Looking for Soccer News?

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has clarified sponsors Betsafe will start bankrolling the club when the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season kicks off.

On Thursday, the Kenyan champions, along with their sworn rivals AFC Leopards, signed a partnership deal with the betting firm that will last for the next three years, with K’Ogalo set to pocket KSh55million per year while Ingwe will receive KSh45 million.

But according to the K’Ogalo chairman, despite penning the deal, the club will only start getting financial support when the new season kicks off in August.

“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 reporters after Gor Mahia players were hosted to a luncheon on Saturday.

“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.”

Rachier further revealed the club was working on ways to reduce their monthly wage bill, which currently stands at Sh5million, by half.

“We have 35 players who are in our payroll and we must have Sh5million every month to clear their salaries and this is becoming a bit too much for the club to handle, so our aim, for now, is to try and reduce it to at least half,” Rachier continued.

“If you ask me, I would prefer our wage bill to stand at Sh3million a month because we can try to handle it.”

Rachier also called on Gor Mahia fans to register as members in big numbers so they can directly help support the team financially.

“Like in most cases, and more so in Europe, most clubs are being run by fans through membership, they directly contribute and play a big role to support their clubs, we can also try and cultivate that culture at Gor Mahia,” Rachier concluded.

Rachier’s statement came barely a day after Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack called on the club officials not to relax but instead, work hard to secure more sponsors.

Polack warned the club officials not to rest on their laurels and continue to work hard for more sponsors, giving an example of how Gor Mahia were left suffering after SportPesa withdrew their support early this season, leaving them with no place to run to for help.

“The fight to get a new sponsor has been going on for a long time and to get new support is not easy and I want to thank the chairman [Ambrose Rachier] for the good work he has put in and the other people, who helped along the way to secure the deal,” Polack told Goal on Friday.

“I am happy for the club now we have a sponsor, but one sponsor is not enough in football, in football you need more than one sponsor, if you look around the world any club around the world, even the smallest teams have more than one sponsor.

“Let me explain to you, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket, because look at what happened to SportPesa, they dropped out and that was it, there was no one to support the club with money, there was no one to cover up after they left, you need to have at least three sponsors.”

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have been struggling since SportPesa, their previous sponsor, left, leaving the club to depend on fans, members, and other well-wishers to honour matches and settle players' allowances at times.

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone hailed his team's late win over Real Valladolid as they boosted their chances of finishing in La Liga's top four.

Vitolo came off the bench and headed home the 81st-minute winner for Atletico in a 1-0 victory at home to Valladolid on Saturday.

Atletico moved back up to third in the standings – level on points with Sevilla after 30 games and four clear of Getafe – in the race for Champions League qualification.

"It's always important to take something from a game and even better when you win," Simeone said. "There were things to improve, but we've had three months without a normal preparation and then you're playing every three days.

"There's a need to adapt and reinvent yourself, given the circumstances. This was a very important win.

"We had chances in the first half and couldn't score, then in the second half it was tough against a very organised side. We could have won or lost, but we achieved a great result."

Atletico played behind closed doors at the Wanda Metropolitano due to the coronavirus pandemic and Simeone added: "The fans weren't there in the flesh, but they were there in spirit.

"The minute of silence before the match and the music in the empty stadium were pure emotion. We lost many people."

A clutch of chances had been spurned by the time Vitolo came off the bench to replace Marcos Llorente with 17 minutes remaining, with Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata having gone close.

When the breakthrough came in the 81st minute it was dramatic, Vitolo heading at goal after a corner from the left reached him at the far post.

Valladolid defender Kiko Olivas felt he had nodded it off the line after diving spectacularly to reach the ball, but replays showed it was six inches over and Atletico moved back up to third.

Vitolo, whose Atletico side have eliminated titleholders Liverpool en route to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, said: "The club's goal is to quality for the Champions League next season. There are many teams that trying and it will be decided in the last matches. Hopefully we can enter and give the fans joy."

Alfred Duncan has explained why victory is "fundamental" for Fiorentina when they host Brescia at the Artemio Franchi in their first Serie A game since March.

The Italian top-flight was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the easing of government restriction has made it possible for many European leagues to return, albeit under safety protocols.

Prior to the lockdown, Fiorentina were on a three-game unbeaten run that took them five points clear of the relegation zone.

"It would be fundamental to win," Duncan told Gazzetta dello Sport as per TuttoMercato.

"It would mean starting again along the lines of what we were doing before the stop. It's a very important game."

Games will be played behind closed doors until the conclusion of the season as a means of curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Duncan admitted it is something players will have to get used to, knowing the significant role supporters in the stands play on match day as the "12th player" on the field.

"The emotions are different. The audience form a different adrenaline and pushes you when you don't have any more," Duncan continued.

"Unfortunately we will have to get used to it, hoping that we can return to normal as soon as possible."

Duncan is presently on loan from Sassuolo and has played three times for Fiorentina since joining in January.

A hip problem prevented him from featuring in games against Juventus and Atlanta which ended in 3-0 and 2-1 defeats, respectively.

However, his debut in a 5-1 win at former club Sampdoria started Fiorentina's unbeaten run in which he made the XI on each occasion.

Before moving on loan, Duncan played 13 times for Sassuolo, scoring one goal in a 3-0 win over SPAL and providing five assists.

The 27-year-old Ghanaian has been with the Neroverdi since 2015, initially on loan from Sampdoria before it was made permanent the following year.

Duncan began his career at Inter Milan as a youth player in 2010 but never held his spot in the first team, making just four appearances in two years in between a loan spell at Livorno.

He admitted his time at the San Siro was not wasted, but an opportunity that made him grow.

“I don’t think it was a wasted opportunity," Duncan said in Gazzetta dello Sport as per Sempreinter.

"Inter was unexpected but beautiful, a very important club, at the top in Italy and Europe. I trained with formidable players, an experience that allowed me to grow a lot.”

India U17 head coach Shuvendu Panda is somebody who has worked in a lot of roles in youth football. He's been with the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) youth set up ever since 2016 and is a highly-qualified youth coach.

Currently in charge of the India U17 team, Panda is very much involved in India's endeavour to ensure a steady supply of talent for the national team. He feels the vision of the Indian FA, with respect to grassroots development, is extremely encouraging.

"All the gigantic and majestic structures are stable only because of its strong and appropriate foundation. Similarly, the attempts made in grassroots development in Indian Football by the AlFF are in line with proper investment for future harvest. A novel beginning has been made – but a sustained effort by all stakeholders will give a further push in achieving its goal," he told Goal .

The AIFF had received the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) "Grassroots Charter Bronze Level" back in February this year, something that allows AIFF to promote its basic-level events as AFC recognised. Panda was quick to point this fact out.

"In the recent past AFC has recognised the effort of AIFF Grassroots development programme in India."

He also pointed out the contributions of former India striker Abhishek Yadav, the Director of the National Teams, and Isac Doru, India's current Technical Director - two people he considers have had a huge influence on him.

"The vision for football development in India of Mr. Abhishek Yadav is quite encouraging. Similarly, technical input towards the youth development of Mr Isac Doru is highly influencing."

Panda, who hails from Odisha, is an AFC A Licensed coach and has undertaken coaching courses in several top European nations. He feels the evolving dynamics of football makes it necessary for coaches to keep themselves updated, something that motivates him to take up new courses.

"I got the opportunity to undertake several coaching assignments in the country and coaching courses in the top European countries and clubs like Netherlands, Benfica FC, Portugal, Club Brugge FC, Belgium and Hazduk Split FC, Croatia respectively. I personally believe that at no point of time, I can say that “I know everything". The demand of techniques, tactics and rules involved in football is dynamic and evolving. Hence, I need to be updated always and try to fit in the emerging scenario.

"Secondly the dedication, motivation and sacrifice of my better half who is an ex-International football player has played a vital role in my life to embrace success."

Odisha has played a huge role in Panda's development as a coach, providing him with opportunities to improve at every stage of his journey as a coach before the AIFF recruited him.

"I started my career as head coach for Bhubaneswar district team in 2011- 12 immediately after completion of my AFC C License. Then I became the head coach of Kishore Club, Bhubaneswar from 2012 to 2014. I worked as assistant coach for the U14 Sub-Junior Odisha state team in the year 2014. In that year, I was also the head coach for U15 Sub-Junior Odisha state team in the Manchester United Premier Cup 2014 held in New Delhi," recanted Panda.

"In 2015, I worked as an assistant coach of Sub Junior Odisha state team and in the same year, I became the assistant coach of Santosh Trophy team of Odisha. I was in charge of U15 Sports Hostel Odisha Team as head coach, in the Indian Youth League in the year 2017-18."

He was quick to credit the support Odisha government has extended towards sports development in the state. "Enhancement of sports environment is a flagship programme of the Government of Odisha. Policy of the Govt of Odisha is to hire all the best and experienced personnel to take responsibilities with all liberties with the aim to achieve the intended output.

"I am one among a few lucky persons to shoulder the responsibility for the improvement of football in Odisha."

After impressing in his various stints in Odisha, the AIFF was quick to note his rise and took him under their wing. Panda played a variety of roles in India's youth set up before assuming his current role.

"I have also worked as a scout for U17 World Cup Team and as a scout in Sub-Junior National Championship for both the boys and girls' National teams. I also worked as a scout for senior national women's team in the first ever Indian Women League (IWL) right after completing my AFC A Licence in the year 2016."

"Now I am playing the vital role as head coach for AIFF Academy team for boys born on or after 01.01.2003."

Panda counts former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as one of his coaching idols and an influence on his coaching philosophy.

"Different icons at different stages of my life had influenced me. As a player, Roberto Carlos, and as a coach Sir Alex Ferguson. I took charge of the coaching assignment after getting highly inspired by the knowledge, skills, personality, behaviour and dedication of Mr Savio Madeira, Mr Scott O'Donell and Mr Raymond Verheijen.

"Apart from the above, there are few people from my native state Odisha who have guided me and encouraged me in my early career as player and coach."

The Indian U16 team is faced with an uphill task of competing in a challenging group in the final round of the AFC U16 Championship that will be held in Bahrain at the end of the year.

The colts will have to battle against Australia, South Korea and Uzbekistan in the Group Stage. A top-two finish will guarantee a spot in the quarterfinal, which remains India’s best performance in the history of the competition.

The top four teams will qualify for the 2021 FIFA U17 World Cup that will be hosted by Peru next year. Clearly, there is all to play for when the India colts take the pitch in November.

Here we look at how they performed in the previous editions of the competitions.

This will be the 19th edition of the AFC U16 Championship, with India set to make its ninth appearance. Of the eight times India featured in the final round of this competition, they could manage to get past the Group Stage on only two occasions – 2002 and 2018.

India debuted in the U16 Championship in the 1990 edition which was hosted by UAE. Eight teams drawn in two groups vied for the four semi-final spots. After straightforward defeats against the hosts and China, India managed a 1-0 consolation win over Jordan. They finished third in the group and hence failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

India’s next appearance in the competition was in 1996. They were drawn alongside hosts Thailand and three other teams in Group B. The final round now had 10 teams in total but again, only the top two teams qualified for the knockout rounds. The Indian colts finished last in the table picking up a solitary win against China.

A change in format in the UAE 2002 edition saw 12 teams feature in the Group Stages. The top two from each group and two of the best third-placed teams qualified for the quarterfinal. After a defeat to China in their opening fixture, India defeated Myanmar and played out a stalemate with UAE to register four points in three games. This enabled them to qualify for the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed sides. However, a 3-1 defeat to South Korea ended their campaign at this stage.

The 2004 Japan edition saw an expansion to 16 teams in the final round. The 16 teams were sorted into four groups, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the quarterfinals. The Indian colts were drawn alongside Iran, Kuwait and Malaysia. Two losses and a win (over Malaysia) meant that they finished third in the group and were eliminated.

After failing to qualify for the competition in 2006, the Indian colts next took the pitch in 2008 in Uzbekistan. Like their 2004 campaign, India could only manage a third-place finish after defeats to South Korea, Syria and a win over Indonesia.

The 2012 edition was one to forget for India. The colts finished last in the group on both occasions. India hosted the tournament in 2016 but a 3-3 draw against Saudi Arabia was their best result in the group stage.

It would be fair to label India’s performance in the 2018 AFC U16 Championship their best in history. Grouped alongside Indonesia, Iran and Vietnam, India qualified for the knockout stage after remaining unbeaten in the Group Stages. They beat Vietnam and played out goalless draws against the other two teams to finish as runners-up in the group.

Yet again, it was South Korea that ended India’s campaign in the tournament with a 1-0 win in the quarterfinals. That they conceded just one goal throughout the tournaments throws light on the top-notch and well-disciplined defending that was on display.

When the youngsters take the field in Bahrain later this year, they will do well repeat or better their performance from the previous edition. A strong statement following a tremendous qualifying campaign in which they won two games and drew one game with a goal difference of +10 provides the fans with reasons to be optimistic about the team.

Jeremie Boga has stressed he has no regrets about leaving Chelsea after a strong season in Serie A with Sassuolo. 

The 23-year-old attacker moved to Italy in 2018 and has scored eight goals while contributing a further four assist across 25 appearances this season. 

That form has seen Boga linked with possible moves to Inter and Juventus - though he remains contracted to Sassuolo until 2022. 

While open to embracing a new challenge next season, Boga harbours zero regrets on his decision to depart the Blues. 

"I am ready for a new chapter," Boga told Telefoot. "I have no regrets, as I made the right decision in leaving Chelsea. I think that was the best choice I could’ve made in the circumstances.

"Nothing is definitive yet. I spoke to coach Roberto De Zerbi to have a better understanding of the situation. I am ready for a new challenge, whether it is in Italy or abroad, but I could remain at Sassuolo too.

"I think Serie A football is suited to me and I am having the best season of my career so far."

Boga, who came through Chelsea's academy, only made one senior appearance for the club.

Goal recently revealed that the Blues are in advanced talks with Sassuolo which would see them earn an undisclosed one-off fee and exchange their buyback clause to a first option on a future sale of Boga. 

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia moved to conduct talks with Sassuolo to remove the €15 million (£13.5m/$17m) buyback clause, which allowed Sassuolo to get a bargain when they signed Boga for £4m in 2018 amid competition from Lille, Celta Vigo and Real Betis.

Sassuolo chairman Giovanni Carnevali is under pressure to sell Boga but is determined to hold onto his star despite mounting interest.

"Boga has grown a lot, we must give credit to [Sassuolo coach Roberto] De Zerbi who made him grow," Carnevali said on Rai TV Show, Domenica Sportiva.

"He is requested by various clubs but we intend to keep him, we do not want to sell him because we will continue in the project that [owner] Dr Squinzi had in mind. He [Boga] will be a Neroverde also next year."

Italy manager Roberto Mancini believes Mario Balotelli is throwing his talent away but still has time to turn his career around. 

The former Liverpool and Manchester City forward is expected to soon depart Serie A side Brescia after failing to live up to team standards set by manager Diego Lopez.

The 29-year-old has played for three different clubs in as many years with his last international appearance now dating back to 2018. 

Mancini remains a big fan of Balotelli's but admits the controversial striker continues to squander his "remarkable" potential. 

“I care for him, regardless of all the things he does,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“I trained him when he was still just a kid, I played him and he was extraordinary for many years. My hope is that he will do something to change all this, as he’s still only 30 years old and would be at the peak of his football maturity.

“I hope one day he wakes up and realises he’s still throwing his talent away. Mario is an extraordinary lad, so kind and polite. I have explained to him many times that he is throwing his talent away, because his potential is remarkable.”

Balotelli has strongly denied recent reports he missed any training sessions with Brescia following the coronavirus pandemic.

"How can you write that I am not training on the pitch? There are journalists at the centre at all my sessions, obviously with their TV cameras!" Balotelli said on his Instagram story. 

"I attend two training sessions a day, almost every day! How can you deny the evidence? I didn't think I was a phantom, invisible to the cameras."

Despite those denials, Brescia president Massimo Cellino has declared Balotelli's time at the club is coming to an end. 

"I try to avoid legal action and the Balotelli case was blown out of proportion because there's no football and little else to talk about," he told Telelombardia. 

"He no longer has his head with us and I am taking his departure for granted. It's not necessarily different to what he's always done in his career – he's just a bit anarchic.

"His contract is automatically annulled in case of relegation into Serie B, so with all probability he'll be a free agent next season, considering our status.

"We didn't sign Balotelli just as a media coup, we really did believe he could've given us an important contribution on the pitch. I thought, because I like him, that he could create something new for himself in Brescia. We are disappointed in him."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes it is impossible for the Reds to emulate Manchester United's era of dominance as they close in on the Premier League title.

Klopp's Liverpool are 22 points clear atop the table as they travel to Goodison Park for Sunday's Merseyside derby against rivals Everton.

Not since 1990 have Liverpool won a league trophy but the club are set to be crowned English champions for the 19th time, one behind United's record.

Rivals United dominated under legendary boss Alex Ferguson, winning 13 Premier League titles between 1992 and 2013.

"I don't think it is possible to dominate anymore, to be honest," said Klopp, whose Liverpool claimed the Champions League trophy last season.

"United had a pretty good combination, with an exceptional manager with a super eye for players and fantastic timing for how long you need a player in the team.

"The replacements he got were always exceptional — and there was the money, too. The combination for United was really good. We must have done something right, obviously, until now. But we have to do these things — and probably even more — to stay successful.

"And believe me, the others will not stop. United will strike back and Chelsea are on the front foot in the transfer market while no-one else has done anything because the times are so uncertain.

"And when I saw Manchester City beat Arsenal, I asked how is it possible we have 22 more points than them?"

Meanwhile, Klopp hit out at United Kingdom prime minister Boris Johnson over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was not worried for one second that the ­government could cost us the title because I was worried about the numbers who were dying – and I’m still worried," he said.

“I didn’t vote for this ­government. This government was the choice of other people. And the problem I had was that I got the news from England and the news from Germany. If aliens looked at us both from the outside, they would think we came from two different planets.

“From a personal point of view, I don’t understand why we started wearing face masks in closed areas on June 15 when five or six weeks ago all the other countries were doing it."

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc globally, with more than 42,500 deaths in the UK and at least 303,000 confirmed cases. The coronavirus crisis also suspended the 2019-20 Premier League season in March before the campaign restarted this week.

Mohammed Kudus scored a brace as Nordsjaelland cruised to a 4-0 win over Aalborg in Saturday's Danish Superliga fixture.

The 19-year-old winger found the back of the net twice within seven minutes in the second-half to stretch his tally to 11 goals after 23 games in the Danish top-flight this season.

A first-half brace from Mikkel Damsgaard fired the visitors ahead at Aalborg Portland Park before Kudus added to the goals in the 51st and 57th minutes.

Five Ghanaian stars were in action for Nordsjaelland with only Kudus playing for the entire duration of the encounter.

Ibrahim Sadiq and Isaac Atanga also started for Flemming Pedersen's side but they were replaced in the 69th and 70th minutes with Sadiq providing the assist for the opening goal before his substitution.

Abdul Mumin and Kamal Sulemana came on as second-half substitutes for the visitors while Uganda midfielder Robert Kakeeto played some minutes for Aalborg.

Following the win, Nordsjaelland climbed to fourth in the Superliga standings as they chase a spot in Europe next season.

They have gathered 45 points from 29 matches so far, with a point above fifth-place Brondby who they host for their next league fixture on June 28.

Kudus arrived in Denmark in 2018 after developing his game at Right to Dream Academy in Ghana.

He has settled in well with the Wild Tigers, scoring 14 goals in 49 league games since his arrival.

His goalscoring form has ignited transfer interest from several European clubs including Everton, Newcastle United and Marseille.

Meanwhile, Nordsjaelland youth coach and former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has advised the 19-year-old to consider a move to Merseyside.

“Looking at Newcastle and Everton, for me I think Everton will fit his game because they give a lot of young players chances. Even the English FA mostly pick youth players at Everton [for national teams], so they will help him develop," Kingston told Goal .

“I will prefer Everton but if Liverpool comes in, they are a big club with guaranteed Champions League football, I think that [Liverpool] will help him a lot more than he will get at the other two clubs [Everton and Newcastle].

"If I am in his shoes and I’m to pick between Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle, I know it’s going to be tough at Liverpool but I will choose Liverpool. Liverpool may already have a lot of good players at his position but so long as they want him, then they know what they want to do with him.”

After playing for Ghana U17 and U20 teams, the 19-year-old earned his maiden invitation to the Black Stars in November 2019 and he marked his debut appearance with a goal against South Africa in Cape Coast.

Bright Edomwonyi has ended a run of 22 games without a goal with his effort in Austria Wien’s 2-1 away win at Swarovski Tirol.

The 25-year-old was yet to find the net for Christian Ilzer’s men in what is his second full campaign at the Franz Horr Stadium.

Against their hosts on Saturday, however, he rediscovered his scoring form to help his team continue their fight against demotion from the Austrian elite division.

Eight minutes into the clash at Innsbruck’s Tivoli-Neu, Edomwonyi gave his side the lead following Benedikt Pichler’s assist.

Tirol launched a comeback into the game as Slovenia forward Zlatko Dedic put them on level term in the 32nd minute.

Their ambition to get their seventh win of the season suffered a massive setback in the 40th minute as David Gugganig was given the marching orders for a second caution.

12 minutes into the second half, Pichler restored the Violets’ lead which proved to be the winning goal for Ilzer’s team as the hosts’ search for an equalizer proved fruitless.

Edomwonyi lasted for 89 minutes before he was replaced by Christoph Monschein. 22-year-old Gambian centre back Maudo Jarjue saw just one minute of action after replacing Dominik Fitz in the closing stages of the game.

For the hosts, ex- Red Bull Salzburg midfielder and Ghana’s Felix Adjei was handed a starter’s role but was substituted in the 46th minute for Florian Buchacher, while his compatriot Kelvin Yeboah was not listed for the showdown.

With this result, Austrian Wien top the relegation play-offs log with 25 points from 28 games, while Swarovski Tirol are in danger of relegation as they sit at the base of the table with just 14 points.

They continue their fight against the drop with a visit to St. Polten on Tuesday, while the Nigerian would be hoping to add to his goals tally this season when Wien travel to Modling for their clash versus Admira.

Born in Benin City, Edomwonyi began his professional career at Red Bull Salzburg before heading to Sturm Graz after loan spells at Wacker Innsbruck and TSV Hartberg.

In 2018, he won the Austrian Cup with Strum Graz before his move to switching to the Violets.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised England's handling of the coronavirus crisis, revealing he feels like an alien for continuing to take it seriously. 

Despite seeing how hard the pandemic hit Italy and Spain, the United Kingdom struggled to prepare for the virus with over 300,000 confirmed cases and 42,000 deaths to date. 

During its peak, there were fears the Premier League season would be abandoned completely with Klopp himself conceding he became fully aware of that possibility. 

But despite those sporting concerns, Klopp has stressed his real focus has remained on matters off the pitch as he noted the major difference in how England and Germany have dealt with the coronavirus. 

“I was not worried for one second that the ­government could cost us the title because I was worried about the numbers who were dying – and I’m still worried," Klopp said.

“I didn’t vote for this ­government. This government was the choice of other people. And the problem I had was that I got the news from England and the news from Germany. If aliens looked at us both from the outside, they would think we came from two different planets.

“From a personal point of view, I don’t understand why we started wearing face masks in closed areas on June 15 when five or six weeks ago all the other countries were doing it.

“You can argue about whether it makes sense to wear them, but all ­countries who started wearing face masks earlier have smaller casualty numbers than here in England. That’s the truth.

“When I see the numbers here in ­England and then in Germany, I think. Look, it’s not perfect in Germany, people have died and have been ill. But, in terms of living your life, it is completely different.

“If you want to enter a shop in Germany, but don’t wear a face mask, then you aren’t allowed in. With a face mask, you can go in all the shops you want. You can go to the hairdresser, wherever.

“They wear a face mask, you wear a face mask, and sometimes the people in the shop will have even more ­protection like a screen.

“When I go to the petrol ­station in England, I am the only one wearing a face mask and I’m the only one with gloves – I feel like an alien. I will not stop doing that until someone tells me it’s over.

"But inside the club, we are safe. We are tested twice a week and it is a safe ­environment.”

Liverpool return to Premier League action against Everton on Sunday, needing just two wins to wrap up the league title. 

Virgil van Dijk believes winning the Premier League could take some Liverpool players to the next level as he warned the club are desperate to carry good momentum into next season. 

The Reds return to action on Sunday against Everton and need just two more wins to wrap up the league title after an almost perfect campaign. 

Jurgen Klopp's side have dropped just four points in the league this season and boast the best defence in the competition. 

While Liverpool did win the Champions League last year, Van Dijk believes lifting the Premier League title is exactly what some players need to get even better.

"We have not won the title yet. We have not won anything yet. But the aim is to start next season in the same fashion," Van Dijk was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. 

"We can be a team that can keep progressing. We have players who can progress and make big steps in their development. Winning the league would be a big experience that could take them to the next level.

"We can achieve that first and foremost this season and then we will see what can happen next season. If we win the title this season, we will try to retain it. That’s what we are aiming for but everyone knows how difficult it is to retain the title, especially in England and we are not there this season yet. We tried to retain our Champions League title and it wasn’t possible. It’s very difficult.

"We will try to focus on the nine games we have left but we hope to set the pace for the rest of next season with the title behind our name and defend the title as well."

The Reds looming triumph will be bitter sweet to some extent with no fans allowed to attend matches, but Van Dijk stressed they must accept the situation as he admitted he was unsure at one point whether the season would be completed. 

"I know how long our fans have been waiting for this. But unfortunately it’s something we all have to deal with that they won’t be able to be there if it happens," he said.

"We’ve seen clubs winning cups already in other countries and everybody is getting on with it. For me, winning the Premier League and lifting that trophy would be a dream come true. We were very close last year and we are very close this year, much closer than we were last year. We have nine games to go and we will try to win all of them. That’s our goal.

"The most important thing in life is health and we all had to deal with the suspension of the season and everyone had the feeling there would be a time when we finished the season.

"It was strange to stop so abruptly and being in the unknown. Not knowing when we will start again. Sometimes people were putting things in the media saying the league should be cancelled. You read these things because you have plenty of time to read when there is suddenly no football being played.

"I wasn’t worried but being left in the dark, not knowing what was going to happen, personally I hate that. You ask questions to certain people who know what is happening behind the scenes and it was pretty clear there was no option at all to cancel the league. So you try to make sure you stay fit, do all the right things and make sure you are even more ready than before when the league resumes."

Greek Super League club AEK Athens have announced the signing of Bright Enobakhare on a free transfer.

The Nigerian striker departed Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers last month by mutual agreement, having been with the side since 2014.

The forward, who rose through the ranks at Wolves, broke into the first team in 2015 and made 41 league appearances for the side during his stay.

Enobakhare also had loan spells with Scottish club Kilmarnock, Coventry City and Wigan Athletic before permanently leaving Wolves.

On Saturday, AEK heralded the arrival of the former Northfield Town centre-forward after signing a three-year deal with the Greek club.

The striker is delighted to team up with the Athens Olympic Stadium and explained he has been observing their style of play.  

"It is a great move [the transfer to AEK] and I am happy to be here. To be honest, I searched the internet, like YouTube, for how the team plays and trains, and I think it will fit my gameplay,” Enobakhare told the club website.  

“So I'm happy to be here. I don't want to talk about myself so much, I think the stadium will 'talk' about me.”

Enobakhare was part of Wolves’ team that gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the 2019-20 Championship title.

12-time league champions AEK are currently third in the league table with 56 points from 29 games and will hope the addition of the forward will boost their chances of qualifying to play European football next season.

Enobakhare, who had two appearances for the Nigerian U23 team will look to impress with the Greek side to boost his Super Eagles chances.

The forward could make his debut for his new club when they take on Aris in a Cup tie on Wednesday.

Atletico Madrid had substitute Vitolo to thank as they boosted their prospects of Champions League football next season with a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid at the Wanda Metropolitano.

A clutch of chances had been spurned by the time Vitolo came off the bench to replace Marcos Llorente with 17 minutes remaining, with Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata going close.

When the breakthrough came in the 81st minute it was dramatic, Vitolo heading at goal after a corner from the left reached him at the far post.

Valladolid defender Kiko Olivas felt he had nodded it off the line after diving spectacularly to reach the ball, but replays showed it was six inches over and Atletico moved back up to third.

Waldo Rubio almost gave Valladolid a phenomenal start, driving into space and lashing a 25-yard strike that Jan Oblak had to throw himself to his right to palm over the crossbar.

At the other end, Morata headed wastefully off target from Hector Herrera's excellent cross before an off-balance Joao Felix sliced high and wide.

Joao Felix went close again, this time with the ball fully under his control, as he darted forwards and sent a shot just wide of the left post.

Valladolid's Matheus Fernandes went similarly close on the half-hour mark, as Atletico's threat briefly flatlined.

Morata made way for Diego Costa in the 64th minute and the new arrival quickly had the ball in the net, but he had strayed offside.

Thomas Partey almost broke the deadlock with a 35-yard howitzer that Jose Antonio Caro did well to turn away for a corner in the 80th minute.

From that set-piece Atletico had their moment through Vitolo. Olivas was confident he had reached the ball in time, but a VAR check told a different story.

What does it mean? Simeone's side scrape through

This was by no means a classic Atletico performance, but they never gave up the pursuit of a winning goal. Thomas' thumping shot almost provided a match-winner to cherish, but it helped to bring about the outcome Diego Simeone's men were seeking. Valladolid, in lower mid-table but surely just about safe, gave a decent account of themselves.

Vitolo makes his mark

Vitolo was in the right place at the right time, keeping his composure as the ball came through a thicket of players. With Caro stranded, it seemed he just had to hit the target, but his heart would have been in his mouth as Olivas spotted the danger and almost pulled off the spectacular.

Caro was barely clinging on

The longer this match went on, the more likely it seemed that Caro's good fortune would run out. He was left embarrassed by the goal, coming off his line and failing to punch away the corner from which the winner arrived.

What's next?

Atletico go to Levante on Tuesday, when Valladolid have home advantage against high-flying Getafe.

The South African Football Association National Executive Committee (Safa NEC) has resolved to remove both Ria Ledwaba and Gay Mokoena as Danny Jordaan's vice-presidents. 

The country's FA held its NEC meeting on Saturday where the pair were dismissed for various reasons. 

According to Safa's communications manager Dominic Chimhavi, the NEC was well within its rights to remove the pair as they were not elected by the national congress. 

Chimhavi said the decision came after the NEC unanimously declared both Ledwaba and Mokoena's contracts as self-serving. 

"Don't forget the VPs are appointed by the NEC. They are not elected by the congress," Chimhavi confirmed to SowetanLIVE. 

"And as a result, the decision that was taken by the NEC was unanimous to say their contract is not serving football. It's self-serving.

"And as a result, it was resolved, unanimously, that they should be removed from their positions," he said. 

The publication reports that Ledwaba was unhappy with the response Safa gave in light of a report sent to the NEC by Mokoena and she subsequently wrote to Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa seeking his intervention, and that got her fired from her position, Chimhavi confirmed.  

Ledwaba reported raised her dissatisfaction in a Zoom meeting where both Jordaan and Mthethwa were present. 

"Ja, but you know, football matters are resolved within football. You can't ask for political interference. And if you do that, you are breaching one of the fundamental laws of the game," he confirmed.  

In April, Mokoena made allegations against Jordaan, saying the Safa president is actually the one who requested him to vacate his position as acting CEO despite not having the powers to do so. 

Mokoena claimed Jordaan "ignored the legal procedure to rationalise staff‚ in other words he gave the acting CEO an illegal instruction. The president dismissed the staff without the approval of the NEC". 

Chimhavi denied that Mokoena's report to the NEC soon after being asked to step aside was 'damning', saying the NEC found that it was not factual and therefore leading to his dismissal. 

"Not a damning report - it's a report which was found to be not factual and it was dismissed as well."

Harry Maguire has warned his Manchester United team-mates they must improve on their Bramall Lane performance if they are to beat Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side host the Blades on Wednesday in what is likely to be a critical fixture in the battle to secure Champions League qualification.

Chris Wilder's side currently sit two points behind fifth-placed United, but victory over Newcastle on Sunday would see them head to Old Trafford sitting above the Red Devils in the table.

The last time the two sides met it was a dramatic 3-3 encounter when United came back from two goals down only for Oli McBurnie to score a 90th minute equaliser.

“It was a crazy game," Maguire told The United Review. "We were really poor in the first half. No doubt about it, it was one of our poorest first halves of the season. We managed to find ourselves two goals down but then got in a great position and looked like we were going to win.

"They didn’t really create any chances in the last 20 or 30 minutes of the game and then, obviously with the last kick, they found space and it was a good finish from Oli McBurnie.

"In the end, it was a tough result to take but I don’t think we deserved any more on the day than a point. We weren’t good enough and know we have to perform better in this game.”

The match will be the first at Old Trafford behind closed doors and, while the club have done their best to ensure it looks as good as possible and fans are represented at the ground, it will be a strange experience for the players.

“It’s disappointing not to play in front of your fans but, one day, they’ll be back," said Maguire. "And, when they’re back, I am sure the atmosphere is going to be even better and louder than it normally is at Old Trafford – if you can beat that.

“We’re going to miss the fans. Home and away, they follow in great numbers and the support is incredible. But we know they’re going to be in front of their TV screens, watching us, shouting us along, and the main thing is we want to put smiles back on their faces.”

Despite the lack of support, Maguire is not concerned that United will lose their home advantage and is confident the team can produce a good performance.

“Maybe it does take away the home fans making the atmosphere uncomfortable for the away team, but it’s still about the 11 players who turn up on the day,” he added.

“There is enough talent in our squad to go and beat anyone. We’re fully focused on ourselves and are not looking at it being home or away. We’re just seeing every game as a chance to try to get the three points and perform at our best.”

Frank Lampard has been impressed with the backing he has received from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich after securing the £47.5 million ($59m) signing of Timo Werner on the back of a £37m ($46m) deal for Hakim Ziyech.

Chelsea are looking to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City by making full use of the transfer market after making no signings during Lampard's first season at the helm.

The Blues were under a transfer ban last summer and also lost their star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in an £88m ($109m) deal, while they struggled to sign anyone in a difficult January market despite Lampard asking for a striker.

After being unable to secure either Napoli's Dries Mertens or Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani on short-term deals, Chelsea announced in February that Ziyech would be joining from Ajax and this week completed a deal for RB Leipzig striker Werner.

Chelsea are still interested in signing more players, including Leicester City's Ben Chilwell and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz.

After such high-profile early transfer market moves, Lampard spoke highly of the communication from the figures at the top level of the club, including Abramovich, director Marina Granovskaia and the technical and performance advisor Petr Cech.

"I haven't spoken to him [Abramovich] recently," Lampard told reporters as he explained the dynamic at the heart of transfer decision making at Stamford Bridge. "I speak to Marina a lot and with Petr. We are very joined up and we talk a lot and communication is key in that.

"When you say that I know the owner very well, in the workplace, to a degree, I do. But I also understand what he wants for this club. I played under it, I felt it as a player when he first came here so I get that with my conversations with Marina that's always relayed.

"I want the same [as him]. In terms of his commitment, I think he has shown his commitment regularly to our football club. We have done some business now that will hopefully improve us for next season and we want to keep moving forward.

"One thing I really realised coming into this job, I was here a long time as a player, but as manager people will consistently ask you about your relationship with the board and the owner et cetera.

"I hope that this shows how we've worked together, all of us, with how we work, with recruitment, scouting and all playing our roles, in trying to bring the right players and being joined up.

"So I think we have to be very positive. This is Chelsea Football Club and we want to close the gap and signings like Timo and Ziyech both are nice statements. There are other areas we might want to improve as we go along.

"But there has to be players available in the market that we can get, and we feel confident and comfortable that we can get them at the right price and to fill the right holes and improve us.

"At the moment we're positive with that but now the games have started it's really important for myself, that the players and I focus on trying to finish the season well and then hopefully we can have the excitement of some new players that we know now are coming in to help us next year."

Although expectations have been tempered from their usual levels in Lampard's first season due to the transfer ban, he is under no illusions that Abramovich will expect a return on his investment.

Werner's 26 goals and eight assists in 32 Bundesliga games show his ability to make an impact, while Ziyech has six goals and 12 assists from 21 Eredivisie games this season. The Blues manager was asked whether the pressure will increase from the two new signings coming in.

"Yeah, it probably does, and I get that," he continued. "There's pressure in the Chelsea job whatever. There's expectations to whatever degree; we're a well-supported club, well-followed club and scrutiny is big as we know.

"That's why we love the Premier League and why we're trying to do our best. So I don't mind the idea, I get it. We're trying to improve here. I'm under no illusions. I want us to improve first and foremost. So I don't mind that pressure.

"I will have more pressure on myself. I know this year from within some of the obstacles or the things that we're sometimes working against or with trying to do as well as we can. Of course, bringing in players that we feel are improvements, you have to go and then show that.

"So that will be up to the individuals themselves, and it will be my job as well. So if the pressure ramps up that will be fair enough. We do know that there is a big gap going upwards when you look at the performance of Liverpool and City in the last couple of years.

"So we need to really work to try and close that gap and we have to be ready to give the players that come in, the two we're talking about, time for adaptation to the league. We hope it's not that much, we really believe in their qualities, but we want to be working towards closing that gap above us."

Despite having had time to look forward and activate the release clause of two key transfer targets, Lampard is keen not to look too far ahead with nine games remaining this season, beginning at Villa Park with Aston Villa on Sunday.

Having been in the top four since the 1-0 win over Newcastle in October, Lampard is aware that there is an expectation that his side complete the job.

"It is going to be tough and it is hard to make predictions on how many points," he concluded. "You want every point that's on the table and that would get us to the position we want to be in but there's a lot of tough games in that run-in.

"Any run-in would be tough in the Premier League so it is just a battle and we will have to take the games as they come, remain focused on ourselves and not try and look around too much because if we can focus on ourselves and get the right results, then it can look after ourselves.

"It is going to be a tough battle because you have got teams behind us and around us that are pushing for the same reasons that we are pushing. They have a lot of quality. We are aware of that but we will try and do our best.

"In terms of next season, yes, a club like Chelsea and how we are, we want to be in the Champions League. The players will always want to be in the Champions League so it is something we want to try and do.

"If not, we have to be realistic because of the competition. Then next season, we will try to improve as well as we can in whatever competitions we are in."

Everton's Brazil international Richarlison has claimed he received offers from two of the world's biggest clubs - Barcelona and Manchester United - in January that were each turned down by the Merseysiders. 

Richarlison, 23, joined Everton at the start of the 2018-19 season from Watford and has gone on to be a key part of the Toffees squad, netting 13 goals in his first Premier League season and 10 to date in 2019-20 prior to the interruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The forward also lined up for Brazil in their successful 2019 Copa America campaign, and his fine performances for both club and country caught the eye in both England and Spain. 

"There were lots of offers during the season, from Barcelona, from Manchester (United)," he revealed to Los Desimpedidos. 

"But the club opted to keep me in the group and I didn't want to leave in the middle of the season. It's bad to leave team-mates like this."

Everton reportedly turned down a €100 million (£85m/$105m) offer from the Catalans to sign Richarlison in January, and he admits that he was flattered by the interest from Camp Nou.

"Of course you feel impacted, Barcelona is one of the greatest clubs in the world, but I think happiness plays its part as well," he added. 

The Toffees restart their Premier League campaign with a daunting Merseyside derby at home to table-topping neighbours Liverpool on Sunday. 

Manchester City's midweek victory over Arsenal means that the Reds cannot clinch their first title in 30 years against their rivals, but they will nevertheless be looking for a win that would leave them one step closer to the crown. 

Everton, then, will need strong performances from the likes of Richarlison to get a result; and his team-mate Bernard believes he is up to the task. 

“Richi is capable of adapting to any scenario during a match,” Bernard told EvertonTV.

“He's the type of player who's really aggressive in the box. He's fearless and not scared of putting himself about or taking a whack.

“Whatever is happening, the important thing for him is putting the ball in the back of the net. This makes him who he is, a player with a massive presence in the box.”

Monaco winger Keita Balde has praised ‘amazing’ Sadio Mane for his impressive performances for Liverpool this season and he thinks the 2019 African Footballer of the Year will soon become a Reds legend.

Mane has proven to be a key player in Jurgen Klopp’s team with his attacking contributions that have seen him return 18 goals across all competitions this term.

He played a crucial role in the Reds’ victorious European campaign in 2018-19 where they won the Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Super Cup.

With Liverpool nearing to end the wait for their first top-flight title in 30 years this campaign, Balde believes has Mane already written his name in the club’s history books.

“It's a big achievement for a Senegal player but we cannot forget he is already a Champions League winner and the best African player of 2019. He is an amazing guy,” he told Sky Sports.

“We are close friends and I'm very proud of him. He is in the history of Liverpool so it's not difficult for him to become a legend.”

After an initial suspension and unlike the French Ligue 1 which was cancelled in May due to coronavirus pandemic, other European leagues including the Premier League, Serie A have resumed and Balde reacted to the development.

“It was a bit strange to see everyone coming back to play. In France we are going to start a new pre-season next week so there's not much time to think about that,” he continued.

“The only thing I can say now is I'm very happy football is coming back because it means that life is coming back too.

“I will be focused on my team and approaching the new season with a good mentality and reaching my best level.

“I'm 25, I'm a father now and I've matured as a man and as a player. It's time to step up and make the difference again.”

The Senegal international played in Italy with Inter Milan and Lazio before switching to Monaco where he scored four goals in 21 Ligue 1 appearances before the 2019-20 season was cancelled.

The Catalonia-born striker disclosed that the Premier League and La Liga are the competitions he dreams of playing in the future.

“I was born in Spain and grew up in Barcelona but I have never played in La Liga,” he said.

“I became a football player and a man in Serie A with Lazio and then I moved to Monaco and played in Ligue 1. I like experiencing new places and facing new challenges.

“Of course, the Premier League and La Liga are great challenges for every ambitious player. Now I want to enjoy next season with Monaco and improve myself.”