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Mikel Arteta has warned against putting too much expectation on William Saliba ahead of next season.

Arsenal signed the centre-back last summer from Saint-Etienne in a £27 million ($33m) deal and immediately loaned him back to the Ligue 1 outfit for the 2019-20 campaign.

Despite being just 19 and having only made 32 senior appearances in his career so far, there are many who believe the teenager is going to come in and immediately improve the Arsenal defence next season.

But Arteta believes it would be unfair to put too much pressure on the Frenchman ahead of his debut campaign in the Premier League.

“I know how high the expectations are on him for next year but we have to bear in mind the age that he’s at and what he’s done in the past,” said Arsenal’s head coach.

“We have to make sure we create the right environment for him so he can keep growing as a player.”

Saliba has managed just 15 appearances for Saint-Etienne this season due to two significant injury issues.

A hamstring problem saw him miss the opening month of the campaign before a fractured metatarsal saw him sidelined for nearly three months over the turn of the year.

While he was sidelined, Saliba spent some time at Arsenal and has been in contact with Arteta since he replaced Unai Emery in December.

“I’ve spoken with him a few times,” said the Spaniard. “He’s been around here a few times as well.

“We’ve been following him this season. Again, as a young player he had a difficult season with the injuries he’s had but it’s part of his process.”

Although the Ligue 1 season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Coupe de France final is still scheduled to be played on July 24 and will be between Saint-Etienne and Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal have been in talks with Saint-Etienne ahead of the game, with the French club keen for Saliba to be involved - but the situation has been complicated as the defender’s loan ends on Tuesday, June 30.

Arteta has revealed, however, that the centre-back will be able to feature in the final.

“I think he needs to stay there, we’ve got an agreement with Saint-Etienne,” said Arsenal’s head coach.

“He’s been all year over there, he’s earned his right to play that final if the manager wants him to do that

"I think we have to give him the opportunity to do that, to enjoy that and we can have him after.”

Kenyans from all walks of life have united to pray for the quick recovery of former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno who was hospitalised with Covid-19 symptoms on Tuesday.

According to Collin Okinyo, Otieno’s brother-in-law, the long-serving defender was admitted to the hospital after undergoing several tests including that of the coronavirus.

Otieno served the national team from 1993 to 2009 and made 105 appearances including the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Tunisia.

He won Kenyan Premier League (KPL) titles with AFC Leopards in 1992 before doing the same with Kenya Breweries, now Tusker, in 1997. He left for South Africa in 1997 to join Santos FC and became one of the key figures as they lifted the league title in the 2001/02 season.

Otieno left Santos on loan to Cleveland City Stars before returning to the Lansdowne club and retired in 2011.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa is among those who have wished the towering defender a quick recovery.

Below is how Kenyans reacted to the news.

Timo Werner admits to having had “several offers” on the table before opting to make a move to Chelsea, with the Germany international having sparked talk of interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Inter.

Having become one of the most sought-after talents in European football, the prolific frontman swung open an exit door at RB Leipzig.

A clamour to secure his signature was set into motion, with many aware of the benefits that the proven 24-year-old could add to their ranks.

Liverpool appeared to be leading the chase at one stage, but an alternative Premier League destination has been found.

Chelsea have triggered the £54 million ($66m) release clause in Werner’s contract and will shortly welcome him onto their books, as the promising forward will not be sticking around at Leipzig to complete their Champions League campaign.

Werner is delighted with his decision, having been talked into a move to west London by Frank Lampard, with a number of other enticing bids having been shunned in order to link up with the Blues.

"I agreed a few weeks ago," Werner told Sportbuzzer of a long-running saga.

"The whole thing was quite unproblematic because I had a lot of time to think about it before the corona [virus] period.

"It's no secret that there were several offers."

Quizzed on whether he could have ended up at United, Liverpool or Inter, Werner added: "It could have been.

"There were some top clubs that fought for me. The entire Chelsea-London package was the best for me, my game and my career.

"The game is played more often in England than in Germany, so there is not much time left for training. But it's true, I still have to prove myself and go full throttle."

Having missed out on Werner, or opted against following up their initial interest, United and Liverpool are turning their attention elsewhere.

Both have been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, although it remains to be seen whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp will be given the funds required to land their top targets.

Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is a natural-born winner who has proven he does not like to be in "the comfort zone" throughout his glittering career, says Abel Xavier.

Since joining Manchester United as a prodigious teenager, Ronaldo has racked up the biggest collective and individual prizes in world football.

In six years with the Red Devils, Ronaldo won three Premier League trophies, two EFL Cups, an FA Cup and the Champions League in 2008.

That tradition of winning continued during nine prolific seasons with Real Madrid, during which time he became Los Blancos' all-time record goalscorer, won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League on four occasions.

Ronaldo opted to depart Madrid for Juventus ahead of the 2018-19 campaign and lifted the Serie A trophy and Supercoppa Italiana during that debut term.

Another league title with Juve appears on the horizon, with the Bianconeri sitting four points clear of Lazio with 10 games remaining.

Former Liverpool and Roma full-back Xavier says Ronaldo is fuelled by undertaking different challenges and would be successful wherever he plays.

"He's a winner and his mental focus is great," the ex-Portugal international told Stats Perform News of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner .

"You realise he does not like the comfort zone. He was in Madrid, he won; he was at Man United, he won; he's at Juventus and has also won things.

"Wherever he goes, he is going to win – individually and collectively.

"Of course, there is going to arrive a moment when he is not going to be able to produce the same style of football, but when you're looking to win – concerning the goalscoring positions – he is one of the best.

"Nowadays, the effort [for the team] is to try and put him in the right place to score. His qualities now are more a finisher, being in the right place to finish.

"For me, as a Portuguese, and for all people who love football, we admire him. He's a great player, a great athlete and a great team-mate in football."

Ronaldo is now 35 but Xavier sees no let-up in his hunger for glory and says helping Juve defend their title will be at the forefront of his season aims.

"I think that is his main goal. That is his main objective because he's a winner," Xavier added.

"I know him from my time as a player when he was a young player who started to be integrated into the national team environment.

"I believe he is still intact, he is still a very strong-minded, focused person. And he wants to win titles. He wants to win titles individually, he wants to win them collectively."

Earlier this season, which was disrupted for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ronaldo was reported to have fallen out with Juve boss Maurizio Sarri, with rumours exacerbated by the head coach substituting a talismanic figure in two straight games when Juve were not in front.

Xavier believes regardless of the personal relationship between the two they will always be brought together by their shared desire for success.

"They've been having a few problems recently. A moment arrives for a coach when it becomes hard because you need to manage egos, you need to be able to keep forming the players and putting in the correct identity for your style of play," said Xavier.

"The players need to accept that to be together.

"But, I don't know if the administration will make a decision on that, concerning the coach. But the leadership of the players is very important and they still have the chances and opportunities to win two important titles – Serie A and the Champions League.

"Whatever is happening with the coaching position, they have these two main objectives to be focused on."

Kieran Trippier has heaped praise upon Arsenal target Thomas Partey, insisting his Atletico Madrid team-mate would "fit in perfectly in the Premier League".

Partey rose through the academy ranks at Atletico before making the step up to the senior squad in 2015 following loan spells at Mallorca and Almeria, and has since managed to establish himself as a key member of Diego Simeone's squad.

The 27-year-old has featured in 179 games for the club in total, scoring 15 goals, while also getting his hands on Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winners' medals.

The 2019-20 season has been arguably Partey's best yet for Atletico, with his best performances coming during a two-legged Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.

The Ghana international was linked with a move to Anfield after helping Simeone's side knock the Reds out of Europe, but Arsenal have been touted as a more likely next destination for the midfielder in recent times.

The Gunners are reportedly considering triggering the £45 million ($55m) release clause in Partey's current contract, as Mikel Arteta looks to make several changes to his squad this summer.

Trippier doesn't think his Atletico colleague would "have a problem" making the transition from La Liga to the Premier League, even though he would prefer to see him remain in the Spanish capital.

"I'd seen him play for Atletico but I didn't realise how good he is," the Atletico right-back said on The Beautiful Game podcast.

"He's unbelievable, his physicality, how he breaks up play. Technically he's got everything. 

"He ranks as one of the best midfielders I've played with, but Mousa [Dembele] is Mousa and he's on a different planet that guy. Even in training, he was in cruise control.

"Thomas is still a very young player and everyone loves him out here.

"Going to the Premier League who knows? Obviously I want him to stay here because he's a valuable member to our team.

"He speaks perfect English, very good English. I don't think he'd have a problem with the Premier League."

Asked whether he has been educating Partey on English football behind the scenes at Wanda Metropolitano, Trippier responded: "Not really. Obviously everyone watches the Premier League.

"He just asks what's it like, the style of play, but a few players have. It doesn't mean they are leaving by the way!

"It's just about certain players who play in the league, what it's like and I just say, 'the Premier League is the Premier League and is one of the best leagues in the world'.

"Thomas will fit in perfectly in the Premier League."

Pep Guardiola will not allow Liverpool to run away with the Premier League title again next season, says Stephen Ireland, with the Manchester City boss fully aware of “how much work has to be done” at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues, who secured an historic domestic treble in 2018-19, have been knocked from the top of the tree in English football by resurgent rivals at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s record-setting outfit have swept aside all before them in the league this season, with a first crown in 30 years wrapped up with seven games to spare.

City can still end the campaign with another three pieces of silverware to their name, but there is a notable gap to be closed on Liverpool.

Ireland expects that to be addressed by Guardiola, who is still waiting to discover whether a two-year European ban for his side will be upheld and what impact that will have on his plans.

Forays into the transfer market may be made by the Blues, with there issues to address at the heart of their back four, while the talismanic presence of David Silva is also set to depart at the end of his contract.

Former City midfielder Ireland told Sky Sports of the challenges facing dethroned champions: “Manchester City, I guess it’s a bit of a rebuilding year.

“David Silva is on his way out, [Vincent] Kompany left and they didn’t quite replace him.

“It’s a bit of an eye-opener just how much work has to be done now throughout the summer period.

“Seeing as Liverpool are pushing on, that gap is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Man City struggled to start clawing it back.

“I can’t see the gap being this big again next year because I don’t think Guardiola will allow that to happen. I think it’s been a bit of a lesson for everybody.”

Guardiola has vowed to stick around and lead another title charge from City in 2020-21, but his current contract is due to expire at the end of that campaign and no extension has been agreed by the Catalan coach as yet.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have Klopp tied to terms through to 2024 and are determined to ensure that they build on the progress they have made over the course of the last 12 months.

Adrian is among those revelling in the success enjoyed by Liverpool over the course of the last 12 months, with the Reds keeper eager to point out that few teams can claim to have been champions of England, Europe and the world.

That is a standing that Jurgen Klopp’s side currently savour after enjoying a stunning run of form.

With a barren run on the trophy front having been ended by a Champions League triumph in June 2019, the floodgates have been opened at Anfield when it comes to the collection of major silverware.

Adrian played his part in a UEFA Super Cup success, with the Club World Cup added to a notable roll of honour in December.

A first English top-flight crown in 30 years has now been wrapped up by Klopp’s men, with those on the red half of Merseyside making the most of their standing at the very top of the global game.

Adrian told Liverpool’s official website: “[It’s] all the smiles on the faces.

“Being champions of Europe, champions of the world and champions of England - not everyone can say this, so we are champions. All of the Liverpool fans are champions and I think everyone deserves this moment.”

The Spanish shot-stopper added on landing a long-awaited Premier League crown: "It’s an outstanding sensation for everyone because we know all of us how difficult it is, even the fans who were waiting for this moment, and we did it. 

“We fight from the beginning of the season to give everything. The season has been outstanding, historical for many staff as we know, but we give that happiness and that joy to the Liverpool fans because they deserve it.

“It was euphoria all round [on Thursday]. As you know we were waiting for this for a long time. We were fighting from the beginning but this is like life, we have highs and lows.

“Last season was a really bad end of the [domestic] season because we couldn’t get the Premier League, but then we won the Champions League. 

“And this season everyone wanted to win the Premier League from the first second because everyone had the same target.

“We fight every session of training here [at Melwood], for every ball, for every second that we play, so I think we deserve it and we need to enjoy the moment - but also keep going because we have another seven games to go.”

After progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea return to Premier League action in midweek, as the race for Champions League qualification takes another twist.

While the English title race has already been concluded, it’s still all to play for in the battle to finish in the top five—with fifth place likely to result in a UCL berth unless Manchester City’s European ban is overturned.

Leicester City remain in pole position and enter their midweek fixture away at Everton in third on 55 points.

However, their form has been underwhelming since football returned, with a lack of creativity in midfield and an absence of dynamism without the injured Ricardo Pereira.

They were particularly toothless as they were eliminated from the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday, and must improve if they’re to secure a result away at Everton on Wednesday.

The Toffees have improved in recent weeks, holding Liverpool 0-0 between winning away at Norwich on Wednesday, and Brendan Rodgers’ side need a significant improvement to break them down.

In fourth place, Chelsea will be confident they can get over the line, although they face a potential banana skin in Wednesday’s London derby against West Ham United.

Frank Lampard’s side improved dramatically in the second half of their FA Cup clash against Leicester on Sunday to advance 1-0 and they will be buoyed after consecutive victories over Aston Villa and Manchester City.

While they still must play Liverpool, Manchester United and Wolves, the dark horses in the UCL qualification race, this season, the Blues have momentum on their side, and their attacking options may prove too much for the Hammers when these two collide on Wednesday.

SuperSport Fixures

Tuesday 30 June – Torino vs Lazio (Serie A)

Tuesday 30 June – Genoa vs Juventus (Serie A)

Tuesday 30 June – Brighton vs Manchester United (Premier League)

Tuesday 30 June – Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid (LaLiga)

Wednesday 1 July – Inter Milan vs Brescia (Serie A)

Wednesday 1 July – Everton vs Leicester  (Premier League)

Wednesday 1 July – West Ham vs Chelsea (Premier League)

Wednesday 1 July – Arsenal vs Norwich (Premier League)

Down in ninth, Arsenal have their work cut out to muscle their way into the top five.

They’re nine points behind Wolves, but have played a game fewer, and could climb above both Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur with a victory at home against Norwich City on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ victory over the Blades in their FA Cup quarter will have done the confidence and morale of Mikel Arteta’s side a major boost, as will the 2-0 victory at Southampton on Thursday, as they put the disappointment of consecutive defeats behind them.

Nicolas Pepe was again the hero against Sheffield United, having netted against Brighton last weekend, and the Londoners will be confident they have the edge against a Norwich side who had to play to extra time against United on Saturday.

Speaking of the Red Devils, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has returned to action in style, battling back to draw at Tottenham Hotspur in their first match after the restart, before thumping the Blades in midweek.

Admittedly, they struggled to put Norwich away on Saturday, but having given many of his starters a rest, Solskjaer will be confident they can take maximum points away at Brighton—live on SuperSport—on Tuesday evening.

There’s also Serie A action in midweek, with the top three all looking to boost their title aspirations.

Internazionale came from behind to defeat Parma at the death in dramatic fashion on Sunday and move eight points behind leaders Juventus.

Despite beginning to lose their composure, and seeing reserve keeper Tommaso Berni sent off from the bench with a 68th-minute red card for dissent, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni struck inside the final six minutes to keep the Nerazzurri’s hopes of a grandstand finish alive.

Admittedly, Juve—who are away at struggling Genoa on Tuesday—are favourites, but Antonio Conte will be acutely aware that his rivals have some tricky fixtures to come before the season’s conclusion.

Inter will be confident of taking all three points from 19th-placed Brescia on Wednesday, although they’ve displayed a certain brittleness throughout the campaign so far, and have lost two of their last five.

Lazio, on 65 points, bounced back from their 3-2 defeat by Atalanta with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on Saturday evening, and could yet be the dark horses in the title race.

Can they dispatch relegation-threatened Torino away on Tuesday evening?

In La Liga, there’s also a massive midweek match-up, as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.

The Catalan giants are fast in danger of throwing away a title that had appeared theirs for the taking and dropped two more points on Saturday when Celta Vigo twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw.

This draw, coupled with Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory at bottom-placed Espanyol on Sunday, has led to Zinedine Zidane’s side pulling out in front; they’re now two points clear of Barca with six games to go.

This one could still go either way, but third-placed Atletico, who have won their last four matches in a row, have the quality to heap further misery on Barca this Tuesday.

Alexander Nubel says he is ready to "take the next step" of his career at Bayern Munich after completing a medical and signing a five-year contract.

Bayern snapped Nubel up in January from Schalke, where he saw out the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign, after reaching an agreement over a free transfer.

The 23-year-old is now ready to join up with his new team-mates at Allianz Arena after committing his future to the Bundesliga champions through to 2025.

Nubel passed all necessary medical evaluations after arriving at the club on Tuesday morning, and has already been taken in by his impressive new surroundings.

The highly-rated keeper explained his decision to join Bayern after his move was finalised, telling the club's official website: “The first impressions are very, very good. I wanted to take the next step.

"My goal is to improve steadily and celebrate many successes with FC Bayern."

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: “We’re glad Alexander is with us now. He has decided to join FC Bayern, and we’re certain we’ll enjoy having him as our player.

"Alexander Nubel is one of the biggest goalkeeping talents, he’ll continue to improve at FC Bayern and make good progress. He’ll get every possible form of support from us.”

Nubel will now be expected to compete with Bayern legend Manuel Neuer for the No.1 jersey at the Allianz.

Questions were asked over Neuer's future at the club after the signing of the ex-Schalke star, but his performances in the second half of the season helped silence speculation.

The 34-year-old was rewarded with a new two-year contract in May, and Bayern legend Oliver Kahn expects him to retain his place in Hansi Flick's line-up until the time is right for Nubel to succeed him.

Khan told Sky90 of Bayern's move for a new keeper in June: "It was a sensible decision at the time. It is a path he is taking - to accept the situation with Manuel Neuer and to line up behind Manuel Neuer and gradually become number one."

Nubel signed his first professional contract with Schalke in 2016, and went on to feature in 53 matches for the club in all competitions.

2019-20 was another solid season for the Germany international between the sticks, but he couldn't prevent Schalke from slumping to a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have extended the contract of Eric Choupo-Moting until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The forward’s two-year deal was set to expire at the end of June but the outbreak of coronavirus means the season will be extended.

Football activities have been suspended in France and across the world since mid-March following the pandemic, including the French top-flight.

The French top division, was, however, concluded on a points-per-game basis in April and the Parisians were declared champions.  

PSG will compete for two more domestic titles, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue which have been scheduled for July 24 and 31 respectively.

The Parisians will also be contending for the Champions League trophy, a competition which has been put on hold since the outbreak of coronavirus but has now been given the green light to restart in August.

According to L'Équipe, Choupo-Moting, Thiago Silva and Sergio Rico have been handed contract extensions to enable them to play in the three competitions.

The Cameroon international made a stunning switch to the Parc des Princes outfit in the summer of 2018 following the relegation of Stoke City from the Premier League, having featured for the side in the 2017-18 season.

The forward made an impressive start to his PSG career, scoring in his first game in Ligue 1 after making his debut against Liverpool in a Champions League game.

The 31-year-old has, however, largely endured mixed fortunes since teaming up with the Parisians and in April 2019 he made a mistake that was tagged “one of the worst misses in the history of football".

In a match against Strasbourg, the forward unintentionally diverted a goal-bound effort from his teammate Christopher Nkunku in an attempt to touch the ball as it was about to cross the line.

Choupo-Moting has made 48 appearances for the Parisians across all competitions, scoring eight goals during his two-year stay with the side so far.

The forward will hope to help PSG clinch more titles before the end of this campaign and probably add more goals to his tally.

The striker has spent most of his career in Germany, playing for Hamburger, Mainz and Schalke 04.

Virgil van Dijk is “top of the list” when it comes to centre-half talent in the Premier League, admits Caglar Soyuncu, with the Leicester defender looking to take important lessons from a Liverpool title winner.

Many have a talismanic presence at Anfield in the number one spot when it comes to defensive talent in the world game.

That is because Van Dijk has starred not only on a domestic stage, but also in Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs for the Reds.

His arrival on Merseyside has coincided with a record-setting return to prominence for Liverpool, with the Netherlands international considered to have been a final piece in the puzzle for Jurgen Klopp.

Soyuncu forms part of Van Dijk’s ever-growing fan club, with the Turkish star prepared to admit that he can learn plenty from those he lines up against on a regular basis in the English top flight.

The highly-rated 24-year-old told Sky Sports: "I always watch and learn from other players.

"There are so many great defenders in this league. I wouldn't limit myself to only watching one or two teams and their players, there are so many quality players in the Premier League and I try to watch and learn from many others.

"There are so many good centre-backs playing in this league but I have to say Van Dijk is top of that list and where they [are] in the league and how he's done shows that."

Soyuncu is rapidly climbing the centre-half rankings himself, with there suggestions that he could be targeted by Manchester City as the Blues seek to find a long-term successor to Vincent Kompany.

Ilkay Gundogan, one of those already on the books at the Etihad Stadium, has claimed that the Leicester star is only behind Van Dijk when it comes to the cream of the Premier League crop – with the German ranking the Turk ahead of the likes of Harry Maguire and Aymeric Laporte.

"I agree I'm having a very good season. It's been great so far," Soyuncu added.

"Every time I play, I get better, I believe that. So to hear such good things from a player like Ilkay is very flattering. He's a great player himself."

For now, Soyuncu’s focus is locked on the present, rather than the future, with Leicester in the process of trying to rediscover a spark that will allow them to wrap up a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

A top Simba SC official has hit out at those claiming the Mainland Premier League was easy as the reason they won it with six matches to spare.

The Wekundu wa Mzimbazi were crowned champions despite a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons in their match played at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya City on Sunday.

This is after close challengers Azam FC dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Biashara United on Saturday, leaving Simba needing a point to win a third straight title and which they achieved against Prisons.

Simba Information Officer Haji Manara has now castigated those saying that the league was easy insisting it was the toughest ever season for his side.

“To win the league three times in a row is not easy, this time the league was very tough but I hear others saying the league was very easy and that is why we won with a margin of many points and with six matches to spare,” Manara told Goal on Tuesday.

“The league was very tough because every team was fighting hard every day to beat Simba and that is why it was tough for us, we want to thank God we won the league now and our focus is now on the FA Cup where we have a match on Wednesday against Azam.”

Manara revealed the team was yet to celebrate winning the league title because of the fixtures they are facing in the next weeks.

“We have not celebrated our latest achievement because we have several matches coming up, starting with the FA Cup fixture,” Manara continued.

“We only finished the game on Sunday and travelled back to Dar es Salaam and now we want to prepare well for the FA Cup match before we can confirm what plans we have to celebrate the title triumph, of course, we will celebrate, but we must make sure it is done in a right way.

“Our priority now is the game against Azam and even though I have heard one of their officials claiming we did not deserve to win the title, that the league title was handed to us, it is wrong in modern football to issue such statements, it is very wrong but we will face them and see what will happen.

“We respect Azam, we respect them in and outside the pitch, they have invested a lot and deserve to be in the league, they should respect Simba, we [Simba] showed our intentions to win the title from the first match and we were not there when Azam lost to Kagera Sugar and drew against Biashara United.

“They have lacked respect for the new champions but that is fine, I also want to thank Yanga coach [Luc Eymael] because he is a gentleman, he picked a phone and called our coach to congratulate him, that is what we call football, and not to talk bad about a team which just won the title.”

Kenya's long-serving captain Musa Otieno has been hospitalised after contracting the coronavirus, according to his brother-in-law Collins Okinyo.

The news of Otieno's hospitalisation was confirmed by Okinyo who also wished the former Harambee Star a quick recovery.

"Quick recovery to Kenyan legend, longest-serving captain at 13 years, and of course my brother-in-law Musa Otero Otieno. You will beat Covid-19, you have always been strong," Okinyo posted on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, an official of the Kenya Association of Former Footballers (KAFF) Athanus Obongo said the former Santos FC defender is doing well now.

Otieno underwent numerous tests, including that of the coronavirus, before he was admitted. 

"On Friday last week, I received a phone call from one of my friends telling me that former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno Ongao has been seen at IDH Hospital but does not look in good shape," Obongo said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"I immediately called the captain and talked to him to find out what's the problem. He told me he was having some high fever and was feeling a bit weak.

"Several tests were done on him and he was requested to go back home and come back for the results after four days. I advised him not to return home but go to Kenyatta National Hospital [KNH] for further checks."

Obongo detailed how he tried to find help so as to have the former AFC Leopards and Tusker defender undergo treatment.

He says the retired captain was attended to and was placed under the intensive care of doctors and is now doing well.

"I immediately contacted his elder brother Barrack 'Ogoji' Ouma and the Football Kenya Federation through Deputy President Madam Doris Petra and also contacted a well-known doctor who immediately swung into action," added Obongo.

"Musa was later put on oxygen and later was admitted to ward 7.  More tests were done including one for Covid-19.

"I have been in constant contact with the family and doctors and I want to assure the football family that our legend is responding well to treatment.

"On behalf of the Kenya Association of Former Footballers (KAFF) we would want to wish our captain fantastic a quick recovery and let's keep on praying for our legend.

"This statement has been approved by the family."

Otieno served the national team from 1993 to 2009 and made 105 appearances including the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Tunisia.

He won Kenyan Premier League (KPL) titles with AFC Leopards in 1992 before doing the same with Kenya Breweries, now Tusker, in 1997.

He left for South Africa in 1997 to join Santos FC and became one of the key figures as they lifted the league title in the 2001/02 season.

Otieno left Santos on loan to Cleveland City Stars before returning to the Lansdowne club and retired in 2011.

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has commended the work done by Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) after the Education City Stadium, the third host venue of World Cup 2022 to be completed, was inaugurated on schedule even amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The Spanish great opined that the completion of the venue is a signal of the better times to come. He felt the feat spoke volumes of the progress that Qatar have made in spite of being affected by Covid-19. The midfielder also expressed his gratitude to the health workers who are leading the fight against the deadly virus. 

"It was fitting that the ceremony (stadium inauguration) was dedicated to those who are working on the frontline. It has been a challenging time – but thanks to the effort and work of the authorities and all the population, I do see some light at the end of this long, dark tunnel, both here and around the world. 

"All of us, including fans, players, coaches, ambassadors, country leaders and residents of the region, have an amazing opportunity (and responsibility) to truly make a difference in delivering not only the greatest World Cup in tournament history but also a uniquely unifying tournament that pulls us together, after this unprecedented period of separation," said Xavi, who is also one of the ambassadors of SC.

Xavi is hopeful that football will resume across the world within a short time and that would, in turn, help the fans to get back to regular life. 

"I have no doubt that football will help us return to some kind of normalcy. The sport is resuming in many parts of the world. The pandemic has been a life lesson for us all. I think we will all appreciate the little things in life after this testing time. I believe football is the best and most powerful tool to unite cultures, countries and people of all backgrounds. We have the opportunity to make the World Cup in 2022 the event which brings the world together after the pandemic, and I look forward – now more than ever before – to this tournament truly delivering something more than amazing…something unique. At a time when the world needs it most," commented the former midfield maestro. 

The Education City stadium, nicknamed 'Diamond in the Desert', has a capacity of 40000 and has advanced technology like the stadium cooling and other such features. The façade features triangles that form complex, diamond-esque geometrical patterns, appearing to change colour with the sun's movement across the sky.

It has received a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) and parts of the stadium can be re-purposed after the tournament. It is the first Qatar 2022 World Cup venue to get such a rating. The arena's capacity will be reduced by half and 20,000 seats will be donated to build stadiums in developing countries, helping cultivate a passion for the game around the globe.

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca has opened up about why he left top Belgian club KRC Genk and joined the Tshwane giants.

The experienced player returned home in 2016 after nine years with Genk where he enjoyed some success with the club before he had a fall-out with his former coach Peter Maes.

Ngcongca, who won the Belgian Pro League, two Belgian Cups and Super Cup with the Smurfs, revealed he left the club on loan as he felt that Maes was disrespectful towards him.

"That thing is there; racism is alive and we can’t hide it. I have experienced it from my own coach at Genk, Peter Maes," Ngcongca told City Press.

"He led to my departure at the club [in 2016]. The incident that got me upset was during preseason training when I got kicked badly on my ankle in a friendly game and he said: ‘I thought Africans were strong.’

"I was like: ‘You say an African can be knocked down by a car and just stand up?’ Our fallout was a big story in the media in Belgium," he explained.

"Honestly, Genk were giving me good money and I did not intend to leave the club. But I had no choice because of the attitude and disrespect of this coach."

Upon his return from his loan spell at AS Troyes where he played in the French Ligue 1, Ngcongca decided to leave Genk having attracted interest from Sundowns and their PSL rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.

"I was sent on loan to France [at Troyes AC] and when I came back, Maes was still there," the Bafana Bafana international said.

"But I had already made up my mind [about leaving] after a call from coach Pitso [Mosimane] who was interested in me joining Sundowns. I had also spoken to Chiefs before the call from Sundowns."

"Yes, I spoke to Bobby [Motaung], but in the end I opted for a better offer. I am sorry if I let Chiefs down, but football is a business."

Ngcongca has had a successful spell with Sundowns having helped the team clinch five major trophies including two PSL titles and a Caf Champions League title.

Sadio Mane has outlined his ambition to achieve even "bigger things" at Liverpool following their title triumph, while insisting there is still "another step" for Jurgen Klopp's side to take towards greatness.

Liverpool's first league crown in 30 years was sewn up after Manchester City's 2-1 defeat away at Chelsea last Thursday, as they now hold an unassailable 23-point lead at the top of the table with only seven games left to play.

Klopp's men have set new standards of excellence in terms of consistency this season, winning all but three of their 31 fixtures to date to avenge their narrow loss to City in the 2018-19 title race.

The Reds are being tipped to dominate English football for the foreseeable future after adding an elusive piece of silverware to their collection, but Mane has warned that the whole squad will have to stay "hungry" in order to keep winning major trophies.

The Senegalese winger told the club's official website: "I think this is another step for all of us in our career for what we want to achieve, because as football players you have to be always professional and always hungry in a good way to win everything.

"I think we have a great team, great staff and the club is amazing, so we have another step and big things to achieve so we won’t stop here.

"We just have to believe in ourselves still and keep working harder and be humble for sure – work hard and try to achieve bigger and bigger things with this club."

Mane has enjoyed another stellar individual campaign at Anfield, having already contributed 19 goals and 12 assists to Liverpool's cause in 40 appearances.

The 28-year-old went on to thank Klopp for bringing the best out of him, highlighting the German's abilities as a man-manager and mentor.

"He is a great manager and everybody is happy with him," said Mane. "I am lucky to be working with him for sure, because as a player and a human being I have developed under him which is really important for every player.

"We can see how the players develop in this team, so I think all the things come from him. So I will say again, thanks to him."

Liverpool are currently on course to break City's all-time record points haul, but will have to prove their mettle once again when they come up against Pep Guardiola's men at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

Asked whether a win over the recently dethroned champions will top off a superb season, Mane responded: "For sure. Like I always said, we don’t have to stop and we won’t stop for sure after being champion.

"I think it’s another step of our careers and what we want to achieve so I can say for myself, it’s part of us and it’s the past now so we have to make sure we [carry on].

"Records in football are always there to beat so for sure we want to achieve again something special after being champion. It’s going to be a really, really good game [and] for us there are no excuses, we have to do everything possible to win it because now we have seven games.

"We are going to take it game by game and try to win all of them because it’s our dream and really important for us."

Ainsley Maitland-Niles admits that Arsenal have endured some “tough times” in the 2019-20 campaign, but the 22-year-old believes the Gunners boast the “character” to come through that stronger.

Another collection of uncomfortable questions have been asked at Emirates Stadium across the current campaign.

They have led to a change in the dugout being made, with Mikel Arteta now calling the shots, while top-four dreams have faded away once again.

Arsenal are, however, through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, having overcome Sheffield United in the last eight, and feel there is cause for optimism heading forward.

There remain a number of issues to be addressed, such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future and who to acquire in the next transfer window, but Maitland-Niles is among those feeling positive.

The Gunners academy graduate told Arsenal Digital: "We've been building a lot of character.

"The tough times we're in show we've got the character to come back and keep fighting, trying to do as well as we can in the league and in the domestic cups, as much as we can.
 
"[My message to the fans is to] just keep supporting us, stick with us. We're a team in progress, just like a lot of other teams, and we're trying to win as many games as we can to please the fans."

The versatile youngster added on progress in the FA Cup: "It's an amazing feeling [to reach the semi-final].

"Every club wants to go to Wembley and play. For us to do it, away, and we haven't had the best of results away recently... it's good to pick up that win."

Arsenal required a last-gasp winner from Dani Ceballos in order to edge their way past Sheffield United.

The Blades had cancelled out Nicolas Pepe’s penalty when finding the target three minutes from time, but an on-loan Spanish midfielder was to have the final say at Bramall Lane.

Arteta’s side are now readying themselves for a semi-final showdown with holders Manchester City – a team that swept them aside with the minimum of fuss during the Gunners’ first game back in competitive action after a three-month hiatus.

Former Harambee Star Duncan Ochieng has detailed how difficult it is to be a goalkeeper.

Ochieng played for 10 clubs before retiring at Tusker in 2017 and says a goalkeeper, whenever a mistake occurs, is always the first person to be blamed.

A memorable goalkeeping moment, which of course left him furious, was during the FKF Shield Cup match between Sofapaka and AFC Leopards in 2013. The goalkeeper left his area comically to clear an oncoming ball but he did not manage it and left Allan Wanga to plant the ball into an empty net.

AFC Leopards went on to win the trophy in the final after dispatching Sofapaka 2-0 in the semi-finals.

"First to be blamed; last to be credited – that’s the life of a goalkeeper," Ochieng wrote on his Facebook page.

Ochieng, who served Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Mathare United for 16 years in four different stints, was quick to argue that strikers are always getting much credit compared to a goalkeeper.

"It’s often said that a striker can laze around, shoot blanks and run like a headless chicken for the entire game, but his stoppage-time goal makes him the hero," stated the retired goalkeeper who won the KPL title with Mathare United and Tusker in 2008 and 2011 respectively.

"A goalkeeper, on the other hand, can make Superman-like saves the entire game, yet his one and only blunder make him the villain."

The former Sofapaka custodian also explained how lapses in defence can end up being labelled a goalkeeper's blunder.

"While some may argue that defensive errors come from various avenues and not just only from the man between the sticks, others will only zero in on the terrible blunders that leave no one else but the keeper to be blamed," added the former IK Sleipner star.

Ochieng went on to advise goalkeepers on how to deal with such criticism.

"The best goalkeepers are egotistical and it is important that they are such men. Goalkeepers need to believe they are the best to keep going up the ladder," he concluded.

"It is not enough if a goalkeeper says it by his words; a goalkeeper truly needs to believe in the fact that he is the best at what he does."

Lille striker Victor Osimhen has dedicated his Marc Vivien Foe best Ligue 1 African player award for the 2019-20 season to his late father.

The 21-year-old was signed by the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit last summer from Belgian club Sporting Charleroi as a direct replacement for Nicolas Pepe, who moved to England to join Premier League side Arsenal.

The Super Eagles forward quickly warmed himself into the hearts of the Mastiffs fans with his impressive performances, scooping the league’s Player of the Month award barely three months after teaming up with Christophe Galtier’s men.

The young striker found the back of the net 13 times and provided five assists in 27 league games in the 2019-20 season, a campaign which was abruptly ended due to the outbreak of coronavirus in France and across the world.

His performances saw him win the best African player award in the division, becoming the second Nigerian to scoop the accolade after Nigeria legend Vincent Enyeama.

In winning the prize, the 21-year-old beats off stiff competitions from his compatriot and Nantes winger Moses Simon, Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga, Montpellier’s Andy Delort, Monaco’s Islam Slimani, Rennes’ Mbaye Niang, Hamari Traore and Edouard Mendy.

Osimhen, who lost his father last month at the age of 80, has taken to social media to dedicate the award to him while also applauding other nominees.

“[I am] grateful to God almighty, I dedicate this amazing award to my late father. Thanks to those who voted for me and also a big shout out goes to Moses Simon and the rest of the nominees. Thank you once more,” Osimhen tweeted.

At the close of the 2019-20 season, the young striker bagged 18 goals and provided six assists across all competitions for Lille and was deservedly named the club’s Player of the Season.

However, his efforts were not enough to help the Mastiffs clinch a place in the Champions League next season after they finished fourth, which the forward felt disappointed about.

Osimhen announced himself to the world at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile, where he won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards to help Nigeria win the trophy.

On the back of these eye-catching displays, he was snapped up German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2017 but failed to enjoy game time with the side owing to his struggles with injuries and loss for form.

The forward, however, rediscovered himself after joining Belgian First Division side Charleroi in 2018 on loan before the deal was made permanent.

The Super Eagles marksman, who has been linked with a number of European clubs, will hope to continue his brilliant performances in the 2020-21 campaign.