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Mohamed Salah is beginning to have the same effect for Liverpool as Cristiano Ronaldo once had for Manchester United, according to Wayne Rooney.

Salah has played an integral role in Liverpool's transformation from also-rans into European champions and Premier League pace-setters over the last three years.

The Egyptian completed a £34 million ($42m) move to Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2017, and has since scored 91 goals in 144 appearances for the club. 20 of those efforts have come this season, with Liverpool now on the verge of winning a first league title in 30 years, under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp.

Salah has formed one-third of a deadly attacking triumvirate alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane which has blown away opposition defences on the domestic scene. The Reds have hit 66 goals in their opening 29 fixtures this term, the second-best record in the top flight, and need only two more victories to be confirmed as champions of England.

Rooney has credited Salah for being a constant threat for Liverpool in the final third, while highlighting similarities between the 28-year-old and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Juventus striker earned legendary status for his performances at United between 2003 and 2009 before being snapped up by Real Madrid, and Rooney thinks Salah strikes fear into defenders in the same way the Portuguese used to at Old Trafford.

United's all-time record scorer told The Times: “Mo Salah is starting to do what Ronaldo did for Manchester United, in terms of just being there and not really getting back to defend but always being a threat so that if you’re a defender or midfielder playing against him. You’re terrified of him on the counterattack.”

Salah will be back in contention for a place in Klopp's starting XI when Liverpool get back on the pitch for the first time in over three months against Everton on Sunday.

The Reds have only dropped points twice all season, and will be expected to get back to winning ways in a crucial Merseyside derby which will be held behind closed doors at Goodison Park due to the continued threat of coronavirus.

Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham "can definitely play together" for Chelsea, according to Gus Poyet, who thinks a new partnership could blossom under Frank Lampard.

Chelsea announced the signing of Werner from RB Leipzig in a £47.5 million ($59m) deal last week, with the striker committing to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old was being linked with a number of top clubs across Europe after another stellar year at Red Bull Arena, and the Blues saw off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool to secure his services.

Werner will be expected to slot straight into Lampard's line up next season, which raises questions over Abraham's future role in the squad.

The England international has been Chelsea's top scorer in 2019-20, hitting 15 goals in 34 appearances to date, and will likely continue to lead the line in the final weeks of the campaign.

Poyet has urged Abraham to give Lampard a selection dilemma, while suggesting Werner could even be deployed alongside the 22-year-old going forward.

“They can definitely play together because he’s been playing, in his team, with the big fella upfront. So, it’s not new for him,” the ex-Blues midfielder told Talksport. “It’s just a matter of the system you play and how you prefer to play. I think it’s options. For any manager to have different options is very important.

“I think Tammy has done very well and I hope he finishes the season in the same way because that’s the best way to give somebody a decision to make. You’ve done your best and then it’s down to Frank Lampard to pick.”

Poyet went on to hail Werner as a versatile forward capable of adding a new dimension to Lampard's starting XI, before praising Chelsea's recruitment staff for getting some major business done early,

He added: “It’s always very difficult to get one of the top strikers in Europe, especially if you’re the club buying, because there’s too many people who are trying to look for the same type of players.

“I’m pleased that he’s coming to Chelsea. I’m pleased that he will give options to Frank Lampard, especially in front of goal which is the most important and normally the most expensive one.

“He’s very good at running into space and quick. I’m not saying really fast, but he’s quick, pacy and he can go in [behind] one vs one.

“He’s intelligent. I think he enjoys it more when he plays as the main striker, but also he’s been playing at lot coming in off the left when you play three up front. I think there are good options for Chelsea next season.

“This is the dream for the coach. Before you even start training for next season, you’ve got players through the door already. This is acting quickly and not letting anyone get involved and deciding which players are your first choice because that’s something that is very difficult in England.

“When you talk about big teams in England, like the top four and top five, most of the time when they’re looking for a specific player, that player can be the same one. Then he becomes very expensive or you start looking for other options because you don’t think you’re going to get him.

“In this case, there was no time for anyone as ‘Bang’ Chelsea. [They made the] first decision and see you later. That’s something that is very welcome from the point of view of the staff and everyone around Chelsea.”

Frenkie de Jong is facing a period on the sidelines after sustaining a muscle injury.

Barcelona confirmed on Sunday that tests have revealed an injury to the midfielder's right leg.

De Jong started for the Catalan giants on their return to La Liga action in the 4-0 victory over Mallorca on June 13, but missed the subsequent clash against Leganes and the 0-0 draw against Sevilla on Friday.

The Primera Division leaders are unsure when the 23-year-old Netherlands international will be fit to play again as they wait to see how he recovers.

"The clinical follow-up on Frenkie De Jong has uncovered an injury in the soleus of his right leg," a statement on the club's website read. "The evolution of the injury will condition the player's availability."

De Jong joined the Camp Nou outfit from Ajax last summer and has been ever-present in the team this campaign, though the way the club have used him so far has been questioned by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, who uses him in a deeper role alongside another defensive midfielder. 

The Netherlands international has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season and missed just three matches so far, chipping in with two goals and two assists.

While Argentine sensation Lionel Messi remains the undisputed star at Barca, former Ajax, Real Madrid and Netherlands attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder recently tipped his compatriot to take over as the team's leader and hero when it is time for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to leave.

“De Jong made the best choice because he understood that his football is perfect for Spain and Barcelona," Sneijder said earlier this month. “He did very well to choose Barcelona: it is a club suitable for him, when Messi will stop with football Frenkie will become even more of a leader."

Barca sit top of La Liga having played 30 matches and sit three points clear of Real Madrid, who take on Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. Quique Setien's team are in action again on Tuesday when they take on Athletic Club at Camp Nou before visiting Celta four days later.

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed he is already looking to secure his future ahead of next season following the club's decision to sell its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzvhandila owner Masala Mulaudzi. 

However, Hunt said he will only consider the right project where there will be no interference in his coaching job. 

The experienced mentor added that he won't accept any job offers in the PSL if that can't be guaranteed, revealing he just wants to be given a mandate and be left to do what he knows best. 

"Things are starting to happen for me, and right now, it's about getting the right project," Hunt told Daily Sun.  

"I don't like interference. I just want to be given a mandate and left alone to do my job if I decide to accept any offers in South Africa. 

"If that can't be guaranteed then I will have to look elsewhere."

The 55-year-old further stated he could consider looking for better opportunities outside of South Africa if no one offers him a job in the PSL.  

Hunt made it clear that he doesn't mind even coaching a national team at this stage. 

"But I could be moving outside of South Africa to look for better opportunities," confirmed Hunt.  

"At this stage, I don't mind if it's a national team or at club level." 

The former SuperSport United manager dismissed claims that his high salary demands could stand in his way of finding a new home, labelling reports about him being one of the highest-paid coaches in South Africa "a pile of complete rubbish". 

"Whenever people say I earn a lot of money, it makes me angry. It's a pile of complete rubbish. Anyone that goes around saying that nonsense is planting the wrong seed in the club bosses minds," he added.

"I am open to negotiations and I am a reasonable coach. I don't go around demanding ridiculous salaries." 

Hunt concluded that all he wants right now is to finish the current season, pack his bags and leave the Students. 

"I will finish the season and then leave," concluded Hunt.    

Kevin- Prince Boateng has taken to social to praise Besiktas after they recorded a massive 5-1 win victory at Denizlispor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old Fiorentina loanee was absent from the tie because of Acute Tendonitis, which he suffered in training last week.

The Black Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat at home by Antalyaspor last week which dented their hopes of closing in on European qualification

Burak Yilmaz got the ball rolling for the visitors in the 10th minute and they headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Oscar Estupinan equalised for the home team eight minutes into the second half, and a Besiktas onslaught was to follow with Gokhan Gonul, Franco-Cameroonian Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Adem Ljajic and Mali winger Abdoulay Diaby all finding the back of the net in the space of 18 minutes.

“Well done eagles, great win! Let’s keep going on this way,” Boateng posted on Twitter.

It was the first game the Ghana international would miss in the Super Lig since a 2-1 win at Rizespor which was supposed to be his debut, but he had a bruised knee from his time in Italy.

He was fit for the next game against Gaziantep and scored from the bench and played the next six matches.

The former AC Milan star made headlines after the defeat by Antalyaspor when he threw his shirt away, but apologised for what he claimed was a misunderstanding

"I would never disrespect to throw the Besiktas shirt on the ground," Boateng said in a post on Twitter.

"After leaving the game, I tried to take off my jersey and threw it towards our shopkeeper.

"I don't even have a disrespectful attitude towards this club and jersey. But I'm sorry if it was understood from the outside."

There are reports that Boateng will become a Besiktas player permanently if he clocks 45 minutes in nine games as stipulated in his loan contract. Presently he has played within that time frame on six of his seven Super Lig outings.

Besiktas have now closed the gap to fourth place Galatasaray to three points, but it could be back to five points should their fierce rivals get the better of Gaziantep on Sunday evening.

Their next game will be against 16th-placed Konyaspor at Vodafone Park on Friday evening.

Simba SC have registered yet another post-Premier League tie friendly victory, against African Lyon on Sunday.

The friendly encounter took place almost a day after the defending Mainland Premier League champions defeated Mwadui FC 3-0 on Saturday.

Simba defeated African Lyon 5-0 with a brace from Ibrahim Ajib, a goal each from Tairone Santos, Mzamiru Yassin and Deo Kanda responsible for the big win.

Ajib found the back of the net in the 25th and in the 30th minutes while Santos' goal was scored in between Ajib's two strikes.

Yassin added the fourth two minutes after the half-hour mark while the Democratic Republic of Congo star Kanda scored the only goal in the second half, three minutes before the full-time whistle.

After dispatching Mwadui, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck asked his players to fight and regain fitness as they race to defend their league title.

“But I have only one message, for my players. Keep fighting, keep pushing yourself physically and mentally to your limit so we get fully fit and as quick as possible because you know in the end is when trophies are given not at the beginning of the season,” Vandenbroeck said after the Dar es Salaam encounter.

“We have two matches, tricky matches in Mbeya and I know we can come back with maximum points if we play as we did on Saturday.”

It is the second time Simba got engaged in a friendly match after a previous league encounter. When they drew Ruvu Shooting in their first match after resumption, Simba faced Transit Camp the following day and won.

A point gained against Ruvu Shooting and another three from their win against Mwadui ensured Simba widened the gap at the top of the league table. The Wekundu wa Msimbzi have 75 points from 30 matches so far.

Azam FC, who are in action against Young Africans (Yanga SC) on Sunday, remain second with 57 points.

Third-placed Yanga, determined to finish above Azam, are two points below their Sunday opponents.

The next game for Simba will come on June 28 when they will be hosted by Tanzania Prisons as the league races to its conclusion following June 13's resumption.

Aston Villa star Jack Grealish would shine for any team in the world, former England midfielder Joe Cole says.

Grealish, 24, is expected to leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, regardless of the result of their fight against relegation from the Premier League this term.

Manchester United have included the England Under-21 international on their list of summer transfer targets, while the attacking midfielder has decided he wants to make the switch to Old Trafford.

There are other candidates reportedly chasing the signature of the Villa captain, however, and Cole believes he is good enough to deal with the pressure of playing for any side.

“I’m sure he has plenty of options,” the ex-Villa player told The Daily Mail.

“Any of the big clubs, not just in England but Europe. I think he’s the type that can pull on any shirt and it wouldn’t be too heavy for him.

“I include the England shirt with that. His England career has been a long time coming for various reasons but no shirt would be too heavy for Jack. He’d be able to wear it."

Cole added: “I love Jack. I think he’s an immense talent. I love watching him play.

“Jack is the kind of player that, as fans, you go to watch football for. He plays strong-minded, super talented, he’s artistic and he’s become a pivotal figure at Aston Villa.

“I think if they were to go down I think even the most ardent of Villa fans would wish him well on his way, and he’s just a great player.”

Grealish is Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with seven goals from 27 appearances and his six assists are more than any team-mate has registered so far.

Dean Smith’s team have failed to win any of their last five matches in the English top-flight and sit second bottom in the table, but they are just a point behind West Ham, who linger just outside of the relegation zone.

After returning to Premier League action with a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United in midweek, Villa host fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.

Simba SC have suffered another blow in their quest to have midfielder Sharaaf Shiboub return to the club.

The towering midfielder relocated to his native country Sudan when the Mainland Premier League was halted owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic but is yet to return despite the league restarting on June 13.

Simba information officer Haji Manara had last week promised that they are doing everything possible to have the player return but this might have suffered a blow after the country extended the curfew to June 29.

Simba had hoped the curfew in the country will be lifted on Saturday but instead, the Sudanese government extended it to June 29.

The latest decision by the Sudanese government now means Shiboub will miss Simba’s next matches against Tanzania Prisons, Mbeya City, and Ndanda FC.

Simba had four foreigners outside the country before the league resumed, which also includes lead striker Meddie Kagere, Francis Kahata, and Clatous Chama. However, the aforementioned players have already reported to camp and were also involved in two matches the team has played so far.

On Saturday, Simba hammered Mwadui FC 3-0 with goals from Hassan Dilunga and John Bocco coupled with an own goal from Augustino Samson, securing maximum points at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The result left coach Sven Vandenbroeck praising his players for their mental composure and playing according to instructions and urged them to keep fighting as they closed in on a third straight title.

“Especially after a week of hard work, it is always good to win and I think the guys did a very good job tactical, in three days we changed a bit how we play, a bit typical for Simba and I have to give my players a compliment for their mental ability to give us the three points,” Vandenbroeck told Goal after the match.

“We fly out on Monday morning to Mbeya and let’s see how the circumstances are those side, I hear it is cold over there than here but let us reach there first and the first thing to do is make sure we adapt well.

“But I have only one message, for my players. Keep fighting, keep pushing yourself physically and mentally to your limit so we get fully fit and as quick as possible because you know in the end is when trophies are given not at the beginning of the season."

Simba will next face Tanzania Prison and Mbeya City in Mbeya town.

A nasty battle is brewing between Ria Ledwaba and the South African Football Association (Safa) after the experienced administrator was removed from her position as the association's vice-president on Saturday. 

Ledwaba was dismissed after she was found to be at fault for seeking political intervention for the way the country's FA is run under the leadership of Dr Danny Jordaan. 

In April, the former Ria Stars boss wrote to Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa following Safa's response to Gay Mokoena's allegations against Jordaan. 

Mokoena alleged in his report to the National Executive Committee (NEC) that it was Jordaan who requested him to step aside as acting CEO despite not having the powers to do so. 

In their response, Safa denied the allegations and pledged support for Jordaan, and that didn't sit well with Ledwaba and his subsequent reaction got her removed from her position. 

However, Ledwaba claims there were already calls for her to be removed as Safa's vice-president even before she wrote to Mthethwa. 

"I know for a fact that before I even wrote a letter to the Minister, already there was a call by the NEC that I must be removed,” Ledwaba told FarPost. 

"In fact, I was the most insulted vice-president ever since the report of Gay Mokoena, you understand?

"Now the Gay Mokoena report comes, goes to the President copied to all NEC, the President does not respond to Mokoena to say I acknowledge receipt of your report and the matter will be addressed."

Ledwaba then wrote to Jordaan asking him to give direction in the manner in which the association should handle Mokoena's damning allegation, and she alleged that this was ignored. 

She feels Safa NEC's reasons that she shouldn't have written to the Mthethwa was used as a convenient excuse, and she promised to challenge the decision to remove her.  

"But I am not going to be silent, I am going to challenge this decision," added Ledwaba.

"They must do things according to the constitution, Danny cannot be a law unto himself, he can’t! And I told him yesterday. The letter to the Minister is just a scapegoat.

"The NEC decided a long time ago that they want to fire me and Mokoena, that’s the point and that’s the truth and they all know.

"All that I am telling you now I told them straight to their face during the meeting [on Saturday]. I told them that ‘really 30-something men, you are afraid to look me in my eyes and tell me if you feel I have done something wrong’."

Ledwaba said she was hurt by the fact that women within the organisation were mobilised to vote for her removal and alleged that some have already promised her position.   

"You know the hurtful thing for me in that meeting was to see women voting that I should be released. That was the most hurtful part. I was very hurt by that, but you know why?" she asked.

"Because they are promised to be given the position of the vice-president. So, I understand but it was a bit hurtful and they know what they did to me yesterday was wrong, they know that it was an orchestrated move.

"In fact, to be honest with you, Safa is an abnormal organisation, honestly. It is a completely abnormal organisation and I have told the president [Jordaan]. I have had meetings with him and I told him."

Oghenekaro Etebo has taken to social media to express delight at scoring his first-ever goal for Getafe in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Eibar at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

The Azulones came into the match winless since the restart of La Liga, with their last outing a goalless draw at home to Espanyol.

Etebo gave his side the lead after driving in the ball home from Angel Rodriguez’s assist in the 30th minute.

That lead didn’t last long as Charles Dias equalised just before the half-time whistle with a header after Sergi Enrich knocked the ball into his path.

“Happy to get my first Getafe goal. Heads up lads,” Etebo posted on Instagram.

He became the 21st Nigerian to score in the Spanish top-flight, joining an illustrious list that contains the likes of Ikechukwu Uche, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins and Rashidi Yekini.

The 24-year-old, who is on loan from English Championship side Stoke City, played 69 minutes, produced 41 touches on the ball, and 16 accurate passes (64%) with one shot on and off-target.

It was Etebo’s ninth league appearance for Getafe since his arrival in January. He has played in every game bar against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, in which he had a knock and was unfit to make the matchday squad.

Of the nine outings, six have been starts.

Saturday’s strike was Etebo’s first-ever in Spain as he had previously played for Las Palmas on loan from Portuguese side Feirense. He was also a January loan signing and made a total of 14 appearances.

His presence was, however, not enough for the Canary Islands outfit to stay up in La Liga as they finished in 19th place.

Getafe’s draw with Eibar means they were unable to close the gap to fourth-place Sevilla, who drew with Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Friday night. The gap now stands at four points.

Jose Bordalas’ side is now unbeaten in their last four La Liga matches, drawing three and losing one. Their last victory came in a 1-0 win Mallorca on March 1, a week before the league was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their next assignment is an away trip to Real Valladolid on Tuesday.

Mbarara City CEO Mwine Mpaka has revealed they had to rehire coach Brian Ssenyondo to help the Ugandan Premier League side because the country has few qualified tacticians.

The position fell vacant early in the season after the departure of Livingston Mbabazi, who was relieved of his duties.

The team struggled to stabilize and the youthful tactician was demoted to the junior team, with Paul Nkata appointed to guide the senior team.

"We hired Brian Ssenyondo as we have a big challenge in the country regarding coaches, they are few," Mpaka told Urban TV.

"Even when we were in the Big League, it was a challenge; we hire a coach today and after a season, he wants to go.

"So we opted to go for a young but ambitious coach who in this case was Ssenyodo. Pressure came along the way considering we were playing our home games away because Kakyeka has not been cleared.

"Our home ground became Luzira in Kampala."

The administrator revealed how it affected the team.

"We lost the support of our home fan base, yes, some fans travelled with the team but it was not enough. When the team is struggling, fans will not have it easy and they will definitely put in pressure," Mpaka recalled.

"It eventually reached the administration and we had to act; sometimes you have to show leadership skills when necessary."

The management made a decision affecting Ssenyodo and opted to bring on board a more experienced coach.

"We opted against firing [Ssenyondo] and gave him an opportunity to lead our junior team," he continued.

"His demotion paved the way for an experienced coach, Nkata.  

"We believed Nkata would help the team by the look of his CV but he failed to do so. The relationship between him and his players was also wanting; it was one of the factors why he struggled to pick-up."

The veteran coach was fired after just 12 games where he collected 10 points and left a team almost in the relegation zone.

Ssenyodo was brought on board and helped the team to finish seventh with 16 points. The season came to an abrupt end owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Federation of Ugandan Football crowned Vipers SC as the champions.

Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Willard Katsande says the late Edzai Kasinauyo played an important role in his football career.

The Zimbabwean football legend played for several South African clubs in the PSL era including, Moroka Swallows and Ajax Cape Town, before he retired and became an agent.

One of the players he represented was former Zimbabwe captain Katsande, having facilitated the defensive midfielder's big move to Chiefs from Ajax Cape Town in 2011.

Kasinauyo, who was a retired winger, sadly died at the age of 42 on June 16, 2017, in Johannesburg after falling ill.

"It’s always good to remember an icon like Edzai and May His Soul Rest in Peace. For me working with him was great. He is the guy who put me when I am today," Katsande told The Sunday Mail.

"If it wasn’t for him I would not be where I am. Yes, some people might say it’s your talent but who made it possible? How much talent has been lost in the bush without being explored?

"If you look at me, Khama [Billiat], Evans Rusike, Blessing Moyo, Oscar Machapa, Gilbert Mapemba and many other players who came through him, we knew we had to work hard in order not to disappoint our mudhara [big man in Shona]."

Kasinauyo made Katsande believe that he could flourish at Chiefs like their compatriot Tinashe Nengomasha, who is one of Amakhosi's greatest midfielders in the PSL era.

"He was professional and would always get straight to the point and tell you baba what you are doing is not right. He would not gossip behind your back," he continued.

"He made me believe in my abilities and when he told me that I could command the Kaizer Chiefs jersey after Tinashe Nengomasha.

"I looked myself in the mirror and thought maybe this guy is just flattering me but he kept on inspiring me and made me realize that I am good."

Katsande explained that Kasinauyo was like a parent to him, having helped him secure a move to South Africa from Zimbabwean side Gunners FC when he joined Ajax in 2010.

"Losing him was like losing a parent and he is not going to be replaceable… a guy could cater for you in everything and would visit my mum," he added.

"He was smart, clever, honest and always hardworking as a player, administrator or agent.

"In Shona they say munhu akanaka hararame [a good person doesn't live long], I didn’t know what it means at first but now I know because I have lost some of the most important people in my life, my parents and Edzai."

Kasinauyo also facilitated Katsande's Chiefs teammate and compatriot Khama Billiat's big transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns from Ajax in 2013.

"Just check the number of players in South Africa he brought and how they have stamped their authority through hard work and compare now after his death how the numbers of those coming to South Africa have declined," he concluded.

Sam Nyamweya has highlighted the achievements he thinks were registered when he served as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president.

Nyaweya is among the individuals who have declared their interest to vie for the post this time around and he says his achievements during a tenure that ended in 2016 are there to be seen.

One of the achievements that the former FKF supremo pointed out is winning the hosting rights for the 2018 African Nations Championship which Kenya was stripped of later over a lack of preparedness.

“I did all that we could and got rights to host Chan. FKF should have pushed the government to ensure we hosted the event because it is not the government that runs football,” Nyamweya told Radio Jambo.

“I would have protested even to the State House and pleaded that we ensure Chan was hosted in the country.”

Nyamweya also tabled the performance of the Harambee Stars as proof enough of how he was in charge of a working office that achieved a lot.

“I left when Kenya was ranked 90 on the Fifa rankings and, during my entire time in office, there was no time we were ranked below the 100 mark. Now, we are ranked 107,” he added. 

“The national team players were covered by UAP Insurance. All of them were covered and there were no complaints of failure of treatment.”

On the current grandstanding between FKF and the Kenyan Premier League, Nyamweya revealed the strategy he used to solve such issues at the time.

“FKF and KPL always worked out their differences through negotiations,” he pointed out.

“Anytime there was a misunderstanding I would call Ambrose Rachier [then KPL chairman] so that we could sit and iron out issues.

"The joint Executive Committee was meeting at least once every two weeks.

“It is now two years since the current members met that is why you can see everything is in disarray.”

Nyamweya also took credit for the fact that a number of Kenyans served in key positions in international events or bodies during his tenure.

“I can remember that I also pushed a number of our officials to join the Caf Executive Committee and one of them was Doris Petra who was a representative in the Women Committee. Robert Asembo served in the Caf's Constitutional Committee,” he concluded.

“I am proud of the two. Aden Marwa served during the 2014 World Cup courtesy of my lobbying efforts and you know that is not an easy task.

“All these [achievements] are there to be seen.”

Nyamweya and his fellow contestants will wait longer as the FKF is not sure when the mandatory elections will be held.

Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew became the highest-scoring Ghanaian in Premier League history when he netted to help the Eagles to victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.

The forward's first-half strike ensured a 2-0 away triumph at Vitality Stadium on the return of the top-flight after a coronavirus suspension.

The goal was his ninth of the season, the match his 29th.

But there was more to the strike than just drawing him closer to double figures as it put Ayew clear as the highest-scoring Ghanaian in the history of the Premier League with 25 goals.

He was tied with former Leeds United forward Anthony Yeboah on 24 goals ahead of Saturday's fixture.

Seven of the France-born's strikes came while he was on the books of Aston Villa, eight while with Swansea City and 10 at Palace.

Ayew reached the 25 goal mark in 129 matches while Yeboah scored his 24 goals in 47 appearances.

Andre Ayew, Jordan's older brother, is third on the Ghana chart with 21 goals in 87 outings, having played for Swansea and West Ham United.

Former Chelsea ace Michael Essien occupies the fourth position, with 17 goals in 168 matches, while ex-Sunderland star Asamoah Gyan is fifth with 10 goals in 34 matches.

Jordan is also on the brink of breaking another record, this time at Palace, with eight more matches to the end of the season.

The attacker's goals have so far won Palace 14 points this term, leaving him just one point behind Andrew Johnson’s contribution in 2004-05 as no single player has collected the Eagles more points in Premier League history.

Ayew's big moment on Saturday came in the 23rd minute when he shot into the bottom-left corner from close range after Patrick van Aanholt delivered a good ball into the box. 

Captain Luka Milivojevic had put the Eagles in front 11 minutes earlier, curling a sweet free-kick into the net after Wilfried Zaha was fouled by David Brooks outside the box.

Ayew joined Palace in January 2019 for a half-season loan stint from Swansea. Despite a frustrating spell which yielded only one league goal, the striker was on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

He first came to England in 2015, signing for Villa from French side Lorient. In January 2017, he left for Swansea.

While in France, Ayew also played for Sochaux and Olympique Marseille.

Jose Mourinho should leave Dele Alli out of the Tottenham starting XI for Tuesday’s match against West Ham because Erik Lamela deserves to keep his place, according to former Spurs striker Darren Bent.

Alli missed Friday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United because he was suspended for posting a racially insensitive video on social media in February amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Argentina international Lamela lining up in attacking midfield for his 11th start in the Premier League this season.

The 24-year-old, who has scored nine times in 35 appearances in all competitions this term, is available to aid the London side's quest for a place in next season's Champions League when they are in action against the Hammers on Tuesday.

However Bent believes Jose Mourinho should put England international Alli on the bench for another week and instead give Lamela another chance to shine alongside star striker Harry Kane and wingers Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn.

“It’s going to be an interesting one because I think he might go with the same team,” Bent said in an interview with Football Insider. “I think Bergwijn, he’s going to play after his goal and his performance, Harry Kane, he’s not going to drop him, Son, you’re not going to drop him, so the next one is Lamela.

“You’d have to say Lamela played really, really well and to be fair, Lo Celso didn’t even start. I think Alli might have to wait and wait.

“I think it would be a little bit unfair if Lamela was to come out. Every player deserves a fair crack and Lamela hasn’t at times hasn’t covered himself in glory which is why he hasn’t been a regular but when he does play well, I think he’s earned the right to get another go.”

Tottenham are eighth in the Premier League after 30 games, four points behind United, who occupy the Europa League place, and a further two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

After Tuesday's clash with their London rivals, Mourinho's men, who have not won any of their last seven matches in all competitions, visit Sheffield United on July 2.

Azam FC coach Aristica Cioaba has maintained their target from the Young Africans (Yanga SC) match is to make sure that they remain second on the Mainland Premier League table.

The “Ice Cream Makers’ will take on the Jangwani Street-based giants in the top of the bill clash at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Azam are currently second on the 20-team league table with 57 points, two more than Yanga, and the Romanian coach has stressed the importance of making sure they keep the position by the end of the match.

“We have finished our one-week training for this game, every player’s level is going up, the physical level is also going up step by step and the spirit of players in training every day is very good and I trust the players will now fight and win this game,” Cioaba told reporters on Sunday.

“After this game, we still have other eight matches coming up, the league is not finished yet but I don’t like putting my head on one game, I speak for you that our plan is to fight for the top finish this season and we will continue to fight in every game.

“Yanga is one good team here, one of the biggest teams in the country, they have good history and have more support here, but Azam is one team fighting down from the pitch, down from the pitch, and fighting for every game and fighting for every point and today [Sunday] I am ready to make sure after this game Azam remain the second position in the table.”

On whether Azam will welcome to the squad three of their Zimbabwean players - Never Tigere, Bruce Kangwa, and Donald Ngoma - who arrived late from Harare owing to the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, Cioaba said: “My players who will start must have been training for the past weeks, and we cannot rush the players who just came the other day.

“But I think we will have two or three new players coming into the squad to boost the team in the fight for the points. We want the points; same way Yanga will be coming for the points but we are ready to carry the day.”

Yanga will be seeking to avenge their 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

Former URA FC CEO Ivan Kakembo has hit out at coach Sam Ssimbwa who he describes as a man who wanted to be everything at the club.

The two did not have a smooth time during their time at the Kampala-based side and the administrator left the team last December after his contract with the four-time Ugandan Premier League champions expired.

"Nothing brings me together with Ssimbwa but the job, even when I go for a holiday, I will be in Miami in the USA but Ssimbwa will be at Pine," Kakembo told Sanyuka TV as quoted by Sports Nation.

"What Ssimbwa failed to understand is that he cannot work under organizational structures. He is a coach but wants to be the CEO and everything at the same time."

The 53-year-old former Sofapaka tactician at one point fell out with his star player Steven Bengo while at SC Villa and Kakembo has also commented on the issue.

"At Villa, he let players sing songs about his wife [Sophie Nantongo] and at one time I guess his wife never came back and he ended up punching midfielder Steven Bengo, you all remember those disciplinary proceedings," he added.

The former Uganda international midfielder, meanwhile, accused his former CEO of signing players without his consent, while the administrator accused the tactician of asking for money to allegedly bribe referees.

Ssimbwa resigned as Sofapaka coach in 2018 after the team was held to a draw by Thika United early in the season and came to the Tax Collectors eyeing both the Uganda Cup and the league title after penning a permanent deal with the Kampala side.

Ssimbwa put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the club after serving the team for two months on a temporary basis.

He replaced former Bandari and Tusker tactician Paul Nkata, who had left URA for a return to the Kenyan Premier League with Kakamega Homeboyz.

Ssimbwa has two Uganda Cup medals to his name, having scooped the title in 1999 with Mbale Heroes and Express in 2007, who he also guided to a league title in 2011-2012 season.

The journeyman has also coached Soana, SC Villa, Police (Rwanda), SC Victoria University and KCCA FC.
 

After signing a consultancy agreement with Spanish giants Sevilla and the Spanish top flight earlier this week, Yanga SC's players could land future deals playing in Europe, according to La Liga Africa regional manager Juan Botella.

La Liga and Sevilla entered into a three-year deal with Yanga in which they will help the African side develop in various managerial aspects.

Although the pact entails helping Yanga evolve on areas of digital transformation, marketing and sales, economic control, digitalisation or international development, Botella has not ruled out the possibility of helping players seek greener pastures in Europe.

“The promotion of talent is certainly a fundamental aspect of the partnership, but we must not forget that first, we want to help grow the local championship,” Botella told Goal.

“Therefore, the migration of a player abroad must be seen as a possibility [in relation to the sporting scenario of each player] and we will definitively work hard to enhance local players potential with our expertise on the field.

“It is key for a professional football club to understand and interact with its fan base using data, providing them with new and better experiences, and develop its own training system using La Liga coaching techniques.

“Develop and share La Liga's unique training methodology is part of the collaboration.”

The official further elaborated how the deal will help the development of grassroots football.

“It would not make sense if we do not develop grassroots football," added the regional manager.

“It is actually one of our pillars in which we would like to help Tanzanian players and we will do it not only with Yanga but also with the Tanzanian Football Federation, an institution that we have a great relationship with.

“The transformation of the Tanzanian club will gradually take place across all different areas, in order to make Yanga a professional football entity towards efficiency entering in a new era of sports.

“We will transform the whole entity from its current management structure to digital and new technologies.”

Botella is confident the project is headed for success even though the record Tanzanian champions have tried to transform, twice before, with little success.

“The most important asset to success is the willingness and Yanga clearly have it. They are full of enthusiasm and they are ready to jump into the next step,” continued the official.

“This time they are not alone, we will walk together with them throughout the ambitious path of transformation.

“In addition to it, GSM [Yanga's sponsor], which has a broad view of the world of football and a lot of experience in various fields [logistics, trading, manufacturing, retail, travel] is also keen to support the project.

“We, La Liga and Sevilla have as well great expertise in our fields and there is no better partner than someone that already gone through the same process you are about to start.”

Coaches from Sevilla are expected to travel to Tanzania when travel restrictions are lessened in order to help jump-start the project.

Jurgen Klopp is making dreams come true at Liverpool and "embodies" the club, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold says.

The Reds are closing in on a first Premier League title in 30 years as they sit 22 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table with nine games to play.

England international Alexander-Arnold says the Champions League holders owe a great deal of their recent success to the German coach.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "To think back to where the club was when he took over to now, all the players and what level we were at whether he bought us or helped us come up from the academy, the things he's done to the whole club have been mind-blowing.

"To change the whole club, to change everyone from doubters to believers, to get everybody thinking the same way, believing the same way and having the same dreams.

"He just embodies the whole club. Even without being from the city, the country and being local, he just clicks with the club. He does it with every person - the fans, the staff and the players.

"You've got to respect the things he does. Every person who has been involved with him can only thank him as much as possible. The way he develops the people around him to making their dreams come true and helping them do what they want is amazing.

"He is someone who will always be special to the club and to me personally."

Liverpool make are back in action for the first time since March when they take on local rivals Everton on Sunday.

Victory against the Toffees will put the Anfield side within three points of claiming the crown and Alexander-Arnold says they remain fully focused on doing the job despite the long delay.

"If you can imagine your ultimate dream and being so, so close to it - two steps away from it really - and someone saying: 'You need to wait over 100 days then you might get it'. It was quite frustrating," the 21-year-old added.

"But the league position hasn't changed, our mentality hasn't changed and that is to win every game, push boundaries, break records, win the league and be remembered.

"You have to wait so long to win the league, then when you do it, you have to wait so long to celebrate it properly. The things we see on that day, though, will hopefully be things we will never forget."