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Former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has signed a two-year contract extension at Vissel Kobe.

Iniesta called time on his illustrious 20-year career at Barca to take up a new challenge in Japan back in 2018.

The 36-year-old has since become a talismanic figure at Vissel Kobe, who have managed to tie him down to fresh terms that will see him remain at The Noevir Stadium Kobe until 2023.

What's been said?

Iniesta expressed his delight after the announcement on Tuesday, telling reporters: “Three years ago, we announced an exciting project here in Tokyo.

"The new challenge was a big one for me and my family. I am grateful to the chairman and the people involved in the club for their continued trust even after three years.

“Although it was a difficult period, we have built up history, such as winning titles for the club. Today is a special day.

“The most important thing for me is to feel that people around me value me. I want to continue with the passion I had when I came three years ago.

"I'm excited to be involved in the project for the next two years."

Iniesta's record at Vissel Kobe

Iniesta has racked up 77 appearances across all competitions for Vissel Kobe over the past three seasons, including three at the start of their 2021 campaign.

The ex-Spain international has contributed 16 goals and 18 assists to the J-League outfit's cause, helping them win the Emperor's Cup and Japanese Super Cup.

Iniesta's Barca career

Iniesta began his career at Barca in 2002 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy, and went on to become one of the best players in European football.

The World Cup winner recorded 57 goals and 139 assists in 674 games for the Blaugrana, winning 30 trophies along the way, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.

Further reading

Shree Cement Limited's Managing Director Hari Mohan Bangur has expressed his displeasure over the ongoing deadlock between the company and Kolkata giants East Bengal.

In an interview with TV9 Bangla, Bangur blamed the club officials' negligence in signing the final agreement, which has halted the team-building process of the club before the upcoming season.

What did Hari Mohan Bangur say?

"I am not sure about the future of East Bengal. I don't know how to give hope to the supporters? While we know that the supporters are waiting, we don’t want to make false promises. Today the situation has reached this place due to the negligence of the East Bengal officials. They have been holding the matter for six months by not signing the final agreement. It is a one-minute job, but they are taking so much time. How will that work?"

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played an active role in bringing Shree Cement as the investors of East Bengal. The term sheet of the agreement between the club and the investors was signed in the secretariat building of the West Bengal Government in the presence of the Chief Minister herself.

The Shree Cement Managing Director, though, does not want to involve the Chief Minister right away as he suggested that there is still time for the officials to complete the procedure.

"At the moment, we don't want to involve Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. There is still time. The issue can get resolved as soon as the club officials sign the agreement."  

What is happening in East Bengal?

On March 24, 2021, Shree Cement had sent out an ultimatum to the club officials regarding their signature on the final agreement between the two parties. They had also attached the term sheet based on which the final agreement was drafted.

The term sheet was signed by both parties in September 2020 on the basis of which the club’s sporting rights as well all its assets and properties (including intellectual) were transferred to the newly formed company Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation - a Joint Venture between the two parties.

The East Bengal club officials, on the other hand, have maintained the stance that a few clauses in the final agreement differ from the term sheet. But the investor continues to refute their claims.

Due to the uncertainty, German midfielder Matti Steinmann has left the club despite having one more year in his contract with the club. Another star player Bright Enobakhare is also unlikely to sign a contract extension with the Red and Golds.

Further reading

Shree Cement sends ultimatum

Steinmann leaves, Bright unlikely to extend stay

What are the demands of East Bengal officials?

Former West Ham United and Rennes striker Diafra Sakho has reportedly joined Djibouti Premier League club Arta/Solar7.

According to Galsenfoot, the 31-year-old Senegal international has penned a deal with the reigning Djiboutian champions, several months after leaving Neuchatel Xamax at the end of 2019-20 season.

Sakho joins former Arsenal and Barcelona star Alexandre Song and former Galatasaray centre-back Dany Nounkeu at the Stade El Hadj Hassan Gouled.

After five seasons at French side Metz – where he was voted Ligue 2 Player of the Year for the 2013–14 season, the striker joined Premier League side, West Ham, on August 14, 2014 for an undisclosed fee.

"I really love English football and I've dreamed of coming to play for one of the big English clubs. West Ham have given me that opportunity and I didn't hesitate to grab it,” Sakho told West Ham TV upon arrival at Upton Park.

"I've come here to continue as I was at Metz. I'm going to give it my all, going flat out on the pitch and I think the fans will appreciate that."

After struggling with injuries and form, the right-footed attacker garnered 18 goals in 62 Premier League games.

In 2018, he returned to the French league after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal with Rennes and went on to score three goals in 16 matches across all competitions.

Sadly, the Red and Blacks announced the termination of Sakho's contract, six months before its expiry. Before then, he was loaned to Turkish Super Lig club Bursaspor where he spent the entire 2018-19 campaign.

In Turkey, his return of three goals in 20 Super Lig outings was not enough to save Bursaspor from relegation to the second tier.

On June 19, 2020, the Senegalese joined Swiss Super League side Xamax on a deal until the end of the season. Nonetheless, he left the club at the end of his deal after failing to score in eight appearances.

In Djibouti, he would be hoping to revive his stuttering career.

Arta/Solar 7 are reigning Djibouti Premier League which automatically guarantees them a place in next season’s Caf Champions League.

The Simba SC and Yanga SC players missed out on millions of shillings promised after the Kariakoo Derby was postponed on May 8.

According to Mwanaspoti, Wekundu wa Msimbazi - who were the hosts - failed to pocket TSh240 million while Timu ya Wananchi did not go home with Tsh540 million as the match was not played in the end.

The match was called off when Yanga opposed the move to have the game be played at 19:00 EAT.

The Tanzania Football Federation and the Premier League board had scheduled the kick-off time at 17:00 EAT before it was pushed forward, a move that saw Yanga object to the new time.

Simba's board vice-chairman, Said Abdallah, said they have now set their focus on their next games, but the promise made to the players remains.

"The eyes are now on the next games and when we will know the date to face Yanga, we will then see if to maintain the promise or add some more money," Abdallah told Mwanaspoti.

Yanga, who have given their players a one-day break, had promised them Tsh540 million shillings - Tsh231 million more than what Simba's stars were promised - had they picked up a win against the traditional rivals.

"We hoped to win and get more confidence before we proceed with our Caf Champions League pursuit," a player from the Simba camp who spoke anonymously told the same publication.

After the postponement of the highly-anticipated game, Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said he has ordered clarification on the situation.

“After the disappointment, we have ordered the Ministry of Sports to make an announcement on when the game will be played and also give direction how the fans who had paid for tickets would claim their money," Majaliwa said on Monday.

"The act to postpone the game angered Tanzanians and even people from across the world. These teams carry the image of Tanzanian football and thus there is a need to know the fate of the Kariakoo Derby.

"I would like to urge the Tanzanians, especially the soccer fans, who had made arrangements to watch the game either at the stadium or through the television, to be patient. 

"They need to be patient as the ministry of sports and TFF look into the matter with an aim of coming up with a solution."

Manchester City already have the Carabao Cup trophy under their belt, but they still have their sights on winning the treble, with the Premier League and Champions League titles still on the horizon.

Pep Guardiola's side have been frontrunners for the Premier League title for a good chunk of the season, and it is only a matter of time before they are officially named champions.

There's still a bit left to do before they are declared winners, though, so when could they win the title? Goal takes a look.

The Citizens only need three points to lift the title.

Manchester City could be crowned Premier League champions before their next game against Newcastle on Friday - and it all rests on the shoulders of their crosstown rivals.

Since second-placed Manchester United can only finish the season on a maximum of 82 points should they win their remaining games, City will win the league should Man Utd lose to Leicester on Tuesday.

Man City can also win the league should Man Utd fail to beat both Leicester and Liverpool on Thursday.

But if the Red Devils beat both Leicester and Liverpool, Guardiola's side will need to wait until they play Newcastle on Friday, in a game they must win.

Man City can only accumulate a maximum of 89 points this season, so there will be no Centurion record this campaign.

The Sky Blues had the opportunity to wrap up the Premier League against Chelsea on Saturday at the Etihad, who they will also be facing in the highly-anticipated Champions League final.

They needed a victory against the Londoners to win the league, but Thomas Tuchel's side managed to overcome a 1-0 deficit to win the game 2-1.

Raheem Sterling scored the opener for the hosts, but goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso meant that City's celebrations were put off for an additional week.

Sergio Aguero had the opportunity to double City's lead to make it 2-0, but fumbled his Panenka spot-kick.

“It is his decision,” Guardiola told Sky Sports about the missed penalty. “The taker has to take decisions. 

“I say to him, take one decision and take it full commitment. He decided to do it this way.

“In 21 days we are going to face them again in the final of the Champions League,” Guardiola added on facing Chelsea.

“We will learn from that and try and win the three points we need to be [Premier League] champions.”

Juventus have no plans to make a decision on coach Andrea Pirlo’s future before the end of the season.

The former Italy international has presided over Juve’s worst season since 2011, as they have come up well short in their bid to win a 10th Serie A title in a row.

Defeat to AC Milan on Sunday has cast doubt on their ability to secure a place in the top four, and with it Champions League qualification, but Pirlo’s position is safe for now.

Pirlo has faith of Juve

Goal sources can confirm that Juventus retain faith in their coach, and he will be in charge for the game with Sassuolo on Wednesday.

Reports in Italy claimed Juve were considering the option of sacking Pirlo this week and placing Igor Tudor in caretaker control, but that suggestion has been denied.

Big two weeks for Pirlo

With three games remaining in the Serie A season, Juventus are sat in fifth in the table - a point adrift of Napoli and three behind Milan and Atalanta.

Following the trip to Sassuolo, Juventus entertain Serie A champions Inter and complete the league season with an away game at Bologna.

While disappointed to have seen their Serie A crown taken by Inter, Juve hope Pirlo can oversee three wins and secure qualification for the Champions League.

At that point, the club’s board would make a decision on whether to give Pirlo a second season at the helm or make a change.

Should they come up short in the race for the top four, Pirlo’s position would in all likelihood become untenable.

Further reading

Scott Parker has described himself as “bitterly disappointed, hurt, gutted” but is committed to Fulham - provided the club show the desire to break their ‘rollercoaster' cycle.

Defeat to Burnley on Monday confirmed their relegation to the Championship, which came on the back of promotion the previous season.

Parker said his players cannot be faulted for their commitment, but a lack of quality cost them their place in the top flight.

What has been said?

“I am bitterly disappointed, hurt, gutted,” Parker told Sky Sports.

“While this has been looming over us for some time now, there are no words at this present time to describe this other than I am gutted that we have not been successful this year.”

Microcosm of a season

Fulham revived their hopes of survival with a five-game unbeaten run through February, while they beat Liverpool at Anfield at the start of March to get back in touch with the likes of Newcastle and Brighton.

However, they picked up only one more point from the six games that followed victory at Anfield.

Although unlikely, they had an outside chance of survival had they beaten Burnley - but they delivered an abject display and were comprehensively outperformed by Sean Dyche’s side.

“That game summed up the season,” Parker said. “In between both boxes this year we have had our moments and looked a good side, but where we have fallen short is the other side of that.

“Tonight, defensively the two goals are poor goals. And while we get the ball in the right areas, in those clinical moments you need the final details, the weight of the pass and the clinicalness to score goals and we have fallen a little short.

“You need more than effort and we just lacked that bit of quality."

The need to break the cycle

Fulham are threatening to become a yo-yo club. They were relegated from the top flight in the 2018-19 season, only to bounce back immediately last term.

Relegation for the second time in three seasons is a concern for Parker, who suggested he wants commitment from the club to learn from their mistakes.

“We need to work out very quickly as a football club where we went wrong this year,” Parker said. “We are on a rollercoaster at the moment: relegation, promotion, relegation. 

“We need to get off that cycle; we need to make some big decisions, where we need to improve.

“I have been committed since I came here. That has always been the case. 

“What is vitally important for me is we sit down, we analyse, we learn and we are brave enough to put our hands up and admit where we went wrong. 

“We can’t go through the same cycle. We have to break that cycle and work out what we need to do to move this club forward. 

"My aim is to come into this league and stay there, then move the club forward. That is going to be key.”

Further reading

Bilel Aouacheria was sent off for the first time ever in his professional career as Farense lost 5-1 to FC Porto in Monday’s Portuguese Primeira Liga outing.

Playing his 17th game in the 2020-21 campaign, the French winger of Algerian background was shown the way out by referee Tiago Martins.

A dangerous tackle on Wilson Manafa on the half-hour mark saw him red-carded – thus, seeing Jorge Costa’s team reduced to ten men.

Unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, the Dragoons welcomed the Lions of Faro at the Estadio do Dragao.

Six minutes into the game, Mehdi Taremi put them ahead from the penalty spot after VAR replays adjudged that Lica had handled the ball with his arm.

Although goalkeeper Beto guessed the right direction, he was unable to stop the Iran international’s kick from sailing into the net.

In the 14th minute, Antonio Martinez doubled the hosts’ advantage with man-of-the-match Taremi providing the assist.

Six minutes later, Luis Diaz extended Porto’s lead. Again, it was Taremi who turned provider as Sergio Conceicao’s side went into the half-time break with a 3-0 lead.

A minute before the hour mark, Taremi completed his brace after he was teed up by Brazilian midfielder Otavio who navigated his way inside the visitors’ backline from the middle.

In the 84th minute, Joao Mario completed the decimation with the fifth goal, Interestingly, it was Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin who set him up.

Not willing to go down without a fight, Farense pulled one goal back through Lica in the 89th minute.

Mali international Moussa Marega and Nigerian left-back Zaidu Sanusi were unused substitutes by the Porto, whereas, Chancel Mbemba – who was handed a starter’s role – was subbed off in the 46th minute by Diogo Leite.

Elsewhere, Guinea Bissau's Nanu and Senegal's Mamadou Loum were not listed for the tie that produced six goals.

For Farense, Angolan goalkeeper Hugo Marques was an unused substitute, while his compatriot Djalma and Guinea Bissau midfielder Bura played did not see action.

Following this massive win, Porto retained their second spot in the Portuguese topflight after accruing 74 points from 32 matches.

Cedric Bakambu was Beijing Guoan’s hero having scored twice in Monday’s 2-0 defeat of Wuhan FC in a Chinese Super League encounter.

The 30-year-old found the net in each half as the Imperial Guards silenced the Han Army to pick up their second win of the new season.

Following a shaky start to the 2021 campaign that saw them lose their first two games versus Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port, Slaven Bilic’s men returned to winning ways against Dalian Pro.

Still basking in the euphoria of that result, they travelled to the Dongxihu Sports Centre for a date with Li Pang’s side - who are without a win so far.

However, it was Bakambu who gave them a dream start with just five minutes into the game from the penalty mark.

A goal-bound Zhang Yuning was fouled in the box by Stephane Mbia – prompting referee Shunqi Tang to award a penalty. The former Villarreal man converted the ensuing kick after sending goalkeeper Chunyu Dong the wrong way.

Despite the strong response from the hosts, they were unable to level matters as the first half ended in favour of the Beijing based team.

A minute into the second half, Bakambu completed his double to hand his team a two-goal advantage. Following a defensive mishap by Wuhan defenders, the African star slotted a low shot past the goalkeeper.

That goal slowed down the fighting spirit of Pang and his team as the visiting side took control of ball possession.

Even at the introduction of Xingqi Li, Yoann Arquin, Junjian Liao and Yi Luo, Wuhan ended up on the losing side – a result which put them in the relegation zone after just four matches in Group B.

After an impressive shift, Bakambu was substituted for Chinese defender Taiyan Jin in the 90th minute.

For the hosts, Cameroon’s Mbia and Cote d’Ivoire forward Jean Kouassi were in action from start to finish.

Beijing Guoan now occupy the fourth spot in the log having accrued six points from four games - two points behind leaders Shanghai Shenhua.

While they would be hoping to consolidate on this result against Kim Jong-boo's Hebei on May 16, Wuhan would be eyeing their first win at Tianjin Tigers a day later.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Daryl Dike are among the 40 players named to the U.S. men's national team's preliminary squad for this summer's Nations League semi-finals.

CONCACAF unveiled each of the four semi-finalists' preliminary squads on Monday, with the USMNT set to face Honduras on June 3rd in Denver before taking on either Mexico or Costa Rica in the tournament finale.

Before that, though, the U.S. will have one pre-Nations League tune-up friendly as they'll take on Switzerland on May 30.

The U.S. preliminary squad

GOALKEEPERS: Ethan Horvath, Sean Johnson, David Ochoa, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner

DEFENDERS: John Brooks, Reggie Cannon, Sergino Dest, Aaron Long, Mark McKenzie, Matt Miazga, Tim Ream, Bryan Reynolds, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Sam Vines, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman

MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Luca De La Torre, Sebastian Lletget, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Owen Otasowie, Kellyn Acosta, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Jackson Yueill

FORWARDS: Paul Arriola, Tyler Boyd, Konrad De La Fuente, Daryl Dike, Nicholas Gioacchini, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Jordan Siebatcheu, Tim Weah, Gyasi Zardes

A busy summer

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter faces a hectic summer with the team also set to feature in the Gold Cup in the coming months.

With the U.S. U-23s missing out on the Olympics, the USMNT faces a slightly less strenuous summer, although Berhalter has said that he hopes to give his top stars a significant period of rest ahead of World Cup qualifying.

Knowing that, Berhalter is expected to turn to something resembling an A-Team for the Nations League with a more experimental, and perhaps domestic-based, Gold Cup squad taking the field in July.

Further reading

Ghana prodigy and reported Manchester United target Kamaldeen Sulemana scored under the watchful eyes Ajax officials as Nordsjaelland held Copenhagen to a 2-2 draw in the Danish Superliga on Monday.

The topic of transfer speculations, the 19-year-old was not weighed down by pressure as he put up a splendid performance in the matchday 22 fixture at Right to Dream Park.

The strike was his 10th league goal of the season, the game his 26 appearance.

Ajax director of football Marc Overmars was spotted in the stands as the Dutch giants are reportedly looking to quickly seal a deal for the Ghanaian as competition for the attacker's signature intensifies.

Manchester United are among the biggest clubs in the race for the Ghanaian while French side Olympique Marseille, German outfit Bayer Leverkusen and Belgian fold Club Brugge are also said to be in contention.

The attacker broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, beating his marker to pounce on a Jacob Christensen ball over the top but Copenhagen hit back just two minutes later through Jens Stage.

In the 68th minute, Nordsjaelland restored their lead through Martin Frese but Stage was at hand once again to draw the visitors’ level, this time in the 71st minute.

Having hit double figures, Kamaldeen will hope to continue his scoring form in their last three matches of the season.

Ajax have reportedly had a first offer for the Ghanaian turned down, the club having been said to have made an unsuccessful attempt to bring him to Amsterdam during the January transfer window.

According to reports, Nordsjaelland have priced the attacker at €14 million while the Lancers made a first bid of €9 million.

With Manchester United entering the fray amid offers from Leverkusen, OL and Club Brugge, FCN are unlikely to reduce their demands.

The teenager joined FCN from affiliate Ghanaian club Right to Dream Academy in a five-year deal last year, scoring four times in 13 appearances in a half-season spell in 2019-20.

A full Ghana international, the winger made his international debut in a friendly fixture against Mali in October last year, and currently has two caps to his name.

Arsenal fans have turned on owner Stan Kroenke and manager Mikel Arteta despite the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat of West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

After being knocked out of the Europa League by Villarreal, the North London outfit had to silence the Baggies to stay in the hunt for a top-seven finish in the Premier League.

With three matches to the end of 2020-21 campaign, the Gunners are already mathematically out of contention for a Champions League berth, and it appears unlikely for the Emirates Stadium giants to earn a spot in the Europa League next term.

With that in mind, the club’s fans have slammed the owner and the Spaniard for Arsenal’s woeful run this season and they have taken to social media to ask the duo to quit their roles as they demand a new beginning. 

Gary Neville says it is “massive news” that Edinson Cavani has signed a new deal at Manchester United.

The Uruguayan was tipped to leave at the end of the season, but he has committed his future to the club for another campaign.

Neville has admitted he was not convinced when the Red Devils signed Cavani last year, but was delighted to be proved wrong and feels United are a better team with the 34-year-old leading the line.

What has been said?

“I think it is massive news,” Neville told Sky Sports. “I was one of those who was a skeptic when United signed Cavani. 

“Thinking about how the transfer windows have gone in recent years, where they've signed people late, it did not look to be part of the plan, desperation.

“They chased [Jadon] Sancho all summer, did not get him, and got Cavani at the end who was touted to go to MLS (Major League Soccer).

“But I think he has been absolutely sensational in every single way. His attitude, his commitment, his impact on the other players.”

Old-school centre forward

Cavani is in the autumn of his career, but he has made a huge impact at Old Trafford and Neville feels the "throwback" striker is a key figure for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“Manchester United can press better from the front when he’s there,” Neville said. “They have a better target man to hit.

“This is a throwback, a classic centre forward who makes brilliant runs. 

“He has been an absolute joy. We questioned at the beginning if he could do it for Manchester United, but he has done it and I am delighted he is going to be at Manchester United next season.”

What’s the plan?

While Neville is thrilled United have persuaded Cavani to commit himself to the club, he is unsure what the plan is.

The likes of Borussia Dortmund forward Sancho and Tottenham striker Harry Kane have been linked, but Neville does not know what United will do in the summer transfer window on the back of the Cavani news.

“They are a better team with him in it,” Neville said. “Question marks over the age, but the timing of his runs and finishing are the best in the league.

“Without him, this season would have been completely different.

“It does beg the question what United’s plans are for next season, but I’m glad he’s part of it.”

Further reading

Ghana Football Association technical director Bernard Lippert believes the Black Stars need to play an attractive brand of football to achieve their next two major objectives.

The Black Stars have set their sights on securing qualification for the 2022 World Cup and as well win the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.

Ghana are looking to end what will be a 40-year drought in the January 9 - February 6 continental finals.

"We have to get used to [the players] and find a final squad, and we also have to establish this team," Lippert has told Citi Sports .

"If we really want to qualify for the World Cup and be successful in the Afcon, we have to get a little bit more quality and we have to play more successful and maybe also more attractive football."

Ghana handed Sao Tome and Principe a 3-1 defeat and drew 1-1 with South Africa to secure qualification for the upcoming Afcon finals.

“[My time with the Black Stars] is honestly too short to judge everything now after just five months. We are still in the process of selection," Lippert, who took over as Ghana technical director in October last year, said earlier this month . 

"We have a lot of players, I think more than 50, and it’s time to finish the selection process and concentrate on a squad of 25 to 30 players and really prepare them tactically and in group tactics to make the team really strong.

“We played almost every match with a different squad and this, in my opinion, was maybe a little bit too many changes because we changed too often. 

"But at the end of the day it was also necessary to find out the best players. We have a new coaching staff so we also will love to get used to them and find a final squad.”

The final draw for the Afcon finals will be conducted on June 25.

In the World Cup qualifiers, Ghana have been drawn against South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe in the second round, which was originally set to commence next month but has now been postponed to September. 

The Football Kenya Federation has confirmed the FKF Premier League will resume on May 14 and not 12 as earlier planned.

The Kenyan top-flight was pencilled in to return on Wednesday but in a statement to the clubs and seen by Goal, the date has now been moved to May 14.

A statement signed by the federation CEO Barry Otieno has also confirmed all players and officials from the 18 clubs in the league will be tested for Covid-19 before resuming action.

“Reference is made to the national presidential address made on May 1, 2021, allowing the resumption of sporting activities,” read the statement from Otieno, sent to all the clubs in the league.

“In this regard and in consultation with the Ministry of Sports, we wish to inform you FKF plans to kick off the Premier League on May 14, 2021, under strict observance of existing government Covid-19 protocols and the FKF/Caf Covid-19 competition protocols.

“Consequently, we wish to inform you that in accordance with the Ministry of Health and FKF Covid-19 protocols, all premier league clubs must be tested for Covid-19 before the aforementioned planned league kick-off date.

“In view of the above, we wish to inform you FKF plans to roll out the Covid-19 testing exercise tomorrow [Tuesday, May 11, 2021, therefore, we kindly but urgently request your club to provide the federation with the below-listed details by tomorrow [Tuesday], May 11, 8.00 am to guide the testing process.

“A list of 25 players and 30 officials to be tested, and the club contact persons by his/her number and email address.”

The FKF has further warned clubs that can not make the deadline to submit the required information will be forced to foot their own bills in the exercise of testing the players and officials.

“Please note any club that fails to provide the aforementioned information within the stipulated timeline will be required to cater for the cost of Covid-19 testing,” concluded the statement.

The suspension of sports was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 26, after a spike in the numbers of coronavirus cases in the country, a decision that saw the federation initially suspend the top-flight until further notice.

However, on May 1, Kenyatta confirmed the suspension on sporting activities had been lifted but maintained action can only return under strict guidelines from both the Ministries of Health and Sports.

Didier Deschamps has said there will not be any shock call-ups for France at Euro 2020.

Les Bleus will head into this summer’s European Championship among the favourites for glory after winning the World Cup in 2018.

Deschamps has used a largely settled squad through qualifying, and there will be no place for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema or those who have not featured in his plans thus far.

What has been said?

“I am not Santa Claus, I am not here to announce surprises,” Deschamps told Kicker. "I am fine-tuning it little by little. I have players who, like Bayern Munich's Corentin Tolisso, are still recovering, and I do not yet have all the information on their condition.”

Fingers crossed for remainder of the season

Deschamps will announce his preliminary squad on May 18, but with the season running until the Champions League final on May 29, the France coach is aware injuries could still play a part.

“I will announce my squad on May 18th, but there are matches after that,” Deschamps said. “I will have players who will participate in the two European cup finals. 

“Hopefully everything will turn out well, because unfortunately we cannot avoid the unexpected. 

“The only list that matters is the one we send to UEFA on June 1 at midnight."

Tough task facing France

It’s arguable that France have been placed in the proverbial group of death.

While Netherlands, for example, have been handed a fairly favourable group alongside Austria, North Macedonia and Ukraine, France’s pool is far tougher as they have been placed with Germany, Hungary and defending champions Portugal.

The top two in each group advance to the knockout stages, but there is still a route to glory for the four best third-placed teams.

Further reading

Former Hearts of Oak managing director Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe believes Ghana boss CK Akonnor is more than capable of leading the nation to Africa Cup of Nations victory despite some skepticism about the coach’s competence.

Since assuming duty as Black Stars head coach later year, Akonnor's ability has been questioned on multiple occasions.

Last month, the president of Ghana Premier League side King Faisal, Alhaji Grunsah, expressed a lack of belief in Akonnor, saying the coach has "nothing better" to offer in the desperate search for an elusive fifth Afcon title.

“I disagree with Alhaji Grusah. Respectfully he is a mentor," Armstrong-Mortagbe told Class FM.

"Having said that, you need to see the context in which he was speaking from. I haven’t monitored fully his justification for saying that we need to replace CK Akonnor.

“In terms of what I know about CK Akonnor, his background, his pedigree, his level of exposure and his application to his tasks, if he gets the support from especially the playing body and the leadership of the playing body and utilises his backroom staff, I don’t see why he cannot go on to lead us to win the Africa Cup of Nations."

Akonnor was appointed Ghana coach in January last year with a mandate to lead the Black Stars to Afcon glory in Cameroon next year, and as well guide the team to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

The West Africans have already booked a ticket for the upcoming continental championship in what will be their 23rd appearance at the tournament.

“I’m a Ghanaian, I can’t support Burkina Faso or any other country than Ghana but this coach has nothing better to lead our team for the trophy," Grunsah, whose King Faisal Ghana Premier League side are led by Turkish coach Kasim Gokyildiz, said last month.

"I believe we can win the trophy but not with this coach, Ghana needs a white coach because football is managed by a critical thinking person and I know you understand me well."

Ghana last won the Afcon tournament in 1982, their earlier titles coming in 1963, 1965 and 1978.