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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was cautiously optimistic over the progress made by Virgil van Dijk and three other injured stars, who returned to training on Tuesday after lengthy lay-offs. 

Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have all missed most or all of 2021 due to fitness issues, with the Netherlands international inactive since October after suffering an ACL injury. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold was also sidelined just before Euro 2020 with a thigh problem sustained while on international duty with England.

What was said? 

“No, they aren’t [at the same level as the others], but it’s different,” Klopp signalled to Liverpool's official website when asked about the quartet.

"Let’s start with: all four look really good, I have to say. Look really good.

“Now we are in constant talks with the medical department, the fitness department, the rehab department about what is right for them today: do they have to do maybe a little bit more than the rest of the group, do they have to do a little bit less?

“So, especially Virg and Joe will not have double sessions now for the first few days with the team; they have a second session of the day but it’s with Andreas Schlumberger, with the rehab department, physiotherapy, these kinds of things.

"That’s for these two. [They] look really good. I don’t know exactly when we can make the next steps but it will happen in the next four weeks, for sure – we will get a big step forward.

“Joel looks good, absolutely, he is the closest probably to normal training and then we will see when we get him started for playing.

“Trent was a serious enough injury but now not a major one, I would say. He is close but in the moment, probably the next five or six days he has a special programme: from time to time with the team, probably from time to time by himself. But then in five or six or seven days he should be in normal team training.”

The kids are all right

As well as those recovering players, Liverpool will be without a host of stars who competed on the international front in Euro 2020 or the Copa America as they kick off their pre-season plans with a tour of Austria. 

That gives a number of players from the club's youth set-up a chance to shine, and Klopp hopes they can grab the opportunity. 

“[It’s] a big group here – a very youthful group but a lot of experienced players here as well,” he added. “Everything we need is here.

“Of course, the guys from the Euros and the Copa [America] are not here yet, they have a well-deserved holiday still. But we still try to use the time as good as we can to bring the young guns a little bit closer to the first team, and to bring all the other guys in the best possible shape as quick as possible.

"It will take time, we had a long break, which was absolutely needed.

“We didn’t start now immediately with the highest intensity, of course. We try to get in step by step, having the first game in a few days and these kinds of things. So, I’m really thrilled being back, to be honest.

“It was a really good holiday and since two or three weeks I could have been back already, mindset-wise. But it was not bad to have them as well. And now we are here full of energy – let’s get started.”

UEFA have charged England on four different offences relating to fan misbehaviour following Sunday's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. 

The Three Lions missed out on the trophy on penalties following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

But the showpiece was marred by a string of clashes in and around Wembley on the day of the match involving supporters, which have led to rapid action from the governing body?].

What are the charges against England? 

In a statement published on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed that they would be investigating four breaches of the body's regulations as a result of Sunday's events.  

"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA EURO 2020 final match between the national teams of Italy and England (1-1, Italy won 3-2 on penalties), played on 11 July at Wembley Stadium, London," UEFA explained. 

The charges are as follows:

• Invasion of the field of play by its supporters - Article 16(2)(a) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR)

• Throwing of objects by its supporters - Article 16(2)(b) DR

• Disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem - Article 16(2)(g) DR

• Lighting of a firework by its supporters - Article 16(2)(c) DR

UEFA added: "The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) in due course.

"Separately, and in accordance with Article 31(4) DR, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation into events involving supporters which occurred inside and around the stadium.

"Information on this matter will be made available in due course."

The bigger picture

Thousands of England fans congregated in public spaces around London from midday onwards on Sunday, including Leicester Square in the centre of the capital. 

But some of the most troubling scenes occurred around Wembley itself, where fans without tickets were filmed entering the stadium and clashing with stewards who tried to restrict entry. 

There were also claims that supporters who did have tickets were prevented from taking their allocated seats. 

The FA in a statement dubbed the incidents "entirely unacceptable", while labelling the individuals involved "an embarrassment to the England team".

A Wembley spokesman, meanwhile, clarified on the day: "There was a breach of security and a small group of people got into the stadium.

"We are now working closely with stadium stewards and security to remove these people. Anyone inside the stadium without a ticket will be instantly ejected."

Further reading

Victor Letsoalo struck a hat-trick which secured passage for Bafana Bafana to reach the semi-finals of the Cosafa Cup following a 4-0 Group A win over Lesotho at a rain-drenched Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday.

Making his Bafana debut after only being called up to the squad as a stand-by player, Letsoalo responded by first thrusting South Africa into the lead five minutes into the match, before again finding the back of the net a minute before halftime.

The Bloemfontein Celtic man then wrapped up his treble on 57 minutes to help the hosts record a convincing victory after Sphelele Mkhulise had grabbed Bafana’s second goal in the 20th minute.

It was also the first international goal for Mamelodi Sundowns’ Mkhulise to complete a day of debutant scorers for South Africa who have won all their three Cosafa Cup games so far and are yet to concede.

The result from this one-sided affair eliminated Lesotho went into this match reeling from another 4-0 defeat by Botswana on Saturday.

South Africa stand-in coach Morena Ramorebuli started Kaizer Chiefs new signing Njabulo Ngcobo, Letsoalo, Sifiso Ngobeni and Yusuf Maart for the first time in this tournament 

It appeared to have worked for the hosts who were unimpressive in their identical 1-0 wins over Botswana and Eswatini.

It did not take long for Letsoalo to open the scoring when he connected with his head a cross from his Celtic teammate Ngobeni just after five minutes.

The Celtic man then narrowly missed the target with another headed effort a few minutes later as he promised to headline the contest.

South Africa then saw new Orlando Pirates signing Monnapule Saleng hit the woodwork from a freekick as Lesotho 

Mkhulise then doubled Bafana’s lead by pouncing on a rebound after Lesotho goalkeeper Jersey Matsie had saved Nyiko Mobbie’s powerful shot.

As the match headed for the break, Lesotho defensive midfielder Lisema Lebokollane slipped while trying to clear danger and Letsoalo took advantage before making a lob past Matsie to register a brace.

That saw Bafana go for the halftime leading 3-0 and six minutes after the restart, substitute Kagiso Malinga’s shot just went wide.

Letsoalo then completed his hat-trick when he coolly slotted in a cross from Thabani Dube. 

Sergio Ramos says Kylian Mbappe will have to go to Real Madrid one day, but he hopes that the striker stays at Paris Saint-Germain for the 2021-22 season following his own arrival in the French capital.

Mbappe has been heavily linked with a switch to Santiago Bernabeu amid reports that he is stalling talks over a new contract at Parc des Princes.

The 22-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the top players in Europe, has just entered the final year of his current deal, and it has been suggested that Real will test PSG's resolve by launching a big-money bid this summer, but Ramos is eager for him to remain in Paris.

What's been said?

Ramos signed for the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer following his departure from Real at the start of the month, officially bringing to an end his trophy-laden 16-year stint at the Bernabeu.

The Spain international feels Mbappe is destined to join the Blancos if he continues on his current trajectory, but wants to play alongside him at PSG before he moves onto pastures new.

Asked if he would advise the Frenchman to link up with Real in the future, Ramos told AS: "Of course. Madrid is one of the best clubs in the world. On a historical level, the best. 

"For me, great players have to go through there. But now I want him on my team. I want to win and for that I want the best to be by my side.

"Advice on a personal level I could never give. I could tell him something from experience, but I would do it in private. As a PSG player, I would like him to stay.

"I like to play with the best and Mbappe is one of them."

How do Real plan on snapping up Mbappe?

Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco in the summer of 2017 and he has since become a World Cup winner and Champions League finalist, with his stock continuing to rise with each passing season.

It would likely take an astronomical bid to prise the France forward away from Parc des Princes, but Real are one of the few clubs in world football capable of pulling off such a deal.

Goal has reported that the Blancos are already taking steps to raise extra funds for their pursuit of Mbappe through player sales, with the likes of Marcelo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz all now on the chopping block.

Real are prepared to be patient while they wait for clarity regarding Mbappe's contract situation at PSG and a firm price tag, but club president Florentino Perez is prepared to sanction a move for the talented frontman before the current transfer window closes.

How did Mbappe perform in 2020-21?

Mbappe enjoyed another stellar individual campaign at PSG last term as he helped the club win a Trophee des Champions and Coupe de France double.

Mauricio Pochettino's side fell short in the Ligue 1 title race and the Champions League, but their star striker still managed to score 42 goals in 47 outings across all competitions.

Unfortunately, Mbappe was unable to carry that form into the European Championships with France, as he failed to record a single goal before missing a decisive penalty in their shootout defeat to Switzerland in the last 16.

Further reading

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has responded to claims that he was secretly recorded calling Iker Casillas and Raul 'frauds'.

Perez became Real president for the first time back in July 2000, and oversaw a stellar six-year spell that saw the team win two La Liga titles and the Champions League before announcing his resignation.

A leaked audio file has now been published during which the 74-year-old, who returned to Santiago Bernabeu for a second term in 2009, can allegedly be heard placing some of the blame for his original exit at the feet of two legendary Blancos players.

What was Perez reported to have said?

Raul left the Spanish giants in 2010 but is now serving as the head coach of their Castilla side, while Casillas departed the Bernabeu in 2015 before taking up a role in the Real Madrid foundation after hanging up his gloves.

Both men worked under Perez again upon his return to the club, but the president was scathing in his assessment of the pair in the 2006 recording that originally surfaced in El Confidencial on Tuesday.

"He is not good enough to be the goalkeeper for Real Madrid, what do you want me to say?" Perez reportedly says of Casillas in the audio. "He is not. And he never has been.

"It is the big mistake we made. They defend him so much. But, well, he is one of the big frauds of Madrid. The second is Raul. The two biggest frauds at Madrid are first Raul and then Casillas.

"[Zinedine] Zidane's a great guy. And [David] Beckham and Ronaldo. ... But then there are the others that think that ... let's see. Raul is a bad person.

"He thinks Madrid is his and he uses everything there is in Madrid, developing everything for his own benefit. Him and his agent. They are to blame for Madrid not doing well.

"Look, I left, among other reasons, because of him. He is a negative guy, he is destroying Madrid."

Perez's response

Perez has now issued a statement via Real's official website in response to the leak, claiming that his comments have been taken out of context and have only been reported now due to his involvement in the controversial Super League plans that sent shockwaves across the football world in April.

"Following the article published by El Confidencial that features comments that I have been credited as having made, I believe that it is important to clarify that the published quotes were part of conversations secretly recorded by Mr Jose Antonio Abellan, who has been trying to sell the recordings for many years without any success," the Spaniard has said.

"I find it surprising that they have been published today by El Confidencial, despite the time that has elapsed. They are isolated quotes that were part of conversations and have been taken out of the wider context in which they were made.

"I understand that the fact that they have been published now, so many years on from the time the conversations took place, owes to my involvement as one of the driving forces behind the Super League. 

"I have placed the matter in the hands of my lawyers, who are examining the course of action to be taken."

Further reading 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits that Manchester United will be sanctioning more loan moves this summer as they endeavour to get important minutes into promising youngsters.

The Red Devils have already agreed to let Tahith Chong take in a spell with Birmingham, while Nathan Bishop is set to spend the 2021-22 campaign at Mansfield.

Neither has departed Old Trafford just yet, though, with Solskjaer looking to keep his pre-season training squad as full as possible before Euro 2020 stars rejoin the fold.

What has been said?

Solskjaer has told United's official website of his summer plans: "We’ve got six weeks together before the league starts and a couple of training camps here in the UK.

"It’s the most sensible thing, we felt, being in and around here. You don’t get the, how do you say, aggravation of: 'Are we green, red or amber [in terms of travelling abroad]?' It’s just the way the world works at the moment. 

"The young kids will definitely be part of the Derby game [on Sunday] and then we’ve got another couple of games coming up and they can be part of it."

The Red Devils boss added on giving a green light for others to head out on loan: "Gradually, more and more players from the Euros will join in.

"They’ll [the youngsters] get a taste of some football. Then roundabouts early August, some will go on loan. 

"We’ve already lined up a few and some of them are still in discussions between us and the players about where is the best place to go."

The bigger picture

United had a number of representatives at this summer's European Championship, including England finalists Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

They are set to be absorbed back into the fold, along with new recruit Jadon Sancho once his £73 million ($101m) move from Borussia Dortmund is completed, but there are already a number of familiar faces counting down the days to a Premier League opener against Leeds on August 14.

Solskjaer said, with the Red Devils looking to bring a five-year wait for major silverware to a close in 2021-22: "Pre-season is always a fresh start, a new start with new opportunities to look forward to the season.

“Some of the players have just started their holiday, so we know it’s a depleted squad, but it gives the young kids a taste of what it is like to have a proper pre-season with top professionals like Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata in the first team, Lee Grant, Tom Heaton is back. They’ve done it so many times. 

"Mason [Greenwood], Aaron [Wan-Bissaka], Axel [Tuanzebe] are first-team players who will bring these boys along and it’s a good opportunity for them."

Further reading

Azam FC have reportedly sealed the signing of midfielder Kenneth Muguna from Gor Mahia.

The talented Kenya international has been linked with a move away from the reigning Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions after the expiry of his contract at the end of the season. With the 2016 league  MVP free to negotiate with other teams, Azam have taken their chance and lured the player to Tanzania.

The 2014 Tanzania Mainland League champions have been chasing the 25-year-old for some time, and it seems they have beaten rivals Yanga SC to the signature of the influential midfielder.

"Muguna flew here and we are happy that at last, we have a player whom we have been chasing his signature for the past three years despite strong resistance from Gor Mahia," Azam communications director Zaka Zakazi told Nairobi News.

The Ice-cream Makers are ready to pay the player a total signing fee of $50,000 to complete the deal. The official has confirmed they have handed the player $15,000 to pay the fine Caf after an incident that happened in their continental match away to Napsa Stars.

Muguna, alongside goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch, were fined and also banned from playing four Caf matches.

"What is only remaining before he joins us is the release letter from Gor and the proof of payment to Caf. We are aware the deadline to make the payment is Tuesday and have already sorted him out. He will receive the rest of the money once he joins us," Zakazi continued.

"We know of the four-match ban and it is an issue which we weighed before the player committed with us."

Muguna has been influential for the champions in the league and played a key role in helping them qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup after defeating rivals AFC Leopards in the FKF Shield Cup.

Currently, K'Ogalo are fourth on the table with 39 points, and are hoping to topple leaders Tusker FC and successfully retain the crown.

It’s a Caf Champions League preview special on the African Football HQ podcast this week, as the team welcome in guests Sandile Ndumo and Austin Ditlhobolo to discuss Kaizer Chiefs vs Al-Ahly.

One of the big talking points ahead of the match is the potential return of Khama Billiat, who has been out of action for three months.

The club announced last week that ‘everybody is available’ for Saturday’s final against Ahly at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, raising hope that Billiat could feature.

His return could herald the end of a miserable, injury-blighted season in which he missed the first quarter of the year after fracturing a bone in his leg.

Upon his return in April, he aggravated his injury, and was absent as Chiefs advanced to the Champions League semi-final before dispatching Wydad Casablanca to reach the final.

He was badly missed in the PSL, where Chiefs limped to a miserable eighth-placed finish, before parting ways with coach Gavin Hunt following his inability to get the best out of his squad.

Billiat—whose contract ends later this month—could make a startling return for Chiefs in Saturday’s final against the Egyptian giants after the club confirmed that there were no injured players.

The Zimbabwean is one of several players whose contract was extended for one month in order to play in the Champions League final after his original deal ended in June, with the likes of Bernard Parker, Itumeleng Khune and Willard Katsande some of the others in the same situation.

Further Caf Champions League final reading 

While there will certainly be questions about Billiat’s fitness and sharpness following his long spell on the sidelines, Arthur Zwane will be acutely aware of the forward’s experience in winning this competition—having conquered the continent alongside Pitso Mosimane with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.

“We are 90 minutes away from the biggest trophy any club in Africa would want to have,” he told Chiefs media. “We are still down to earth, we are still maintaining our professionalism and want to do the best way the coach wants us to do.

“We didn’t see this coming but to be where we are right now, me being part of it and being in the final again I give credit to God. Everything happens for a reason,” he continued.  

Billiat’s future has also come in for scrutiny, with the forward reportedly linked with a move to Ahly to reunite with Mosimane at the end of the campaign.

"I am in the right place at the right time and surrounded by the right people, right management and I am in the right club,” he continued—appearing to dismiss rumours.

“I have had this journey before and I know how difficult it is. I know how great the feeling can be at the end, so it’s a movie that has happened before.

"I’m glad to be where I am right now and I’m looking forward to going all the way with the team and creating great memories again with this great club.”

Giovanni Di Lorenzo has, on the back of Euro 2020 glory with Italy, become the latest right-back to be linked with Manchester United.

The Napoli defender has seen his stock rise while starring in the colours of his country, with reports suggesting that he is now registering on the recruitment radar at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old's agent has, however, sought to shut down the speculation, with there little substance to be found in reports claiming that the Red Devils are readying a raid.

What has been said?

Quizzed on Di Lorenzo's future and the United links in particular, Mario Giuffredi told Radio Marte: "[President Aurelio] De Laurentiis spoke at the press conference explaining Napoli’s losses, and that all his players are transferable and that, if appropriate offers arrive, he will evaluate them himself.

"If offers arrive, we are obliged to take them into consideration, also in the interest of Napoli, because it is the president himself who has put everyone on the market. 

"So, we feel we are on the market. If an appropriate offer arrives it’ll be discussed and considered.

"But now it is newspaper talk. I read about Manchester United but now it is newspaper talk. 

"If there were real things, we would be the ones to communicate it to Napoli. At the moment no request has arrived."

Who else have Man Utd been linked with?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be in the market for another right-back this summer.

He already has Aaron Wan-Bissaka on his books, but United boast little depth in that area.

Di Lorenzo may be an option they explore, especially with Napoli opening themselves up to summer sales.

England international Kieran Trippier is another to have seen a switch speculated on, two years after leaving Tottenham for Atletico Madrid, while Norwich star Max Aarons is a long-standing target for the Red Devils.

Further reading

Real Madrid's plan for the summer transfer window will focus on trying to get bodies out, Goal has learned, with any funds freed up by 'Operation Exit' allowing for long-standing interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe to be stepped up as the next deadline approaches.

The Blancos, who are famed for their 'Galacticos' approach to recruitment under Florentino Perez, have tightened their belts in recent years and have not invested a fee in anyone since signing Reinier in January 2020 - with David Alaba snapped up on a free this time around.

The Liga giants intend to stick with that plan in 2021 and, with long-serving captain Sergio Ramos already departed at the end of his contract, the hope is that a squad which currently includes 29 players - with loan stars Borja Mayoral and Reinier not on that list - will be trimmed considerably over the coming weeks.

Nobody wants to leave

Part of the problem for Real is that many of those that could be moved on, getting big wages off the books in the process, have no desire to leave.

Marcelo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz are among the high earners that the Blancos would be happy to part with.

Three members of that quartet are only tied to contracts through to 2022, so the clock is ticking in terms of generating funds from any sales.

Bale, though, is ready to run down his deal after returning from a loan spell at Tottenham, Isco could be brought back in from the cold now that Carlo Ancelotti has succeeded Zinedine Zidane and Marcelo has inherited captaincy duties from Ramos.

Raphael Varane is another player entering the final 12 months of his current deal, and there may be movement there as the France international defender enters into talks with Manchester United.

No definitive decision has been made, though, and Real may yet put fresh terms in place.

Of the others that have been on the fringes of the fold, Alvaro Odriozola is set to provide depth at right-back, Dani Ceballos wants to "fight" for his future under Ancelotti, Luka Jovic intends to stay put, Brahim Diaz is yet to see a loan at AC Milan turned into anything more permanent and Takefusa Kubo is no rush to make a future call as he prepares for Olympics 2020 duty with hosts Japan.

Castilla backlog

With so many senior stars sticking around in the Spanish capital, players of promise in the Castilla system are seeing a path to the first team blocked off.

They have been informed that they will not be allowed to leave unless big money is tabled, and that is considered unlikely in a coronavirus-impacted transfer market.

That means the likes of Miguel Gutierrez, Antonio Blanco, Marvin and Arribas must continue to prove their worth with the second string under club legend Raul while hoping to catch the eye of Ancelotti and earn competitive minutes.

Mbappe remains the ultimate dream

While moving players on remains the top priority for Real, interest in World Cup winner Mbappe continues to bubble away in the background.

The France international has been on the Blancos' radar for some time and an opportunity to make another move may soon present itself.

Mbappe is yet to sign a new contract at PSG and will see his current deal expire in 2022.

Real have been putting the groundwork in place for an agreement to be reached with the 22-year-old forward for several years and do not expect any obstacles to hinder their cause if a transfer door is opened.

Patience, though, is going to be key for all concerned.

PSG are not expected to part with Mbappe any time soon, even if he makes it clear that no extension will be signed, and a long-running saga could drag on throughout the summer.

It may be August, with the window edging shut, before a sale call is made and a price tag is set for one of the most sought-after talents in world football.

Perez will then be required to act quickly in order to add to his galaxy of stars, with the hope being that funds will have been generated by then that allow a late move to be pushed through without a hitch.

Further reading

Jorginho's agent remains vocal when it comes to possible future moves for his client, with Joao Santos now claiming to have received a show of interest from Serie A giants Juventus.

A Brazil-born Italy international has just helped the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory, with a series of impressive displays leading some to suggest that the 29-year-old could come into Ballon d'Or contention.

Transfer speculation has also been stepped up, with the former Napoli man seeing a retracing of his steps mooted, with Santos continuing to talk up the admiring glances that are being shot in a classy midfielder's direction.

What has been said?

Quizzed by Calciomercato on whether Juve have sounded out Jorginho, Santos said: "I confirm it, these interests have arrived.

"Of course, at 29 he can do very well in all the top European clubs and many are interested in him."

Will Jorginho leave Chelsea?

While leading sides from across the continent are keeping a close on Jorginho's situation at Stamford Bridge, there is little chance of him leaving Stamford Bridge.

Santos has stated in the recent past that he expects a contract through to 2023 to be honoured.

He has now reiterated that stance, with the expectation being that a Champions League and European Championship double winner will form part of Thomas Tuchel's plans in 2021-22.

Santos added: "He has a two-year contract, and it's all in the hands of the club. There is the World Club Championship, there is the European Super Cup.

"For a footballer these are important goals. But, the transfer market is always the transfer market and if a major club comes forward seriously with Chelsea then we will evaluate.

"At the moment, Jorginho will play it at Chelsea next season."

Further reading

Safa chief executive officer Tebogo Motlanthe has confirmed that senior national team head coach Hugo Broos is yet to be paid his first monthly salary.

The Belgian tactician was officially appointed new Bafana Bafana head coach on May 5 - replacing local mentor Molefi Ntseki, who had failed to guide the team to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals. 

However, Broos returned home to have his second dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine and he missed Bafana's friendly match against Uganda which was supposed to be his first match in charge of the team.

Bafana are currently competing in the 2021 Cosafa Cup under the guidance of caretaker coach Morena Ramoreboli with Broos' local assistant Helman Mkhalele having tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

“When we appointed Hugo Broos as Bafana Bafana coach‚ we never made it a secret that he had taken his first Covid-19 jab in his native country and he would be going back for the second one," Motlanthe told Sowetan.

“We said after getting the second jab‚ he would come back to South Africa and that would happen once the borders were open that side of the Netherlands to allow him into the country. That’s when his contract will officially commence."

Motlanthe disclosed that Broos' five-year deal with Safa will only commence as soon as he returns to South Africa with Bafana set to start their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign in September this year.

“What we have agreed with him when he was here for the first time was that he was going to sign a contract‚ but the contract will commence as soon as he comes back into the country," he continued. 

“So no‚ [he is not drawing a salary from Safa at the moment] and we are also grateful that he agreed to the arrangement‚ despite the work he did when he was here.

"He was agreeable to the contract commencing when he comes back‚ but when he is going to come back is dependent on when the borders are open.”

Motlanthe is hopeful that the former Cameroon head coach will be back in the country ahead of Bafana's first two World Cup qualifiers which are against Zimbabwe away and Ghana at home.

“We still believe that he will here in time to prepare the team for the World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana‚" he added. 

"We are in constant contact with him about what is happening in the Cosafa Cup‚ and also what will be happening in Japan regarding the SA under-23 team's [participation] at the Olympics [next month].

"We hope that when he comes back he will have enough time to prepare Bafana for the World Cup qualifiers.”

Michael Owen has slammed the theory that Bukayo Saka was too young to handle the pressure of taking the crucial penalty in England's Euro 2020 final shootout loss to Italy.

England suffered heartbreak in their first European Championship final at Wembley on Sunday, with Italy emerging with the spoils following a dramatic penalty shootout which saw Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Saka all miss from 12 yards.

Saka took the Three Lions' fifth spot-kick after seeing Jordan Pickford keep out Jorginho's final effort for the Azzurri, but couldn't find a way past Gianluigi Donnarumma, with head coach Gareth Southgate subsequently criticised for putting such a heavy burden on the 19-year-old's shoulders.

What's been said?

It has been suggested that the England boss should have let a more experienced performer such as Jack Grealish step up for the decisive kick, but Owen has defended his decision to opt for Saka.

"So much to debate following #EURO2020 but I simply can’t have this “too young at 19” theory to take a penalty," the former Three Lions and Liverpool striker wrote on Twitter.

"In fact, if my experiences are anything to go by it’s easier being young!

"Fearless, confident, no previous scars etc."

In a further tweet, Owen wrote: "Just checked the ages of players who’ve missed at major tournaments since Italia 90; Pearce 28 Waddle 29 Southgate 25 Batty 29 Ince 30 Beckham 29 Vassell 24 Carragher 28 Gerrard 26 Lampard 28 Young 27 Cole 32 As I thought, the theory is absolute b*llocks."

Saka's credentials

Saka may only be at the start of what could be a long and successful career, but has already proven that he can mix it with the best at both club and international level.

He made his senior debut for Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2018, and has since played 88 games for the club across all competitions, winning one FA Cup while recording 11 goals and 21 assists.

Saka also now has nine caps to his name for England, with four of those coming at the Euros as he played a key role in helping his country reach their first major final since 1966.

How did Southgate justify his shootout selection?

Southgate took full responsibility for England's defeat, but also attempted to justify his shootout selection by revealing that Rashford, Sancho and Saka had all been the top performers from the spot in training.

“I chose the guys to take the kicks," he said post-match. "I told the players that nobody is on their own in that situation. We win and lose together as a team. It is my decision to give him [Saka] that penalty. That is totally my responsibility. It is not him or Marcus or Jadon. We worked through them in training. That is the order we came to.

"Penalties are my call. We worked in training. It’s not down to the players. We know they were the best takers we had left on the pitch. Of course, it’s going to be heartbreaking for the boys but they are not to blame for that.”

Further reading 

Guest Feature | Lotfi Wada

Canon Yaounde side of the late 1970s and early 1980s, who defeated the likes of Enugu Rangers and Gor Mahia en route to their greatest successes, deserve to be considered among Africa's all-time great teams.

Crowned on their African Cup of Champions debut in 1971 after beating Asante Kotoko, Canon Yaounde again reached the heights of Africa six years later, this time in the African Cup Winners' Cup.

Facing Enugu Rangers' mighty generation including Christian Chukwu and Aloyisius Atuegbu, the Cameroonians fell hard in the last stage, and came back home empty handed.

It was a failure which helped Le Kpa Kum lean some big lessons which would help them in the future.

Returning to the Caf Champions League a year later after this Winners' Cup disappointment, a more mature Canon Yaounde would gun down their opponents en route to the semi-finals, with Green Buffaloes and Al-Merreikh Omdurman among those who were swatted aside.

In the semi-final, Thomas Nkono and friends came up against the same Enugu Rangers side who had prevented them from capturing the ACWC a year beforehand.

Unlike the ’77 final, when Rangers won 5-2, the ’78 meeting was a cagey affair, which Canon eventually won on penalties.

1977’s demons were exorcised, and Canon were set to play their second African final in two years, but they now had a much tougher obstacle in front of them: Hafia Conakry, who were currently in the midst of Guinean football’s golden era.

At the time, Hafia were playing their fifth African Cup of Champions Cup final in the period of seven years, and aiming for a fourth crown.

In a packed Stade du 28 Septembre, the Guinean favourites failed to break down a studied and solid Canon Yaounde defence, led by the mythic Nkono between the sticks, and were forced to a 0-0 draw before the return leg in Yaounde.

Showing a different style from the one previously seen in Conakry, the Cameroonians would ease past the Guineans 2-0 to win their second title, ending Hafia Conakry's dynasty and starting their own.

A year later, the red and green tornado would bulldoze their way to clinch the same African Cup Winners' Cup final they lost years earlier at the hands of Enugu Rangers.

Without any problems, Le Kpa Kum smashed Gor Mahia in what is still the greatest score registered in an African final: 8-0 on aggregate, including a 6-0 victory in the return leg.

It was a sublime triumph, which led to Nkono becoming the first and only goalkeeper to win the African Player of the Year award.

Still hungry after an unprecedented Champions' Cup-Winners Cup back-to-back triumphs, Theophile 'Doctor' Abega, Gregoire Mbida, the evergreen Jean Onguene, Jean Daniel Eboue, Ephrem Mbom, Ibrahim Audu, and the peerless Nkono were in the hunt for a third Champions Cup title.

Unlike the previous African crowns, Nkono's band now had to win their title outside their den of the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

In the first leg, in Garoua, they were held to a surprise 2-2 draw by Congolese side AS Bilima, who had eliminated Canon’s countrymen—Union Douala—in the previous round.

It left Union with it all to do in Zaire.

Two weeks later in the mythical Tata Raphael cathedral, theatre of historic events, and in front of an ultra optimistic crowd, waiting for the crowning of their champions US Bilima, three cannon shots from the veteran Onguene Manga and Dr Abega translated Canon's domination into goals and steered their side towards a 3-0 victory and a deserved third African Cup of Champions.

Canon’s ‘Galacticos’, and their flamboyant football, had reached the pinnacle of African football, and the masterclass embodied—perfectly—the style and panache they boasted during their previous years of dominance.

Further Caf Champions League final reading 

Middlesbrough striker Uche Ikpeazu has sensationally claimed he is still open to play for Nigeria despite earning two call-ups to play for Uganda.

The 26-year-old was born to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother in England and has on two occasions received calls-up to play for the Cranes, in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying matches, which did not materialise.

His first call-up by then-coach Johnathan McKinstry was for the Afcon qualifying double-header against South Sudan, but the former Wycombe Wanderers striker did not make his debut after the game was cancelled owing to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

His second call was for the World Cup qualifiers by stand-in coach Abdallah Mubiru, but he was unlucky again as the matches were postponed to September.

Ikpeazu has now said he will not mind making a switch to play for the Super Eagles if a chance arises since he has not played for Uganda yet.

“And now that I am at Middlesbrough, my mind is telling me to play for the national team of Nigeria, that is a fact and I believe that I can achieve that because I have got all the tools and the ability to go and do well for the Super Eagles,” Ikpeazu said as quoted by completesports.com.

“Like I said before, I am still available for one reason or the other, having not managed to play for Uganda and when I was in Nigeria, my good friend, Odion [Ighalo] was even convincing me that I should play for the Super Eagles with the ability that I have got.

“Ighalo really believes in me, it is nice, you know that I have people of that magnitude who really believe in me and what I am about, I want to play for Nigeria, my name is Uche Ikpeazu.

“I am a ‘Naija’ boy and that is what I want to do [play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria] and I believe that I can help the country.”

On why he picked to play for Uganda ahead of Nigeria before, Ikpeazu said: “To be honest, it is a tough one because I am Nigerian-Ugandan and I am very proud to be one and of course, from a very young age, I had always pointed out the fact that I wanted to represent Nigeria.

“I am not going to hide away from that neither am I going to shy away from that because that is something I said in the past but sometimes in football and life, there are circumstances that things just don’t work out.

“Sometimes, things just don’t go the way you want them to but you have to make decisions and at the time when Uganda called me up, I was in a difficult point in my football career in terms of I wasn’t playing at Hearts of Midlothian [Scotland].

“And the thing is that I was lacking in confidence but the then-Uganda coach, Johnathan McKinstry was pivotal to one of the reasons why I wanted to play for the Ugandan national team.”

“He called me up to play in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers and at that time, I was excited about the prospect of playing for Uganda but unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

“And that was not going to be the first of the instances where I was supposed to go and play for Uganda but a couple of other times, I was injured as two days before going to camp, I sprayed my ankle.

"And I think that was like a breakpoint for me to review what was really happening and I felt that it wasn’t just meant to be as I was sad that every time I was called up, an issue would crop up.

“But obviously, if I had played for Uganda, I would have represented the country very well and would have been very happy that I did that the same way I play my football.

"And that is because at the end of the day, that is my country but it was just difficult for me because I was really excited about playing for Uganda but obviously, I then moved to Wycombe Wanderers and did well in the Championship.”

Arsenal defender William Saliba has arrived in France ahead of his move to Marseille.

The Gunners have been in talks with the Ligue 1 side for weeks over a loan deal for the 21-year-old centre-back, who spent the second half of last season with Nice.

And an agreement has now been reached, with the defender having been given permission to travel to France to complete his switch to the Stade Velodrome.

What’s the latest?

Saliba flew to France on Tuesday morning to undergo a medical and complete his move to Marseille.

Arsenal expect the transfer to be finalised in the next couple of days, with Saliba set to join Gunners team-mate Matteo Guendouzi on loan at the Stade Velodrome for the season.

Marseille had been keen to include an obligation to buy option in the loan deal for Saliba, but Arsenal refused the request during negotiations.

Does Saliba still have a future at Arsenal?

This will be Saliba’s third loan move since his £27 million ($37m) move to Arsenal in 2019, adding to spells with Saint-Etienne and Nice.

He has yet to make a single competitive appearance for the Gunners and will have just two years left on his contract when his stint with Marseille comes to an end next summer.

Arsenal insist the young defender does still have a future at the club, however, and say that his situation will be assessed again at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

What's next for Arsenal?

Arsenal are now expected to press ahead with their pursuit of Ben White.

The Gunners have already seen multiple bids rejected by Brighton for the 23-year-old centre-back, who has been away with England at Euro 2020.

But talks between the two clubs have continued, with Arsenal confident of getting a deal done for the defender which will total around £50m ($70m).

Saliba’s exit and an injury to Gabriel Magalhaes mean that Arsenal currently only have Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari as available senior centre-backs.

Further reading