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Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies head coach Jerry Tshabalala has reacted to an 'exciting' Cosafa Caf Women's Champions League draw that pitted his side against teams from neighbouring countries.

The Sundowns Ladies are in Group A, which also has Lesotho Defence Force, Double Action Ladies of Botswana and Eswatini's Manzini Wanderers.

"It is an exciting group that we have found ourselves in. We are drawn with teams from our neighbouring countries, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini, and I am very happy about that," Tshabalala told the media.

"I am looking forward to playing in this tournament because it is the only chance that has been given to our ladies to go out there and prove our worth on the African continent. If you look, you will see other groups have three teams, but we are in a group of four and that has advantages and disadvantages.

"I would say the advantage is it would give us enough time to catch up with the momentum and give us the opportunity to see how other teams play. The disadvantage would be that we would have less time to rest because you play more games, possibly resting one day."

Cosafa Caf Women's Champions League Groups

Group A

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Lesotho Defence Force (Lesotho)

Double Action Ladies (Botswana)

Manzini Wanderers (Eswatini)

Group B

Green Buffaloes (Zambia)

Black Rhino Queens (Zimbabwe)

TURA Magic (Namibia)

Uganda midfielder Hashim Sempala is set to seal a move to Zambian Premier League side Kabwe Warriors.

The immediate former Tusker FC captain is a free agent after his contract with the Brewers expired and he has opted to move to Zambia where he will be turning out for the Kabwe based side.

What is the length of the deal?

"The deal between Kabwe and Sempala is done and he is going to be with them for two seasons," a source close to the player told Goal on Thursday.

"He had signed a pre-contract agreement and after leaving Tusker, he had an easy time joining them. He will strengthen the team and ensure they play well in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.

"Sempala is just one of the new players who will be coming in to help the team get even better ahead of the new campaign."

What did Sempala say after leaving Tusker?

While with the Brewers, the midfielder helped them to qualify for the forthcoming Caf Champions League. The Robert Matano-led charges are favourites to win the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title.

Their former skipper wished them the best stating he will always remain a Brewer.

"Goodbyes are the hardest things that I rarely think of. It's always hard for me to say goodbye to my loved ones but when it's time, I always say so," Sempala posted on his official social media account.

"Tusker FC has been a home to me, the executive has been my parent, trust me I will forever carry you in my hearts. The fans who believed in me. I can't thank you enough because without you I wouldn't be the same, you cheered me every game I played for the beautiful club. 

"But as a man, it's always good to face new challenges in life. I wave goodbye to my beautiful Tusker FC family and promise you that I will always be a Brewer. The next destination will be communicated soon."

Ghanaian attacker Kamal Sowah is determined to play his way into Leicester City’s first team set-up.

After signing for The Foxes in January 2018, the 21-year-old has had to spend all his time away on loan at Belgian side Leuven, owing to a lack of opportunity at King Power Stadium.

He has returned to Leicester as the new season beckons, with hopes of securing a stay this time around.

“I think the quality, it's really high. Everyone is fighting for this opportunity to get into the team. Everyone wants to [impress] the manager, so you have to be able to show what you have,” Sowah told LCFC TV.

“I think I've seen a lot of good qualities. Everybody is showing really great qualities on the training ground. So, that is one of the things you always want from the first team players, especially when you come to first team football.

“You always need to show quality. The intensity has to be really high - that's something I've really noticed in the first team so far. For me, I think I've been doing okay. I've been working so hard to be able to show everyone because it's been a long time I've been in Leicester.

“So, everyone is watching to know where I've been and what I've got so I'm trying my best on the training ground.”

Sowah has already taken a giant step in his quest, making his first team debut for Leicester in a pre-season fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday.

On Wednesday, he made his second appearance, once again coming on at half-time in a defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

“I'm feeling great, especially coming back to Leicester. It's been a long time for me coming back here for me to get minutes with the first team,” said the winger.

“It's always a great thing being able to be on the pitch, getting 45 minutes under my belt. That's always the feeling - after a long holiday, you're always going to get back your fitness, really good fitness, so that's really great for me to get it back.”

Having rejected his first Ghana call-up in March, Sowah is expected to be handed a second Black Stars opportunity when they face Ethiopia and South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Kaizer Chiefs new signing Cole Alexander says he is at Naturena “to learn” despite being one of the most experienced players at the club.

Alexander was announced as a new Chiefs player earlier this week and arrives at the club having played top-flight league football in South Africa for 12 seasons plus a stint in India.

The 32-year-old midfielder is reunited with coach Stuart Baxter at Chiefs after the two worked together at SuperSport United and Indian Super League side Odisha FC.

“His [Baxter’s] results speak for themselves from the time he was last here at Chiefs. I am here for that – to play according to instructions,” Alexander told the Chiefs website.

“I am also hoping to bring some leadership into the team and doggedness and aggression, and I am also hoping to learn.

“The learner always wins. There are quality talented players around me, so I am here to learn. I just spoke to one of my family members and told them that there is everything here and you can’t have excuses being at a team like Chiefs. They look after you well. There’s everything that you need to succeed and do well.”

While insisting that the Chiefs stint is a learning curve, Alexander will join the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Daniel Akeyi, Daniel Cardoso, Erick Mathoho, Bernard Parker and Leonardo Castro as players above the age of 30 with PSL football experience.

“I try not to read too much into the media, but I still see there’s a lot out there. I can promise every Chiefs player and supporter is that I am a player who gives my best and nothing less. That’s all you can do,” said Alexander.

“I think what helps this team the most is the leadership of coach Stuart Baxter. As every player who has worked with him before will know, this guy is a leader and a tactician. If we as a team collectively follow his instruction and philosophy and we are united, we can do that.”

The midfielder has previously played for Cape Town Spurs, Chippa United, Polokwane City, SuperSport and Bidvest Wits.

“Chiefs was a team I supported growing up. I was always a fan of my local club, Hellenic. Kaizer Chiefs was my other club, so to be at Kaizer Chiefs at this stage of my career I can’t say enough how happy I am to be at a prestigious club like Chiefs,” Alexander said.

Ghana Football Association technical director Bernhard Lippert has lamented the lack of cooperation from coaches in his quest to document a blueprint for the West African country.

The German coach was appointed into his role in October last year, filling the vacancy left by the departure of Francis Oti Akenteng.

Among the former Eintracht Frankfurt caretaker coach’s responsibilities is the formulation of guidelines, strategies and policies for the training and the technical development of coaches of Ghana football, and the preparation and implementation of technical programmes at the grassroots, juvenile, and national teams.

“In our survey to find a DNA for Ghana football, I sent a questionnaire to all the Premier League, Division One, women’s league, national team coaches and ex-footballers but almost 60 percent of them has still not responded to my questions and I don’t know why,” Lippert told Angel FM.

“After going through the former GFA technical director’s blueprint that he left behind, I saw a lot of ideas and I can’t fathom why he couldn’t draft any football philosophy for Ghana.”

Lippert’s only past experience with a national outfit was a role as technical director of the Associations of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), where he also coached the nation's U17, U19 and U21 teams.

He was in the Azerbaijani technical directorship job since 2008 until his appointment for the Ghana position.

"Football is not so difficult; it is the same everywhere, but we only have different kinds of organisations, structures and different kinds of culture and education which is very important to develop a country’s football," Lippert said in October last year, shortly after taking up the Ghana challenge.

"We have to find out the DNA of this country, which means we have to develop our national football philosophy which I cannot decide alone.

"So I need the help of the people in this country to define the DNA of the country and then follow a structured way through which youth football will be organized and bring it through the youth national teams to the top."

Ghana, four-time African champions at senior level, U17 world champions in 1991 and 1995, and U20 world champions in 2009, are seeking to turn around their recent disappointing fortunes at the international stage.

Ghana international Christian Atsu has cautioned the new faces in the Black Stars camp against complacency.

A new generation of Black Stars is on the horizon, the breed including Ajax playmaker Mohammed Kudus, Stade Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Steadfast teenager Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

Southampton centre-back Mohammed Salisu and Leicester City winger Kamal Sowah are also expected to soon join the Black Stars, having turned down previous invites.

“Ghanaians gave me the support and everything a country needed to give to a player. Ghanaians gave 100 percent,” 29-year-old Atsu, who burst onto the international scene as a 20-year-old Porto winger in 2012, told 3Sports.

“Now for Kudus and the other younger ones, they [Ghanaians] need to support them. It is not easy to be consistent but they must give all the support. I know Ghana is building a team now, it takes time and it is not easy but they need to be patient with them.”

“My advice to the young players is that they don’t have many chances in the Black Stars. A lot of people are fighting for positions, so when you have your chance, just take it, this is football and it is about chance.

“Everyone knows how to play football. Don’t tell yourself you are young because [Kylian] Mbappe and [Erling Braut] Haaland are young but are playing at the top level.”

Arguably, Ghana’s biggest ambition is to win the Africa Cup of Nations tournament again, having endured a series of disappointments since their last title in 1982.

In 2015, the Black Stars, inspired by Atsu, went close to ending their drought but were unlucky to give up a lead during a penalty shoot-out with Cote d’Ivoire to end up as the losing side.

“I still don’t believe we lost that tournament,” the attacker, who won the Player of the Tournament in Equatorial Guinea, said.

“That trophy was like when someone gives you something; you just take it. And today I’ll say Ghanaians are right, whatever words they say to us, we deserve it because we gave the tournament away and it was really bad.

“Until now I feel very sad that I am 29, I’m growing and I’ve still not won the Afcon title, and it’s very sad.”

“I’d say with the kind of players we have, we shouldn’t be speaking about the Black Stars not winning the Afcon for like 35 years or 36 years. It shouldn’t be possible.

“Ghana has produced a lot of top talent like Michael Essien, Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah, Dede Ayew. It’s crazy, but this is the situation we are in.”

Atsu, who recently signed for Saudi side Al Raed, will be hoping to make the Ghana team for possibly his last quest for an Afcon title when the tournament comes around again in January.

Football supporters have expressed mixed reactions after the unveiling of the new Football Kenya Federation Premier League trophy which was unveiled on Wednesday.

The big five wild animals on the trophy are a lion, cheetah, buffalo, elephant and the Rhino. The trophy stands at 80cm and weighs 11kgs.

The wait for the 24-carat trophy has dragged on, with FKF President Nick Mwendwa confirming to Goal its arrival had been hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic traveling protocols and, initially, there was uncertainty whether the winning team will take home a trophy when the season ends on August 22.  

After arriving, the administrator unveiled it on a local TV station, and the fans have now taken to their social media accounts to express their diverse views. 

Andre-Pierre Gignac says he has no intention of retiring despite his advancing years and is already eyeing a place in the France Olympic squad for the Paris Games in 2024 – when he will be 38.

The Tigres UANL striker, one of three over-age players in the France squad, has impressed in Tokyo despite their elimination at the group stage, ending the competition with four goals in three matches.

Thoughts are already starting to drift towards a home Games in just three years’ time and Gignac is ready to be a part of it, stating his belief that Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann could join him.

What was said?

Gignac was unsurprisingly selected to be captain of a youthful French side made up largely of U23 players.

The Games represented a chance for him to earn international honours having won the last of his 36 senior caps in 2016.

He ended their Olympic campaign with four goals, including a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 win over South Africa. However, heavy defeats to Mexico and hosts Japan meant Les Bleus bowed out at the group stage on what was their first appearance at an Olympics for 25 years.

Reflecting on their early exit Gignac accepted they were not quite good enough, particularly defensively, to make it through to the knockout stages.

“It was a great adventure, but when the step is too high, it is too high," he said.

“Before the game against Japan, we believed. I thought we could do it but when you see their team set up, it's complicated.

“When you conceded eleven goals in three games, it's too hard.”

At 35, many will see this as Gignac’s last chance of international glory, though he doesn’t see it that way.

With a home Games on the horizon the former Marseille forward is ready to pull on the blue shirt again – and reckons Barcelona’s forward Griezmann and PSG superstar Mbappe will join him as over-age players in Paris.

"I will play until I'm 40, but I see Antoine, who is a lot behind the France team on Twitter, who is positioning himself [for a place in the squad]," he added.

"Kylian said he wanted to do them and we'll see. Who will be the third?”

Further reading

U.S. Soccer confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. men's national team will play host to Costa Rica in Columbus in October's World Cup qualifier.

The announcement comes just one day after the federation confirmed Cincinnati will play host to the upcoming qualifier against Mexico after years of that particular fixture being held in Columbus.

But the newly-opened Lower.com Field will play host to a key qualifier with Costa Rica set to head to Columbus for the match on October 13.

What was said?

“One thing you can count on in Columbus is unwavering support for the U.S. team, and that’s going to be critical in helping us get a win against Costa Rica,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said.

“Having coached there for five years and then attending opening day of the new stadium, I know first-hand just how incredible the bond is between the team and the fans. We can’t wait to play there.”

A return to Columbus

The city of Columbus has hosted 10 World Cup qualifiers since 2000 as the city has long been seen as the unofficial home of the USMNT's biggest games.

In those 10 games, the U.S. has amassed a 7-1-2 record at the former Columbus Crew stadium, with the upcoming match the first at Lower.com Field, which opened earlier this year.

The match will also represent a homecoming for Berhalter, who coached the Crew for five seasons before taking over the USMNT.

When asked about the USMNT's venue selection on Thursday, Berhalter stressed the importance of learning from last cycle's mistakes, namely the decision to host Costa Rica in front of a split crowd in New Jersey in 2017.

The schedule ahead

The U.S. is set to travel to El Salvador for a match on September 2 to start their World Cup qualifying run.

Three days later, they'll play host to Canada in Nashville before completing their first triple-game break with a trip to Honduras for a match on September 8.

October also features a three-game schedule in seven days, starting with a match against Jamaica in Austin on October 7.

And, before facing Costa Rica on the 13th, the U.S. will travel to Panama for the middle game of the three-game set.

November's break will only feature two games: the clash with Mexico in Cincinnati and a visit to Jamaica.

Further reading

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Amad Diallo’s future will be discussed after his outing with Ivory Coast at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The Ivorian star faces fierce competition for playing time next season with the recent brilliance of Anthony Elanga in pre-season friendlies and the transfer of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund earlier this week.

He played just eight matches last season following his arrival from Atalanta, and he opened his goal account for the Red Devils with the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with AC Milan in March.

With questions surrounding Diallo’s chances of regular first-team football next season, a loan deal might be in the works but the Norwegian coach is patient for his return from Japan.

Rashford is nursing a shoulder injury since last year and he has been touted for an operation this summer, with Solskjaer confirming a planned medical assessment next week.

“We think about every single player's and the club's best pathway – what’s best for this season, what’s best for the future,” Solskjaer told the club’s website. “Amad's enjoying the Olympics and we’ll sit down towards the end of the window to see how we are.

“Of course, with Elanga, a decision on him is a big one. There’s Marcus and his injury status, so we’ll make a decision on Amad when he comes back and sit down with him.”

Diallo is expected to be in action for Ivory Coast when they battle Spain U23 in the quarter-finals of the Olympic men's football competition on Saturday.

He previously played in all the Elephants’ group matches - their 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia followed by draws against Brazil (0-0) and Germany (1-1).

With the Olympics football event set to end on August 7, it remains to be seen if the former Atalanta youngster will be ready in time for Manchester United’s Premier League opening fixture against Leeds United a week later.

Manchester United need to be keeping "world-class" Paul Pogba, says Clayton Blackmore, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told "there aren't many better midfielders in the world".

A World Cup winner at Old Trafford continues to see a summer move mooted, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be keen on returning the France international to his homeland.

Pogba has entered the final year of his current contract, which is keeping the rumour mill ticking over, but Blackmore believes the 28-year-old should be retained by an ambitious outfit.

What has been said?

The former United defender has, speaking in association with BonusFinder, told Goal: "If I was the manager then I'd be looking to try and keep him because he's a world-class player.

"He's not everyone's cup of tea, but for me he makes things happen when he's on the pitch.

"I don't think the press he gets helps. They've reported that PSG want him which I don't think is true and if I was Ole [Gunnar Solskjer], I would be wanting to keep him for as long as possible because there aren't many better midfielders in the world."

Who could step up if Pogba goes?

If United are backed into a corner with Pogba, as they will be reluctant to lose him as a free agent in 2022, then someone else will need to step up.

Solskjaer has plenty of creative playmakers at his disposal, including Netherlands international Donny van de Beek.

The 24-year-old is clearly talented but, having struggled for game time last season, Blackmore is not convinced that he is ready to become a talismanic presence.

He added: "I like Donny Van de Beek but he's not as good as Paul Pogba.

"I don't think he makes as big an impact on the game as Pogba does, maybe he would if given a chance.

"There are players in that area where Ole needs to find a balance, Van de Beek is a hard-working player, but he hasn't had that run of four or five games to prove himself.

"You need that as a player to feel a part of the team and it'll give him confidence if he gets that run of games."

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs will not have six key players available for Sunday’s Carling Black Label Cup encounter against Orlando Pirates.

Star midfielder Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic are some of the high-profile players who will miss the match against traditional foes Pirates.

Defender Siyabonga Ngezana, Lebogang Manayama and Dumisani Zuma will also not be able to take part.

Billiat and Nurkovic were both voted into the Chiefs starting XI by fans ahead of Sunday’s game but will be unavailable.

“We have quite a long list out. Lebo Manyama, Leo Castro, are definitely out. Zuma is out. A couple of players left us,” said Baxter as per iDiski Times.

“Khama went down today with some sort of flu. We need to be careful and do all the Covid-19 tests. Siya has gone down with a hamstring history. Samir, also is recovering from a knee injury.  The list is long, there are a lot of players who won’t be included.”

Chiefs will also start life without Willard Katsande whose contract was not renewed by Baxter.

Despite the players missing from the squad, high expectations remain on the Soweto giants for this encounter, expectations Baxter was keen to downplay.

“As a coach you’ve got to be very careful making hot air type of promises just to stir up enthusiasm‚” said Baxter as per Sowetan Live.

“Kaizer Chiefs have not won anything for a long time. They have gotten close‚ but they’ve not won anything. When I first came it was the same sort of situation.  Now I didn’t promise that I would win something in the first year when I was here before‚ and I won’t promise that now. 

“Because those sort of over-optimistic promises in some way put pressure on these players who have got to go out and deliver that. But what I will promise them [the supporters] is that the work that we do here at Naturena will prepare these soldiers for battle. 

“And when we go into battle I will promise them that we will not sell ourselves cheaply. That will be a promise that I will make them. Now hopefully that will lead to results, confidence in the group, belief in what we’re doing, and that will fuel better results, and we will then kick on, and start to bring some pride to the supporters, and pride to the players. 

“And I’m not saying it’s not been done before, but I’m just saying that is what needs to be done if we’re going to have the sort of results that we need to pick up some silverware.”

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has confirmed that four of his players will be out of the Carling Black Label Cup tie against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday. 

The match at Orlando Stadium will see captain Happy Jele, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Zakhele Lepasa and Zimbabwean attacker Terrence Dzvukamanja ruled out.

Zinnbauer describes the injuries as “disruptive” as he has to adjust his squad with derby bragging rights at stake.

“It’s a big thing as a coach that you have more weeks now. Important as well is that you have players on the pitch,” said Zinnbauer as per Sowetan Live.

“This time we don't have so many injuries like last season. Okay‚ right now we have four or five players out‚ like [Tshegofatso] Mabasa‚ [Zakhele] Lepasa‚ Happy [Jele]‚ [Terrence] Dzvukamanja and Vincent Pule. That’s a little bit disruptive but it's much better than last season.”

While Zinnbauer appears to be wearing a brave face amid the injury concerns, he cannot be pleased that injury problems are here again before his team has even kicked a ball. 

All the players ruled out of Sunday's clash spent some considerable amount of time injured last season.

Injuries to Mabasa, Lepasa and Dzvukamanja gave Zinnbauer a headache by limiting the coach’s attacking options.

That saw the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch and Deon Hotto being fielded as central strikers while Jele's absence led to a crisis at the back.

Zinnbauer was, however, keen to focus on the extra time they have to prepare for this season compared to last.

“We now have close to five weeks’ preparation, last season it was two,” Zinnbauer said.

“We can work on private talks – like now we have team team-building sessions alone with the players‚ without coaches and with coaches. 

“And that’s the next thing we can improve – how we can integrate the new signings in the team quickly.  “It’s not everything – we also have to work hard. It’s a bit of a different style than what we had last season and I’m really happy at how the team is working hard on that.

“We have more time now. But you need players available. But we have a good squad now. Yes, last season we were happy – the last six years we didn’t have a cup and we won a cup.”

Pirates won last season’s MTN8 which was the German’s first and only silverware attained while in charge of the Soweto giants.

“We want to win all the cups. Especially for clubs like Pirates, Chiefs or Sundowns. We saw in the last few years that it’s not so easy. Last season we saw AmaZulu [finish second in the league],” said Zinnbauer. 

“But it’s possible. Now we have a chance. Last season we had players who had not played a game in a continental competition, like Caf. And now we have more experience.  We have players who have adapted more to the system. As a coach, I'm the same – I have adapted more to the culture now.”

Pirates have been training in Rustenburg where they set up a pre-season base camp. 

Dani Carvajal has signed a contract extension with Real Madrid that will tie him to the Liga giants through to 2025.

The Spain international right-back is a long-serving member of the Blancos fold, having been returned to Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell in 2013.

He remains a key part of future plans in the Spanish capital, despite now being 29 years of age, and will be sticking around for at least another four seasons.

What has been said?

Announcing the deal on the club's official website, the Blancos have said: "Real Madrid C. F. and Dani Carvajal have agreed a contract extension which will tie the player to the club for the next four seasons, up until 30 June 2025."

Carvajal's record with Real Madrid

The hard-working defender is a product of Real's famed academy system.

He initially saw a route to the first team blocked and linked up with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.

Just one season in Germany was enough to convince the Blancos that they had made a mistake.

Carvajal has been a regular ever since retracing his steps to Madrid, with 294 outings taken in across eight years.

He will now get a chance to smash through the 300-appearance barrier after committing to fresh terms.

Carvajal saw his 2020-21 campaign cut short by injury, with Euro 2020 dreams also dashed by a hamstring complaint, but he is raring to go ahead of the new season.

Real have a pre-season date with AC Milan to take in on August 8, before opening a La Liga title bid away at Alaves on August 14.

Further reading