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SuperSport United captain Ronwen Williams has vowed to delay Mamelodi Sundowns from being confirmed as Premier Soccer League champions, declaring “we know how to beat them".

The two sides clash in Wednesday’s Tshwane derby at Loftus Versfeld, with Masandawana with a chance to take an unassailable 10-point lead which would earn them a fourth consecutive league title.

After Sundowns failed to win back-to-back Caf Champions League matches against Al Ahly, Williams has threatened to add to their rivals’ rough patch by spoiling their potential title celebrations.  

“Coming to Sundowns is always a nice game against them. We enjoy playing against our rivals. It’s always a game of entertainment so we are looking forward to it,” Williams told SuperSport’s media. 

“Obviously they are coming from disappointing results in their last two games but now it is a different ball game. They would want to wrap up the league but we don’t want to allow that, not against us.  

“We have our own ambitions about where we want to end so we know what to do, we know how to beat them.

"We have done it before. It is going to be a good one and the guys are looking forward to it.

"Obviously, we would like to keep the momentum going. We had a good result in our last game.”

Matsatsantsa go into this match exactly 14 days after their last league outing in which they edged Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 1-0 to end a difficult 10-match winless run, which ruled them out of the title race.

“It [14 days without being involved in competitive action] gave us an opportunity to fine-tune some of the things we were lacking in the past few games and obviously work on our weaknesses,” continued Williams. 

“Sometimes it’s nice to train, to get some minutes because when you have back-to-back games you don’t have time to train and do much. But now we used this two-week break to fine-tune our strategy going forward and finish on a positive note.” 

The SuperSport goalkeeper returned for the TTM match after missing four games due to an ACL tear, which sidelined him for the first time after featuring in 109 consecutive matches for SuperSport. 

“I’m just happy to be back. Obviously, I was disappointed, for being out for a few weeks but it gave me time to miss the game again and bring back that spark because playing too many games sometimes another day or another game,” Williams added. 

“I missed the game and it ignited in me that spark and I am glad to be back and hopefully I can push my team to finish strong in the three remaining games.”

Matsatsantsa are currently sixth on the PSL table, five points off the top-three.

Simba SC forward Francis Kahata has revealed staying at the club for a long time without playing regular competitive games has been his greatest challenge.

The Kenya international joined the Tanzanian heavyweights in July 2019 from Gor Mahia.

He had been a regular part of Mnyama's starting side, playing in all competitions until recently when he was dropped from the Mainland Premier League squad to pave the way for other foreign players.

He has since been involved in Caf Champions League - where they were eliminated by Kaizer Chiefs last weekend - and the Tanzania Cup, since he is no longer eligible to feature in league matches.

"My journey at Simba has been good; I have managed to win collective titles and individual awards as well," Kahata said on Monday.

"There have been challenges, of course; like right now I have not been playing league matches. The foreigners exceeded the number required by the authorities and I was omitted from the league list.

"It was tough on me because in a month I could just play two matches which were in the Caf Champions League. That was a difficult situation because a player has to play.

"Even in the Champions League I played a few minutes and it is the main challenge I have faced."

The 29-year-old's contract with Wekundu wa Msimbazi is about to expire and the player is optimistic about his future, with the 21-time league champions or not.

"My contract expires at the end of June; I have offers on the table," Kahata added.

"My agent is working on it. We have not opened talks with [Simba] over a contract extension and I hope we will talk and reach an agreement. If not I will look elsewhere for a new challenge.

"But as it is, I am still contracted to Simba SC."

Kahata has also shed light on the relationship between him and former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche.

"I worked with Amrouche for some time while in the national team. He was like a father to us; he loves to support talent and to date, he has been following my performance," he concluded.

The Algerian tactician, who is the head coach of the Botswana national team, has been linked with the Uganda national team job but has insisted he will see out his contract with the Southern African team.

Samuel Chukwueze and Joe Aribo will miss Nigeria’s upcoming international friendly against Cameroon.

According to the 24-man squad announced by the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday night, both players did not make the cut.

Villarreal winger Chukwueze has been on the sidelines following an injury suffered in the Europa League semi-final second leg fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

For Rangers midfielder Aribo, he seemed to have been excused from the Super Eagles squad following a hectic season with Steven Gerrard’s men.

Also trimmed from the squad are FC Porto left-back Sanusi Zaidu, Leganes' Kenneth Omeruo, West Bromwich Albion's Semi Ajayi, Almeria's Sadiq Umar and Heartland goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

The encounter is billed for June 4 in Wiener Neustadt, south of the Austrian capital.

The last time Nigeria and Cameroon battled each other was in the Round of 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and Rohr’s side claimed a 3-2 win, thanks to Odion Ighalo's brace and Alex Iwobi’s match-winning effort. 

The fixture is billed to get the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations kings prepared for their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign which will begin in September.

Nigeria are zoned in Group C of the qualifiers alongside Cape Verde, Liberia and Central African Republic. For the Cameroonians, they are placed in Group D with Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Malawi.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands); Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Abraham Marcus (CD Feirense, Portugal)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars FC); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Simy Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy)

Pep Guardiola’s great Barcelona side helped inspire Phil Foden’s love of football, the Manchester City forward has admitted.

Foden celebrated his 11th birthday by watching that brilliant Barca team tear apart Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League final.

On Friday, he will turn 21 on the day before his boyhood club play their first Champions League final against Chelsea - with Guardiola now his manager and trying to win the competition for the first time since that victory at Wembley. 

What’s been said?

“When I used to watch Barcelona as a kid, it was unbelievable; the way he set them up and how they played one-touch and two-touch football was unbelievable, and I never would have thought that he would be my coach some day,” Foden said.

“I feel very lucky to have him as a coach and I enjoy it every day, working with him. I just remember growing up and they dominated football for years, winning everything. 

“I just remember always watching it with my Dad and thinking: ‘Wow! What a team this is and what a coach they have!’ He has tried to bring that kind of football here and it seems to be working. 

“Definitely, they played a big part in my career, watching them when I was younger, and it helps as well, now that the manager’s here. I understand how he plays and how he wants to play. It helps a lot.”

The bigger picture

Guardiola faced some criticism for holding Foden back early in his career but the England international has now become a key part of the City side.

He has started 11 of their 12 European games this season and scored in both legs of the quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund.

“There weren’t many young kids at my age playing in a team like this,” Foden said. “A lot of people were complaining about the minutes and things, but the team that we have here and how many quality players we had at the time, it was very difficult to get in. 

"I just kept believing in myself and trusting the manager. This year has been really good for me, playing more minutes and I would definitely say it has paid off.”

And the Stockport-born star admits he and his family are stunned that he is playing in a final a decade on from that remarkable Barca victory.

“They just keep telling me that they can’t believe that I’m going to play in the Champions League final, from watching it when I was younger,” he added.

“I’m just going to go into the final the same way as any other game: just smiling and saying let’s see how it goes. Nothing’s going to change how I prepare. Everything’s just going to be the same.”

Further reading

Aston Villa are the FA Youth Cup winners after beating Liverpool 2-1 at Villa Park.

Early goals from Ben Chrisene and Brad Young, the latter from the penalty spot, gave Villa their first triumph in the competition since 2002, and was reward for an impressive performance in front of a crowd of nearly 4,500.

Liverpool, who were second best for the most part, pulled one back through substitute Melkamu Frauendorf, and came on strong in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser, much to the disappointment of coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

Villa's fast start

Villa were ahead inside eight minutes, Arjan Raikhy finding space down the left and picking out Chrisene, whose left-footed finish from the edge of the box was crisp and gave Harvey Davies no chance in the Liverpool goal.

It was 2-0 soon after, Billy Koumetio penalised for a foul on Young, who was ice-cool when converting from the penalty spot. 

Liverpool missed a glorious chance to halve the deficit almost immediately, Mateusz Musialowski blazing over after James Balagizi had won the ball on the edge of the Villa box.

Villa hit the post twice, first through Young and then through Chrisene, while Musialowski was off target with two more strikes from outside the box before half-time.

No way back for Liverpool

The Reds had the first chance of the second half, Max Woltman sweeping wide from substitute Frauendorf’s pull-back.

Davies was then called upon to deny first Young and then Louie Barry, but Liverpool grabbed themselves a lifeline on 73 minutes when Frauendorf volleyed Tyler Morton’s deep corner past Filip Marschall.

Davies denied Villa sub Aaron Ramsey to keep Liverpool in it, and the visitors finished strongly with Musialowski twice seeing shots blocked in the penalty area before, in the final minute of stoppage time, Reds captain Jarell Quansah sent a header straight into Marschall’s arms at the back post. 

That was to be the last chance, with Villa’s players celebrating wildly at the final whistle while Liverpool’s, almost to a man, sank to the floor.

Both had played their part, though, in an absorbing contest.

Who stood out?

It was Carney, the England U17 international, who was the star of the show for Villa. The midfielder dominated the first half in particular, and was effective defensively as well as going forward. 

Centre-forward Young was lively, as was Louie Barry down the left, while captain Kaine Kelser-Hayden impressed as a marauding right-back.

For Liverpool, Musialowski and Balagizi threatened to create, while Frauendorf, a half-time replacement for Dom Corness, made a positive impression. Morton’s second-half display, too, deserves credit after a slow start.

Villa, though, were the better team on the night, with Arjan Raikhy and substitute Aaron Ramsey looking like prospects as well as the brilliant Chukwuemeka.

Further reading

Harry Kane’s apparent desire to leave Tottenham Hotspur has been one of the hot talking points in world football over the last 10 days.

The striker is coming off the bank of another remarkable campaign, in which he again won the Golden Boot, but is understood to be unhappy with the progress being made by Spurs.

While there are no guarantees that the England superstar will leave North London—despite the reported interest from Manchester United—his potential exit was the key talking point on this week’s African Football HQ Unplugged podcast.

Reluctantly looking ahead to a potential future without Kane, Malek Shafei and Ed Dove discuss and assess the potential African talents who could move to North London as a (part) replacement for the 27-year-old.

There is no shortage of options, with the likes of Paul Onuachu, Simy Nwankwo and Patson Daka among those players to have scored hatfuls this season.

For Shafei, Daka might be the ideal player to come in to help ease any burden caused by Kane’s exit.

The Zambia striker—the joint top scorer during Africa Cup of Nations qualifying—has enjoyed a sensational season in Austrian football with Red Bull Salzburg, ending the campaign with the Player of the Year award.

He’s been linked to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, but Spurs—either as a protégé to or successor for Kane—should also be considering the frontman.

For Dove, Kelechi Iheanacho could be the answer.

The Leicester City striker has finally got the playing time he so long lacked this term, finally deputising effectively for Jamie Vardy and then forging a starting berth for himself with the Foxes.

There were some outstanding performances, some eye-catching goals, and records broken as well…Iheanacho is now Africa’s all-time top scorer in FA Cup history.

Some may argue that it’s a purple patch for the 24-year-old, while others will believe that we’re finally seeing the realisation of a talent that has promised so much for so long.

With Leicester City missing out on the Champions League—again—might Spurs see an opportunity in Iheanacho, and a potential successor for want-away Kane?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is attempting to recreate the spirit of 1999, as Sir Alex Ferguson has accompanied the Manchester United squad to the Europa League final against Villarreal in Gdansk.

United are one game away from securing the first piece of silverware of the Solskjaer era.

The squad departed for Wednesday's game on Monday afternoon, and Ferguson joined the travelling party on the flight.

Spirit of 1999

While Ferguson oversaw the most trophy-laden spell in the club’s history, Solskjaer played his part on the field under the Scot.

Solskjaer’s most famous moment came at Barcelona’s Camp Nou in 1999, as United scored twice in injury time to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the Champions League final - with the Norwegian netting the winner.

It is Solskjaer's team now, but Ferguson carries gravitas and he will provide moral support and words of wisdom if required.

United’s squad for Gdansk

There are doubts about the fitness of key defender Harry Maguire on account of injury, but he was on the flight along the with rest of the United squad.

Solskjaer has taken 26 players with him. Anthony Martial has returned to training, but he has not travelled with the squad.

Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant, Nathan Bishop

Defenders: Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams

Midfielders: Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Daniel James, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek

Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Shola Shoretire

Further reading

Mario Lemina said it was "an honour" to represent Fulham after the midfielder bid farewell to the Premier League club as he prepares to return to Southampton.

Due to his failure to break into the Saints’ first team, the Gabon international – who represented Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray in the 2019-20 campaign – was shipped to Craven Cottage with an option to make the deal permanent.

He was a key figure in Scott Parker’s squad, playing in 28 English top-flight games with a goal to his credit - which came in the 1-0 triumph over Liverpool in March.

At the end of the season, however, the London side were relegated to the EFL Championship.

With a return to Southampton imminent, having completed his loan move, the 27-year-old took to social media to appreciate the club for their support.

“To the entire Fulham FC family, I would like to say thank you,” Lemina wrote on Instagram.

“I gave my best this season to make our fans proud, unfortunately, it wasn't enough. It was an honour to be able to defend your colours.”

In a chat with SkySports, the former Juventus and Olympique Marseille star expressed his gratitude to Fulham for another opportunity to star in the English top-flight as well as the club’s fans for their unbending support.

"I am happy for them to see that I am a really emotional guy. I need to respect the team and myself. I need to be able to go home and look in the mirror and be honest with myself," said Lemina.

"I respect that they give me a chance to play again in the Premier League. I will give everything until the end of the season, that's my job and I will keep going."

Thanks to his strike against the Reds, Lemina ended his 23-month wait for an English elite division strike, while each of his goals have come in different seasons - in 2017-18 vs West Brom, 2018-19 vs Newcastle and this season vs Liverpool.

Interestingly, Lemina’s three Premier League goals have all been scored away from home.

In the coming days, it will become known if the African would remain in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad or be shipped to another team.

Ademola Lookman has confirmed his departure from Fulham after “a challenging season” with the EFL Championship outfit in the Premier League.

Following his inability to get regular action at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, the former England youth international was loaned to Scott Parker’s team.

There, he had steady playing time - featuring in 34 Premier League outings – with four goals to his credit.

Despite his contributions, the Cottagers were relegated to the English second tier having finished in the 18th position with 28 points from 38 encounters.

Unfortunately for the winger, his final appearance for Fulham came to a painful end, as his team suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United.

In a Twitter post shared on Monday evening, the Nigeria prospect reflected on his time in Parker’s squad, thanking all those at the club who helped him feel at home following his arrival from Germany.

“It’s been a long and challenging season filled with highs and lows, and although of course it ended for us in disappointment with us going down, I’ve loved every single minute of my time at Fulham.  Thank you,” Lookman tweeted.

While at Fulham, Lookman revealed that he was enjoying his time at the London club where he was continuing his progress.

"I'm enjoying my football here, that's the most important thing," he told the club website.

"For me, it's all about improving every single day I can learn as much as I can off the gaffer and the coaching staff.

"We need to be at the top of our game also but we'll definitely be going there to get the three points like in any game that we are going to play this season.”

The 23-year-old is expected to team up with Julian Nagelsmann's side in the coming days.

Nonetheless, it is uncertain if he would be given the chance to prove his worth at the Red Bull Arena.

In the just-concluded season, Leipzig finished in second place after amassing 65 points from 34 outings.

Alongside champions Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg, the Red Bulls will be featuring in the Champions League next term.

The U.S. men's national team's top stars will be involved in the upcoming conclusion of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams are among the European-based stars to headline the squad, which also features the likes of Gio Reyna, Yunush Musah and Sergino Dest.

The U.S. is set to take on Switzerland on Sunday in preparation for the Nations League semi-finals, with the USMNT set to take on Honduras on June 3 with Costa Rica and Mexico facing off for the other spot in the finale.

Full USMNT squad

GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake), Zack Steffen (Manchester City)

DEFENDERS: John Brooks (Wolfsburg), Reggie Cannon (Boavista), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Matt Miazga (Anderlecht), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray)

MIDFIELDERS: Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)

FORWARDS: Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Jordan Siebatcheu (Young Boys), Tim Weah (Lille)

What was said?

“We are excited to gather this group together as we compete to win the Nations League trophy,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said.

“It’s been a great year for our player pool and the unprecedented successes of winning multiple league and cup championships. Our focus now becomes continuing this success with the National Team.”

The top squad

Berhalter has brought virtually his entire A-Team along for the upcoming games, with the U.S. coach previously saying he hoped to give his top stars some sort of break this summer ahead of World Cup qualifying. 

As a result, the U.S. is expected to use two different types of squads this summer, with this one heading into the Nations League and a second set to feature in the Gold Cup.

However, there are some notable absences from this U.S. team, including Daryl Dike, who many see as a contender to start for the U.S. up top after shining on loan with Barnsley this season.

Meanwhile, youngsters Matthew Hoppe and Justin Che, who were called in to camp ahead of the Switzerland friendly, were also not included.

Further reading

Harry Maguire has likened the management style of England coach Gareth Southgate to his Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

After helping United secure second place in the Premier League, Maguire is one game away from turning his attentions to England duty.

United face Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday, after which the focus will shift to the European Championship.

What has been said?

Maguire is not guaranteed to be involved in the Europa League final as he is nursing an ankle problem, but is set to be named in the England squad as long as there is any chance of him being fit.

The defender has been a mainstay for Southgate, who he is hugely impressed with and feels is similar in style to his club boss.

“Gareth has been brilliant with me,” Maguire told Gary Neville's 'The Overlap' YouTube show. “Every game I've been available for, I've started. So for him to show that belief, confidence and trust, it's massive.

"He can be hard. He's a bit like Ole in terms of that, he knows when to be hard or not be hard. He has Steve Holland too, who can be hard in the changing room at half-time or before games. 

“But Gareth makes the belief and the confidence in the group, and the tactical side of it is second to none as well."

Maguire happy with ‘more experienced’ England

England head into the delayed Euro 2020 among the favourites for glory.

Three years ago, England were toppled by Croatia at the semi-final stage of the World Cup. 

Maguire says those three years have allowed the squad to improve, but feels there is still more to come.

"I feel like the squad is more experienced, we have more leadership in the squad," Maguire said.

"A lot of players play in big games regularly, Liverpool have won the Champions League and the Man City lads have done really well this season.

"There's experience of playing in these big games, but international games are decided on big moments.

"It's an exciting time to be an England fan, but we've still got a lot of improvement to make."

Further reading

Yanga SC defender Abdallah Shaibu has pencilled in the Mainland Premier League Kariakoo derby against Simba SC on June 3 as the date he will return to action for the club.

Shaibu has revealed he is currently receiving medical treatment due to a muscular problem he suffered three weeks ago while insisting he is waiting for the doctor's go-ahead to return to the field.

The defender, who has already missed two league matches, is definitely set to miss their domestic cup fixture against Mwadui FC at Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga on Tuesday.

“I do not know when I will return to the field, but the main thing is that I am still getting treatment for the problem that is bothering me, but thank God I am still fine even though the treatment is not over yet,” Shaibu said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“I think I will be ready and available for the Simba derby, but still everything needs the recovery program to be followed and how the treatment is going because even if you look at us we are  in a lot of competition for the Premier League title due to the remaining matches.”

Meanwhile, the Yanga registration and technical committee, has stated they are awaiting the report from the technical bench which they hope to receive before the end of the 2020-21 season, after which they will make a permanent list of players to hand over to the coach.

Yanga technical committee chairman Dominick Albinus said as quoted by the same portal: “We are currently awaiting the report of the head coach [Nasreddine Nabi] and his technical bench to see their recommendations for next season.

“We will start holding meetings to review the registration proposals after receiving the report which we hope to receive before the end of this season.

“We will make sure in the registration period; we create a team that will be very competitive to fight for all the cups that will be in front of us.

“For this season, the team is still fighting until the end of the league to find out what we can reap but our goal of the championship is still there, it has not changed.”

The Jangwani giants are currently level on points with rivals Simba SC as they both have 61, though they have played four matches more.

Mamelodi Sundowns could be crowned Premier Soccer League champions with a win over SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday but coach Manqoba Mngqithi does not want to put pressure on his players by viewing the game as a title decider.

Victory for Masandawana will hand them an unassailable 10-point gap on top of the standings and they will be confirmed as champions with three games to spare.

It will be the first time for a team to claim four consecutive PSL titles in the PSL era in what would serve as relief for the Brazilians, who were knocked out of the Caf Champions League by Al Ahly last weekend. 

“The focus is not on our next assignment which is playing against SuperSport United and you could see from training that the intensity was good,” Mngqithi told Sundowns’ media. 

“Everybody is looking forward to giving this match a fight. We know Sundowns do not want to lose or not to win for two matches in a row. So we have a responsibility to try and come back as quickly as possible. 

“So all our attention is trying to make sure that we achieve our desired target in the last four matches and it just happens that SuperSport can decide the championship.

"But the intention is to try and get the number of points we have targeted and as it is now we are short of nine points in the cycle and it will be nice if we can get 12. 

“That is basically what we are looking for. We are not putting a lot of pressure on the players to look at this game as a title decider because we still want them to give the same energy even in the next three matches.” 

The Tshwane giants go into Wednesday’s match on the backdrop of three successive league wins after also sharing the spoils with Golden Arrows and losing to Kaizer Chiefs in their last five matches. 

“For us it is always important to focus on our process and according to our process, this is the second match of the last cycle of five games and we have won the first one,” said Mngqithi. 

“It is very important to win every match we play and try to achieve our targets. That is for the legacy of the players to know how they won the league and how much of a fight it was.” 

If they beat SuperSport, it will be Masandanwana’s first title in the post-Pitso Mosimane era.

Mario Mandzukic has thanked AC Milan after confirming his spell at San Siro has come to a close.

The Croatia forward joined Milan on a short-term contract in January to bolster Stefano Pioli’s attacking options.

Things did not go according to plan, as the 35-year-old failed to find the target in 10 Serie A and one Europa League appearances.

What has been said?

Despite failing to have the desired impact, Mandzukic has spoken positively about the club and wished them well for the future.

“It was a pleasure to play for AC Milan,” Mandzukic wrote on Instagram. “I am thankful to the club management for giving me the opportunity, to the coaching staff for their dedicated work and to my team-mates who are not only excellent players but a great group of guys.

“I am happy that we have managed to get this great club back to the Champions League where it belongs and I wish everybody at the club only the best in the future.”

What next for Mandzukic?

The forward turned 35 earlier in May and struggled for fitness during his spell with Milan.

With his lack of productivity at San Siro, Mandzukic will need to prove his fitness to any interested parties during the summer months.

Still, he has a proven track record as a scorer of goals in a career taking in the likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich - and he could be a wildcard signing for a club who feel capable of reviving past glories.

Further reading

Representatives of Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane have refused to accept Mamelodi Sundowns’ apology, condemning a section of their fans for some hostile conduct towards the Egyptian giants just before Saturday’s 1-1 Caf Champions League draw at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Placards carrying abusive messages directed at Mosimane were displayed by the supporters while insulting chants were aimed at the former Bafana Bafana coach as the Al Ahly bus drove to the stadium.

This left Mosimane fuming after the match, declaring that he is aware of who the individuals behind the conduct are. 

On Sunday, Sundowns then issued an apology to Al Ahly, in which they skirted around Mosimane, which the coach’s representatives MT Sports Marketing and Management have now condemned.  

“To this effect, as the management company of coach Pitso, we are disappointed that Mamelodi Sundowns FC have not apologised to him personally but issued a general statement apologising to Al Ahly ‘and those associated with the team‚’” read the statement as per Sowetan Live. 

“This is not good enough. The insults were directed at coach Pitso in his personal capacity and to his mother.  We hope that the entire Sundowns family will continue to look at the success of coach Pitso as something to celebrate, not vilify.”

“There are sections of Mamelodi Sundowns FC that have never accepted or made peace with Pitso Mosimane being part of the Mamelodi Sundowns family,” the agency continued.

“This is regardless of all the successes he contributed to the club as the head coach of the club from December 2012 to September 2020 [seven years‚ nine months] and 11 titles later.  

“MT Sports Marketing and Management would like to state that the incident on Saturday, the 22nd May 2021‚ although deeply disturbing, is not an isolated one.

"For years, including the time that coach Pitso Mosimane was head coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, there were many known examples of disruption and efforts to usurp his position within the club.   

“The events of Saturday‚ 22nd May 2021 where sections of the club’s supporters hurled abuse at coach Pitso and his mother‚ are confirmation of the grudge that some in the club continue to hold against him even after leaving the club.   

“We trust and believe that this matter and the necessary truths that need to be revealed will finally come to the fore in due course.  As MT Sports Marketing and Management‚ our stance is that we will not allow for such callous bullying of our client.” 

While addressing the post-match press conference on Saturday, Mosimane threatened to expose the people behind the abuse directed at him in a book he said he will publish in future.

Simba SC spokesperson Haji Manara has sensationally claimed Caf will be surprised to miss the name of the club as Tanzania’s flag bearers in Champions League for next season and will also launch investigations to find out how their rivals Yanga SC won the Mainland Premier League title if they do.

The Msimbazi giants have been the country’s flag bearers in the competition for the past three seasons and they will get another chance to compete in the competition again if they win the 2020-21 top-flight crown.

This season, Simba’s fairytale run was ended at the quarter-final stage after they lost 4-3 on aggregate to Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa, losing the quarter-final first leg match 4-0 away at FNB Stadium before winning the return leg 3-0 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Following their exit from the competition, Manara said they have thrown all their focus on retaining the title as well as the domestic cup, insisting if they don’t get the ticket to Champions League then "Caf will investigate to find out how our rivals Yanga won the title".

“It is very clear the champions of the league are known, and they all resemble one team and that is Simba, even Caf have already known it is Simba, who win the title and are fond of us now,” Manara said in a post on his social media pages.

“But if by any chance it happens that our rivals Yanga have been crowned champions, then Caf might and Fifa will form a committee to investigate how it happened, so they know how they won the league and where was Simba.

“So guys, as long as Simba are around and existing, they will continue to win the league for many years to come, and we will continue to beat teams in the league until they give us respect.”

Manara further said their focus is to make sure they retain the title because they are the best team in Tanzania.

“It is our target to make sure we retain the title, we don’t have any focus now,” Manara continued.

“The focus is on winning the title again, by any means and by considering the good squad that we have.

“We will fight for the title this season and also for the many years to come, and all teams should be aware that Simba is not ready to relinquish the title any time soon.”

Simba and Yanga are currently tied on 61 points on the 18-team table but the former have played four matches fewer, while Azam FC are third with 60 points from 30 matches.

Reigning Football Kenya Federation champions Gor Mahia are set to play Cusco FC in the FKF Cup Round of 32.

K'Ogalo advanced after eliminating Congo Boys from the competition after the Nairobi-based side claimed a 3-0 win with Tito Okello, John Macharia, and Clifton Miheso on target. 

Their fierce rivals AFC Leopards have been handed a tricky tie against Posta Rangers. The two teams faced off just last weekend in the league and the match ended in a goalless draw.

In that match, Isaac Kipyegon was sent off in the 49th minute for a professional foul.

It was a game that coach Patrick Aussems was not happy with in terms of officiating. 

"It is just about the performance, I think we made a better performance 10 against 15 we didn’t play 10 against 11, in the second period we played 10 against 15, 11 players from Posta, the pitch, and three referees," he told Goal afterward.

"I don’t like to talk about the referees but you know I have to congratulate my players because it was not easy for them, everything was against us, I repeat, everything was against us and the second half even, with one player less we had some opportunities so it is a little bit disappointing because we only got one point."

League leaders KCB will play Transfoc while Tusker will also play Marafiki FC. Sofapaka will entertain Ulinzi Stars.

The Round of 32 will be played on June 1/2 with the quarter-finals scheduled for June 9/10. The semi-finals will be played three days later.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

1. Mara Sugar vs NYSA (Awendo Green Stadium, 14:00)
2. Egerton vs Administration Police (Egerton Uni. Grounds Nakuru, 14:00)
3. Malindi Progressive vs Luanda Villa (Alaskan Grounds, 14:00)
4. Bandari vs Dimba Patriots (Mbaraki Grounds, 14:00)
5. Marafiki vs Tusker (Kinunga Stadium, 15:00)
6. Kajiado North vs Sigalagala TTI (GEMS Cambridge, 13:00)
7. KCB vs Transfoc (GEMS Cambridge, 15:15)
8. Bungoma Superstars vs Nation (Sudi Stadium, 14:00)
9. Fortune Sacco vs Nairobi City Stars (Kianyaga Grounds, 14:00)
10. Twomoc vs Vegpro (Nakuru ASK Showgrounds, 14:00)
11. Equity vs Keroka TTI (Thika Stadium Kitale, 15:00)
12. Bidco United vs Tywford (Thika Stadium, 15:15)
13. AFC Leopards vs Posta Rangers (Kasarani Stadium, 15:00)

Wednesday, June 2, 2021
1. Gor Mahia vs CUSCO (Mbaraki Grounds/ Kasarani Stadium, 15:00)
2. Kariobangi Sharks vs Tandaza (Utalii Grounds, 15:00)
3. Sofapaka vs Ulinzi Stars (Wundanyi Stadium, 15:00)