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Jamal Musiala became Bayern Munich’s youngest-ever player when he came off the bench in the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Freiburg at the age of 17 years and 115 days.

The forward, who has represented both Germany and England at youth level, replaced Thomas Muller with two minutes remaining at the Allianz Arena.

In doing so he broke the record previously held by Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was aged 17 years and 251 days when he made his debut for Bayern in April 2013.

The three points were already wrapped up by the time Musiala made it onto the pitch, with two goals from Robert Lewandowski either side of a Joshua Kimmich strike sealing a club-record 15th successive Bundesliga victory for the Bavarian giants.

Hansi Flick’s side had already secured an eighth straight title with victory at Werder Bremen on Tuesday but showed little signs of easing up, with the win also extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 23 matches stretching back to December.

On a day of tumbling records, Lewandowski eclipsed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record for most Bundesliga goals in a season by a foreign player, with his two goals taking his tally to 33.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund secured second place with a 2-0 victory at RB Leipzig, setting a club record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season in the process. Erling Haaland continued his fine form since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January with both goals to take his side's tally for the season to 84.

Borussia Monchengladbach, meanwhile, maintained their grip on the final Champions League place with a 3-1 win at bottom club Paderborn, though they are just two points ahead of fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen going into the final round of matches.

At the bottom, Werder Bremen face relegation for the first time in 40 years after a 3-1 loss at Mainz left them two points adrift in 17th place.

Florian Kohfeldt’s side have to beat Cologne next weekend and hope Fortuna Dusseldorf fail to beat Union Berlin to move out of the final relegation spot, though even then they would still face a relegation playoff against the third-placed side in 2. Bundesliga.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has lauded his players for producing a tactical game that helped them to a 3-0 win against Mwadui FC in a Mainland Premier League match played on Saturday.

The champions were keen to bounce back to winning ways after they were denied a win in their first restart in the post coronavirus era, only managing to snatch a 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting.

Strikes from Hassan Dilunga and John Bocco coupled with an own goal from Augustino Samson secured maximum points for the hosts.

The Belgian coach has now praised 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.

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

Simba assistant coach Selemani Matola praised his charges for playing according to instructions and erasing the shock result they picked up against Ruvu Shooting.

“I want to thank the players because they played according to our plans, we came into the match after the shock draw, but they played as per what the technical bench had asked them to do and it was easy for us to get the three points,” Matola told Goal.

“We now head to Mbeya knowing we have two matches and our aim is to make sure we seal the trophy in Mbeya [against Tanzania Prison and Mbeya City] by winning the two matches, it is possible I know we can do it and the players are confident they can do it.”

On his part, captain Bocco, who was on the scoresheet, also praised his teammates for putting up a good show to see off Mwadui.

“We thank God we have three points in the bag, and also thank my players for putting up a good show for the three points and our aim now is to go to Mbeya and win the two matches.”

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

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set an unwanted personal Premier League record on Saturday afternoon, as Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Gunners took the lead through Nicolas Pepe, but the Seagulls battled back in controversial fashion, with Lewis Dunk bundling over the line and Neal Maupay netting a late winner.

The French striker had earlier been at the heart of the fixture’s flashpoint, as his collision with Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno led to the German stopper being stretchered off with an apparent knee injury.

Aubameyang endured a frustrating afternoon, unable to open the scoring for the Gunners before Pepe’s 68th-minute goal, and subsequently failing to take several chances to extend the Londoners’ advantage.

In total, the Gabon striker took seven shots against Brighton, but failed to find the net with any; for context, this is the most attempts on goal he’s taken in a match for Arsenal without scoring.

Of the forward’s seven shots, only three were on target, although he did see much more of the ball than he’d managed in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City on Wednesday.

His toil epitomised a testing week for Mikel Arteta’s side, in which they’ve lost both of their matches since the resumption of play following the coronavirus-enforced suspension, and endured a series of injury problems in the process.

Despite not scoring, Aubameyang, who has been linked with the exit door at the Emirates Stadium this summer, did create one goalscoring chance for his teammates, and linked up well with the likes of Pepe and Bukayo Saka on occasion.

The loss means Arteta’s side remain in ninth, two behind their bitter London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in eighth following Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Friday evening.

The Gunners remain six points behind the Red Devils in fifth, and with eight games to play, have their work cut out if they’re to end the campaign with Champions League qualification.

It remains to be seen whether Auba will remain in North London beyond the end of the current season, having entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

The striker has been linked with a move to both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and at 31, still has something to offer at the highest level.

The reigning Golden Boot winner has scored 17 goals in 28 league appearances so far this term, having previously netted 49 top flight goals during his time with Arsenal since signing from Borussia Dortmund.

Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier will not stay on to see out Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League campaign and will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of June. 

Cavani and Meunier are among several PSG players whose contracts expire on June 30, as well as defensive pair Thiago Silva and Layvin Kurzawa. 

But while Kurzawa and Silva look set to accept the offer to stay until the culmination of the Champions League,  Goal  can confirm that the French champions will lose two key players as they prepare to compete for continental honours. 

PSG are one of four teams that clinched their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition prior to its interruption due to the coronavirus epidemic, alongside Atalanta, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig. 

This week the club learned that the Champions League will be completed inside August at Benfica's Estadio da Luz home in Lisbon, with the last eight, semis and final set to be decided over a single match while the remaining last-16 fixtures will be completed over two legs. 

As the only remaining participant currently not involved in league football, due to Ligue 1's decision to end the 2019-20 season early, PSG will not face any competitive action before lining up for their quarter-final clash, while the absences of Meunier and Cavani will also be keenly felt despite the club's enviable squad depth. 

The Uruguayan had been at Parc des Princes since moving from Napoli in the summer of 2013, scoring 200 goals in 301 matches in all competitions and winning Ligue 1 in six of his seven seasons with the club. 

Belgium international Meunier, meanwhile, joined from Club Brugge in 2016 and made more than 100 appearances for PSG, playing at both right-back and in midfield during his time in the French capital. 

PSG have also learned that Under-16 captain Gloire Bunga will not pursue his career at Parc des Princes. 

The talented teenager will sign a three-year deal with Freiburg after failing to come to terms with his current club, a decision similar to that taken by France U-18 international Tanguy Kouassi who has turned down a new contract in order to join Bayern Munich.

There was some positive news between the posts, as PSG reached an agreement to extend the loan deal of Sergio Rico until the end of the Champions League. 

The Sevilla goalkeeper has acted as Keylor Navas' deputy for most of the 2019-20 season, making just eight appearances in all competitions. 

Adam Mouktar Mohammed reveals his administration has aided the growth of football in the Federal Capital Territory which has rubbed off positively on Nigeria.

Before his election into office in 2019, football in the FCT was plunging – however, the arrival of the Nigeria Football Federation member ushered in a breath of fresh air.

One of his biggest highlights was facilitating the coming of ex-Brazil striker and Bayern Munich great Giovane Elber to Abuja for an intensive coaching programme.

Saturday marks a year since he had passed the mantle of leadership, and the veteran administrator tells Goal what he has achieved and what the future holds.

“It has been fantastic because we achieved a lot in the last 12 months. We’ve changed the face of football,” said Mohammed.

“We brought a lot of initiatives, developments and we’ve touched a lot of areas. So, it has really been special.

“We have run an all-inclusive system where all the six area councils have been part and parcel of. We included them in all the competitions and its organisation.

“I paid for all-expense training for 21 coaches (male and female) drawn from these councils at the National Institute for Sports (NIS). We did the Bayern Munich programme, so, in terms of grassroots, we have done a lot not just for the coaches but for the referees and all the players.

“So, I will say confidently that we touched every area in terms of grassroots without leaving any stone untouched.

“We introduced Teqball – which is football played on tables. For the first time in Abuja, we had the beach soccer competition as well as renovate several football pitches.

“We have done a lot and we have a lot planned. For the future, we want to bring in a lot of innovations to football – particularly developing talents while ensuring that every area of the council has a new facility.”

It would be recalled that Mohammed at the beginning of the year voiced his discontent with Nigeria’s ill preparations for the upcoming age-grade competitions.

Before the coronavirus pandemic up to date, the country’s not started any form of training as they remain without a team or a technical crew for the assignments ahead.

“There is cause for alarm because naturally, you would see that the most successful countries in the world are the most stable in terms of their setup, technical crew and so on,” he told Goal.

“As I have always said, we need a template to grow our football, we need a style, a culture and need to build from the technical department so that all our national teams are synergised and play the same way.

“So, when you pick a player from the U17s, it is easy to assimilate up until the Super Eagles. We are in sort of darkness at the moment but I think we will get it right.”

Neal Maupay accused Arsenal of "lacking humility" and believed they got what they deserved in their 2-1 defeat at Brighton, with the Seagulls striker insisting he was not to blame for Bernd Leno's injury.

Leno was furious with Maupay after he landed awkwardly following a collision between the pair during the first half and was seen shouting at the Frenchman as he was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Replays showed the Brighton forward had barged into Leno while he was in the air, which meant he was off-balance when he planted his right leg into the turf and suffered what appears a serious injury.

To add insult to Arsenal's injury, Maupay would go on and score the winner in stoppage time, with a number of Gunners players then seen remonstrating with the Frenchman at the full-time whistle.

Speaking after the game, the former Brentford forward revealed he went to the Arsenal dressing room at the break to apologise for the incident involving Leno, which he stressed was accidental.

He was, however, left less than impressed with the Gunners' behaviour on the pitch. He told BT Sport: "At half-time I went to the manager Mikel Arteta to apologise. I never meant to injure the keeper. I jumped for the ball.

"I apologise to the team and to him (Leno) as well. I have been through a bad injury, it is hard.

"Arsenal players maybe need to learn humility sometimes. They were talking a lot. They got what they deserved.

"I just went to get the ball really. When he landed he twisted his knee. It is football, there is contact. I never meant to hurt him. I apologise again and wish him a speedy recovery."

Arsenal's frustrations were in sharp contrast to the jubilant Brighton players, who celebrated their first Premier League win of 2020 - a result that has given their survival hopes a real boost.

"I am so happy because it our first win this new year. The team has worked really had the last few months," added Maupay.

"We have been training really, really hard. The team kept working. The whole club - managers and staff - did a very good job to have us in a good place.

"It is just a win, we have eight games to go - some very big games. Anything can happen and we need to stay focused. It is a good start, we are really happy but we need to get straight back in tomorrow to focus on the next game."

Neal Maupay was a controversial hero as relegation-threatened Brighton and Hove Albion came from behind to earn a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Amex Stadium.

Maupay was at the centre of a grim first-half incident, where a coming together with Bernd Leno resulted in the Arsenal goalkeeper suffering a serious-looking knee injury.

Arsenal hit the front through a sumptuous Nicolas Pepe strike in the 68th minute but lackadaisical defending from a short corner worked by Solly March and Yves Bissouma allowed Lewis Dunk to equalise seven minutes later.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Maupay dummied and darted on to a clever flicked pass from substitute Aaron Connolly to produce a similarly classy finish – moving Albion five points clear of the bottom three and leaving the Gunners' Champions League hopes in tatters.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to hook an early cross from the recalled Pepe on target before Bukayo Saka fired a rasping 20-yarder against the crossbar amid a lively start from the visitors.

Dunk produced a last-ditch tackle to thwart Alexandre Lacazette – who would be similarly denied by Aaron Webster before half-time – and the France striker drew an excellent 31st-minute save from Mat Ryan, with Saka the provider for his improvised diving header.

All concerns were soon with Ryan's opposite number Leno, who was furious with Maupay as he left the field on a stretcher.

Replacement goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was alert to beat away a close-range Maupay strike at his near post before Ryan continued to enjoy supremacy in his duel with Aubameyang.

The Australia international had no chance when Pepe thrillingly came to the party, but after Dunk capitalised on Arsenal's mindless defending, Ryan kept out a fiercely swerving Aubameyang attempt.

And there was a sting in the tail as Alexis Mac Allister linked in slick fashion with Connolly and Maupay did the rest, before finding himself at the centre of an incensed Arsenal melee that showed scant regard for social distancing at the final whistle.

What does it mean? Arsenal's Champions League return will have to wait

Last week Arteta worried aloud over how his club's Champions League absence will do more damage the longer it goes on. They could be 11 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining at the end of the weekend. The dream is fading fast.

Saka in tune with Arteta's vision

Wednesday's sound 3-0 beating at Manchester City similarly indicated the tall task facing Arteta at Arsenal. In Saka, though, he has an adaptable and accomplished performer ready to play a prominent role in whatever the future holds. The 18-year-old has been deployed on the wing and at left-back and he excelled on the left of a midfield three here, consistently proving to be the Gunners' most reliable creative outlet before laying on Pepe's opener. While he thrives, other players should be looking at themselves.

Match-winner Maupay takes brunt of Leno's anger

At first glance, there appeared to be nothing malicious in Maupay's fateful challenge on Leno and we should be wary of how much worse slow-motion replays can make these incidents look. But whether it was innocent, petulant or an outright cheap shot, an action that the Brighton forward did not need to make looks like leaving Leno with a long, hard road back to fitness.

Key Opta Facts

- Brighton and Hove Albion secured their first league victory of 2020 (the last Premier League side to do so), while this was also the first time they have done the league double against Arsenal.

- At 94 minutes and 26 seconds, Neal Maupay's winner is the latest Premier League goal Brighton have ever scored.

- Brighton earned their 100th victory in all competitions at the Amex Stadium since moving to the ground in 2011.

- Excluding penalties, only Aston Villa (15) have conceded more goals from set-piece situations than Arsenal this season (13), with Brighton's leveller coming from a corner.

What's next?

Arsenal travel to Southampton on Thursday, with Ralph Hasenhuttl's side buoyed by a 3-0 win over bottom club Norwich City. Two days earlier, Brighton face another tough assignment in their survival battle at Leicester City.

Antonio Conte has backed Christian Eriksen to prove his star quality for Inter during the Serie A title run-in.

Former Tottenham midfielder Eriksen experienced a stuttering start to his Inter career after moving to San Siro in January.

The Denmark international's performances came in for close scrutiny and he faced criticism as his arrival coincided with a dip in the team's form.

After looking set for a serious title challenge, Inter fell away before the coronavirus pandemic put the season on hold for three months.

They return to league action against Claudio Ranieri's Sampdoria on Sunday, with Conte bullish about Inter's prospects for their 13-game rush of upcoming matches.

Head coach Conte said Inter have been fine-tuning the tactics he believes can bring success to the Nerazzurri.

"I think he's now found his feet and fully settled here," Conte said of Eriksen. "We are always trying and working on solutions to get the best out of the qualities of the players in the squad.

"I am pleased with how we have worked over this period."

Inter will be without Marcelo Brozovic due to a strain in his left leg and his fellow midfielder Stefano Sensi must sit out the game after a thigh pull.

Both are recent setbacks, but Conte is taking an optimistic view of Inter's prospects for the remainder of the campaign.

The Sampdoria fixture is a game in hand for Inter over leaders Juventus and second-placed Lazio.

"Should we win, we would cut the gap to the top to six points. Then, there are 12 league games to play. Personally, I don't think the gap is that massive," Conte added.

"I have positive feelings. But naturally I need to see the response in matches. We want to give our all in this end of season run-in.

"We are not ruling anything out. There are no limits to what we can achieve. I think the side has improved in all areas. I am very confident."

Conte has great respect for Ranieri, a Premier League champion four years ago with Leicester City.

Since joining Sampdoria in October, Ranieri has lifted the Genoa club off the foot of the table and up to 16th.

"Claudio Ranieri is an excellent coach," Conte said.

"He achieved something extraordinary at Leicester. But he's also a wonderful person. I've been lucky to get to know him and we meet up with our families

"I wish him all the best at Sampdoria, but only after they have played us."

Said Benrahma continued from where he left off before the enforced Covid-19 hiatus with a strike and assist for Brentford in their 2-0 win over Fulham in the Championship on Saturday.

The English second tier marked its return on Saturday after a 104-day hiatus with fixtures taking place behind closed doors. 

Thomas Frank’s men left it till late with goals from Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes to move the fourth-placed Bees to within a point of third-placed Fulham.

Benrahma finished from close-range in the 88th minute for his 11th goal of the campaign before returning in injury time to set up Marcondes to seal the win. 

The 24-year-old took his goal contributions tally to 20 – 11 goals and nine assists – for the season in 35 matches as he continues to make headlines with his scintillating form. 

The Algerian's form has been a key part of the West Londoners' promotion hopes and his form has not gone unnoticed as he continues to be linked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Leicester City.

Apart from the Gunners and Foxes, recent reports suggested that Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is also keen to make the former Nice man part of a signing spree that has already seen him sign Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.

Kamohelo Mokotjo - who recently signed a short term with the Bees - watched from the bench and was an unused substitute. 

The South African returned to the matchday squad for the first time since January following an injury.

Kaizer Chiefs players and officials have taken a first step toward returning to the training grounds. 

This comes after all the players were invited for screening and testing for the coronavirus on Saturday morning. 

As things stand, no PSL team has returned to training despite the government's easing of Lockdown Level 3 regulations to allow for contact sport to resume training. 

Amakhosi took to their Facebook page to confirm the latest developments inside the camp. 

"As per the mandate set out by #fifa and the #PSL our players have arrived for there #covid19 tests," said the club. 

According to the Soweto giants, all the players will be allowed back at training once everyone has completed the tests and no one is positive. 

"Once we have the all-clear we can get back to training."

To date, only Ben Motshwari of Orlando Pirates tested positive for the coronavirus but this was almost a month ago. 

The midfielder has since recovered and has rejoined his teammates for the club's online training. 

The PSL executive is yet to decide on the return date for competitive football and they have until June 30 to make a decision. 

Earlier this week, PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza confirmed plans to complete the suspended season in one province. 

However, it is still unclear which province the executive has identified, meaning the country still has to wait a little longer for the announcement. 

The Glamour Boys remain top of the PSL standings with 48 points from 22 league games. 

They lead second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by four points although Pitso Mosimane's men have a game in hand. 

Chiefs still have to play Bidvest Wits twice this season, and those are the two fixtures Mosimane and the entire country will be watching with keen interest, especially after the Braamfontein-based side announced the sale of its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) owner Masala Mulaudzi.  

There is already a perception that the Students will not give their all in the remaining matches of the season as some players have already committed their futures elsewhere for next season. 

Andre Ayew provided an assist and also scored from the penalty spot as Swansea City beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The English second-tier has been inactive since March 8 because of the coronavirus pandemic. During the lockdown, Andre spent time at the home of his younger brother and former Swansea player Jordan, now at Crystal Palace.

The Swans' last outing saw them play out a goalless draw with table leaders West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium. It was their third game without a win which dropped them out of the top 10.

They were in full swing however on Saturday with Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster opening proceedings in the 18th minute. Ayew made a run down the left flank and his pass found Brewster who tucked it in between the legs of Boro goalie Dejan Stojanovic.

Brewster made it 2-0 three minutes after he latched on to Franco-Congolese winger Aldo Kalulu’s cross and fired home a fierce volley that gave Stojanovic no chance of stopping it.

Ayew then finished the job from the spot in the 34th minute after Middlesbrough captain George Friend brought down Swansea’s Conor Gallagher in the penalty box.

The 30-year-old was taken off in the 81st minute and replaced by Bersant Celina. It was only the fifth time Ayew failed to complete 90 minutes in his 36 Championship appearances this season.

Only in the opening two matches of the season against Hull City and Derby, which ended in a win and draw, respectively, did Ayew fail to either make the matchday squad or starting XI.

Besides the goal and assist which was his 19th combined in the Championship this term, (13 goals, six assists), Ayew made 43 touches on the ball and 22 accurate passes (91.7%) which was the highest percentage of any player on the pitch.

He was also astute defensively, making four tackles and five clearances.

Swansea sit temporarily in seventh place, tied on 56 points with sixth-placed Preston North End who occupy the final Premier League promotion play-off spot.

Their next outing is a home tie with Luton Town at the Liberty on June 27.

Arsenal suffered yet another injury blow when goalkeeper Bernd Leno had to be carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious leg injury during the first half of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton, with the German appearing to blame Brighton striker Neal Maupay for the incident.

The 28-year-old screamed in agony when his right leg buckled underneath him after rushing out to claim a high ball on the edge of the penalty area.

His concerned team-mates quickly became aware of the seriousness of the injury and immediately called for the medical team to come onto the pitch.

After receiving extensive treatment, Leno was carried off the pitch on a stretcher but not before remonstrating with Maupay, who was in close proximity to the German as he competed for the high ball.

Replays showed Maupay had barged into Leno after the German had claimed the ball, which meant the Gunners number one was off-balance when he landed.

He was replaced by Emiliano Martinez for just his seventh Premier League appearance in nearly nine years at Emirates Stadium.

Leno, who joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2018, has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season, with his replacement Martinez restricted to FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League duty.

It is the second injury blow for Arsenal in as many matches after defender Pablo Mari suffered ankle ligament damage against Manchester City on Wednesday and was ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

More to follow.

La Liga have explained what exactly is entailed in the deal they signed with Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga SC).

La Liga, in conjunction with Sevilla, entered into a historic strategic consultancy agreement deal that targets to help the record Tanzanian league champions transform in various development aspects.

The deal, signed in June in the presence of former Tanzania President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and expected to run for three years, will see Yanga advised on management and activities with the fans, digital transformation, marketing and sales, economic control, digitalisation or international development.

La Liga regional manager Africa Juan Botella has told Goal in an exclusive interview that the partnership will help transform Yanga into a strong outfit and help enhance their true potential.

“La Liga, as an institution with a long remarkable experience in professional football, and Sevilla as one of the top international clubs, are interested in promoting football in Tanzania helping one of the most important clubs of the country in its transformation process enhancing its true potential,” Botella told Goal.

“La Liga and Sevilla will jointly offer its services to Yanga, providing it with their knowledge and expertise, with the aim of professionalising the whole club structure.”

Botella also confirmed the project which started immediately after the deal was signed in Dar es Salaam, will stand a chance for renewal after they carry out a review when it elapses.

“The project that starts now will take place for over three seasons [part of 2019/2020, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23], but it has a preliminary stage based on the priorities set by the Yanga, in which La Liga and Sevilla will carry out a review and recommendations for some strategic areas,” Botella continued.

Asked whether the deal will involve friendly matches between Sevilla and Yanga, Botella explained: “It would not be the first time Sevilla plays in Tanzania, as they did in 2019 against Simba.

“It is something not to be excluded but the agreement we have signed goes far beyond a match between both clubs. At this stage, no matches have been set but we do not close any door.”

In an earlier interview with Goal, Botella revealed why La Liga picked to support Yanga over their mainland rivals Simba SC.

“Yanga and Simba are the two top teams of the country so they both have a huge fan base,” stated Botella.

“Looking specifically at Yanga, the most awarded club in the country, we do not have to forget some of Yanga figures; it boasts a large community on social networks, they are not just numbers, but the level of engagement is huge.

“Just think that during the official presentation of the deal, after an hour of the streaming event, more than 3000 people were still connected to YouTube and continued to send messages of gratitude.

“They have 27 Premier League titles [with five wins across the last 10 years], four Tanzania FA Cups, five Cecafa Club Cups, and the club also has leading sponsors in their fields.”

Real Madrid should keep Sergio Ramos for the remainder of his career after making a mistake in allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to leave, says Predrag Mijatovic.

The defender's deal runs until the end of the 2020-21 season, by which time he will be 35.

Madrid have in the recent past allowed other legendary names to leave at the tail end of their playing days, including Ramos' former team-mates Raul and Iker Casillas, who moved on to Schalke and Porto respectively.

However, Mijatovic is adamant the Spain international must be retained despite his advancing years, giving him the chance to teach future generations about life with Los Blancos.

"We cannot afford to let our players help other teams, because they should be ours," the former Madrid forward told Stats Perform News.  "I would like to have this policy back.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't happen at Real Madrid. Raul had great history at Real Madrid and left in a bad way, Fernando Hierro the same, Casillas too.

"Now they are talking about Sergio Ramos [doing the same]. His contract has to be extended, two or three years, it doesn't matter. This guy has to finish his career at Real Madrid.

"He is important, almost a treasure of the club. Both for what he has done already and what he can do in the future, maybe not on the field, but teaching the young players who join Real Madrid on how to play, behave and adapt to the club. That's what it has to happen."

Madrid also let Ronaldo depart the Santiago Bernabeu for Juventus in 2018, while there has also been speculation Luka Modric, who turns 35 in September, could move on.

Both players were pivotal in helping to win the Champions League for three successive years during Zinedine Zidane's first spell in charge.

"If I had been at the club, I wouldn't let players like Cristiano, Sergio Ramos or Luka Modric leave," Mijatovic continued. 

"They are players that despite losing maybe a bit of fitness as the years go on, they are always very positive for the upcoming players.

"Let's imagine a young striker who comes in and learns from Cristiano, giving him advice. Or a young centre-back speaking with Sergio Ramos. Who could teach him better than Sergio Ramos on how he has to behave?

"Football is not just about having great players and then dropping them when you no longer need them. There are some players ...Italians do this perfectly. There are players like [Franco] Baresi, [Paolo] Maldini, and these big players who are a great asset to the club."

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to use his profile to promote greater equality in society and would view his career as a failure if he didn’t do so, regardless of his achievements on the pitch.

The Premier League has played its part in trying to combat racism this week, with players’ shirts displaying "Black Lives Matter" across the back instead of their own names.

Players, officials, and coaches have also all taken the knee immediately prior to kick-off, a powerful gesture beamed to millions of people watching on TV across the world.

Alexander-Arnold, who joined his Liverpool team-mates in taking the knee before a training session at Anfield earlier this month, says he is fortunate to have not experienced racism directly during his life, but that doesn’t mean he is not affected by those who have been abused.

The Liverpool defender says education is key to eradicating racism from society and wants to use his profile to do his bit by influencing youngsters who see him as their role model.

“Racism as a whole is not only the person that it is directed to,” he told BT Sport. “Just because I haven’t been directly racially abused doesn’t mean I haven’t felt racially abused, I feel the pain they feel. It’s a community feeling, if you say it to one person, you say it to everyone.

“Maybe I put pressure on myself because I know that's the right thing to do. It’s what I believe in. I want to make sure I’m educating people and be a role model. I've got a big platform, I know a lot of kids look up to me.

"It's not just about being a role model on the pitch. I want to be someone who feels as though I've made a change in the way that people think.

“At the end of my career I want to look back that I influenced a generation, someone who made a change in the way people think.

"If I get through my career and I haven't done that then I'd see that as a failure on my part."

Though he is fully behind the symbolic gestures made by the Premier League this week, Alexander-Arnold thinks much more can be done on a practical level to ensure greater equality in the game, particularly off the pitch among coaching staff and boardrooms.

“There's not enough equality within the system,” he added. “For that to change we need black people in the boardrooms, we need people in there with a voice.

"We need equality from physios and kitmen, all the way up into the boardroom. We need everyone to have an opportunity.

“If two people are evenly deserving of a job, more times than not it will go to the white person, maybe subconsciously it happens.

“No one is asking to be given freebies. We want everyone to have an equal opportunity so when you are going into an interview you feel as though you are being judged on the right things. Not your skin colour or where you’re from, you are judged on your CV and how good a coach you are.”

Former Kibera Parliamentary aspirant Eliud Owalo has donated KSH250,000 to Gor Mahia and challenged them to adopt a sustainable business model.

Owalo's gesture to the players comes at a time they have faced delayed salaries as the club ran without a financial partner for the abandoned 2019/20 season.

The politician hosted the players, members of the technical bench, led by head coach Steven Polack, and the chairman Ambrose Rachier at a Nairobi Hotel on Saturday.

“Today, I hosted Gor Mahia for lunch at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi,” Owalo posted on his Facebook page.

“I utilized the occasion to make a humble contribution of KSh250,000 to the team for short-term minimal cushion against adverse effects of Covid-19.

“The playing unit was led by acting captain Joachim Oluoch and accompanied by club Chairman [Ambrose] Rachier, coach [Steven] Polack and Team Manager Jolawi Abondo.

“Moving forward, I submit that we must deploy a business-model in management of the club to make the club financially viable and sustainable.

“If Arsenal can do it, Gor Mahia can equally do it. If Barcelona can do it, why not Gor Mahia?”

One of the club's fans, in a reply to Owalo's post, challenged the K'Ogalo's officials to run the club professionally.

“Thank you Jakom [leader]. Our clubs are run very unprofessional. I've tried in vain to share how business models can be input in sports in Kenya,” Derick Boondox said in his reply.

“Teams need to have employments structures that are professional with a performance contract. Currently, office bearers are elected and run those teams like political parties.

“Why do our teams only attract betting firms to invest in them and not, other brands? These are the questions we should ask. What should these clubs do to recruit fans? How strong is the brand of these clubs different from just filling a roster in KPL? Let's get serious with sports, it's a billion-dollar industry.”

In an interview with Goal , Polack challenged the club to look for multiple sponsors so as to prevent financial instabilities should one opt-out.

“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," said Polack.

“I am not only looking at Gor Mahia but even in South Africa teams have more than one sponsor, so they need to work hard and get more sponsors so they can be able to keep the club financially stable, but one thing is for sure, I know Gor Mahia officials are not going to sit and wait, they are going to work hard and get more sponsors, we have already talked about it."

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards recently signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Betsafe.

Bernard has backed his Everton team-mate and Brazilian compatriot Richarlison to keep improving as the Toffees return from the coronavirus break.

Richarlison has talked his way into the headlines this week after calling out Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

With 10 Premier League goals in 27 appearances this season, the forward is three shy of his best effort to date, having registered five and 13 league goals in his previous campaigns.

“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.”

Richarlison turned 23 while football was suspended, and Bernard thinks he is going to keep getting better.

“He is still developing. When you look at him, he's still so young to be doing what he is in the Premier League.

“I am certain he will mature and become an even better player, not just in the way he plays but also in the way he understands and reads the game.”

As well as helping Everton climb the table under Carlo Ancelotti, both Bernard and Richarlison are hoping to make an impression on the international stage.

Richarlison has six goals in 19 games for Brazil while Bernard is hoping to add to his 14 caps, the last of which came six years ago.

“My objective for Everton's restart is to come back well and give my all, so we can get the wins and share joyful moments together,” Bernard added.

“I think to play for the national team in any country you have to be doing well for your club, so for me to think about the Brazilian Selecao, I have to think about Everton.

“It is good we can play at Goodison [rather than a neutral venue] but I'd be even more pleased if we were able to have our fans there.

“It’s a delicate situation coming back after the pandemic and two months out and going into a difficult fixture. But the game being a derby is an additional motivator for me and, I believe, all the players.

“We need to look after ourselves, be dedicated and as prepared as possible for a tough, intense game. It will also be a happy occasion because of this opportunity to play again at Goodison Park.”