Looking for Soccer News?

Borussia Dortmund are increasingly confident of keeping Jadon Sancho, with the club yet to field any offers for the winger, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea this summer.

The England international has been in impressive form for the Bundesliga side this term, with his contribution of 17 goals in the league having seen him established as one of the outstanding players in Germany’s top flight.

That has seen him linked with a move for an astronomical fee, despite the Covid-19 pandemic throwing world football into a state of financial uncertainty, with any transfer potentially breaking the £100 million ($123m) mark.

While head coach Lucien Favre has admitted that he is unsure if the 20-year-old will remain with BVB for next season, Dortmund’s head of the licensed player division Sebastian Kehl has said that there has been no progress towards a deal and that he expects the winger to stay put.

“We expect Jadon to play with BVB next season and we’re all very happy with the quality that he brings to our side and the difference that he can make,” he told Sport Buzzer, while also confirming there have been no bids for the player.

Meanwhile, Dortmund will finish second in the Bundesliga this season, with their final match to take place against Hoffenheim at home on Saturday.

There was optimism that they would be able to make a stronger run at champions Bayern Munich but they will finish the season approximately 10 points behind Hansi Flick’s side, who found another gear following the coronavirus break to accelerate away from their challengers and comfortably take the title.

This has led to speculation over Favre’s future but sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed that he will not leave his post before his contract expires in June 2021.

And Kehl added on Favre and his future: "Lucien is authentic and has an extremely meticulous way of working. The public discussions over his position have been unfair. His work is recognisable.

"We’re absolutely not ashamed of our performance this season."

Despite optimism that Dortmund are continuing to build a side capable of further closing the gap to Bayern, Kehl believes that if the Bavarians remain in a stable position "it will be tough to get past them".

The potential that exists in a midfield partnership of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes excites Michael Carrick, but the Manchester United coach is eager to point out that “it’s not just about them”.

Two star turns at Old Trafford were paired together from the off for the first time in a 4-0 victory over Sheffield United.

They had also been used in tandem during a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, with Pogba stepping off the bench in that contest to win the spot-kick that allowed Fernandes to snatch a point from the penalty spot.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still working out how to bring the best out of two creative influences, with there experiments for him to carry out on selection and tactics fronts.

The general consensus is, however, that a World Cup winner will thrive alongside a Portugal international in time.

Carrick, who once kept the engine room ticking over for United, expects that to be the case.

He is, however, keen to avoid narrowing the focus on only two players, with the resurgent Red Devils looking to build towards a brighter future as a unit.

"It is understandable why a lot of the questions are 'can they play together' because they are two fantastic talents," Carrick told ESPN of Pogba and Fernandes.

"We feel we've got a really good balance in midfield between all the lads really. It is kind of unfair to single them out asking 'can they play together' because the other boys have done a terrific job and will have plenty to say as well.

"Of course, the talk is about Bruno and Paul and I'm sure they can play together. That's why they are both here at the club and I'm sure they are looking forward to it. But as Bruno and Paul would totally understand me saying, it is not just about them.

"We've got so many other options with lads who have already proven what they bring to the team. It is exciting to have that. They all bring something different and all have their own strengths."

Solskjaer will get another opportunity to work on partnerships within his top-four chasing side when the Red Devils shift their focus to FA Cup matters on Saturday and a quarter-final clash with Norwich.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Nairobi West Branch chairman Caleb Malweyi has lauded the gains made by the current office under the leadership of Nick Mwendwa to boost football in the country.

Harambee Stars qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in 15 years but the team failed to make it to the last sixteen, after they came third in Group C, behind Algeria, and Senegal and ahead of Tanzania.

Harambee Starlets made their debut in the 2016 Africa Women's Cup of Nations after the current tenure re-introduced the FKF Women's Premier League and Division One Leagues which gave life to the then dying senior women's national team.

The team also closed the year 2019 as champions of the Cecafa Women's Championships in Tanzania for the first time ever.

“We have made gains in women's football, and youth football under the able leadership of Nick Mwendwa,” Malweyi told Goal. “We want to build on these gains in the coming four years.

“Harambee Stars did Kenyans proud by reaching the Afcon final for the first time in 15 years while the women’s team also did us proud by winning Cecafa trophy in Tanzania.

“The current regime also actualised the inconceivable idea of having a junior national team and developed the National Centre of Excellence that harbours the team and helps nurture young players who will then be pooled to the National Senior team, Harambee Stars.”

Malweyi’s sentiments come just a few days after the referees’ association led by Sylvester Kirwa lauded Mwendwa and his regime for helping them grow.

According to Kirwa, the referees’ manager at the federation, they have seen an increased number of referees joining the elite status.

“When I was employed by the federation, we decided to focus on certain key areas: building capacity, recruitment, development, and having more women,” Kirwa told reporters on Tuesday.

Kirwa says the fate of the local referees was changed completely after the federation managed to secure two critical Fifa funded courses that they used to support them.

“The result is we sent women referees to the Africa Women's Nations Cup (Awcon) and the World Cup for the first time,” Kirwa continued.

“Our two referees, Mary Ann and Caroline Wanjala have also joined the Elite ‘A’ category. Previously, referees used to pay money to attend courses but we abolished these allowing more of them to be trained.”

Kirwa said the number of men's elite referees have also gone up to three with Peter Waweru, Gilbert Cheruiyot, and Davies Omweno joining the club.

“Locally, we have seen very young referees coming up and now the majority of those handling the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) are between 24-33 years. This means that they have another 15 years at the top,” added Kirwa.

Kenyan football is preparing to go for elections with Mwendwa seeking to defend his seat but will face stiff opposition from former FKF president Sam Nyamweya, ex-Cecafa boss Nicholas Musonye, Herbert Mwachiro, former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda and Sammy Shollei.

Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has outlined their plans to crown giants Simba SC.

The Wekundu wa Mzimbazi will be declared the champions for the 2019-20 season if they beat Tanzania Prisons in their next Mainland Premier League match on Sunday.

Simba have already amassed 78 points from 32 matches and are on the verge of clinching a third straight league title if they get a win against Prisons in Mbeya.

According to TPLB chairman Steven Mnguto they have already outlined plans to fete the new champions and they will not have the trophy at Sokoine in Mbeya on Sunday where they play against Tanzania Prisons.

“Our plans, for now, is to fete Simba during their last league match and as such we will not have the trophy in Mbeya on Sunday because we will not give it to them,” Mnguto is quoted by Sokaletu.

“We have not talked to Simba on how they want it done, but that is our plan as TPLB. We can only be able to hand over the trophy to them at the final game, and remember they will now keep the trophy for good having won it in the past two seasons.”

Simba CEO Senzo Mazingisa also said they will meet as an executive to decide when to be handed the trophy from league managers.

“We will meet as an office to discuss the matter, we might as well have to wait for the final league match to be handed the trophy, I don’t have a problem with that.

“But we must make a decision as Simba as not Mazingisa, we have to decide what we think will be good for the club and the fans and soon we will have the date we prefer for the trophy ceremony.”

Meanwhile, Simba’s fitness coach Adel Zrane says he is impressed with the work rate of winger Shiza Kichuya, who is coming back from injury.

Kichuya joined Simba from Egypt and has struggled to claim a starting role in the club.

Zrane has now said the player is looking fit and ready to play after warming the bench for a long period.

Crested Cranes captain Ruth Aturo has claimed her parents never supported her pursuit of a football dream.

Aturo has grown to be an important figure of the Ugandan Women's National team and has revealed how her parents had little interest in seeing her pursue a football wish.

“My biggest challenge was my parents who didn’t support me,” Aturo told Football256.

“They would beat me thinking I was hanging out with boys. They expected me home by 6:00 pm but instead, I would appear at 7:30 or 8:00 pm which confirmed their suspicions.

“But being a big-headed girl who loved football I would say it is okay and that didn’t stop me from chasing my dream.”

Aturo is a recent Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduate and has revealed how balancing football matters and academics was a challenge.

“There is a moment when I got a lot of challenges in balancing football with books and yet I wanted to excel in both,” the goalkeeper added.

“This was a time I had both national team games and tests and I wouldn’t leave one for the other. Because it’s football that is helping me acquire education yet I also want to have a bright future.

“But somehow I managed to pull through by dedicating time and having support from my lecturers and teammates as well.”

The Crested Cranes player explained how her football career was launched despite facing numerous challenges including her parent's lack of interest.

“I started playing soccer in S2 at Soroti Senior Secondary School as a striker then later changed to become a goalkeeper in S3,” she added.

“One day we went for post-primary games at Nabumali High School in Mbale. I played so well and I emerged as the best goalkeeper.

“I remember the game against Kawempe Muslim Secondary School in which they hit us 6-0 but miraculously they wanted me to join them and I ended up at Kawempe Muslim thanks to coach Ayub Khalifah.” 

She won the 2018 Fufa Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and is on record of revealing a wish of playing professional football for a club in the United States of America.

Aturo graduated from the Ugandan Christian University where she got a  Diploma in Business Administration. Aturo's elder sister Mary Achibo is a netballer featuring for the She Cranes.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has challenged his strikers to at least give him and the fans goals when they take on Ndanda FC in a Mainland Premier League match on Saturday.

The Jangwani Street-based giants have struggled to score goals since the top-flight resumed on June 13, something that has forced the fans to attack their strikers after every league match.

Ivorian striker Gnamien Yikpe is the most hit of all the strikers after Yanga fans stormed the team’s dressing room after the 0-0 draw against Azam FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam chanting for the club to release him.

The Belgian coach has now told Goal he has asked the lead strikers among them David Molinga and Ditram Nchimbi to give the club even five goals against Ndanda.

“We want to show the fans we can score goals and I want my strikers to be ready for the task against Ndanda on Saturday,” Eymael told Goal.

“We play very good football, our passing is very accurate, our defending is almost better but our strikers are not doing their work, we are missing chances and let me honest to you, had we been good in front of goal, then Yanga should be leading by almost 15 or 20 more goals in the league.

“If you look at our past matches, the chemistry of moving forward is working very well but I really don’t understand why we cannot score goals, we keep taking the balls to the strikers but sometimes they surprise. I am sure today [Saturday] the fans will celebrate goals.”

Yikpe was missing in action during Yanga’s last league match against Namungo FC and Eymael is not sure whether the former Gor Mahia striker will be involved in the fixture.

“[Yikpe] is going through difficult times, the fans have really been on his neck and the game against Namungo, I decided to give him a break, he works hard every day in training sessions but now the problem is turning the training into a good show.”

Yanga have already missed out on winning the league title but they can clinch the FA Cup where they are in the quarter-finals and will face Kagera Sugar.

The Tanzanian government has put the blame on hosts for failing to adhere to the Ministry of Health rules which were put in place before the Mainland Premier League resumed on June 13.

The Ministry of Health had outlined a number of stringent measures to be followed by the clubs to help curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with a number of teams not following the rules, the government has moved to ban Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro and Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, where matches will now be played behind closed doors.

The government through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Hassan Abbasi has stressed the importance of following the rules and promised to continue taking action against those breaking the same.

“As a government, we have conducted our research and found that a big part of failing to control a big number of fans into the stadium is caused by authorities of the hosting teams,” Abbasi is quoted by Daily News.

“What I want to emphasise here is from the two venues [Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro and Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya] where we have directed league games to be staged behind closed doors, the number of tickets which were sold did not surpass half of the carrying capacity of the two venues.

“So the government has banned supporters of Mbeya City from attending the remaining league fixture of their side at the Sokoine Stadium for breaching established health rules during their match against Simba which ended with the hosts losing 2-0.”

Abbas says they took the decision to ban Sokoine Stadium because fans of both sides flooded the stadium and failed to adhere to rule number 2.0.2 [III] which requires a sitting arrangement of one metre apart.

“What we have seen is that ticket sellers are doing their jobs well but what surprises us most is the big number of fans without proper tickets who make their way into the venues and cause overcrowding,” Abbasi continued.

“Most irregularities are committed on entry gates into the stadium by authorities of the hosting teams as such, the action we have taken as the government is meant to safeguard the health of people and not otherwise.

“It is not the duty of the police to inspect tickets to verify if they are fake or not that is why we strongly believe that big percentage of the malpractices are caused by agents of the hosting teams as they simply want to make a profit.”

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars striker Emeka Mamale has passed away. 

According to a statement released by Caf, Mamale lost his life at a local hospital in Kinshasa on Thursday but the cause of his death is still unknown at this stage.    

Mamale was a full international with the Democratic Republic of Congo and he represented them in two separate Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). 

The 1996 edition which was held in South Africa was his first and his second appearances at the games four years later.  

"Former DR Congo forward Emeka Essanga passed away on Thursday (25 June 2020) at a local hospital in Kinshasa, his family has announced. He was 42," read the statement.  

Nicknamed “Mamale”, he was an integral part of the Leopards squad that won bronze at the 1998 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso. He also participated in the 1996 and 2000 editions of the continental showpiece event. 

A journeyman, Esanga won the DR Congo domestic cup in 1996 with Daring Club Motema Pembe. He also had stints in Angola, Belgium, Israel, South Africa and South Korea," added the statement. 

Mamale began his football career in Kinshasa in 1995 playing for DC Motema Pembe. 

He then moved to South Africa in 1996 to sign for Free State Stars then known as Qwaqwa Stars for the 1996/97 season. 

In 2000, Mamale joined Kaizer Chiefs and his biggest breakthrough arrived while he was still on the books of the Soweto giants as he signed for Lokeren in Belgium. 

He would return to Africa in 2002 to play for Angolan club 1º de Agosto among other teams. 

His return to South Africa in the mid-2000s saw the now-defunct Platinum Stars, then known as Silver Stars, offer him a second chance to play in the PSL. 

Mamale went on to play in Israel in the latter stages of his football career, signing for Hapoel Acre. 

He retired in 2011 whilst on the books of Motema Pembe. 

Goal sends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mamale as well as his former teammates.   

Jurgen Klopp has built a mighty red machine at Liverpool, and Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he is a fan of the German's achievement.

Liverpool's 30-year wait for an English league title came to an end this week when closest rivals Manchester City ran out of games with which to catch them as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.

A dominant season by the men from Anfield has seen them secure Premier League glory with a record seven games to spare.

There might be considerable envy from supporters on the blue side of the city, but Ancelotti has only praise for Liverpool and Klopp.

He told Sky Sport Italia : "I have a great relationship with him. We met last week when everything was virtually decided and I congratulated him.

"Klopp is the architect of this success. Not only for this victory in the Premier League, but for everything he's managed to achieve since arriving five years ago.

"With patience, he's succeeded in building a perfect machine."

Ancelotti lives in Crosby, away from the bustle of Liverpool, but reported hearing "a few bangs" after the Reds' long-awaited triumph was confirmed on Thursday.

Although he has Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as a neighbour, Ancelotti said the Dutchman was out celebrating so not at home.

Everton face a stiff task to close the gap on their local rivals, but the appointment of Ancelotti in December looked a possible watershed moment for them.

He has not yet been able to nudge the Toffees into a European place, but despite sitting 12th in the Premier League they remain in that race, given seventh-placed Tottenham are just four points better off.

"Will Everton be the last team in my career? I don't know," said the former Milan and Real Madrid boss. "But honestly I'd like to make a long-term plan with this club."

The Toffees lie 12th in the standings this season, but with seven matches remaining still post an outside chance of qualifying for Europe if they can finish the campaign in spectacular fashion.

After a scoreless draw with Liverpool last Sunday, their next challenge is a home encounter with Leicester on Wednesday.

Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers Sports Club have moved to expand the VIP section of their St Mary’s Stadium.

The expansion of the stadium is being done ahead of the next season which will also see Vipers engage in the Caf Champions League after they were declared champions of the abandoned season.

The facility at Kitende has been hosting the four-time UPL champions since early 2017 and is regarded as one of the best-developed stadia in the country.

“An artificial turf was installed replacing a natural grass pitch, magnificent technical areas, a state-of-the-art gym are some of the various developments done since the official opening [in 2017,” the club's statement said.

St Mary's was given the green light to host international matches in March 2020 after a delegation from Caf and Fifa visited it. The inspection was done by Inspectors led by Daniel Amokachi together with Emmanuel Dasoberi.

“However, despite such achievement, the stadium authorities are not sitting on their laurels instead new developments are being introduced to enhance its features further,” Vipers added.

“In readiness for next season where Vipers are set to represent Uganda in the Caf Champions League, the VIP section expansion has taken place during the lockdown.

“The new expansion, adding a further 600 seats to bring the section’s capacity up to 1,225, will officially be opened to the public at the crowning of Vipers as the 2019/20 League Champions.

“Many football facilities have developed in Uganda and Africa at large but the greatest challenge among all is the sustainability with international required standards especially in moments when such facilities are not utilized.

“The management has future plans of further developments in phases as will be revealed from time to time in a bid to keep up with the standards as required by international football bodies.”

Stadium Manager Edward Junior Mulindwa said it is not only the VIP section which is set to undergo expansion and renovation but other areas will also be attended.

“We have installed more seats in the VIP area to accommodate more fans seated comfortably while enjoying football next season,” Mulindwa said.

“Further to that, we are also refurbishing all areas that may have been damaged during the regular season as well as equipping the stadium with other equipment to ease operations as we look forward to football next season.” 

The stadium was officially opened in 2017 when Vipers hosted Platinum Stars for a Caf Confederation Cup match.

Coach Abdallah Mubiru has extended his stay at Ugandan Premier League side Police FC for a further three years.

The experienced tactician has been a free agent since January when his contract with the administrative side expired. Initially, he was reluctant in committing his future to the club until some conditions were met; however, an agreement has been finally reached.

"It is a pleasure extending my stay at this club," the Uganda Cranes assistant coach Mubiru said as quoted by Football256.

"The fact that the club has kept faith in me, giving me a longer contract is a step in the right way and I am happy with that.  

"Since I arrived at the club, a lot has happened, but I felt there is more I can offer Police and am sure with what we have agreed on with the administration we can achieve even more going forward."

The youthful tactician joined the Kampala based-side in 2016 and helped them get off the relegation zone.

In the 2019/20 season, the team struggled and finished 13th, however, the club stated the coach was not to blame.

"Since Abdallah [Mubiru] came, I’ve realized he understands football and I must tell you that he’s not responsible for our poor performance," Police FC Chairman Asan Kasingye had told Football256 in an earlier interview.

"He has done his job well and most of the challenges the club is facing are beyond him because they’re financially related and that’s administrative."

The official opined the tactician is competent and it is the reason why he has been serving as Uganda Cranes first assistant coach. Kasingye has also pointed out the influence the former international has had on the team especially during matchdays.

"If he was incompetent, he wouldn’t be working as [Johnathan] Mckinstry’s first assistant and it’s his game philosophy that has won us the little fan base that we have," Kasingye added.

"People now come to the stadium to watch that entertaining brand of football played by Police and it’s all his efforts. So which Chairman would really sack such a coach? 

"As long he wants to stay here as our coach and am also still the Chairman, he’ll always be because I know his abilities."  

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Sibusiso Vilakazi is eager “to smell the green grass again” and help the Brazilians notch a third straight Premier Soccer League (PSL) crown if football resumes.

While also expressing gratitude for a clean bill of health this season, after his campaign last term was punctuated by some injuries, Vilakazi believes he can be on top of his game when local football restarts.

But with 10 goals and 11 assists in 32 games across all competitions so far this season, he already appeared to be at his best before football was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have been blessed by not being injured this season, that was the setback previously. I am grateful for being injury-free, and when that happens the coaches will give you the opportunity, and I think I have done the job the best way I can,” Vilakazi told the Mamelodi Sundowns website.

“My priority has been to do my best to help the team. That’s my motto this season. I believe I can get better once we resume football because Sundowns is a team determined to get more trophies.

“I want to smell the grass again, get the feel of the ball on my boots, wear the training kit and going for it again and hearing the coach give us that pep-talk again, that we are back. Those are the things that I am looking forward to and to see how we go about the remaining games and the Nedbank Cup, that’s exciting.”

If the season continues, Sundowns would be chasing glory on two fronts - the league title race in which they are second on the PSL standings with four points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs who have played a game more and also the Nedbank Cup where they face Bidvest Wits in the semi-finals.

Vilakazi has however expressed “frustration” at the coronavirus-induced break stretching for three months.

“There’s a positive side and the negative side of the break – the negative being that it has gone on beyond what we anticipated and led to a bit of frustration,” said Vilakazi.

“We thought by now we would be back doing what we do best, which is playing football. We thought things would get back to normal in terms of it being okay for us to go back, does it make sense and given the medical green light.”

The forward also draws positives from the pause which he says allowed them time to rest after failing to enjoy off-season in recent years owing to participation in the Caf Champions League.

“But the positive side is, of course, the opportunity to bond with our families because we are away so much. We participate in the Caf Champions League and that in itself takes so much time away from family, the beautiful side is seeing your children daily now. It’s how we test ourselves in Africa to see how far we can go, so it has the negative and the positive side.”

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, has condemned the behaviour of a selection of supporters that overstepped the mark in celebrating the Reds' first title win in 30 years.

The raucous scenes that have been shared across social media display fans ignoring social-distancing measures as celebrations continued into a second night despite warnings from the city council and the police. 

One particularly concerning video shows the Liver Building in the city, that houses Everton club offices and had been lit up in blue that evening, being directly hit by a firework.

Smoke was seen coming from the building and, although the full extent of any damage is not yet known, Merseyside fire and rescue confirmed the following, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo: "We were alerted to a small fire on a patch of astroturf. Firefighters have dealt with the incident and the fire is now out."

Flares were also being set off witihin the crowds of people and those supporters involved in the celebrations have been criticised for the rubbish that was left in the city overnight.

Jurgen Klopp's side were confirmed as Premier League champions on Thursday as Manchester City suffered defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, meaning Liverpool can't now be caught at the top of the table.

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner lauded the impact of Jurgen Klopp after the manager led the Reds to their first league title since 1990.

Klopp's Liverpool ended a 30-year wait to be crowned English champions thanks to Manchester City's 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea on Thursday.

Liverpool sealed the drought-ending triumph with seven matches remaining, having narrowly missed out by one point to City last season.

Werner hailed Klopp, who took over in 2015 and oversaw Liverpool's 2018-19 Champions League victory.

"I didn't have the pleasure of knowing or watching the great football of [Bill] Shankly and [Bob] Paisley, so I don't really want to compare Jurgen to previous managers," Werner said. 

"I just know that the league is extremely competitive and when we first became involved in Liverpool over 10 years ago, we were not even thinking about winning the league. Our dream was to just become top four and make it to the Champions League. 

"He has just created such an atmosphere at Liverpool that there's no alternative except to win. He has created such an atmosphere. 

"One of the things that I'm just joyful about whenever I watch the team is how many players contribute. It doesn't just lie on the shoulders of our wonderful striker or our wonderful goalkeeper. 

"So many players contribute – from [Jordan] Henderson to [Roberto] Firmino, to [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, to [Georginio] Wijnaldum, to Fabinho, to [Virgil] Van Dijk. 

"I also enjoy their joy because I saw a video of them last night celebrating together and you could just feel the camaraderie that this club has. We celebrated this as a club." 

"All of us were so delighted because this has been a long march," he added. "I know that our supporters struggled for 30 years to reach this pinnacle. My first thought was to just share that moment with our supporters because without them, the club is nothing. 

"As Jurgen said, our supporters provided such an incredible contribution to winning the league – not just this year, but every year. 

"My hope is that all of us who are supporters of the club can take a moment today and this week to safely celebrate what is a remarkable achievement." 

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has recalled his time with Orlando Pirates.

The accomplished tactician played for Buccaneers in 1989 as a left-footed attacker, before he moved to Greek side Ionikos FC where he spent six years.

However, Mosimane returned home in 1993 to turn out for Pirates in the United Bank International Soccer Festival in Johannesburg.

The pre-season tournament was organized by the South African Football Association (Safa)'s marketing partner Awesome Sports International.

English giants Manchester United and Arsenal took part in the four-team tournament which included South Africa's two biggest football clubs, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Nicknamed Jingles, Mosimane started for the Soweto giants against Arsenal, who ran out 1-0 winners at FNB Stadium.

The former Bafana Bafana international posted a Pirates team photo that was taken prior to the match on Twitter on Friday night.

"Good memories. Orlando Pirates FC vs Arsenal FC," Mosimane said.

Mosimane's former Pirates teammate Teboho Moloi, who was introduced as a substitute during the game against the Gunners, reacted to Jingles' tweet.

Moloi revealed how Mosimane helped him secure a move to Europe as he was signed by Turkish outfit Gaziantepspor ahead of the 1993/94 campaign.

"Sweet Memories Mdala [old man] I came on as a second-half substitute and got a contract to go to overseas [Turkey]," Moloi said.

"Thanks for the pep talk you gave me, before coming on you were hard on me at times and [I am] very grateful because I left for Turkey after that performance.

"He has always had an insight of the game even when he was still playing and here [on this photo] he was already playing in Greece and reminded me where we come from especially when I was a youngster and what to do if I was to impress the scouts in that game."

Moloi also had a spell with South American club Once Caldas between 1995 and 1996, and he became the first South African player to score a goal in the Colombian top-flight.

Just like his former teammate Mosimane, Moloi is now a coach having served as an assistant at Pirates and he also had a stint as Chippa United head coach during the 2017/18 campaign.

Yanga SC will drop up to nine players at the end of the season and replace them to help the team compete effectively.

The Jangwani based side has struggled to match their rivals both domestically and abroad and are keen to change next season. Belgian coach has already presented his report and suggestions to management in his bid to start early preparations.

"We will part ways with nine players after concluding the current campaign," GSM's Investment Manager Hersi Said, who is part of the team's management, told Mwanaspoti.

"Some of these players will be out of contract and we will not renew; we are also contemplating between sending some players out on loan or completely parting ways with them."

The administrator went on to reveal the suggestions made by the technical bench.

"Next season, the technical bench wants to work with a total of 26 players," Said continued.

"Our players in our youth teams will also be involved as we aim at developing them. They will have a chance to play in the senior team according to the head coach and his team."

The main problem has been on the attacking end where Timu ya Wananchi have struggled to get goals consistently.

"It has been challenging for us to get goals," Hersi continued.

"A bigger percentage of players coming in will be in the striking department. It does not mean we will release every attacking player, we have a few who we will give another chance to prove their potential."

One of the players who has been underperforming is Ivorian Gnamien Yikpe. The striker was excluded from the team that drew 2-2 with Namungo FC in their last league outing.

"The pressure for Yikpe was growing each and every day and I felt to help the player recover is to rest him," Eymael told Goal.

"The player is really going through tough times, and I think I will have to give him some time off, but what puzzles me is that [Yikpe] is a very good striker, if you watch him in training he is the best striker for the club.

"But I have never understood why he never turns his good show in training to league action, he never plays as he does in training and that becomes difficult to understand the player, I don’t know why he scores many goals in training but he cannot score goals in proper matches.

"But I have told the management I did not sign the player so they can try and see how to help him, either end his contract or see what they can do."

The Jangwani Street-based giants have struggled to win matches since the top-flight resumed on June 13.

Former Kenya star Mike Okoth, the father of Divock Origi, has revealed how he celebrated Liverpool's Premier League win on Thursday.

Okoth featured for a number of foreign clubs including Boshar, KV Oostende, KRC Harelbeke, Genk, Molenbeek, Heusden-Zolder, Tongeren and feels his son achieved the dream of playing in the Premier League.

“In Kenya, the Premier League has been one of the most-watched competitions since we were kids. As a young boy growing up in Nairobi and Kenya, it was always our dream to reach there,” Okoth told BBC Sport.

“Unfortunately, I was not able to do it, but my son is representing me, so it's like me winning the Premier League.”

A 2-1 Chelsea win over Manchester City assured Liverpool the title, ending a 30-year wait and Okoth said it felt as if he is the one who lifted the Premier League trophy.

“It's a very special day. Everybody who knows the history of Liverpool knows that it's been a long, long time - Divock was not even born,” revealed the former Shabana FC striker.

“I still remember that in 1990 I was in Kenya - I had just signed for Kenya Breweries [now Tusker FC].

“So, it's been a long, long time waiting for their supporters and their people. You can imagine their emotions and the feelings that the fans felt yesterday, and for me as a father.”

The 52-year old retired star revealed how emotions engulfed the family as the Manchester City vs Chelsea game was ongoing.

“It's a very great moment for me personally and for us as a family. We watched Chelsea play Manchester City at home with friends and family - socially distanced, of course,” added Okoth.

“When Chelsea got the penalty and I saw the red card, we started preparing ourselves for a celebration. When the final whistle came, it was an explosion of emotions. You know, finally, it's there.

“When the game is still going on, you're not sure - in football, anything can happen. So, when the final whistle was blown, I got all the emotions.”

Okoth further revealed a quick chat between the Liverpool forward and the family after they were confirmed champions.

“After the Chelsea game finished, I had a few minutes with him - he called us immediately before they started the celebration. We congratulated him - but now he wants a few moments to have fun,” he concluded.

Origi won the Champions League title with Liverpool last year, and the Fifa Club World Cup earlier this season.