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Ghana coach CK Akonnor is contemplating rotating the captain's armband in the wake of controversies over the role. 

Perpetually a subject of media discussion, the Black Stars leadership is currently held by Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew who dethroned veteran striker Asamoah Gyan under controversial circumstances last year ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

Brazil are arguably the biggest national side to have rotated their armband in recent times.

“Sometimes this captaincy issue comes as a result of poor communication from management members or certain people trying to push their own agenda," Akonnor, who assumed duty as Ghana coach in January, 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."

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

The displeased Gyan 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.

After changing his mind, Gyan was included in Appiah's final squad for the championship.

However, the 34-year-old was reduced to a peripheral figure at the tournament amid speculation of bad blood between him and the coach due to the captaincy issue as Ghana were eliminated in the Round of 16.

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

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

FIFA has confirmed three bids to host the Women's World Cup in 2023 have made it to the final stage of the process.

Proposals from Japan and Colombia have qualified, as has a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand.

The FIFA Council will hold an online meeting and vote on June 25 to select the successful bid for a tournament that will involve 32 nations for the first time.

FIFA's update came "following a detailed assessment of the bid books and visits to the bidding countries", as they published their Bid Evaluation Report.

"Three bids will be submitted to the FIFA Council in order for it to select the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 host(s)," added a statement from the governing body on Wednesday.

FIFA ranked the Australia-New Zealand bid as the "most commercially favourable" and the highest scoring overall with 4.1 points out of five. 

Japan (3.9) and Colombia (2.8) were behind, but both were over the required threshold and proceed to the vote.

The United States won the last Women's World Cup, which was hosted by France in 2019.

FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: "One year after the record-breaking eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup in France, the FIFA Council will decide on the host(s) for the ninth edition of the tournament in 2023, which we hope will be even bigger and better. 

"The quality of the bids is testimony to the tremendous momentum women's football has generated.

"We are looking forward to building on this to take women's football to the next level at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023."

Brazil withdrew their proposal on Monday and will instead join the other South American nations in backing Colombia.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said the current economic situation, fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic, was one of the reasons for its withdrawal.

It added that it would also be unfavoured due to hosting several big events in recent years, including the 2014 World Cup, 2016 Olympics and 2019 Copa America.

South America has never hosted a Women's World Cup, while Asia has done so twice – in China in 1991 and 2007.

Borussia Dortmund defender Achraf Hakimi has been nominated for the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for May.

The 21-year-old showed his versatility in Lucien Favre’s team with his defensive and attacking contributions that helped BVB secure three wins out of four leagues matches played last month, with their only defeat coming against Bayern Munich.

Hakimi faces competition from Bayern Munich duo Joshua Kimmich and Benjamin Pavard, Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz, Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner and RB Leipzig's Timo Werner.

The Morocco international, who is on a two-year loan from Real Madrid, has contributed nine goals, including five in the Bundesliga and 10 assists this season.

During the month under review, Hakimi was officially named the fastest player in the Bundesliga after running at 36.49 km/h earlier this season and he managed to cover 35 kilometres per hour in May.

He played a crucial role when Dortmund resumed the 2019-20 league campaign against Schalke 04 by helping them to a comfortable 4-0 victory.

A week later, he sealed BVB's 2-0 win over Wolfsburg, and he followed it with a strike against struggling Paderborn away from the Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund are second in the Bundesliga table with 63 points after 30 matches, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

So far this season, Hakimi has featured in all 41 of BVB’s competitive matches this season and he will be hoping to play a part when they visit 16th-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday.

Hakimi’s impressive performances have made him a transfer target for several clubs and he admitted he has a decision to make about his future at the end of his loan in Germany.

"Who does not like it? I am proud of what I am doing," Hakimi told Cadena SER.

"In June I will have to make a decision and it will be a great step for my career. In theory, my contract ends in June and from there I have to return to Madrid.

"I have not yet had contact with Madrid on this matter, but I imagine that soon we will have some conversation to find out what is best for me."  

Joseph Yobo, Daniel Amokachi, Seyi Olofinjana and a host of other football figures have paid tribute to late Shuaibu Amodu.

Amodu – the only coach to qualify Nigeria for the Fifa World Cup passed away in his sleep after complaining of chest pains on June 10, 2016.

His demise came three days after the death of Stephen Keshi who was his assistant to the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Mali.

At 36, he handled the country’s senior national team and was in charge of the Super Eagles’ 1-0 defeat to England in 1994 Wembley friendly.

He qualified Nigeria for the 2002 and 2010 Fifa World Cups. Unfortunately, he was denied the chance of leading the three-time African champions to the main event.

Amodu also had coaching stints with BCC Lions and El Kanemi Warriors where he won the Federation Cup. He also coached Shooting Stars and Orlando Pirates.

In 2013, he was named technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation.

With the world marking his fourth-year in remembrance of his passing, former Nigeria stars took to social media to pay respect.

Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Brentford on Wednesday during a behind closed doors friendly at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners return to Premier League action in exactly one week’s time when they travel to Manchester City and they stepped up their preparations for that fixture with a second warm-up game against Championship opposition in the space of just four days.

On Saturday Arsenal eased to a 6-0 win against Charlton Athletic at the Emirates, with Eddie Nketiah scoring a hat-trick and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Joe Willock also finding the target.

But Mikel Arteta’s side found things a lot more difficult against promotion-chasing Brentford, who came from behind to win 3-2 in north London.

The result is hardly ideal ahead of next week’s game at the home of the Premier League champions, but Arteta will be far more interested in his players’ fitness levels at this stage of the restart plans.

Before kick-off, Arteta and his squad all took the knee and wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts in support of the movement that has swept around the world following the death of George Floyd in the United States.

Lacazette was on target against Charlton on Saturday and the France striker netted again during the second half against Brentford to continue his good goalscoring form.

But it was not enough to secure victory for the home side, who conceded three times after the interval.

Joe Willock had given Arsenal the lead in the first half, firing home a low cross while adding to his strike against Charlton, and the hosts went into the break 1-0 in front.

But Brentford responded well after the interval, with both teams fielding much-changed teams.

Lacazette did notch his second goal in as many games for the Gunners, but it was not enough for Arteta’s side to avoid defeat against their lower league visitors.

Brentford found goals from Tariqe Fosu, Halil Dervisoglu and Shandon Baptiste within the last 20 minute, with the latter two firing after Lacazette's finish saw Arsenal grab the lead one again.

Arsenal could look to play one more behind-closed-doors game this weekend before they get their league campaign restarted at Manchester City on Wednesday, June 17.

The Gunners then travel to Brighton on June 20 and Southampton on June 25 before taking on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in an FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, June 28.

Arsenal’s first home game back at Emirates Stadium is against Norwich City on Wednesday, July 1.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael arrived in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday ready for the return of the Mainland Premier League.

The Belgian coach, who relocated to his native country after the top-flight was halted in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, touched down at the Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam at 1.30 pm after a gruelling trip that took him to Germany, Frankfurt Airport and a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Eymael's arrival came just a day after Yanga travelled to Shinyanga in readiness for their first league match against Mwadui on Saturday.

However, Goal understands there were no Yanga officials at the airport to receive the coach, who has on many occasions accused the club of not facilitating his quick return to Tanzania.

A source who was at the airport told Goal: “I was at the airport and no one from Yanga showed up to pick their coach despite knowing he was due to arrive from Belgium.

“The coach also looked disappointed after realising there was no one to pick him up. It is actually a well-wisher who called out a taxi for him and it is what he used to move from the airport to the hotel.”

Eymael will most likely miss the team’s first match in Shinyanga as the rest of the squad had already travelled on Wednesday via a flight.

Yanga assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa, who is sitting in for the former Black Leopards coach, is confident they will return to Dar es Salaam with maximum points.

“We have worked hard to rectify a few mistakes which cropped up during our defeat to KMC in a friendly and I am sure the boys are ready to take on Mwadui and return home with maximum points,” Mkwasa told reporters.

“We are missing a number of players the likes of Morrison, who is left behind because of domestic issues but I am confident the squad we have will win the match.

“I also want to say that Mwadui is a good team, we will not underrate them as they will be playing at home but Yanga is also a big team which never mind whether playing home or away, the most important thing is to win the match.”

Yanga will face Mwadui at Kambarage Stadium on Saturday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and fans have paid tributes to former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, who passed away four years ago.

He died on June 10, 2006, at the age of 58, three days after another Nigerian legend and former coach, Stephen Keshi was laid to rest.

Amodu is regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian coaches, giving his impact and contribution to the national team during his time.

He went into coaching after his playing career was abruptly ended at the age of 23, owing to a broken leg and was named the Super Eagles manager six times.

Until his death, Amodu was the national technical director and the NFF has taken to the social media to laud his contribution to the growth of football in the country.

“On this day four years ago, late coach Shuaibu Amodu departed this world. We miss you coachie, continue to rest in peace. Thank you for all your contributions to the development of Nigerian football. We remember Amodu.”

Amodu started his coaching career with BCC Lions, he also managed El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

During his time managing Nigerian clubs, he won the Federation Cup titles among other accolades and was deservedly named the national team coach in 1994, his first stint with the side.

Amodu, twice qualified the Super Eagles for the World Cup, in 2002 and 2010, the first Nigerian to achieve the feat but was denied a chance to lead the side to the global tournament.

His legacy and contribution to the development of Nigerian football lives on as fans continue to remember the Nigerian legend.

Kenya's Ayub Timbe featured for Reading FC in a 1-0 friendly loss against Premier League side Chelsea at Cobham.

Chelsea won the tie at their training ground as they continue to prepare for their match against Aston Villa on June 21.

The only goal of the Wednesday encounter was scored by Pedro as he struck in the first half in favour of Frank Lampard's Chelsea who are in a race to keep their top-four position.

Reading will host Stoke City on June 20 as soccer activities are set for resumption in England.

Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga featured in the friendly encounter while there was a Cobham return for John Swift, a former Chelsea star. 

Meanwhile, Timbe's teammate Matt Miazga has revealed they have had tough training sessions since the return in late May.

“We came back to do individual training a bit earlier. We’ve been put to the test, training really hard… and it’s been hot during these past few weeks! The weather has probably pushed us a bit. We’re fit now, and we’ll keep getting fitter,” Miazga told the club's website.

“I’ve dealt with playing in hot summer months before in MLS – there is nothing like playing in Orlando or Houston with a 4 pm kick-off, humidity, heat, everything in the middle of July and August!

“I haven’t done it in a while, but I’m sure it won’t be too bad. We’re getting used to it and we’ll have some evening kick-offs.”

The defender added Reading will need to fight for maximum points in the remaining matches.

“We are going to need the whole squad – we’ve got a lot of good players and we’ll all be ready to contribute to play a big part in this push for the next nine games,” Miazga continued.

“It’ll be one game at a time. There are nine games, and anything is possible in this league – you’ve seen it throughout the years! For us, we’ll focus first on Stoke City and take it one game at a time, and see where it takes us.”

Timbe and teammates are 14th on the table with 48 points with only goal difference separating them from Sheffield Wednesday.

Leganes centre-back Kenneth Omeruo has urged his teammates to be more focused when they host Real Valladolid in an empty Estadio Municipal de Butarque on Saturday.

La Liga will restart on June 11, almost three months after sporting activities in Spain were suspended due to the coronavirus which broke out in March.

Leganes find themselves struggling against relegation as they are placed 19th in the league table with 23 points after 27 matches.

Ahead of their first game on Saturday, Omeruo believes Javier Aguirre’s side can still maintain their top-flight status in the absence of their fans.

“We are playing without our fans at home so we must be more focused, but I think it could work in our favour, I hope it does,” the Nigeria international told the club website.

“Our chances are more or less the same. We have to grab it, we have the opportunity to avoid relegation and we are working hard to achieve it.

“I think right now is better to follow the instructions of La Liga because it is still risky. We love our fans and we love them at Butarque but right now safety is more important. We will try to give them the best results while they watch from home.”

The 26-year-old revealed an area Leganes are working to correct ahead of their return to action.

“Set pieces are difficult because sometimes you make a little mistake or your teammate doesn’t cover a player and you get scored or sometimes you may miss a player but nothing happens, so we have been unlucky before with set pieces. We are working hard to correct that,” he added.

La Liga clubs resumed training sessions a few weeks ago after clubs conducted coronavirus tests for their staff and players.

Prior to the return, Omeruo explained how he coped with his family during the lockdown period in Spain.

“It has been difficult especially for my wife that could not go out," he said.

"I usually go out mostly to get groceries and then get back home. It has been difficult because nobody expected such a thing to happen, but I am happy with the way it is being managed in Spain.

“A lot of people have followed the curfew and stayed at home and everything has been done. I am happy to be back doing what we love, playing football."

Eintracht Frankfurt will have Black Lives Matter emblazoned across the front of their jerseys during Wednesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich in a show of solidarity for the movement.

Protests have swept across the United States and beyond in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

The demonstrations began in Minneapolis shortly after, with protests beginning in all 50 states throughout the last two weeks.

Additionally, those demonstrations have gone worldwide, with similar displays occurring in England, Germany, Australia and a number of other countries.

Many sports clubs and institutions around the world have shown their support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) cause in the weeks since.

Bayern wore BLM armbands during their 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend, while all 22 players from Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin took a knee in the centre-circle before their fixture.

Additionally, individual players have also taken part in displays of their own with Schalke's Weston McKennie and Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram joining Borussia Dortmund stars Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi in sending their own messages shortly after Floyd's death.

Frankfurt will make a statement of their own in Wednesday's cup semi at the Allianz Arena, with '#BlackLivesMatter' to take precedence over the usual shirt sponsor, which will be smaller and below the anti-discrimination message.

Board member Axel Hellmann said: "We have to point this out again and again, and also use the power and reach of football to forcefully deliver this important message to the world.

"The history of Eintracht Frankfurt is shaped by cosmopolitanism and international understanding. These attributes are strongly anchored in the Eintracht DNA. Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and homophobia have no place within the Eintracht family and must not have a place in a liberal society."

Sporting director Fredi Bobic added: "As a team and as Eintracht Frankfurt, we stand together against all forms of racism and want to convey it accordingly."

The winner of Wednesday's DFB-Pokal match will face off with Bayer Leverkusen in the final after Tuesday's three-goal victory over Saarbrucken.

That final is scheduled to be held on July 4 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The Premier League has confirmed one fresh coronavirus case from its latest round of testing.

With play in England set to resume in a week after a three-month break due to the pandemic, 14 players or staff have been found to be carrying the virus, which has infected close to 300,000 people in the UK with over 41,000 losing their lives.

The latest round of testing took place on June 8 and 9, with 1,213 players and club staff tested – the most extensive of the seven rounds to date.

No details have emerged on the person to be found positive for the virus.

The news comes only 48 hours after Manchester United were forced to cancel a training match against Stoke City after visiting manager Michael O’Neill tested positive for coronavirus.

A closed-door match had been expected to take place between the sides but news filtered through of O’Neill’s positive test when the Stoke players were present at United’s Carrington training ground. 

"Stoke City can confirm that manager Michael O'Neill has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday (June 8)," the club said in a statement. "O'Neill had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing.

"He will now follow the relevant guidance and undergo a period of isolation, whilst continuing to be in regular virtual contact with his coaching staff and players.

"Assistant manager Billy McKinlay will take charge of training as the Potters prepare for their game against Reading on June 20.

"The Club will be making no further comment on this matter."

Meanwhile, play is set to resume in the Premier League on June 17, with Aston Villa playing host to Sheffield United before Manchester City tackle Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Most teams have nine matches of the league season remaining, with leaders Liverpool only six points short of claiming a maiden title of the Premier League era.

The Reds’ quest to secure the title will resume against local rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, June 21.

The league's break dates back to March 9, when Leicester beat Aston Villa 4-0 at home in the final game before the coronavirus forced the suspension of the season.

Lyon sporting director Juninho has admitted that the club could lose both Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele this summer, but he hopes that Memphis Depay can be persuaded to sign a new contract.

Missing out on the Champions League in the 2021-22 season after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the controversially truncated Ligue 1 campaign has been a blow to OL and is set to shape their actions in the summer.

Aouar and Dembele have been strongly touted with moves away from the Rhone side, with Manchester City and Juventus strongly linked with the former, while Manchester United are one of the sides associated with the latter.

Although not definitive on the future of either, Juninho suggested they could be on their way.

“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.

“Houssem came through the academy here and he’s been here a long time. He brings a technical touch in the 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.

“Moussa’s had a good season and still has a margin to progress. He’s a pure centre forward who brings us strength and presence in the box. He scores goals.

“If we lose a player of that level, we’ll look for replacements of the same standard.”

Meanwhile, Depay, who has been out since December with serious knee injury, is out of contract next summer, at which time he could potentially leave for nothing. Eager to avoid that, but aware of the player’s talents, Lyon have opened talks on an extension.

“When you lose a big star due to injury a year and a half from the end of his contract, it’s a challenge,” Juninho admitted. “Memphis is really important to us. We hope he’ll stay and we’ve started talks on an extension. 

“He’s enjoyed being here and has taken the captain’s armband. He’s become a true leader. I hope we find a solution.”

Juninho is hopeful that the Netherlands international will be able to play a role in Lyon’s Champions League last-16 second-leg meeting with Juventus, which is yet to be formally rescheduled but is likely to take place in early August.

“We know that after six months out, players need time to regain their form, but in any given match he can help us with his talent and his desire,” the director added. “I think he’ll be ready to play Juve, even if it’s up to Rudi Garcia to decide. 

“Maybe if he helps up win matches like that and he feels there’s a strong project behind him, he might decide to stay.”

Shuaibu Amodu’s death will remain a loss for Nigerian football, according to Fifa legend Yakubu Ayegbeni.

Amodu, 58, died in 2016 – three days after the passing of Stephen Keshi who was his assistant at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.

Based on the former Super Eagles’ coach's recommendation, 17-year-old Ayegbeni was handed a Nigeria call-up – and made his bow on April 22, 2000, in the 4-0 decimation of Eritrea in a 2002 Afcon qualification game in Lagos.

The Yak went ahead to feature for the Nigeria U23 team in an ill-fated 2000 Olympics outing where he scored a wonder goal against Honduras.

Apart from the national team connection, both are from Edo state and that fortified their bond on and off the pitch.

Talking about the ex-Orlando Pirates manager since his demise, Ayegbeni describes his relationship with Amodu, his role in his rise to prominence, and how he handled the news about his demise.

“It’s a great loss for everyone and for me as well. He was there for me as a father,” he told Goal.

“When Shuaibu [Amodu] was in the national team, he was the one who invited me to the Super Eagles. I remember when he was technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation; he would come to the Nigeria U23 camp and watch everyone.

“Shuaibu was a great man and we miss him in the football circle. We had a great time in the national team and he helped me a lot. It was great working with him.

“We had great communication and our relationship was like that of father and son because he knew every member of my family.

“I played my first Super Eagles [game] against Namibia under him and Jo Bonfrere.

“We kept in touch for a very long time because we were both from Edo state. I was in Ghana when he died and I felt heartbroken after my wife called me to announce the sad news. He was also close to my wife’s dad [Kadiri Ikhana] and we all miss him.”

After completing his loan spell at Portuguese outfit Gil Vicente, Ayegbeni joined Maccabi Haifa permanently from Nigeria’s Julius Berger.

Now retired, the 37-year also explains how his role aided his move to Israel’s elite division, as well as his motivational role.

He further highlighted his qualities while declaring the country will never have a tactician like him again.

“When I was about to go on trial at Maccabi Haifa, we talked about it and he told me ‘you just have to go there and show. Go there, enjoy the game and the rest will be history’,” the Yak stated.

“Without him, I don’t think I would have played in Israel because he was the brain behind it. He didn’t stop there as he would come to Tel Aviv to see me play and also encourage me.

“His death remains a big loss to Nigeria. He was one of the best indigenous coaches back then. He was very friendly, democratic, accommodating and loved hardworking players.

“There can only be one Shuaibu Amodu, there would never be another one. He did qualify Nigeria for the World Cup twice but never had the chance to lead the Super Eagles there. It’s so sad.

“Not minding that, he was always available to help. Nigeria can never have another man like him. May his soul continue to rest in peace.”

Apart from handling the Super Eagles, Amodu won Federation Cup titles with BBC Lions and El Kanemi Warriors before a short spell with South Africa's Orlando Pirates after leaving Shooting Stars.

Weston McKennie has become the latest American star to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump, with the Schalke midfielder labelling him a "racist" and "ignorant".

Several U.S. men's national team stars have come out and criticized Trump recently amid ongoing nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.

Those protests have sparked a new conversation centered around racism and police brutality, with Trump fighting back at complaints regarding the latter by declaring himself the "law and order president".

USMNT veteran Michael Bradley has since said that there "isn't a moral bone in" Trump's body while defender DeAndre Yedlin said that the U.S. is a "sh*t show right now" while calling Trump's election "embarrassing" and "mind-boggling".

Former USMNT forward Terrence Boyd also voiced his opinion, saying that Trump is “one of the worst people on the planet”.

And McKennie has become the latest American star to take a shot at Trump as he's emerged as one of the USMNT's most vocal members in recent weeks.

"In my eyes, he can be called racist," McKennie told Sport Bild. "I don't think Trump is the right man for the job of president.

"I don't think he understands his responsibility to the entire country. I think he's ignorant. I don't support him one bit. I don't think he's a man of his word."

While several USMNT stars have taken aim at the President, longtime U.S. women's national team star Megan Rapinoe has engaged in a highly publicized war of words with Trump.

Most recently, the World Cup winner called Trump a "white nationalist" who produces nothing but hate.

After wearing a captain's armband calling for justice for Floyd's death, McKennie's displays have been joined by the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Thuram and Archaf Hakimi, who sent their own messages with goal celebrations in Bundesliga play.

McKennie, who has earned 19 USMNT caps since making his debut in 2017, has stated that he plans to continue speaking out against racism while using his platform to advocate for change.

"Basically, it's important that we athletes are also committed to the fight against racism, because we have the exposure," he said.

"That's why it's up to all of us."

Hearts of Oak chief executive officer (CEO) Frederick Moore believes the club is on course to end their long wait for a major title. 

The former Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup winners have gone 11 straight years without winning a trophy. 

The CEO's comments follow similar remarks by club captain Mohammed Fatawu. 

“We are still the continental club masters,” Moore told Kumasi FM.

"We have been reviewing how we have not won a trophy in a while but some of the big clubs in the world have also gone a long time without a title.

"The most important thing is that we’ve got one of the best board chairman, a good board and good players.

“The continental club masters cannot be taken from us because of what we have done in the past. With the consistency at the top, I think we are now on the road to bigger things.

“I’m very confident Hearts of Oak will start winning trophies soon. We are building one of the best academies that will rival any academy in the world."

Hearts' last title remains the Ghana Premier League trophy in 2009.

The Phobians are the second most successful club in the history of the domestic top-flight, having clinched the league title on 19 occasions.

Hearts have also won the Ghana FA Cup 10 times, the last title coming in 2000.

The outfit has also won the Ghana Super Cup twice. 

On the continental level, Hearts ruled Africa in 2000 when they beat Tunisian side Esperance to win the Caf Champions League. The next year, they lifted the Caf Super Cup. 

Ninth on the Ghana Premier League table this season, the Phobians are eyeing a move up the table to begin a possible renaissance this season.  

The championship, though, is currently suspended as part of the measures to control the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Football has been on hold since March 15 and it is set to remain solely until at least July 31 due to a ban on all contact sports. 

The Ghana Football Association, through the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), made a proposal to the national government for a possible prompt return of football under conditions such as the playing of matches behind closed doors.

The request was, however, turned down.

Atletico Madrid have offered Real Madrid the use of the Wanda Metropolitano should crowds return to La Liga before the Santiago Bernabeu renovation is finished.

Los Blancos’ ground is presently in the throes of a facelift, with Zinedine Zidane’s side slated to play their remaining matches of the 2019-20 season at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano – the ground used by the club’s ‘B’ team.

As there will be no spectators present at Spanish top-flight games before the end of the season, which is poised to restart after the coronavirus crisis, this poses no immediate problems for the record Champions League winners, but should crowds be free to return to fixtures prior to the Bernabeu’s renovation is completed, Atleti president Enrique Cerezo has invited the club’s eternal rivals to consider using their facilities.

“Would we rent them the Wanda Metropolitano? I’m going to take my mask off to answer you. Let no-one doubt that we will be at Real Madrid’s disposal,” he explained at an event with the Mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida.

The situation is not without precedent, with a reciprocal arrangement used when Atleti were were upgrading the Vicente Calderon at the beginning of the 1996-97 campaign.

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Martinez-Almeida, an Atleti fan, pointed out. “On Matchday 1 after we won the double, we played at the Bernabeu because our ground was under construction. It’s already happened and, of course, if the club does not have any problems, the fans will not either.”

There have been reports in Spain that because the coronavirus crisis has eased to such a degree, fans may be allowed back into stadiums, albeit at a reduced capacity.

Marca has reported that Real have turned down their neighbours’ offer, even in this case, and will continue to play at the Di Stefano, where there are no plans to have supporters. 

Madrid have six home matches remaining in a league campaign in which they will attempt to overturn a two-point deficit they face to Barcelona at the top of the standings, and have upgraded their stadium at their Valdebebas training complex in order to be VAR compliant, which is required for top-flight fixtures.

Their first game in over three months will take place on Sunday against Eibar, while Atleti will face Athletic Club the same day as they seek to secure Champions League qualification.