Looking for Soccer News?

Five Red Star Belgrade players have tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus in the wake of their SuperLiga title triumph in front of several five-figure crowds, the club has confirmed.

The Serbian champions confirmed the news less than a fortnight after they faced cross-city rivals FK Partizan in their Serbian Cup semi-final defeat, with around 25,000 fans in attendance.

Marko Gobeljic, Njegos Petrovic, Dusan Jovancic, Marko Konatar and Branko Jovicic have all subsequently come back with affirmative results for the illness, with all but the latter having been left out of the club's final game of the season against Proleter on Saturday.

As such, all five players will be forced to wait to receive their SuperLiga winners' medals, with the club confirming that they will be presented to them at a later date.

"The aforementioned players are feeling well, and are in strict isolation as well as constant contact with the club's medical team," read an official Red Star statement. "The condition of the players is being carefully monitored and a new test will be performed before the start of the preparations for next season."

The club further stressed that they had taken the requisite precautionary measures and that there were no other reported cases at present, adding: "It is important to point out that all other players, management and staff who were in direct contact with the first team have received a negative result. Red Star is taking all necessary protection measures and we will continue to do so."

The news is likely to bring the Serbian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic under scruitny after they eased lockdown restrictions earlier this month to allow large crowds back into sporting events across the nation.

With most other major sporting leagues across Europe returning to action firmly behind closed doors, the decision to allow several thousand fans - many of whom are thought to have not followed further recommendations - has already drawn criticism from neighbours Montenegro, who believe that the return of crowds has led to a second wave of infections across the country, due to supporters crossing the border in order attend matches.

Antonio Rudiger says he played a part in convincing Timo Werner to come to Chelsea and compared the newly-signed striker to Leicester City star Jamie Vardy.

Werner recently completed a £47.5 million ($59m) deal to join Chelsea and will join the Blues at the end of the season after achieving stardom with RB Leipzig.

For several months, though, it was Liverpool that were expected to win the Werner sweepstakes, with Chelsea's late push ultimately proving successful.

Rudiger says that, throughout the coronavirus lockdown, he did his best to convince his Germany team-mate that Stamford Bridge was the right place for him to shine as he prepared for a move to the Premier League.

"I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time," Rudiger told Chelsea's official website. "We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England. Of course then I did my bit, what I had to do."

He added: "Like everyone, I’m very excited that he’s chosen Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him. I’ve known him since he was 17 and he did very good in the past few years. He can be very important for us."

Werner has fired 32 goals in 44 matches this season, taking his RB Leipzig total up to 93 in 158 games.

The 24-year-old forward has also scored 11 goals in 29 matches for Germany, having been a part of the squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Prior to his breakout at RB Leipzig, Werner was team-mates with Rudiger at Stuttgart, and the Chelsea defender says that he's been impressed with how the striker has grown since the last time they played together at club level.

"He’s a really big threat to defenders," he said. "RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he’s similar to Vardy. He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!"

"His development was just 'wow'. In his first season everything was new for him in men’s football but then he started scoring more goals and of course with that comes confidence. He had very good coaches who believed in him and worked with him."

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were among the Paris Saint-Germain stars to report back at the club's training ground on Monday.

Thomas Tuchel's first-team squad attended the Ooredoo Centre to undergo medical checks, including Covid-19 tests, ahead of a planned return to training on Thursday.

A total of 27 players reported back to the club on Monday, the notable exceptions being Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier, who are due to leave the club at the end of this month.

As a result of their upcoming departures and the end of their current contracts, Cavani and Meunier will not play for PSG when the Champions League resumes.

Tuchel's men are expected to have further tests until Thursday, when training will resume in small groups.

PSG have not played since their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in March.

Ligue 1 was the only one of Europe's top five leagues to have its season declared over due to the coronavirus pandemic, with PSG confirmed as champions based on a points-per-game final table.

At the time of the cancellation, PSG had a 12-point lead over second-place Marseille while also maintaining a game in hand.

Stade de Rennes rounded out the top three, with seventh-place Lyon challenging the decision to cancel the league while threatening legal action over what they saw as a premature conclusion.

However, French authorities are set to allow the finals of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue to go ahead on July 24 and 31 respectively. PSG will face Saint-Etienne in the former and Lyon in the latter.

They will then compete in the remaining rounds of the Champions League - reorganised into a form of mini-tournament in Lisbon - in August, before the 2020-21 season gets underway.

PSG are one of four teams to seal their place in the quarter-final round, joining Atalanta, RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid by successfully navigating the round of 16 prior to the coronavirus cancellations.

There are still four matchups still to be determined, though, with Real Madrid facing Manchester City, Chelsea looking to find a miracle comeback against Bayern Munich, Lyon taking on Juventus and Napoli meeting Barcelona.

Neymar, who has won Ligue 1 three times since making the move to Paris, says that he is determined to lead the club to glory in the Champions League this year in an effort to deliver the club its first European triumph.

Nigeria women's national team home kit has been voted the best jersey of the Fifa Women's World Cup held last year in France. 

The Africans turned out in their eighth appearance at the tournament in a heady mixture of cool green, white, and black evoke sensations of spearmint gum, while the blurred chevrons ooze cool. 

The home kit, which was designed by Nike and unveiled in 2018, earned numerous reviews during the global showpiece held last summer, hence its nomination according to Fifa on Sunday.

The Super Falcons were the only African country at the global showpiece shortlisted for the four-nation jersey poll, which also includes Australia, England, and Germany. 

The poll, which ended on Monday, had 2,348 people involved in the voting process, with Nigeria finishing top with 50 percent of the votes. 

Behind the Nigerian jersey, Australia came second with 21 percent and England were placed third with 15 percent while Germany finished fourth with 15 percent in the four-nation ranking.

The Super Falcons recorded a 2-0 victory over South Korea - which was their only win of the tournament but was safe to power the West Africans to the Round of 16 for the first time since 1999. 

Having been bounced out by Germany last summer, African champions will celebrate their international victory via the fan poll over the European giants and two-time world champions. 

Bobby Williamson has revealed he told Gor Mahia they will never wait for 18 years again before winning the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.

The Scott helped K'Ogalo to their first league title in 2013 since 1995. After that, they have secured five more titles and have been dominating the local footballing scene. So, what is Gor Mahia doing right?

"It is all about the mentality they have; that winning mentality," Williamson told Goal on Monday.

"Before I arrived, they were close to winning the title, they then got over the line. I said after we had won the league, that they would never wait 18 long years again and that has been proven. The recruitment is important and they have brought coaches on board that have kept that momentum going."

The experienced tactician has also revealed the influence of Chairman Ambrose Rachier.

"The chairman has been important to the club's success. He said I was the catalyst back then but to date, I believe he was and still is since he has seen coaches coming and going but the winning is ongoing," Williamson added.

"It is not just the team on the park but it is also about the team off the park that is important and also the fans' hunger for more success."

In 2014, the coach left his post at the club to serve the Kenya national team in the same capacity.

"My time at Gor Mahia was good, I made a lot of friends and was privileged to help the team get their first league title after almost two decades," Williamson told Goal.

"I had an agreement with the chairman [Ambrose Rachier] that if the national team comes calling I will leave and it is what happened about a year later. 

"Gor Mahia remained with at least a million shillings and believe you me I have been asking for that money for years. After a few years ... you feel as if you are begging for the money you have earned

"March 21, 2019, was my last email to [Omondi] Aduda they were travelling to North Africa for continental assignment. He said he would get back to me in 13 days; it never happened."

The 58-year-old had the option of suing the club over wrongful dismissal, but he chose not to and has gone on to explain the reason.

"Yes, I could have sued them, but I never spoke about my arrears publicly as I did not want Gor to get bad publicity."

The tactician has since written off the debt.

The Football Federation of Zambia (Faz) and Super League side Napsa Stars have condoled coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic who has lost his mother.

Micho, who took the Zambian National football team's responsibilities in February, lost his mother who was staying in Serbia. Faz President Andrew Kamanga says they mourn with the former SC Villa and Orlando Pirates coach for he had become part of their family.

“Losing a loved one, especially one as close as a mother is very saddening. We mourn with coach Micho who has lived with the Zambian family for almost four months and has become a member of our football family,” Kamanga said in a post shared on Faz Facebook page.

“We extend a warm hand to him and his family and pray that God may ease the pain. On our part, we will do our best to ensure that we ease the burden of the loss.”

According to the former Young Africans SC, Saint-George, Al-Hilal Omdurman and Rwanda tactician, his mother Rada died at the age of 70. 

“I have remained just with best memories of herself in my heart, mind and soul with the best ingredients being the values she engraved in me,” Micho is quoted by Faz as saying.

“My mother will forever [live] inside me and whatever I did in African football I owe it to her.”

Napsa Stars have wished the coach comfort.

"Napsa Stars Football Club through its head coach Mohamed Fathi wishes to convey the deepest - heartfelt condolences to Chipolopolo head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic for the loss of his mother in Serbia,” the club posted on their Facebook page.

“It's very sad to hear of such news especially when you are not home to mourn with your family. I express my sincere sympathy to coach Micho and his family back in Serbia and I pray that they all find comfort in the Lord.”

“May her Soul Rest in Peace.”

Micho had left his Pirates job in mid-2019 citing issues pertaining to her mother's health. He managed the Egyptian giants Zamalek SC briefly thereafter before he left the role and later on was appointed Zambian head coach.

The Serbian is yet to oversee a single match for Chipolopolo as the African Nations Championship (Chan), which was expected to be his first test, remains suspended due to the coronavirus.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku equalled two Samuel Eto'o records in his side’s 2-1 narrow victory against Sampdoria in Sunday’s Serie A game.

The Belgium international opened the scoring for the Black and Blues in the 10th minute of the game after he was set up by Christian Eriksen.

The strike is the 18th league goal of the former Manchester United and Everton striker, thus becoming the seventh Inter player to reach the 18 goal-mark in a single Serie A campaign after Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, Mauro Icardi, Diego Milito, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christian Vieri and Ronaldo.

Moments after the half-hour mark, Lautaro Martinez then doubled the lead after benefitting from Antonio Candreva’s assist to take his tally to 12 league goals in this campaign.

With Lukaku and Lautaro goals, Inter now have two players to score at least 12 goals in a single league season for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign when Eto’o and Milito achieved the feat.

Victory in the encounter ensured Antonio Conte maintain their third-place on the league table with 57 points from 26 games.

The Giuseppe Meazza outfit is behind Lazio and leaders Juventus, who are on 62 and 63 points respectively.   

Eto'o enjoyed success with the Black and Blues, where he spent two years after joining the side from Spanish giants Barcelona in 2009.

The former Cameroon international hit the ground running on his arrival at Giuseppe Meazza and scored on his competitive debut against Lazio in a Supercoppa Italiana game.

Eto'o went on to find the back of the net 33 times in 67 league games, scooping a number of individual accolades in the process.

The former Real Madrid man clinched the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Champions League and Club World Cup trophies during his time with Inter.

The four-time African Player of the Year later went on to play for Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, Sampdoria, Antalyaspor, Konyaspor and Qatar SC before his retirement from professional football in September 2019.

Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has escaped punishment from the FA despite being caught on camera grabbing Brighton's Neal Maupay by the throat.

The Gunners succumbed to a surprise defeat at the hands of Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Lewis Dunk and Maupay finding the net to complete a stunning turnaround for the hosts after Nicolas Pepe's second-half opener.

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher after a collision with Maupay earlier in the contest, which provoked a strong reaction from Guendouzi.

The Frenchman appeared to accost the Seagulls striker after he had tried to apologise to Leno, but the incident was not picked up by match official Martin Atkinson.

The two men clashed again after the final whistle, with Guendouzi clearly seen grabbing Maupay by the neck in replay footage as frustrations boiled over.

However, Atkinson failed to pick up on the clash once again and a VAR review decided that no further action was required against the Gunners playmaker.

The FA have released an official statement confirming that Guendouzi will not be reprimanded for his actions, which asserts that the referee took all the necessary steps to deal with the situation on the pitch.

The statement reads: “Matteo Guendouzi’s conduct during this incident was not seen by the match officials at the time, but it was subsequently reviewed by the VAR, so he will face no further action.”

Mikel Arteta will still be able to call upon Guendouzi when his side take in a trip to St Mary's to face Southampton on Thursday.

Arsenal are now in real danger of missing out on European football next season, having endured a nightmare return to action following the three-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester City thrashed the Gunners 3-0 at Etihad Stadium three days before they were humbled by Brighton, bringing Arteta's honeymoon period at the helm to a definitive close.

Arsenal are now sitting tenth in the Premier League standings with only eight fixtures remaining, 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and four behind Sheffield United - who currently occupy the final Europa League spot.

Liverpool will need to dip into the transfer market for “additional firepower” when the transfer window re-opens, says Danny Murphy, with the Africa Cup of Nations set to see them lose Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for a long period in 2020-21.

The 2021 AFCON in Cameroon was initially due to be held in the summer of 2021, but it has been rescheduled and will now run from January 9 to February 6.

Egypt and Senegal – the respective nations of Salah and Mane – will be among those setting their sights on the ultimate prize if qualification is secured.

Their presence on international duty will force Liverpool to find cover in domestic action, with Jurgen Klopp facing quite the selection poser.

He had been expected to join the race for Timo Werner once it became clear that the Germany international striker would be leaving RB Leipzig, but Chelsea have secured the prized signature.

Liverpool continue to lack depth in their attacking ranks as a result, with Murphy expecting that issue to be addressed at some stage over the coming weeks.

The former Reds midfielder told talkSPORT: “I do think Liverpool could do with some additional firepower, especially as next season there will be the Africa Cup of Nations. That’s going to mean that both Salah and Mane are going to be missing for a chunk, a big chunk of the games.

“I would be amazed if when the window does open, or when the season ends, that Liverpool don’t sign someone in attacking areas.

“But you also have to remember that for two years they got to the Champions League final and got 97 points last season and are going to win it this year, so who are we to argue with how he’s [Klopp] balanced his squad.”

Liverpool resisted the urge to gamble on Salah’s fitness when returning to action after a coronavirus-enforced break with a goalless derby draw across Stanley Park at Everton.

A lack of spark there highlighted the need for further options to be found, but Klopp’s side are still easing their first to a first English top-flight title in 30 years – with there still eight games left for them to take in.

“I think Liverpool will inevitably win the title,” added Murphy. “The fact that everybody wants it done so quickly, or the desire of everyone associated with Liverpool wanting to get it done quickly is obvious because it’s been 30 years. It’s going to happen.

“You’d think they will beat Palace on Wednesday and it makes the Man City away game [on July 2] really interesting because Pep and those Man City players are not going to want Liverpool winning it there.”

Jose Mourinho has defended his record with strikers ahead of Tottenham's clash with West Ham on Tuesday, insisting "Harry Kane has no problem" given his previous experience with the likes of Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson expressed his belief that Mourinho's preferred playing style could force Kane to consider his future at Spurs during his latest column for Sky Sports.

After analysing the England international's subdued performance during Friday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the former Gunners midfielder said: "I think he'll have a serious think at the end of the season. I don't see him getting 25, 30 goals next season the way Jose will want to play."

Mourinho hit back at Merson directly during a pre-match press conference on Monday, rolling out statistics from his previous spells at Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and United as proof of his ability to maximise the output of top attacking players.

The Spurs boss said: "I feel a bit strange at some analysis and some comments, especially as it looks for me that have started from Paul [Merson]. I have to say I respect a lot of people like him and because I respect him a lot, I want to be nice in my answer.

"I don’t think he’s ready for a bad answer so I try to be nice and say something that people can think a little bit. First of all, Harry played his first game for six months, and if you watch and analyse the game, compared Harry Kane with Anthony Martial.

"It was a game of many chances, it was a game where the two strikers had a lot of chances. Do you give credit to my defence for Martial's game, do you give credit to the United defence for the occasions we create or didn’t create? You have to look at it in a balanced approach.

"Harry doesn’t play a game for six months. The record of goals that Harry has for me is easy for me. Go to your data and it’s easy to see how many matches he played with me and how many goals he scored before his injury.

"I had a few strikers that played for me and they’re not bad. I have a guy called (Didier) Drogba he played for me for four seasons, he scored 186 goals – an average 46 goals per season."

However, in his anger, Mourinho did not get all his facts correct. Drogba, in fact, made 186 appearances under the manager, rather than scoring that many goals. The Ivorian hitman struck on 73 occasions while playing for the Portuguese tactician.

Mourinho continued: "I had another guy who is also not bad, played for Juventus now [Ronaldo]. He played for me three seasons, he scored 186 goals, which gives an average of 56 goals per season. I had another guy who is also not bad, called Karim Benzema.

"He played for me three seasons, he was not always starting because he was quite young at the time, he scored 78 goals in three seasons, which gives a 26-goal average per season.

"I had another called (Diego) Milito, he played one season, he scored 30 goals, won three titles. I had another guy, he played for one and a half seasons, in the other half he had a big injury. A tall guy called Zlatan (Ibrahimovic). He scored 58 goals, which gives a 29 average per season.

"So dear Paul, I have lots of respect for you. I think Harry Kane has no problem at all to score goals in my teams, especially when he’s fit and fresh and has routines of playing. That’s my message to somebody I have lots of respect for."

Jose Mourinho admits Steven Bergwijn was not his first-choice option in the January window but is delighted with the winger's impact since joining Tottenham.

The Netherlands international opened the scoring in Friday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United to make it three goals in eight appearances for the London side.

Bergwijn has added an extra dimension to Spurs' attack and Mourinho is pleased the club pushed ahead with the signing, even if the left-sided attacker was not his primary target.

"He's a good player. Congratulations to my club because initially he wasn't my first option – in the end it was a great decision," he said at Monday's pre-match media conference. "He's a player with a bright future and we are more than happy."

Mourinho has a near fully fit squad to choose from for Tuesday's Premier League clash against West Ham, with Dele Alli back from suspension and Lucas Moura overcoming a knock.

The Portuguese is relishing the prospect of fielding his favoured attacking line-up for the first time since succeeding Mauricio Pochettino in November.

"It's only good news [on the injury front]. Lucas is back. Dele Alli is back from punishment and no injuries were reported in the game against United," he said. "We didn't lose any players and we have two extra players who make my squad really good. It's the first time since I arrived that I have all six attacking players available.

"It's a problem that we love. The problem that we hate I had for a long time. It's very good news for us because we need everybody."

Juan Foyth will miss out on the midweek London derby with a troublesome knee injury, but Mourinho denied reports the centre-back requires surgery.

"Surgery? Unless he has consultation by Zoom in Argentina, I hope not," he said. "The information I had from medical department is he'll have recovery period and be available for some matches."

Spurs head into the match winless in seven, a run that has seen them exit two cup competitions and lose ground in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Mourinho acknowledges that only victory will do against West Ham to keep alive his side's hopes of Champions League football next season.

"I think we have to think about winning the game. Even a draw is not a good result for us," he said. "If you want to finish seventh, if you reduce our ambition, then a point is a point. If you want think about the biggest ambition as possible then we'll need to win."

Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City players “don’t get the recognition they deserve” when it comes to prestigious individual awards, with Kevin De Bruyne’s lack of personal prizes leaving the Portuguese forward baffled.

The Belgium international playmaker has been a leading contender for PFA Player of the Year gongs in the past. That honour has, however, always headed elsewhere since De Bruyne returned to English football at the Etihad Stadium in 2015.

Leicester’s remarkable title triumph in 2016 saw Riyad Mahrez’s efforts recognised by his peers, with N’Golo Kante going on to take first place a year later after moving to Chelsea and helping them to the Premier League crown.

De Bruyne then starred for title winners City in 2017-18 – as they reached 100 points – but he was edged out in the PFA vote by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

A domestic treble was not enough to see him past Virgil van Dijk in 2019 – with injury issues working against him that season – and Silva has questioned whey a period of stunning success for Pep Guardiola’s side as a collective has not been mirrored on a personal level.

He told The Telegraph: “Kevin de Bruyne should have won the [award] two years ago - he was clearly the best player in the league that season. It is a fair process, but I can't understand why City players don't get the recognition they deserve.”

City are now sweating on whether the likes of De Bruyne will stick around if a two-year ban from European competition is upheld. They have appealed that ruling, with Silva admitting that future uncertainty at the Etihad is helping to narrow the focus when it comes to a European quest in the present.

He added: “Of course, what happens with UEFA is an important matter. No one knows what is going to happen, so we must only think about what we can control now. What we can control is to play the competition in the best possible way. We must put all of our energy into trying to win the Champions League.

“I think all of the players are with the club and support what they are saying. We will try to do our best this year and not worry about anything else.”

Silva has added incentive when it comes to capturing a continental crown this season, with the final stages of the 2019-20 Champions League campaign set to be played out in his homeland.

“For me personally, it is an extra motivation to try to do well in the Champions League,” said Silva. “It is a special competition and it is going to be a unique event in my home city.

“To fight for the title in my city [Lisbon] would mean a lot because I missed out on the Euros four years ago when Portugal won the trophy and I was hoping to play in this summer’s tournament before the pandemic.

“We know we are no longer fighting for the Premier League – that is impossible. Of course, we want to defend the FA Cup, but we all know what the Champions League means.

“This club has never won it, I’ve never won it and most of the players haven’t won it. Our goal is to really go for it because it’s a big opportunity to win the biggest competition.”

Gareth Bale “does not seem to care” that he is out of favour at Real Madrid, claims Jorge Valdano, with Zinedine Zidane considered to have “ruled out” the Welshman for the foreseeable future.

This is not the first time that Bale has slipped down the pecking order under an iconic French coach.

He has previously come back into contention, with Real reluctant to leave a big-money asset stuck in the shadows.

Form and fitness issues have, however, made life difficult for Bale over recent seasons, with an expectant fan base marking him out as an easy target.

Questions have been asked of the 30-year-old’s ongoing commitment to the cause, with criticism of his fondness for golf never far away.

It may be that he gets more time on the fairways than he does on the football field over the coming weeks, with Valdano of the opinion that Real are preparing to play out their 2019-20 campaign without Bale forming part of those plans.

The former Blancos player, coach and director has told Onda Cero: “Zidane needs all of his players involved for these games.

“But that seems to be without Bale, who he has already ruled out.

“Bale does not seem to care too much either, and coaches know when a player wants to play.”

Bale did step off the bench in Real’s 3-1 victory over Eibar, which marked their return to competitive action, but was not involved in subsequent successes against Valencia and Real Sociedad.

Karim Benzema has been the star of the show for Madrid in those contests, with the French striker bursting through the 20-goal mark for the season.

Vinicius Junior is another of those to have seen regular game time, with the Brazilian youngster getting the nod ahead of fellow countryman Rodrygo.

That has come as no surprise to Valdano, who said of the battle between two teenage stars: “His [Vinicius’] contribution ended up being decisive.

“It seems that Vinicius is giving more to the team. Rodrygo does not have the same degree of self-confidence that Vinicius has.”

Valdano did, however, concede that “everyone sees more talent in Rodrygo” and that a couple of hot prospects should have prominent roles to play in Real’s long-term future.

Ralf Rangnick wants to sign Hoffenheim teenager Melayro Bogarde as one of his first players at AC Milan.

The current head of sport development for Red Bull is set to take charge at Milan this summer, replacing Stefano Pioli as the club's coach.

Milan look to have missed out on a Champions League spot for 2020-21 and see Rangnick as the man who can lead them back to Europe's top competition after another season of failing to finish in the top four.

Pioli is determined to finish the season strongly with Milan, who currently sit ninth in Serie A. A top-seven finish would be enough to earn a Europa League spot, but even European qualification will not be enough to keep the former Lazio boss in the job.

Rangnick is expected to take charge at the end of the season and has drawn up a list of players he would like to bring to Milan.

Having worked as sporting director and head coach at RB Leipzig, Rangnick will have a similar role at San Siro and is eager to shape the team in his image.

One of the first players he has targeted for Milan is Hoffenheim centre-back Bogarde, who became the youngest Dutch player to play in the Bundesliga when he made his debut in May.

The nephew of former Ajax and Barcelona defender Winston Bogarde, the 18-year-old is highly regarded across Europe and turned down offers from Manchester City and Manchester United to sign for Hoffenheim in 2018.

When he was at Feyenoord, many of Europe's top clubs were interested, with Arsenal also in the running for the teenage talent who decided that a switch to Germany would offer him a quicker route to first-team football.

"I did not want to go to a club that only ever loans you," Bogarde said when he arrived in Germany.

"So I went to Hoffenheim because I know that I can become a professional here. They are a big club, they played in the Champions League last season."

However, with one year left on his contract, the Netherlands Under-18 international could be set for the next step in his career as Rangnick looks to overhaul Milan's backline.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Teboho Moloi shed light on how he was taught and groomed to play for the Soweto giants, saying chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza is proud of his service to the club.

‘Tebza’ also revealed he used to earn less money compared to his Kaizer Chiefs counterparts such as Doctor Khumalo, because Amakhosi were winning trophies at the time.

The former Buccaneers mentor also goes on to say why wearing the black and white shirt was the equivalent to playing for the South African national team.

“I was taught to play for Pirates, I will be honest with you, during school holidays in 1985 to 86 I used to train with Jomo Cosmos and there’s a picture of the 1973 team that swept all the trophies at Pirates and in that picture I am their mascot but I am not in between my father’s legs, taking the pictures with the whole team, I am in between Jomo Sono’s legs, I love that man,” Moloi told FARPost.

“Playing for Pirates for me was like representing the country each and every day because the Pirates jersey is heavy.

"It is a jersey that you wear each and every day where else the Bafana Bafana jersey you wear it only for six days and then the pressure is off your shoulders but with the Pirates jersey, the pressure will always be there for each and every day of your life until you retire.

"When I went to Pirates [from Cosmos] I was taught that when you join Pirates you are going to serve, you are going to work, you are going to try and change things for the better because in Rockville, Soweto, the Kaizer Chiefs juniors used to train at Elkah Stadium and we would admire them.”

Speaking about his salary, the former Chippa United coach and Bafana Bafana midfielder said he used to earn R400 back in the day and he never received a signing-on fee from the club.

“If my father wanted money out of my talent, he could have taken me to any other team where he would have gotten a fat signing on fee for me, where I would have gotten an exorbitant salary,” he added.

“But my salary at Pirates when I joined them it was R400 and a couple of Rands and my friend at Chiefs [Doctor Khumalo] was earning big money, you must understand Chiefs were winning trophies so there were bonuses but you remember what you were taught.

"So, when I went to Pirates I went to serve, that is why till today I never received any signing on fee from Pirates.

“Irvin Khoza is happy that we have given our time, served the team and the next generation can always be thankful that players like ourselves that went through a lot of hardship, difficult periods for Pirates to be what it today, so when I joined the team I wouldn’t say I joined because I wanted to, I joined because I was sent to go serve.”

Barcelona boss Quique Setien has expressed his belief that there is an idea that VAR "is not being used well" after Real Madrid's controversial victory over Real Sociedad.

Madrid earned a 2-1 victory at the Anoeta on Sunday thanks to second-half goals from Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema, but benefitted from a number of contentious refereeing decisions to move above Barca at the Liga summit.

Sociedad thought they had equalised when Adnan Januzaj fired past Thibaut Courtois from long distance, but the goal was ruled out for offside because Mikel Merino was deemed to be blocking the Madrid goalkeeper's view.

The home side's woes were compounded when Benzema appeared to control the ball with his arm before firing the winning goal in the 70th minute, with the Frenchman eventually cleared of handball after a VAR review pitchside.

Barca were held to a 0-0 draw away at Sevilla on Friday, and are now trailing their arch-rivals due to an inferior head-to-head record heading into the final eight matches of the season.

Ahead of a meeting with Athletic Club on Tuesday, Setien called for VAR to be used more effectively in order to ensure a level playing field.

"I'm focusing on us," the Barcelona manager told a pre-match press conference. "We have footballing problems, but I'm very happy with a lot of the things we're doing.

"We've won two and drawn one. We've scored six goals and we haven't conceded a single one. VAR is a tool we have that can make us better.

"But we must use it and have a clearer vision of reality. It is fair to ask why some actions are reviewed and others are not.

"It can lead to the idea that it is not being used well."

Setien went on to admit that Barca cannot afford any more slip-ups in pursuit of a third successive domestic crown.

"It's true that goal difference puts us below," he added. "But we still have the same amount of points. They [Real Madrid] can't make any mistakes either.

"Many leagues have been resolved in the last few games. Things are still the same.

"We're behind, but there are eight games left and we have the same idea of winning every game and being there until the last one.

"I knew we had to win almost everything, just like them."

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack says he has no problem with new sponsors' Betsafe stance that they can only start financing the club when football returns in the country.

Last Thursday, the Kenyan champions alongside their sworn rivals AFC Leopards signed a joint three-year sponsorship deal with the betting firm estimated at Sh285 million, which will see K’Ogalo pocket KSh55m per year while Ingwe will receive KSh45m.

However, immediately after signing the deal, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier came out to clarify that they can only get financial support from the new sponsors when football action returns to the country.

“As things stand now, we don’t have anything to give back to the new sponsor because there is no football being played,” Rachier told Goal.

“What we agreed on when signing the deal, is they will only be able to start funding the club when football resumes, and that can only be possible when our league starts again.”

The British coach has also waded into the issue, stating he was part of the club officials who attended the meeting when signing the deal with the new partners, and it is exactly what was agreed.

“It is something that was discussed and we understand the situation, how can you get money from sponsors if you are not advertising them? Polack posed a question to Goal on Monday.

“It doesn’t make sense, because you have to advertise before you get paid for your work, so I do agree with [Betsafe] and I know even around the world some sponsors dropped out because they were not making money themselves, so we understand they will not give the whole amount assigned in the deal but they will definitely boost the team.

“That is why I understand the situation very well, and I was actually in the meeting with the sponsors, the chairman invited me and I attended two meetings before the deal was sealed.”

Polack also took his time to thank Eliud Owalo, who hosted the team to a luncheon and also gave them money to boost the players during these difficult times occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I appreciate what the honourable Owalo did, hosting the team to lunch, it was a very good gesture from him even though the entire squad was not there, we have to thank him and appreciate him for the gesture,” Polack continued.

“It was a nice gesture and I am very happy from what he did, and also the cash token he gave to the players and the technical bench was amazing, nobody knew that he was also going to give financial token and he did so, so we appreciate him very much, that was well appreciated.

“Gor Mahia needs help as much as they can and such gestures are good for the club and especially to the players, who have gone through tough times during the Covid-19 period.”

The new season for the Kenyan top flight is pencilled in to kick-off at the end of August.

Cape Town City chairman John Comitis says people shouldn’t be complaining now that Bidvest Wits have been sold because their sponsor, Bidvest, bought it from Wits University.

The Citizens owner further explained that his club wouldn’t exist if they weren't able to acquire Premier Soccer League (PSL) status after buying Mpumalanga Black Aces back in 2016 and relocate to the Mother City.

Comitis was speaking after the sale of the Clever Boys led to contrasting views as they will now be known as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) as of next season, and they will relocate to the Limpopo province.

“We as Cape Town City wouldn’t have been in existence if we weren’t allowed to do what we did,” Comitis told CityPress.

“If you’re going to complain about the Wits purchase, you should have complained when Bidvest bought the club and changed their name to Bidvest Wits because then it ultimately lost its positioning, which was a Wits University team. It was more about the sponsor.

“Well, Bidvest was entitled to do so, but that’s very much a rugby model, which I think is not very good.

“For instance, you have the DHL Stormers and two seasons later, the sponsor goes and it’s called something else. The secret is in the name and I think as the PSL we should keep it in the PSL intact.”

On the other hand,  Bloemfontein Celtic have also been making headlines in recent times as they were reportedly set to be bought by TS Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi.

However, it looks the sale will not go ahead and Phunya Sele Sele will not move to Mpumalanga after a Bloemfontein-born businessman Lebo Mokoena has reportedly stepped in to rescue the club from its financial woes.

In addition, Platinum Stars were also sold to new owners, including former Wits coach Roger De Sa, and are now known as Cape Umoya United, after relocating to the Western Cape in 2018, and the former Orlando Pirates coach has echoed Comitis' sentiments.

“We have a league in which the clubs are based on a franchise model and status buying is bound to happen,” said De Sá to the same publication.

“Look at Cape Town City and [Moroka] Swallows. they have both been revived and they bought their way back. We’ve got to accept the [club] owners have the right to sell.

“When we bought Platinum Stars, we did it differently because our vision was about development and education.”