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SC Villa have announced their fourth signing this transfer window after unveiling goalkeeper Martin Ssenkooto.

The 23-year-old has arrived at the record Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions from Super Cubs Soccer Academy in Rubaga after agreeing to pen a three-year contract.

“SC Villa have secured the services of keeper Martin Ssenkooto who joins the club on a contract until 2023,” the club said in a statement seen by Goal.

“The 23-year-old who started his career with Super Cubs Academy in Rubega has promised to perform at the very top in order to prove his worth.”

On signing for the Jogoos, Ssenkooto told reporters: “I am very delightful to join this great club, together with the rest of the team, we have an opportunity to show the world that we are the best in the land.

“Joining Villa is every player’s dream and I am happy that my dream has eventually come alive. I have trained with both coach Edward Kaziba [head coach] and coach Kitheru [goalkeeing coach] and they are great people to work it.”

Ssenkooto joins the Jogoos fresh from Makerere University Business School (MUBS), where he pursued a qualification in finance and he has set a dream of making at it Villa and turn professional in the future.

On the keepers who inspire him across the world, Ssenkooto said: “I look up to Andre Onana, the Cameroon goalkeeper because I like his style and discipline. I am sure at Villa I will further my career and eventually end up playing post-graduate football in the US, I have my eyes on MLS.”

On signing the youngster, coach Kaziba said: “Martin has been performing very well with the reserves and he’s been impressive.

“Now the time for him to prove himself with the seniors is here, I am confident he will show his worth, we couldn’t have signed him at a better time like now.”

The signing of Ssenkooto comes just a day after Villa confirmed the signing of highly-rated player Goffin Oyirwoth Godfrey ahead of the new UPl season.

Goffin is a product of Buddo SS where he won the National Championship and the East Africa Secondary Schools title before he was spotted by Express, but last season played his football on loan at Katwe United.

Ssenkooto becomes the fourth signing for Villa after Meddie Kibirige, Andrew Kiwanuka and Goffin Oyirwoth.

Ex-Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi believes “there is no way" Mamelodi Sundowns will beat Orlando Pirates in Tuesday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) showdown, saying the Soweto giants’ biggest trump card could be Downs’ "weak" defence.

The two giants kick off the resumption of league action at Dobsonville Stadium.

Following Mamelodi Sundowns’ narrow 3-2 victory over Bidvest Wits in last Saturday’s Nedbank Cup semi-final match, their defensive frailties were badly exposed, especially errors by Motjeka Madisha, which led to the Students’ goals.

Although Lekgwathi acknowledged that Pirates have not been at their best defensive-wise, having conceded more league goals than Sundowns this season, he feels Pitso Mosimane’s charges currently have the worst rearguard between the two sides.

“I watched Sundowns play Wits and the way they play, there’s no way they will beat Pirates,” Lekgwathi told Far Post.

“If you look, the downfall of Pirates is conceding goals, lousy goals but we can score. Even if Pirates concede against Sundowns, Pirates are going to score more goals if they don’t change their defence. Sundowns’ weakest link is in central defence.”

Pirates forward Frank Mhango, who is the current league top goal-scorer, would be looking to add to his 14 goals and could be a nightmare to Sundowns if he picks up from where he left off before the break.

“Sundowns will be playing against the current top goal-scorer. It’s going to be difficult to mark him because he is hungry to be the top scorer. He wants to continue where he left off. He is still going to continue with the hard work and score goals,” continued Lekgwathi.

“Mhango’s close friends were talking about him. You can tell that he is happy to play for Pirates and he respects the badge. He is willing to die for the team. If you hear his story, then you will understand why he is so serious about his career.

“One thing I like about foreign players is that they take their jobs seriously. You can see when Mhango plays that he does so wholeheartedly. He respects his job. He understands the team he plays for. Pirates are not an ordinary team.”

But what could be Sundowns’ advantage is that they have match fitness, having already been involved in competitive action after the restart of football in South Africa.

They face a Pirates side that would be playing their first game after the season restart.

The race for the league title could also be a force to spur on second-placed Sundowns, who are four points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs and have played a game less than Amakhosi.
 

John Utaka has recounted how former Nigeria internationals Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha served as a source of encouragement to him.

The forward watched on television as Kanu inspired the West Africans to win the 1996 Olympic Gold medal in Atlanta.

Utaka then got a chance to play with the former Arsenal star in the Super Eagles in 2000 after he was handed his first call-up following his impressive performances for Egyptian club Ismaily.

The winger, who had 49 caps for the three-time African champions, revealed the roles of Kanu and Okocha in helping him to settle in the national team.

“Kanu competed in the Olympic games. He inspired me a lot because he was not a fast player but he is very smart and very technical in games,” Utaka told the Montpellier website.

“When I got my first call-up to Nigeria in 2000, he was there with Okocha and for me it was… I was watching them on TV and there I was playing with them. It was a dream fulfilled.  

“They encouraged me by telling me not to be afraid to express myself as I knew how to do and especially to listen to the coaches. It was good advice.”

Utaka explained there was a lot of pressure while playing for the Super Eagles as players have to give their best for the side at all times in order to continue enjoying the support of their fans.

“There are lots of expectations when playing for Nigeria. We are about 180 million in population and almost everyone loves football,” he continued.

“In each match, there is always immense pressure for the XI who starts the match. Every time I wore this jersey I knew there was no room for errors.

“Above all, you have to give your all whether we win or lose. We have to play well because the fans don’t forgive. It is very important you give it your all when playing for Nigeria because there is a lot of criticism.”

Utaka returned to France after leaving Portsmouth in 2011, joining Montpellier, having previously featured for Lens and Rennes.

The winger played a key role as the Stade de la Mosson outfit won the 2011-2012 Ligue 1 title for the first time in their history and scored 12 goals in 68 appearances during his two-year stay with the side.

“I think it was a collective strength. We could core in any way. Sometimes Mapou could score, other times it was Vito. It was not just one player even if it was obvious Olivier,” he added.

“Giroud did us a lot of good. He was like a scoring machine. When we make an effort to give him the ball he finishes well and we were champions of France.”

After leaving the Stade de la Mosson outfit, Utaka played for Turkish club Sivasspor before he made a return to Egyptian club Ismaily in 2016.   

The forward also featured for Nogoom El Mostakba, Aswan and Sedan before his retirement from professional football.

The 38-year-old former Nigeria international is currently Montpellier U19 assistant coach.

Anthony Martial looked a "£100 million player" and was labelled a "Ferrari" by Owen Hargreaves after Manchester United's Europa League win over Copenhagen. 

France forward Martial won the penalty from which Bruno Fernandes scored to send United to the semi-finals via a 1-0 extra-time win in Cologne on Monday. 

The Red Devils had 14 shots on target and hit the woodwork twice in the quarter-final tie against the Danish outfit, with Martial impressing while leading the line ahead of Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Mason Greenwood. 

Former United midfielder Hargreaves was effusive in his praise when commenting on Martial's fine performance as part of his role as a pundit for BT Sport. 

"Everyone's got an opinion on Martial. He's a Ferrari," he said.  

"He just looked like a £100 million player."

His performance also drew applause from manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has been impressed by the 24-year-old striker's development over the course of the season.

"He was sharp," the Norwegian coach told reporters.

"Anthony has developed throughout the season, he was involved with the penalty. 

"He's impossible to stop at times when he gets the ball into his feet and he drives at people, his balance, he can go either way.  

"The only thing now is to put that ball in the back of the net again. I'm delighted with his performance, though." 

Ex-United forward Robin van Persie was also impressed by what he saw and described Martial as "world-class", while club legend Paul Scholes hailed him as “unstoppable”, adding: "Now I think he’s brought the all-round game. He’s got everything, he can beat a man, he can score goals, he’s got everything you’d want in a centre-forward."

Martial has scored 23 times in 47 appearances in all competitions this season, making him United's top scorer in 2019-20, with Rashford one goal behind.

United, who are chasing their first piece of silverware since 2017, will face the winner of Tuesday evening's tie between Wolves and Sevilla in the final four of the competition, while Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel will square off to decide who will take on Inter in the other semi-final. 

The quarter-finals of the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League is up and running after the Covid-19 enforced break. Big guns Manchester United and Inter Milan have managed to reach the semifinals.

Watch all the highlights from games involving the major teams right here:

Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen

Bruno Fernandes' extra-time penalty took Manchester United through to the Europa League semi-finals after a tough test in Cologne against a determined FC Copenhagen side.

Inter Milan 2-1 Leverkusen

Romelu Lukaku scored for a record ninth straight Europa League match to help Inter Milan into the semifinals at the expense of Bayer Leverkusen who put up a fight.

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz joked that Chelsea target Kai Havertz will join Heracles Almelo after the German side lost in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Leverkusen's Europa League campaign came to an end on Monday, beaten 2-1 by Serie A side Inter in Dusseldorf.

Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku had given Inter a commanding lead inside 21 minutes, before Havertz reduced the deficit three minutes later.

Havertz has been tipped to leave Leverkusen for Premier League giants Chelsea once the 2019-20 season has concluded, and Bosz was asked whether the Germany international had played his final match for the club.

"Yes, I can exclusively announce he'll play for [Dutch outfit] Heracles Almelo," Bosz, who previously coached Heracles in two separated spells, said during his post-match news conference.

Leverkusen are claimed to want £90 million ($115m) for Havertz, with Chelsea thought to be interested in a structured deal that starts at around £70m.

But the club's sporting director Rudi Voller says any club wanting to buy Havertz must pay the asking price otherwise he will stay at the BayArena for another year.

Asked if Leverkusen have agreed to sell Havertz, Voller told La Gazzetta dello Sport : "No, but with his talent, it means he's on the list of all the best clubs.

"We know of the interest of a couple of clubs, especially Chelsea, but for us, the situation is quite simple: he has a two-year contract, if anyone wants him on our terms, fine, otherwise he stays here another year and we are happy.

"It won't be easy, but for an artist like him there is no COVID discount."

Reflecting on Leverkusen's Europa League exit, Bosz said: "We lost against a great opponent. We didn't play well in the first 20 minutes and had problems dealing with Lukaku, then things improved and we thought that we'd turn it around. We could've done better and are disappointed.

"Marcelo Brozovic was allowed far too much freedom in the middle of the park and we had to make changes after those initial 20 minutes. As for Lukaku, he's just too strong in one-on-one situations.

"We moved [Moussa] Diaby to the left, because they were pressing our wide men, and Diego Godin doesn't like coming out from the back, so we had more space then to build."

Kerala Blasters owner Nikhil Bhardwaj's convincing words helped Nishu Kumar put pen to paper on a long-term contract at the Kochi-based Indian Super League (ISL) club.  

The two-time ISL finalists are yet to taste success in Indian football but the former Bengaluru FC full-back was on board with the club's vision. 

Nishu told Goal, "Kerala Blasters are a big team. They have suffered in recent years. I spoke with the owner (Nikhil Bhardwaj), they are building a team for the future. I am very happy about the fact that they are signing young players. I am very positive about the future."

After having featured in the first team consistently for Bengaluru in the last two seasons, Nishu is hopeful to make a similar impact under new head coach Kibu Vicuna in the upcoming season. The defender from Uttar Pradesh made his debut for the national team earlier this year and regular minutes will be important for his chances at being called up to Igor Stimac's camp again. 

"If you want to be part of the national team, you have to play regularly at your club. I don't think it will be easy for me next year to be in the playing eleven, there will be tough competition. But I have to be in the first team, I will fight for it and to get into the national team camp again."

Blasters' large fanbase in an attractive proposition for a lot of players. Several foreign and Indian players have expressed their desire to play in front of the Blasters faithful in recent years and Nishu is not new to the sporting atmosphere created by supporters. Fans of his former club share an intense and sometimes toxic off-the-field rivalry with those of Blasters and the player is awed by the competition. 

He recollected. "I remember, last year when we played against Kerala Blasters at the Kanteerava Stadium, more than half of the stadium was covered in yellow. It was a great game and both sets of fans were amazing."

Nishu will now to wait a while before he gets to play in front of the sea of yellow in Kochi which is very much inlikely this season because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the face-off between Kerala and Bengaluru has gotten more interesting. 

Yanga SC have reportedly listed former Simba SC coach Patrick Aussems among those who can replace Luc Eymael.

The Jangwani Street-based giants are currently in the market to hire a coach after they fired the Belgian on the final day of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season.

Goal understands Yanga are looking at several options including former coach Hans van der Pluijm but the name of Aussems, who guided Simba to the league title in the 2018-19 campaign before he was shown the exit door after a poor show in the Caf Champions League, has also emerged.

“It true [Aussems] is also being considered for the job since the club is looking for a coach who has been in the country before, and one who will have no difficulties to settle in when he takes up the role,” a source from Yanga, who did not want to be named, told Goal on Monday.

“We all know what Aussems did at Simba, he is a good coach, who can bond well with the squad we are building around, and I can confirm his name emerged recently during a meeting discussing the issue of the coach but we have not made contact, maybe we will if they zero in on him.”

Apart from Aussems, Van Der Pluijm, who also handled Yanga before, has been tipped as the favourite to replace Eymael and in a recent interview when the coach stated he will not mind coming back to coach the Timu ya Wananchi.

“I know Yanga fans are remembering the kind of football the team used to play when I was in charge, a good brand of soccer and that is why I have been receiving messages being asked to come back and take over the coaching role,” Van Der Pluijm was quoted by Sokaletu.

“I am not the one to decide whether I can come back, but the management can decide if they want me to come back, and if they do, then I am ready to come and help the great team win titles, and I am ready to return when the management says so.

“For now, I don’t have any team, I am not coaching any team so it means I am a free agent, so it is all upon Yanga officials to set up a meeting and talk to me, and I will not mind coming back to Tanzania, I am ready to come back.”

Van Der Pluijm continued: “The good thing is I understand Yanga very well and the players they have so it will not be difficult for him to settle in, I also know the country very well, they have good people and I know the fans too, let the management make a decision and I will board the next flight to take over.”

Yanga are also reportedly looking at Kenyan coach Bernard Mwalala, who currently doesn’t have a team after he was fired by Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Bandari.

The Goan top division league has been embroiled in match-fixing allegations. Six matches of the suspended 2019-20 Goa Professional League have been red-flagged by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a possible "match manipulation".

This is the latest chapter of match-fixing allegations that have cropped up in Indian football.

The communication from AFC came through to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) integrity officer, Javed Siraj, in March which indicated a "clear and overwhelming betting evidence that the course or result of the match was unduly influenced with a view to gaining betting profits" in six matches held between October 16 and November 19, 2019.

The matches in question involve seven clubs, namely Calangute Association, Panjim Footballers, Guardian Angel Sports Club, FC Goa II, Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa.

However, the Goa Football Association (GFA) - the governing body for football in Goa - has distanced itself from the allegations on the basis of their own findings. In the Goan FA's reply to the AIFF integrity officer, GFA general secretary Jovito Lopes suggested the name of a company which is purportedly is linked to an online betting site but maintained that GFA have no confirmation that it accounted to match-fixing.

Goa has been rocked by the shadows of match-fixing from 16 years ago when an atrocious 118 goals were scored in a single day where four clubs were involved. The GFA had suspended and fined Curtorim Gymkhana, Sangolda Lightning, Wilred Leisure and Dona Paula an amount of INR 5,000 each for allegedly prearranging the final round of the second division inter-zonal play-offs.  Curtorim had beaten Sangolda 61-1 and Wilred defeated Dona Paula 55-1. 

In 1983, there was a similar instance when two Calcutta Football League (CFL) matches were reportedly fixed with the scorelines reading 114-0 and 80-0. The Kolkata third division teams back then, International and Indian Boys Athletic Club (IBAC) reportedly "advised" Juga Shanti and Victoria Sporting to lose in an exorbitant manner and the results were 80-0 and 114-0 respectivrly. The Indian Football Association (IFA) - the governing body for football in West Bengal - had to step in and suspend the four clubs and the players involved in the scandal.

The CFL would see more such allegations later on. In 2015, after Tollygunge Agragami and Southern Samiti officials reportedly decided to fix the result of the match between themselves, with the former needing a win to stay afloat in the Premier A Division. Southern Samity allegedly picked a very young team to help Tollygunge Agragami win but when Tollygunge players went on to score four goals, the disparaged Southern Samity officials accused them of "breach of trust". The Tollygunge players seemingly even apologised to their opponents but no official action was taken.

In 2017, when Tollygunge Agragami defeated NBP Rainbow AC 2-1, the result was allegedly deemed "manipulated" as FIFA-appointed anti-corruption watchdog SportRadar supposedly had pre-hand information that the game will end in a similar scoreline and questioned the result of the game.

In September 2018, a month before IFA signed a multi-year partnership with SportRadar integrity services to monitor and safeguard the integrity of matches, a conversation over the phone between former footballer and a Tollygunge Agragami player was made viral by Bengali news portal News 18 Bengali . The clip exposed the former star ostensibly telling the Tollygunge player - "Allow the opponent (Pathachakra) to score one after the 75-minute mark, that way the betting is done. They've been doing it for four years. Does anyone know? Did you know?"

Further back in 2005, allegations were levelled against then Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul 1-4 humiliation at the hands of arch-rivals East Bengal in an IFA Shield group stage encounter. After the game, Bagan coac Amal Dutta said, "I worked hard to put him back on track but with the kind of fishy goals he conceded, he has blown away everything."

Paul was suspended for a brief period while the club conducted an investigation but the goalkeeper was let off soon.

And in the CFL 2014, Southern Samity technical director Raghu Nandi accused East Bengal of trying to to fix their match. "East Bengal are in the championship race, so they approached us for fixing the match," Nandi had told Times of India back then.

Elsewhere, in Assam, the 114-year-old Gauhati Town Club decided to disband their senior team in 2012 and opted not to participate in any senior level football tournament including the Assam State Premier League for at least three years after the side's players were alleged to have been embroiled in match-fixing in the 2012 I-League second division.

Meghalaya-based Ar-Hima (later Rangdajied United) also lodged a complaint with the AIFF against Bhaichung Bhutia-owned United Sikkim for allegedly bribing their players to lose a match - a charge that the former India skipper denied. Questions were also raised over the Snow Lions' loss to Aizawl FC in the final match of the preliminary round of the I-League Second Division that helped both the teams progress to the final round.

Manipur's TRAU was in the news for the wrong reasons in the 2018-19 I-League second division when Mohammedan Sporting had complained to AIFF that the match between Chhinga Veng FC and TRAU on March 23, 2019, was "a total fixed match".

In the 2017-18 I-League second division, FC Kerala felt it necessary to release a statement that read, "The FC Kerala management has been informed of a media report alleging two of our 2nd Division I-League matches were rigged. Not only is the report factually incorrect, but also malicious in its commentary."

This was after Fateh Hyderabad wrote to the AIFF, complaining about the result of two matches between FC Kerala and Kerala Blasters reserves.

In the 2016-17 I-League, former owner of Minerva Punjab (now Punjab FC), Ranjit Bajaj, divulged that a total of seven of his players along with then coach Khogen Singh were approached by bookies. Simultaneously, V Soundararajan, the ex-head coach of Chennai City, was also allegedly promised monetary benefits if his team were to beat Minerva Punjab.

Mumbai FC (defunct in 2017) club official Atul Bagdamia told a joint workshop organised by FIFA and Interpol in New Delhi in January 2014 that he had been approached by a businessman who offered to sponsor a visit by his team to Malaysia to play a series of friendlies.

However, as the Indian Express newspaper quoted Bagdamia, "When they mentioned match-fixing, I immediately broke contact with them."

The Indian Super League (ISL) also has a tale of match-fixing allegations after Chennaiyin FC dramatically defeated FC Goa 3-2 with two stoppage time goals in the 2015 final. In the aftermath, FC Goa levelled allegations that the ISL final was fixed and boycotted the ISL champioship ceremony.

ISL issued a statement that read - "It has been brought to the notice of the ISL and concerns expressed by our partner Star India that FC Goa management have made adverse comments in the media disputing the result of the ISL 2015 finals played in Goa on Sunday night. The league has also taken serious view of the unsporting behaviour by the Goa franchise and alleged unsporting behaviour of certain players of the teams on and off the field. ISL does not accept such behaviour from any member of the club management, support staff or players. The matter has now been referred to the ISL Disciplinary Committee. ISL has a strict code of conduct with an established integrity unit and an ACSU division. The league has not received any complain from the Goa management," the official statement from the league read.

In September 2016, The ISL also brought on board a tie-up with SportRadar, who have been associated with the AFC since 2013 with a renewed contract with the Asian federation till at least the end of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup that will be held in China.

Cape Town City have strengthened their first team squad by promoting seven players from their academy and reserve team.

The Citizens are preparing for the resumption of the 2019/20 PSL season with the first game set to take place on Tuesday night which is a titanic clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

City, who are expected to face Chippa United on Friday, have brought in seven new players as they look to retain their status in the elite league this term.

The Western Cape-based side released the following statement on Tuesday morning announcing the promotion of several youngsters including South Africa under-20 international Zuko Mdunyelwa.

A club statement read: "Coach [JOR] Jan Olde Riekerink has promoted seven academy players to the PSL training camp."

"Olwethu Nyembe, Eyona Ndondo, Zaakir Allie, Taahir Goedeman, Jared van der Berg, Zuko Mdunyelwa, and Diego Appollis have all been included in the first team since the lockdown."

Mdunyelwa was named in South Africa's provisional 50-man squad ahead of the 2019 Fifa Under-20 World Cup finals, but he did not make the cut.

However, the young defender had helped Amajita successfully defend their Cosafa Under-20 Championship title in Zambia in 2018.

City also promoted former Ajax Cape Town player Zaakir Allie, who has been playing for the Citizens' reserve team in the Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) this season.

The 20-year-old midfielder signed his maiden professional contract with then-PSL side Ajax in March 2018.

However, Allie, who spent some time with Ajax Amsterdam’s U19 team two years ago, found it difficult to break into the Urban Warriors' match-day squads.

The attack-minded player parted ways with the Ikamva-based side following its relegation to the National First Division (NFD) in May 2019 and he moved to their Mother City rivals, City.

Allie will be hoping to impress City head coach Jan Olde Riekerink and make his professional debut during the Biolocally Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

The Citizens have been drawn to play their home games at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria as the league resumes following a four-month break which was enforced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Riekerink's side, who are four points above the relegation zone on the PSL standings, will be away to Chippa at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg on Friday.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have managed to keep star player Feisal Salum at the club after he agreed to renew his contract.

The Jangwani Street-based giants have confirmed the 22-year-old has penned a four-year contract which will see him stay at the club until August 2024.

Yanga revealed the news on their social media pages by stating: “We have secured another four years for our winger Feisal Salum.”

Salum had a good season with the Timu ya Wananchi and was voted the best player by the fans at the end of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League campaign.

He played 22 matches last season and managed to score one goal, against Mwadui FC in a 1-1 draw played at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Salum becomes the first player to extend his stay with Yanga, after the club released 14 players last week as they continue to restructure ahead of the new season set to kick off on September 6.

Among the players axed include former Gor Mahia striker Gnamien Yikpe, who took much criticism last season, captain Papy Tshishimbi, who refused to renew his contract, and Congolese striker David Molinga.

Others let to go are veteran striker Mrisho Ngassa, Jafary Mohamed, Mohamed Issa Banka, Tariq Seif, Andrew Vincent Dante, Patrick Sibomana, Muharami Issa, Ali Ali, Rafael Daud, Ali Mtoni Sonso and Eric Kabamba.

The players retained include Kenyan keeper Farouk Shikhalo, Metacha Mnata, Ramadhan Kabwili, Haruna Niyonzima, Lamine Moro, Bernard Morrison, Feisal Salum, Juma Mahadhi, Adeyum Saleh, Said Makapu, Balama Mapinduzi, Deus Kaseke, Ditram Nchimbi, Abdulaziz Makame, and Paul Godfrey.

On Monday, Yanga resumed training ahead of the new season with only 11 players taking part.

The players include Metacha Mnata, Yassin Mustapha, Paul Godfrey, Deus Kaseke, Juma Makapu, Abbdulaziz Makame, Ditram Nchimbi, Waziri Junior, Juma Mahadhi and Abdallah Shaibu.

Yanga had a disappointing campaign in the last season where they failed to reach the final of the FA Cup after losing to eventual winners and rivals Simba SC, and could only finish a distant second behind their old rivals.

The Timu ya Wananchi have now been linked a number of foreign players, including Kenyans Jesse Were and John Makwatta, who play for Zesco United, Sven Yidah of Kariobangi Sharks, Erick Rutanga of Rayon Sports and Mukoko Tonombe of AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Robin van Persie hailed Anthony Martial as "world-class" after Manchester United's win over Copenhagen and described him as "a joy to watch" in full flow.

United booked a spot in the Europa League semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Danish outfit in Cologne on Monday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men had 14 shots on target during the game and hit the post twice, with the breakthrough finally coming via a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the first half of extra time.

Martial was the man who won the spot-kick to cap a productive night's work, as he jinked his way through the Copenhagen defence on a number of occasions to set up some of the Red Devils' best chances.

The Frenchman wasn't able to add to his tally of 23 goals across all competitions, but Van Persie felt he was the standout performer once again in a game of fine margins in Germany.

"The outstanding player for me tonight was Martial," the former United striker told BT Sport. "When he switches it on he’s just too fast, too silky and wow, what a player!

"He is such a joy to watch. It’s like he’s having a kick-about in his own garden.

"What I like about Martial is he has an eye for his team-mates – he isn’t just playing for himself. He always has an eye for his team-mates and that’s what sets him apart from very good players. 

"That’s why I think he’s world-class. He can provide, he can give assists, he dribbles, he’s fast but he has great awareness of what’s around him."

Paul Scholes, another legendary Old Trafford figure, echoed Van Persie's sentiments on Martial, while expressing his belief that the 24-year-old has become a complete striker under Solskjaer's stewardship.

"I like him, I’ve always liked him," said the ex-United playmaker. "I thought is he a Number nine or is he a wide player? He’s turned himself into a number nine with every game I watch more and more.

"I think when he squares a player up and gets a run at him I think he’s unstoppable. I don’t see how you stop him. He’s only started showing it lately.

"Now I think he’s brought the all-round game. He’s got everything, he can beat a man, he can score goals, he’s got everything you’d want in a centre-forward."

Solskjaer's side will now look ahead to a last-four meeting against either Wolves or Sevilla on Sunday, as their quest to end the club's three year wait for major silverware continues.

Goalkeeper Cryspus Kusiima has revealed why he opted to sign for Express FC.

On Monday, the Red Eagles confirmed the arrival of the 24-year-old custodian from Tooro United after he agreed to pen a two-year contract.

On signing the player, Express said: “Express have on Monday, August 10, announced the signing of goalkeeper Kusiima Cryspus on a two-year deal.

“The 24-year-old who was formerly at Tooro United will be looking to battle for the number one jersey alongside mainstay Matthias Muwanga.”

Kusiima has now told the club’s official website that he was prompted to sign for the Red Eagles because they are a big brand in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) and revealed his target is to keep as many clean sheets as possible next season.

“I joined Express FC because it’s a big brand and club, the target is to create as many clean sheets in my case am looking at 18 because I know if I achieve that, we shall be in the top three a position I want us to finish in as well,” Kusiima told the club website.

On how he will cope fighting for a place with the keepers already at the club, Kusiima said: “I know I’ve joined a team with competitive players but the good thing is its healthy competition and I also believe if we work as a unit, we shall all win as a team.”

Kusiima will have to fight for a starting role with first choice Muwanga, who struggled last season owing to a nagging injury.

The custodian became the first of many signings for Express ahead of the new season which is scheduled to start on October 17.

In a recent interview, Express boss Wasswa Bbosa admitted he was expecting a competitive 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season.

"We all know clubs are re-organizing themselves and that they will be competitive next season," Bbosa told reporters.

"But actually if anything, we have already done our homework on all the teams. So I would say we are braced up for any team that will come our way."

The six-time league champions finished the abandoned league in the ninth position with 31 points, after managing nine wins, four draws, and 12 losses.

Bbosa was appointed at the club at the expense of the sacked George Ssimwogere. After steering the team from the relegation zone to a ninth-place finish, he was rewarded with a three-year contract.

Alexis Sanchez is in doubt for Inter's Europa League semi-final after the club confirmed he suffered an injury during their quarter-final win against Leverkusen.

After coming on as a 64th minute substitute in the 2-1 victory, the Chilean was forced to hobble off late in the match and receive treatment on a right leg injury before completing the 90 minutes.

Inter used their Twitter account post-match to confirm Sanchez had an injury associated with his right leg - and with the club's Europa League last-four match coming in seven days, the 31-year-old's fitness will need to be assessed.

According to Transfermarkt, Sanchez has missed 64 games during his career through injury, with the majority of issues to do with leg and ankle problems.

Sanchez has spent the last season on loan at the San Siro from Manchester United, with the move announced as permanent last week.

His Inter side will play either Shakhtar or Basel in the Europa League semis after accounting for their German opposition in Cologne.

Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku scored early goals before Chelsea target Kai Havertz pulled one back for the Bundesliga side - who couldn't find an equaliser in the second half.

"We proved to everyone who said we weren't a team that we are a great group and we've got balls," Barella told Sky Italia.

"We could've killed it off earlier and rested a little more, but Leverkusen are a very strong side and caused us problems.

"Now we have proved ourselves as a team and want to reach the final. Just as we respect everyone in the competition, they have to worry about us too."

Lukaku's goal set a new record in the Europa League, as he became the first player to net in nine successive appearances in the competition.

However, the former Manchester United forward's focus is not on personal achievements.

"Records are records, but the victory was so important, Leverkusen are a team with great quality and an excellent coach," Lukaku told Sky Italia.

"The defence did a great job and in my view the man of the match was Barella, as in recent weeks he has been just fantastic, he's everywhere.

"We've been clearly improving recently, we just need to finish more of our chances and kill games off earlier. Now we have a week to prepare for the semi-final.

"That is going to be another huge game and we have to be ready."

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to talk about rumoured transfer target Jadon Sancho after the Red Devils advanced to the Europa League semi-finals.

United booked their spot in the final four of Europe's secondary club competition after edging Danish opponents Copenhagen 1-0 in extra time on Monday.

Bruno Fernandes' 95th-minute penalty secured a semi-final showdown with either Premier League rivals Wolves or La Liga outfit Sevilla.

But attention turned to Borussia Dortmund star Sancho post-match amid ongoing speculation over the England international's future.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, earlier on Monday, insisted Sancho will stay at the Bundesliga club, despite United's interested.

Asked about Sancho, Solskjaer replied: "I can't comment on other team's players, I can't do that. You know that. I never do."

On the match itself in Cologne, Solskjaer said: "I am delighted that we're through. I think we deserved to win tonight. It could have been one of those nights that you ended up with a penalty shootout. They made it hard for us.

"It's a good team we played against, well organised. They had a gameplan – we knew they were going to be hard to break down. We knew we would get chances."

Juan Mata was influential as a substitute at the start of extra time, his composure and passing helping United earn the decisive penalty.

Mata has struggled for game time this season but Solskjaer heaped praise on the 32-year-old Spaniard.

"I think you saw when he came on he's so composed, calm," Solskjaer said. "He's clever, he's got quick feet in small right areas.

"He can pick a pass, he can calm us down at times and he's such a great influence in and around the place as well, with the culture and the dressing room. I just commend him for his professionalism.

"Of course, he's disappointed he's not played more but he's one of the top assist-makers in the Europa League and he's really done well for us."

United's semi-final against Wolves or Sevilla will be held on August 16 as the Red Devils attempt to qualify for the final - which is scheduled for four days later.

Romelu Lukaku’s fine debut campaign at Inter continued when he broke two more records during their Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen on Monday.

The Belgium international swept home the Nerazzurri’s second goal of the night in Dusseldorf to take his tally in all competitions to 31.

In doing so he became the player to score in nine successive Europa League or UEFA Cup matches, breaking the record of eight he previously shared with Newcastle’s Alan Shearer 2005. He is also the first player to score in six successive European matches for Inter.

In an eventful opening 45 minutes, Lukaku also had a role in Inter’s opener after 16 minutes, with his blocked shot landing in the path of Nico Barella, who fired the ball home through a crowd of players.

Lukaku then showed great strength to hold off Edmond Tapsoba, before somehow turning and squeezing the ball home as he was falling to the floor.

Leverkusen brought themselves back into the game before the break when Chelsea target Kai Havertz powered the ball beyond Samir Handanovic from inside the area after a neat one-two with Kevin Volland.

Lukaku is already enjoying the best goalscoring season of his career, having eclipsed the 27 goals he scored for Manchester United in the 2017-18 campaign with two goals during Inter’s Serie A win at Genoa last month.

That double took his away tally for the season to 15, the first Inter player to score that many goals away from home in 70 years, equalling the record set by Stefano Nyers during the 1949-50 campaign. 

By hitting the 30-goal mark, Lukaku also became the first Inter striker to score that many goals since Samuel Eto'o in 2010-11 , when the striker famously netted 37 times just one season as Inter claimed an historic treble.

Should Inter hold on for the win they will face either Shakhtar Donetsk or FC Basel in the semi-finals as they look to end the campaign on a high.

Their season so far has been one of near misses, with Antonio Conte’s side reaching the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia before finishing second in Serie A, one point behind nine-time champions Juventus.