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Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini says that is planning on reassessing his future after next season as the defender says he's hoping to continue on with his playing career.

The 35-year-old has been with Juventus since 2005, having made 509 total appearances for the club.

During his time with Juve, Chiellini has won Serie A eight times while also claiming four Coppa Italia trophies.

Chiellini has been kept out of virtually all of Juve's matches this season, having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in August.

However, having returned to fitness just prior to the coronavius outbreak, Chielli says that he believes that he has plenty left to give as a player.

"Next year I'll see how I feel. I'll play for another year, then let's see," the defender said on Instagram. 

"I could play for another year after that, I would like to continue in football because it's my life. I would prefer a management role than as a coach, but in life you never know".

On the subject of management, Chiellini admitted that, during his time away from the game, he watched the documentary series surrounding Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Chiellini says that he has seen greatness while watching Guardiola work as he expressed his admiration for the Spanish manager.

"I think he has something different to the other," he said. "I saw the first two episodes of the City documentary, in which he talks to the players and you see his charisma, mentality. That makes him special.

"For a football lover, two episodes of the City documentary are enough to understand the greatness of mind. I wasn't lucky enough to meet him, but I think he has something extra".

Chiellini has served as Juventus' captain since 2018, taking the armband from Gianluigi Buffon when the goalkeeper made the move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The defender has remained on as captain even with Buffon's return, and he says he is glad that the honour came to him later in his career.

"Being captain, on the one hand, is more tiring than being a phenomenon, but at the beginning you have less pressure," he said. "There are many who are 17 years old with many expectations that ruin a career".

Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns captain Benson Mhlongo has revealed he nearly dumped football for politics just to be an advisor to South African Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa.

Mhlongo, who currently coaches ABC Motsepe League side Mbombela City Lads, said his intention when that thought crossed his mind was to advise Mthethwa and his ministry to introduce investment policies and financial advise as part of their programmes to footballers in the country.  

According to the former Bafana Bafana defender, part of the reason PSL players can't sustain themselves after retirement is because the government hasn't done anything to intervene. 

"I nearly joined the EFF just to be on the political side to see if I can't one day be an advisor to Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa‚" said Mhlongo in an interview with Power FM. 

"I believe that can be changed by our government in terms of our labour laws.

"Government needs to be told that this is not about football only. It is affecting our own kids and our own people."

The Alexandra-born legend believes the coronavirus situation facing the world has taught everyone that anything is possible if there's an effort to change the current trend, adding that South Africa cannot follow what Europe is doing in terms of taking care of their own.  

"So, Covid-19 has taught us that we can change things if we really want to. We can't keep following trends from overseas," added Mhlongo. 

"Those guys are ahead of us. Their game has been developed in most areas from decades ago.

"So, we are still behind in comparison to those player agents and managers who are running the clubs."

One of Mhlongo suggestions to eradicate poverty for footballers after retirement is that players should only take home 60 per cent of their salaries while the other 40 should be used as an investment for when they hang up their boots. 

"Make it a must and say, 'during your playing days‚ you can only earn 60% of your salary and 40% must be invested'," he continued.

"Look‚ there is UIF and footballers don't have that. So, something can be done.

"They can either have a policy for athletes and your 40% can be put there and then after you have retired, there's money that you are going to get every month as a retirement fund.

"We don't have that. So, only our government can do that. I believe it should be discussed and be a topic that everybody engages on." 

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini admits he is delighted to be lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - affirming that he prefers having the record-breaking striker as a team-mate than an opponent. 

Ronaldo joined Juve in the summer of 2018 after nine trophy-laden years with Real Madrid, including no less than four Champions League crowns. 

So far he has failed to match his dizzying Madrid scoring record with the Italians, netting 28 goals in all competitions during his debut season and 25 to date in 2019-20 after eight consecutive terms hitting more than 40 for the Merengue. 

But Chiellini, who found himself on the wrong end of a 4-1 battering which included two strikes from Ronaldo in the 2016-17 Champions League final, could not be happier to count on his services in Turin. 

"Unfortunately he scored a lot against us. Luckily he's now a teammate of mine," the centre-back explained on Instagram. 

"He's on another level, you can see it and I think it's fair to admit that. He gave Juve a lot.

"When you have such a champion it's a shame if you don't make the most of him."

Chiellini also had warm praise for long-time colleague Gianluigi Buffon, who at 42 is still going strong for the Bianconeri between the posts.

"He's an older brother. In the last 15 years he's the person I have seen most on earth," he added.

"He's a person who always manages to bring out the right words in decisive moments to change the fate of a season. He's a splendid person who has taught me a lot. We are different but as he was able to come up with words in the decisive moments."

Ronaldo missed a penalty in Juventus' first game back following the outbreak of the coronvirus pandemic, in Thursday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Milan. 

The clash eventually ended 0-0, sending the Old Lady through to Wednesday's final against Napoli by virtue of away goals having tied the opening leg 1-1 at San Siro back in February. 

After the final Juve's attentions will turn back to Serie A, where they currently occupy top spot just one point ahead of Lazio going into their first game away to Bologna on June 22.

Orlando Pirates forward Frank 'Gabadinho' Mhango has been urged to leave the Soweto giants.

The Malawi international has been one of the most outstanding players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season.

Mhango is sitting at the top of the league's goalscoring charts having netted 14 goals before the current campaign was suspended indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

His compatriot, Patrick Mabedi, who spent eight years with Pirates' arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, is hoping that Mhango secures a move to a European club soon.

“I am proud of Mhango. He is making our country proud as well,” said Mabedi on Daily Sun.

“I am not surprised by his form this season as I know what he is capable of doing. He is on top of his game and he is enjoying his football career.

"I wish he can get an offer from Europe. I am praying that this pandemic break won’t affect his sharpness.”

Mhango has been playing in South Africa since 2013 and has also turned out for Bloemfontein Celtic, Lamontville Golden Arrows and Bidvest Wits in the PSL.

The 27-year-old player won the PSL title and Telkom Knockout Cup with Wits before securing a big move to Pirates prior to the start of the current campaign.

His close friend and Malawi teammate Gerald Phiri Junior of Baroka FC shares the same sentiment.

“The sky is definitely the limit for Mhango,” said Phiri Jnr on the same publication.

“I wish a European move can come calling for him at the end of the season. It’s everyone’s dream to play in Europe and he should grab that chance if it comes and I am positive it will.”

The talented attacker also impressed at international level in 2019 as he scored four goals in nine games for Malawi's Flames.

Mhango's agent Mike Makaab of Prosport International recently confirmed that the speedy player has attracted interest from overseas clubs.

However, Makaab did not reveal the names of the clubs which are interested in Mhango's services.

The Chiweta-born player signed a three-deal with Pirates when he joined the Soweto giants last July.

Kenya international Joseph Okumu featured for the entire 90 minutes as IF Elfsborg started their league campaign in the Swedish top-tier on a winning note on Sunday.

The Sweden top-flight finally returned on Sunday after it was halted owing to the coronavirus pandemic and Okumu was handed the starting role as his side beat IFK Gothenburg 1-0 in the away match played at Gamla Ullevi.

Per Frick was the hero for Elfsborg after he finished off a cross from the right-wing to score the all-important goal which handed them a winning start to the season.

Elfsborg fired in a couple of corners inside the box, as the towering Okumu worked hard and was snuffed out the danger time after time.

Elfsborg, however, suffered a huge blow in the opening minutes of the match when striker Jesper Karlsson had to leave the pitch due to a knee injury.

The goal would instead, arrive seven minutes later. 

After some quick interchanges outside the penalty area, Jesper Karlsson found Frick, who in turn passed to Rasmus Alm, who looked to be shooting, but instead, he sent the ball back to Frick who in front of the open goal thundered it into the net.

Elfsborg headed into the half-time break leading 1-0 and after the resumption, they still kept pressing the home side and Okumu once watched helplessly as a flying header kissed over the bar.

Elfsborg continued with their runs, and in particular Johan Larsson from his right-back position, but they could not make the moves count with a goal.

Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin decided to make some changes with just over a quarter of an hour left to play. 

First, goal scorer Frick along with Rasmus Alm were benched for Morocco's Ndione and Jacob Ondrejka and shortly after, Samuel Holmen replaced Robert Gojani.

Despite the changes, the scoreline did not change as Elfsborg bagged the crucial points and their first win against Gothenburg since 2003.

Elfsborg Starting lineup (4-5-1):  Tim Rönning – Johan Larsson, Joseph Okumu, Leo Väisänen, Simon Strand – Rasmus Alm (77), Simon Olsson (95), Frederik Holst, Robert Gojani (80), Jesper Karlsson – Per Frick (76).

Substitutes: Mathias Dyngeland, Gustav Henriksson, Christopher McVey, Samuel Holmén (80), Deniz Hümmet (95), Jacob Ondrejka (77), Marochy Ndione (76).

Warnings, IFE:  Per Frick (69).

Real Madrid made a winning return to LaLiga action as they beat Eibar 3-1 in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo eased Madrid into a comfortable half-time lead, with the visitors' second-half improvement yielding nothing but a Pedro Bigas consolation.

With Barcelona having won 4-0 at Real Mallorca a day earlier, the pressure was on Los Blancos to follow suit and close the gap at the top of the table back to two points.

Madrid's home games are being held at the Castilla's Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu undergoes renovation work, but the change in venue made little difference as the home side marked Zinedine Zidane's 200th game in charge in winning fashion.

Kroos broke the deadlock in the fourth minute with a sublime first-time strike from just inside the box that looped beyond goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Eibar responded well but were 2-0 down after half an hour. Ramos stepped out to intercept a pass and spark a swift counter-attacking move that ended with the Madrid captain tapping in an unselfish square ball from the impressive Eden Hazard, who was back in the line-up for the first time since February after recovering from an ankle fracture.

A crisp strike from Marcelo into the bottom-right corner after more good interplay between Hazard and Karim Benzema made it 3-0 before the break, the Brazil left-back taking a knee after drilling home his first league goal of the season.

Thibaut Courtois saved superbly from Edu Exposito and Sergi Enrich hit the bar with a header, before Pablo De Blasis' shot deflected off Bigas and bobbled beyond Courtois to give Eibar a lifeline.

It was a largely pedestrian second half from Madrid, with Hazard and Ramos taken off and Marcelo struggling with a knock, but Eibar could not mount a comeback.

What does it mean? Title race shows few signs of fizzling out

Resounding wins apiece for Barca and Madrid mean the gap at the top is only two points with 10 games to go and neither side is looking especially rusty after the long break.

This was certainly a display to show Zidane's men will not give up the chase without a fight and will also serve as a useful reminder to Manchester City before the Champions League last-16 returns.

Eibar are just two points above the bottom three, having won just once in eight league matches.

Hazard and Benzema in harmony

Injury has ruined much of Hazard's first season in LaLiga, but this display was a sign that he plans to make the most of the coming few weeks.

His link play with Benzema was excellent, particularly in the first half, and should have given Zidane plenty of encouragement.

Who is left for the right?

Rodrygo started the match, Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior came on, Isco, James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio stayed on the bench, and we are still unclear who is Madrid's best option on the right wing.

That kind of depth will prove useful in the hectic schedule to come but settling on a first-choice front three would help bring balance to a Madrid attack that has often struggled this season.

What's next?

Madrid host Valencia on Thursday before heading to Real Sociedad three days later. For Eibar, a home match against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday awaits.

Marcelo became the latest footballer to 'take a knee' in solidarity with Black Lives Matter following his goal in Real Madrid's clash against Eibar on Sunday. 

Protests began in the United States and have spread across the world following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, with police officer Derek Chauvin having since been charged with murder.

Several players have also moved to show their support, with Weston McKennie, Jadon Sancho and Marcos Thuram sending Black Lives Matters messages in Bundesliga games and the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also transmitting anti-racist messages prior to games. 

Marcelo found the net 37 minutes into Madrid's first game back in La Liga following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and opted to mark his strike by kneeling with one fist raised in tribute to the movement. 

The left-back had previously joined FIFA's Stop Racism, Violence and Discrimination campaign, posing in a black shirt alongside Gianluigi Buffon, Rio Ferdinand, Gerard Pique and a total of 40 football stars past and present in a plea to put an end to such episodes. 

“It’s reassuring to see that every day a growing number of FIFA Legends and current professional players from different genders, racial and religious backgrounds are using their platforms to echo FIFA’s messages to their fans around the globe,” said FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura.

“It’s time that an overdue spotlight is shone on the treatment of black people and the racism and violence many encounter in their daily lives.

"To all these footballers, I am proud of your commitment to fighting for what is right and I encourage others to add their voices to this important message in the coming days.”

Prior to the match, the Brazilian's team-mate Toni Kroos - who got Madrid off the mark on Sunday after just four minutes - anticipated that the protests would and should spill over into La Liga. 

“I imagine that players in Spain will want to show solidarity with it,” he told DAZN and Goal of the BLM movement. “It cannot be ruled out and certainly not condemned.

"It’s incredible that such acts are still happening. But it’s good that a rethink is taking place now. I hope that we can help those affected by it to some extent.”

Former Ghana and Birmingham City goalkeeper Richard 'Olele' Kingson believes the time is right for Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Partey to play in the English Premier League.

The midfielder, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, has been linked to a host of top European clubs owing to his good showing for Los Rojiblancos in recent times.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been speculated to be chasing the signature of the Ghana international.

“Of course [Partey can go to England]. In football, it is a season," Olele told Joy FM.

"He has already made his name there [in Spain].

"He needs also to go to the toughest league to play. Partey is young.

"Partey is now coming up so I think going to England is a plus. He has to go."

Olele also shared his thoughts on the situation of out-of-favour Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey, who has not made any appearances for the Foxes for almost two years.

The 25-year-old suffered a terrible ankle injury which kept him out of action for months, and has struggled to convince club manager Brendan Rodgers for first-team opportunities since making a return from the treatment room.

"It is a good time [for Amartey] to move. He has to get playing time and brand his career again," the ex-Galatasaray shot-stopper said.

"If there is a chance for him to play there, he can stay but in this situation, he has to move.

"If it is not in England or anywhere in Europe, he can go to a good team and play there for one year or two years."

Amartey made nine league appearances for Leicester in the 2018-19 season before being forced to the treatment room.

The Accra-born player joined the Foxes from Danish outfit FC Copenhagen in January 2016, contributing to the latter's sensational league title triumph that season.

In January, he was linked to clubs including Fulham, Sheffield United and Newcastle United in search of regular playing time but no deal materialised.

Amartey's Ghanaian representative Yussif Alhassan Chibsah has said the utility player will likely be on his way out of King Power Stadium in the summer. 

Azam FC maintained their slim hopes of winning the 2019/20 Tanzania Mainland League title after defeating Mbao FC 2-0 on Sunday at Azam Complex, Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.

After a goalless first half, strikes from Richard Djodi and Shaaban Idd sealed the win for the defending FA Cup champions.

Third-placed Yanga SC had defeated Mwadui by a solitary goal on Saturday, piling pressure on Azam in the process.

The hosts were hungry for maximum points and it took the visitors just 19 minutes to realize so.

Iddi Selemani managed to pick out the unmarked Idd Nado outside the 18-yard area, and the attacker unleashed a good shot which hit the crossbar, with the goalkeeper well-beaten.

As time elapsed, the pressure on the second-placed team was building.

Four minutes after the restart, the ambience in the stadium changed. Richard Djodi managed to get past his markers before finding the back of the net and gave his side a deserved lead.

It seemed the match would end with only one goal scored, but a few seconds prior to the final whistle, Mbao switched off and Idd punished them with the second for goal Azam.

In the previous meeting, the Chamazi-based side claimed a 1-0 win.

The result reduced the gap between them and leaders Wekundu wa Msimbazi to 15 points with nine rounds remaining. 

The 20-time league champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home by visiting Ruvu Shooting.

With 12 minutes on the clock, Rwandan attacker Meddie Kagere was released on the right and crossed the ball into the danger zone.

Taifa Stars striker John Raphael Bocco could not connect with it but the ball, fortunately, fell into the onrushing Kichuya's path. His thunderous strike was saved by Mohamed Makaka in the Ruvu goal, but the rebound was neatly converted by the attacker. 

Goalkeeper Aishi Manula made a gross mistake to hand the visitors an equalizer after defender Erasto Nyoni conceded a corner in the 37th minute.

Abdallahman Musa took it well, the custodian got out of position but missed the ball and Maganga rose highest to score his eighth goal this season.

Zinedine Zidane wrote yet another page in the Real Madrid history books on Sunday when he became just the third Los Blancos manager to take charge of 200 or more matches in all competitions.

The Frenchman reached the milestone as Real played their first La Liga match back after the coronavirus shutdown against Eibar on Sunday evening, with the match taking place behind closed doors at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, located at Madrid's Valdebebas training base.

In doing so he joined an exclusive club, with only the legendary Miguel Munoz and Vicente del Bosque reaching a double century of matches in charge of the Spanish giants.

Former Spain boss Del Bosque is second on Real’s all-time list, taking charge of 246 matches over three spells between March 1994 and June 2003.

But while Zidane may have hopes of overhauling Del Bosque in the rankings, he has some way to go to match the achievements of Munoz, who managed 605 Real matches between 1959 and 1974, helping the club win nine La Liga titles and two European Cups.

Zidane’s time as Real boss is, of course, split over two spells, with Sunday’s clash his 51st match in charge since dramatically returning to the club in March 2019.

His previous tenure was a glittering era for the club even by their already illustrious standards. Zidane led them to an unprecedented three successive Champions League titles, a pair of Super Cup and Club World Cup titles, a Spanish Super Cup and La Liga title in just two-and-a-half years in charge.

He has just a sole Spanish Super Cup to his name since his return to the Real Madrid bench, but retains hope of overhauling rivals Barcelona and claiming the 2019-20 La Liga title.

Barca opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table with a thumping 4-0 win at Real Mallorca on their return to action on Saturday night, though second-placed Real can narrow that gap back to just a point with victory over Eibar.

Both sides will then have 10 fixtures remaining, as La Liga officials hope to complete the 11 remaining matchdays in a little over five weeks.

Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva hit her second competitive treble for Minsk this season as they claimed a 5-0 triumph over Gift Otuwe's Neman in a Belarusian Women's Premier League fixture on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker had scored her first hat-trick in a 10-0 win over Dnepr Mogilev in May and went on to repeat the feat against Neman.

Having returned from a two-week break, the reigning champions were desperate to avoid a slip-up against their second-placed visitors after their earlier home defeat to leaders Dinamo-BSUPC.

Ogbiabekhva finished off a fine pass from Yuliya Duben to put the hosts in front in the 11th minute before Cote d'Ivoire star Nagede Cisse set up the Nigerian to bag her brace in the 29th minute.

The 30-year-old struck from the front of the box to hit her treble of the match, increasing the tally to 3-0 three minutes from the half-time break.

The hosts picked up from where they left off in the first half as Tamila Khimich netted a fourth of the match from an assist from Ogbiabekhva, six minutes after the restart at Minsk Stadium.

Duben fired home a fifth with a bullet long-range effort in the 56th minute to complete the rout for the holders.

With her latest hat-trick, Ogbiabekhva, who played for 59 minutes of the tie, has now scored nine goals in six games this term for Minsk.

Cameroon's Alvina Niyolle lasted the duration while Cisse replaced Nigeria's Chioma Wogu, who only played for 23 minutes before she was taken off due to an injury after a clash with Otuwe.

On the other hand, Otuwe and Cote d'Ivoire's Nina Kpaho featured for the duration while compatriot Aminata Haidara and Cameroon's Moussa Xouwairatou lasted for 62 minutes each.

The triumph takes holders Minsk above Neman to the second position on goal difference, with the teams tied on 15 points after six matches but they are three points behind leaders Dinamo.

Minsk will visit ABFF U19 in their next league outing on June 19, while Neman are hosts to leaders Dinamo on the same day.

Tunisia legend Radhi Jaidi has revealed that his goal against Saudi Arabia at the 2006 Fifa World Cup stands out above the rest.

Making their fourth outing at the quadrennial global football showpiece in Germany, the Carthage Eagles made a fine start in the championship by holding Marcos Paqueta’s men to a 2-2 draw at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Man-of-the-match Ziad Jaziri put Tunisia ahead in the 23rd minute before the Asians took the lead in the second half through Yasser Al-Qahtani and Sami Al-Jaber.

And when it looked like the Africans would make a losing start in the championship, Jaidi headed Radhi Jaziri’s cross past goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid with the last kick of the game.

Sunday marks the 14th year anniversary of that game and the 44-year-old took to social media to define what that game meant to him.

“My goal at the 2006 World Cup with the Tunisian national team is one of the best goals I've scored and I will never forget,” the former Birmingham City and Southampton star tweeted.

Roger Lemerre’s Tunisia were silenced 3-1 against Spain in their next game despite taking an early lead through Jawhar Mnari at Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Their Group H campaign ended with a 1-0 loss to Ukraine courtesy of Andriy Shevchenko’s 70th-minute penalty.

Incidentally, Germany 2006 was his second and last World Cup outing before drawing the curtain on his international career in 2009 after accruing 105 appearances with seven goals to his credit.

He was part of the successful squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2004.

After 11 seasons at boyhood club Esperance, the centre-back teamed up with Bolton Wanderers as a free agent in July 2004.

Jaidi joined Birmingham City two seasons later for £2 million. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace.

With City not renewing his contract, a move to English Football League One outfit Southampton was sealed.

After a playing career, he turned his sights to coaching. First, he was Southampton U21 assistant coach before he was given the responsibility of leading the U23 team.

In November 2019, American team Hartford announced him as club's head coach for the 2020 USL season.

La Liga has promised to take legal action against a pitch-invading fan who sought a photo with Lionel Messi during Saturday's clash between Mallorca and Barcelona. 

The game, Barca's first since La Liga was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic back in March, had reached its 54th minute when the interruption occurred. 

A young fan decked in a Messi Argentina shirt burst onto the pitch at the Estadio Son Moix and attempted to close in on the superstar before being intercepted and ushered away by security. 

Such an offence is a blatant breach not just of everyday match regulations but also La Liga's protocol for Covid-19, put in place to prevent further spread while playing out the remaining games of the 2019-20 season. 

And the governing body is taking the incident extremely seriously, slamming the invader and promising to act against him with the full force of the law. 

"La Liga will file the appropriate legal action, considering that this was a criminal act," it signalled in a statement released on Sunday. 

"La Liga would also like to express its absolute condemnation of this kind of behaviour, which puts in risk the health of others and the integrity of our competition. 

The invader himself, who has been reported as a French national resident in Mallorca, attempted to play down the severity of his actions, while lamenting that he did not manage to keep a photo of Barca's No. 10. 

"It was a great experience, I jumped over a two-metre fence," he told  COPE  to explain how he gained entry to a game which, like all matches currently taking place in Spain, was played behind closed doors. 

"My dream is to have a photo with Messi, I went for him, I took some photos and the police forced me to delete them."

Barcelona led 2-0 at the time of the interruption, with early goals from Arturo Vidal and Martin Braithwaite ensuring a brilliant start to La Liga's return for the table-toppers. 

And there was more to come after the invasion, as Jordi Alba and Messi himself compounded Mallorca's grief with two further strikes to seal a 4-0 win on the Balearic island.

Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly has narrated how coach Gennaro Gattuso has given the players "a lot of self-confidence" in the wake of their 2-1 aggregate victory over Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals on Saturday.

The Partenopei led 1-0 from the first leg back in February, but the Nerazzurri levelled the tie very early thanks to Christian Eriksen.

Dries Mertens' equaliser four minutes prior to the half-time break was, however, enough for Napoli to reach their first cup final since 2014 when they saw off Fiorentina 3-1.

Prior to the suspension of Serie A, Napoli recorded five wins in six league games, with a shock home defeat to Lecce the only blemish.

It has put the Campania outfit back in the European places, a position they were distant from before Gattuso's arrival.

"We knew it would be very difficult as a match, Inter came here to put us in difficulty and it is seen from the first goal," Koulibaly told Rai Sports. 

"We responded well, with a good goal, and we were solid. We have been missing this last aspect for some time.

"[Gattuso has given] a lot of self-confidence. We had lost self-esteem, he gave it back to us. Tactically he gave us a little more, he taught us to suffer.

"In the first months of this championship we could not suffer, we were in difficulty. Now instead we can do it. We are on the right track, we need continuity."

Koulibaly had been out of action since December with a muscle injury and he insisted Napoli need to do more when they face Juventus - who saw off AC Milan via away goals in the other semi, in the final.

The Senegal international was also appreciative of those that have helped in his recovery back to fitness.

"The things we did before are coming back. A little more work is needed, we can do even better," Koulibaly continued.

"Everyone is in the project and that is very important. We want to offer something to our fans, we have to prepare the final to the best, calmly and serenely.

"I haven't played for six months, I'm happy to have helped my friends who in this period have given me a lot, just like the fans."

Mamelodi Sundowns wing-back Thapelo Morena has spoken about his road to recovery as he nears a return to full fitness. 

Morena suffered a broken ankle four months ago and has been working hard behind the scenes to regain his fitness before the resumption of the season. 

"My foot is not 100 per cent. I push myself to a certain limit with team exercises and those that I feel my foot can’t take yet I then do other activities such as cycling, strengthening and mobility," Morena told the Sundowns website. 

"With the moon-boot, the exercises are limited and therefore I only had to do those that will not pose a threat to my foot. With that being said, the strong mentality that I can overcome this is what kept me going as well as eating healthy and [living] positive lifestyle."

Morena removed the protective boot a month ago, and he's pleased with the progress he has made under a physical trainer allocated to him by the Brazilians. 

He revealed that he could see himself back on the pitch as soon as the protective boot was removed while admitting it wasn't easy dealing with this injury setback. 

"Without the moon-boot, I keep focused by reminding myself of the end goal; where I do want to see myself by the time the league resumes," continued Morena. 

"The team allocated me a physical trainer [Thato] and he has been very helpful and motivating. He helps me a lot with my rehabilitation progress and exercises.

"It felt inspirational. I could see myself back on the pitch. From that day my whole mentality changed because I saw the possibility of everything again.

"My injury was not easy even dealing with it wasn’t easy. So, every milestone is worth a celebration."

The 25-year-old further spoke about how the current lockdown has affected almost every player in the PSL, but he's pleased that teams have now been given the green-light to return to training after three months of inactivity due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

"You never know how joyful and important something really is until you lose the sight of it. Boredom is taking a strain on us but with football around, we know things will change for the better. I can’t wait to give Mzansi that joy again," concluded Morena.

Thomas Tuchel will stay on as Paris Saint-Germain for next season, says sporting director Leonardo, who has also denied seeking out potential replacements for the German at Parc Des Princes.

Tuchel moved to Paris in the summer of 2018, initially signing a two-year deal to succeed Arsenal-bound Unai Emery. After guiding PSG to the Ligue 1 title in his first season in charge, the former Borussia Dortmund boss signed a one-year extension through to the summer of 2021.

The club were 12 points clear at the top of the table when the current Ligue 1 campaign was halted because of coronavirus in March, with the authorities later opting to curtail the season and crown PSG champions once more.

Despite that domestic success, there had been rumours PSG were on the lookout for possible replacements, with former AC Milan and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri reportedly under consideration.

Such speculation has seemingly been put to bed by Leonardo, who also has not ruled out the possibility of Tuchel signing a new deal to further extend his stay in the French capital.

"He has one year left on his contract and he will be on the bench next season,” Leonardo told JDD. “He has done well, the results are good. An extension? We have time to think about it.”

When asked about reports of the club scouring the market for potential replacements, Leonardo was emphatic in his response.

“I surveyed no coach. Never,” he said. It's important to say it.

“With Tuchel, we talked, he knows everything. It's very clear, there's nothing with anyone.”

Leonardo has also spoken of his frustration at the potential departures of teenagers Tanguy Kouassi and Adil Aouchiche, admitting it is a challenge to try and persuade young players to stay at the club if they cannot be guaranteed regular playing time.

Goal understands 18-year-old Kouassi will leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Barcelona, AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Rennes among the clubs to be linked with the starlet.

Aouchiche, 17, is also out of contract this summer and is believed to have held talks with Saint-Etienne, while Arsenal have also been linked.

“It's terrible for clubs because it places us in complex situations where we have the choice between letting go or overpaying,” added Leonardo.

“At PSG, there is competition. So, at 16-17 years old, it's difficult to claim a place. And generally, since they don't play, they don't sign and go to clubs that have been courting them for two years.

“His (Kouassi’s) case is different, he found himself in the rotation without having yet signed a contract. It may be an error on my part, because the custom in this business is: ‘you do not sign, you do not play’. But his performance levels took priority.

“We probably have our responsibilities if we do not manage to keep our youngsters"

Express FC head coach Wasswa Bbosa is keen to be reunited with Kyetume goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa next season.

Bbosa, who has already been confirmed as the club's permanent coach after serving on an interim capacity since February, reveals he has already identified the goalkeeper as his top target.

The duo worked together at Tooro United and a reunion at Express is highly likely.

“I gave a list of players I want to my Chief Executive Officer [Isaac Mwesigwa], and [Joel] Mutakubwa is amongst those players. For now, he’s still in talks with the CEO and I hope they reach a conclusion soon,” Bbosa told Football256.

“Of course, we have remained in contact and he is my good friend and maybe I would have loved the deal done quick, but I am not the right person to engage him.

“It’s the CEO's work and he told me all is moving well and anytime soon we may have a breakthrough in negotiations.” 

The Red Eagles are expected to face stiff competition from Vipers SC, who have reportedly also shown interest in the goalkeeper in the final months of a two-year contract.

Bbosa further confirmed talks are ongoing between them and David Owori and Ambrose Kirya, both of SC Villa.

“It’s true that they’re also on the list of players I want, and the club is holding talks with them but there’s nothing to confirm yet,” the coach revealed.

Meanwhile, a number of Ugandan goalkeepers paid a courtesy call to Jamil Kasirye, who was recently calling for help through a video.

The delegation was led by Cranes goalkeeper trainer Fred Kajoba while Charles Lukwago, Ismail Watenga and Crested Cranes skipper Ruth Aturo also attended. Dennis Onyango also took part in the initiative to reach out to the retired goalkeeper.

“We learnt that [Jamil] Kasirye has for a while now not been doing well, that’s why we decided to go to his place first,” Kajoba told Football256.

“But we are looking forward to setting up something that will stay around for a long time to sustain all the goalkeepers in need of help at any time be it the retired or those still active.

“I am happy with the goalkeepers because when we contacted them, they all positively responded and collected a lot of money amongst themselves.

“We took a lot of foodstuffs and some money with us and Kasirye was extremely excited about seeing us.

“We shall now start up a union which will keep us together because, from today onwards, we don’t want to hear any of our goalkeepers suffering.” 

Kasirye was part of Uganda's 1978 African Cup of Nations delegation but was the number two goalkeeper to Paul Ssali. He played for KCC FC and SC Villa.