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Former Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits winger Daine Klate has completed his Uefa B License with the Irish Football Association. 

The 35-year-old followed in the footsteps of Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar by advancing his coaching skills in Ireland. 

Klate has been working on his coaching badges since retiring from professional football about a year ago. 

And in May, he was handed his biggest coaching qualification to date - the Uefa B Diploma and he shared his latest success with his followers on social media. 

Klate previously revealed that the coronavirus pandemic disrupted his plans to acquire his Uefa A License and he would hope to go back and complete it once the situation gets better. 

The retired winger will return to SuperSport United to do practicals for his coaching badges after striking an agreement with club CEO Stanley Matthews. 

He started his professional at Matsatsantsa in 2004 before playing for the likes of Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits. 

Klate retired at the end of the 2018/19 season whilst on the books of Chippa United. 

He left the game as a player having played almost 350 professional matches - scoring 58 and recording a whopping 77 assists across all competitions. 

He joined the side's MDC team as their head coach until he was released from his contract mid-way through the 2019/20 season. 

Klate, one of the most successful players of his generation, will hope to return to the dugout as head coach in the near future - and realise his dream of imparting his knowledge to the younger generation of players in the South African football. 

The Port Elizabeth-born star won six league titles, three MTN8 and three Telkom Knockout Cup titles among other major trophies.

He enjoyed huge success at both SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates but it was at Wits where his sixth league medal would come as Gavin Hunt steered the Braamfontein-based side to a league and cup double during the 2016/17 PSL season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed what David Luiz told him before Didier Drogba's iconic goal in the 2012 Champions League final.

Chelsea pulled off a stunning upset to knock out Barcelona in the semi-finals and set-up a meeting with Bayern, who conquered Real Madrid in a similarly dramatic last-four encounter.

The German giants were strong favourites heading into the final, which was held in their own backyard at the Allianz Arena.

Indeed, it was Bayern who dominated proceedings in terms of clear-cut chances, but Chelsea's resolute defence stood firm as the likes of Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller toiled to find a way through.

Petr Cech produced a man-of-the-match performance in the Blues' goal although he was powerless to stop the German giants from taking the lead with just seven minutes left to play.

Muller headed home a pinpoint Toni Kroos cross to send the home supporters into raptures and leave Bayern on the verge of a fifth European crown, but Chelsea were not to be denied.

Drogba powered an unstoppable header past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after meeting a Frank Lampard corner in the 88th minute, which sent the match into extra time.

Chelsea held on for penalties and ended up winning 4-3 on spot-kicks, with Drogba also converting the winning kick, to secure the famous trophy for the first time in their history.

Schweinsteiger, who was left crestfallen with the rest of the Bayern squad after a dramatic encounter, says Luiz predicted his Chelsea team-mate Drogba would equalise when Lampard stepped up to swing in a late set-piece.

The ex-Bayern midfielder said during the Amazon documentary 'Schw31ns7eiger Memories - From Beginning to Legend': "David Luiz came into the box and said to me: 'And now: Goal!'"

Schweinsteiger went on to admit that Jupp Heynckes struggled to raise volunteers for the shoot-out, adding: “Almost all of them p*ssed off. They flocked away, raised their hands and said: 'I don't want to,' "

The former Germany international did step up to the mark himself but fluffed his lines from 12 yards and says he was unable to face the crowd after buckling under the intense pressure of the situation.

He said: "I didn't want to see the disappointed faces. You knew: Now you can't do better, it's over."

Cameroon international Gaelle Enganamouit has announced her retirement from football at the age of 28, Goal understands.

The striker has been without a club since she mutually parted ways in April 2019 with Spanish side Malaga, who she joined four months earlier after leaving Norwegian outfit Avaldsnes.

Despite her fitness worries, she made Cameroon's squad for the 2019 Women's World Cup but did not feature in any matches as the Indomitable Lionesses reached the Round of 16 in France.

Goal has learnt that the former Rosengard, Dalian Quanjian, Avaldsness and Malaga striker has decided to temporarily hang up her boots, with high hopes of bouncing back in the near future.

On Tuesday, Enganamouit made the low-key announcement as she marked her 28th birthday, having struggled to recover from a recurring anterior cruciate ligament injury.

In club football, Enganamouit is most well known for her time with Eskilstuna United DFF, for whom she made 41 appearances and scored 24 goals for the Swedish Damallsvenskan side in 2015.

Before arriving in Sweden, she shot into prominence on the global stage when she scored the fastest goal in women's football history in 2012, after just two seconds, for Spartak Subotica in Serbia.

On the international stage, the Lorema of Yaounde product starred in Cameroon's first Olympic Games in London 2012 and then their first Women's World Cup three years later in Canada.

She scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 group win over Ecuador to become the first African to score three in a Women's World Cup match during the 2015 edition, and capped that year by winning the Damallsvenskan top scorer award with 18 goals.

The African women's football legend also won the 2015 African Women's Player of the Year prize, and was nominated for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award in 2016.

Clubs can breathe a sigh of relief as the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has given them the green light to continue playing friendly matches in preparation for the league restart on June 13.

In a statement dated June 8, the federation had suspended all preparatory matches, until a meeting was held with clubs. Fans had entered the fields to cheer their respective teams without taking into consideration the guidelines given to curb the spread of Covid-19.

This meeting had since taken place and clubs are once again allowed to continue with their warm-up matches.

"Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has allowed friendly matches to be played but with permission from TFF to ensure all guidelines and measures to curb coronavirus are followed," read a statement signed by the federation's head of communications and obtained by Goal.

"The decision has been reached after sitting with Azam, KMC, Simba, Transit Camp and Yanga who engaged in a friendly match without following the guidelines and measures given by the Ministry of Health.

"From the meeting, all the clubs agreed to adhere to the guidelines and measures given, including employing Social Distancing Agents whose main job will be to ensure fans respect the social distancing rule."

The clubs involved have also shown remorse after failing to control the supporters who attended the matches.

"The clubs have requested to be pardoned following the situation witnessed in their friendly games regarding the supporters who attended. The teams will also sensitize the fans on the importance of adhering to the guidelines by respective authorities," the statement added.

"Simba will also not use their facility Mo Simba Arena to play their friendly matches since the facility is only fit for training sessions."

The new development gives the friendly match between Azam FC and KMC the green light to be played as scheduled on Wednesday.

The FA Cup champions played out a goalless draw with Trans Camp in their friendly played at Azam Complex in Chamazi on June 7. 

KMC will be playing their third friendly match - they defeated Yanga SC 3-0 before falling 3-1 to 20-time champions Simba. 

After almost three months, the Tanzania Mainland League resumes this weekend. Wekundu, who are on 71 points, need a maximum of five wins from the remaining 10 games to be crowned as champions.

Yanga and Azam are targeting the FA Cup to represent Tanzania in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has attributed his progress to his ability to listen to criticism from his coaches, friends and wife.

The Nigeria international has been in top form since teaming up with the King Power Stadium outfit in 2017 from Belgian side Genk.

Ndidi’s stock has risen very high in the Premier League and he is currently regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the English top-flight.

Reflecting on his success, the Super Eagle praised the people who surround him for their sincere criticism which has helped him to improve on his performances.

“My circle of friends is very small, and they are people who are straight in their assertions. Even at Leicester City, the players, the coaches, and the staff are straight with me,” Ndidi told the Super Eagles media team.

“That alone is like an encouragement to me; they make me understand life in general and how I am performing.

“Kudos also must go to my wife; she is always honest with me as it concerns my game, telling me the right things and I don’t joke with her criticisms because I know she wants me to be a better player and my boss at Leicester too.”

Ndidi has made 111 Premier League appearances since his arrival at King Power Stadium and this season he has played 29 times for the Foxes across all competitions.

The midfielder has consistently ranked among the top three best tacklers in the Premier League and currently ranks third on the list, behind his teammate Ricardo Pereira and Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

His solid performances ensured Leicester’s current third position on the league table, behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.

Ndidi has also been in excellent form for the Super Eagles and in 2019, he played a key role as Nigeria clinched their eighth bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The 23-year-old was also one of the standout players as Nigeria defeated the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in their 2021 Afcon qualifying games, which saw them sit atop Group L with six points.

He was part of Gernot Rohr’s team scheduled to face Sierra Leone in their third qualifying game before the match was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The combative midfielder has made 36 appearances for the three-time African champions since making his debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2015.

Ndidi will hope to continue his solid defensive displays for Leicester when the Premier League resumes on June 17. 

Former Harambee Stars midfielder Crispin Ochieng' Olando is being detained in the United States for allegedly breaching immigration rules.

The 32-year-old former international was arrested on March 18 and taken to the Jackson Parish Correctional Centre where he was detained. The Kenyan was booked because he was not in possession of the necessary immigration documents and was not granted a bond.

After moving to the US in 2013 in search of greener pastures, Olando managed to secure trials with Houston Dynamo and Vancouver Whitecaps but failed to convince their technical benches to sign him.

He resorted to playing in the lower tiers of domestic football in the country before eventually retiring and settling with his family.

While in Kenya, the midfielder turned out for then-Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Thika United before joining Tusker FC.

At the Ruaraka-based side, Olando won back-to-back league titles in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

In 2011, Tusker managed to collect 58 points from the 30 matches played, one more than Ulinzi Stars who finished in the second position. Sofapaka finished third after managing just 52 points.

Olando was at it again the following year, helping the Brewers win their 11th league title. Under Robert Matano, the team once again managed to beat their rivals on the final day, finishing with 60 points ahead of favourites Gor Mahia who had 59.

AFC Leopards finished third with 57 points; while Tusker played in Caf Champions League, K'Ogalo won the FKF Shield Cup and played in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Olando was among the players who were dropped after the conclusion of the 2012 season. Others were Dennis Mukaisi, Andrew Murunga, Isaac Otieno, Allan Kateregga, David Nyanzi, Charles Odette, Joseph Emeka and Fredrick Ajwang. 

The club stated later on that Olando was dropped owing to his struggles on the pitch, after sustaining a metatarsal injury in April that year.

Other reports indicated the player refused to extend his contract at the club which was to expire in December that year.

Olando was reportedly targeting a move from the club at the end of the 2012 campaign and the Brewers were keen on tying him down with a new contract.

It is for that reason the Brewers opted to release him.

RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano has been told he will be sold when the transfer window reopens unless he commits to a new contract, as rumours linking him with Arsenal and Bayern Munich continue to swirl.

Upamecano has developed into one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe since joining Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017.

The 21-year-old has impressed consistently at the heart of the defence, although his form has tailed off since the Bundesliga season restarted and he was sent off in the 1-1 draw with Paderborn last Saturday.

Upamecano, whose current contract runs until June 2021, has a release clause of €60 million (£54m/$68m) that will expire at the end of this month.

Arsenal reportedly saw a bid for Upamecano turned down before the start of the 2019-20 campaign and are expected to revive their interest this summer, while Bayern have also been tipped to submit an offer of their own.

Leipzig sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff has made it clear that the Frenchman will not be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2021, while suggesting the club could cash in on a prized asset at the end of the season.

"'Upa' is an extremely important player for us and one of the most sought-after talents in Europe," Mintzlaff told Bild.

"And we can assure that we have a clear understanding with him and his agent he won't leave us on a free. We can't afford that as a club.

"There are only two options: prolong or leave. I am sure we'll soon find out in which direction it's going."

Upamecano will be missing from Julian Nagelsmann's squad when Leipzig take in a trip to Hoffenheim on Friday as he serves a suspension following the red card received last time out.

The Saxony-based outfit are sitting third in the Bundesliga table after 30 fixtures and must get back to winning ways to stay ahead of their rivals in the race for a top-four finish.

Leipzig, whose stalemate against Paderborn saw their title aspirations slip away, are only three points ahead of fourth and fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen with four matches left to play.

Marco Silva claims to be unaware of whether any bid from Barcelona for Richarlison was received during his spell as Everton boss, but he is tipping the Brazilian to reach the very top of the game.

The Toffees spent big luring a South American forward away from Watford in the summer of 2018.

That deal, which saw Silva reunited with a player he had previously worked with at Vicarage Road, could end up being worth as much as £50 million ($63m).

Richarlison has justified the faith shown in him at Goodison Park, with 26 goals recorded through 69 appearances – landing him a new contract in the process.

He has also become a senior international with his country, earning 19 caps, with his rise to prominence said to have caught the eye of those at Camp Nou.

Talk of a big-money offer being tabled circulated at one stage, with a talented 23-year-old said to have become a top target for the Liga champions.  

“I don’t know if it was true or not, you know how it is with rumours in football,” Silva told Sky Sports when quizzed on the Barca links.

“When the market is coming, then you start to see the names of clubs for your best players. I don’t know if it was true or not but what I do know is that when I was in charge of the player he was always really focused on Everton Football Club in that period, and he is the same now.

“If big clubs come for him in the future it will not distract him because he likes the club and the way everyone welcomed him.”

While reluctant to speculate on what happened in the past, Silva admits that Richarlison is an exciting talent in the present and hot prospect for the future – with the potential there for him to earn further interest from European heavyweights.

“He has to prove his quality and keep improving,” added Silva, who left his role with Everton in December 2019.

“I did everything to get him to the Premier League when he was in Brazil, to come to Watford. I was not sure that he would make an impact so fast but I was sure about his skills.

“What he gets now depends on himself because with his skills, being so young, he has already been in the national team of Brazil with the quality that they have, for them to choose him is a fantastic step.

“He needs to keep working hard at Everton and achieve important things. Everton won’t be thinking of selling him and it will be difficult for a club if they want to buy a player like Richarlison.”

West Ham United manager David Moyes has described Jeremy Ngakia’s decision to leave the club as a "kick in the teeth".

Ngakia, who rose through the ranks at West Ham, was handed his first-team debut in January against Liverpool, and he made three more Premier League appearances before the league was suspended in March due to the coronavirus lockdown.

He joined the Hammers at the age of 14 and he is set to seek a new adventure when his contract expires on June 30, after rejecting a new offer which is reportedly worth £5,000-a-week.

Moyes said he is disappointed by the 19-year-old’s decision to leave and also confirmed ongoing talks with the teenager to stay until the end of the 2019-20 season.

“We are really surprised and disappointed that Jeremy is not going to stay at West Ham,” Moyes told Standard Sport.

“We like him a lot, we’ve given him his debut and I’m a manager who has done that many times in my career, including Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Jordan Pickford and others.

“Jeremy is another one and I feel he is making a mistake choosing not to stay with us. We’ve trusted him in big games and everyone likes him at the club.

“I also feel it’s a kick in the teeth for the academy, because they have developed a player for the first team and he’s not going to stay. We’re also really disappointed with his decision not to stay beyond June 30.

"I don’t agree with that and I also think it’s something the Premier League should not allow to happen, because it means the season is not starting and finishing in the same way.

“There’s nothing we can do about that, though, and we are still working with him. We like him, we want him to feel he’s been given the best service we can give and maybe there’s still a little hope that we can change his mind.

“We haven’t given up all hope of Jeremy realising he has got it wrong, but I have to say he has told me directly that it is not his choice to stay.”

West Ham United are 16th on the Premier League table but they find themselves struggling against relegation, level on 27 points with 18th-placed Bournemouth after 29 games.

Bayern Munich can afford to sign Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz in the same transfer window and should be considering raids on Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen, claims Lothar Matthaus.

The Bundesliga giants are forever in the market for the best domestic talent, and two more Germany internationals are registering on their radar.

Efforts to lure Sane away from the Etihad Stadium were made in 2019, prior to a serious knee injury forcing the tricky winger onto the sidelines.

Interest has been retained there and the next window could be the one in which a long-standing target is finally acquired by those at the Allianz Arena.

Havertz could be another that comes into Bayern’s thinking, with the 20-year-old seeing his stock rise considerably, and Matthaus believes those in Munich should be speculating to accumulate.

The Bayern legend told Sky Deutschland on the need for ambition and long-term vision to be shown: “Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz may make this team better. But you only know that when they are there. Of course there is no doubt that both are outstanding and that Bayern Munich would certainly not get weaker, on the contrary.

“Bayern could economically handle both transfers and buy Sane and Havertz at the same time.

“Before a big change, though, every top player asks himself the question: Where can I be almost sure to play if I perform? The Leverkusen player [Havertz], who is sure to be hunted by the vast majority of clubs, should in my eyes have the character and quality to assert himself at Real, Barcelona, ​​Juventus or the top English clubs.

“A change may be more apparent at a club like Real. [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] Modric will no longer establish an era there.

“Havertz has made a very good impression on me and that, paired with insane talent, means he has what it takes to show his class abroad. But of course Bayern will also be a factor.

“It could also be an option to agree on the season after next, with Bayern allowing him to stay in Leverkusen for another year – especially if they qualify for the Champions League. 

“Then Thomas Muller will be a year-and-a-half older and the prospects for Kai are even better than they are already. He will certainly cost at least 80 million, and only because of the current crisis. Otherwise we would be talking about a three-figure amount.

“Bayern must and will strengthen with top players. I assume that [Corentin] Tolisso may have the desire to change clubs in order to get more appearances, because he currently cannot get past [Joshua] Kimmich, [Leon] Goretzka, Thiago and [Thomas] Muller. [Javi] Martinez doesn't matter anymore either, and [Philippe] Coutinho won't play at Bayern next season. That means transfer income and salary savings.

“That's why I think FCB could buy Sane and Havertz. Whether they do this or wait for the situation with the coronavirus to be over is open to debate.”

Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Bradley Carnell said he is happy in the United States of America as he is part of the New York Red Bulls bench, and suggested he would stay as long as he is needed.

Although he is still taking his coaching career step by step, Carnell would like to ply his trade and further his career in Europe whenever an opportunity avails itself.

On the other hand, the former Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs defender is also open to a move back to his homeland, South Africa.

"It is all about building blocks and baby steps. How long am I intending to stay in the US? I don’t know. As long as I’m needed here, I’ll give everything here,” Carnell told IOL.

“If I have an opportunity to go back to Europe or do something else, wherever the profession is calling me... I’m always ready for it. I’m really happy here.

“We have good people and a good organization. It is really high quality every day. It is just about getting better, helping the team, and making sure that I’m also getting better.

“I want to hone my craft and get into step, where I’m coaching at a higher level...Getting back to Europe is a big goal of mine. But right now I’m really happy and giving my all for the Red Bulls.”

Having spent more than a decade in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Mönchengladbach, he still harbours ambitions of a possible return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL). 

“Obviously, in the future, yes, I’ll consider a move to South Africa,” he added.

“That’s my heritage and that’s my roots. Right now, I feel that I have unfinished business in the market here in MLS, or even in Europe.

“We don’t know, maybe in a couple of years but we’ll see how it goes. There are always ongoing contract negotiations. My deal comes up in December. We will see where that takes us.

“There were one or two things back in Europe in late November for a couple of teams and those didn’t transpire. As I said, I’m very happy at this current moment.”

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has now confessed it would be a big challenge to play the remaining matches in the 2019-20 season.

The KPL has been advocating for the top-flight to be played to the end despite the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moving to end the season and declare Gor Mahia champions while promoting Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

On two occasions, the KPL's plans to issue a stand on the league have been jolted by the extension of the nationwide curfew, with the latest being on Saturday when Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed the ban on all sporting activities and social gatherings will remain in force for another 30 days.

The move by Kenyatta came just a day after the KPL had issued a statement signed by CEO Jack Oguda, in which it was said the Governing Council will meet in the course of this week to make a decision on the league because they had high hopes the previous curfew would be abolished with sporting activities allowed to resume.

Owing to the move by President Kenyatta, Oguda has now confessed they are running out of time to have the season concluded.

“It is going to be a huge challenge now,” Oguda told Goal on Tuesday. “I don’t want to talk more but will let the Governing Council make the decision but as it stands, it will be a huge task.”

Asked on when the Governing Council will meet to decide the fate of the league, Oguda explained: “I am not sure, but I will reach out to my chairman today [Tuesday] and discuss on the matter, he will be in a position to confirm the availability of other members so that they can meet and make a decision.”

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack and AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda were among the officials who called on the KPL to make a final decision on the league after the curfew was extended for another 30 days.

The British coach called for the KPL to give Gor Mahia the title or nullify the league while Shikanda wanted the KPL to annul the season and allow teams to focus on the new season set to kick-off in August.

At the time the league was suspended, Gor Mahia were leading the 17-team league table on 54 points, seven more than second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz, who had a game in hand.

Bayern Munich's dominance of the Bundesliga is "boring and sad", according to Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

An eighth successive top-flight crown looks destined to arrive at the Allianz Arena in the coming weeks, with Bayern once again setting unprecedented standards in terms of performances and consistency.

Hansi Flick's side are seven points clear of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the league at the moment, and their latest coronation will be confirmed if they pick up two wins from their final four fixtures.

Bayern have been in electrifying form since the Bundesliga restart on March 18, picking up maximum points from five games, including comfortable victories over Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bavarians will be expected to extend their winning run when they play host to Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, but Leno thinks their recent success counts for little due to the lack of competition in Germany's top tier.

"Bayern is already a champion, as always. It is boring and sad," Leno, who spent seven years at Leverkusen before moving to Emirates Stadium in 2018, said on the SWR podcast 'Steil'.

"One wishes an exciting championship fight, but I don't see any exciting championship in the near future. Bayern is too strong there."

Leno has made the number one spot at Arsenal his own over the last two seasons, racking up 65 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The 28-year-old added on his decision to move to the Premier League: "I really wanted to go abroad, London is a mega city for me."

The ex-Leverkusen shot-stopper is currently preparing with the rest of the Gunners squad ahead of the Premier League's return on June 17.

Arsenal are first up as English football gets back underway following a coronavirus-enforced three-month hiatus, with a trip to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on the cards next Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's men will need to finish the season strongly in order to secure a place in the top-four, having slipped to ninth in the standings before play was stopped in March.

Chelsea are occupying the final Champions League spot at present, eight points above the Gunners with nine matches remaining.

When Lionel Messi decides his time at Barcelona is over, Wesley Sneijder says Frenkie de Jong will step up and become “even more of a leader” for the La Liga giants.

The reigning La Liga champions invested heavily in a Netherlands international midfielder during the summer of 2019.

De Jong’s current ability and future potential was noted during a productive spell at Ajax, with the 23-year-old proving himself on domestic and European stages.

A testing debut campaign in Catalunya has seen the odd question asked of whether a creative talent can make the expected impact at Camp Nou.

Sneijder is in no doubt that a fellow countryman will thrive in time, with De Jong still finding his feet in the most demanding of surroundings.

The ex-Real Madrid star even believes that a natural heir to Barca skipper Messi could present itself over the coming years.

De Jong fills a different role to a mercurial Argentine forward, with his game drawing more similarities to Blaugrana legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but he could take on more responsibility.

Sneijder expects that to be the case, telling the Daily Mail: “Holland and Barcelona have always had a great feeling.

“De Jong made the best choice because he understood that his football is perfect for Spain and Barcelona. 

“[Mattijs] De Ligt chose differently [in joining Juventus] but Frenkie made the perfect decision for his life. De Ligt a different choice but in my opinion De Jong is forward-looking. 

“He did very well to choose Barcelona: it is a club suitable for him, when Messi will stop with football Frenkie will become even more of a leader.”

Barca are back in the market for more game-changing talent heading towards the next transfer window.

Lautaro Martinez has emerged as a top target for those at Camp Nou, with efforts being made to prise an Argentina international forward from the clutches of Inter.

Ex-Nerazzurri star Sneijder is hoping to see the South American stay put for the foreseeable future, allowing him to deliver tangible success at San Siro, with the 22-year-old then urged to make a move to the other side of a fierce Clasico divide in Spain.

“I don't like Barcelona, I played for Real Madrid. Winning at Inter is a unique feeling, I did it and I wish he does it before leaving,” Sneijder said.

“I recommend Real Madrid to him. A player who is physically strong and mentally strong. I can only tell him to try to play for Real Madrid but only after many years at Inter.”

Jack Grealish may be a better fit for Manchester United than Paul Pogba, claims Michael Owen, with the Red Devils advised to open themselves up to offers for a World Cup winner.

Transfer talk is raging once again at Old Trafford, with comings and goings aplenty being mooted ahead of the next window.

Much of that speculation has focused on Pogba and Grealish, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having some big decisions to make.

He has expressed excitement at the potential of a new midfield pairing that could see a France international thrive alongside January signing Bruno Fernandes.

The United boss is, however, said to be in the market for added creativity, with Grealish figuring prominently on that wish list.

Playing the 2019-20 campaign to a finish should allow Solskjaer to finalise his recruitment plans, with a fit-again Pogba set to be given another chance to prove his worth.

Former United striker Owen told Premier League Productions on the posers facing those at the Theatre of Dreams: “That’s going to be probably the most fascinating thing when they come back, whether he puts them both [Pogba and Fernandes] in the same team.

“I think it’s taken a huge bit of pressure off him that Fernandes has done fantastically well. Now he doesn’t necessarily have to put Pogba in straightaway because there’s going to be questions about whether they can play together.

“It might also accelerate the departure of Pogba now Fernandes is a brilliant player because all of a sudden, when you’re watching Manchester United you’re missing someone with creativity, you’re missing someone with vision but now since Fernandes has come in you’re not missing any of that.”

Owen added on Pogba and why moving the 27-year-old on could prove to be the best course of action: “Now he [Pogba] might just be dispensable if they get a big bid.

“If I was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I would get big money bearing in mind they’ve got Fernandes now and then you could go and invest in someone like Grealish.

“He might have the style that compliments Manchester United better than Pogba does at the moment”

With a green light having been given for Premier League action to resume amid the coronavirus pandemic, United will be back in action on June 19 when they take in a meeting with Tottenham.

Express FC forward Baker Lukooya has already set his eyes on next season to help the team do well in the Ugandan Premier League.

The winger joined the Kampala-based side in January this to help them get their footing after a poor start to the season.

However, it took time before he received his paperwork and when he eventually did, the league came to an abrupt end owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Despite his short contract with the club coming to an end at the end of the season, the 24-year-old is keen on extending his stay.

"I would want to stay at the club because I and the coach [Wasswa Bossa] have been getting along well," Lukooya told Football256.

"The club and I are in talks and I am hopeful we shall come to an understanding. I am already preparing for the new season and I can’t wait for it to get underway."

The former AFC Leopards player has also shed light on his brief stint with the club before the league was suspended.

"I have had a good time at Express since I joined, we all know the team had a change in management and we all had to adjust which we did," Lukooya added.

"But unfortunately, just when we were turning the corner, the pandemic struck."

After the league annulment by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa), Express ended in the ninth position having accumulated 31 points from the 25 matches played.

They had managed nine wins, four draws and 12 losses in the games played.

Vipers SC were declared champions of the cancelled UPL as confirmed by President Moses Magogo.

The Venoms, who were leading with 54 points, won their fourth title.  

Maroons FC, Uganda Cup defending Champions Proline FC and Tooro United, who had recently reportedly got a new owner, were relegated.

In the Fufa Big League promotion tussle, Myda FC and UPDF earned slots in the top-tier while Kiboga, Kataka, Kitara and Ndejje will face off in the play-offs to produce the third team that will grace the top-tier in the 2020/21 season.

Nabil Bentaleb has praised his Newcastle United teammates for their hard work in training ahead of the Premier League restart.

The English top-flight will resume action on June 17, more than three months after it was suspended due to coronavirus lockdown and Steve Bruce’s men are scheduled to host Sheffield United at home four days later.

Newcastle intensified their preparation with a behind-closed-doors training match at St James' Park on Saturday with the Algerian midfielder scoring a stunning goal from outside the penalty area.

He was delighted with his contribution, and he believes they will be prepared to kick on when the league resumes in a week’s time.

"No matter how much you run in training you need to get match fitness and to get match fitness you need to play so that's what we did,” Bentaleb told the club website.

"It is good for the legs and I think everybody is happy.

"We've all been craving Premier League matches and are getting close to this. We've worked really hard and hopefully, we will be ready on the day."

Bentaleb joined Newcastle United on loan from Bundesliga club Schalke 04 in January, with the Premier League outfit holding the option to make the deal permanent.

He has made six appearances for the Magpies with four yellow cards received so far.

The inter-squad match ended 1-1, however, the 25-year-old believes they are getting back their form and he praised Joelinton, who found the back of the net as well.

"For a striker, it is always good to score," he added. "You always want to create opportunities for him [Joelinton] and it is great he managed to score.

"I was looking more for getting 90 minutes in my legs but I managed to score a goal.

"We are getting back to our automatism."

Newcastle United are placed 13th on the Premier League table after gathering 35 points from 29 outings.

With media reports suggesting Bidvest Wits is being sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzihandila and winger Deon Hotto is close to securing a move to Mamelodi Sundowns, Namibian legend Henrico Botes shared his thoughts on the move.

The former Clever Boys striker explained it will be a good move for the Brave Warriors international, saying playing under coach Pitso Mosimane could definitely benefit the former Golden Arrows player.

On the other hand, Botes believes the move could make the South-West African nation proud, but warned Hotto to work hard because the Brazilians are serial winners and have a quality squad in the top-flight.

“I think he’s done well in the past couple of seasons in the PSL [Premier Soccer League]. So, it’s always difficult to move a big team, the so-called big teams in South Africa,” Botes told Goal.

“Sundowns is a successful team, they have been competing in Africa and the main thing will be the competition for a place. Sundowns always acquired the best players in the PSL. So, I think monetary wise it will be a good move for him.

“But playing-wise, he will have to prove his quality and do well. He must work and hard and prove his worth all over again. It’s not going to be easy but all I know about Pitso is that he looks for good players.

“Players that are multi-faceted and can play in different positions. With Hotto, it will help him because he played as a left-back at [Bloemfontein] Celtic.

“He can play all along on the left, he can do the job as a left-back and as a winger. Just like [Thapelo] Morena, he does well at right-back and as a winger. Hotto has a good engine, he’s fit and that’s a strength for him.

“I think he has to keep fit on the ground should the move happen.”

On the fact there is only one Namibian who has featured for the reigning PSL champions in the form of Rinie Kanalelo, the retired striker said working under Gavin Hunt has prepared Hotto well for any big move.

“For me personally, it doesn’t matter where you play. You can play for [Kaizer] Chiefs, [Orlando] Pirates, or in Europe, you just need to work and deliver when you get a chance,” added the 40-year-old.

“I mean Pitso is one of the best coaches in SA [South Africa] now and obviously it will be great for Hotto to work with Pitso. He’s been working with Gavin which he’s also up there as one of the best in the country. It’s just for him to work hard.

“Namibians, [Sydney] Plaatjies was there for a while, and although he didn’t get his chance, Ronnie spent almost eight years, close to a decade at Sundowns.

“He knows the culture and I’m sure he will advise him. Sundowns are serial winners, I mean everyone wants to play for a club like that. I trust Hotto, he’s got a good head on his shoulders and I believe it’s up to him if the moves does happen.

“It’s up to him to prove himself. I have no doubt he can do it.”

On the possibility of going overseas and competing in the Caf Champions League, the former Platinum Stars hitman backed the 28-year-old to succeed at Chloorkop.

“There’s a shortage of natural left-footed players all over the world. Even myself growing up, I always admired natural left-footed players,” he continued.

“Hotto is one of the best players that can play well. I know Hotto well during my time in the national team. I always tried to advise the young boys especially those in SA. The likes of Peter Shalulie, Hotto, [Virgil] Vries, and I always tried to give them advice.

“It’s a chance for him to take his career to the next level and start winning trophies on a regular basis. He must compete with the best, in Africa and he can go overseas. Why not?

“He’s got the talent and it’s now up to him to put in the hard work. It’s exciting and I didn’t know that there were talks he could move to Sundowns. I’m excited for him. I just hope he will do himself and Namibia proud.”

Paulo Dybala has revealed there were "conversations" with Manchester United and Tottenham over a move to the Premier League in 2019 although he didn't want to leave Juventus without proving his worth to the club.

Dybala has been a key player in Juve's squad over the last five years but had to play second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo at times last season following his arrival from Real Madrid.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner became the focal point in attack in Massimiliano Allegri's starting XI, while Dybala was shifted to a role out wide, which reduced his effectiveness in the final third.

The Argentine finished the campaign with a career-low five goals and four assists to his name from 30 appearances, leading to question marks over his future at the club.

The 26-year-old claims Juve deemed him surplus to requirements, but he chose to fight for his place at the Allianz Stadium instead of entertaining the advances of Premier League duo United and Spurs.

Dybala says Paris Saint-Germain also made contact with his entourage before he informed the Juve board of his "intention" to stay put, as he told CNN: "It was more or less last year at this point when Juventus didn't want to count on me, didn't want me to continue playing here.

"That's when I was contacted and there were some clubs that were interested in me. Among those were Manchester United and Tottenham.

"I think for a long time there were conversations, then Paris Saint-Germain also appeared.                      

"I did not speak directly to any of them, but there were conversations with the clubs. However, my intention at the time was to stay. I hadn't had a good year or a positive last six months, so I didn't want to leave with that image because I think I had given the club a lot of nice moments and it wasn't fair that I went like this.

"So I also communicated that my intention was to stay, work to grow and give my best here. Obviously it was not easy because Juventus' intentions were different, but after the market closed, there was no more time and with the arrival of [Maurizio] Sarri I grew a lot.

"The team started playing football much better and that made me stay and I've had a great year until today."

Dybala has rediscovered his best form in the 2019-20 campaign under Maurizio Sarri, who arrived from Chelsea last summer after Allegri's decision to step down.

The diminutive forward hit 13 goals and assisted another 12 in 34 outings before the season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak, and will likely continue to play a vital role in Juve's pursuit of a ninth successive Serie A crown when the action resumes on June 20.