Looking for Soccer News?

Norwegian side Tromso have confirmed Isak Hansen-Aaroen has left the club after agreeing to sign for Manchester United.

The forward, who turns 16 on Saturday, agreed his move to Old Trafford several months ago and it has now been confirmed in a farewell message from his club.

In a message posted on Instagram Tromso wrote: “A wonderful person. A unique football talent who just loves to play football now.

“He came from Floya to Tromso and joined the academy as a 10-year-old, studying at the Tromso school and made his debut in the first team as a 15-year-old. He had an assist in his last match for Tromso.

“Thank you so much for the last 10 years and good luck in Manchester United and on in your career. We hope you have a great time, see you soon.”

Hansen-Aaroen became Tromso's youngest-ever player at the age of 15 years and 319 days last month and it is understood he is excited at the prospect of linking up with fellow Norwegian and Man Utd head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United have already announced their first batch of scholars for next season’s under-18s squad which included the arrival of Logan Pye and Joe Hugill who were previously at Sunderland, and Radek Vitek from Sigma Oloumouc.

Hansen-Aaroen is expected to be included in the second announcement along with Barcelona wonderkid Marc Jurado and former Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Fernandes. It is understood the club have been waiting for international clearance for their new arrivals but that should be completed in the coming days.

Jurado and Fernandes would be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to the United Kingdom due coronavirus restrictions currently in place, which require anyone flying into the country from Spain to quarantine.

The U18s and U23s have been back in training for a number of weeks as they prepare for the new campaign. Neil Wood is currently operating with a mismatched squad as they aim to sort loan deals out for a number of the more senior players in the squad. James Garner, Di’Shon Bernard, Dylan Levitt and Matej Kovar are all amongst the players being considered for moves ahead of the new season.

Samuel Kalu came off the bench but could not inspire Girondins de Bordeaux to victory as they played out a goalless draw with Moses Simon’s FC Nantes in the first game of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season.

It marks a return to top flight football in France after competition ended abruptly in April at matchday 28 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Nantes finished in 13th place with 37 points, the same as Bordeaux who were a place above them.

Very little was created in terms of goalscoring chances as the league resumed, with both sides registering only one shot on target, with the home team having just one big chance to score.

Bordeaux were one man short for much of the contest after Franco-Algerian winger Mehdi Zerkane was given an early bath 20 minutes into his debut after he was deemed to have gone in dangerously on Nantes skipper Nicolas Pallois.

Kalu came on in the 75th minute for South Korean forward Ui Jo Hwang and was able to produce 14 touches on the ball while having one unsuccessful dribble and cross. His most impressive feat came in duels, winning six of eight total duels, four of which happened in the air.

He played 22 times in all competitions last season, scoring just one and providing two assists, with his side winning all of the matches in which he made a decisive contribution.

Simon meanwhile played for the entire 90 minutes and had 61 touches, 35 accurate passes at 79%. He was the player to get Nantes’ only shot on target, and won six of 10 total duels.

The Nigeria winger had a very productive 2019-20 season, finishing as the Canaries' top scorer with nine goals and eight assists, winning the club’s Player of the Season and also getting selected in the Nantes Team of the Decade. All these were solid enough for the Stade de la Beaujoire outfit to sign him permanently from Levante, with the winger having initially joined on loan.

Another Nigerian to feature in this clash was Josh Maja.

The Anglo-Nigerian forward played only in the first half, having one successful dribble attempt, 16 touches and eight accurate passes before Remi Oudin replaced him after the break.  The former Sunderland player had a hand in 11 goals (eight goals, three assists) in 24 competitive games for Bordeaux last term.

Nantes next host Nimes while Bordeaux travel to Angers.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was pleased with how his side performed against Maritzburg United on Friday evening, but has rued the referee's decisions and specifically the decision not to award his side a penalty.

The Tshwane giants dropped two points when they drew 2-2 with the Team of Choice in a PSL match which was played at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, with one controversial moment drawing criticism from Mosimane.

While Sundowns defender Ricardo Nascimento was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the Brazilians didn't receive a spot-kick when Promise Mkhuma was felled in the box after a collision with Maritzburg defender Rushine De Reuck.

"Tonight, Promise was pushed from behind, we didn't get a penalty, we deserved another penalty," Mosimane told SuperSport TV. "It doesn't mean if you gave us one, then you can't give the next one. Those things work a little bit against us.

"And the red card also but you have to focus on what does the game say? What is happening? If you want to focus on the results, yes you're right but football is not about results, football is a game and the game yields results. It's unfortunate, very sad."

Masandawana were ultimately awarded a penalty in the second half after Maritzburg defender Nazeer Allie was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, although the result leaves them second in the league standings - five points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs with five matches left. 

The reigning PSL champions took the lead twice, but Maritzburg fought back to ensure that the game ended in a draw and Mosimane felt that it was their best match since the current season resumed.

"Yes, we allowed them to come back to us. It's the first time I see them play much better [since the restart], we really played much better than all the games," he added. "Okay, against Wits we played a little bit better, to be honest, but tonight out of the last three games at least we stressed that we need to play. We were playing. You could see that we could score.

"If you're a football person you could see that with ten against 11 we played. We didn't sit back, we tried to play."

As well as taking aim at the referees, Mosimane was also unhappy with costly errors made by his side.

"We had a chance, we could have won the game tonight," Jingles continued. "We made two big mistakes, two turn-overs on the goals they scored. Yeah, big mistakes on us, that happens, but we're also a little bit unfortunate, to be honest.

"Denis [Onyango] called for the ball but [Motjeka] Madisha cleared it. That's a miscommunication between the two, but we're also a little bit unfortunate in these rounds.

"We've had a lot of unfortunate situations. Last time [Peter] Shalulile controlled the ball with a hand and he finished the goal, he scored. Last time [against Orlando Pirates], Happy Jele or [Ntsikelelo] Nyauza, I think it's Jele, he went out with the ball in his hand in the box, we didn't get a penalty."

Sundowns are set to take on Lamontville Golden Arrows in their next league match on Monday, August 24.

Janine Van Wyk's dream of making her Uefa Women's Champions League debut was marred as her side Glasgow City were demolished 9-1 by Wolfsburg on Friday.

The 33-year-old defender joined the Scottish champions as a free agent after parting ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring, who were eliminated from the Champions League by Lyon last October, and was immediately handed a starting role by manager Scott Booth after she proved her fitness in training and over three weeks of bonding with her new teammates.

Wearing No. 5, the South African star was unable to rescue Booth’s ladies from a humiliating rout against the German champions in San Sebastian.

After holding out for 15 minutes, Pernille Harder's quadruple, Ingrid Engen's brace and Felicitas Rauch's effort along with Leanne Ross and Jenna Clark's own goals ensured Glasgow endured an evening to forget.

However, the Banyana Banyana captain still described the experience as “fantastic”, despite the unflattering scoreline.

"For me personally the experience was fantastic," Van Wyk told Uefa.com. "We knew we were going to face European giants in Wolfsburg. Not an easy team to beat. 

"You can prepare as much as you can but they are always going to bring something new to the game."

Despite the thrashing, Glasgow will be consoled by the achievement of reaching the quarter-final for the first time since 2015 as they focus on their new domestic campaign in Scotland.

Eduardo Camavinga insisted he would stay at Rennes for the 2020-21 season amid consistent rumours of a transfer to Real Madrid.

Camavinga, 17, has been linked with a move to the La Liga champions as a back-up for Casemiro after becoming a first team regular in defensive midfield.

But the midfielder, who is contracted at Rennes until 2022, said his current plans were to remain at the Ligue 1 club for now.

"I have two years of contract left. I will be at Rennes this season," Camavinga told Telefoot on Friday.

Camavinga said he was unfazed about the rumours regarding his future.

"It doesn't bother me at all. It's football," he said.

"There are true things and false things."

Camavinga broke on to the scene as a 16-year-old in the 2018-19 season, making seven appearances for Rennes towards the back end of the campaign.

He continued his development during the recent cut-short season, playing in 36 games, scoring one goal and getting two assists.

Former Rennes player and Chelsea star Mario Melchiot believes Camavinga should ignore all the outside noise and join Real if he believes the time is right.

"When I left Ajax, people said to me it was too early and that I should stay in Holland," Melchiot told  Goal . "Let me tell you something, as a player just do what’s right for you and not listen to what people tell you.

"If you feel like it isn’t the right move, then stay where you are. I think you should always consider your development. The team you go to should make you better and you should make the team better.

"If those two things don’t add up, then don’t go. That’s the only answer I have for him.

"He is very young but I have watched him a few times and I like him as a player. He is gifted, he sees things, he is comfortable on the ball and dribbles in the middle of the park very well.

"The technical level in Ligue 1 is very high and Rennes is obviously a good place for him right now. He is protected. 

"But I don’t know if Rennes can keep hold of him beyond next season. I think he has a lot of fire in him and I expect him to keep progressing. And I think there will soon come a time when he is offered the chance to go to another level.

"I had the chance to go to Real Madrid when I was 19 but I chose my family over Madrid because they needed me at that time. I took a gamble because Chelsea might not have come two years later.

"I went all the way to Madrid and saw the team train and everything. They spoke to me, the deal was done and I only needed to sign. My feeling, though, was that I have to do what's right for me.

"But if Real Madrid feels right to Camavinga, he shouldn't listen to what the critics are saying. Every move in football is a risk, but it is about knowing what you can achieve. If he thinks he can achieve great things at Madrid now, he should go for it."

33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor's privatisation process is expected to be completed by the September 30 deadline, said its secretary-general Johan Kamal Hamidon.

Malaysia Super League and Premier League teams currently have until the final day of September this year to undertake the privatisation/separation process which has been made compulsory by the Malaysian FA (FAM), and the Red Giants, officially a football association (FA) like most Malaysian professional sides, are one of the teams that are in the middle of completing their privatisation.

"We are almost done, we're just getting the documents signed. The arrangements have been finalised, but we have time because the final date is on September 30. There's no reason to rush it and we're taking our time focussing on other things as well. At the moment we're in the middle of setting up our (the club's) board of directors and making appointments.

"It's going to be set up as an SPV (special purpose vehicle) between the [Selangor] state government, MBI (Menteri Besar Incorporated, a state company), PKNS (State Development Corporation of Selangor, a state development corporation) and Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin (president and Selangor state Crown Prince). We're getting the names from these different partners and stakeholders," explained him when met by Goal last Wednesday, August 19.

Johan Kamal Hamidon. Photo from Malaysian Football League

While the parties involved are yet to decide whether the newly-established football club (FC) will be an affiliate member of the FA, Johan refuted the rumour that Tengku Amir will vacate his post as the FA chief in order to lead the club.

"That's not true; His Highness is still the FA president, and the chairman of the new company (club).

"Only the FA and FC managements need to be run by different people, but according to the regulations, the two entities' boards can be staffed by the same individuals," he noted.

But on the question of his role at the club, Johan chose to play coy:

"What about me? Once the announcements are made, you'll now where I'll be!" he replied with a laugh.

Gabrielle Onguene scored the only goal as CSKA Moscow grabbed a 1-0 win against Ryazan in Friday's Russian Women's Superliga encounter.

The 31-year-old has continued to excel for the Russian champions in this campaign, having scored four goals in four appearances.

The Cameroon international earned her fourth league start this season and made the most of the chance with an eye-catching display.

Following a 2-1 win at Chertanovo last week, the title holders were hoping to build on the form against Ryazan, who were unbeaten in their last two matches against FC Yenisey Krasnoyarsk and Zenit Saint Petersburg. 

CSKA enjoyed early domination in the encounter but could not find a breakthrough until Tatiana Petrova set up Onguene to score what turned out the winner five minutes from the half-time break.

Onguene, who played from the start to finish for the hosts, has now scored five goals in five games this season and surpassed her record for CSKA since 2018, although remains four off her 2017 tally.

The result means CKSA have reclaimed top spot in the table, with 13 points from five matches - sitting above Lokomotiv Moscow on superior goals scored despite being tied on points and goal difference. 

They will aim to continue with their form against third-placed Zvezda Perm in their next Russian Superliga fixture on August 26.

Neymar has outlined his Ballon d'Or ambitions while admitting that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are "not from this planet".

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker is on the cusp of inspiring the French champions to glory on Europe's biggest stage.

Neymar has played a key role in their run to this season's Champions League final, scoring in both legs of a round of 16 triumph over Borussia Dortmund before also starring in wins over Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the quarter and semi-finals.

PSG will lift the famous trophy for the first time in their history in Lisbon on Sunday if they can beat Bayern Munich, with a team brimming with world-class talent finally looking like the finished article under Thomas Tuchel.

Neymar became the world's most expensive player when he moved to Parc des Princes from Barcelona for €220 million (£198m/$260m) in 2017, but has often struggled to live up to that price tag over the past three seasons.

He left Camp Nou to increase his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, which has been won by either Blaugrana talisman Messi or Juventus striker Ronaldo in 11 of the past 12 seasons.

PSG's run to the Champions League final has seen Neymar silence many of his doubters, and he could finally make a case for football's most coveted individual award if he can fire the club to victory this weekend.

The Brazilian acknowledges the fact that Messi and Ronaldo have been the standout players of their generation, but also believes he is now on the verge of greatness, and is fully focused on helping his current employers secure an elusive piece of silverware.

"Messi and Ronaldo have of course dominated [the Ballon d'Or] because over the last 10 years they have not been from this planet. It would be an honour to win it," Neymar told the Daily Star.

"But it comes from what you achieve on the field and what you help your club win - so that is what my focus is on. Everything else will fall into place if it is meant to be.

"Winning The Champions League is special, I know this. But to win it with PSG would be making history – and that is exactly what I came here to do."

The 28-year-old, who has contributed 19 goals and 12 assists to PSG's cause in 26 outings this term, added on the challenge Bayern will pose Tuchel's men and his scintillating form post-lockdown: "The semi-final was a very good performance - but nobody remembers who wins semi-finals.

"That is over now. Bayern are going to prove a very big test and we will be ready. They have many good players, but we are also at a high level and I feel I am playing at my best since I have arrived in Paris.

"This is where we want to be. The owners have a big project and part of that project is to be considered the best in Europe. We have never been closer than we are now - but we must stay focused."

Tatiana Ekogo made a huge impact on her first start as Zenit Saint Petersburg secured their first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Chertanovo in a Russian Superliga encounter on Friday.

The Indomitable Lionesses star joined Zenit from Russian rivals Yenisey a week ago and made a 20-minute appearance in her side's disappointing 2-0 defeat by Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday.

Following her fine showing, the 23-year-old was offered her first start by manager Olga Poryadina and she played a significant role in her side's maiden victory this campaign.

Smarting from their four-game winless run, the hosts could not convert their possession into chances until Zarina Sharifova brilliantly teed up Ekaterina Sochneva to break the deadlock in the 45th minute.

Before the half-time whistle was sounded, Elena Shesterneva set up Nika Belova to double the lead for Zenit inside injury time.

12 minutes after the match's resumption, Nika Belova bagged her brace to seal their first triumph of the season.

Ekogo, who was making her second appearance for Zenit, was replaced by Tatiana Morina two minutes after the third goal went in.

The win on Friday saw Zenit move up a spot to the sixth position on the Russian top flight log, with four points from five matches this season.

They will eye a second win on the bounce when taking on Ekogo's former side Yenisey in their next fixture on August 25.

Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe have announced the signing of Brown Ideye on a two-year deal as a free agent.

The 31-year-old will continue his nomadic career in Turkey next season - the ninth country where he will play professional football.

He previously in Nigeria for Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys before switching to Swizterland to team up with Neuchatel Xamax.

Ideye has had stints with France's Sochaux, Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv, England's West Bromwich Albion, Greece's Olympiacos and Aris, China's Tianjin Teda and Spain's Malaga.

“We signed a two-year contract with the Nigerian striker Brown Ideye,” the club announced.

“Born on October 10, 1988 in Yenagoa, Nigeria, after becoming a professional in his country, Ideye played in Neuchatel Xamax, Sochaux, Dynamo Kiev, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiakos, Tianjin Teda, Malaga and Aris.

“The striker, who has experience in the Premier League, La Liga and Champions League, has been successful in scoring rival nets 152 times in 384 matches he played.

“We welcome Brown Ideye to Goztepe and wish him success with our glorious form.”

Ideye joins Gabon's Andre Biyogo Poko and Senegal's Lamine Gassama in Ersan Parlatan's team for the upcoming season.

Goztepe finished 11th in the Super Lig table last season and they will be aiming to surpass the feat when the 2020-21 campaign begins on September 12.

Ideye spent last campaign at Aris and he scored eight goals in 22 appearances in the Greek Super League before his one-year contract expired in June.

He won the Greek top-flight title with Olympiacos in the 2015-16 season, and he also claimed the Ukrainian Cup and Super Cup with Dynamo Kyiv during his stay at the club.

Ideye was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa with a contribution of a goal in four games.

The 31-year-old also played in the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil but he is yet to feature for the Super Eagles since their 2-1 win against Zambia during a 2018 World Cup qualifier in October 2016.

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui expressed his joy after his side's "very special" Europa League triumph on Friday, as he proclaimed "our team never surrenders."

The Spanish giants won the competition for a record sixth time by beating Inter 3-2 in the showpiece event in Germany.

Sevilla saw off Manchester United 2-1 in the semi-finals to set up the clash with the Italian giants, who thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in their last-four tie.

Antonio Conte's free-scoring Inter side got the opener at the RheinEnergieStadion, with Romelu Lukaku netting his 34th goal of the season from the penalty spot with only five minutes on the clock.

However, Luuk de Jong headed home a pinpoint Jesus Navas cross to level the score just seven minutes later, and he repeated the trick just after the half-hour mark.

Inter then scored an equaliser of their own through Diego Godin, before both teams managed to compose themselves defensively while looking for a winner.

The all-important final breakthrough came late in the second half, when Lukaku put through his own net in unfortunate fashion after sticking out a leg to try and block a Diego Carlos overhead kick.

Sevilla held on for a famous 3-2 victory, and Lopetegui paid tribute to two-goal hero De Jong and the rest of his squad for their never-say-die attitude.

"It is very special. Always it is very special to win a cup," the 53-year-old told reporters. "For us, for me, for the fans, it is very special. We have a happy ending.

"Luuk de Jong is a very good player, he worked for his moment and he was ready in the right moment.

"We had three penalties in the last three matches in the first five minutes but our team never surrenders."

Lopetegui went on to comment on the imminent departure of Ever Banega, who will soon undertake a new challenge in Saudi Arabia after three successful years with Sevilla.

The Spanish coach said of the Argentine's decision to leave the club: "I am not surprised. I am sad he is leaving but I am not surprised. He is a fantastic player with a good mentality."

De Jong says that Loopetegui told him he was starting the final at the eleventh hour, and he was glad to repay his manager's faith on the biggest stage. 

"It is incredible. We had such tough games all tournament but we played so well as a team," the Dutchman told BT Sport.

"We were like a family, we worked together. It didn't matter who came in. It was tough. We started well but they scored out of nothing. Two goals, amazing feeling for me.

"The manager told me this morning [I was starting]. I told him I am always ready when he needs me and today it worked really well."

De Jong added on his two headed goals: "I think it is my speciality. The first cross by [Jesus] Navas was perfect, the second was also a great cross and these headers are really special when you can put them in at the near post."

Inter head coach Antonio Conte has said that he may not be at San Siro next term.

The former Juventus and Chelsea boss enjoyed an excellent debut season with the Nerazzurri, which saw them push the Turin giants in Serie A before finishing second, while they were also Europa League runners-up.

Speaking after a  3-2 loss to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Friday , Conte suggested that it might have been his last game in charge of the club.

“We're going to meet next week with the club and we'll decide about my future. I'm not sure that I'll be the Inter manager next season, we'll decide together,” he told Sky Sport Italia . “Inter will plan the future with or without me."

Conte's future has been in doubt since the conclusion of the Serie A campaign earlier this month, after which he launched a scathing attack on the club's directors.

“I don’t think the work of the players has been recognised and I don’t think my work has been recognised,” he said. “We all received very little protection from the club, absolutely zero.

“I don’t like it when people jump on the bandwagon – they have to be there in the good times as well as the bad and here at Inter it wasn’t like that, I’m sorry to say.

“We have to grow and improve in all areas, including off the field, and a big club should protect its players more.”

After Friday's game in Cologne, Inter president Steven Zhang did little to ease fears over the future of the 51-year-old.

“He and his staff, together with the players and all the other members of the club are doing a great job,” he told Sky Sport Italia . “Now the players and the staff will rest, because they deserve it, and then we will plan for the future.

“We want to improve next season. The balance of this season is very positive. We are on a path that has allowed us to get to the final.

“All of us, on and off the pitch, are doing a great job and are heading in the right direction. Winning or losing is part of football, but getting to the final makes us optimistic for the future.”

Sevilla proved they are a "team of giants" by coming from behind to triumph in the Europa League final against Inter on Friday, according to match-winner Diego Carlos.

While he may have scored the decisive goal in Cologne, Diego Carlos' outing got off to a bad start as he conceded a penalty for the third straight game by sending Romelu Lukaku - who converted from 12 yards - to ground inside the box.

Referee Danny Makkelie only showed the Brazilian a yellow card and, after Luuk de Jong equalised for Sevilla with a diving header, he was lucky not to give away another spot-kick for handball.

De Jong brilliantly nodded home a free-kick from Ever Banega in the 33rd minute, however, a Diego Godin header restored parity before half-time.

The second half was far less open but Diego Carlos had the final say on proceedings when his overhead kick found the back of the net off Romelu Lukaku in the 74th minute, ensuring Sevilla lifted the trophy for the sixth time in their history with a 3-2 win.

"I'm very happy. I had said to my family that I needed to score an important goal and it happened. I'm very happy about everything," the Brazilian defender told Movistar post-match.

"This is a team of giant players, who fight until the last second. I dedicate it to my wife who is pregnant.

"It's a very important title for all of us. I'm thankful to Sevilla for everything they have done for me."

The showpiece event in Cologne marked Ever Banega's final outing for Sevilla, with the Argentine now set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab.

The 32-year-old played an integral role for the Spanish club throughout the tournament, and produced another stellar display against Inter from the middle of the park.

Banega expressed his gratitude towards Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui after the final whistle, telling reporters: "It's time to say goodbye as I deserve.

"I want to thank Lopetegui. I recovered my best level with him. I remember when I lowered the level a bit, he left me out of the team and showed me that without work you can't get anything"

Jesus Navas says Sevilla's Europa League title win is in memory of the club's former stars Jose Antonio Reyes and Antonio Puerta as the La Liga side win the competition for the sixth time against Inter in a 3-2 victory.

The Spaniards fell a goal behind through an early Romelu Lukaku penalty, with Luuk de Jong's brace establishing a short-lived lead before Diego Godin's header saw the match enter the break at two goals apiece.

Centre-half Diego Carlos scored the winner for Sevilla in the 74th minute as the Liga side created the most opportunities despite conceding more possession to their Italian opposition.

Sevilla's celebrations post-match saw the players wear shirts honouring the passing of former players Reyes and Puerta.

Puerta - who died of cardiac arrest in 2007 - played in the club's first two UEFA Cup/Europa League triumphs in 2005-06 and 2006-07, while Reyes - who passed away in a car accident last year - was a member of the side that won the same competition three times between 2013-16.

"It is the most special day for being able to raise the cup as captain, with my Sevilla," Navas told Movistar.

"This is for all the people who are not with us anymore, for Puerta, Reyes ... my godfather who has passed away. We are all captains here."

Navas explained how proud he was of the team's achievement and said he believed the fans could be excited about the potential rise of the club in the future.

"This group deserve it, we have been fighting all the year," he said. "They worked day by day with the problems that there have been. And to all the fans who deserve it.

"The fans can feel proud with us, today and tomorrow they will enjoy. And Sevilla is getting greater every day."

Sevilla's road to glory in the Europa League included victories against Manchester United in the semi-finals, Wolves in the quarter-finals and Roma at the last 16 stage.

De Jong, who scored the winning goal against the Red Devils, felt his team showed great strength to win the tournament despite having such tough matches to overcome.

"It is incredible," De Jong told BT Sport. "We had such tough games all tournament but we played so well as a team.

"We were like a family, worked together. It didn't matter who came in. It was tough. We started well but they scored out of nothing. Two goals, an amazing feeling for me."

Inter were left with "a great bitterness" after their Europa League final defeat to Sevilla but Samir Handanovic believes it can be a starting point for more positive things.

The Nerazzurri last won a trophy in 2011 and in his pre-match news conference Inter captain Handanovic said securing the silverware would enable the club to head back towards their previous heights.

They appeared to be on course to do just that when Romelu Lukaku fired home a penalty after being felled by Diego Carlos in the fifth minute in Cologne, before a pair of headers from Luuk de Jong put Sevilla in front.

Diego Godin restored parity before the break but Diego Carlos saw his overhead kick deflected into the back of the net by Lukaku with 16 minutes remaining.

Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou produced a phenomenal save from Lukaku prior to the winner and Handanovic felt it would have been a different story if the Belgium international had found the back of the net. However, he tried to look on the bright side.

"There is a great bitterness, but we must move forward. As I said yesterday, this is a starting point and we hope to play many more of these games," Handanovic told Sky Sport Italia.

"It'd be easy to point to various things that went wrong. We had opportunities, especially with Lukaku. It's too bad, it could've been a different game.

"We faced each other head on. It was open, we both wanted to win. We should've held the ball better in the second half, as I think they were more tired and we had more fuel in the tank.

"The third goal was unfortunate, as it was going wide and it just hit Romelu's foot, so that was bad luck and ultimately decided the match.

"We can build on the solid foundations for next season. Sevilla are a tough opponent and I congratulate them, now let's move one."

Inter now have a four-week break until the new Serie A season begins on September 19.

Their coach Antonio Conte admitted after the match that his future at the San Siro is in doubt with tension existing between the Italian and club's directors.

South Africa are planning two friendly matches scheduled for October as they look to sharpen up before their qualifying campaigns resume.

Bafana Bafana will be back in competitive action in November and will complete their qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 in Cameroon in March next year. The Afcon qualification campaign was suspended in March this year due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Before hosting and travelling to Sao Tome and Principe, Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki is organising two friendly matches between 5-13 October to get his charges ready for battle.

“I am trying to arrange two friendly matches in October to prepare for the two Sao Tome matches in November,” said Ntseki, as per a statement on the official South Africa Football Association site.

After the Sao Tome back-to-back qualifiers, Bafana Bafana will be back in competitive action between 22-30 March 2021 when they host Ghana in the penultimate qualifier before travelling to Sudan for the final encounter of the programme.

Meanwhile, a Safa Technical Committee meeting has been scheduled for all national team coaches including those for Banyana Banyana, U23s, U20s and U17s, with the new Technical Director set to present their plans in preparations for the resumption of international matches.

Part of the international matches include the Cosafa tournament for Banyana Banyana in Port Elizabeth from 19-31 October, the U20 Men’s national team in Mauritius in December and the U17 women’s national team, also in PE.

Other Cosafa fixtures for 2021 include an U15 boys’ tournament in Lesotho in April/May, U17 men in August, U20 men in eSwatini, U20 women in Lesotho, Banyana Banyana in Zambia, Beach Soccer in Durban and Futsal in Mozambique.

The U17 Women’s team will play Morocco home and away in November for the final Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Safa have also written a letter to the government requesting that amateur football should start to officially play on Level 2.

“We are happy that the National Soccer League has resumed. Our compliance officers are working very well with the league and we want to thank the NSL and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture for their full cooperation,” said Safa CEO, Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe.

“The domestic season will be completed in time for Safa to register the PSL clubs for participation in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup,” he added.

Advocate Motlanthe also touched on the Association’s finances.

“When I was appointed, I undertook in my first report to the NEC to address a number of issues. We reported a loss of R96 million in the 2019 financial year but the 2020 financial year will see a tremendously improved position. I expect to report a surplus of plus minus R60 million,” said Advocate Motlanthe.

“I will report that I have paid all competition monies, paid R195 000 each to our 52 Regions, R10 million in total. I want to thank the President for his support and his engagement with Caf and Fifa to assist in generating the additional resources for Covid-19 relief. We have ensured progress in our financial and organizational efficiency and stability.

“I wish to state that Safa has, since 1991, presented audited financial statements for each and every year of operation. The last audited financial statement was presented by then Acting CEO Gay Mokoena on 8 December 2019 and the next audited financials will be presented later this year.

“It is therefore extremely disappointing that the person or persons who presented the audited financial statements to Congress for approval and who served on Safa for more than 10 years, recommended and received unanimous adoption of the reports, now seeks to create a negative impression of the organization,” added the Safa CEO.

The majority of the NEC members have given clear indication to the administration that the CEO should consider both legal and disciplinary action against this unbecoming conduct

Retired Black Stars defender John Paintsil dreams of becoming coach of the Ghana national team upon completion of his coaching badges, and has revealed that he once harboured hopes of becoming a policeman.

The 39-year-old had a playing career that spanned 17 years, featuring for clubs in his native Ghana, England, Israel and South Africa.

He called time on his career in 2016 and briefly had a spell as assistant coach of South African Premier Soccer League side Kaizer Chiefs between 2016 and 2017.

However, Paintsil is aiming much higher in wanting to lead his country, having represented the Black Stars 89 times from 2001 to 2013 and played at the two World Cups.

"Yes, I’m working on my badges," he said on Citisports. “We are just waiting on the FA to give us the green light as to when we can do the course.

“Coaching the national team will be a dream come true, so I’ll be praying towards that," he added. “Coaching the national team would be a very interesting [challenge].”

Paintsil further explained why he has decided to go into coaching after hanging up his boots, citing a desire to mentor those who want to take a playing path in football as he did.

“I want to use coaching to become a father, mentor, teacher and friend to the youth who want to use football as a career. I want to be very special for my players in particular and all footballers in general,” he told Graphic Sports. “I started from South Africa and acquired a Licence D.

"When I returned to Ghana, I wanted to acquire the A licence but the FA was not working at the time, so it affected my programme. I am still waiting for the right time to upgrade my licence, though with the experience gained in South Africa I can coach any team that comes my way.”

Paintsil had also revealed that he wanted to become a police officer while growing up because of his father and football being something of a distant ambition at that time.

”I’ve always admired police officers, because my father was a police officer,” he said. "I was only playing football because I enjoyed it, but what I really wanted to do was to join the police service.

”Growing up, I was only waiting to finish with my secondary education and join the police service, but then football came calling.”

Bayern Munich great Franz Beckenbauer believes that Paris Saint-Germain will pose his side an immense threat in Sunday’s Champions League final.

Following an 8-2 win over Barcelona and a 3-0 success over Lyon, the Germans have been billed as favourites to win the competition.

Beckenbauer, who lifted the trophy on three occasions with FCB in the 1970s, believes the clash will be more complicated than any Hansi Flick’s side have faced previously. 

“I've watched PSG's games, they're one heck of a team. I can't find any weak points in the team and I expect them to vary their playing style,” he explained on the Bundesliga champions’ official website.

“It'll be the most difficult game of this Champions League season. I hope that both teams don't hold back too much, don't show each other too much respect and play just as refreshingly and with a joie de vivre like they have done up to now. Then we can expect a wonderful final.”

Indeed, he does not believe that the German champions are necessarily favourites.

“It'll be a match played on equal terms. I'd say it's 50-50. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. If Bayern get that, they'll win the game,” he said.

Beckenbauer has been following Bayern’s progress and has been impressed with what he has seen.

“I watched it on TV and was thrilled, like every other Bayern fan,” he said of the semi-final clash against Lyon. “They didn't play like they did against Barcelona, but a performance like that is a one-off. The game against Lyon was also remarkable because Olympique are also a very strong team.

“Manuel Neuer made a few brilliant saves. But then the Bavarians took the reins - and didn't let them go for the rest of the game. That's how it should be and it's also very important. 

“We've often seen how teams can let a game slip away from themselves because they get careless, because they think it's too easy. But they stayed calm and finished the job. It paid off, and you can only compliment the team.”

Sunday’s clash in Lisbon will begin at 20:00BST.

Tottenham shot-stopper Hugo Lloris says Jose Mourinho has brought a winner's mentality to the club since inheriting the managerial reigns last November.

Spurs decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino after a disastrous start to the 2019-20 campaign, which saw the team slip to 14th in the Premier League standings.

Club chairman Daniel Levy turned to former Manchester United and Chelsea boss Mourinho to halt the slide, as the Portuguese committed to a three-and-a-half-year contract with the north Londoners.

Mourinho won five of his first seven games at the helm, but a string of injuries to key personnel saw his honeymoon period ended abruptly over the Christmas period.

Tottenham had exited the Champions League and FA Cup by the time the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and were also still in grave danger of missing out on a European spot.

However, the Lilywhites returned to action post-lockdown with a renewed sense of purpose, winning five, drawing three and losing only one of their final nine fixtures.

Spurs secured a respectable sixth-placed finish after their strong finish to the season, and Lloris is confident that they can take that impressive form into 2020-21.

The French goalkeeper says the entire squad has now adjusted to Mourinho's pragmatic coaching style, as he told the club's official website: “As I said at the end of last season, that period helped the players who didn’t know the demands of the manager.

"Now we all understand those demands. Before, we didn’t really have time. There was a transition with the way we used to play before and what the new football the manager is demanding.

"Now it is all clear, and he adds his winning mentality to this team and the leaders also have to step up. It’s about winning now..."

Tottenham are set to play host to Everton when their latest campaign kicks off on September 12, and Lloris has stressed the importance of making a winning start after the disappointment of last term.

“It’s the chance to put last season behind us, to start a new season with fresh minds, fresh bodies,” he added. “Of course, it’s a short time in pre-season, but we need to adapt. It’s the same scenario for all the teams involved in the Premier League.

“We have to make sure we start well. In the last few seasons, we’ve lost some points in the first few games, and they all count at the end.

“It’s good to be at home, but Everton are difficult opponents, very competitive. They have everything, the players, the quality in the squad and a fantastic manager, one of the best in history. It will be an interesting start, and we will be ready.”