Looking for Soccer News?

Andrea Pirlo's appointment as the head coach of Juventus is a surprise, says Renzo Ulivieri - but the Italian Football Managers' Association chairman believes that the former midfielder could thrive in his new job, hailing him as a "profound connoisseur" of football.

The former Italy international was handed the top job in Turin just nine days after he was handed the reins of the club's under-23 setup, replacing Maurizo Sarri in the wake of the Bianconeri's Champions League exit against Lyon on Friday.

The eye-catching decision to promote the 41-year-old - who has never coached at senior level before - caught many unawares, particularly given that Ulivieri says that Pirlo has yet to obtain his full accreditation from the Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano, the Italian Football Federation's technical centre.

Speaking out on Juve chairman Andrea Agnelli's choice, onetime Bologna and Napoli boss Ulivieri pushed back at the suggestion that the decision was a particularly risky one, hailing the World Cup winner as a "scholar" of the game, suggesting that his insights will stand him and his employers in good stead.

“Was Agnelli more courageous or reckless [in his decision]?" he told Calcio Mercato . "I'd say it was realistic.

"I'm sure in saying that Andrea Pirlo is currently one of the most profound connoisseurs of the game of football in the world.

"I'm talking about technical knowledge, as a coach. I'm not referring to those skills acquired on the pitch, as a footballer.

"Those are another thing and offer no guarantee of success [as a coach]. Pirlo is a scholar, one who has deepened his knowledge of the subject. He is ready."

Asked on the situation in regards to Pirlo's coaching license and how he has applied himself as a student, Ulivieri added: "He has permission to coach because he attended and completed the course, but he will only make it official in October when he delivers his thesis.

“[He is] careful, sharp. He is someone who looks ahead. He is always precise, someone who doesn't put everything down on paper. He will listen to everything and think, then write on the paper only the things he considers important."

Pirlo now faces a six-week wait to take charge of Juve for the first time in a competitive game following the club's European exit, with the new Serie A campaign set to begin on September 19.

Borussia Dortmund are not concerned by Jadon Sancho's journey home to the UK during the coronavirus pandemic and reports linking him to a move to Manchester United.

Dortmund winger Sancho returned to his homeland this weekend to attend a party and video of the England international was posted on social media.

The 20-year-old made the return to the UK amid claims that United are trying to lure him away from the German outfit.

However, Dortmund have set a deadline of August 10 for any deal to be finalised, with the German side set to travel to Switzerland for a training camp on Monday.

The Bundesliga club have explained that they are happy for the former Manchester City academy player to return home before they resume preparation for next season and say he did not violate any Covid-19 safety measures. 

"It's common and fine for players to go home before a training camp if they're not risky," Dortmund's press spokesman Sascha Fligge said.

"The same goes for Jadon. From our point of view, the pictures that have been shown to us do not violate the current Coronavirus Protection Ordinance or hygiene regulations."

Dortmund are understood to be demanding around €120 million (£108m/$141m) for Sancho, though United are reluctant to match the fee and could turn to other targets if they cannot talk the Germans down from that asking price.

It has been reported that Sancho had already agreed personal terms with Man Utd, but Goal reported this week that discussions are continuing and no deal has been struck between the player and the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke insisted on Wednesday that there had been talks between the two clubs.

"So far, there has been no contact between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in terms of Sancho," he told Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"Also not directly or through alleged intermediaries."

Sporting director Michael Zorc added: "I assume that Jadon will go to the training camp on Monday and play with us for the coming season."

Sancho joined Dortmund from City in 2017 and went on to score 17 goals and set up 16 in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Liverpool right-back Neco Williams will become the latest youngster to be rewarded for his progress by the club with a new and improved five-year contract following a breakout season at Anfield, Goal can confirm.

The 19-year-old defender will be handed a fresh deal following a Premier League-winning campaign that saw him make his senior debut and first top-flight appearance for Jurgen Klopp's side, with the teenager now considered a first team player in his manager's eyes.

The Wales youth international's contact is expected to be a standard reward renewal, in the wake of new terms for fellow starlets Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, with the latter signing his first professional deal on Merseyside last month.

Having earned a maiden call-up to the senior side following a string of impressive performances of the Reds' academy teams last October, Williams enjoyed a dream debut to remember in a 10-goal Carabao Cup thriller against Arsenal in front of a home crowd, notching a last-gasp assist for Divock Origi to send the game beyond 90 minutes to a victorious penalty shoot-out for the hosts.

His form earned him a place in the squad that won the Club World Cup against Flamengo in Qatar in December, but he would have to wait six months to take to the field in the Premier League after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted Liverpool's charge for the title.

Once the season resumed in June, he was a semi-regular presence in Klopp's plans, playing six of the club's final nine games of the season - one more than the minimum requirement of five matches needed to qualify for a Premier League winners' medal following the club's triumph.

Having tied Williams down until 2025, Liverpool look poised to secure their first new signing of the transfer window too, as the club near a £11.75m ($15.3m) deal for Olympiacos left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

The 24-year-old is expected to complete a medical early next week and will provide back-up for Andy Robertson as Klopp looks to refresh his squad ahead of what will be their first domestic title defence for three decades when the new Premier League campaign starts on September 12.

Benike Afobe will be hoping to have a better season with Stoke City after he was spotted training with his teammates following the commencement of pre-season preparations.

The DR Congo international had a 2019-20 season to forget where he was loaned out to Bristol City, but played only 13 times in the Championship and scored three goals as he had a long spell on the sidelines with injury and also lost his two-year-old daughter.

Afobe started the season with the Potters and played for the entire month of August 2019, scoring goals in victories over Queens Park Rangers and Hull City.

He missed action starting from September and did not return to the field until the restart of the Championship in June. He still remained with Bristol and first played for 18 minutes in a 3-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers. He played in six more games which included 90 minutes in 1-0 defeats against Nottingham Forest and Swansea City.

Stoke boss Michael O'Neill was happy to see Afobe back at the club and is keen for him to rebuild after the setbacks of the previous campaign.

“I'm looking forward to getting Benik back. (Sending him on loan) wouldn't have been a decision I would have endorsed at the time because I think he can be a really top player in the Championship,” O’Neil was quoted saying in StokeonTrentLive.

“He is coming back off injury and he had the terrible personal tragedy during the season as well, so I am looking forward to getting Benik back in the building and getting the best out him, what he was brought here to do, which is score goals. I believe he has that capability."

Afobe first joined Stoke on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2018-19 season before he joined permanently at the end of that campaign. Overall, he has played 50 times for the Potters, scoring nine goals and providing five assists.

The 27-year-old began his career at Arsenal but never made it into the first team and was sent out on loan to Huddersfield Town, Reading, Bolton Wanderers, Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons before being snapped up permanently by Wolves.

He also had a stint with Bournemouth in the Premier League between 2016 and 2018.

Atletico Madrid may be one of the best teams in Europe but RB Leipzig have the talent to match them in their Champions League quarter-final, according to Kevin Kampl.

Having twice lost finals in the competition during Diego Simeone's reign, Atleti will hope to finally get their hands on the famous trophy as the knockout stages are completed in Portugal.

The Spanish club ended Liverpool's title defence in the previous round but must now get past a Leipzig side who also knocked out English opponents to reach the last eight, impressively putting out Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate.

Leipzig midfielder Kampl knows Atleti will be tough to beat, considering their reputation for being strong defensively, but believes there is no real favourite ahead of Thursday's meeting.

"Atletico Madrid have been one of the best teams in Europe for years. They have a lot of experience on the field and have already made it to the final in recent seasons," he told the media.

"Even if they haven't won the title yet, we know that this team is of high quality. We also know that they defend very well and have an extremely good counter-attack and know how to use their phases of possession. Often a 1-0 win is enough for them.

"We have a great squad and are in no way inferior to Atletico's quality. We are always dangerous for goals, no matter what formation we play with or who will be on the pitch.

"In addition, we are all aware of this great opportunity that is presented to us here. Everyone will tear themselves apart to win and advance to the semi-finals. There is no real favourite on Thursday."

Leipzig will need to find a way to beat Jan Oblak, a goalkeeper Kampl knows all about from their time playing together for Slovenia.

The 29-year-old is full of praise for his compatriot, rating him "one of the best in the world" ahead of the clash to decide who will progress through to a semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain or Atalanta.

"Of course, I know Jan from my time with the Slovenia national team. He is a really outstanding keeper and for me is one of the best in the world," Kampl said.

"He has already achieved a lot in his career and he still has enormous potential. We actually have still been in contact now and then.

"We exchanged a few messages before we arrived and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the pitch on Thursday."

Ole Gunnar Solskajer admits he has a ‘difficult’ decision to make on Dean Henderson ahead of the new season.

The on-loan goalkeeper has impressed at Sheffield United again this season and has earned himself a nomination for Premier League Young Player of the Year.

With the campaign over, his stint at Bramall Lane has come to the end and, while Chris Wilder would like to have the 23-year-old back, Henderson has caused a conundrum at Old Trafford.

David de Gea has had a mistake-ridden campaign and there have been calls for Henderson to replace him going forward.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer would also not be pushed on whether Sergio Romero would be keeping his place as United’s Europa League goalkeeper as the competition heads into a knockout tournament in Germany.

“I think I must be the most privileged manager in the world with the goalkeeping department I have with Sergio, David and we’ve got Dean Henderson coming back too,” Solskjaer said.

“We have three top, top keepers. This season has shown how important Sergio has been for us and for me David is always performing, so we shall see what we do for the rest of the season and going forward. It is a difficult decision, yeah. But it’s a nice problem to have.”

Pressed on Henderson in particular, who only wants to return to Old Trafford on the proviso he is first-choice, Solskjaer said it will be difficult to decide what to do with the goalkeeper.

“I think it’s as you say: competition for places is important. We are looking to have competition for places. We have Dean, Sergio, David in the ranks,” Solskjaer explained.

“Lee [Grant], the fantastic professional that he is, is backing them up. It will be difficult to keep three of them at the club, so we will see what the decision will be there.”

While Solskjaer would not confirm if Romero would be starting on Monday night against Copenhagen in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, he did make it clear Brandon Williams would be in the starting XI. The teenager has had a formidable debut season in the first team but isn’t complacent about keeping his place.

“I can drop down to the under-23s or pick up an injury, or anything. I’m just focused on what I’m doing I want to keep working hard and try and play as many games as I can,” the full-back said.

“It’s down to myself to keep improving and keep fit and ready to play every game like I have and I’m always ready for the next game. We’ve got games coming up. We have a game tomorrow and a one-off game and we need to win.”

Kenya internationals Harun Shakava, Duke Abuya, and Duncan Otieno have finally celebrated winning the Zambian Super League title on Sunday.

Nkana were officially crowned the champions for the 2019-20 season after second-placed Forest Rangers secured a 0-0 draw against Zanaco in their re-arranged match.

The draw enabled Nkana to clinch their 13th Super League title, to remain the most successful club in the Zambian league.

Nkana and Rangers both finished on 50 points from the shortened Super League season that saw 27 of the 34 rounds played, but the former’s +17 goal-difference was four better than Rangers, who were fell tantalisingly short of their first-ever title victory.

Rangers could not play their previous match after 28 members tested positive for the coronavirus and the Disciplinary Committee awarded Zanaco three points and a 3-0 scoreline for the unplayed match on July 18, 2020.

Forest Rangers had challenged the decision that awarded Zanaco a walkover and three points but the Appeals Committee went ahead to rule in their favour.

The Zambian league was the third in Africa to resume their domestic competitions after Burundi and Tanzania owing to the break which occurred from mid-March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

After four months of waiting, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) decided to restart the league after being given the green light by the government.

The Ligue A of Burundi was also played to the end, like the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, which saw Simba SC crowned champions after attaining 88 points.

Yanga came second behind Simba, Azam were third while Simba also crowned the season by winning a treble, beating Namungo FC 2-1 in the final of the FA Cup.

Zanaco will now represent Zambia in the Caf Champions League while Forest will take part in the Confederation Cup.

In the meantime, for the first time in the club’s history, Zesco United will miss out on Caf duty for Zambia after they finished the season a distant fifth.

Zesco United is also the home to Kenyan players Jesse Were, who is being linked with a transfer move to Yanga, John Makwatta, and goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

Leon Goretzka was stunned to see Robert Lewandowski's star performance in the Champions League match against Chelsea on Saturday despite the Bayern Munich striker's relaxed attitude in training.

After scoring one and setting up two goals in the first leg of the last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge in February, the Poland international netted a double and set up another two in the return fixture on Saturday as Bayern strolled to a 7-1 aggregate win over Frank Lampard's team.

And Goretzka was surprised by his team-mate's effectiveness against the Blues after seeing him prepare for the game.

"He's actually a phenomenon," Goretzka told Sport1. 

"When I saw how he trained last week, I thought to myself: 'Should I talk to him about why he's not running?' But he only said: 'Keep calm! Saturday is important.'"

He continued: "[Winning the treble] is our goal in the end, but it's a very special competition. It has a bit of the character of a European Championship or World Cup. But we're really hot and looking forward to the trip."

Lewandowski has scored 13 times in the Champions League this season and is four short of Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals in a single campaign.

But the 31-year-old says he is not thinking about individual records as they turn their attention to the quarter-final clash against Barcelona.

"The record is not a goal. We only have one knockout game now and we have to play really well as a team. The most important thing is that we win and play the next round," he said.

"We have to show as a team that we are better and that we want to get to the semi-finals.

"Barcelona are always dangerous. They are always dangerous and always play great football.

"We have to from the first minute watch out and show our quality. This is just one game and the better team will play in the next round. 

"It is a big goal for every player to win the Champions League. But we have to beat Barcelona first and not think about what happens afterwards. First the game, then we see what happens afterwards."

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt suggests three days will be sufficient for their preparations ahead of their Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night.

The Clever Boys will head to FNB Stadium licking their wounds after losing 3-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Saturday evening.

Hunt also credited Masandawana winger Lyle Lakay for his stunning free-kick which helped to book a spot in the final, saying he signed him from Old Mutual Academy at SuperSport United as a youngster many years ago.

“Well, the only good about Kaizer Chiefs is that we have three days and all the other games will be two days. So, you know we have a little bit of mileage in our legs now,” Hunt said to the media.

“How are we going to respond, obviously from the whole thing, losing the game as I said will be very difficult…the guys gave their all and there are no excuses, they were very unfortunate to lose the game. We should have won the game but we gave the three goals away.

“Then you’ve got to give Lyle Lakay, who I signed from Old Mutual Academy many years ago. He’s come good and I’m happy for him, happy for Pitso [Mosimane] and the team.”

Speaking about his two-goal hero in the form of Terrence Dzvukamanja, the four-time PSL winner says he’s surprised nobody has snapped him up as yet.

“Yeah, I’m amazed nobody has snapped him [Dzvukamanja] up, fantastic young player,” he added.

“He’s the man of the match tonight [Saturday], besides the two goals, he was outstanding and he played very well for us in a completely different role.

“Because we don’t have Gift Motupa, that’s the story for us in the coming games.”

As the 2016/17 PSL winners sit sixth on the table with 38 points from 21 games, they will look to finish in a decent spot especially after their Ke Yona exit.

On the other hand, facing Amakhosi, who will be making their return since March at the iconic venue could give Hunt the edge as his men have their first match under the belt.

Coach Ernst Middendorp’s men are scheduled to face Wits on two occasions in their quest to dethrone the Brazilians as reigning league champions.

Chiefs sit at the summit with 48 points from eight matches to go and will also be keen to see the winner between second-placed Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Dobsonvile Stadium on Tuesday night.

Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham says that Robert Lewandowski is the benchmark that other strikers must aim for and added that it is his target to attain the level the Bayern Munich hitman is currently playing at.

The 22-year-old saw from close quarters the excellence of the Poland international as the Blues crashed out of the Champions League 7-1 on aggregate to the Bundesliga champions on Saturday, having suffered a thumping 4-1 loss in Germany.

Although Abraham got the consolation for Frank Lampard’s side, the night belonged to Lewandowski, who scored twice to take his tally to 13 in the Champions League for the 2019-20 season and 53 in all competitions.

“For me he is the best striker in the world right now and that is the level I have to get to and better,” Abraham said of the 31-year-old in an interview with the Telegraph.

“That is what I aspire to be and coming here and playing against him is a great learning curve, a great experience for me. Building to next season and onwards I have to build myself to get to those levels.”

Abraham is seeking to improve on a campaign in which he scored 15 Premier League goals in 34 outings, and saw Chelsea finish fourth in the Premier League, reach the last 16 of the Champions League and end the FA Cup as runners-up.

“This is Chelsea Football Club,” said Abraham. “There’s always going to be high standards and high competition. This is something I’ve been dreaming of as a kid so I have to fight for my spot, it’s never going to come easy.

“It didn’t come easy at the start of the season but I worked myself into the team and that’s what I have to keep doing.

“It’s been a phenomenal season for myself and the lads. I couldn’t ask for a better season. I have had a few niggles here and there but I have come out stronger and I have just got to build myself for next season: start well, end well. That’s my aim. This [Bayern] is the level so next season I have to raise my bar and go again.”

Chelsea will begin their 2020-21 campaign in September.

Siyanda Xulu’s development coach Lindani Shezi said he did not doubt his protege’s career was going to flourish after he turned the former Kaizer Chiefs star from being a striker into a defender.

Shezi says Xulu briefly quit football in frustration and attempted to pursue a music career before he convinced the player to return to the game where he coached him at eThekwini Coastal.

“I discovered Siyanda when he was 14 years. He had given up on football at that time,” said Shezi as per IOL.

“Siyanda was playing for Bootlaces and they won the Transnet and they were supposed to go to Bloemfontein but that didn’t happen. As a result, he decided to go into music.

“When I brought him back to football, he was singing. When I got him, he was the striker. I converted Siyanda to a centre-back. He played for our Under-15, 17 and 19's. He captained all those sides because he has got leadership skills.”

After playing some good football for eThekwini Coastal, Xulu was snapped up by Kaizer Chiefs, before Mamelodi Sundowns took him away from the Soweto giants.

He later returned to Chiefs following a stint at Russian side Rostov.

“Siyanda moved from us to Kaizer Chiefs. [Former Bafana and Chiefs striker] Fani Madida initiated his move to Chiefs' development. He spoke with Bobby Motaung and they took the boy. Sundowns discovered him while playing for Chiefs development,” Shezi said.

Shezi who is now a development coach at Golden Arrows hails Xulu as a “born leader.”

“He has been a disciplined player since a young age. You’ll never find him making headlines for the wrong reasons, he is a born leader,” said Shezi.

“I had no doubt that he would play in the national team and go overseas. He is one of the most humble and disciplined players.”

The former Maritzburg United star who can play as a centre-back or right-back recently returned to Europe where he joined Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli top-flight league.

His move back to Europe came amid reported interest from Orlando Pirates.

Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has been compared to former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala by Micah Richards.

Richards, who turned out for the Citizens between 2005 and 2015, was analysing the Serie A club’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League, which saw them lose out to the Catalans 4-2 on aggregate.

Particular attention was paid to Koulibaly, who has long been touted as a transfer target for some of Europe’s largest sides, with City among the pack seeking the Senegal international as they aim to strengthen their defence further after adding Nathan Ake from Bournemouth.

Koulibaly had a difficult game up against Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and won an unfavourable comparison from the ex-England defender.

“I think his price-tag is £20 milllion ($26.6m) less,” he told CBS Sports. “Everyone talks about how he is supposed to be composed on the ball, he's aggressive but I see similarities to Mangala - and he went to City and it didn't really work out for him there so I'm not totally convinced after that performance.”

Mangala won a high-profile switch to City from Porto in 2014 but endured a torrid five years with the club before ultimately leaving on a free transfer to Valencia in the summer of 2019, having played 57 Premier League matches without scoring a goal.

Koulibaly, meanwhile, started his career with Metz before moving to Genk in 2012. He subsequently moved to Napoli three years later and has since made close to 250 appearances in all competitions for the Stadio San Paolo side.

His reputation has flourished in Italy and he has been regularly linked to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, and Napoli have admitted he might depart imminently. 

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told Sky Italia: “Kalidou is a great person, I would be terribly sad to lose him. But there is a time for everything, even to move apart. 

“But the €90m (£79m/$104m) asking price is not on the table and so it takes two to make a deal.”

The player has also admitted he could be off, telling Radio Kiss Kiss: “I would love to stay at Napoli for life, but I can’t make promises.”

Solomon Asante was in full swing for Phoenix Rising as he provided two assists in their 5-2 United Soccer League win over New Mexico United.

The Arizona outfit came into this game on the back of a 3-1 victory over El Paso FC of Texas with Asante getting a goal for himself.

They however started from behind with Romeo Parkes giving the visitors the lead in the fifth minute.

Jamaica international Junior Flemmings went on to equalise for Phoenix in the 17th minute and it didn’t take long for them to make it 2-1 with Asante assisting Azerbaijan forward Rufat Dadashov five minutes later.

Five minutes after the restart it became 3-1 with Asante’s cross on the right finding the head of American defender Alec John Cochran. New Mexico hoped for a comeback with Andrew Tinari cutting the deficit in the 59th minute.

That was going to be the last goal from the Albuquerque side as Phoenix added two more goals in the closing moments of the game thanks to Flemmings who completed his hat-trick.

Asante played for 87 minutes and was replaced by Jack Barmby. Another Ghanaian to play was Owusu Ansah Kontor and he was on the pitch 68 minutes before Joey Calistri took his place.

Asante’s assists took his tally to five after six games. His prior assists came in the opening two games of the season against Portland Timber 2 and LA Galaxy II, both ending in 6-1 and 4-0 victories for Phoenix. The 30-year-old Ghanaian also scored in both games, netting one in the former and two in the latter.

After the victory, Asante took to social media to celebrate the victory which sees Phoenix sit top of the Group B USL standings.

“Great team effort, quality play, nice goals and a deserved victory. Let's keep the #confidence #teamwork #teamspirit. Thanks for your amazing support from various homes,” he posted on Twitter.

Asante has been with Phoenix since 2018 when he joined from DR Congo side TP Mazembe and has scored 40 goals and provided 33 assists in 77 matches.

2019 was his most fulfilling year as he won the Phoenix Rising Most Valuable Player (Fans Choice), Golden Boot, Goal of the season, Assist of the year, Players Player of the year.

He also won the 2019 USL Championship Golden Boot, USL Most Valuable Player and was in the USL Team of the Year.

Yanga SC have bolstered their squad with defender Ally Kibwana Shomari who is joining from Mtibwa Sugar.

The 27-time league champions brought the full-back on board to fill the void left by assistant captain Juma Abdul. 

Kibwana Ally Shomari has officially joined [Yanga SC] from Mtibwa Sugar on a two-year contract," the Jangwani-based side communicated on their official social media accounts.

Shomari has been consistent for the Sugar Millers and was reportedly a target for Simba SC and Azam FC before eventually settling for Timu ya Wananchi who are restructuring for next season.

Kelvin Yondani is another defender who was let go by Yanga; the 35-year-old defender failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension.

Recently, Wananchi signed Abdallah Shaibu on a two-year contract.

The 21-year-old served Yanga between 2017 and 2019 before he signed for MFK Vyskov of the Czech Republic.

The youngster did not stay long with the European club before he signed for LA Galaxy II in 2019 where he equally spent less time.

His arrival comes days after Yanga signed another defender, Bakari Mwamnyeto from Coastal Union who also put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

Shaibu and Mwamnyeto are expected to fill the void of Kelvin Yondani or Juma Abdul.

Peter Zawadi Mauya, Yassin Mustapha, and Waziri Junior are the other players Yanga have handed deals to.

Meanwhile, after releasing Yondani and Abdul, Yanga are understood to have called the two to a meeting in order to offer them short-term deals, Goal can report.

They were among the 14 players who were deemed surplus and let go but the club believes the defenders possess important experience that might prove worthy in the near future.

It is for this reason the management called them individually to a meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday but an agreement was not signed by either star.

The defenders are said to have felt the contracts are not as good and requested for more time to ponder whether to sign them or not.

Yondani, 35, has been on the books of Yanga since 2012 when he was signed from archrivals Simba SC and these have been the only two clubs he has served in his career.

Victor Osimhen wished he was on the pitch to play and help his Napoli teammates in their 3-1 Champions League round of 16 second-leg defeat by Barcelona, according to his brother-in-law and representative, Osita Okolo.

The Partenopei were clear underdogs heading into the tie having drawn 1-1 at home in the first leg back in February, and it proved to go that way with first-half goals from Clement Lenglet, Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez, securing a 3-1 win (4-2 on aggregate).

Osimhen watched the game but was unable to participate having just joined them following a €50 million move from Lille. He is expected to start training with his teammates when the new season commences.

Okolo believes the Nigeria international is going to have a huge impact at the San Paolo.

"Victor saw the match between Barcelona and Naples: he told me he wanted to play in it to help his new teammates," Okolo told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Sorry for the elimination because the team has made itself respected despite facing a strong club like Barcelona.

"Osimhen will have a great impact with Napoli, I am sure. He has a great desire above all to score: he is an excellent finisher and he will come to do what he does best, that is to score.

"He will be in Castel di Sangro on the dates set by the club for preparation. Soon he will join the group to start this new adventure."

Osimhen started his senior career at Wolfsburg before moving the Charleroi in Belgium and then Lille. He revealed the reason why he was not able to establish himself in Germany, citing a lack of patience from Wolfsburg in allowing him to prove his worth.

“The weather, the language, the food [affected me]. It was my first time in Europe, I was just 18-years-old and I didn't have enough time to acclimatise. They didn't believe in me very much,” Osimhen told Sport1.

This was in contrast to Charleroi where he claims he was accepted and appreciated. He ended up scoring 20 goals in 36 appearances in just one season.

“I think that the love and acceptance that I experienced in Charleroi helped me a lot. I had just come out of a difficult situation and my self-confidence was at its lowest point,” he said.

Willian has confirmed his departure from Chelsea in an open letter to the club's fans.

The Brazilian winger's contract with the London side expires at the end of August, though the club offered him an extension and he has also been linked with a move to city rivals Arsenal.

The 32-year-old has confirmed he will not stay on at Stamford Bridge and thanked the Blues supporters for their affection during his time there.

"They were seven wonderful years. In August 2013 when I received the offer from Chelsea, I was convinced that this was where I had to play," Willian wrote.

"Today I am certain that it was the best of decisions. There were so many happy times, some sad, there were trophies and it was always very intense.

"Yet, beyond the trophies, I learnt a lot about myself. I developed a great deal, becoming a better player and a better person. With each training session, with each game, with every minute spent in the dressing room, I was always learning.

"I am really grateful to the Chelsea fans for the affectionate way they welcomed me at Stamford Bridge and their support throughout my time at the club. There was also criticism, which is normal, what is important though is that both the affection and criticism drove me to always give my all in every training session, every game, to be constantly improving until my very last minute in a Chelsea shirt!

"The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my team-mates. I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans. I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt!

"My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you!"

Willian joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 and went on to make 339 appearances for the Premier League side. 

He lifted two Premier League titles and won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.

Senzo Mbatha Mazingiza has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Simba SC effective immediately.

The administrator has been reportedly under immense pressure for player tapping regarding the signing of Bernard Morrison of Yanga SC. The official has taken to Twitter to announce his resignation from Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

"A special thank you message to Simba SC leadership for providing me the opportunity to lead this great club," Mazingiza tweeted on Sunday afternoon.

"I, regrettably, have tendered my resignation from the club with immediate effect. Within a short space of time, a lot has been achieved. 

"[Thank you so much Simba]."

Ghanaian Morrison was still contracted to Yanga when Simba signed him without following due process, a move that has been bitterly contested by the former.

Mazingiza joined the 21-time league champions in September 2019.

The South African football administrator replaced Crescentius Magori at the Tanzanian football powerhouse.   

Mazingiza is an experienced football administrator having worked for Pirates between 2011 and 2013.

The former Platinum Stars general manager was in charge of the Buccaneers' administration as the club clinched the 2011/12 PSL title.

He left the Soweto giants for now-defunct Platinum Stars in 2013 where he also enjoyed success.

Dikwena clinched the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout Cup before Mazingiza left the club in September 2017.

Prior to joining Pirates, Mazingiza worked at Bay United and the University of Pretoria.

During his reign, Simba failed to go past the initial stage of the Caf Champions League as opposed to the previous season when they went all the way to the quarter-finals of the competition.

They turned their focus to domestic football where they started by winning the Community Shield by defeating former FA Cup winners Azam FC 4-2.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi went on to clinch their third Tanzania Mainland League title in as many seasons with six games to spare.

In this period, they also qualified for the FA Cup final where they defeated Namungo 2-1 to be crowned. John Bocco and Clatous Chama were on target for Simba with Charles Manyama scoring a consolation for Namungo.

Simba will represent Tanzania in the Caf Champions League next season.

After completing a loan move to Belgium’s RSC Anderlecht in the past few days, former Bafana Bafana defender Lucas Radebe believes striker Percy Tau is close to moving to the Premier League.

‘Rhoo’ is confident the former Mamelodi Sundowns player can grow under ex-Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, saying he must not be distracted by the consecutive loan moves.

The former Leeds United skipper recently told Goal he would love to see the former Masandawana striker in the English top-flight, saying the 26-year-old is ready for a move to England.

“He must be patient and let it not [club hopping] cloud his mind. Percy has character and he has proved during his time in Belgium that he can adapt to a foreign environment,” he told City Press.

“I think he’s close to going to the Premier League. This is the season where he needs to focus and push for regular game time. Obviously, the rules are tough for foreign players to be granted a work permit in a country such as England.

“One other key aspect is the rankings of a national team and, Bafana are ranked low, there’s definitely going to be a little bit of doubt. Tau is an investment and this has been supported by the fact that there are always suitors lining up to sign him whenever his loan deal ends.

“At Anderlecht, he is with the right person in Vincent Kompany, who will definitely recommend him highly in the Premiership. So, I think Percy is very close to a move to England and hopefully, this is the season it happens.”

On the other hand, retired Bafana midfielder Maimane Phiri also backs the Brighton & Hove Albion striker to settle down easily in the Belgian top-tier following a stint with Club Brugge last season.

“Playing just one season at a club is not good at all. What he needs is the stability for maybe two or three seasons,” Phiri added.

“But the good thing is that he is still in the same country [Belgium] and he knows the culture, the weather conditions, the atmosphere, and the playing philosophy.

“This could make it easy for him to adapt to his new club. The transition from one club to another should be easy for him because he will come up against the same opponents.

“And this is one of the biggest clubs in the country, which should improve his game. The one important thing is that he needs to play regularly so he can convince Brighton that he deserves a place in their team.”

Following two successful loan stints with Royale Union Saint-Gillioise and Club Brugge, Tau's handlers worked hard to earn him a move to the Premier League but those plans were not achieved as he will play on loan once again.

Former Super Eagles boss Johannes-Franciscus Bonfrere has admitted his yet to receive his Olympic medal 24 years after leading the Dream Team to gold in Atalanta.

Far from being considered favourites, the Nigeria squad made up of a talented group that included Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amuneke, Jay-Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Garba Lawal, Daniel Amokachi and Sunday Oliseh, all punched above their weight to beat a strong Argentina side in the final 3-2.

They are however famously remembered for their epic 4-3 semi-final win against Brazil where they rallied back from 3-1 to score in the closing 12 minutes through Ikpeba and Kanu, the latter netting twice in injury time.

It is regarded as one of the finest moments not only in Nigerian sports history but in the Olympic games as well.

Bonfrere says he was not given a medal because the provision was not made for him which he didn’t take likely.

"I have not been given the Olympic gold medal we won in 1996. After we celebrated our victory over Argentina at the final, I was prevented from climbing the podium to receive my medal,” he told BCOS TV.

"They said mine was not available. I was annoyed and refused to return with the team to Nigeria. I went to Holland instead.”

Bonfrere also revealed he was promised property by the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of his rewards for his achievements with the national team. 

"It's unfair that after bringing glory to Nigeria, I was denied my rewards", he said.

Bonfrere became Nigeria coach in 1995 and after his Olympic exploits in 1996 moved to become the coach of Qatar followed by United Arab Emirates club Al-Wahda before returning to Nigeria for the second time.

He led the Super Eagles to the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations which was co-hosted between Nigeria and Ghana. Unfortunately, they lost 4-3 on penalties to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon after it finished 2-2 in extra-time.

Back in 1975, Malaysian legend Mokhtar had scored a brace against the mighty Arsenal in a friendly match but little did he know that his feat would be repeated by another Malaysian in 2012. Eight years ago, Arsenal returned to these shores for the second straight year having already done one pre-season tour match in 2011 in Kuala Lumpur when they ran away comfortable 4-0 winners over Malaysia.

Arsenal had just finished the 2011/12 season in third place behind both Manchester clubs, City and United with Arsene Wenger facing a second straight summer of losing his club captain in Robin Van Persie after seeing Cesc Fabregas left the summer previous. Although interestingly enough, that match in 2012 contained Wenger's eventual replacement in Mikel Arteta.

Wenger's side clawed their way back into the game thanks to two late goals from Thomas Eisfeld and Chuks Aneke after Azmi had produced a thunderous opening goal for Malaysia in the first half. A goal that the then ATM player and now Pulau Pinang captain will always remember fondly by.

"To be honest, I did see the space opened up in front of me and I thought why not have a go. I had confidence in my shooting capabilities and perhaps I could force the keeper into a save. But I connected with the ball sweetly and it flew into the top corner. It was incredible to have been able to score against a top club.

"They never expected to concede to us and we can all see it in their response. They reacted angrily towards each other for allowing me space to shoot. It was amazing to see," Azmi recalled the moment to Goal.

That was a period where the Malaysia as a country was frequently graced by the presence of Premier League clubs for their pre-season friendlies but that Arsenal match represented what was the start of the end. Only three more teams from England came here to play since then in City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

While for most of the fixtures, the stadium was sold to the brim - games such as these were not taken kindly by sections of the local fans who thought that those games should have been played using a Malaysia Super League XI instead of the national team.

A perspective which Azmi completely understands and accepts but at the same time, remained glad that he was among those that had the chance to feature in those matches against players whom they would normally only see on television or on the internet.

"It was a golden opportunity for me to be chosen to be in the squad to face both Arsenal and Manchester City. It's a privilege for me to be able to play against two prestigious names that have won the Premier League titles before. It's not something that happened often to players from this region and in that sense, I felt really lucky.

"It's an unforgettable moment for me. Yes, there are a lot of other big memories in my career as a professional from competitive matches for my club side as well as for the national team but despite what some may think of games like these, it will always be a beautiful moment for me to cherish to be able to be part of those fixtures.

"We just took it as an experience to face such big clubs who do thing very differently to us and is in a different level to us. It's not an everyday opportunity to play against top players and even though it's only a friendly, there are many things which we can take away from playing in that game," added Azmi.