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Cape Town City attacking midfielder Thabo Nodada has confirmed he would like to ply his trade in Belgium and use it as a stepping stone should the opportunity to move abroad arise. 

Nodada has been linked with a possible move to Kaizer Chiefs although the club has ruled out the move to Gauteng for their exciting player. 

According to Nodada, playing the Belgian league will help him become a better player than he is in the PSL. 

"I think Belgium. Watching a bit of the Belgian league and also speaking to some of the players that have been there, it's a good stepping stone into whatever next phase my career is going," said Nodada in a press conference with the South African Football Journalists Association.

"There, I feel I could have a decision of the world being my oyster and me going to greater heights we've never imagined or becoming a way better version of a Thabo than one who would have stayed in South Africa." 

"So, a move to Belgium for me would be a win and from there we just work, enjoy the football and push to be the best of ourselves. So yeah, I think Belgium," added Nodada. 

The 25-year-old turned professional in 2015, and it was Mpumalanga Black Aces who gave him his breakthrough before being sold to John Comitis and changing its name to Cape Town City.

While he has been around for some time, Nodada is regarded as one of the most underrated players in the PSL but his rise at the Citizens has seen several big clubs, including Chiefs, express interest in his services although no formal offer has been made by any of the teams after him. 

What makes the situation tricky is that Amakhosi are banned from signing new players for the next two transfer windows - and they will hope for the ban to be lifted later this year. 

The Glamour Boys will present their case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on September 9. 

Reports of him possibly joining Chiefs surfaced over a year ago but that hasn't gotten into his head as he continued to work his socks off on the field of play. 

It is for that reason he was called up to the Bafana Bafana squad in October 2018 - a few months before Stuart Baxter finalised his 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.  

Ex-Nigeria international Austin Ejide conceded five goals as Hapoel Hadera crumbled 5-0 away at Bnei Yehuda in Saturday’s Israeli top-flight relegation play-offs.

Fuelled by a first-half brace by Shay Mazor, the visitors were decimated at the Bloomfield Stadium.

Poised for a win after two consecutive draws against Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Kfar Saba, the hosts started the game on a shining note-taking a 10th minute lead through Mazor.

Four minutes later, Mazor took advantage of Hadera’s rickety backline comprising of Dia Lababidi, Hagay Goldenberg, Wesam Rabah, Yarin Hassan and Yahav Guefinkel to beat Ejide the second time.

Things got worse for Sharon Mimer’s team in the 18th minute with Ben Shimoni making it three goals for the home team as the first-half ended 3-0.

Hapoel Hadera put up a more organised defending in the second half but were beaten the fourth time by substitute Ayi Kangani in the 71st minute. Kangani had replaced Matan Baltaxa on the hour mark.

Ariel Lazmi completed the obliteration with eight minutes left to play as the visitors returned home with heads bowed low.

Saturday’s game was Ejide’s 27th Israeli topflight outing of the season as his team stays second in the relegation-playoffs table with 35 points from 28 outings.

Togo’s Didier Kougbenya and Cote d’Ivoire’s Jonathan Cisse were not dressed by manager Mimer while Anglo-Nigerian Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was an unused substitute.

For Yehuda, Ghana’s Joseph Mensah was an unused substitute while South Africa’s Mihlali Mayambela was not listed by manager Elisha Levy. The Lions have now garnered 38 points from 28 games to lead the playoffs log.

They are guests of Maccabi Netanya on Monday while Hadera would be aiming to end their run of five matches without a win when they welcome Hapoel Kfar Saba to the Netanya Stadium on Saturday.

Since leaving Bastia in 2009, Ejide has spent over 11 seasons in Israel – featuring for Hapoel Petah Tikva, Hapoel Be'er Sheva before joining Hapoel Hadera in 2017.

Before drawing the curtain on his international career, the 36-year-old featured 34 times for the Super Eagles since making his debut against Namibia on June 16, 2001.

To his credit, he made Nigeria’s World Cup squad on three occasions and five Africa Cup of Nations appearances. He was Berti Vogts’ first-choice goalkeeper during the 2008 Afcon staged in Ghana.

The Premier League has announced that there were no new cases of coronavirus found in the latest round of testing.

A total of 1,195 players and staff were tested for Covid-19 across Thursday and Friday and, for the second time in six rounds of testing, there were no positives.

The previous round yielded one positive, which Tottenham confirmed was one of their employees. 

The Premier League has carried out a total of 6,274 tests for Covid-19, with 13 positives and 6,261 negatives recorded to date.

Under the guidelines adopted for the resumption of training and, eventually, matches, any player that tests positive will be obliged to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, or seven days if the individual is asymptomatic and subsequently returns a negative test.

A statement released on Saturday read: "The Premier League can today confirm that on Thursday 4 June and Friday 5 June, 1,195 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, zero have tested positive.

"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing."

The first set of tests, which took place on May 17-18, produced six positives from a sample size of 748. Since then, the highest total of positives came in round three, with four from 1,008 tests.

Subsequent screening has continued to produce encouraging figures, with just a single case arising from the last three rounds of testing. 

That advance this week allowed the governing body to push ahead with a confirmed date for restarting the 2019-20 season's remaining fixtures.

The Premier League will now restart with two matches on June 17, as Manchester City face Arsenal while Aston Villa take on Sheffield United.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed his admiration for German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, while suggesting the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic has affected his side's ability to compete in the transfer market. 

Both RB Leipzig marksman Werner and Havertz, of Bayer Leverkusen, have been winning rave reviews this season thanks to their exploits in the Bundesliga. 

Liverpool have been linked with both players over the course of 2019-20, but each looks set to escape the grasp of their compatriot at Anfield. 

Werner is expected to move to Chelsea in a £54 million (€60m/$68m) deal, while Havertz has reportedly been tipped to cross the Bundesliga and join Bayern Munich at the end of the season. 

Klopp believes that Covid-19 and the subsequent interruption to normal activities has taken its toll on Liverpool's transfer capabilities. 

"There are a lot of good players on this planet," Klopp told Sky Germany when asked about the pair. "Timo Werner is a great player, Kai Havertz is a great player.

"Right time, opportunity - everything has to come together. Six, seven weeks ago, we didn't know if we could play again this year.

"If we hadn't played the second half of the season, we would have thought, 'OK, when can you really play football again?' And now it starts right away."

He added: "There are all sorts of rumours in England about who Manchester United are going to pick, Chelsea are going to pick.

"It's rather quiet here (at Liverpool) at the moment, I think it's safe to say. If you want to take it seriously and run a normal business and depend on income and have no idea how much you will earn... especially because we don't know when we can start playing with spectators again.

"At the moment, all clubs are losing money. Without spectators, we have to pay back the season tickets and probably sell none next year. At least maybe without the first 10 or 15 games. The VIP areas won't be packed and the tickets won't be sold. This will have an impact on other partners and things will look a bit different.

"Discussing with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buying a player for £50-60m, we have to explain."

Klopp continued to warn that, while German football is already up and running and the Premier League is set to follow suit in June, no side can take anything for granted at this stage.

"We act as if everything is already settled. It's not settled. We use this little loophole we've been left to play football again.

"Everything else we have to see the moment it happens. We can't pretend now that everything's going to be fine in the future."

Liverpool hope to seal their first top-flight title in 30 years when the Premier League resumes. 

Currently 25 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City, Klopp's charges need two wins to be champions but could even be crowned on the first weekend back should they defeat Everton at Goodison Park on June 21 and Pep Guardiola's side slip up.

Bayern Munich wonderkid Alphonso Davies says he is “infinitely grateful” to his parents - who hail from Liberia, for playing a big part in his career.

The 19-year old was born in the Ghanaian city of Buduburam and grew up in a refugee camp with his parents who fled the second civil war in Liberia that killed and displaced thousands of people between 1999 and 2003.

Davies’ family had to endure living in harsh conditions where access to food, water and proper shelter and sanitation was a constant struggle.

They migrated to Canada in 2006 when Alphonso was five years old, settling in the city of Edmonton and he got his youth career off at local sides Edmonton Internazionale, Edmonton Strikers, St. Nicholas Soccer Academy and FC Edmonton Academy.

His senior breakthrough came with Vancouver Whitecaps at the age of 15 in 2016, becoming the second youngest-ever player in Major League Soccer after Ghanaian-born American Freddie Adu.

A year later, Davies gained Canadian citizenship and made his debut for the Canada senior national team ahead of the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup at the age of 16, making him the youngest player for the North American country.

After 81 appearances, 12 goals and 14 assists for the Whitecaps, Davies moved to Bayern Munich in January 2019 for an MLS-record sale of $22 million.

His stock has continued to rise in the Bavarian capital, drawing plaudits for his pace, dribbling and defensive attributes. All these have made him a regular at left-back for Bayern, with three goals and nine assists in 37 competitive appearances this season.

“I think it runs in my whole family,” Davies said on Bayern Munich’s official website when asked about how he always gives his best on the pitch.

“We went through tough times when I was very young and I’m so infinitely grateful to my parents. Their journey began during the civil war in Liberia, and we came to Canada via Ghana.

"I can enjoy every single day of my life, but I know that there are other sides to life. All the more reason why I now try to convey to people how important it is to feel a sense of joy. I try to do that on the soccer pitch and, among other things in video clips now and again.”

Davies went on to assert his desire to inspire children to be motivated by his story so they can live their dreams just as he is doing.

"I want to be an inspiration to lots and lots of children,” he continued.

“We came to Canada as refugees from Africa and worked hard for everything we have. I think my life can show people that a lot is possible if you stay true to yourself and don't let yourself be led astray.

“When children all over the world see me playing and hear the story behind it, it’s nice to imagine them drawing motivation from it and developing the courage to work on their own dreams as well.” 

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has warned Jadon Sancho that he must keep his behaviour in check if he hopes to join the world's elite. 

Sancho, 20, is rated as one of the game's finest young footballers thanks to his exploits for Dortmund in recent seasons. 

A sensational hat-trick in the club's 6-1 thrashing of Paderborn underlined his potential, with Manchester United among the clubs interested in the former Manchester City trainee. 

The same week as those heroics, however, Sancho found himself in hot water alongside a host of BVB colleagues for breaking coronavirus social distancing protocols in order to get his hair cut . 

The DFL handed down a fine for that breach, a judgement that the player declared an "absolute joke."  

But Can, who popped up to score his side's only goal in a 1-0 victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday, advised his young colleague to watch his future conduct. 

"We know that he just has to be more disciplined in some things, but he knows that himself," the ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich man told  Sky .

"He just has to be smarter and grow up with things like that. He can't afford to make such mistakes in the future.

"You have to lead Jadon the right way. He's a great boy, even off the pitch. He doesn't do it on purpose to cause a scandal.

"Maybe he trusts too many other people in some things."

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus also called on Dortmund's senior squad members to lead the way, telling  Sky:   "If the club or the DFL cannot regulate [social distancing measures], then the players simply have to regulate it. There are such experienced players at Borussia Dortmund.

"They have to take Sancho aside and say to him: 'Listen, it doesn't work! You hurt not only yourself, but you harm us, the club. Such things don't belong in public right now!'"

BVB sports director Michael Zorc added to  Sky  when asked about the case: "I can only warn against permanently attaching it to a single player. Others have had their hair cut too.

"With Sancho, it is simply the case that he is not only noticeable on but also outside the pitch. Sometimes this is not easy for us.

"We try to do that and work with him and his management on it. Giving up is not an option for us."

Aduana Stars coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin has safety concerns amid calls for the resumption of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The championship, together with all other domestic competitions, has been on hold since March following a ban on all public gatherings, including sporting and religious events, as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The West African nation has so far registered 9,462 cases involving 44 deaths, 3,547 recoveries and 5,871 active cases.

“I fear, not for the players alone,” Fabin told Happy FM.

“Everybody is at risk at any time because most people are asymptomatic. I have that genuine fear that they can contract the virus.

“So it’s very risky. I have this genuine fear that players may contract the virus."

The Premier League was at the Matchweek 15 stage, with Aduana atop the standings, when it ground to a halt on March 15.

At the time, a total of six coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ghana.

"It's more than irresponsible to start football now without a 100 percent safety guarantee," Caf Medical Committee and former member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Medical Committee, Prince Pambo told Asempa FM.

"From the word go, we have to take time and start afresh. Those who are pushing that we start football must understand that it won't be that easy.

"I don't know the dynamics but if there isn't a 100% safety guarantee, it won't be proper to risk anyone's life. Some are claiming we should play behind-closed-doors, which is fine but a lot will go into it.

"The players, technical staff, administrators and close contact staff must all be quarantined in an air-tight environment before matches.

"They must all be tested before every single league match. The cosmetic ways of doing things won't happen. There has to be robust testing every week and the wearing of masks."

Amid calls for a prompt decision on the way forwards, the GFA has said it will wait until at least June 30 to make a decision on the future of football.

The ban on football, however, continues until at least July 31.

Timo Werner's underwhelming performance for RB Leipzig in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bundesliga strugglers Paderborn was not down to the speculation linking him with Chelsea, Julian Nagelsmann insisted.

Chelsea have agreed to meet Werner's £54 million (€60m/$68m) release clause in his contract and have tabled an offer to the Germany international.

On the back of the news, Werner was below-par against rock-bottom Paderborn as Leipzig surprisingly dropped two points.

But Nagelsmann dismissed the idea that "hype" was to blame, pointing out the Stuttgart academy product has had to contend with such pressure since he was a teenager.

"No, it didn't bother him," Nagelsmann said when asked if the Chelsea rumours had affected Werner.

"He was very committed. He was always working out front, like [Paderborn coach] Steffen [Baumgart] said. He was on the run a lot.

"He has a total of 32 or 33 goals this season. Today he missed a few chances, but still set up Patrik [Schick]'s goal.

"I think he would have liked to score with one of his two big chances, but that has nothing to do with the hype about his person. He has known that since he was 14."

The result leaves Leipzig four points adrift of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, but they went three clear of Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, both of whom suffered defeats this weekend.

Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff claimed before the match that Chelsea have not been in touch regarding Werner yet, while he was also adamant the striker has not triggered his release clause.

“We haven't had an exchange yet,” Mintzlaff told  Sky Sports Deutschland regarding the Werner talk. “Accordingly, we have nothing to report. Timo Werner is a player for RB Leipzig. He signalled a few weeks ago that he was busy with a transfer. Until now nothing is done.

“We are concentrating on the final sprint in the league. We want to qualify for the Champions League. That is the only thing we are currently discussing with Timo. 

“It was important for us that we extend the contract with him. We did that last summer because of course it is important for our young club that no player moves on a free transfer. 

“Of course, there was this exit clause that we put in the contract to give him the opportunity to take the next step.

“Now Timo is sitting in the driver's seat, not us anymore. So far, he has not drawn upon the clause, nor has any club sent us a transfer contract.”

Onduparaka FC chairman Benjamin Nyakuni believes his charges can conquer East African teams in terms of branding if they remain united.

The Anyivu based side is one of the most supported teams in the Ugandan Premier League since its promotion to the top-tier in the 2015/16 season. The administrator is impressed by the deep love shown by the club's supporters.

"Football is a religion and most fans have Onduparaka Football Club in their DNA. If we are united, we can make this club the number one brand in East Africa," Nyakuni said as quoted by Kawowo Sports .

In the 2019/20 season, the top-tier side faced many challenges as top players and their head coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi left with the entire technical bench. However, the team still managed to finish eighth on the table with 31 points after an abrupt end to the season owing to Covid-19.

"It has been our toughest season. But I have to thank everyone involved that helped us overcome all hardships," Nyakuni added.

"We will need to have more finances to pay players and facilitate other club activities and am sure that if all that is in order, next season will be our best."

The administrator reveals his team cannot compete financially with some clubs but has set a target of winning a major title soon. He has also revealed plans to make the team financially stable.

"We are in a jungle playing against institutional clubs like URA and KCCA which are well funded. It is a challenge for us, especially that we are from a humble background. We want to professionalize this club and our brand should be more vibrant. We want to restructure the staff and player management and improve on all fronts, do more research on how to improve things. 

"The target is to win a trophy next season. We have lower-division trophies in store and we want a big trophy [league title or Uganda Cup] come next season. We can achieve this if we are all united."

After the annulment of the league, Vipers SC managed to acquire the rights to represent the country in the Caf Champions League.

Wesley Sneijder claims he could have been in the same elite bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but a weakness for wine held him back.

The former Netherlands midfielder enjoyed a stellar career that included spells with Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter.

In 2010 he surpassed both Messi and Ronaldo, with his Inter side taking down Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on their way to glory before he marshalled the Oranje to the World Cup final, where they lost out to Spain. 

Despite that success Sneijder was overlooked for the Ballon d'Or that year, with the prize going to Messi, a snub that many observers believe was unfair on the virtuoso midfielder.

He is not held in the same regard as Messi and Ronaldo, who have shared 11 Ballon d'Or wins between them, but Sneijder insists that lofty status was within his reach.

"I could have become like Messi or Ronaldo. I simply didn't feel like it," the 35-year-old told  Sky Sport  journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

"I enjoyed my life, maybe I had a glass [of wine] at dinner.

"Leo and Cristiano are different, they have made many sacrifices, and that's fine with me.

"My career, however, was still amazing."

Injury and loss of form saw the star lose his place in the Inter midfield, and in 2013 he was sold to Turkish giants Galatasaray. 

He went on to spend four-and-a-half seasons in the Super Lig, winning two titles to add to his impressive trophy collection. 

Sneijder finally hung up his boots in 2019 following short stints at Nice and Al-Gharafa, at the age of 34. 

He still keeps a close eye on Inter, however, and tipped Christian Eriksen to have a big impact on the team despite a rather muted introduction to life at San Siro.

“Conte has a big squad and, with Eriksen in the team, he can finally make a leap in quality. Christian has done well at Ajax and then at Tottenham," he added.

"Now, he has to establish himself in Italy. He has a lot of quality, with his characteristics, he can easily become one of the leaders in the new group.”

Marcus Rashford has declared himself to be raring to go when Premier League action resumes, with the Manchester United forward looking to break through the 20-goal barrier.

It appeared at one stage as though the England international would be left on 19 efforts for the 2019-20 campaign.

An untimely injury forced him onto the sidelines in January, placing his involvement in the remainder of the season and Euro 2020 in doubt.

But the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic has taken up a significant part of Rashford's convalescense, with the 22-year-old able to work his way back to full fitness.

He will be in contention when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer next names a starting XI for United, with the Red Devils counting down the days to a meeting with Tottenham on June 19.

Attacking inspiration will be sought in the reunion with former manager Jose Mourinho, and Rashford says he is ready to provide it.

The Old Trafford academy graduate has already posted a personal-best return this term, with greater end product being added to his game, but he intends to raise that bar even further.

Rashford told Stretty News, with the likes of Paul Pogba also preparing to step back in for United after seeing fitness struggles disrupt their campaign: “I think coming out of this lockdown we are in a much stronger position than we were going into it.

“I think we just need to take each game as it comes and not get too ahead of ourselves.

“We are working hard in training, gelling as a team with players coming back from injury, etc.

“For me personally I felt I was having my best season to date before the injury hit so now I’m back fully fit I’m determined to push on.”

Rashford burst onto the stage with United in February 2016 during Louis van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford.

He found the target on 11 occasions in his first full season as a first-team regular, before recording 13 efforts in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.

His game has been lifted to new heights this time around, with the potential there for even more to come from a forward who now feels settled in the wide attacking role he has been asked to fill with club and country.

Odion Ighalo is different from his Manchester United teammates because he is a centre forward and he gives something extra off the bench, according to club legend Ryan Giggs.

Earlier this week, the Nigeria striker’s loan deal at Manchester was extended until January 2021 after his impressive goalscoring contribution between January and March.

Ighalo joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team on an initial five-month loan from Shanghai Shenhua, and he returned four goals in eight games before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the football calendar from March.

Giggs who won 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils before taking a place in the dugout, is delighted the 30-year-old will be staying at Manchester United for the rest of the season and part of the upcoming 2020-21 campaign.

"He's different, he's a centre forward whereas the other players can play out wide,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"He gives you something extra off the bench when he's not starting. Centre forwards always want to score goals, he's done that everywhere he has gone.

“It's positive that he is able to stay because he has done well. He makes an impact when he's on the pitch."

With the Premier League set to restart on June 17, Ighalo is eager to continue giving his best for Manchester United who are placed fifth in the league table with 45 points after 29 matches.

They are three points adrift of the Champions League qualification zone.

“When I signed, a lot of people doubted my ability. I never doubted myself and I knew what I could add to the team and I think I can still do more,” he said.

“People have not seen my best because I came in and my sharpness and fitness wasn't there, but I'm getting much better and I hope to finish the season really well.

“For now, I just want to continue living my dream.”

Manchester United will resume league action with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur on June 19 before hosting Sheffield United at Old Trafford five days later.

Chelsea will be getting an Ian Rush-esque frontman in Timo Werner, says Blues legend Alan Hudson, with the Germany international considered to be cut from the same cloth as a Liverpool icon.

A £54 million (€60m/$68m) deal has been put in place by those at Stamford Bridge which is intended to see a prolific striker join their ranks.

Frank Lampard has acted decisively in his hunt for another goalscorer, with interest from the likes of Premier League rivals Liverpool seemingly fended off.

There is still work to do in order to get Werner tied down on a long-term contract, but a considerable transfer coup is in the offing.

Hudson believes the talented 24-year-old will thrive as part of an exciting young squad, with the qualities he will add to the Chelsea fold making him comparable to an all-time great.

“I like the look of him,” Hudson told CaughtOffside of Werner.

“They are the two managers, Jurgen [Klopp] and Frank, that he would have suited perfectly as they both give you license to do what you do best, and we can see what he does best – exactly what Chelsea are lacking.

“He is so positive. He is sharp and you can see he’s hungry for goals and I like the way he makes his own chances whereas many strikers if they don’t get the service struggle.

“He ‘wins it back’, which reminds me of Ian Rush who dispossessed opponents if they dilly-dallied on the ball.

“I don’t think you need to be a good judge to know that this lad has all the ingredients to become a top scorer, and his composure will be a lesson for those at the Bridge who lack that.

“They have some useful players in and around the box, but, as Frank said regularly, they don’t compose themselves in great scoring situations.

“I think he’ll be a great signing – and players like him fit into any team that want to attack, and the only team outside of Chelsea and Liverpool would have been Leicester because their manager loves players like this.”

Chelsea have looked to Tammy Abraham for inspiration in 2019-20, with the youngster enjoying a breakthrough campaign as the Blues’ No.9, while World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has been handed an extended contract.

Werner, though, will expect to be the main man in an attacking unit that is also about to welcome the arrival of Morocco international winger Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.

Borussia Dortmund strengthened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin that will be best remembered for a show of pre-match unity.

With protests continuing across the United States and the rest of the world following the death of African American George Floyd last week, both sets of players and coaches for Dortmund and Hertha took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to kick-off.

There was little to inspire once the contest got going, with a lacklustre Dortmund guilty of wasting promising opportunities, last week's hat-trick hero Jadon Sancho missing a sitter in the second half before being denied by Rune Jarstein late on.

However, Emre Can spared Sancho's blushes as he struck the decisive goal in the 57th minute to put Dortmund four points clear of third-placed RB Leipzig. They are seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, whose coronation as champions for the eighth successive season is on the horizon.

Dortmund did the majority of the pressing for most of the first half, but the continued absence of Erling Haaland through injury was keenly felt.

Thorgan Hazard lashed wide of the near post in the 21st minute and Julian Brandt wasted a clear opportunity two minutes later as Dortmund failed to register a shot on target in the first half.

The hosts should have been ahead within six minutes of the restart, but one of their best passages of play went unrewarded as Sancho shot narrowly wide from point-blank range after being teed up by Hazard at the end of a slick attacking move.

Dortmund were almost punished for Sancho's profligacy but Hertha substitute Alexander Esswein flashed wide at the end of a quick counter-attack.

However, the break in the deadlock finally came as Can met Brandt's clever headed lay-off with a first-time finish into the bottom-right corner.

Dortmund had a late penalty appeal rejected by VAR before Sancho jinked in from the left and played a one-two with Raphael Guerreiro, only to somehow be thwarted by the legs of Jarstein.

Lucien Favre's men never saw their lead threatened, though, and easily saw out a win that means they can breathe significantly easier as the battle for Champions League football nears its conclusion.

What does it mean? - Dortmund on cusp of Champions League

They were below par for long periods, but Dortmund's narrow win means the goal of Champions League qualification is close to being achieved.

There are seven points between them and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with four games to play. It will take a significant collapse from Favre's side to surrender that advantage and miss out on the top four.

Teams unite for greater cause

Sports stars and clubs have taken a stand against racial injustice following Floyd's death in the custody of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the sight of Dortmund and Hertha taking a knee together was a powerful image.

With FIFA calling for leagues to show leniency when reacting to protests from players, similar actions appear likely to be taken when other major European leagues resume from the coronavirus-enforced hiatus this month.

Hertha's hot streak ends

Hertha had not lost in coach Bruno Labbadia's previous four matches in charge, but they offered precious little going forward as his unbeaten run ended.

What's next?

Dortmund travel to relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf next Saturday while Hertha host Eintracht Frankfurt.

Borussia Dortmund strengthened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin that will be best remembered for a show of pre-match unity.

With protests continuing across the United States and the rest of the world following the death of African American George Floyd last week, both sets of players and coaches for Dortmund and Hertha took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement prior to kick-off.

There was little to inspire once the contest got going, with a lacklustre Dortmund guilty of wasting promising opportunities, last week's hat-trick hero Jadon Sancho missing a sitter in the second half before being denied by Rune Jarstein late on.

However, Emre Can spared Sancho's blushes as he struck the decisive goal in the 57th minute to put Dortmund four points clear of third-placed RB Leipzig. They are seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, whose coronation as champions for the eighth successive season is on the horizon.

Dortmund did the majority of the pressing for most of the first half, but the continued absence of Erling Haaland through injury was keenly felt.

Thorgan Hazard lashed wide of the near post in the 21st minute and Julian Brandt wasted a clear opportunity two minutes later as Dortmund failed to register a shot on target in the first half.

The hosts should have been ahead within six minutes of the restart, but one of their best passages of play went unrewarded as Sancho shot narrowly wide from point-blank range after being teed up by Hazard at the end of a slick attacking move.

Dortmund were almost punished for Sancho's profligacy but Hertha substitute Alexander Esswein flashed wide at the end of a quick counter-attack.

However, the break in the deadlock finally came as Can met Brandt's clever headed lay-off with a first-time finish into the bottom-right corner.

Dortmund had a late penalty appeal rejected by VAR before Sancho jinked in from the left and played a one-two with Raphael Guerreiro, only to somehow be thwarted by the legs of Jarstein.

Lucien Favre's men never saw their lead threatened, though, and easily saw out a win that means they can breathe significantly easier as the battle for Champions League football nears its conclusion.

What does it mean? - Dortmund on cusp of Champions League

They were below par for long periods, but Dortmund's narrow win means the goal of Champions League qualification is close to being achieved.

There are seven points between them and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with four games to play. It will take a significant collapse from Favre's side to surrender that advantage and miss out on the top four.

Teams unite for greater cause

Sports stars and clubs have taken a stand against racial injustice following Floyd's death in the custody of police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the sight of Dortmund and Hertha taking a knee together was a powerful image.

With FIFA calling for leagues to show leniency when reacting to protests from players, similar actions appear likely to be taken when other major European leagues resume from the coronavirus-enforced hiatus this month.

Hertha's hot streak ends

Hertha had not lost in coach Bruno Labbadia's previous four matches in charge, but they offered precious little going forward as his unbeaten run ended.

What's next?

Dortmund travel to relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf next Saturday while Hertha host Eintracht Frankfurt.

Kylian Mbappe has made a last-ditch attempt to keep Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid Adil Aouchiche at the club - even promising him pairs of trainers as an incentive to stay. 

Aouchiche, 17, is rated as one of the finest talents at Parc des Princes and made his debut in a 2-0 defeat of Metz in August 2019. 

The midfielder, however, is yet to sign a professional contract with PSG and is therefore free to leave once the French transfer window opens on Monday. 

Goal revealed that Aouchiche underwent a medical at Saint-Etienne in May and, despite PSG's hopes to keep their young star, the prospect of more first-team opportunities at their Ligue 1 rivals appears to have made up his mind. 

Arsenal have also been linked with his services, as have reigning Serie A champions Juventus.

The Gunners reportedly held brief discussions with the player's representatives but there was no contract offer made and a move for the Frenchman was not seen as being possible at the time.

Mbappe, however, still holds out hope that he could sign terms at his current club and dangled a tempting bribe in order to try to convince the youngster.

"Sign the contract! I can offer you some more trainers," the France international joked in replying to a picture Aouchiche posted on Instagram. 

The teenager replied in a similarly humorous tone, telling his team-mate: “I don’t trust you anymore. You owe me too much already.”

Speaking to Goal at the start of the 2019-20 season, Aouchiche stated that he was happy with life at PSG. 

"It is a great experience. I'm having the best time, I've had some playing time and it was super rewarding," he explained. 

The midfielder has also won rave reviews from his coaches in the club's youth divisions, where he has played since 2014. 

"He looks a lot at his team-mates and uses them as an example for himself," former Under-17 trainer Laurent Huard told Goal.

"He wants all the time to be half an hour early in training. He tries to be punctual and give himself the best chance to earn more opportunities. But he also knows that he still has work to do, both physically and tactically."

Liverpool will not just win the Premier League title in 2020, they will do so “in style”, says Gerard Houllier, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson helping to lift the club to impressive heights.

The Reds came agonisingly close to ending their long wait for English top-flight supremacy in 2019, only to see Manchester City pip them to the post by a solitary point.

Rather than wallow in the pain of that setback, Jurgen Klopp’s side responded in style by capturing a Champions League crown that has opened the trophy floodgates at Anfield.

Just two wins are required by a record-breaking outfit when football resumes amid the coronavirus pandemic to get their hands on another piece of silverware, with Houllier delighted for a club that he once pushed into contention for major honours but was unable to get over a Premier League line.

The former Reds boss told The Mirror: “The DNA of Liverpool is silverware. To get the title it is a special reward for everyone.

“It has been a long wait of 30 years. It is a title which is a reward to the fans for their loyalty and what they have gone through.

“It rewards all the Liverpool supporters all around the world. It is a title which rewards the players and their staff.

“Not only will they win it, but they will do it in style with a 25-point lead at the moment which has never been seen before.

“In my time we were lucky to have six trophies.

“But Jurgen Klopp won the Champions League last season then the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and now this. It is just a shame to me Liverpool fans won’t be able to experience it at Anfield.

“The fans I hope will be disciplined enough to wait until better times to celebrate the title. I hope to be there then too, but we don’t know yet when they are going to be crowned.”

Liverpool have seen key men on and off the field make important contributions in their recent successes, but Houllier believes two players in particular stand out above the rest – with Klopp having found significant value in the transfer market.

“He bought two players who made a huge difference – [Virgil] van Dijk and Alisson,” added the Frenchman.

“He spotted the weak points of the team and if you look at the results since Van Dijk and Alisson have been there it is phenomenal.

“Even last year I would say they nearly deserved to win the title as well. They had one defeat in 38 games and had 97 points.

“It was just because Manchester City were outstanding as well and had one more point.

“You have to give credit, which Jurgen did, to Manchester City who were phenomenal. City also won the title the year before with 100 points.

“Then the following season to have 98, that is tremendous and you have to acknowledge that.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Clinton N'Jie has confirmed interest from the Premier League but says he is doing "well" at his current Russian club Dynamo Moscow where he is focused on completing the current season.

The 26-year-old spent the 2015/16 season at Spurs but his game time was limited by injuries, before joining Olympique Marseille from where he went to Russia in July 2019 after three seasons at the Stade Velodrome.

Despite making 15 league appearances for Dynamo Moscow so far this season and scoring one goal, N'Jie admits that he has been approached by clubs from "everywhere" including England.

"Right now I'm in Moscow. We haven't finished yet. We still have eight matches to play," N'Jie told Radio Sport Info.

"Then I have a contract that spans three years. Then this is football where everything can change very quickly. It is true that I have received offers from everywhere and even from England. However, I am well at Dynamo Moscow and I am focused on finishing my season. I hope I can give a little more in football here."

Turning to his international career, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) winner appears unsure of what the future holds.

N'Jie last turned out for Cameroon at the 2019 Afcon finals under Clarence Seedorf. But the arrival of new coach Toni Conceicao in September 2019 saw the forward missing out on three games taken charge by the Portuguese so far.

"Not really [in contact with Conceicao]. With what's going on in the world today we don't have enough information regarding the selection. But apparently, there are meetings scheduled in the coming days. We will know a little more about Afcon qualifiers. We wait," said N'Jie.

The former Olympique Lyon star shares his experience of a game in Cameroon colours when he struck a brace in the 4-1 win over Ivory Coast in a 2015 Afcon qualifier in Yaounde.

"It was the first time my mother watched me play live inside a football stadium. The other day, I posted this video [of the match] on Instagram. Memory! And I know that many people remember this famous day. Here I think it remains the most beautiful memory with the Cameroonian team," N'Jie said.