], Zitha Macheke [now with Bidvest Wits] and Kgotso Malope [now with Richards Bay FC] gaining promotion to the senior team," he said.

Letsholonyane is currently in charge of the club's under-17 team and he is planning on securing a Uefa Coaching Badge.

"And, as a coach, I saw Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Njabulo Blom, and Happy Mashiane promoted to our senior team. I am happy to see football changing lives of these youngsters," he continued.

Furthermore, the former PJ Stars player hopes that he will ascend to be at the helm of coaching the first team.

“Hopefully one day I will help to be part of the successful history of Amakhosi. I want to repay the club for everything they have done for me and my family."

Original author: Austin Ditlhobolo
  596 Hits

Cioba: Azam FC coach unmoved by team’s display in friendly draw

The Romanian coach promises a better show when they face Mbao FC in their league opener on June 14

Azam FC coach Aristica Cioba has pleaded with the fans to remain calm after his team managed a 0-0 draw against Transit Camp in a friendly to gauge the squad ahead of the Mainland Premier League's resumption.

The friendly played at Azam Complex on Saturday night saw the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ fail to find the back of the net and their overall display was not to satisfaction of many supporters.

The Romanian believes the friendly gave him a good opportunity to gauge the players, and fans should not be worried as they head to their first league match against Mbao FC on June 14.

“It was the kind of build-up I had wanted to check on my players and I am happy they are all looking good despite not winning or finding the back of the net,” Cioba told reporters after the match.

“We needed to play a high-quality match and Transit gave us the kind of game I was looking for, the fans should not get worried because this was just a friendly and the league proper starts in June 14 and that is when they will see the real Azam.”

In a recent interview, Cioba remained confident of catching up with run-away leaders Simba SC when the league resume.

The ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ are second on the table, 17 points behind Simba, who have 71 points, while Young Africans (Yanga SC) are third, though they still have a game in hand.

Despite the huge number of points separating the two sides, the Romanian coach is not giving up and revealed they can still catch up with Simba with nine rounds of matches remaining to the end of the season.

“The league is not finished, we have another 10 games to play and that is 30 points if you win all matches,” Cioba told reporters.

“I can see everybody talking about Simba winning the title, yes! They have the advantage but it is not over yet. We have the same number of matches to play and anything can happen in between.”

Cioba, who rejoined the team five days ago from his native country where he relocated to after the league took a break in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, however, admitted the remaining matches will not be easy.

“Our plans remain the same…to win the title but we will also battle to settle for the second position if the first plan fails,” Cioba concluded.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  521 Hits

‘Your legacy lives on’ - Yobo pays heartfelt tribute to late Stephen Keshi

The Super Eagles’ assistant coach took to social media to put out a heartfelt tribute to commemorate the death of the Nigeria icon

Nigeria football legend Joseph Yobo has posted an emotional tribute to Stephen Keshi, who passed away on June 7, 2016.

Keshi - the only man after Mahmoud El-Gohary to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach - passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 54 on this day four years ago - six months after losing his wife Kate to cancer.

Yobo developed an incredible bond with the ‘Big Boss’ during his time as Super Eagles coach, having captained his team to winning the 2013 Afcon staged in South Africa.

Also, he played a key role in his side’s 2014 Fifa World Cup outing where the three-time African champions bowed out to France in the Round of 16.

Sunday marks the anniversary of Keshi’s passing and the ex-Everton defender, who is now Nigeria’s assistant coach, took to social media to share a moving tribute to his former international coach and one of his football role models.

“Dear coach, it’s been four years today since you left us to rest with the Lord. You are deeply missed but your legacy lives on! Rest on the Big Boss,” Yobo wrote on Instagram.


Keshi made his Nigeria bow in 1981 at the age 20 and only drew the curtain on his international career after garnering 64 caps and nine goals.

He led Clemens Westerhof’s Eagles to a triumphant Afcon 1994 outing as well as their maiden Fifa World Cup appearance in the United States of America in the same year.

After his playing career which saw him represent ACB Lagos, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg and Sacramento Scorpions, he went into administration and helped Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup, although he was replaced by Otto Pfister a few months prior to the championship.

He also led Mali to the 2010 Afcon in Angola. There, they crashed out of a group that had Angola, Algeria and Malawi.

Keshi replaced Nigeria caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen in 2011 and led them to Afcon success after 19 years.

He managed the side to the Fifa Confederation Cup 2013 and 2014 Fifa World Cup and became the first African coach to reach the knockout stage, where they fell to France in the Round of 16.

His side’s failure to qualify for the 2015 Afcon led to his third and final disengagement by the Nigeria Football Federation after a long and fractious relationship with the governing body.

Original author: Shina Oludare
  531 Hits

Ligue 1 could resume with play-offs before August 2, say UEFA

French football's top officials decided to abandon the season in April, but have since seen the Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A map out returns

Ligue 1 could resume with play-offs before August 2 despite the fact the top-flight season has been voided, UEFA have said.

French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced the cancellation of all sporting events across the country on April 28, amid the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Football authorities subsequently voided the 2019-20 campaign, with final positions in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 decided on a points-per-game basis.

Paris Saint-Germain were crowned French champions for a third successive year, having already established a 12 point lead at the top of the table when the action was initially stopped in March.

Marseille and Rennes both earned a place in the Champions League after finishing second and third respectively, but seventh-placed Lyon missed out on European football completely for the first time since 1996.

The cancellation of proceedings also saw Amiens and Toulouse relegated, and Lyon have joined the two clubs in vowing to fight the final decision in the courts.

Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has publicly voiced his intention to sue the French state in order to get the season restarted, and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has now responded by clearing the path for such a scenario. 

Ceferin wrote in an official UEFA communication on Friday: "We would first of all like to clarify that it is the competence of national associations to decide on the format of their domestic competitions, in particular by taking into account the circumstances and restrictive measures specific to the country.

"As mentioned by UEFA a few weeks ago, the French authorities' decision to cancel the season was taken relatively early.

“Nevertheless, and provided that the national associations are able to coordinate with the competent national authorities a potential restart of domestic competition, August 2, 2020, would be an appropriate date to end the domestic competitions."

A number of players and experts have criticised the decision to end the Ligue 1 season prematurely, with PSG winger Angel Di Maria the latest to insist that greater patience should have been shown.

An easing of lockdown measures allowed the German Bundesliga resumed on May 18, with the Premier League and La Liga set to follow suit in England and Spain later this month.

Di Maria doesn't understand why France didn't take the same approach, as he told L'Equipe: "Like many, I think we rushed to make such a decision. From what we can see, France is today one of the countries where the health situation is the most favourable, and yet everything has been totally stopped for good."

  454 Hits

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