Looking for Soccer News?

The Orlando Pride announced on Monday that they have pulled out of the NWSL Challenge Cup due to a number of positive coronavirus tests among the club's players and staff.

With sports in the U.S. still yet to return, the NWSL is set to become the first league to resume with the upcoming tournament, which will be held in Utah.

However, following a number of positive tests, the Pride have opted to withdraw, with players and staff set to isolate for at least 14 days while those that did not test positive will undergo consistent coronavirus testing.

"This was obviously a difficult and disappointing outcome for our players, our staff and fans, however this is a decision that was made in order to protect the health of all involved in the Challenge Cup,” said Orlando Pride EVP Amanda Duffy. “While we were all excited to see the 2020 Pride on the field this weekend, our priority is now making sure our players and staff safely recover and providing any support wherever and however possible.”

The NWSL had recently confirmed the schedule for the Challenge Cup, which was set to include all nine NWSL clubs and run from June 27 to July 26.

Complicating matters is that Orlando is set to play host to the return of MLS, with the MLS is Back tournament set to be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, although the continuous surge in coronavirus numbers in Florida will be a concerning trend for MLS ahead of a return to play.

The Pride state that team members did not have any direct interaction with any players or coaching staff from Orlando City SC or Orlando City B.

“While we were all looking forward to seeing the Pride return to the field, we are unfortunately facing a decision that is necessary and in the best interest for the health of our players and staff. The decision goes far beyond just the positives, but also taking into consideration roommates or partners,” said Daryl Osbahr, M.D., team doctor for Orlando Pride and chief of sports medicine for Orlando Health.

“I commend the Club for its diligence and reaction following the initial positive test, as well as how the safety of players and staff was prioritized during this difficult and uncertain time. However the guidelines and process that are put in place, including the important protocols and timelines for contact tracing, make it logistically impossible for the Club to participate in the Challenge Cup in Utah.”

Paris Saint-Germain academy talent Kenny Nagera has signed a professional contract with the club, with the 18-year-old forward putting pen to paper on a three-year deal in the French capital, Goal can confirm.

Nagera - one of PSG's strongest Under-19 performers this term - will be on the books at Parc des Princes until 2023 at the earliest following his impressive showings for the club's youth sides, after he turned down interest from several other teams in France and further afield.

The teenager's decision to remain with PSG hands a significant boost to the club following stalled attempts to keep Tanguy Kouassi on the books, while Adil Aouchiche still looks poised to exit imminently, with Bayern Munich appearing to be the former's destination and Arsenal a touted new home for the latter.

Nagera was a product of the Epinay-sur-Seine training academy, arriving at PSG in 2015, but it has only been this season that he has truly exploded onto the scene for the U19 team, helping them to the quarter-finals of the Coupe Gambardella before the competition was curtailed by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, he helped the side to third place in the Championnat National U19 League, behind Le Havre and Amiens, while he also played for the club in their UEFA Youth League campaign late last year, though PSG's failure to qualify for the knockout stages from a group including Real Madrid and Club Brugge halted any prolonged involvement in the competition.

With Ligue 1 curtailed and the club handed the domestic crown once more, Thomas Tuchel's side only have their currently unscheduled Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals to complete on the domestic front, while they await confirmation of who they will face in the Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon during a condensed mini-tournament style finale in Lisbon.

The decision to cancel the rest of the top-flight campaign - one of only a few European nations to do so in the face of an unprecedented health crisis - ensured that PSG retained their crown and a place at the high table of European knockout football once again next term.

Major League Soccer will resume in July in an innovative fashion, opting for a unique tournament approach in order to continue the 2020 season.

Having suspended games in March, soccer in North America will be back in an exciting form with 54 matches set to be played across one month in Florida.

Goal brings you everything you need to know about the 'MLS is Back' tournament.

Contents

What is the MLS is Back tournament?

The MLS is Back tournament is a condensed approach to continuing the 2020 regular season.

All 26 MLS teams will compete in the tournament, which will be divided into three Eastern Conference groups and three Western Conference groups.

The top two teams from each of the six groups as well as the four best third-placed teams will progress to the last 16.

Group matches go towards the regular season standings and winner of the MLS is Back tournament will earn a place in the Concacaf Champions League, as well as a share of a $1.1 million (£880k) prize fund.

Once the tournament is over, MLS plans to continue the regular season "with a revised schedule in home markets" and complete the MLS Cup playoffs and final.

The groups for the MLS is Back tournament have been drawn as follows:

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

When does the MLS is Back tournament start?

The MLS is Back tournament begins on July 8 and it will conclude just over a month later with the final, which will be played on August 11.

What is the MLS is Back tournament schedule?

The group stage will begin on July 8 and run until July 23 with the round of 16 kicking off soon afterwards on July 25, running until July 28.

The quarter-final matches will be played on July 30 / August 1, while the semi-finals are scheduled for August 5 / 6. The final will take place on August 11.

Where will the MLS is Back tournament take place?

All MLS is Back tournament games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The Wide World of Sports complex boasts a number of multi-use sports venues, including the Marathon Sports Fields, which hosted Orlando City (then a USL Pro team) in 2014

How can I watch or stream the MLS is Back tournament?

ESPN, Univision, TUDN and UniMas hold the rights to broadcast MLS games in the United States (U.S.).

In the United Kingdom (UK), MLS games can be watched live on Sky Sports and Premier Sports.

According to MLS, broadcasts will feature "unique and experimental technologies" including "advanced audio and fan integration elements" to allow the supporters to engage with games despite public health-enforced limitations.

Desire Oparanozie has joined other world football stars in Tuesday's online Olympic Day workout to annually celebrate the sport and values.

Oparanozie made the list of 23 international athletes, which also includes Kenya’s 1500m gold medallist Faith Kipyegon and USA’s 13-time Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Jessica Long.

She is the only footballer and the fourth athlete from the continent picked to feature in the digital workout, along with South Africa's swimmer Cameron van der Burgh and Senegal's surfer Cherif Fall.

The global health crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak forced the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 postponement and the IOC initiated the activities for the #StayStrong, #StayActive, #StayHealthy campaign. 

On Tuesday, 23 athletes will join the recording of a live official Olympic Day workout video, beginning from 11 am local time across 20 time zones on its official Instagram handle, Olympic.

“We are all in the same situation right now,” IOC President, Thomas Bach told the website. 

“With the global coronavirus crisis, all of us are living with much uncertainty about the future. In these difficult times, we need the values of sport, our shared Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect and solidarity, more than ever. 

"The Olympic flame can be the light at the end of the dark tunnel that we all find ourselves in now. On Olympic Day, we are sending this Olympic message to everybody. 

"Please stay strong, stay active, stay healthy. In this Olympic spirit, I wish you all a wonderful Olympic Day 2020,” the President concluded.

Confirming her live appearance for 11 am, the Super Falcons striker, who captained Nigeria at the Women's World Cup in France last year, shared her joy over her inclusion.  

"Olympic day is here. Honoured to be among the top 20 athletes around the world to lead on the IOC activation," Oparanozie wrote on her Instagram page.

"You won't wanna miss this for anything. Tune in on my IG live with @olympics @olympicchannel tomorrow at 11 am.

Former Ghana and Cameroon coach Otto Pfister has named Olympique Marseille legend Abedi Ayew Pele and former Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o as the biggest players he has ever managed.

The German tactician spent two years with the Black Stars, guiding the team to the final of the of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Senegal. He also led the Indomitable Lions from 2007 and 2009, helping the outfit to make the 2008 Afcon climax.

Abedi, an Afcon winner with Ghana, is highly celebrated for inspiring Marseille to win the Champions League in 1993 while Eto'o twice won Afcon and thrice lifted the Champions League.

“Samuel Eto’o and Abedi Pele absolutely on top,” Pfister, who also coached Senegal, Togo, Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire, Zaire and Saudi Arabia, told Citi FM.

“But you cannot say Abedi is better than Eto’o or Eto’o is better than Abedi because [they don't play in] the same position.

“Samuel Eto’o was a top striker, at his time he was one of the best strikers in the world.

“But Abedi Pele for me in his position was a genius. He was so strong, he had skills, he had anticipation, he can score.

"He was truly at the time one of the best playmakers in the world. Abedi was to me a wonder player."

Abedi indeed has an illustrious career as he won the Afcon with Ghana in 1982 and the Champions League with French side Olympique Marseille in 1992-1993.

Abedi also won the French league twice with Marseille as well as the UAE Pro-League and President’s Cup with Al Ain.

At an individual level, he claimed the Africa Footballer of the Year award on three occasions, one of his many personal honours.

Abedi rated fifth in the Top 30 African Footballers in the last 50 years released by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in 2007.

Eto’o won the Afcon title in 2000 and 2002 in addition to clinching gold at the 2000 Olympic Games.

At club level, the striker's first major success was winning the Spanish Copa del Rey with Real Mallorca in 2002-03, having cut ties with Real Madrid who brought him from Cameroon as a youth team player. While with Real, he also had loan stints with Leganes and Espanyol.

Eto’o joined Barcelona in 2004 and would go on to win the Spanish league title on three occasions, the Copa del Rey in 2009, the Spanish Super Cup twice and the Champions League in 2005-06 and 2008-09.

In 2009, the 39-year-old transferred to Italian fold Inter Milan, with whom he won a quintuple of trophies (Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup, Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup) in 2010.

On an individual level, Eto’o, who stands as the all-time top scorer at Afcon with 18 goals, and also as the all-time top scorer for Cameroon and Real Mallorca, won the African Footballer of the Year awards in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010. He finished third in the race for the 2005 Fifa World Best Player award. These are only a few of his many individual accolades.
 

Ahmed Musa has remembered the memory of scoring Nigeria’s two goals in their 2-0 defeat of Iceland at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

Having lost 2-0 to Croatia in their opening game, the Super Eagles went into the encounter in dire need of a win against the debutants.

However, it was the speedy forward who was the hero as his second-half effort inspired Gernot Rohr’s men to a much-desired victory at the Volgograd Arena.

After a poor first half where Nigeria failed to record a single shot – Musa put the Africans ahead in the 49th minute. He controlled a cross from Victor Moses and thumped an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

He completed his brace 15 minutes before full time after making a mess of Iceland’s solid backline.

Five minutes later, Our Boys had a chance to launch a comeback after Tyronne Ebuehi clipped Alfred Finnbogason at the byline, but Gylfi Sigurdsson fired the ensuing kick over the bar.

Two years later, the Al-Nassr star recalled that moment – describing it as one of the best days of his life.

“Wow, how time flies! I can't believe it's two years already since I scored those much-needed goals at the World Cup,” Musa tweeted.

“The tears of joy I shed that day I can never forget. Unarguably one of the best days of my life. Grateful to Allah and every one of you for the love.”

The three-time African champions’ hopes got quashed owing to a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in their last Group D encounter.

Thanks to his goals, Musa became the Super Eagles' top scorer in the history of the tournament with four strikes.

His second goal against Iceland where he combined pace, composure and brilliance was a contender for the goal of the competition along 17 others, however, Benjamin Pavard’s stunner against Argentina won the individual prize with the Nigerian’s effort settling for eighth spot.

With former Chelsea star drawing the curtain on his international career, leadership responsibilities fall on the ex-Leicester City man who would hope to help the country qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

A plane carrying a "White Lives Matter" banner was seen above the Etihad during Burnley's clash with Manchester City, sparking outrage amid ongoing protests and demonstrations against racial inequality. 

All Premier League players have worn "Black Lives Matter" across the back of their shirts since the return to play, with the tribute following protests that began in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd.

Those protests have sparked demonstrations all over the world, with Weston McKennie, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Thuram among those to make displays in the Bundesliga, with Marcelo headlining those in La Liga.

In the Premier League, shirts have also had a Black Lives Matter patch on their shirts in addition to a patch for the NHS to commemorate the organisation's work during the coronavirus outbreak.

In addition to the shirts, players have been partaking in a moment of silence prior to kickoff, while also taking a knee on the opening whistle to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Shortly following the start of Tuesday's match between second-place Manchester City and 11th-place Burnley, a plane was spotted overhead carrying a banner that read "White Lives Matter Burnley".

The display came just a few minutes into the match, moments after the players on the pitch finished kneeling, and circled overhead for the first moments of the match.

There has been no confirmation who paid for the banner to be displayed, but reaction on social media saw the message immediately condemned.

Indeed, Burnley released an official statement at half-time, which reads: 

"Burnley Football Club strongly condemns the actions of those responsible for the aircraft and offensive banner that flew over The Etihad Stadium on Monday evening.

"We wish to make it clear that those responsible are not welcome at Turf Moor.

"This, in no way, represents what Burnley Football Club stands for and we will work fully with the authorities to identify those responsible and issue lifetime bans.

"The club has a proud record of working with all genders, religions and faiths through its award-winning Community scheme, and stands against racism of any kind.

"We are fully behind the Premier League’s Black Lives Matter initiative and, in line with all other Premier League games undertaken since Project Restart, our players and football staff willingly took the knee at kick-off at Manchester City.

"We apologise unreservedly to the Premier League, to Manchester City and to all those helping to promote Black Lives Matter."

Oghenekaro Etebo will not be travelling with Getafe for Tuesday's La Liga fixture against Real Valladolid, the club has confirmed.

The Stoke City loanee suffered a muscle injury after breaking his duck in the Spanish top-flight during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Eibar.

Etebo limped off after 69 minutes of action over the weekend, and he is yet to regain fitness ahead of Tuesday's visit to Valladolid.

On Monday, Jose Bordalas summoned 21 players for the game at the Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla with the Super Eagles midfielder missing but Togo's Djene Dakonam, Cameroon's Allan Nyom, Morocco's Faycal Fajr and Senegal's Amath Ndiaye made the selection.

Dakonam and Nyom have made themselves key players in Bordalas' defence this season, and they will be aiming for their 28th and 29th league appearances respectively.

Fajr and Ndiaye, on the other hand, have struggled for regular game time with the Moroccan making seven league appearances so far while the latter has four games under his belt.

Etebo joined the Deep Blues from Stoke City on a short-term loan in January, and he has played in nine league matches so far, which include six starts.

The 24-year-old's absence in the middle of the park might be a worry for Getafe who have only lost three games the Nigerian has featured in.

They are fifth in La Liga table with 48 points after 30 games, four points adrift of fourth-placed Sevilla and the Champions League qualification zone.

Getafe are yet to win a league match since March 1 with their last four outings ending in three draws and a defeat - against Granada.

Following his strike on Saturday, Etebo became the 21st Nigerian to score in the Spanish top-flight, joining the likes of Ikechukwu Uche, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins and Rashidi Yekini in the list.

EA Sports has given fans a sneak peak of FIFA 21 in the game's reveal trailer and there is plenty to look forward to, especially as the new game launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

As expected, the graphics look slicker than ever and the gamer experience is set to become even more immersive with greater dynamism in the controller haptics on PlayStation.

Deferred lighting and new environments will be a feature of the latest edition, bringing a much more realistic experience to gamers, as will improved, next-gen technology for player physiques.

Part of that includes "off-ball humanisation", which will see players behave in an authentic manner, while an aural treat is in store too, with spatialised audio forming part of the updated game.

Check out the trailer in the video above and read more about the new game in our links below.

Milan marked their return to Serie A action with an eventually comfortable 4-1 win over Lecce at the Via del Mare on Monday.

Samu Castillejo put the Rossoneri ahead in the 26th minute but Lecce equalised through Marco Mancosu's penalty after Matteo Gabbia fouled fellow substitute Khouma Babacar.

However, Giacomo Bonaventura and Ante Rebic, who was sent off in the Coppa Italia semi-final exit at the hands of Juventus on June 12, struck in the next three minutes to put Milan out of reach.

Substitute Rafael Leao put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute as the Rossoneri returned to seventh after Hellas Verona and Parma moved above them at the weekend.

Milan found Lecce goalkeeper Gabriel in good form during the opening 25 minutes, the Brazilian denying Bonaventura, Castillejo and Theo Hernandez.

There was little Gabriel could do when Castillejo instinctively steered Hakan Calhanoglu's drilled, low cross into the bottom-left corner for his first Serie A goal since April 2019, though.

Lecce were allowed back into the game and Biagio Meccariello had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside.

Babacar replaced Gianluca Lapadula for the second half and he won a penalty off Gabbia - a first-half replacement for the injured Simon Kjaer - that Mancosu coolly converted in the 54th minute.

Milan regained their advantage just 63 seconds later when Gabriel parried Calhanoglu's shot straight to Bonaventura, who slotted home on the follow-up.

The Rossoneri increased their lead with a swift break from a Lecce corner in the 57th minute, Rebic latching onto Calhanoglu's pass and beating Gabriel.

Leao was sent on for Rebic in the 68th minute and headed home a cross from Andrea Conti to cap a resounding win for Milan.

What does it mean? Milan find goals from multiple men

Stefano Pioli's side were not at their best but four goals from as many scorers will be pleasing for the coach, more so in the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It was the first time Milan have scored four in a single league game this season and they will hope to build on that with a run of tricky fixtures in the coming weeks.

Calhanoglu the creative hub

Despite playing primarily from the left, Calhanoglu was central to some of Milan's brightest moments. He assisted two goals and played an important role in the other, creating a total of five chances for his team-mates.

Gabbia struggles at the back

Milan looked shakier in defence following the introduction of Gabbia and his foul on Babacar gave Lecce a route back into the game.

Key Opta Facts

- Milan scored with four different players in the same Serie A game for their first time since May 2018 (in a 5-1 win against Fiorentina).

- Lecce have conceded 15 goals in their last three Serie A games, two more than in their previous eight.

- Rebic has scored seven goals in his last eight Serie A appearances: in his previous eight with the Rossoneri he netted none.

- Castillejo scored a Serie A goal 429 days after his previous one (April 2019, against Parma). He fired 25 shots (six on target) before scoring his first league goal this term.

What's next?

Milan host Roma on Sunday in a game that could prove pivotal in their quest for European qualification, while Lecce continue their battle against relegation with a trip to Juventus on Friday.

Kenya’a Ayub Timbe returned to Reading FC's starting XI as they battled to edge out Oxford United 2-1 at a baking hot Bearwood Park on Monday.

Timbe, who signed for The Royals from Beijing Renhe in China, was among the players who did not play any part as Reading drew 1-1 against Stoke City in an English Championship match staged on Saturday.

Coach Mark Bowen decided to field the entire team that missed the clash against Stoke, with Timbe getting another chance to impress ahead of their next league match.

Before the match kicked-off, both sets of players and staff observed a minute’s silence to pay their respects to the victims of Saturday evening’s tragic events in Forbury Gardens.

Reading were the best side in the opening stages as Andy Rinomhota forced the keeper into a fine save with his legs soon after, dribbling between defenders before getting a shot away.

Sam Baldock also had a chance to score when he angled his effort towards goal but the Oxford keeper was able to tip it over the bar.

The Royals continued to make the pace; Masika struck a fearsome effort that was tipped over, then Baldock slid onto a low ball into the middle only for the keeper to come off his line and smother his toe-poked effort.

The team headed into the half-time break tied at 0-0 but it was Oxford who took the lead when Liverpool loanee Ben Woodburn, drilled low through a crowd and into the bottom right corner after a well-taken corner kick.

However, the Royals drew level with McCleary when his deflected cross was bundled over the line by the arriving Charlie Adam on the edge of the six-yard box.

After a flurry of chances, Reading took the lead through substitute Danny Loader - a defensive miscalculation allowed Felipe Araruna’s forward ball to float into the path of the Royals forward who got a toe to the ball before the goalkeeper could come and thwart the attack.

Before the friendly, Timbe had also featured in two other matches against Chelsea and when Reading defeated Portsmouth 3-1 at Madejski Stadium.

Reading will next face Derby County on Saturday.

Fiorentina would be interested in bringing outgoing Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva from Ligue 1 to Serie A next season following the confirmation that the seasoned Brazilian would leave the French champions, the club's general director Joe Barone has confirmed.

The veteran defender is set to call time on a trophy-laden spell at Parc des Princes, having arrived eight years ago in 2012 from AC Milan.

PSG director Leonardo confirmed earlier this month that the 35-year-old, along with Edinson Cavani, woukd be drawing a line under their career in the French capital at the close of the club's immediate fixture list, as they prepare to return to Champions League action following the curtailment of their domestic campaign.

Fiorentina, who narrowly avoided relegation to Serie B last season, bolstered their ranks ahead of the current campaign with the acquisition of Bayern Munich and France veteran Franck Ribery but have been unable to escape being pulled towards another scrap near the bottom of the table once more.

Speaking ahead of the club's return to Serie A against Brescia, Barone admitted that the club were viewing Silva as a potential target ahead of the 2020-21 season, hailing him as a player of the highest level - but stressing that the club were focused on ensuring their top-flight status in the immediate weeks.

"He is one of many names that are speculated in the papers," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We are working every day to look at the various names that come across our desk.

"But at the moment we have a lot of matches to play, then we'll see what the transfer market brings. He is a very well-known player of a high level [but] that is all at the moment."

In his near-decade-long spell at PSG, Silva has won at least one domestic honour every season, with seven Ligue 1 crowns, four consecutive Coupe de France honours, five Coupe de la Ligue victories and another five Trophee des Champions.

During that same period, he enjoyed further international success with Brazil, winning the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2019 Copa America, as well as being named to two consecutive All-Star Teams at the FIFA World Cups in 2014 and 2018 for his performances.

However, he has been unable to help PSG break their European deadlock to date, having only reached the quarter-finals during his spell with the club as Champions League success has continued to elude them.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Juventus marked their return to Serie A action with a 2-0 win over Bologna at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Monday.

Maurizio Sarri's side shrugged off the disappointment of their Coppa Italia final defeat to Napoli last week, Ronaldo setting them on their way from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute in their first top-flight game since March 8.

Dybala added a superb second before half-time, whipping into the top corner from outside the penalty area, while Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi came close to adding further goals after the interval before Danilo was sent off in stoppage time.

The result moves the reigning champions four points clear of Lazio at the Serie A summit, although Simone Inzaghi's side will have the chance to cut the gap back to one point when they travel to Atalanta on Wednesday.

Juve started on the front foot, with Ronaldo forcing Lukasz Skorupski into a smart stop inside the opening 10 minutes.

The forward got the better of the Bologna goalkeeper midway through the opening period, though, slotting down the middle from the penalty spot after a VAR review deemed that Stefano Denswil pulled Matthijs de Ligt's shirt from a corner.

The visitors doubled their advantage in sumptuous style nine minutes before the break, Dybala sweeping into the top corner from 20 yards after a superb backheeled flick by Bernardeschi.

Ronaldo prodded wide shortly after the restart when clean through, while Bernardeschi crashed a 20-yard effort against the post moments later.

Juve were content to play out the second half at a pedestrian pace, though a Ronaldo effort fizzed past the post.

Ronaldo then saw a late strike ruled out for offside, while substitute Danilo received his marching orders in stoppage time after picking up a second booking for a foul on Musa Juwara.

What does it mean? Bianconeri back to their best

Juve had failed to score in both of their Coppa Italia matches since returning to action following the lengthy absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

They were back to their ruthless best against Sinisa Mihajlovic's side, however, putting the game to bed by half-time thanks to Ronaldo and a sublime strike from Dybala.

Dybala too hot to handle

The Argentina international was a handful for the Bologna defence throughout, bamboozling them with incisive movement and an array of smart touches. His eighth league goal of the season was one to savour.

Bologna rue Denswil's lapse

The hosts' hard work keeping Juve at bay was undone by a moment of madness from Denswil. His tug on De Ligt's shirt was unnecessary and proved costly when Ronaldo put away the penalty.

Key Opta Facts

- Juventus have won 13 of their last 14 encounters against Bologna in Serie A (D1), keeping nine clean sheet in this run.

- Bologna have conceded for 22 consecutive games in the top flight for the first time in their history.

- Dybala and Ronaldo have played 68 games together in all competitions: however this is only the third time they have scored in the same match (previously v Frosinone in February 2019 and v Sampdoria in December 2019).

- Ronaldo is now the leading Portuguese goal scorer in Serie A (43 goals), overtaking Rui Costa.

What's next?

Sarri's side host struggling Lecce on Friday, while Bologna travel to Sampdoria on Sunday.

Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Given Mashikinya has been confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus.

Mashikinya becomes the second known Premier Soccer League (PSL) player to test positive for Covid-19 and the third South African footballer to contract the virus.

"Bloemfontein Celtic can confirm that after we have conducted Covid-19 tests on Friday 19, June 2020 one player [Given Mashikinya] has tested positive‚” Bloemfontein Celtic said in a statement.

“The player was and still is asymptomatic and is currently in isolation for the next 14 days. In accordance with relevant protocols‚ NHI has been notified of the case by the club.

“We urge everybody to continue practising safe and healthy measures to contain and stop the spread of the virus.”

Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole was the first South African player recorded to be infected with the coronavirus in early May before Orlando Pirates’ Ben Motshwari also tested positive a few days later. Both players have since recovered.

PSL clubs have begun testing their players and staff as they prepare to return to training ahead of a possible restart of the 2019/20 season.

Sport24 has reported that three Stellenbosch staff members tested positive for the virus.

The government is yet to give a go-ahead for the resumption of football which would be passed if football authorities convince the Ministry of Sports that there are strict coronavirus health and safety protocols in place.

Nzoia Sugar have joined the teams in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to own a team bus as they are set to unveil the same.

The Bungoma-based club has benefitted from a promise made by CS for Devolution Eugene Wamalwa when he visited the team’s Nzoia Sugar firm early this year.

Nzoia chairman Evans Kadenge has confirmed to Goal the Sugar Millers will receive the new bus on Wednesday in Nairobi.

“We received a call today [Monday] that we travel to Nairobi to receive the bus which was a promise by CS Wamalwa,” Kadenge told Goal on Monday.

“Wamalwa promised us the team bus earlier this year when he toured our sugar factory and I can confirm the bus is now ready and he has spent at least 90 percent to have it ready while Nzoia only gave the rest of the percentage.

“It is a 52-seater bus and we will use it specifically for the team when the league starts but I will be able to have the other details on the bus when we arrive in Nairobi for the handing over ceremony.”

Most of the clubs in the top-flight are used to hiring buses when travelling to honour matches and only Wazito FC, AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker have branded team buses.

Homeboyz’ team bus was unveiled earlier this month with club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula bragging they had purchased "a huge machine" that cannot be compared to what other teams have in the KPL.

“We bought a very serious machine, even Wazito, who used to brag they have the best bus in the league, cannot match our bus,” Shimanyula told Goal.

“It is a state-of-the-art machine and will accommodate 42 people, I used over Sh18million to get the bus, and remember that amount is more than four times more than what a winner in KPL league gets as prize money.

“KPL gives league winners Sh4million, which sometimes they don’t even give out but we managed to purchase a bus at Sh18million.

"It means the club is now becoming a force to reckon with in KPL, we are coming up slowly and soon things will be very different in the league.”

By the time the top-flight was ended, Nzoia Sugar were lying in 15th position with 13 points and were fighting for relegation.

Former South Africa national team coach Gordon Igesund has pleaded for more time on Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki to do his work, saying the biggest undoing of the country is a lack of patience.

Igesund, a former Bafana coach between 2012 and 2014, feels that a national team project needs at least four years under one coach for a realistic chance of major silverware.

Since Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)-winning manager Clive Barker lost his job in 1997, no Bafana coach has reached three straight years in his position.

Igesund himself was removed from his Bafana role despite winning three 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and losing one game after taking over the qualification bid midway when the team was yet to record victory.

“We are not giving coaches enough time with the national team. You can’t give a coach a job for three years but your mandate is to get into the final of Afcon and qualify for the World Cup,” Igesund told Goal.

“For the 2022 World Cup you are bringing him three years before the tournament and expect miracles. You have to work on the team. You need to have at least four years to build a team so that they can understand your ways and you can make it happen. But here in South Africa we do not give coaches a chance.”

Current coach Ntseki has so far been in charge for three matches, winning the 2021 Afcon qualifier against Sudan as well as the Nelson Mandela Challenge with a 2-1 victory over Mali.

But the coach has tasted defeat when Bafana fell 2-0 in another Afcon qualifier away in Ghana.

“We have to give the coach the opportunity. He has a lot of work to do. I do like him very much, he is a good upcoming coach, he knows the game,” said Igesund.

“I am sure he will do the right things for instance if he goes and plays three friendly matches and he tries out a couple of players. You can’t build a team playing the same players over and over again. That’s why we need friendly matches. Sometimes you pick a team and leave out your top players and field some youngsters to look at.

“It’s ok to lose friendly matches because now you know which players are ready and which ones are not. Now you know what you need to do with certain players. That is how you start building players.

“We must judge coaches on official matches, don’t judge coaches on friendly matches. Everybody would be saying ‘get the youngsters in, put them in’. But as soon as the coach loses friendlies against Botswana or draw a game against Mauritius, everybody wants to kill the coach, [asking] how can you lose against this team?

“It’s okay to lose these matches. So it’s a process, but here in South Africa we are just too impatient, everybody is too impatient. How can you get a guy who has lost just two matches.”

Igesund has echoed Pitso Mosimane’s sentiments after the Mamelodi Sundowns coach last week said he was removed from his Bafana job without being given ample time to complete the vision he had for the team.

Former South Africa coach Stuart Baxter’s team at the 2019 Afcon finals had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Buhle Mkwanazi, Dean Furman, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane and Bongani Zungu, most of whom were handed their national team debuts by Igesund.

Atlanta United winger Ezequiel Barco says that his agent has been in contact with several teams in Europe, including Fiorentina and clubs in Ligue 1.

Barco scored in each of the first two league matches of his third MLS season before the league was halted due to the coronavirus.

The 21-year-old forward originally signed with Atlanta in 2018 for a reported $15 million (£12m) fee, making him the most expensive signing in MLS history.

Barco has had his ups and downs since joining Atlanta, scoring just nine times through his first two seasons as he adjusted to life in MLS.

However, the winger was a standout for Argentina at the most recent U-20 World Cup, capturing the eyes of European suitors once again.

“I know that from Fiorentina they contacted my representative," Barco told TNT Sports. "Also some clubs from France… The truth is that Fiorentina would be a nice possibility, yes. But now I don’t know what will happen with all this pandemic.”

Barco added that he recently spoke to Manchester City star and fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero as he wished the forward a happy birthday on June 2.

And, during that conversation, Aguero urged Barco to make the move to Europe, with the Atlanta United winger adding that he hopes the striker can put in a good word with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

“The league that I like the most is the Premier League, I love it," Barco said. "I spoke to Kun Aguero recently, I called him for his birthday. He told me that I had to make the jump to Europe, to go to the Premier League. 

"Let him sweeten Pep Guardiola’s ear a little, ha! It would be nice, yes.”

Despite Barco's claims, Atlanta United president Darren Eales says the club has yet to receive a formal offer.

"Because there's not really a lot going on at the moment, we're going to have, I think, the most silliest of seasons," Eales said on a conference call.

"But the reality, as you know, is Ezequiel is a quality player. He's under a long-term contract with Atlanta United and we've had no clubs reach out to us at the moment in terms of him." 

Barco, Atlanta United and the rest of MLS are set to return play in July for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

Vipers Sports Club goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha has stated what he wants to achieve in the upcoming Caf Champions League season.

They were crowned Uganda Premier League (UPL) winners for the abandoned season and automatically got a ticket to play in the continent's premier tournament. Reaching the group stage, as their domestic rivals KCCA FC did before, is Mugisha's big dream.

The Kassasiro Boys were the first Ugandan side to go that far in 2018 when they overcame St George SC of Ethiopia.

“We have a good squad and my hope is that we reach the group stages in the continent, we want to join KCCA in achieving that feat,” Mugisha told Football256.

“Vipers as a club is a good institution, we have a good mentality and most of all have big ambitions, therefore, it’s a plus for me being here.

“I am also happy about winning the [UPL] title in a short period it shows the winner in me like I was as a player and now as a coach.” 

The former KCCA, SC Villa and URA FC star also spoke about goalkeeper Fabian Mutombora's contract situation at the club.

“I can’t reveal anything in my department but I am sure if anything comes up you’ll learn about it. That said, I am comfortable with all the goalkeepers. They’re all good and only need enough playing time,” Mugisha concluded.

“Fabian [Mutombora] has a running contract and he is soon coming back, that’s what I know.” 

Meanwhile, Express FC's problems have been linked to its structure by the former Chief Executive Abubakar Muhammad Hadji.

Hadji claimes the burden of running the club is too heavy for the current chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

“It’s simply ownership structures that have failed the Express," Hadji told Sports Nation.

“It’s too much weight for a club to be on the shoulders of one man’s wallet considering that all clubs in Uganda are operating on a loss.

“This time if [Kiryowa] Kiwanuka quits Express, it will be a major blow because he has spent over USh300M on that club, how does he recoup his money?

“He has lots of guys on this executive, how many are willing to invest? None other than him. Eventually, he will quit. It’s just a matter of time.”

The Red Eagles are among the traditional clubs in the country, have won six league titles and 10 Uganda Cup trophies.

Uganda Cranes players Farouk Miya and Tadeo Lwanga have joined the chorus asking President Yoweri Museveni to honour his USD1M pledge to the players who took part in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The head of state made the pledge after the team arrived from Egypt from the 32nd Afcon edition and, according to the stars, the head of state is yet to honour the pledge as of now.

Museveni made the promise at State House in Entebbe on July 8, 2019, after the Cranes, under French coach Sebastien Desabre went on to reach the knockout stage. They were eliminated by eventual finalists Senegal in the Round of 16 after going down 1-0.

The Cranes had never qualified into the knockout stage since their ultimate appearance, against hosts Ghana, in Accra in 1978.

“Greetings from Uganda Cranes players Your Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Miya, the Konyaspor's forward wrote on his Facebook page.

“In these tough Covid-19 times with everyone trying to fend for themselves, we find the timing right to remind you as the number one citizen of the Pearl of Africa about the $1M [One Million Dollars] promise soon after our respectable show during the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year.

“As a captain, my teammates [some already retired now] have been on my neck humbly requesting [others in a demanding tone because of the desperate times] me to remind you of the promise.”

Miya revealed players have grown out of patience now given the time it has taken for the head of state to settle the promise. It is now almost one year since Museveni made the promise where he had also stated the players would get a lion's share from the money.

“We feel frustrated, unhappy and somewhat under-appreciated that our token of appreciation hangs in balance. We truly believe that you will come to our rescue soonest as you have done in the past,” concluded the former Vipers SC and Standard Liege star.

Sharing the same message as Miya, Lwanga joined the likes of Hassan Wasswa in reminding the president of his unfulfilled promise.

The position of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has always been that the government will eventually settle the promise.