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Azam FC coach Aristica Cioaba has explained the reason they must beat Young Africans (Yanga SC) in their next Mainland Premier League.

After the Tanzanian top-flight resumed on Saturday, the two giants will square off in a top of the bill clash set for the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Both teams won their respective opening matches, Azam beating Mbao FC 2-0 at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam while Yanga picked up vital points away from home after edging out Mwadui FC 1-0 at Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga.

The Romanian coach has now stated his desire is to make sure they cruise past the Jangwani Street-based side in the second round fixture so as to help them cement second position in the 20-team league table.

“I am working on the few mistakes we committed in the win against Mbao as my main aim now is to win against Yanga on Sunday,” Cioaba is quoted by the club’s official website.

“It will be a difficult game because Yanga will also be keen to win but I want my team to get ready for the maximum points, we have started off well after the league resumed and I want us to keep the momentum going.

“I also want Azam to finish second in the table, we are currently sitting second and that is the position we want to finish in unless miracles happen, then we can eye the top position but for now I can see ourselves finishing second and must protect that position.”

Despite releasing their lead striker Donald Ngoma, whose contract runs down on June 14, Azam have received a major boost with two of their foreign players - Bruce Kangwa and Never Tigere – arriving from their native Zimbabwe on Monday where they were stranded owing to the lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘Ice-Cream Makers’ will also welcome back Ugandan Nicolas Wadada, whom the club chartered a flight to airlift him from Kampala, where he had relocated to when the league was halted in mid-March.

Azam are currently sitting second on the log with 57 points, 15 fewer than table-toppers Simba SC, while Yanga are third on 54 points.

Uchenna Kanu penned an emotional farewell message to Sevilla on Tuesday morning after completing her move from the Spanish outfit to Swedish side Linkopings on Monday.

Kanu joined Sevilla from the United States in January, featuring in six matches in all competitions and inspired Cristian Toro's side to the Women's Cup semi-final before the coronavirus outbreak.

The premature end of the 2019-20 season in Spain due to the Covid-19 pandemic brought an end to her five-month spell with the Spanish Primera Iberdrola outfit.

The 22-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Swedish Damallsvenskan club before the window shut last Saturday and she has described her time at Sevilla as a 'short but great experience'.

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to Sevilla for everything," she wrote on her official Twitter page. 

Kanu had represented Nigeria at the age-grade competitions, finished as the top scorer with 10 goals as the West Africans won their maiden Wafu Women's Cup last year in Cote d'Ivoire.

The Nigeria international made her debut at the senior Women's World Cup in France, where she featured in four matches as Nigeria reached the Round of 16 for the first time since 1999.

Before her move to Spain, the winger shot into prominence during her scholarship studies in the USA, where she emerged as the all-time top-scorer with 157 goals and 366 points.

Her excellent showing last year with the country and college saw her nominated for the African Women's Footballer of the Year 2019 award.

Former South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena says he “always put his body on the line” for his country and cannot be held accountable for the opening goal in the 3-0 defeat by Uruguay at the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

It was the hosts South Africa’s second match of the tournament and the 24th-minute goal by Diego Forlan paved the way for the former Manchester United forward’s brace and another goal by defender Alvaro Pereira.

As Forlan unleashed his shot from outside the box, Mokoena stood in the way of the attempt but swerved his body to avoid the ball hitting him, before it flew past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

“I did not duck that ball,” Mokoena said as per New Frame.

“You have followed my career long enough to know that I always put my body on the line whenever I had the national team jersey on. I have never been afraid to throw myself into where it hurts for the sake of protecting the team.

“That Forlan goal was just something special. He simply got the technique of kicking that ball right and that is why it beat both myself and Itu [Khune].

“I was trying to close him down but he took the shot. He was very far from the goals and I didn’t think he would shoot. It has always been my way that I must never allow an opponent to shoot. And I was sure Forlan would not dribble past me as I got in to close him but he took the shot as I was going in on him.”

It was a match which also saw Khune being red-carded after being adjudged to have fouled Luis Suarez inside the penalty box, earning Uruguay a penalty which was converted by Forlan to complete his double.

But it was the first goal which remains a topical issue and then Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane feels Forlan could have been prevented from taking his shot had he been closed in earlier.

“It was a game of moments, hey. I think we could have closed Forlan a little earlier,” said Mosimane.

“We were too late to get to him and that allowed him to take the shot. But what most people did not realise is that the ball deflected off Mbazo’s [Mokoena] back, hence it went slightly higher. Otherwise, Itu could have saved it.”

The defeat jeopardised Bafana’s chances of reaching the next round after they had drawn 1-1 with Mexico in the opening game of the tournament.

A 2-1 victory over France in their final group game was not enough for South Africa as they went on to become the first World Cup hosts to be eliminated in the group stages.

Manchester United players have been consulted over music to be played at Old Trafford during the behind closed doors games in the hope it will give them a boost.

Club chiefs have been in consultation with the players, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, fan groups and the Premier League over the best ways to try and create as much of an atmosphere in Old Trafford as possible for the Premier League restart - despite no fans being allowed inside. 

Wraps will be placed around the lower tiers and some of the second tiers of Old Trafford with pictures of thousands of fans that the club have been collecting over the past week.

Fans were asked to send in their pictures to the club to be part of the mosaic which will be on the wraps along with messages of thanks to the NHS, Premier League branding and club messages. Pictures of fans celebrating will also be shown on the electronic boards which are around the side of the pitch at Old Trafford.

Clubs have been given permission to use creativity so each will have different aesthetics inside their stadium.

Tottenham, who United play on Friday, are set to have images of fans celebrating on their huge screens. That is something which is not an option at Old Trafford as they only have small scoreboards with no screens.

Cardboard cut outs of fans, which have been used in other countries, is something that has been dismissed. 

Fans watching at home will have the option to listen to crowd noise on their television and while that will not be pumped into the stadium, music will be played at different points of the game, for example when a goal is scored.

It is understood a final decision has yet to be made on what audio will be used at what points the players have been consulted over what they would like.

Plans are expected to carry on evolving up until United’s first home game of the restart, against Sheffield United next Wednesday, but plans are well underway to ensure fans are represented inside the stadium.

The club hope that while they are not looking to replace fans inside the stadium their pictures being part of the wrap gives them the opportunity to feel apart of the restart while supporting the team from home.

The mosaic will be made up of pictures of season ticket holders, members and those who have never been able to attend a game at Old Trafford before.

Pep Guardiola has defended Kyle Walker after criticism of the Manchester City defender's behaviour in the lockdown period.

The England international was reported by The Sun to have committed three breaches of coronavirus stay-at-home rules in 24 hours last month. That came after he apologised in April for hosting a party with a friend and two women at his home in Cheshire.

City said at the time of the first allegations they were "disappointed" by the claims and would conduct an internal investigation.

Walker, 30, later said he felt "harassed" by the media attention on his private life, claiming his behaviour was being "scrutinised without any context".

It was claimed that in May he visited his parents and sister before lockdown rules were eased, and also took a bicycle ride with a friend.

City manager Guardiola said in a news conference on Tuesday: "I judge my players with what happens on the pitch.

"I think Kyle made a brave statement. What I want is the best for him and especially his family. His wife and kids, parents - that is what we want. As a human being that always goes first [rather] than the football player, and I think Kyle expressed his thoughts in his statement."

City face Arsenal on Wednesday night in one of two Premier League games, the first top flight action in England following the enforced break in the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Guardiola, however, has warned his City team will be undercooked for the return of the Premier League because they were given "not enough" time to prepare.

"If you ask me how the team is, I don't know," Guardiola said. "Tomorrow we will see the level. From there, we are going to see and suggest what we can do better.

"All Premier League teams have three weeks. Of course we know it is not enough but it is what it is.

"We are ready to play one game, but three days after another, four days after another, we are not ready. That's why you have to rotate. But we have to start, we have to finish the season, because the damage economically can be reduced."

Timo Werner remains in RB Leipzig's plans for the Champions League, despite Goal understanding he informed the club he wants to move to Chelsea before the competition restarts.

Leipzig eliminated Tottenham and booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Europe's premier club competition is expected to continue in August once the major domestic seasons have been completed.

According to a report from German newspaper Bild on Monday, Werner has told Leipzig he wants to join Chelsea, who are reportedly set to activate a £54 million ($68m) release clause in his contract, following the conclusion of the Bundesliga season this month.

However, Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann told a news conference he still considers the Germany striker available for Champions League selection.

"He is currently, as usual, in my plans to play the Champions League. He is our player and has not signed for anyone else," said Nagelsmann. "His importance to RB Leipzig is extraordinary. He has an incredibly good goalscoring rate, which you always hope for from a striker."

The transfer window in England will open at the conclusion of the Premier League season in July, meaning Werner could move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the resumption of the Champions League.

UEFA is yet to clarify rules regarding transfers of such nature, with it unclear whether Werner would be able to represent Chelsea in the competition.

Nagelsmann only plans to deal with that situation when a deal is on the table, saying: "Then both parties will sit down and see what happens next. There are no regulations at the moment."

Leipzig face relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf in the Bundesliga on Wednesday and a win could guarantee their place in next season's Champions League.

However, they will be without attacker Yussuf Poulsen for the rest of the campaign with a ligament injury, while the possibility of Dayot Upamecano returning to the line-up will depend on his performance in training.

"Yussi will not be used this season," said Nagelsmann. "If [Upamecano] goes full throttle, he will play. If he doesn't go full throttle, he won't play."

Steven Gerrard has listed five Premier League stars who "deserve" to win PFA Player of the Year, while also picking his preferred candidate for the award.

The Rangers boss has watched from afar as his old club Liverpool have dominated the English top flight in 2019-20, picking up 27 wins from their opening 29 fixtures before the coronavirus outbreak halted their progress in March.

Jurgen Klopp's men will be crowned champions if they secure six points from their final nine fixtures, with a Merseyside derby clash against Everton on Sunday marking their first game back following a three-month hiatus.

Jordan Henderson will hold the famous trophy aloft once Liverpool get over the line, and it has been suggested that the club captain will be acknowledged for his contribution to their cause by the PFA come the end of the campaign.

Gerrard would "like to see" his former team-mate named Player of the Year, but he also believes three other Reds would be worthy of the accolade, along with Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne.

The former Liverpool captain says Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander Arnold have been just as consistent as Henderson, but the 29-year-old's "leadership skills" could see him get the final nod.

“If he got it I don’t think anyone could argue or grumble,” Gerrard told The Athletic. “He would deserve it as much as anyone else who is in the running for it.

“I try to be non-biased when I talk about things like this. Kevin De Bruyne has been superb this season. The same goes for Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan and Sadio Mane.

"Any of them would deserve it. Would I like to see Jordan win it? Yes, I would.

“I’d also like to see him win the Football Writers’ award. In this day and age, with what we’re going through and what we’ve seen of late, he’s someone who commits himself to the game and is a real ambassador and role model on and off the pitch.

"It’s the way he goes about his work, the quality he has shown consistently and his leadership skills.

“With these individual awards, I just think sometimes they have to be about more than what just happens on the pitch.

"I think Jordan is certainly deserving to be in the running for both. If he got both I’d be very pleased for him.”

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City team will be undercooked for the return of the Premier League because they were given "not enough" time to prepare.

The former Barcelona boss is poised to see his City team officially dethroned as champions by Liverpool, and on top of that says his stars are not up to handling the intensive demands posed by the restart.

Guardiola, whose mother Dolors died after contracting Covid-19, will take charge of City against Arsenal when English football resumes on Wednesday after three months in lockdown.

He is relishing the Etihad Stadium reunion with his former City number two Mikel Arteta, who left to take charge of Arsenal in December, and hopes they can enjoy a post-match drink together.

And while Guardiola is hopeful his team can be competitive, he says rotation of his squad over the remaining weeks of the season will be imperative.

City will be back in action on Monday against Burnley, and the games will come thick and fast after the condensing of the schedule.

"If you ask me how the team is, I don't know," Guardiola said. "Tomorrow we will see the level. From there, we are going to see and suggest what we can do better."

He said the big worry since teams were allowed to train again was the "lack of preparation" they were afforded before games returned - "not like in Germany or Spain where they worked five or six weeks".

"All Premier League teams have three weeks," Guardiola said. "Of course we know it is not enough but it is what it is.

"We are ready to play one game, but three days after another, four days after another, we are not ready. That's why you have to rotate. But we have to start, we have to finish the season, because the damage economically can be reduced."

The same circumstances seem sure to apply to Arsenal, who have not lost a match in domestic football in 2020.

Guardiola said he was "so excited" to see Arteta, describing his fellow Spaniard as "one of the nicest people I have ever met" and "an incredibly important part of our success".

He would love to be able to share an evening tipple with Arteta but was unsure if that would be permitted.

"We sent a message one hour and a half ago. I can't tell you what that message said. It's about the wine we're going to drink after the game, if social distance allows us to drink," Guardiola said.

Guardiola has had to grieve during football's absence, and he said: "All the people who have been lost are important."

And he stressed "not even the best scientists in the world" had realised what a toll Covid-19 would take.

"At the end, the Premier League like in Spain and Germany, like other countries, decide we have to play, so we are going to play. We are going to adapt as quick as possible," Guardiola added.

Achraf Hakimi's agent Alejandro Camano has denied holding talks with Bayern Munich over a possible summer move for the Real Madrid loanee.

Hakimi rose through the youth ranks at Madrid before graduating to the senior squad in 2017, but has since made just 16 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The Blancos decided to send the 21-year-old out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in 2018, where he has established himself as one of the most technically proficient full-backs in European football.

Hakimi has contributed five goals and 10 assists to BVB's cause in 31 games in 2019-20, helping them challenge Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga while also reaching the Champions League knockout stages.

Dortmund are reportedly interested in making the Moroccan's move to the Westfalenstadion permanent when his two-season loan deal expires this summer, but Bayern are also being tipped to launch a bid for his services.

Camano has confirmed that a number of elite clubs are monitoring Hakimi's situation, but he claims to have heard nothing concrete from the German champions as of yet.

The Madrid defender's agent told Goal and SPOX: "There is interest from top European clubs, but I don't know where the rumours with Bayern have come from. It is not a topic.

"Nobody from Bayern or Real Madrid spoke to me about a possible move for Achraf to Bayern.

"We are totally relaxed and calm about the future of Achraf. He has a great relationship with Real Madrid and there is currently no reason for any talks because Achraf has a contract with Real Madrid until 2022.

"We'll see what happens when he returns to Madrid in the summer."

Camano went on to hint that Hakimi could still have a future at Santiago Bernabeu, while insisting that his client still enjoys a strong relationship with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

He added: "There is no problem with Zidane at all. Achraf gets along with everyone at Real Madrid. And Zidane has known Achraf since he was a child.

"He likes him as a person and as a player. For me, Achraf is the best in his position."

Call of Duty: Warzone has quickly become one of the top-played games in the weeks since its release, with over 60 million players to date.

This free-to-play title features dynamic and frantic battle royale and Plunder gameplay with up to 150 players on the largest Call of Duty battleground ever.

On June 11, the season four of Warzone went live, and it brought an array of new content and changes. A new season also means a brand new battle pass with a bunch of items to earn and equip. The Season 4 battle pass has new operators, new weapons and blueprint, customization items, and a lot more.

Download Call Of Duty: Warzone

The game features two main factions of the Operators: the Coalition and the Allegiance. Both factions include a variety of Operators to choose from. The Coalition is a multinational alliance that consists of operators from SAS, Warcom and Demon Dogs, while the Allegiance is made up of the remnants of the Russian Forces in Urzikstan, foreign mercenaries and rogue NATO soldiers.

And while the Operators are getting famous among the gamers, Goal.com has teamed up with Call of Duty to make the "Coalition vs Allegiance" ultimate team. The concept consists on choosing 11 characters from both the Coalition and Allegiance who are featuring in Warzone.

We'll then analyze the specific traits of each character and potential Footballers who fit the mould and resemble well with the character. The audience will be involved by voting for their favorite Operator-Footballer combo to make it feature in the Ultimate team.

For our new poll, we are going to be looking at Mara from the Coalition faction and SYD from the Allegiance one.

Mara - Alex Morgan : Morgan is a forward whose game is built on speed and direct play. The USWNT star's flair and pace, along with her dribbling ability, make her a consistent goal threat. Mara is also a speedy operator. She relies on a her vast experience and knowledge of the battlefield to always make the right move and her shooting accuracy makes her lethal in the field.
 

SYD - Renard : Not only is Wendie Renard widely considered to be the world's leading central defenders, she poses a formidable threat to the opponents' goal with her aerial presence, particularly from set pieces. SYD, like Renard, is known for her toughness and an unwillingness to take unnecessary risks while attacking. She likes to have a clear plan in place before entering the battlefield.

Who should feature is the Coalition vs Allegiance utlimate team? vote below

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has revealed he gets “annoyed” when his critics say he has “won nothing” during his career in Italy.

Sarri was appointed Juve boss last summer after winning the Europa League with Chelsea – his first major piece of silverware as a coach.

He is preparing for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Napoli and is also aiming to lead Juve to the Serie A title this season, and is irked by criticism of his CV.

“I get annoyed when they say, ‘In Italy, he has won nothing’,” said Sarri. “I earned eight promotions from one division to another, and I achieved them all on the pitch.

"That is perhaps a small thing compared to the Champions League and the Scudetto, but it is not easy.

"It's always an important incentive to win important trophies and there is a desire to lift the cup. I am happy that we are in the final."

Ahead of the meeting with his former club Napoli in Rome, Sarri has praised his opposite number Gennaro Gattuso, while urging his Juventus players to turn their fine season into something "concrete".

Sarri is under no illusions over the quality of Napoli, now led by Gattuso after he coached them between 2015 and 2018.

The Partenopei have only lost once in 10 matches and are bidding to win their first piece of silverware since 2014, while Juve are top of Serie A and still in the Champions League as they target multiple trophies.

"Napoli are a difficult team to face," Sarri said.

"They are solid when they close the spaces and dangerous on the counter. They won against us, against Inter and drew with Barcelona, they know how to play at a high level.

"Napoli are a team of dribblers, on Wednesday we must remain compact and not allow easy counterattacking situations. 

"I like Gattuso a lot, he is straightforward and direct. I'm not surprised by what he's achieving."

Sarri believes his approach has changed during the lockdown enforced by the coronavirus crisis.

He added: "From a mental point of view it's been a difficult period for everyone but I've seen the guys at their best: open, smiling and ready to play. 

"Maybe I've also improved too, I'm more patient and less uncompromising. I am completely focused on the final and on our team, with the right concentration and conviction.

"We've played for seven months, and then have had a long break in order to play these remaining matches. 

"Therefore, we'll have to give everything that we have and give that little bit more to win as many trophies as possible. 

"Apart from a few games that haven't gone our way the results have been good so far. 

"We have an excellent points average so we can be pleased with that, but now we want to transform it into something concrete."

Joao Felix would be "at a higher level" if he had joined Real Madrid instead of Atletico Madrid, claims Carlos Carvalhal.

Atletico shelled out €126 million (£122m/$142m) to sign Felix from Benfica ahead of Antoine Griezmann's departure for La Liga rivals Barcelona last year.

However, the 20-year-old has only contributed six goals and three assists in 28 appearances, with ankle and hamstring injuries sidelining him for separate short spells.

Carvalhal, who is the head coach at Primeira Liga side Rio Ave, does not think the style of football played under Diego Simeone suits Felix.

He believes a move to their arch-rivals Real Madrid would have put a fellow Portuguese in a better position to develop his game.

"Joao Felix is​​a great player and I don't want to create controversy with my statements. He is a player with incredible technical ability, with a great level. But I'm not sure Atletico's way of playing is the best for him," Carvalhal said on Cadena SER.

"That was my doubt when he signed for them. Diego Simeone is a great coach, his teams are very strong, very competitive, but Joao Felix does not seem to be the perfect player to be there.

"In a different situation, we would see a great Joao Felix. It will be a little difficult and it will take time more time. He will have to transform as a player.

"If he had gone to a team like Real Madrid, he would be at a higher level. The context would be more favourable for him.

"It's not a criticism of Simeone, there is no doubt about what he has achieved. The work speaks for itself, I just believe this marriage is not the best."

Felix was suspended as Atletico returned from a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic with a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

He is, however, in line to make his first appearance since the stoppage when Simeone's men take on Osasuna in Pamplona on Wednesday.

Atletico are sitting sixth in the La Liga standings at the moment, a point behind Real Sociedad in the race for a top-four finish and 15 behind leaders Barcelona, with ten fixtures remaining.

Lyon coach Rudi Garcia has stated the club have not received any offers for striker Moussa Dembele or midfielder Houssem Aouar.

Manchester United have shown an interest in Dembele as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explores options to strengthen his attack on a more permanent basis after securing a loan extension for Odion Ighalo.

Aouar, meanwhile, has been linked with Manchester City and Juventus, and Lyon’s sporting director Juninho Pernambucano recently acknowledged that both players could leave the club when the transfer window reopens.

However, Garcia says no bids have been received for the pair and is hoping that Aouar, along with former United winger Memphis Depay, will remain with the club.

“I hope that Houssem Aouar will stay,” Garcia told RTL. “Him and Moussa Dembele. I can tell you categorically that we have not received any offers for them.

“I am told that Memphis is also not on the list of possible departures.”

Missing out on the Champions League in the 2020-21 season after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the controversially truncated Ligue 1 campaign has been a blow to Lyon and is set to shape their actions in the summer.

That led to Juninho suggesting that Aouar and Dembele could be on their way, and he is waiting to see what transpires in the coming weeks.

“Moussa and Houssem are among the best players in the squad but their cases are different,” he said at the unveiling of striker Tino Kadewere last week.

“Houssem came through the academy here and he’s been here a long time. He brings a technical touch in midfield, but we know that most young players trained at the club with the talent of Houssem will leave at one time or another.

“It’s president Jean-Michel Aulas who will decide. If we receive propositions, we’ll analyse them but he’s an important player.”

While much of the transfer speculation has focused on outgoings from Lyon, Garcia confirmed his hope that his defence will be strengthened before next season starts.

Garcia added: “We are looking for a central defender. Numerically, we only have three.

“We need leadership, but we are looking at young defenders, rather than those who are more seasoned. I don’t know if financially it will be possible.”

Kenya might not have a representative in the 2020/21 Caf Confederation Cup after missing out on the provisional list.

Caf had asked its member associations to explain how they intended to finish the season. 

While the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) cancelled the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season and forwarded Gor Mahia's name for the Caf Champions League - a move that has been protested by league administrators - there was no name presented for the second-tier competition.

Kenya has always produced a participant for the Confederation Cup through the FKF Shield Cup, which was entering the quarter-final phase before it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We want to know the final date from Caf and then we will continue with the Shield Cup because we can play on Saturday and Sunday," FKF president Nick Mwendwa told Goal.

"We need two weekends to play Shield Cup and if Covid-19 stops us then we will not enter a team in the Caf Confederation Cup."

Uganda will be represented by 2018/19 Ugandan Premier League champions KCCA FC, who finished as runners-up after the league was annulled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa).

Another East African side, Rayon Sports, will represent Rwanda in Africa's second-tier club competition. 

South Sudan will be represented by Al-Rabita but the country did not field any team in the Champions League. Horseed of Somalia will also take part in the competition.

Just like in the Caf Champions League, Ethiopia opted against fielding any team in the competition after declaring the 2019/20 season null and void.

For Tanzania, the league resumed on June 13, however, the quarter-finals of the FA Cup will be played on June 30 and July 1.

On the last Tuesday of the month, the first match will be between fourth-placed Namungo and Alliance. The game will be played at Uwanja wa Majaliwa in Lindi.

The second match of the day will be between Young Africans and Kagera Sugar. Timu ya Wananchi will be aiming at avenging the 3-0 loss suffered in the first round of the Tanzania Mainland League. 

The two top tier sides will play at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

On Wednesday, July 1, minnows Sahare All-Stars will be at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga against Ndanda FC. The latter come into the match as favourites owing to their undoubted quality in the squad as compared to the second-tier side.

The biggest match, arguably, will be played on the same day at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and will be between Azam FC, who are the defending champions, and league leaders Simba SC.

This is the fifth time the two teams will be meeting in the 2019/20 season - interestingly, the Chamazi based side have not defeated Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the earlier encounters.

The last time the two teams met was in the league when the 20-time league champions won the match 3-2.

Marcus Rashford has won his fight to get the UK government to provide free meals for vulnerable children over the school holidays after they performed a U-turn on their initial decision.

The Manchester United forward wrote an emotional open letter to MPs on Monday asking them to have a change of heart on the decision to stop a national voucher scheme aiming to feed children from low-income families while schools were closed during the coronavirus pandemic.  

At first they dismissed his campaigning but after mounting pressure from politicians, celebrities and the general public, which was led by Rashford, it was confirmed children eligible for free school meals in term time in England will get a six-week voucher.

The £120 million ($152m) extension to the scheme should benefit 1.3 million children and, following the announcement, Rashford tweeted: "I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020."

When schools were shut down in March a food-voucher scheme was set up to help ensure vulnerable children did not go hungry. Vouchers worth £15 were sent to families that needed them but were due to come to an end when the term finished, until Rashford stepped up.

In a letter sent to government, the England international recalled his own experiences of having to rely on free school meals and food banks when he was a child growing up in Manchester and, in a series of tweets on Tuesday morning, the 22-year-old urged MPs to put politics to one side and reverse the decision.

He wrote: "1. When you wake up this morning and run your shower, take a second to think about parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown #maketheuturn.

"2. When you turn on your kettle to make a cup of tea or coffee think of those parents who have had to default on electricity bill payments just to make ends meet having lost their jobs during the pandemic #maketheuturn.

"3. And when you head to the fridge to grab the milk, stop and recognise that parents of at least 200,000 children across the country this morning are waking up to empty shelving.

"4. Recognise children around the country are this morning innocently questioning ‘why?’ 9 out of 30 children in any given classroom are today asking ‘why?’ ‘Why does our future not matter?’ #maketheuturn."

And announcing the decision to change tack, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said on Tuesday: "Owing to the coronavirus pandemic the Prime Minister fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer.

"To reflect this we will be providing a Covid summer food fund, this will provide food vouchers over the six-week summer holiday period. This is a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances of the pandemic. The scheme will not continue beyond the summer."

The United forward has been widely praised by fellow professionals, politicians and celebrities for his campaigning which has also helped to raise £20 million for FareShare, a charity aimed at relieving food poverty, during the pandemic.

Manchester United striker and former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has been celebrated on his 31st birthday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Confederation of African Football (Caf), Premier League sides Watford and the Red Devils have sent heartfelt messages to the forward.

The Hornets and the Old Trafford outfit recollected the on-loan Shanghai Shenhua striker’s contribution with videos.

The forward, who was born on June 16, 1989, in Lagos, was raised in Edo State and started his professional football career with Prime of Osogbo.

He also played for Julius Berger before leaving Nigeria to continue his development in Europe, joining Norwegian side Lyn Oslo in 2007.

Ighalo then moved to Italy to team up with Udinese where he spent six years, including loan spells with Granada and Cesena.

The striker signed for Watford, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent in 2014, and made a significant contribution during his time with the club.

Ighalo scored 36 league goals in 90 appearances for the Vicarage Road Stadium outfit and in December 2015, he was named Premier League Player of the Month following his impressive performances in front of goal.

The forward left the Hornets in 2017 for Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai and delivered fine displays during his one-year stay, scoring 10 goals in 17 league matches.

He left for rivals Shanghai Shenhua after turning down a chance to join Spanish giants Barcelona and in January he sealed a shock loan switch to Manchester United on transfer deadline day.

Since his arrival at the Old Trafford, the former Nigeria international has become the toast of the fans following his eye-catching showings.

The forward has scored four goals and provided one assist in only eight games across all competitions before the coronavirus outbreak which led to the suspension of the Premier League.

On the international scene, the striker bagged 16 goals in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles before his sudden retirement after helping the West Africans finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he scooped the top-scorer award.

Ighalo will hope to continue his fine performances when the Premier League resumes on June 17, having recently extended his loan stay with the Red Devils.

Simba SC midfielder Jonas Mkude has resumed training after missing the opening match of the Mainland Premier League on Sunday.

The Tanzanian giants took the National Stadium without their defensive player, who picked up an injury during their friendly against KMC, as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting.

Mkude, who was ruled out for two weeks, has now returned to training but under the care of the team doctor as he works his way to return to action.

Simba have confirmed the return to training of the player, but insisted he will still be out for at least two weeks.

“Mkude trained with team doctor today [Tuesday] and he is recovering well,” Simba said on their official website.

“The doctors are confident he will be able to kick the ball in two weeks’ time.”

On suffering the injury, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck named two players who can play for the team in his absence.

The Belgian tactician confirmed Mzamiru Yasin and Brazilian playmaker Gerson Fraga will perfectly fit into the role Mkude was playing for the Mainland giants.

“I just hope [Mkude] will not be out for a long time because we need him for subsequent matches in the league and the domestic competition,” Vandenbroeck told reporters last week.

“In Simba, we have a huge squad, and fans should not be worried because we can easily rotate the starting eleven. I can easily use Yasin or Fraga in the same position and I know they will do a good job and give us the result we need.”

Mkude was not in action as Simba dropped points against Ruvu Shooting, and will miss the next league match against Mbeya City and also sit out the team’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Azam FC.

Meanwhile, Simba information officer Haji Manara has thanked the club's fans for keeping to the safety measures put in place by the Ministry of Health to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Manara said he was impressed with the fans' behaviour during their match against Ruvu Shooting and urged them to keep the spirit in the subsequent matches.

SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews has made it clear that the club has no intentions to bring back Gavin Hunt simply because there's no coaching vacancy at the Tshwane giants.  

Hunt is set to leave Bidvest Wits at the end of the season following the management's decision to sell its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) owner Masala Mulaudzi.

Mulaudzi is hoping to rename the PSL's oldest football club to TTM and relocate it to Limpopo as soon as the deal is approved by the league's executive. 

"There is no coaching vacancy at SuperSport United. I do think it is disrespectful to Kaitano and any other head coach. I think even Gavin himself will find it disrespectful more than anybody else to have someone linked to his job," Matthews told Sowetan. 

"He [Hunt] is an old school soccer tradition guy and it’s not nice when someone is in a job and their job is linked with somebody else."

Matthews added that Wits' decision to sell their status coupled with Hunt's availability doesn't mean SuperSport should forget about their obligations to current head coach Kaitano Tembo. 

However, the Matsatsantsa boss revealed Hunt would certainly be a candidate if Tembo was to leave the club for any reason but for now, the management doesn't want to disrupt the togetherness by making unnecessary changes to their technical team.  

"Just because Wits decided to sell their franchise doesn’t suddenly mean that SuperSport forgets its obligation to Kaitano‚ the rest of the coaching staff and all the people who have been competing against Gavin," he continued.

"Just because Gavin is now available has no impact on our club. If Kaitano decides that he is not our coach anymore for whatever reason and we are looking for a coach‚ then, of course, Gavin would be a candidate. 

"But we are very happy with Kaitano as our head coach and this is the same answer I gave when people were saying that Stuart Baxter was coming back to the club.

"Why in the world would SuperSport be looking to disrupt our togetherness and what we have because another club down the road decided to sell?

"I was quite shocked and disappointed when I read the speculation in the media and to be honest I really think it is disrespectful."

Veteran Ghanaian coach JE Sarpong is incensed by calls to apologise for perceived derogatory remarks about footballers on the domestic scene.

The former Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals man generated controversy in an audacious claim in which he labelled 60 per cent of Ghanaian players as smokers of marijuana.

The allegation attracted the attention of Ghana and Aduana Stars striker Yahaya Mohammed, the second top scorer in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season, who lashed out at the tactician and called for an apology.

"When I say about 60 per cent of Ghanaian players smoke weed [marijuana], you [Yahaya] are telling me 'what am I talking about?' Where were you when I started coaching?" Sarpong told SportsworldGhana.

“As someone who has coached on the local scene for close to four decades from the grassroots to the top level, I have dealt with footballers at all levels and I know what I am saying.

“Some even smoke weed and come to play. And after games, some go and smoke it.

“Former Black Stars goalkeeper Robert Mensah those times if you don’t buy him weed, he won’t play and this was even confirmed by the late Ghana FA chairman Ben Koufie who said at one time he had to buy marijuana for Robert Mensah before he kept the post.

“Odame, Oppong - all in Kotoko were smoking marijuana back then so who doesn’t know some Ghanaian players smoke weed?

“There is a weed smoker in every team in the country."

Sarpong, who has also had stints with Premier League sides Ebusua Dwarfs, Great Olympics and Yahaya's present club Aduana, went ahead to reveal personally helping obtain marijuana for a player ahead of a league clash with Hearts of Oak during his time with Olympics.

He was also once assistant coach of the national U23 set-up.

Yahaya, who played for French side Nice in 2007-08, was named in Ghana's 23-man squad for a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan, which was later postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 32-year-old has also played for Mexican fold Murcielagos and Azam in Tanzania. 

Karim Benzema has secured his place in call of Duty: Wazone ultimate team, which features a combo of COD's operators and football players who have similar characteristics.

Goal.com has teamed up with Call of Duty to make the "Coalition vs Allegiance" ultimate team. The concept consists on choosing 11 characters from both the Coalition and Allegiance who are featuring in Warzone.

We then analyze the specific traits of each character and potential Footballers who fit the mould and resemble well with the character. The audience is involved by voting for their favorite Operator-Footballer combo to make it feature in the Ultimate team.

For the new poll, we had a duel between Karim Benzema and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who were representing Wyatt from the coalition team and Mace from the Allegiance team respectively.

Real Madrid's striker led the poll with 56% of the votes (10131) beating out Arsenla's player who ended up with 44% of the votes (8036).

Stay tuned for our next poll...