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Max Allegri has confirmed he turned down the chance to manage Real Madrid in order to have a second spell in charge of Juventus, saying he is looking forward to the "amusing" challenge of restoring the Turin giants to the top of Serie A.

Allegri was unveiled as Juventus manager for the second time on Tuesday, returning two years after he departed with Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo both having failed to replace him adequately in the Allianz Stadium dugout.

Madrid were keen to bring him in when Zinedine Zidane departed at the end of last season, however he rejected the chance to move to Spain in order to try and get Juve back to the top of Serie A after they lost their league crown to Inter.

What has been said?

Allegri told his press conference on Tuesday: “I must thank Real Madrid president for the opportunity he gave me. I picked Juventus because of my love for this club and because I believe in this young team. It’s going to be amusing to coach these players, but we must win as well. It’s the most important thing.

“I feel thrilled. I’ve had all young players so far, good players who did well on Saturday in the first friendly match of the summer. The first-team players are coming back, they will all be available from Tuesday. Now it’s not time to talk about the past, we need to focus on the future.

“I thank the other clubs who had made an offer to me, but I woke up in the morning and called Andrea [Agnelli], asking him for a meeting. I am grateful he allowed me to return to coaching and win, which is what matters the most. I watched many games during my time off, especially at the end of the second year.

“I begin a new chapter at Juventus, this team is made of many young players who need to develop. There are also experienced players, such as Ronaldo, Chiellini and Bonucci. These three must be an added value for the club and the team, bringing experience and technique on the pitch, but they must also be role models for the young players.

“What we did will remain in history. Two years ago we decided to part ways, now we start from scratch to achieve our goals.

“I am proud that Juventus called me and I am proud of the fans’ love. From now, we just need to focus on the pitch.

“Juventus’ DNA is a particular one, every win comes from daily work. I found a team that won one title in the last two seasons and two more trophies last term. They did a good job, and I have a good team.”

Allegri and Real Madrid

When Zidane departed Madrid after the end of the 2020-21 campaign, Goal learned that Allegri was the preferred choice of Real's board to step into Zidane's shoes.

However he turned them down, having previously rejected another offer to leave Juve for Madrid in 2018.

Further Reading

The ninth edition of the Carling Black Label Cup is set to take place on August 1 at the Mecca of South African football, Orlando Stadium. 

Here, Goal provides you with all the information you need to know about the Carling Black Label Cup:

What is it?

The Carling Black Label Cup is an annual one-day match that was established in 2011.

It is organized and sponsored by a Canadian beer company, Carling Black Label, who decided to empower fans by getting them to have a big say on this fixture.

Fans become managers as they select the sides by submitting a code found on Carling products and they also get to decide the team’s formation, captain, penalty taker, substitutes as well as the man of the match.

Furthermore, two lucky fans, one from each team also have an opportunity of being 'champion coaches' on the day on the matchday.

The two champion coaches get to announce the starting line-ups live on national TV, have breakfast with the team, attend training sessions, be part of the matchday briefing and sit on the dugout on matchday.

When does it take place?

The Carling Black Label Cup is traditionally a curtain-raiser to the new Premier Soccer League season and it usually takes place on the last weekend of July each year.  

The two clubs' new signings get to feature in the high-profile pre-season match as they look to impress heading into the new campaign. 

The pre-season encounter has been cancelled twice since 2011 with the 2018 edition having been called off due to the Fifa World Cup finals which was hosted by Russia that year. 

This was because AB InBev, the company that owns Carling Black Label had one of their products, Budweiser as a sponsor to the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Who is playing?

The Carling Black Label Cup features two of the biggest football clubs in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates, who hail from the country's largest township, Soweto.

Dubbed the 'Soweto Derby', matches between Chiefs and Pirates are among the most fiercely contested derbies in world football, and the two rivals attract a large fanbase.

However, for the first time since 2011, the Carling Black Label Cup will be played in front of an empty stadium this weekend due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The iconic FNB Stadium has staged the famous match since 2011, but this year's game will take place at Orlando Stadium. 

Who are the current champions?

Orlando Pirates are the reigning Carling Black Label Cup champions having won the 2019 edition after defeating Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in an enthraling encounter.

It was Pirates' fifth triumph making them the most successful team in the history of the pre-season match with Chiefs having clinched it three times.

The last time Amakhosi lifted the trophy was in 2017 after they secured a 1-0 win over Pirates.

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of Dutch forward Donyell Malen from PSV as they look to rebuild their attack following the departure of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United - and amid continuing speculation about Erling Haaland.

Malen, 22, fits the profile of a rising star the Bundesliga club so often seeks out. He scored 19 goals and supplied eight assists in the Eredivisie last season before assisting twice for the Netherlands at Euro 2020.

Once a member of Arsenal's academy, he has experience playing outside of his home nation that could serve him well in Germany.

Dortmund unveil Malen

Malen was pictured alongside head coach Marco Rose at Borussia Dortmund training on Tuesday at his official unveiling.

Malen's record at PSV

The young striker scored 55 goals in 116 total appearances for the club. Malen has also struck twice for his national team, though he was unable to find the net at the Euros.

Bigger picture

Borussia Dortmund are constantly developing high-level players before often selling them elsewhere, and Malen will be expected to fill some of the final-third production of the departing Sancho.

Plus, striker Erling Haaland is rumoured to be a transfer target of several Premier League clubs and may eventually move elsewhere, although perhaps not this summer.

Arsenal receive payout

The Gunners will reportedly receive around £250,000 - or 1.5 per cent of the final transfer fee - because of a clause in the agreement that sent Malen from their academy to PSV in 2017, according to football.london. Borussia Dortmund have not immediately confirmed the fee for Malen.

Further reading

Kenya representatives Tusker FC have been pooled in Group B of the upcoming Cecafa Kagame Cup to be played between August 1 and 15 in Tanzania.

According to the draw conducted on Tuesday, the Brewers will come up against Tanzania’s Azam FC and South Sudan’s Atlabara while Group A will have defending champions Uganda’s KCCA FC, Burundi’s Le Messanger Ngozi FC, and Zanzibar’s KMKM FC.

Group C will have Tanzania’s Yanga FC, Malawi’s Nyasa Big Bullets, and Uganda’s Express FC.

The first and second teams from each group will proceed to the tournament’s finals, alongside the two best runners up.

Why are Tusker representing Kenya

Tusker are representing Kenya after Football Kenya Federation gave them the ticket by virtue of topping the current league table and also having sealed the slot for the next season’s Caf Champions League.

Their participation has received sharp opposition from outgoing FKF league champions Gor Mahia, who feel they deserved to take part in the tournament.

In a recent interview, FKF President Nick Mwendwa explained to Goal why they had settled on Tusker and not Gor Mahia.

“We are now playing a new Kagame Cup since the previous one was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so the time Gor were to represent the country has been overtaken by events, and instead, Tusker will go for the competition,” Mwendwa told Goal.

“Cecafa wanted a name of the team to represent Kenya and we settled on Tusker because they are topping the 18-team table but we will also give an official statement to clarify on the same position soon.”

Last Friday, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier confirmed in a signed statement they will take part in the tournament.

"We would like to confirm our participation in the forthcoming Cecafa Kagame Cup 2021 tournament slated to kick off in Dar es Salaam next month,” read part of the statement obtained by Goal. 

“We will soon send the official list of players and members of the technical bench who will make the trip to represent the country as has been directed by the federation, being the defending league champions."

Group A:  KCCA (Uganda), Le Messanger Ngozi FC (Burundi), KMKM FC (Zanzibar).

Group B: AZAM FC ( Tanzania), Atlabara (South Sudan), Tusker (Kenya).

Group C: Yanga FC (Tanzania), Nyasa Big Bullets (Malawi), Express FC (Uganda).

The U.S. women's national team's (USWNT) best front three combination is Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath and Christen Press, says former World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Speaking on All of US: The U.S. Women's Soccer Show by Goal, Solo was discussing the selection dilemma that head coach Vlatko Andonovski faces going into the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games, where the United States will take on the Netherlands.

She also spoke about the goalless draw with Australia that rounded off the team's group stage, the performance of the U.S. so far and whether they have what it takes to win the gold medal.

What has Solo said?

Looking ahead to Friday's game against the Netherlands, analysing what team Andonovski could pick, Solo was asked about the dilemma the coach has between picking either Heath or Megan Rapinoe on the wing.

"You can pick so many different players for a starting line-up, but you have to really look at who plays best together," she told Goal.

"I think time and time again, there's been a combination up front that has played better together than other combinations. For me, that would be Tobin, Carli Lloyd and Christen Press on the right.

"That's the best attacking combination. They play really well together and to bring Alex [Morgan] and Megan Rapinoe on subs is scary for teams. For me, that truly is the best combination."

There is also an interesting selection to be made in defence, between Tierna Davidson and Abby Dahlkemper, as well as in the midfield, with one of Sam Mewis or Lindsey Horan likely to miss out in the starting line-up for the quarter-final.

"In the back, I think you stick with with Davidson," Solo added. "I think she played great [vs Australia]. There weren't as many gaps and spaces in the defence. I have no idea what Vlatko is going to do there. That's a huge decision for him, especially since the defence has [given] up quite a [few] mistakes, and marking in the box issues.

"In terms of the midfield, I'm 100% all in for [Rose] Lavelle and [Julie] Ertz. Then, Horan, for me, is who I would stick with because of her football IQ.

"Sam, she can run up and down the field. She can win those air balls, which is really important, especially in a physical battle, which the quarter-final will be.

"For me Lindsey Horan, she's not afraid of that physical play either but her soccer IQ is probably one of the best that I've seen, so I would want her in the midfield."

'I believe the USWNT will still win gold'

Speaking on the preview show of All of US ahead of the Games, Solo highlighted that there was no reason why the U.S. should lose in Japan.

However, after seeing their 44-game unbeaten streak snapped by Sweden in the first game in a humiliating 3-0 defeat, there has been a reassessment of whether they really are the favourites to win the gold medal.

Asked if her view on who the front-runner is has changed, Solo said: "I believe [the USWNT] are the favorite to win this tournament.

"I know that Sweden put on the best performance of any team thus far, but as I've said, if they play up to their ability, if one player steps up who can carry the game - there are a lot of stars on this American side, so many different players can step up - I truly believe that they're still gonna win gold."

Further reading

Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu believes footage of alleged fixed matches on the final matchday of the Ghana Premier League should not have been made public.

The West Africans’ elite domestic league has been caught up in controversy after viral social media videos showed what has been described as “deliberate loose goals” in some matches, particularly in the tie between Ashanti Gold and Inter Allies as well as the fixture between Wonders and Legon Cities.

Things turned from bad to worse after Allies player Hashmin Musah admitted to intentionally scoring two own goals in an attempt to foil suspected match-fixing.

“Look, there are some news that we have to protect. For me, if I was a GFA member, that cameraman at Obuasi [whose footage was leaked to the public] would be sacked today,” Osei-Fosu told Luv FM.

“The video is for the GFA so whoever wants the video will have to go to the GFA to apply for it. Never think that the English Premier League that we watch, everything that happens on the pitch they give to us, no.

“There are policies in using such footage or materials. So, things that will put their product into disrepute they don’t have to show it because you have to protect the integrity of the product.”

The matchday squad, including players and officials of Allies and Ashanti Gold, are currently under investigation by the Ghana Football Association and Ghana Police.

Ashanti Gold duo Seth Osei and Samed Mohammed have been summoned to face the GFA Investigation Team on Thursday.

“I don’t even want to go on the media house because if I go on the media house that has gone for accreditation to run commentary and you bring out a video publicly, you have broken the copyright rules,” Hearts management member Frank Nelson Nwokolo opines, as reported by Joy Sports.

“The media house has no accreditation for video and that is the point. The only group that has accreditation for video for our league is StarTimes and that video did not come from them.

“If we were serious in Ghana, they wouldn’t have done that. Because next season if I was to be part of that decision making that media house will not get accreditation to even run commentary.”

Nwokolo’s Hearts side won the league, their 20th title in history.

Barcelona and Ilaix Moriba have still not finalised a new contract agreement with matters turning ugly, however Goal can confirm the Catalan club remains hopeful the issue can be resolved soon.

Manager Ronald Koemann does not want to even consider the possibility one of the pearls of La Masia will leave for free once their deal ends at the end of next season.

In an extreme tactic, the Blaugrana have held him out of all pre-season training with the first team and will not allow him to play in any competition until an agreement is reached - but the relationship between the club and Ilaix has improved in recent days, with a possible deal until June 2024 now under serious consideration.

What is the status of the contract talks?

A couple of weeks ago negotiations were at a standstill, with some at Barcelona even suspecting interference from  rivals Real Madrid to sabatoge discussions, which the young player's representation strongly denied. 

In recent days it seems harmony between Barcelona and Ilaix has been restored. The player's representatives are more open to a renewal of his contract for the next three seasons, until June 2024, when he will be 21 years old.

Ilaix wants to triumph at Barcelona and the Blaugrana want to avoid losing one of their main hopes for the future from their academy.

Koeman wants him in pre-season and believes he could feature prominently in the upcoming Liga campaign if matters are resolved.

In the absence of big-money signings for Barcelona, the head coach knows he must lean on his young players and has every intention of giving Ilaix the chance to be a breakout star as Pedri was last year.

It has been a difficult time for the 18-year-old, who earlier this week said people had left racist comments under his social media posts because he hadn't renewed yet.

Further reading

Zambia President Edgar Lungu has heaped praise on the women’s national team despite their exit from the Tokyo Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The Copper Queens, who were making their first appearance in the games, failed to reach the quarter-finals after losing 1-0 against Brazil in their final Group F match at Saitama Stadium.

Zambia under coach Bruce Mwape were stopped by the South American giants after Alves Andressa scored from a well-taken free-kick in the 19th minute to end their stay in Tokyo after they had earlier lost goalkeeper Hazel Nali to injury and key defender Lushomo Mweemba to a straight red card.

Despite the exit, Zambia’s Head of State has hailed the team’s resilience during the games saying the girls will pick many positives from Tokyo adding he was proud of what they had achieved.

“It was a great performance at the Olympics by our Copper Queens and despite bowing out of the tournament, there are many positives to pick from the young ladies,” Lungu wrote on his social media pages.

"One word that describes their performance today [Tuesday] is resilience. Despite the red card and a nasty injury to our goalkeeper, the girls remained resilient against a strong opponent. You are the quintessence of hard work, which is the true Zambian spirit.

“You kept your chin up against the best in the world. You are world-class yourselves. Well done girls. You have represented your country and continent well and we are proud of you.”

Zambia started the competition with a 10-3 defeat against the Netherlands and then they produced a gallant display to force a 4-4 draw against China in their second outing.

The team also saw their captain Barbra Banda make history by becoming the first female to score multiple hat-tricks in a single Olympic tournament having scored three goals against Netherlands and three against China.

Manchester United have confirmed an agreement with Real Madrid for the signing of Raphael Varane.

The 28-year-old centre-back will become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second major signing of the summer after the arrival of Jadon Sancho earlier in the month. 

The two clubs agreed a fee, understood to be £34million ($47m) plus add ons, on Monday and the deal is now subject to medical before Varane signs what will be a four-year contract at Old Trafford.

What has been said?

A statement from the Premier League club read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of French international defender and World Cup winner, Raphael Varane, subject to a medical and to player terms being finalised."

What do we know about the deal? 

There was progress made in negotiations between the two clubs over the weekend, with agreements reached on personal terms and a final agreement reached on a fee on Monday. 

Goal understands the base fee is £34m plus £7m ($9m) in add-ons, meaning United could shell out as much as £41m ($56m). 

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will pay a solidarity payment of £1m to the defender's former club Lens.

The deal is for four years, plus a 12-month extension option. Varane will come to the UK after he and his family have sorted their visas and they will have to quarantine on arrival. His medical will be after the quarantine period has ended. 

Why Varane? 

United have been working on a deal for the France international since concluding the transfer of Sancho. He has won the Champions League four times and the World Cup once and his winning mentality will be a boost to Solskjaer’s side.

His current deal with Madrid was due to expire next year but he made it clear to the Liga giants he did not want to sign fresh terms as he wanted a fresh challenge. Madrid knew if they did not sell this summer they risked losing him on a free transfer next year, as they did with Sergio Ramos this summer.

Further Reading

Willard Katsande is among the players who have been released by Kaizer Chiefs who are preparing for the forthcoming PSL campaign.

The Zimbabwean has been a long-serving player at Amakhosi having signed in 2011 from Ajax Cape Town. But with the club having already confirmed the arrival of 10 new players, they have opted to part ways with the veteran midfielder who made 326 appearances for the Soweto heavyweights.

"Special mention goes to Willard Katsande who spent the last decade with Chiefs, giving his all. He is a consummate professional who was dedicated to his work and ready to fight for the team, like a soldier," Chiefs said in a statement obtained by Goal.

After a poor domestic season that saw Chiefs end their campaign in eighth position, new coach Stuart Baxter has opted to make changes.

Who is joining Katsande out of Chiefs?

"Another player who has been released is Kgotso Moleko, who joined Chiefs a year after Katsande in 2012," read part of the statement.

"The defender came to Chiefs from Bloemfontein Celtic. Just like Katsande, he was part of the team that lifted two league titles and four league trophies with the Glamour Boys.

"Philani Zulu will also not have his contract extended when it expires at the end of the month. He played 98 official matches and contributed four goals during his four seasons with Amakhosi. Goalkeeper Brylon Petersen will also head for the exit door after Chiefs signed another keeper last week."

Who is on Amakhosi's transfer list?

The Caf Champions League finalists have also confirmed several players are on the transfer list and interested teams can open negotiations.

"Attacker Lazarous Kambole will be made available for other Clubs to acquire his services on a loan or permanent basis. He has played 40 matches in the two seasons he’s been with Amakhosi," Chiefs continued.

"Also on the transfer list is Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya who is Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy’s product. He has played 53 matches but has been struggling with game time in the last two seasons. 25-year-old Yagan Sasman will also join the transfer list. He played 32 matches and scored 3 goals for the Glamour Boys."

Amakhosi are aiming at winning the league in the forthcoming campaign.

Football Association of Zambia has named Beston Chambeshi as the new head coach for the national team with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the federation’s Communications Manager Sydney Mungala and obtained by Goal, Chambeshi has been handed the vacant role, a week after they parted ways with Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic on mutual agreement.

“Following the mutual separation between the Football Association of Zambia [Faz] and Milutin [Sredojevic], the executive committee met on July 24, 2021, to chart the way forward,” read part of the statement.

“Considering the forthcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers in September-November, and the lengthy recruitment process, it would not be possible to employ a substantive national coach.

“In view of the short time before the commencement of the World Cup qualifiers, Faz has announced a reconstituted interim technical bench for the senior men’s national team to be headed by Beston [Chambeshi], who will be assisted by Numba Mumamba.”

The statement continued: “In addition, the executive committee appointed Croatian Aljosa Asanovic as Technical Advisor as part of the technical bench. The reconstituted bench will be in charge for three months.

“Faz has confidence in both Chambeshi and Mumamba on account of their previous performances with various national teams.

“Chambeshi was head coach of the U20 side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and guided Zambia to the 2017 U20 Fifa World Cup where they reached a historic quarter-final place while Mumamba led Zambia to their first-ever Cosafa U17 title in 2017 and has also been head coach of the U20 national team.

“He has also previously served as an assistant coach at the senior national team. Faz is grateful to Nkana and Zesco United for allowing the duo to serve club and country as coaches for a short-term period.”

On why they had appointed Asanovic, Mungala explained: “The inclusion of Asanovic is to ensure there are no gaps in the performance of the national teams.

“The 55-year-old Asanovic served as assistant coach of the Croatia Football National Team from 2006-2012 under Slaven Bilic. He also served as an assistant coach for Lokomotiv Moscow among other club designations. In his playing career, he starred for Italian giants Napoli and Panathinaikos in Greece.

“Faz wishes to thank the Croatian Football Association for allowing Asanovic to take up this appointment, away from his role at the Association where he serves as an instructor in the technical directorate in Croatia.

“Faz is focused on ensuring that we enter the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers with a solid technical bench.”

Zambia are in Group B of the World Cup qualifiers alongside Tunisia, Mauritania, and Equatorial Guinea.

Chelsea are in talks with Sevilla over the potential purchase of star defender Jules Kounde and could include offer Kurt Zouma in a swap, Goal can confirm.

Kounde is willing to join the Blues, but Sevilla would only sell for the right price having already raised funds from the sale of Bryan Gil to Tottenham.

The 22-year-old started 33 league matches for Sevilla this past campaign, with his play good enough to earn him a spot on France's Euro 2020 squad.

More to come...

Lucy Bronze and Ellen White have been lighting up Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the women's side claiming a 2-0 win over Chile in their opening game before seeing off hosts Japan in the follow-up.

Yet while Team GB have a women's side competing that includes an array of star names, there is no men's football team.

So how come there is a women's football team and not a men's? Goal takes a look.

Why isn't there a men's Team GB football team at the 2020 Olympics?

There is no men's Team GB at the Olympics because the trio of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have raised fears that releasing their players would put their being recognised as independent Home Nations at risk in the eyes of FIFA.

FIFA have previously stated that it would only accept Team GB's entry to the Olympics if all four home nations were in agreement.

At the London 2012 Olympics, Great Britain named a men's team at an Olympic Games for the first time since 1972 – and the first time ever that there was a women’s side.

The associations from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales then failed to agree on terms for Rio 2016, when neither the men's nor women's football sides were entered.

No discussions about the topic were made for the men's Team GB football team at the 2020 Olympics.

Why is there a women's Team GB football team at the 2020 Olympics?

England's fourth-placed finish at the 2019 Women's World Cup earned them a spot at the Olympics through one of UEFA's three allocated slots – as Team GB.

Europe use competitions such as the men’s UEFA Under-21 Championship and FIFA Women’s World Cup to decide Olympic qualification.

Only male footballers under the age of 23 are allowed to compete at the Olympics - other than three nominated overage players - while there is no age limit for women's football.

Will there be a men's Team GB football team at future Olympics?

While there are no set plans for a men's Team GB football team in the future, Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England has revealed his desires of seeing one at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

He hinted that the potential success of the women's team could pave the way for a Team GB men's team being assembled.

"I would absolutely love to take a men's football team to the Olympic Games," said England. "I think the experiences that the women have had through the home country FAs hopefully will be that positive step and impetus for an open dialogue on men's teams in the future.

"Obviously the strength now that we can see in women's football (means) we'd be very disappointed if, in France in Paris in 2024 and on to Los Angeles in 2028, we weren't fielding competitive teams across all sports but in particular competitive teams in football as well."

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands faces an uncertain future at the club as he steps down from his part-time role as goalkeeper coach while his contract as a player also expired.

Sandilands saw his contract run out on June 30 while he was performing double duties at the club.  

With Pirates now having appointed former Cape Town City goalkeeper coach Sjoerd Woudenberg, Sandilands’ future appears uncertain. 

Sandilands has been the acting coach for the goalkeepers following the departure of Jyri Nieminen in December 2020.

Woudenberg takes his position permanently. 

“Five years working in the Netherlands, for Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch Premier League and in the First Division and if we go longer back, I worked for Ajax Amsterdam,” Woudenberg told Pirates media. 

“I think if you train every goalkeeper session [at] the highest level, then you should add up to things quickly in my way of working. I try to improve the goalkeepers and to be honest, you see last week how they already made steps in their development. 

“We have a very tough pre-season but if you look at the squad, if you look at the goalkeepers and the technical team, it's top quality in every department and I'm happy to be here,” he told the club’s media department.  

“To be honest it must not be so tough to reach the highest level, especially for a club like Pirates, you must have the best goalkeepers in the country and that's what I want to reach with the goalkeepers.”

Woudenberg will also be working with Richard Ofori, Siyabonga Mpontshane and Elson Sithole at Pirates.

“It's going to be very positive and I hope that they can show the things that we are working on during the game and if you see how they adapt,” said Woudenberg.

“It's good that we have a tough pre-season with a lot of training sessions, but it also gives us the opportunity to improve everything on each goalkeeper and also every goalkeeper is in a different phase of his career. 

“We have two youngsters and three older goalkeepers, so yeah I'm very happy to help them with their development. 

“Orlando Pirates is the biggest team in South Africa and one of the biggest teams on the continent and I think everyone wants to work for a big club like this and Orlando Pirates have given me the opportunity and I will take it.”

At one point last season, Pirates faced a goalkeeping crisis due to injuries and visited Enyimba without a substitute goalkeeper in a Caf Confederation Cup game.

That is what prompted the promotion of Sithole to the first team.

Vivianne Miedema set a new Olympics record after netting a brace in the Netherlands' 8-2 rout of China.

The Netherlands progressed to the quarter-finals as Group F winners after thrashing China on Tuesday, with Miedema coming off the bench to take her tally for the tournament to eight goals in three appearances.

Lieke Martens and Lineth Beerensteyn also scored doubles as Shanice van de Sanden and Victoria Pelova completed the scoring for the Oranjes, but Miedema snatched all the headlines following her stunning 30-minute cameo.

What record did Miedema break?

Miedema has now broken the record for the most goals scored in a single Olympic women's tournament, beating the previous mark of six set by Canada's Christine Sinclair.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Arsenal at club level, has also extended her record as the Netherlands' all-time record scorer with 81 goals to her name from 99 caps at international level.

Miedema's Arsenal record

Miedema has solidified her reputation as one of the most prolific attackers in the women's game since joining Arsenal from Bayern Munich in 2017.

She is the all-time leading scorer in Women's Super League history with 60 goals in 67 games for the Gunners, and was named PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year in 2019.

Miedema has fired Arsenal to two major trophies to date, including the WSL title in 2018-19, and supporters will hope that she can transfer her Olympics form onto the club stage when the new season kicks off on September 3.

What's next for the Netherlands?

The Netherlands can now start looking ahead to a last-eight clash against pre-tournament favourites the United States, who went through in second place from Group G.

If Miedema and Co can see off the USWNT then they will be rewarded with a semi-final tie against either Canada or Brazil on August 2.

Further reading

Kenya have been knocked out of the Cecafa U23 Cup after falling 4-2 to Burundi in post-match penalties.

Stanley Okumbi's Emerging Stars finished top of Group C with six points ahead of Djibouti and South Sudan and were paired with Group B winners Burundi, who finished ahead of Ethiopia and Eritrea in their pool.

Neither of the two teams would get a goal in regulation time despite the chances that either side created.

While Burundi netted all their spot-kicks, Kenya lost two and were eliminated from the annual competition.

Meanwhile, Tanzania made it to the final after claiming a 1-0 win over South Sudan in an early kick-off.

The Kim Poulsen-led charges came into the match as favourites, but it was their opponents who dominated the proceedings but failed to capitalise on the chances they created.

They were eventually punished in the 64th minute. South Sudan conceded a foul in the danger zone and Naftal Kevin Nashon stepped up. His effort was deflected into the net and it happened to be the winning goal.

Tanzania head coach Kim Poulsen has welcomed the win but went on to concede it was not an easy assignment. "I am happy that we are through to the final. But South Sudan gave us a very tough time and it was a tough semi-final match," the veteran tactician told the Cecafa website.

The East Africans started their campaign with a 1-0 win over the guest side the Democratic Republic of Congo before drawing 1-1 with Uganda to make it to the last four. 

South Sudan qualified as the best losers. They fell 2-0 to Kenya before defeating Djibouti by the same margin to advance.

On Friday, South Sudan will be aiming at avenging the loss suffered against Kenya. The two will be meeting to contest for the bronze as Tanzania and Burundi clash in the final.

Zambia’s journey at the Tokyo Olympic Games came to an end after a 1-0 defeat against Brazil in their final group match at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.

It was Alves Andressa’s goal from a well-taken free-kick in the 19th minute that ended Zambia’s stay in Tokyo after they had earlier lost goalkeeper Hazel Nali to injury and key defender Lushomo Mweemba to a straight red card.

After losing their opener and drawing the second, the Copper Queens went into the Group F fixture seeking victory to match the South American giants on four points and go through to the quarter-finals on head-to-head rule while hoping for China not to collect maximum points from leaders Netherlands.

Knowing what was at stake, coach Bruce Mwape made two changes to the side that drew 4-4 with China with Margaret Belemu and Martha Tembo getting the starting nod ahead of Esther Siamfuko and Mary Wilombe.

Zambia started the game well with Rachael Kundananji threatening Brazil with a shot from the centre in the sixth minute, but it was well gathered by goalkeeper Barbara.

In the 11th minute, the African nation suffered a blow after the game was temporarily stopped as their custodian Nali needed urgent treatment on the pitch after colliding with midfielder Beatriz, and after almost five minutes of treatment by the medics, the two players could not continue the action.

In the process, Zambia had to change their first-choice keeper with Musole N'gambo coming in for Nali while Brazil pulled out Beatriz for Giovana Queiroz.

And in the 13th minute, things got even worse for Zambia as their key defender Mweemba was shown a straight red card by referee Yamashita following a clumsy tackle on Ludmilla which was confirmed by VAR check.

The red card and losing their goalkeeper somehow took a toll on the Zambians and in the 19th minute they were punished for poor marking as Brazil took the lead through Andressa, whose well-curled free-kick from outside the 18-yard box; beat the mounted wall of players past the advancing N'gambo.

Brazil continued to raid their opponents and in the 34th minute, Andressa should have made it 2-0 but after dribbling past Zambia’s backline, she unleashed a feeble shot that could not trouble N'gambo despite being in a good position to place it to the net.

Zambia star player, Barbra Banda, who made history by becoming the first female to score multiple hat-tricks in a single Olympic tournament, was kept silent by Brazil defenders, who gave her a tight marking throughout the first half and she could not manage even a single shot on target in the first half.

Banda had scored three goals in the opening 10-3 defeat against Netherland and repeated the fete against China in the 4-4 draw.

At the start of the second half, Brazil made a double change, Formiga and Marta coming out for Julia and Duda in a bid to expose the Zambians and get more goals.

Despite the changes, Zambia remained tight at the back blocking everything thrown at them and Brazil opted to make more changes in the 65th minute, Poliana and D. Silva coming in for Bruna Benites and Geyse da Silva.

Zambia, however, managed to keep Brazil at bay and they will be happy not have to conceded more goals like it was in their first match despite playing most of the action with one person less.

In the other game, Netherlands hammered China 8-2 to finish top of the group and reach the quarters alongside Brazil.

Brazil: Barbara; Tamires, Rafaelle, Erika, Benites; Debinha, Andressinha, Julia, Duda; Marta, and Beatriz.

Zambia: Hazel Nali 16, Lushomo Mweemba 3, Margaret Belemu 8, Martha Tembo 13, Agness Musase 15, Ochumba Oseke 7, Grace Chanda 10, Barbra Banda 11, Avell Chitundu 12, Ireen Lungu 14, Rachael Kundananji 17.

Subs: Anita Mulenga 5, Mary Wilombe 6, Hellen Mubanga 9, Vast Phiri 18, Evarine Susan Katongo 19, Esther Namukwasa 20, N’gambo Musole 22.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he has "more responsibility" at Juventus now by Massimiliano Allegri, who says he "expects a lot" from the striker in 2021-22.

Ronaldo returned to Juve training on Monday after months of speculation over his future in Turin, with his current contract now only 12 months away from its expiry date.

Bianconeri vice-chairman Pavel Nedved has insisted that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be staying put, though, and returning boss Allegri has already warned him that he will be required to provide a shining example for the younger members of his squad to look up to when the new season kicks off.

What's been said?

“Ronaldo is a great player and a smart guy. I spoke to him yesterday as I did with the others,” Allegri said at a press conference.

“I told him that this is an important season and that I am happy to meet him again, now he has more responsibility, because three years ago we had a more experienced team, while now there are younger players. 

“I expect a lot from him in terms of responsibility, he is in good condition and he is fit.

“There are different moments in a season, playing one game every three days I’ll need to rotate the team, involving all the players."

Ronaldo's influence at Juve

Ronaldo was the focal point in Allegri's attack in the final year of his first reign in charge at Juve, as the 36-year-old hit 21 goals in 31 Serie A games to fire the team to the title.

He repeated the trick under Maurizio Sarri in 2019-20, but the Bianconeri lost their grip on the domestic crown after Andrea Pirlo was drafted in to replace him last season, with Inter clinching their first Scudetto in 11 years.

Ronaldo showed his powers haven't started to wane just yet by scoring 36 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions for Juve with Pirlo at the helm, though, helping them secure the consolation prize of a Coppa Italia and Suppercoppa Italian double.

Allegri on Dybala

Allegri also highlighted the importance of Paulo Dybala's continued presence, with Juve officials set to hold talks with the Argentine's representatives over extending his contract beyond 2022.

“Dybala is also very fit, physically and mentally. He is a player who can score goals, even 20 or 25 each season," said Allegri.

“Paulo can take free kicks, so he can make the difference. In terms of his experience at Juve, he can be the vice-captain because Bonucci left Juventus and returned.

“I expect a lot from him, I’ve spoken to him and he is very motivated. There is enthusiasm and this is the most important thing.”

Further reading