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Arsenal face competition to sign Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana as rival interest has grown since  the verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reduce his doping ban.

Onana had been serving a year-long suspension following a positive out-of-competition test for Furosemide but after appealing UEFA’s original punishment, the Ajax goalkeeper had his ban reduced to nine months by CAS.

That has led to increased interest in the 25-year-old, who will be allowed to leave Ajax this summer before his contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Have Arsenal made an offer?

Arsenal have been monitoring Onana’s situation closely during the past few months having initially been interested in signing him last January.

Technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta are big admirers of the Cameroon international, but the Gunners have yet to firm up their interest with an official offer.

Arsenal have held discussions with Onana’s representatives, but have yet to decide whether they will step up their pursuit of the keeper.

The situation is complicated by the uncertainty over Bernd Leno. Arsenal’s current No.1 is open to a move away but is in no rush to decide his future due to his involvement with Germany at Euro 2020.

That could cause an issue because although Onana is keen on a move to Arsenal, he wants to join a club where he would be first choice and that would not be certain should Leno still be around.

Rival interest intensifies

Arsenal can’t afford to wait too long before deciding whether to push through with a move for Onana.

The keeper is now attracting strong interest from around Europe, with Ajax keen on getting a deal done as quickly as possible for a player they would lose for nothing in 2022.

A club who finished in the top eight of the Premier League last season has now made contact over a potential transfer, while there is also strong interest from sides in France.

When can Onana play again?

Due to the terms of his suspension, Onana has been unable to even train with Ajax since February and has been working on his fitness with a personal trainer on local pitches in Amsterdam.

He will be allowed to start competitive training again two months before the end of his ban. He will then be available for selection from November 3 onwards.

Further reading

Yanga SC forward Fiston Abdoul Razak has insisted he will not be staying at the club regardless of how much the club may want him to stay.

The Burundi international joined Timu ya Wananchi in January hoping to help them challenge archrivals Simba SC for the league title.

However, they have been inconsistent and they have seemingly lost the battle to Mnyama with a handful of matches remaining to end the season.

"Even before Yanga make a decision about my future at the club, I have made mine," Razak said as quoted by Mwananchi.

"I have decided not to remain at the club no matter how desperate they are to extend my stay. Cedric Kaze convinced me to join Yanga to help them win the league. 

"Because I respected him, he linked me up with Hersi Said and reached an agreement to play for the team."

The 27-year-old is, however, not impressed with what is going on at the 27-time-league champions' camp.

"We have consistent changes in the playing unit which is not good at all if you want to win the league," Razak continued.

"When players stay together for long, they understand each other. Look at the performing teams, players have been together for a long time. You cannot expect instant success from a foreigner because it takes some time to get used to the environment."

The former Sofapaka forward has further revealed another challenge that has made him struggle in Tanzania.

"The pitches are in a pathetic condition, no matter how good a player is, he cannot show it. It is even tougher for a player like me who came from a country that has better facilities," he added.

In a recent interview, the striker claimed he will not extend his short-term contract with the local giants when it expires at the end of the season. 

Instead, the Burundian has sent a 'come get me' plea to Azam FC to sign him when the deal elapses, boasting they are the only team that will give him a chance to stay in the Mainland Premier League if he decides to stay in Tanzania.

Thomas Partey admits to experiencing "ups and downs" on the back of his £45 million ($64m) move to Arsenal, but the Ghana international says "everything will be okay for next season".

Big things were expected of the 28-year-old when he arrived at Emirates Stadium from Atletico Madrid, but niggling knocks and collective inconsistency hindered his debut campaign.

There is the promise of more to come, though, and the all-action midfielder is ready to embrace the "challenge" of proving himself as a Premier League star in north London.

What has been said?

Asked about his first season at Arsenal and hopes for the immediate future, Partey has told TV3: "Well I think everybody has seen it, there’s been ups and downs.

"We’ve had good times and bad times, but this is my first season and I think I had to adapt to how they play, get used to my teammates.

"I think now I’m getting used to them and I know with hard work everything will be okay for the next season.

"Of course, it’s not easy. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and if you want to be there you have to be able to do everything well. So I like this challenge and I’m ready to do everything."

Partey's record at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta handed a big-money signing 33 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.

Partey is still waiting on a first goal for the Gunners, but does have three assists to his name.

He will be hoping to take his game to greater heights next season, with only 18 Premier League starts taken in so far.

Steering clear of untimely injuries will be key to those plans, with Arsenal needing stability and continuity if they are to break the shackles that continue to hold them back.

Further reading

France will face Germany in their opening match of the European Championship on Tuesday in Munich in what will be their sixth meeting at a major tournament.

France and Germany’s only previous encounter in the European Championships was in the 2016 semi-finals, in which France won 2-0 courtesy of an Antoine Griezmann brace.

France vs Germany Latest Odds

France are unbeaten in their last five games against Germany on German soil (W3 D2) and a win on Tuesday is poised to occur at (2.65) with Booster99. 

France’s only defeat in their opening game of the European Championships was in the inaugural tournament in 1960 and a win for Germany in 2021 is tipped to occur at (2.95).

The previous meeting in Munich between the sides ended goalless at Allianz Arena in September 2018 and any type of draw this time around is valued at (3.20).

France vs Germany Team News

France received a major boost when Karim Benzema started training normally despite coming off against Bulgaria in a friendly with what was suspected to be a minor knock. Griezmann and Raphael Varane are also available after recovering from a knock, while a major doubt is Kurt Zouma, who is battling an unspecified problem.

Germany's Jonas Hofmann will not be available due to a knee injury as Leon Goretzka is still recovering from a muscle issue and thus is set to sit out.

France vs Germany Preview

France are taking part in their 10th European Championships, and their eighth in a row - they last failed to make the finals in 1988. Only Germany and Spain - three each - have won more European Championships than France: two won in 1984 and 2000.

Since – and including – World Cup 2014, France have won 14 of their 19 games at major tournaments (World Cup plus Euros), more than any other European team over that period and prior to Euro 2020, ahead of Belgium - 13 wins in 17 games - and Germany, with 10 wins in 16 games.

Germany are taking part in their 13th European Championships, more than any other team. They have won the trophy three times, the most alongside Spain. Their next game will also be their 50th in the tournament, becoming the first team to reach that milestone.

Griezmann has scored more goals against Germany than against any other team with France (4). He’s also been directly involved in more goals (14) than any other European player over the last two major tournaments:10 goals and four assists in 14 games at Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 combined.

France vs Germany Tips and Predictions

Les Blues have scored 10 goals in the last five games and conceded just two and kept three clean sheets. Germany found the back of the net on seven occasions, conceded four goals and have two clean sheets. Punters can take an offer of over 2.5 goals at (2.06) with Booster99.

Over 2.5 goals at (2.06) with Booster99.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Kai Havertz has admitted to feeling the pressure at the start of his Chelsea career, claiming that supporters expected him to be "the new Cristiano Ronaldo".

Chelsea invested £70 million ($99m) in Havertz's talents last summer, having seen him emerge as one of the top young players of his generation at Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old struggled to build on that reputation in his first few months at Stamford Bridge, and has now opened up on his frustrations while away with the Germany national team at the European Championship.

What's been said?

"People expect you to be the new Cristiano Ronaldo," Havertz told  Suddeutsche Zeitung . "But it won't be that fast, everything is new and I really didn't play my best football at the beginning.

"I felt a completely different pressure than before in Leverkusen."

Havertz on firing Chelsea to European glory

Havertz gradually began to show his best form at Chelsea following the appointment of fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel as the club's new manager in January, and was trusted to start in their all-English Champions League final clash with Manchester City last month.

The attacker rewarded his manager's faith by scoring the winning goal at Estadio Do Dragao, which he sees as a crucial moment in his overall development as a player.

"I'm glad that I was able to end the season with this goal in the Champions League final," Havertz added.

"The goal was important for the history of the club, but it was important to me to have also done very well personally."

Havertz aiming for more success at Euro 2020

Havertz earned a place in Joachim Low's Germany squad for the Euros after proving himself at Chelsea towards the end of the 2020-21 campaign, and is currently preparing with the rest of the squad for their Group F opener against world champions France.

The former Leverkusen star says winning the Champions League has given him extra confidence for the tournament, but concedes it won't mean as much if Germany fail to challenge for silverware on the international stage.

"We're with the national team, we have different processes and different goals here," said Havertz. "Of course, this title gives me tailwind and a lot of self-confidence, but there's no point in feeling like a Champions League winner if you screw up the European Championship afterwards."

Further reading

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United and Chelsea, but Goal and SPOX have learned that the France international forms part of Julian Nagelsmann's plans for 2021-22.

A change in the dugout at the Allianz Arena is being made, with Hansi Flick passing the baton on to Nagelsmann as he prepares to follow Joachim Low as manager of the Germany national side.

Nagelsmann has a number of issues to contend with when taking the reins of the Bundesliga champions, with the future of Coman one of the more pressing matters on his to-do list.

Why is Coman sparking exit talk?

The 25-year-old is the latest Bayern star that boasts ties with Pini Zahavi to see a big-money transfer speculated on.

The Israeli 'super agent' does not manage Coman's career, with his father acting as an advisor, but Zahavi is charged with the task of sounding out interest.

He has done likewise in the past with Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba, with the latter now off to Real Madrid after running down his contract in Munich.

There has been talk of Coman heading for the exits, with no fresh terms agreed with Bayern despite an extension being sought to a deal due to expire in 2023.

The Frenchman is said to be seeking pay parity with the likes of Leroy Sane, while he also remains disappointed at seeing the No.10 jersey passed to the winger who arrived from Manchester City in 2020.

Will Coman remain at Bayern?

The German giants are under no pressure to sell and remain relaxed when it comes to Coman's future.

Big-money offers would be considered, but Bayern would be demanding a fee of €70 million-plus (£60m/$85m) and are unlikely to find a buyer at that price in a world still feeling the financial pinch of an ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

With that in mind, Goal and SPOX have learned that incoming coach Nagelsmann intends to have Coman at his disposal next season.

Who could make a move for Coman?

Another transfer window is about to open, though, and moves could be made over the coming weeks.

Premier League heavyweights Manchester United have held long-standing interest in Coman, but it is no secret that Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho is their top target at present.

Sources have also informed Goal and SPOX that there is little substance to the reports suggesting that Chelsea may be tempted to join the race for Coman.

The Blues have plenty of wide attacking options on their books and are unlikely to seek out another even if England international Callum Hudson-Odoi were to be offloaded this summer.

Manchester City are another side that boasts the financial muscle to meet Bayern's asking price, but they are not in the market at present and any move away from Munich for Coman appears set to be put on hold until at least 2022.

Further reading

Yanga SC have sensationally claimed they are confident of winning all 15 points from their remaining five matches in the Mainland Premier League to help boost their chances of winning the title.

The Jangwani giants have five matches to conclude the season starting with Ruvu Shooting on June 17 (Thursday), June 20 against Mwadui FC, July 3 against rivals Simba SC in the Kariakoo derby, July 14 against Ihefu FC, and their last match is on July 18 against Dodoma City.

According to the club’s information officer Hassan Bumbuli, their main target is to make sure they collect three points from each match so as to increase their chances of winning the top-flight title.

What has been said?

“We have not given up on winning the league title as we still have five matches to play before the season concludes, in those five matches we have planned to win all of them and then after the league is over we will know what we have reaped and what we deserve,” Bumbuli told Goal.

“We should remember those leading the table now [Simba] have two matches in hand, and when they finish playing those matches and then we are all level on matches played, then we will be in a position to know where we are.

“But one thing I can assure you is Yanga will not give up on the title race until the final day, we will fight and make sure we get all the points from our five matches, we will not lose hope until we achieve our goal of winning the title.”

Simba still topping the table

Yanga have not won the league title for the past three seasons with Simba claiming the crown three times in a row.

The mainland league is set to resume on Tuesday with one match between Biashara United and Namungo FC lined up, after the break which was occasioned by the international friendly between Tanzania and Malawi, which the Taifa Stars won 2-0 on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi are currently leading the 18-team table with 67 points from 27 matches, six more than Yanga, who are second after playing 29 matches while Azam FC are third on 60 points from 30 outings.

Egypt are ready to make one last push to persuade Liverpool to release Mohamed Salah for the Olympics, according to the head of their football association Ahmed Megahed.

Salah was included in Egypt's provisional squad for the summer Games in Tokyo, with Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny joining him as overage players in Shawki Gharib's U23 set-up.

Liverpool have yet to give their consent for Salah to link up with his country, which would see him miss a large chunk of their pre-season campaign, but Megahed hasn't given up on securing his services just yet.

What's been said?

The Egyptian FA chief told ONTime Sports of the situation: "His position isn't clear yet, we will try one last time with Liverpool to let him participate.

"Mohamed wants to be in the Olympics, and we are working to make it happen."

Egypt manager's comments on Salah

Gharib explained his decision to call up Salah during an interview with Egyptian radio station On Sport FM in April.

"I need to use the benefit of choosing three players over the age of 23, and we have a player considered to be among the best three in the world, so I have to consider him," said the Egypt U23s head coach.

"Salah is a big star and all the players want him around."

The bigger picture 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp voiced his disapproval over Salah's potential participation in the Olympics before the Games were postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It remains to be seen what the German's stance is one year later, but the Reds will surely be eager to ensure that a prized asset is ready for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

The Tokyo Olympics are due to officially begin on July 23, but the football competition will kick off a day earlier and run until August 7.

The new Premier League season is scheduled to start one week later, meaning Salah would have little time to recover if he is given permission to join up with the Egypt squad.

Further reading

Dean Henderson has been replaced by Aaron Ramsdale in England's Euro 2020 squad after withdrawing through injury.

The England camp have confirmed the news in an official statement, which reads: "Aaron Ramsdale has replaced Dean Henderson in England’s UEFA EURO 2020 squad. 

"Henderson withdraws with a hip issue that would continue to limit his involvement in training throughout the tournament. 

"Under UEFA regulations, squads are permitted to replace goalkeepers on medical grounds at any stage. 

"The Manchester United goalkeeper will now return to his club for further assessment and rehabilitation ahead of the 2021-22 season."

More to follow.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has sent a plea to the government to allow them to use Nyayo Stadium for the FKF Shield Cup final against their rivals Gor Mahia.

The two Kenyan giants will face off in the Mashemeji derby on July 4 and as it stands the match could be played at Utalii or Ruaraka grounds owing to the government’s stance that Nyayo and Kasarani are not available for football.

According to Shikanda, if the match is played at Nyayo or Kasarani then at least a few fans from both sides will be allowed to attend since the match is a final and derby.

What has been said?

“It will be very important if the federation and the government can allow us to use either Nyayo or Kasarani, especially if the match is played at Nyayo it will be very nice,” Shikanda told Goal.

“We want the fans to attend but of course it will not be possible to have them at Utalii or Ruaraka but if it is Nyayo then we are ready to engage the government to allow few fans to attend.

“It is a big match which deserves a huge atmosphere, these two teams met last in such a final in 2013 and you can imagine how good if they face with fans rallying behind them, I wish the government can listen to us and give us a good venue and also allow a few fans.

“Our players have suffered a lot playing at Utalii and Ruaraka, the playing surface is getting worse and players are picking unnecessary injuries, the game is also not flowing as per what the coaches want, we hope to get Nyayo at least for the final.”

What is FKF saying?

When reached for comment, FKF president Nick Mwendwa confirmed to Goal they have started engaging the government to see whether they can give them access to Nyayo for the final.

“We have approached again and we are waiting for their response but to be honest it is a big match and we need a good venue, we also hope they can allow a few fans to attend,” Mwendwa told Goal.

“We hope they can give us even the Kasarani Annex, it is better than playing the final at Utalii or Ruaraka but if they don’t then we will have no option, we can still use Utalii.”

Apart from the winner sealing a ticket to Caf Confederation Cup, Ksh2million prize money will also be at stake.

Gor Mahia made it to the final after beating Bidco United 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 scoreline in regulation time while AFC Leopard also toiled to get past Division One side Equity Bank, whom they beat 6-5 also on penalties after a 0-0 draw in normal time.

Kylian Mbappe has insisted that his public spat with Olivier Giroud is already "forgotten" while playing down his ambitions to win the Ballon d'Or.

Giroud hit headlines after France's final Euro 2020 warm-up game last Tuesday as he appeared to accuse Mbappe of deliberating not passing him the ball during the 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Mbappe has since admitted that he was "a little affected" by his team-mate's comments, which he believes should have been made privately rather than in front of the media.

What's been said?

“Of course it's forgotten," the Paris Saint-Germain superstar told TF1 ahead of France's Group F opener against Germany on Tuesday night. "In life, you shouldn't feel sorry for yourself. 

"We have a common goal, and we will need Giroud too."

Mbappe went on to address France's chances of winning the Euros three years after their success at the World Cup in Russia and how he is embracing the weight of expectations after reaching a new level in terms of his individual game.

“It’s sure that winning the World Cup has served us well," he said. "But we have to play the matches and put back the same ingredients as three years ago.

"Of course more is expected of me than in 2018 because I'm a better player. But I don't have a problem with it."

Mbappe on the 2021 Ballon d'Or

Mbappe has previously admitted that he hopes to win the Ballon d'Or at some point, claiming that the highly-coveted individual prize "is a goal for any player who aspires to be the best".

The forward is being touted as one of the main contenders to scoop the award this year and, although he acknowledges that performing well at the Euros could increase his chances, he is more focused on helping Didier Deschamps' side maximise their collective potential.

“The Euros will help decide it. But it's early. I've said this about the other years I played for it, I try not to think about it," Mbappe added in a separate interview with RTL.

"I can't think of an individual trophy, then go out and be a team player. If the collective makes you shine, you can shine by yourself and you can achieve this kind of prize.

"All the matches where I made history, I had played with the intention of playing for the team, and the team gave it back to me."

Further reading 

Paul Pogba admits to having more "freedom" playing for France than he gets at club level with Manchester United, but the midfielder will always prioritise collective efforts over personal gain.

The World Cup winner concedes that he would like to score 15 goals a season for the Red Devils - having only hit that mark once across five seasons back in England - but he has a different role to play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He has no issue with that, with versatility allowing him to sit a little deeper on a domestic stage, but opportunities to release the shackles when turning out for his country will always be embraced.

What has been said?

Pogba told L'Equipe on the differences he experiences when representing club and country: "It's true that at Juventus it was different from Manchester. We were playing three in the middle, in a 5-3-2. I had the freedom, I had to be in the box, to attack. It was an obligation. 

"In Manchester, I have the freedom to go into the box, but the priority is to play, to defend. 

"In the France team, we play a 4-2-3-1 too. I'm a little more involved in the transition, in the construction. But I have more freedom than in Manchester to get into the box, to make runs forward. 

"At the same time, when you have Grizou (Antoine Griezmann), Kylian (Mbappe), you don't want to enter their spaces, you don't need to."

Pogba added: "I would like to play more offensively. Scoring 15 goals per season, that's what I would like. 

"But, we must put ourselves at the service of the collective. In Manchester, as with Les Bleus, the collective will always come before the player. 

"Frankly, I still enjoy playing a little deeper. When Patrick (Vieira) said he preferred me at Juventus, I understand, I was able to express myself more further up, more with my technique. But it will always be the collective above everything else."

The bigger picture

Pogba is approaching the final 12 months of his contract at OId Trafford, with inevitable transfer talk resurfacing as a result.

United have offered no indication that they are looking to sell, with an £89 million ($126m) asset still having an important role to play in their plans.

That remains the case with France as well, with Pogba looking to become a talismanic presence who leads by example.

He said: "In the locker room, I will speak. But, for example, in the France team, I know that (Raphael) Varane will be the one who will make a general speech. 

"Me, I like to speak individually, to say to the players: 'Ok, how are you feeling? If you see that is not good, you talk to me etc'. I try to put people at ease so that we are better on the pitch. 

"A Zlatan Ibrahimovic has that charisma. He will scream at players to motivate them. Not me. I will speak to bring out the best in my team-mates."

Further reading

Former Kagera Sugar left-back David Luhende has "welcomed" Simba SC to table an offer for him since he is ready to join them.

The defender is a free agent after his contract with the Sugar Millers expired, and he decided against extending it.

However, if Wekundu wa Msimbazi do not table an offer for for him, the experienced defender has revealed he will be looking elsewhere for another deal.

"I am welcoming Simba to table their offer if they are interested in my services," Luhende told Championi.

"They can come in and we negotiate because I believe I can play very well at Simba. It is all about getting a good contract and we negotiate. But we have to reach an agreement.

"However, if Simba cannot come, then I will not mind playing for any other team since football is my life. All I want is a team that we can have an agreement with and play."

Meanwhile, Yanga SC have sensationally claimed they are targeting to haul all 15 points from their remaining five matches in the Mainland Premier League to help boost their chances of winning the title.

The Jangwani giants have five matches to conclude the season starting with Ruvu Shooting on June 17 (Thursday), June 20 against Mwadui FC, July 3 against rivals Simba SC in the Kariakoo derby, July 14 against Ihefu FC, and their last match is on July 18 against Dodoma City.

According to the club’s information officer Hassan Bumbuli, their main target is to make sure they collect three points from each match so as to push their case of winning the top-flight title.

"We have not given up on winning the league title as we still have five matches to play before the season concludes, in those five matches we have planned to win all of them and then after the league is over we will know what we have reaped and what we deserve," Bumbuli told Goal.

"We should remember those leading the table now [Simba] have two matches in hand, and when they finish playing those matches and then we are all level on matches played, then we will be in a position to know where we are.

"But one thing I can assure you is Yanga will not give up on the title race until the final day, we will fight and make sure we get all the points from our five matches, we will not lose hope until we achieve our goal of winning the title."

Thierry Henry believes Kylian Mbappe can fire France to glory at the European Championship this summer as he assessed the plethora of attacking options available to Didier Deschamps.

The World Cup holders get their campaign up and running on Tuesday when they take on Germany in Munich.

And Henry, who won the Euros with France in 2000, says Mbappe can be the man to make the difference for Deschamps’ side this summer.

What has been said?

Speaking about Mbappe ahead of France’s Group F opener against the Germans, Henry told Goal : "He is the type of guy who can turn a draw into a win, a defeat into a draw and sometimes a defeat into a win straight away. He has that talent. 

"To have a player like him is just unbelievable.

“Not only what he can do, but how clever he is on the ball. He uses his brain when he plays and I like that about him.

"We are so happy that he is French.”

What next for Mbappe?

Mbappe’s future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from clear,  with his current contract due to expire in 2022.

Henry did not want to be drawn on what he felt the forward should do, but said the 22-year-old has the ability to go on to achieve whatever he wants in his career.

“First and foremost, I have massive respect for PSG and what they have achieved, so for me it would be unfair to talk about leaving or not leaving,” said the former Arsenal star.

“Whatever Kylian wants to achieve, if he puts his mind to it, it looks like he will do it.

“I just hope that he can stay injury free and we can have the luxury to watch him for a very long time because he is special.”

Benzema's return

Henry believes the return of Karim Benzema to the national team gives Deschamps the perfect array of attacking options going into the tournament.

And the 43-year-old, who is working once again as an assistant to Roberto Martinez with Belgium, says he has no concerns that Benzema’s return will have any sort of negative impact on squad harmony.

“Knowing Didier, he must have measured that well,” said Henry.

“[What happened] before, I don’t know. All I know is that Benzema is back and I think for me that can only be a plus.

“You have a different type of striker now. You have [Olivier] Giroud that can hold it, [Antoine] Griezmann recently likes to play behind the striker, we know that Benzema is all around really and you have Mbappe who can play wherever he wants to play and accelerate whenever he wants to accelerate.

“So I see it as a plus, I’m happy about it.”

Further reading 

Christian Eriksen has delivered a first public message since his collapse during Denmark's Euro 2020 date with Finland, with the Inter playmaker offering an update on his condition.

The 29-year-old suffered cardiac arrest when representing his country in their opening game of this summer's European Championship.

He had to be resuscitated on the field in Copenhagen, with messages of support for the former Tottenham star flooding in as he continues on a road to recovery in hospital.

What has been said?

Addressing his well-wishers and offering an insight into how he is feeling, Eriksen has posted on social media: "Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family. 

"I'm fine - under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.

"Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark."

The bigger picture

It remains to be seen whether Eriksen will be freed to continue his professional career once out of medical care.

His international colleagues are determined to give him something to smile about as they look to make a positive impression at another major international tournament.

A 1-0 defeat was suffered to Finland, with that contest controversially played to a finish a matter of hours after Eriksen's life was saved by the quick thinking of colleagues and doctors.

Peter Schmeichel has claimed that UEFA threatened the Danes with accepting a 3-0 forfeit defeat if they did not return to the field once a positive update on Eriksen had been delivered.

They will be back in action against Belgium on Thursday as they seek to secure progress out of Group B.

Eriksen will be among the interested observers of that contest, with the sporting world delighted to see him battling back from the most serious of health scares.

Further reading

Gor Mahia coach Manuel Carlos Vaz Pinto is of the opinion the Football Kenya Federation should engage the government to secure usage of Kasarani of Nyayo Stadium and allow a few fans to attend the FKF Shield Cup final on July 4.

K’Ogalo will face rivals Ingwe in the Mashemeji derby final, with a Ksh2million from title sponsors and a Caf Confederation Cup ticket at stake for the team carries the day.

But the venue of the match is yet not clear with the main stadia - Kasarani and Nyayo - still not accessible to football meaning the final could be played at the lesser but available venues in Nairobi City - Ruaraka or Utalii grounds.

The Portuguese tactician, who is chasing his first title since he took over to handle the reigning champions, believes such matches deserve a better venue where players can play free-flowing football and also allow fans to push them to do well.

What has been said?

“Yes...this type of games need a good stadium, good grass and because in Utalii and Ruaraka grounds, we have played a lot of games there now and their surfaces have started to be difficult to play good football and this is a final and of course this type of games is important to have them in a good stadium,” Vaz Pinto told Goal on Tuesday.

“It will be good to have a good stadium like Kasarani or Nyayo, they are the good stadium we have and I think it is very important we try and get a good venue for such type of a game.”

On whether he will be happy to see fans allowed to attend the derby, Vaz Pinto said: “About the fans in the stadium? We wish this happened because we miss the fans not only in the derby but all the matches we have played this season.

“It is important for the clubs to have fans attend their matches not only because of the support they give the teams but also it is important to have the fans attend matches for financial support, the clubs need money, it is not easy for people to run football without money and of course our fans, miss to be there and they deserve to be there.

“I will be very happy if the government allows they [fans] to come to the stadium, for the derby and even subsequent matches.”

Why is Kasarani and Nyayo not accesible?

In Kenya, fans have been banned from attending matches owing to the strict rules put in place by the Ministry of Health aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the match venues, despite the FKF making efforts to secure Nyayo or Kasarani for their matches, the government has turned down their requests, insisting the former is under renovation while the latter is being prepared to host U20 World Athletics Championships.

Gor Mahia made it to the final after beating Bidco United 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 scoreline in regulation time while AFC Leopard also toiled to get past Division One side Equity Bank, whom they beat 6-5 also on penalties after a 0-0 draw in normal time.

Marcus Rashford would like to "retire where I started", but the Manchester United forward is aware that one-club men have become a rare breed in modern football.

At 23 years of age, the highly-rated product of the Red Devils' academy system is a long way from hanging up his boots, but future plans can be drawn up at this stage.

The England international hopes to spend many more years at Old Trafford, with the Manchester native living a boyhood dream, but concedes that emulating the efforts of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will be difficult.

What has been said?

Asked whether he would like to spend his entire career with United, Rashford told the club's official website: "I think of course I’d like to but I think in football nowadays, things happen unexpectedly. 

"You can never be 100 per cent sure – one, you’re going to be replaced and the club might want to sign somebody else, or maybe the style doesn’t suit you anymore.

"Maybe the style of football has changed so there are many things that can change throughout the duration of 10-15 years. 

"For me, I hope to be able to play at this club for as long as I possibly can and retire where I started."

Rashford's record for Man Utd

A senior debut for the Red Devils was made under Louis van Gaal in February 2016, with Rashford now up to 271 appearances for United.

He has found the target on 88 occasions across those outings, with the 20-goal barrier broken in each of the last two seasons.

The home-grown star has become an integral part of present and future plans, with the intention being to take his game to even greater heights over the years to come.

Rashford added on his ambition in Manchester: "I feel privileged to wear this shirt that has been worn by so many great players in United’s history. You know, for me, I don’t feel the pressure.

"It’s just about carrying on following in people’s footsteps and people’s journeys really. But I’m my own player. 

"I do things my way. I’m going to improve in my own way, which is obviously slightly different to the other players, they all have different qualities and reached different heights in their careers. Hopefully, I can be here long enough to do that myself as well."

He went on to say: "I want to get even better at things that make me score goals and assist things, to keep on improving and to give the team more opportunities of winning games.

"It can be positioning, runs, different types of runs, movement in the box and then finishing techniques. So there are a wide range of things I try to improve on and will do that throughout my whole career."

Further reading

Former Nigeria internationals Etim Esin and Austin Eguavoen have revealed Christian Eriksen’s collapse reminded them of how Samuel Okwaraji died.

The Inter Milan midfielder suffered cardiac arrest during Denmark’s game against Finland during Saturday’s Euro 2020 encounter, but he was revived soon after.

Okwaraji suffered a similar problem when he slumped on the pitch during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos in 1989.

Esin has relived the experience and believes if good medical facilities had been in place, his former teammate would have survived like Eriksen.

“When I was watching the match and saw Eriksen collapse, the first thing that came to my mind was Okwaraji. I was with him on the field when it happened and I imagined what was going through the minds of his [Eriksen's] teammates,” Esin told Punch.

“If Eriksen had slumped in Nigeria or any other third world country, he may not have survived because we don’t have good medical facilities and paramedics here.

“The incident also reminded me of English footballer Fabrice Muamba; these guys survived it because they live in developed countries.

"That is why we should also upgrade our medical personnel and personnel in this country.

“It’s a big lesson to our league organisers to ensure that our medical facilities are top-notch.”

Eguavoen also recollected his own experience regarding Okwaraji’s collapse and revealed he saught divine intervention for Eriksen’s survival. 

“When Eriksen went down, it brought back Okwaraji’s memories in 1989 because I was close to him when he slumped," he added.

“Maybe Okwaraji would have survived if there were good medical facilities, I really can’t say. I honestly don’t know what to say because it was a sad moment.

“I was only praying for positive news on Saturday and I was glued to my TV set until they were sure he had been stabilised. I went on my knees and thanked God because I felt really bad when it happened.

“The only advice I have is that every football federation has to learn from this incident.

"Every league in the world, whether small or big, must try to upgrade in terms of medical facilities because anything like this could happen anytime.”