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Asisat Oshoala has deepened the confusion around Gaelle Enganamouit's retirement reports by delivering a contrary statement, claiming the Cameroon star was "misquoted".

Cameroon's Enganamouit has been without a club since she mutually parted ways with Spanish side Malaga in April 2019 after a recurring injury since 2016 left her struggling for playing time.

On Tuesday, June 9, which was her 28th birthday, she took to social media to announce her retirement from football, writing the “End Thanks for all” after informing close friends.

Several media outfits, including Goal, reported the development, which was further confirmed by tributes from teammate Ajara Nchout and coach Alain Djeumfa, Fecafoot and its president Seidou Mbombo Njoya.

Fecafoot president Njoya on Wednesday said: “I pay tribute to Gaelle Enganamouit, an exceptional indomitable player and lioness, who has just retired from sport. 

"It made us live memorable moments and helped promote Cameroonian and African women's football."

While the Indomitable Lionesses star was declining to comment, Oshoala, who was her former teammate at Dalian Quanjian in China, took to social media to refute the retirement report.

"Hello everyone, I followed the post of my friend Gaelle Enganamouit and the interpretations which followed," she wrote on Twitter. 

"Unfortunately, her message was taken out of context. She is in great shape, as we all know that she is still very much young and far from retirement. Thank you all for your support."

The Cameroon international was last part Cameroon's squad for the 2019 Women's World Cup but did not feature as they reached the Round of 16 in France.

On the global stage, she scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Central Africans and helped the nation to two African Women's Cup of Nations finals, and starred in their first Olympic Games in London 2012.

She also shone in their first Women's World Cup in Canada, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Ecuador to become the first African to hit three in a Women's World Cup match in 2015.

At club level, the former Rosengard and Avaldsness striker hugged the headlines, scoring the fastest goal in women's football history in 2012, after two seconds, for Spartak Subotica in Serbia.

Enganamouit shone brightly at Eskilstuna United in Sweden, where she scored 24 goals in 41 appearances, winning the Swedish Damallsvenskan top scorer award with 18 goals in 2015.

Her exploits saw the Cameroonian named 2015 African Women's Player of the Year, and got her nominated for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award in 2016.

Great Olympics general manager Oloboi Commodore disagrees with a suggestion to have the Ghana captaincy rotated among players.

Former Black Stars coach James Kwasi Appiah, who led the team from 2017 to 2019, recently proposed that Ghana follows the likes of Brazil in recent times to move the armband around multiple men.

Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew is the current captain of the team, having assumed the role under controversial circumstances ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year.

"I disagree with Kwasi Appiah to say that our Black Stars captaincy should be rotated," Commodore stated on Wontumi Radio.

"Let's take Portugal as example, will they allow someone to captain the team ahead of [Cristiano] Ronaldo? If Brazil are doing that, then it's a bad practice and we should not emulate that.

"Andre is a cup-winning captain, he has won a trophy for the country and that alone gives him the mark but as for the national team let's see whether he could be a good captain too."

Only a month to the last continental gathering in Egypt, the Black Stars were engulfed in controversy as Asamoah Gyan - Ghana's leading striker - was stripped of the armband by Appiah in favour of Ayew.

The displeased Gyan and he did not take the decision lying down, as he sensationally announced his retirement from international duty, and would only rescind his stance following a plea by national president Nana Akufo-Addo.

“Sometimes this captaincy issue comes as a result of poor communication from management members or certain people trying to push their own agenda," Appiah told Happy FM.

“Looking at our current situation, I will propose we rotate the captain’s armband and also a general captain appointed to speak on behalf of the players.

"Brazil and other countries have made it work, so we can also emulate them.

“We should be careful or else this captaincy row can affect the national team for years to come."

Inter Milan ace Kwadwo Asamoah was named deputy skipper of the Black Stars ahead of Afcon but the defender has not been called up for national duty since the tournament.

Recent reports have linked Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey to the armband.
 

Ivan Rakitic is seeking clarity over his future at Barcelona amid ongoing rumours linking him with a summer move.

The Croatian midfielder was reportedly offered the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer as part of a deal that would have seen Neymar return to Spain, and he is said to be a potential target for Italian sides Inter and Juventus.

The 32-year-old’s contract at Camp Nou expires in 2021 and he has lost his regular place in the first-team this season, having started just 10 of the 21 La Liga games in which he has featured.

Although he would prefer to stay with the Spanish giants for at least another year, he says he is open to other offers and hopes to have everything cleared up soon.

“I'm not angry with anyone, I still have a great relationship with everyone at the club and I'm incredibly grateful for the time so far at Barca," he told Sport1.

“It's just that after the long time I've been here, people talk to me openly about everything. 

“I want clarity in which direction it is going. I now feel that we want to take a common path. 

“I have no problem with the fact that there have been many headlines around my name in recent years. 

“I am always open to discussions with those responsible and prefer it to being told about it through third parties. 

“I am still very happy at Barca. My wife also feels very comfortable in Barcelona.”

He added: “I don't want to look too far ahead. The people at the club know that Barca is the perfect club for me.

“I always sign a contract with the intension of fulfilling it. I still want that and I want to feel needed at the club.

“[Staying at Barcelona] is the plan. With the coronavirus crisis going on, a lot will be new for us players and for the Spanish clubs.

“If something bothers you, you have to talk, but the idea is that I want to stay here longer.

“My head and heart are clear at Barca.”

Asked if he wants to see out the remainder of his career at Barcelona or return to the Bundesliga, the ex-Schalke star said: “I'm open to everything, but I don't want to look too far ahead.

“Now I want to enjoy the moment after the hard time with the coronavirus pandemic. Everyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about football.”

The chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and secretary to the federal government, Boss Mustapha, has revealed football activities in Nigeria will remain shut down.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has been suspended since March following the spread of the coronavirus pandemic to the country.

The government only recently eased lockdown in three of the most affected states in the country, Lagos, Abuja and Ogun, and limited social gathering to 20 people.

Nigeria is one of the most hit in Africa, having recorded more than 14,500 cases while 385 lives have been lost to the pandemic.  

The Bundesliga and La Liga have restarted while the Premier League is set to return on June 17 behind closed doors having put safety measures in place.

The SGF, however, feels allowing football to be played without the fans will take away the excitement but assured the government will make a decision based on the stats available.

“I’m not sure we are excited about opening sporting activities in our country, particularly soccer [football], which attracts large crowds,” Mustapha told the media.

“If our guidelines say large gatherings are banned and not to exceed 20 persons except places of work, I don’t see the excitement if we allow soccer to return to an empty stadium.

 “A lot of European countries where these games have started are big businesses and they are doing it carefully and gradually.

“We are not excited about allowing sports to return, we will get there, but for now, we are concerned with the few activities allowed to reopen.

“We will continue to review the situation, know how we are faring, study the situation and know what next to do based on data, science and peculiarity of our environment.”

Last month, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated the domestic league in the country will only resume when the government gives its approval.

Plateau United currently lead the NPFL table with 49 points from 25 games while Rivers United and Lobi Stars are second and third.

Adamawa United, Kwara United, Jigawa Golden Stars and Nasarawa United are in the relegation zone.

Former Kenya international midfielder Peter Opiyo has claimed African football administrators are lagging behind compared to their European and Asian competition on matters relating infrastructure.

Opiyo has played for Finish clubs SJK, FF Jaro, Jakobstads BK, where he was on loan, Al-Markhiya of Qatar and Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan before he signed for Nairobi City Stars in 2020.

“Football in Europe is very different compared to Asia and Africa. Europe is far much ahead, and the quality of the game is really high. Most teams play a very fast passing game and the infrastructure is top-notch,” Opiyo told Nation Sports.

“The Asians are slowing catching up but African administrators are lagging behind and have a lot to do.”

Opiyo joined the National Super League (NSL) 2019/20 champions and helped them fight their way back to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

“Joining City Stars was a very easy decision to make. I loved the vision of the President [Jonathan Jackson]. We have not achieved this [promotion to the Premier League] by fluke,” he added.

“Our team consists of a talented squad, hard-working coach supportive management, and some passionate fan base. With this, we stand a chance of competing in the Kenyan Premier League and causing some upset.”

The 2013 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup winner with the Harambee Stars also revealed what he plans to do when he finally retires.

“I practice farming. I would wish to be a football agent and use my contacts to help expose talents. I have also thought of working as a physical trainer,” explained Opiyo.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars striker Enosh Ochieng has named some key people who have supported him in his career.

“My father [Tobias Abonga Barasa] is my number one fan. He supported me by buying anything I needed to play football," the Stars' 2018/19 lead scorer told The Star.

“I would frequently accompany him to social halls where we would both watch live transmissions of the English Premier League [EPL] matches on TV. He did all this out of his love for the game.”

“Emma [Awuor, the wife] has always been there for me. She’s always happy and encourages me a lot to continue working hard while reminding me that it’s only God who knows the destiny of every individual.

“She and my dad are my top fans.”

The former Muhoroni Youth forward is drawing his inspiration from Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda says there is absolutely no reason why they should be losing to Gor Mahia during the Mashemeji Derbies.

AFC Leopards are yet to beat their arch-rivals Gor Mahia since 2016 and Nyayo Stadium is expected to host the two teams next season.

Shikanda believes Ingwe would have built a team capable of making the fans fill the stadium and cheer them to victory by then.

“You know the sky is the limit and blue and white [AFC Leopards' colours] are the sky's colours and the question is why should we be losing while blue is at the top and green [Gor Mahia's colours] is at the bottom?” Shikanda asked during an interview with NTV.

“For the past few years, we have let down our fans and Kenyan football because we have not paraded a team that can make fans fill the stadium. 

“We are building a team that we know is a young one. We only need to see it mature by bringing in two, three or four players so that when this Mashemeji fixture comes, we will have done the necessary.

“Let me tell you, in the next Mashemeji Derby both home and away, we are going to fill Nyayo National Stadium.

“As AFC Leopards, we have to prove a point because every time we meet as officials of the club and listen to what the fans tell us we have to build a team that will make them proud.”

Shikanda also explained how he would want to help write the club's history during his reign.

“I want to be remembered for laying down physical infrastructure and making AFC Leopards play the kind of football that is desirable for the fans,” added the former star.

“Fans want to be entertained in a football match and when one travels from Western Kenya to Nairobi or to Mombasa let him feel the value for his money.

“It is all about entertainment.”

The official also spoke about his coach Anthony Kimani and the controversies that surrounded the signing of Elvis Rupia and John Makwatta.

“He [Kimani] is a good coach, he motivates the players and has always asked the boys to rally behind the team. He has been fighting to see the badge is fought for as he knows the importance of AFC Leopards' badge,” he continued.

“Before [Elvis] Rupia signed for Wazito FC, I made an approach and told him the platform we will offer is worthy than the money Wazito will give. He declined my offer and joined Wazito.

“When I was signing [John] Makwatta, Gor Mahia were offering him KSh2 million in cash while I had KSh600,000 but I told him the platform I will give him is worth more than the two million Gor Mahia were offering. 

“He had the Gor Mahia cash but he came to AFC Leopards instead.”

Adil Khan's career may have been affected by injuries in the past but the Goan footballer is happy to have been able to make a strong comeback.

The 31-year-old has had more than one long-term injury setbacks during his football career but experience has taught him how to take care of his body. 

The India international, during an Instagram live session with The Football Dugout, said, "I had an issue of haemoglobin for some time. I struggled for a month or two while at the academy. We had a U-17 national team camp, a coach was to come to the academy to select players and I was unlucky. Doctors told me not to play, said I might get a stroke (if I continued to play football). So I missed that camp due to that."

He further added, "Then I started building muscles and got to know what exactly bodyweight training is. I used to feel like throwing up when trying to take food and that is when the doctors found out."

The Hyderabad defender picked up another ligament injury in 2015 and made a strong comeback again to the national team. He has turned out to become one of the first names on the team sheet in recent years. 

"I struggled to come back after the ligament injury (in my fourth season at the Sesa academy). I signed for Sporting in I-League but my rehab after surgery was not great. There was a growth inside my knee that was troubling me so I went for another surgery. That growth had damaged my meniscus. After a proper rehab, I played in the I-League in 2010 for Sporting and then got called up to the national team. That was my first comeback.

"It was difficult for me to leave football because it is my passion. I continued, scored goals, got a national team call up and picked up injuries again. I didn't know how to maintain (my body), I was young at that time. Then I realised it doesn't work like that. You train, and you take rest, your body needs it."

Adil Khan has played for Delhi Dynamos and FC Pune City before signing for Hyderabad last season. Despite the Nizam's terrible ISL debut, Adil was still a vital cog of the squad. The Goan has no regrets about his injury-hit career as he has proved his mental strength by making a strong comeback. 

"I struggled with injuries. Coaches, owners gave up on me. It was difficult for me to manage all things being a young player. I didn't have enough experience but it got better. Whatever happened, happened for a reason and I made a comeback. No regrets."

The Premier League has announced that players’ names will be replaced on the backs of their shirts with ‘Black Lives Matter’ for the first 12 matches after the suspension to the season while a logo for the movement will be present on every shirt until the end of the season.

There have been protests around the UK targeted at social inequality in recent weeks, mirroring those that erupted in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd.

England international Jadon Sancho offered his support to the cause while playing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but the Premier League has announced that there will be a concerted effort made from its clubs and players to stamp out racism.

In a statement on the League’s official website , it said: “Premier League players from all 20 clubs have made the following statement:

“’We, the Players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for All, regardless of their colour or creed. This symbol is a sign of unity from all Players, all Staff, all Clubs, all Match Officials and the Premier League #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.’

“The Premier League stands alongside players, clubs, The FA, EFL, PFA, LMA, PGMOL and all those who oppose discrimination in any form.

“The League supports the players’ wish to have their names replaced by Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts for the first 12 matches of the restarted 2019/20 season.

“A Black Lives Matter logo will also feature on shirts for the remainder of the season, along with a badge thanking the NHS for their work during the COVID-19 crisis.

“In addition, the League will support players who "take a knee" before or during matches.

“The Premier League believes there is no room for racism, anywhere #NoRoomForRacism.”

Following a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, professional football is set to return to England with Aston Villa’s clash with Sheffield United next Wednesday, which will be followed by Manchester City’s encounter against Arsenal later that night.

Liverpool stand on the cusp of winning the title for the first time in the Premier League era, with Jurgen Klopp’s men only needing six points to get over the line.

Barcelona head coach Quique Setien has confirmed that both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are fit to start Sunday’s Primera Division encounter with Mallorca on Sunday, though he has warned that the latter is unlikely to play the duration of the encounter.

While Messi has had a minor muscular complaint in the build up to the fixture, Suarez has been sidelined since January because of knee surgery that was expected to end his season.

The Uruguay international, however, has benefitted from the coronavirus break, which saw football in Spain suspended for three months, with play only returning on Thursday as Sevilla defeated Real Betis 2-0.

Barca will return to action on Sunday, but they should be able to play with two of their key men, according to Setien.

“Suarez is ready to be a starter, but he will not be able to play for the full 90 minutes,” he indicated at a virtual press conference.

“We’ll not take risks with him after five months, but it will be good for him to play and he will need games to be as strong as before his injury.

“Messi is there to play, he is perfectly fine. He has trained well and there is no problem.”

Setien, meanwhile, admitted that there is a juggling act to be performed with who needs game time and who needs rested, with the remainder of the Primera Division schedule set to be played out over a period little longer than a month.

“Messi and many of these players know how to slow down when necessary,” the coach confirmed. “For some players, the longer they are on the pitch, the better.”

The former Betis boss thinks that his side are well primed to attack the last 11 matches of the season, with Barca holding a two-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the league.

“I think this break has been good for us, especially in everyone's mind,” he said.

“It has given us time for reflection and analysis that has been very good for us, but other teams have also been able to do that.

“Real Mallorca have been able to freshen up themselves to bring their best level. 

“There are many things that can happen. We'll see if we will be better or remain the same."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) will miss the services of their forward Bernard Morrison when they take on Mwadui in a Mainland Premier League match on Saturday.

The Tanzanian top-flight is finally set to make a comeback after it was halted in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ghanaian player, who signed for the Jangwani Street-side in 2019 after leaving Orlando Pirates of South Africa, was among the players who were supposed to accompany head coach Luc Eymael to Shinyanga for Saturday’s clash but was missing in action.

Instead, the Belgian coach travelled with striker David Molinga and they have already linked up with the rest of the squad as they prepare for the first match after the resumption.

A Yanga official has now confirmed Morrison will not be involved in the match owing to personal reasons.

“[Morrison] was supposed to travel with coach Eymael for Shinyanga but he missed out owing to personal issues and his position was taken by [Molinga], he will not be available to play on Saturday,” the source told Goal.

Apart from Morrison, Yanga will also miss the services of injured captain Papy Tshishimbi, Ally Ally, and Erick Kabamba.

Yanga information officer Hassan Bumbuli confirmed the absence of the three players but said they had a good enough squad to win the game in Shinyanga.

“Our captain [Tshishimbi] is still recovering from injury and the game has come too soon for him while Ally and Kabamba will be ready for our next match,” Bumbuli told reporters.

“We are happy our coach [Eymael] has finally linked up with the team, and can now take charge from Boniface Mkwasa, who was assisting while he was still in Belgium owing to the Covid-19.”

On arriving in Shinyanga, Eymael told Goal he is ready to lead Yanga to a respectable position and also make sure they win the FA Cup.

“I arrived a tired man having to travel to Germany and then to Ethiopia where we had a four-hour stopover before connecting to Dar es Salaam, it is the reason I did not travel to Shinyanga on Thursday,” Eymael told Goal.

“I know the fans are not happy because we lost the friendly against KMC but my target, for now, is to make sure we get a good finish in the remaining matches and also win the FA Cup.”

Yanga are currently third on the 20-team league table with 51 points, 20 points fewer than table-toppers Simba SC while Azam FC are placed in the second position with 54 points.

The match against Mwadui will be staged at Kambarage Stadium on Saturday.

Simba SC have confirmed they will do all they can to make sure their midfielder Sharaf Shiboub rejoins the team for the remaining matches in the Mainland Premier League.

Like many foreign players, Shiboub travelled to his native country, Sudan, when the top-flight was halted in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

While some of their foreign players, including Francis Kahata (Kenya), Meddie Kagere (Rwanda), and Clatous Chama (Zambia), have reported to training ahead of the resumption of the league on Saturday, Shiboub is yet to arrive in Tanzania.

Simba information officer Haji Manara has now assured fans they are doing all they can to make sure the midfielder arrives from Sudan “even if it means using a long route”.

“In the next two days, the club will come up with appropriate plans to get him back to make the squad full and ready to retain the title,” Manara is quoted by Daily News.

“We already succeeded to bring back Clatous [Chama] from Zambia even though he had to first fly to Ethiopia before coming here. We will probably use similar methods for Shiboub.”

Manara has also predicted a tough competition between Simba players when the league resumes.

“As you know, we are heading to the end of the season hence some players whose contracts are nearing completion would like to seize the chance to showcase their potential to have their contracts extended,” Manara continued.

“I have already spoken with the team’s manager who has assured me that morale among the players is high than before and people should expect massive competitions in the upcoming matches.”

He further said the club will sign new players under instructions from their head coach Sven Vandenbroeck.

“From next month, we will start bringing new players at the club, who will be needed by the coach to make the squad stronger for the upcoming competitions,” added Manara.

Manara has also asked Simba fans to follow the rules set up by the government ahead of their first match against Ruvu Shooting at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Simba will be seeking to win a third straight league title and will be home and dry when they get 12 points more.

Frederic Kanoute feels that the world is still not doing enough to eradicate racism.

Attention seems to be gradually shifting from the coronavirus pandemic which enforced a protracted suspension to racism which has led to a series of protests globally.

The latest is the death of George Floyd – a black American who died in police custody in Minneapolis last week.

During a LaLiga conference to herald the resumption of Spanish football, Sevilla’s all-time highest league goal-scorer Kanoute expressed his dissatisfaction with how the ‘lesser evil’ is being handled.

“That I’m satisfied, certainly not. There are still a lot of things to do to fight racism across the globe,” the ex-Mali international told Goal.

“Like I have always said, if there is racism on the pitch, then it happens in the society and it’s a lesser evil. It is worse for people who are not privileged to play football.

“When we are black and everyone knows us, you suffer less from racism. So, we have to think about those who are not in this situation first. Obviously, we have to tackle racism in society as a whole.”

Yakubu Ayegbeni, Mutiu Adepoju, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Lewis Hamilton were among several popular sportsmen to have spoken out in the wake of Floyd's death.

Marcus Thuram and Jadon Sancho, meanwhile, displayed anti-racism gestures and messages during their goal celebrations in the German elite division.

But the 42-year-old claims that those gestures, slogans and social media campaigns would do little in curbing the menace.

“I will encourage all the football associations to do much more because what it happening in our society proves that we haven’t done enough,” he continued.

“It will take much more than hashtags and slogans and a few protests as everything comes back to normal after two weeks.

“I think it will have to be an ongoing process and it’s not going to be easy because that has been happening for a very long time.

“Everyone has to look into the mirror, think about what to do and try to make the situation better.”

Kanoute starred for Los Nervionenses from 2005 to 2012 before heading to the Chinese Super League.

Before then, he won two Uefa Cups and two Copa del Rey titles with the Seville-based outfit.

Manchester United and Real Madrid were both interested in signing Rayan Cherki before he committed to a professional contract with Lyon, president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed.

Cherki is considered one of the great rising stars in Ligue 1, and although he featured only on 12 occasions last season, he netted three goals to become the club’s youngest ever scorer and set up two more, catching the eye with his flair and confidence.

Even before he debuted for Lyon against Dijon last autumn, though, his talent had caused ripples across Europe and Aulas claims that two of the biggest clubs in the world were seeking to sign the 16-year-old prodigy.

“He’s undoubtedly a player who will go to the highest level,” Aulas told Telefoot. “That’s why we did everything we could to sign him. 

“The two clubs that were interested when we won his faith were Real Madrid and Manchester United.

“We want him to succeed with Lyon. We want to support him and that’s why we’re trying to move his career on. In years to come, we want him to become not only a leader for our attack, but a leader from the academy.”

Meanwhile, OL are faced the prospect of losing another of their youth products this summer, with Houssem Aouar linked with a potential move to Manchester City or Juventus.

Aulas, however, has given an update on the creative midfielder’s status and says there is nothing to report as yet.

“For the moment, we’ve not had any proposals or even a request for any information on him, but I know that many clubs could be interested in him,” he said.

“In any case, our preference is to keep him and we will do everything to achieve that. The second option is that it’s up to him where he wants to play. When players have left in the past, we’ve always favoured the place and the club where they wanted to go.”

Lyon face a summer of uncertainty, with Memphis Depay’s contract up next summer, while their only route into Europe next season is by winning the Champions League following a seventh placed finish in the aborted Ligue 1 campaign.

They hold a 1-0 advantage over Juventus after the first leg of their last-16 tie in the European competition.

Arjen Robben has hinted he could make a return to football but has ruled out playing for Bayern Munich again.

The 36-year-old retired from the game at the end of last season, having enjoyed an illustrious career that took him from boyhood club Groningen to PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern.

The Netherlands icon has been training with the Bavarian giants this week to maintain his fitness levels, but he says there is no chance of him playing for the club again.

"I have to disappoint you. My comeback at Bayern is a hundred percent impossible," he told Sport1.

Asked if he could start playing again, he said: "You never know. I don't want to say yes or no now.

"For me and my family, the move to Holland is due at the end of the month. We'll see everything else. In any case, I will always stay connected to Bayern.

"I train two to three times a week with head of fitness Dr. Holger Broich and I would like to continue doing so. We do runs, sprints and also work with the ball. I really enjoy it and I want to stay fit. I am very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to do this training. In the past few months, however, I have always been seen at Bayern's training centre.

"My fitness levels are very good. Staying fit after retirement is very important to me. I also wanted to run a marathon this year, which unfortunately did not work due to the coronavirus crisis. As far as I can tell, I haven't put on weight yet. So everything is fine with me.

"I feel very good at the moment. I also notice clearly that pressure has dropped from me.

"There are days when I train very intensively in my free time. If it starts to hurt in the body, I give myself a break and only train again when I am free of pain. This is definitely a difference from my playing career."

Robben was asked if he had any advice for 19-year-old compatriot Joshua Zirkzee, who has impressed for the Bayern first-team this term, scoring three times in seven Bundesliga appearances.

"He and all the other talents at Bayern should never be satisfied with themselves," Robben said. "Joshua has to want to improve every day, set a new goal every day and never be fed up.

"It is also important that he reflects on his performance again and again. The fact that he was always in the squad recently shows that Hansi Flick is satisfied with his development, but it will be very important that he plays regularly. I wish Joshua only the very best for the future."

Nantes have confirmed the signing of midfielder Pedro Chirivella, who will depart Liverpool after seven years at Anfield.

Chirivella has signed a three-year deal with the French club, where he will wear the No. 5.

The news comes as Chirivella nears the expiration of his contract at Anfield, as he heads to Ligue 1 on a free transfer.

He was offered a new five-year deal by Liverpool, Goal confirmed in May, but the 23-year-old opted to join Nantes in search of first-team football.

Chirivella departs on good terms, though, having impressed in recent appearances in cup competitions as he sealed a return to the club's first team this season. 

The midfielder, who also drew interest from Rangers in recent weeks, came off the bench in September's Carabao Cup clash with MK Dons to make his first senior appearance for Liverpool in nearly three-and-a-half years.

However, his return to the senior side wasn't without controversy, as it later emerged that the 23-year-old midfielder was not eligible to feature in the tie as he did not have international clearance, leading to a fine for Liverpool.

He went on to make four additional cup competitions throughout the 2019-20 season, doubling his career total of appearances for the senior team, having played five times in 2015-16.

Chirivella made his Premier League debut during that 2015-16 campaign in what would prove to be his only league appearance for the Reds.

The midfielder also featured in one Europa League match, as he made his senior debut under Brendan Rodgers against Bourdeaux in 2015. 

Throughout his time with the Reds, Chirivella departed the club for three loan spells, joining Willem II, Go Ahead Eagles and Extremadura.

It was with Willem II that he made his most profound impact, as he appeared in a total of 35 matches for the Eredivisie side.

This season, Chirivella has primarily featured for Liverpool's U-23s, scoring one goal while providing two assists in 12 games.

The Spanish midfielder represented his country up to a U-17 level and originally came up through Valencia's academy prior to joining Liverpool in 2013.

He'll join a Nantes team that finished the Ligue 1 season in 13th, as the French league opted to end the 2019-20 campaign in April due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that the government has green-lighted PSL teams to return to the training pitches.

The current season has been suspended indefinitely since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, Safa and PSL formed a six-member task team which was given 14 days to come up with possible solutions that will see the resumption of the campaign.

Safa president Danny Jordaan and PSL chairman Irvin Khoza then discussed how football can resume in the country in their meeting with Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula.

This has since been approved according to a statement that was released by Safa on Friday.

The 16 PSL and 16 National First Division (NFD) clubs must do and submit Covid-19 tests as one of the key regulations that have to be met. 

"According to Government Gazette promulgated by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on 11 June 2020 under the Disaster Management Act of 2002, football can resume training after complying with the regulations."

"These regulations entail among others that all teams need to test for Covid-19 and chronic medical conditions (As stipulated in the Football return to training protocol adopted by the Safa Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) and results must be sent to the Compliance Officer."

"Disinfection of the training venue is mandatory, so is the daily screening of COVID-19 symptoms for all those involved."

"All teams are encouraged to undertake strict hand and respiratory hygiene and have a consulting Doctor at all times as stipulated in the return to football protocol adopted by JLC."

"There should be continuous education about Covid-19 and the Federation must appoint a compliance officer in writing," a statement read.

The PSL season was halted with Kaizer Chiefs sitting at the top of the league standings - four points above second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand.

While Ajax Cape Town looked set to win the NFD title when the season was suspended as they are placed at the top of the NFD standings - seven points above second-placed Moroka Swallows.

The Nedbank Cup semi-finals are also expected to take place when football resumptions.

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has admitted that his side’s chances of winning the Primera Division hinge on Barcelona slipping up in the closing sprint to the finishing line.

Although Madrid won the most recent Clasico to move to the top of the standings, they immediately ceded that advantage to the Catalans as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Real Betis before the league shut down for three months due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Now the sides are preparing to go back into action, with the two giants slated to recommence on Sunday after the Seville derby – won 2-0 by Sevilla over Betis – marked La Liga’s return on Thursday.

Kroos is aware, however, that if Real are to win their first domestic league crown since 2017, they will need favours from elsewhere.

“We can only hope that Barcelona leave something behind,” he told DAZN and Goal. “We still lack a little bit of consistency, otherwise we would have gone into the coronavirus break as the league leaders. But that’s now happened.”

The World Cup winner believes that there will be an element of luck during this unusual period, which will see Madrid play their 11 league matches in only 35 days.

“It will depend on who has fewer injuries,” the 30-year-old said. “You’ll need every player. The deal that deals best with this unfamiliar situation will ultimately also become the champions.

“The games will show the physical condition of the teams because you can’t simulate that in training, you can only prepare yourself as best you can,” he said. “In the first game, we’ll see where we are.”

Madrid will play their home matches, which in common with all the fixtures in La Liga at present, will be behind closed doors, at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano as the Bernabeu is enjoying a summer facelift. Kroos does not foresee this as a problem, however.

“In my opinion it’s a smart decision,” he said. “Our second team plays there and the stadium is on our training ground. The dimensions of the field are roughly the same as those at the Santiago Bernabeu. If fans can’t come, you don’t have to play in a stadium for 80,000 spectators, especially since you can continue to work there undisturbed.”

Kroos will hope to feature at the Alfredo Di Stefano against Eibar on Sunday as Madrid’s quest to chase down Barca begins.