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Ghanaian duo Lee Addy and Mohammed Muntari Tagoe have expressed interest in joining a team in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) following their coronavirus-induced evacuation.

The two men are among a contingent of footballers who arrived back home from Ethiopia last month and promptly went through 14-day mandatory quarantine following a distress call to the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for help.

Addy, who represented Ghana at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Angola and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, played for Berekum Chelsea during his days on the domestic scene.

“I am still playing and any team that comes to me that we should go into an agreement and it is good, then I think I will embrace it and play for them. If it is a local club or team from outside Ghana," Addy told TV3.

“Football is like a military or pastoral job, anywhere God directs you to go, you have to go. So anyone who comes to me that I need you to come and help my club, I will be very glad to go and exhibit the great talent God has given to me.

“This is my country and when you are playing in your country, it is a little bit easier because of the language and the culture but when you are playing outside it is very difficult.

"I have played all over the world and I know how it is, especially Eastern Europe like Serbia, Croatia, etc, but if you are playing in your motherland and the contract is okay, then you play to your very best and you excel.”

Tagoe left for Ethiopia last year following his exit from Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko. He made his breakthrough on the local scene with Medeama, with whom he won two FA Cup titles.

“It is an agreement between two parties; they come to me and I go to them, we sit down and negotiate," the Jimma Aba Jifar goalkeeper Tagoe said.

"Any Ghanaian player should not belittle himself because this is the work we do and you have to go all out for it and deliver for the club.

“Medeama is my home but it is going to depend on what is in the contract. If I am comfortable with it, I will deliver.”

The Ghana football season is currently in recess owing to the Covid-19 situation. The season is expected to return in October. 

PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has confirmed the dates for the upcoming two transfer windows as well as the proposed start date for the new season. 

In a press conference held at the PSL offices on Friday, Khoza said the league has agreed that the transfer window be officially open on September 2 and close on October 17. 

The mid-season transfer will open for a month between February 1 to March 1, 2021. 

According to Khoza, the 2020-21 PSL season is scheduled to get underway on October 9.  

"The registration window for the PSL, as agreed by the executive committee, it will be 2nd of September to the 17th of October; that is the first window," Khoza said. 

"The second window will be the 1st of February 2021 to the 1st of March 2021," added Khoza. 

"The start of the season is presumed to be the 9th of October; the commencement of the new PSL season," he said. 

The confirmation for the dates will come as a huge relief to the majority of teams as it will give them enough time to prepare of the upcoming season. 

A few clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns, have already bolstered their squads for the 2020-21 season and their signings can only be registered when the current campaign is done and dusted. 

These players include George Maluleka and Lesedi Kapinga while the likes of Ricardo Goss, Gift Motupa and Haashim Domingo are expected to join from Bidvest Wits. 

Kaizer Chiefs are certainly the big winners as this means they may be able to sign new players for the new season provided they win their appeal against the two-window transfer ban imposed by Fifa in February.

Amakhosi were given the September 9 date to plead their case and concerns were that the date could come after the closing of the domestic transfer window. 

While the Soweto giants have yet to make their transfer plans public, reports suggest they are already keeping a close eye on several players including Sfiso Hlanti and Thabang Monare from Bidvest Wits. 

The management had already written to Fifa's appeal committee to at least allow them to sign players while waiting to appear before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).  

However, they are likely to abandon their request now that the PSL has released the new dates. 

Frenkie de Jong concedes he could have done “much better” in his first season at Barcelona, but is still happy to have fulfilled a dream by making a move to Camp Nou.

The Netherlands international agreed a switch to Catalunya prior to the 2018-19 campaign coming to a close.

Having starred at Ajax, big things were expected of the talented playmaker in Spanish football.

De Jong has struggled to produce his best on a consistent basis at Barca, with the 23-year-old not always being used in his favoured role, but there is still the promise of more to come.

He admits as much, telling Sport: “I am really happy to have fulfilled my dream (of playing for Barca), it was always my dream.

“I am happy with my life here, with the staff… I am really enjoying it.

“If I speak about my performances, I could have done much better this year. I don't think I've played many bad games, but I haven't been able to have a run of really good games, either. I think I've been OK, but not good enough.”

Barca boast a number of talented midfielders on their books, with Riqui Puig another highly-rated youngster who is looking to make a positive impression at senior level.

He could be about to grace a prominent Champions League stage, with Quique Setien being forced to shuffle his pack for the second leg of a last-16 showdown with Napoli.

De Jong has no fears when it comes to the 20-year-old’s ability, saying: “For me, he's more than ready to be a starter for Barca, but it doesn't depend on me.

“We have a lot of good player that can start games, so it's a question for the coach. For me, he has tremendous talent.”

While Puig is part of the future for Barca, Brazil international Arthur is about to become part of their past.

He has agreed a move to Serie A giants Juventus and initially delayed returning to Catalunya on the back of being awarded an end of season break.

“It's sad,” De Jong said of an unfortunate saga which has only recently seen Arthur end his self-imposed exile.

“The situation is difficult for everyone, for the club, for Arthur, for the players. I don't know the details or why it reached this point, though, so it's difficult to give my opinion.”

Rennes have registered an interest in signing Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori on a season-long loan deal but the Blues remain cautious about accepting an offer.

Several sources have confirmed the discussions as the French club prepare for a Champions League campaign next season by making an approach for the 22-year-old.

Tomori had initially suffered from injury upon the Premier League restarting in June after the coronavirus-enforced shutdown but he has been available in the last few weeks without being used by manager Frank Lampard.

The situation has led to concern but he has yet to discuss Lampard's long-term plans for him and whether Chelsea believe a season away from the club can help his long-term prospects in west London.

The Blues have signed up a host of academy players to new contracts this season, including Tomori, who agreed on a new five-year deal in December after his breakthrough season under Lampard.

However, Chelsea are open to changes in defence having conceded 54 goals in the league this season, which is the worst figure since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003.

Alongside Tomori's interest from Rennes, Kurt Zouma's entourage has reportedly had contact with Paris Saint-Germain over a possible summer move.

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both have less than two years on their current contracts with renewal talks having not been opened by the Stamford Bridge club.

All four defenders would happily remain at Chelsea but Lampard opened the door to changes after the 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup final last Saturday.

“Yeah, it’s true," Lampard said. "The numbers don’t lie. We are trying to play a certain way. I know that teams at the top of the game, Liverpool and Manchester City, have been through similar. I’m not saying we are going to get to that level, but there were similar periods in the early stages of their managers being at the club a few years ago.

"We are conceding too much; it is a work in progress for me. I can’t shelve it in another direction. We have to work defensively as a group. But some of the individual errors we are making, clear individual errors, some today clearly cost us goals, can’t be there if we want to keep moving forward.

"We have to work as a group to make that better. That is clear; we are not hiding from that. We have come fourth, we’ve had a good season. There are areas to improve and defensively we have to improve.”

The Blues are first prioritising both Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz and Leicester City's Ben Chilwell before they make changes to their central defensive positions.

They are also considering goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's future but their record £71 million ($93m) signing is proving expensive even to loan for interested parties such as Valencia and Sevilla.

Alternatives include Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, although Diego Simeone would want the full €120m release clause (£110m/$137.5m) paid. There's also interest in Ajax's Andre Onana who is available for a significantly lower fee and who would welcome a move to London in the upcoming transfer window.

Chelsea next face Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, having lost the first leg at home 3-0. They face a selection crisis with up to 10 players out and have called upon a host of youngsters including Ian Maatsen, Lewis Bate and Dynel Simeu.

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert believes Bayern Munich are capable of going all the way in the Champions League this season and that they were a "class above" Chelsea in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski both struck to help Bayern to a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, ensuring the Blues now face a monumental task to reach the quarter-finals.

Frank Lampard's side face the Bavarians on Saturday and will need a minor miracle to overturn the three-goal deficit, especially given the injury crisis that has hit the squad, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pedro and Willian all set to miss out.

Added to the Blues' woes are the suspensions of both Jorginho and Marcos Alonso, while Billy Gilmour, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N'Golo Kante are also doubtful, leading to many young players being added to the squad for the clash at Allianz Arena.

And Lambert has been impressed with what he's seen from Bayern, believing that they have what it takes to win the Champions League this season and that it will take a "really good side" to knock out the German champions.

"That was a proper performance at Stamford Bridge," Lambert told Goal. "I thought they were excellent. Bayern looked a class above Chelsea in every department. That’s not being disrespectful to Chelsea. I just thought the better side on the night were Bayern Munich.

"Alphonso Davies has been unbelievable at left-back. He is top class at covering the ground with great energy. He has a wonderful left foot when he gets in those dangerous positions as well.

"I think Bayern have a real chance of winning it. Leipzig are a really good side as well but maybe lacking experience. Leipzig were excellent against Tottenham. We will see how it goes. Bayern will be there or thereabouts.

"You have to be a really good side to knock Bayern out. I think there’s a genuine chance of them doing it this year."

The winner of the Bayern vs Chelsea tie will face Napoli or Barcelona in the quarter-finals before meeting one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Lyon or Juventus in the semis.

The agent of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has sought to distance his client from reports suggesting that a reunion with Maurizio Sarri could be on the cards at Juventus.

The Brazil-born Italy international is once again sparking transfer talk with another window open.

Frank Lampard is in the process of freshening up his ranks at Stamford Bridge.

It has been suggested that midfield departures could form part of that process, with the Blues eager to explore other options and free up funds.

Jorginho has spent two years in England, having followed Sarri to west London from Napoli in 2018.

His creativity has been embraced at times, but he also fell out of favour as Chelsea secured a top-four finish in 2019-20.

That has helped to keep the rumour mill ticking over, with Sarri said to be keen on adding a familiar face to his Serie A title-winning squad in Turin.

Joao Santos admits that his client will always welcome the opportunity to work with a coach he knows well, but is also eager to point out that a long-term contract is in place at Chelsea.

Jorginho’s representative told Radio Kiss Kiss of the Juve links: “Sarri has never called Jorginho personally to talk about Juventus.

“I know there’s talk in the papers, but we have never had direct contact with Sarri or even director of sport Fabio Paratici.

“When the directors Paratici and Marina Granovskaia find an agreement, if they find an agreement, then and only then can I talk about the situation.

“Everyone knows there is a very strong rapport between Sarri and Jorginho after five years working together, I’d be a hypocrite to deny that, but I also want to remind you that Jorginho has three years left on his Chelsea contract.”

Santos is ruling nothing out when it comes to possible discussions between Juventus and Chelsea.

There has, however, also been talk of the Blues looking to move N’Golo Kante out of their ranks, with the Premier League heavyweights leaving themselves open to offers.

If the World Cup winner were to move on, then Lampard may decide to keep Jorginho and ensure that he boasts the required depth in his squad for challenges to be mounted on multiple fronts in 2020-21.

On-loan Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed he would not trade regular football for any top European club.

The 22-year-old forward joined the Reds in the summer of 2015 from Nigeria's Imperial Academy but has not played a single game for the Premier League side.

The Nigerian striker has spent his time with the Anfield outfit on loan due to his inability to secure a work permit in England.

The forward spent his sixth loan spell at German Bundesliga side Mainz in the 2019-20 season, having also featured temporary for FSV Frankfurt, NEC, Royal Excel Mouscron and Gent.  

Awoniyi, who praised Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, hopes to get a chance in the side in the future but explains that playing regularly is the most paramount to him.

"Liverpool is a great and family club. I feel very proud to say I am part of that family. From the outside looking in, you can see a lot has changed within the club and it has influenced how people see Liverpool,” Awoniyi told BBC Sport.

"The manager [Klopp] is admired and respected by a lot of people. You can see the impact he has made at the club. The league title reflects his ethics, the work the whole team from the staff to the players have put together and it is very well deserved.

"Growing up I followed the league on television. There's just a different ethos at the club that experts now see Liverpool as one of the favourites for the title every season.

"It would definitely be great to be a part of the success but honestly, I would rather be where I am playing more and in a team that I can earn the medal of my own that I honestly worked for.

"It sounds a bit odd but that is the truth. To be compensated for not making any contribution is not fair."

Awoniyi suffered a concussion after receiving a blow do the head during Mainz’s 1-0 defeat to Augsburg in June and spent a night at the hospital.

The Nigeria U23 striker appreciated God who speared his life and also thanked referee Marco Fritz for stepping in, in the situation.

"I can never underestimate the impact of faith on my life and career. God used the referee [Marco Fritz] on the pitch before they took me to the hospital," he continued.

"I fell awkwardly and that image scared a lot of people including my family and friends, but the quick intervention of the referee and medics from both clubs was swift.

"Most significantly, I recovered remarkably quickly and it was a moment of deep reflection about God when I left the hospital.

"Faith means everything to me; I put it above football and faith provides one possible explanation as to why we are all here and alive."

Awoniyi has returned to Liverpool after his loan deal with Mainz ended but could again be sent on another loan as he is yet to secure a work permit.

Manchester United Under-23s have been promoted back to the top tier of Premier League 2 after a decision was made at a meeting on Thursday.

The 2019-20 season was abandoned at the start of May after the coronavirus pandemic had originally forced the suspension of the league back in March.

Neil Wood’s side were sitting second in the table behind West Ham at the time, with only five games left to play. Ordinarily, league rules dictate the champions are promoted and that there is a play-off between teams in second to fifth to decide the second promotion place.

With the campaign coming to a premature end, however, there had to be a decision made on how the final standings would be calibrated, with the sides in all academy leagues voting to conclude the season via points per game.

This means United finished second and have been promoted back to tier one having spent the last two seasons in the second tier after they were relegated while Ricky Sbragia was in charge.

Wood has set about changing the playing style of the team since then and while the focus was primarily centred around getting talent into the first team, they will be happy to be back in the top division.

Indeed, Teden Mengi became the latest academy graduate to make his debut for the club in the 2019-20 campaign as he came on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over LASK on Wednesday.

The U-23s returned to training a couple of weeks ago to begin their preparations for the new campaign and it will now be a bigger test for the youngsters stepping up to the top division.

Wood spoke to Goal during lockdown about what he deemed to be a successful season before they knew their promotion fate.

He said: "The objective from the start wasn’t solely to get promoted, it was to get players as close as they can to the first team and get a team playing as close to Manchester United style as possible.

"As the season went on we were doing well and really pushing West Ham, and once we got to February we started to think we should go for this promotion. The lads were confident of catching West Ham and that they could get the automatic spot.

"I was confident they could do that as well. Obviously it was disappointing for the season to finish like it did. Hopefully they decide we can be promoted and get back to playing the likes of City, Spurs, Chelsea."

Following the verdict, Chelsea have now been crowned champions of the Premier League 2 top division, with the Blues gaining 38 points from their 18 games played in the 2019-20 campaign.

Sergio Busquets hopes Barcelona and Arthur come to a speedy resolution on the Brazil international's situation at Camp Nou.

Arthur has agreed to join Juventus at the end of the season in a deal worth up to €82 million (£74m/$97m), with Miralem Pjanic heading the other way for a fee that could reach €65m (£59m/$77m).

The former Gremio midfielder has not featured for Barca since his transfer was announced in June and did not return to training following the conclusion of La Liga.

Arthur has been left out of the Barcelona squad to face Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Saturday and is reported to be hoping to negotiate the termination of his contract.

"It was a surprise to everyone that Arthur did not return," said Busquets, who will be unavailable to face Napoli due to a suspension triggered by a booking in the 1-1 draw in the first leg.

"Arthur's situation has been difficult, but the only ones who know the situation are the player and the club.

"We know some of the news from what comes out, that he left and will now return, but we are on the sidelines and we hope they reach an agreement that will be the best for all.

"We will only focus on the game against Napoli."

Head coach Quique Setien said of Arthur: "I spoke with him before he left, the reality is that from then on I have not spoken to him again, what I have learned has been through the club. I would have liked it to be different, but I can't say anything else."

Barca held a two-point advantage at the top of La Liga when the season was paused amid the coronavirus pandemic but ended up finishing five adrift of champions Real Madrid.

Captain Lionel Messi made it clear they needed to improve to have a chance of getting past Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli and held talks with Setien to clear the air ahead of the resumption of their European campaign.

Busquets said: "Everything that is discussed in the dressing room to improve is welcome. These weeks have been very good for us to train, to better plan the game tactically.

"We really want to be able to continue in this competition and be in the final eight, but first we have Napoli, who have a great coach and he's not going to make it easy for us."

It remains unclear whether Setien will still be at the helm for the start of the 2020-21 season, but Busquets believes it will be a positive sign for everyone at the club if he is retained.

"It's a decision for the club whether Setien continues or not," he said.

"If Setien continues it will be a good sign for everyone, but that should not worry us now."

Ki-Jana Hoever sees his long-term future at Liverpool but is leaving the door open for a loan move to be made in 2020-21.

The highly-rated teenage defender took in another three senior appearances during the 2019-20 campaign.

He is held in high regard at Anfield, but faces fierce competition for places at the Premier League champions.

Hoever has no issue with that for now, telling Bleacher Report: “I'm happy at Liverpool. I can't say there's any other club I'd rather play at.

“Before joining Liverpool I just liked to watch the Premier League for the competition, but my love is for Liverpool now.”

Part of the problem for Hoever is that he finds himself behind Trent Alexander-Arnold and Neco Williams in the pecking order, with both of those academy graduates having many years left in them.

“I see myself as a right-back at the moment. I'm a right-back that can play centre-back,” he said.

“I'm not physically ready to player centre-back for a whole season. Maybe when I'm 25 I might be ready, but as a right-back I like the attacking aspect.

“I have a vision in my game like Trent, where I can put people away. I think I can be somebody who sets up and assists other players.”

It may be that skill set has to be honed away from Merseyside, with Hoever admitting that a loan stint could aid his development.

He added: “It's important that I play games on the highest level possible.

“It's hard to balance a few games at the highest level or a lot of games at a lower level. I have to figure out what's best for me and the right answer will present itself.

“I'd like to play at the highest level possible and as many games as possible.

“I know I'm ready to play men's football. No more youth anymore. I'd like to do the big work now. If I go on loan, 30 games. If I stay at Liverpool, maybe more like 10 games.”

Hoever was acquired by Liverpool in 2018 having previously spent four years within the famed academy system at Eredivisie giants Ajax.

The Champions League returns this weekend, with some of Europe’s biggest sides in action in the second leg of the outstanding Round of 16 qualifiers.

While Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Atalanta and RasenBallsport Leipzig have all booked their places in the quarter-finals, the other half of the draw is wide open, with some of the continent’s giants battling for spots in the final eight.

Five former winners are in action this weekend, with Juventus and Real Madrid in action against Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester City respectively on Friday evening.

Domestic champions Juve and Real may have conquered the Italian and Spanish top-flights this season, but they’re up against it in Europe after falling to first-leg defeats.

Real were beaten 2-1 at home by City back in February, with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne cancelling out Isco’s opener.

Real now need victory at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, a testing prospect considering City’s strong return to action following the restart.

They’ll be well-rested after missing out on the FA Cup final and therefore getting two weeks ‘off’, although Zinedine Zidane may well take encouragement from the way Arsenal neutralised City in their FA Cup semi-final.

Pep Guardiola would have been expecting great things from his side against the Gunners, but Mikel Arteta’s young side neutralised their opponents effectively, hit City on the break, and denied them another piece of silverware this term.

Can Real follow a similar template in Manchester on Friday?

Unless they can take the game to their opponents—and particularly keep De Bruyne quiet. City could be in for a famous continental night as they seek a first European crown.

Also on Friday, Juventus host Lyon also looking to turn around a first-leg deficit, having been defeated 1-0 in France in February.

Unlike Real, Juve’s prospects aren’t too bleak.

They’ll enjoy home advantage, and having just ended the Italian top-flight this weekend—by contrast to OL who have played just one competitive match since the restart—they ought to be better prepared for the physical and mental demands of the contest.

Nonetheless, Lyon gave a good account of themselves in their French League Cup final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend—only losing on penalties—and if they can summon some of that same resilience and discipline at the weekend, they could sneak into the next round.

SuperSport Fixtures

Friday 7 August – Juventus vs Lyon (UEFA Champions League)

Friday 7 August – Manchester City vs Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League)

Saturday 8 August – Baroka vs Bloem Celtic (Nedbank Cup)

Saturday 8 August – Sundowns vs Wits (Nedbank Cup)

Saturday 8 August – Barcelona vs Napoli (UEFA Champions League)

Saturday 8 August – Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (UEFA Champions League)

On Saturday, SuperSport viewers will be treated to two more heavyweight bouts, as Barcelona take on Napoli and Bayern Munich meet Chelsea in two Round of 16 clashes.

Chelsea are rank outsiders, having been defeated 3-0 at home against Bayern in Feb.

Frank Lampard’s side may have been narrowly defeated by Arsenal in the FA Cup final, but the Bavarians—themselves German champions—will be a different prospect altogether, and will expect to inflict more woe on the Blues at the Allianz Arena.

If Chelsea are to progress, they have to start strongly, be bold in their attacking play, and, critically, tighten up dramatically at the back.

Defensively, they struggled to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at bay on Saturday and could struggle against the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry.

Finally, Napoli’s meeting with Barcelona is well poised after a 1-1 draw in the first match.

Neither of these two have had particularly encouraging campaigns; for the Partenopei, it’s been a season of transition, and they’ve struggled to compete with Serie A’s top sides, while Barcelona struggled to convince in La Liga and ultimately ceded the initiative in the title race.

Under-pressure coach Quique Setien has a point to prove after missing out on the Spanish title, and the local papers have been debating whether the coach will plump for a back three or a back four as he looks to progress.

While it remains to be seen if Antoine Greizmann will start, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will be the key men as Barca look to take down the Partenopei.

After a long and frustrating wait, full of intriguing subplots, South African football finally returns this weekend with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

On Saturday, Mamelodi Sundowns take on Bidvest Wits, while Baroka are in action against Bloemfontein Celtic.

Lockdown has meant more turmoil for Wits than the rest of South Africa’s football establishment, with the Clever Boys’ top-flight league status having been acquired by GladAfrica Championship side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

Gavin Hunt and his charges have vowed to bow out on a high as they chase cup glory, and Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has acknowledged that he is wary about the weekend’s showdown.

“We have a big game against Wits of course and if you listen to their statements‚ they’re saying that they want to go out in style‚” Mosimane told local journalists.

“Obviously there are a lot of incentives for the [Wits] players and the coaches [to win the cup]‚ so that’s why they’ve prioritised the Nedbank Cup.

“[In the media] they have only spoken about the Cup‚ so that gives me an indication that the league is not the priority to them,” he added. “I’m not talking on their behalf‚ but I’m talking about what they’ve said.

“They want to win it and I know the character of the coach [Hunt] and the character of the team. So I know how difficult it will be and this is how I’m preparing my team.”

Mosimane proceeded to describe Wits as a ‘wounded lion’, but will the lion roar in Saturday’s meeting, or will this be another nail in the coffin of one of South Africa's biggest clubs?

In the other semi-final, Baroka and Celtic meet at the Orlando Stadium, with both sides eyeing the prospect of competing in the Caf Confederation Cup—assuming Downs reach the final and finish in the top two in the league—if they win this one.

Dylan Kerr, in particular, is excited about the prospect of taking Baroka into continental football.

“This is the best cup competition in African football,” the ex-Gor Mahia coach began. “If we make the final, I think we will be guaranteed a place in the Caf Confederation Cup, if Sundowns make the final too.

“It will set the tempo of the next six [league] games. Baroka have been to two semi-finals before and lost, but hopefully, we can make it third time lucky. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for some players.

“The chairman might give a financial incentive to them, but that shouldn’t be what they are looking for,” Kerr concluded. “Something like 80 percent of my players might never make a cup final again. So this is a huge opportunity.”

There may be some rustiness, as South Africa’s teams return to action following the five-month delay, but with so much on the line, expect these contests to be ferociously contested.

There have been many 'firsts' in the illustrated history of Mohammedan Sporting, the club which used to share the same pedestal with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Maidan until the last decade. 

Mohammedan created history when they became the first Indian club to win the Calcutta Football League (CFL) in 1934. After winning the maiden title, they went on to lift the trophy for the next four successive seasons, a record which stood for more than 40 years until broken by East Bengal in 1975. They also became the first Indian club to win the Durand Cup in 1940. After independence, they continued to be the pioneers as they became the first Indian club to win on foreign soil by lifting the Aga Khan Gold Cup in 1960 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

But their fortunes went downhill since the 1990s and after a hiatus of almost 30 years, they once again won a silverware of significance in 2013-14 when they lifted the Durand Cup and the IFA Shield. But in the very next season, they finished last in I-League and were relegated to the 2nd Division. 

They had a glimmer of hope in the previous season, before the Coronavirus pandemic played spoil sport, as the Black Panthers were in a good vein of form. They were on top of Group B of the I-League 2nd division with 12 points from six matches and looked primed to qualify for the final round. 

Meanwhile, there has also been a change of guard at the club with veteran administrator Mohammed Qamaruddin making way for 33-year-old Wasim Akram as the new General Secretary. Along with him, former striker Dipendu Biswas was elected as the new football secretary. The new office-bearers had only one goal in mind from day one which was to qualify for I-League. 

In spite of losing almost 70 lakh rupees in the previous season for a failed cause, the officials are once again pumping in money to lure quality footballers who can help them take the leap into I-League. They have released Musa Mudda and John Chidi and have roped in Willis Plaza and Eze Kingsley for the upcoming final round of the Second Division.

"It is a huge thing to have layers like Willis Plaza and Eze Kingsley in a 2nd Division I-League team. Moreover, we have good domestic players as well in Shouvik Ghosh, Tirthankar Sarkar and a couple of more names will be announced in the coming days. We are building this team so that we can qualify for the I-League and do well in I-League," stated the newly coronated secretary Wasim Akram to Goal. 

Mohammedan had appealed to IFA {Indian Football Association) to convince AIFF (All India Football Federation) so that the tournament can be held in West Bengal. Now with the state government's green signal, Kalyani seems to be the likely venue for the competition. 

"We just want the I-League 2nd Division to be held in Bengal. We have no problems with Kalyani. In fact, after the Salt Lake Stadium, that is the best ground we have in the state. We had played in that ground in the previous season. Even East Bengal & Mohun Bagan also played I-League there. It is a very good ground."

Akram informed that although the club had held talks with Sk Faiaz and Arijit Bagui, the deal has fallen through and new players will be unveiled as replacements. An Asian player will also be signed in the next couple of weeks who will complete the overseas contingent. He is confident that Mohammedan will have the firepower that will propel them to I-League this time around.

"Mohammedan Sporting have the strongest team on paper. We should qualify. This is not over-confidence or being arrogant, but I really think that we are the strongest team. We have put in a lot of effort behind building this team and we are positive. The two foreigners that we have recruited are still in India. We are still searching for the Asian player. If it was not for the pandemic, we would have sealed the deal with a prominent player long back."

The Black-and-Whites are keeping no stone unturned as their bid to reach the I-League. They have roped in former Minerva Punjab coach Yan Law as their tactician and now it remains to be seen whether they can return to the I-League after seven years. 

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has revealed he hasn't focused more on motivating his squad in the remaining matches of the season. 

In an online press conference ahead of Saturday's Nedbank Cup semi-final clash with Mamelodi Sundowns, Hunt said he told players who already have their futures secured for the upcoming campaign to help put those who haven't received offers in the map. 

Hunt admitted this includes him after Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivandila (TTM) confirmed that they will not be keeping him due to his high salary package at Wits.   

"There are players... six or seven of them who've got contracts already going forward. The other 20 of us or 25 of us who've got nothing," said Hunt. 

"So, we've got a lot to prove and I said to the players, 'these ones who've got contracts maybe they can help the ones that they haven't got' - get clubs and put the other players in the shopping window a little more. That's important."

The 56-year-old mentor further stated he doesn't plan to take a break from coaching while in search of a new club, adding that he still enjoys going to training every day. 

Nonetheless, he's confident something will come up in the near future. 

"Everybody tells me to wait and sit around... I need to get working again. So, really on my mind now, is Saturday's game and the games going forward but hopefully, something will come up and we can go from there," he concluded.

Hunt has been heavily linked with a possible move to Kaizer Chiefs but he previously distanced himself to those media reports, more so because the Soweto giants still have a coach in Ernst Middendorp. 

Amakhosi, through Bobby Motaung, also dismissed the rumours, saying Middendorp had a year left on his contract and that his future had not been discussed at any level by the club.   

In recent weeks, Cape Town City were also reported to be keeping a close eye on Hunt but like Chiefs, they also have a coach in Jan Olde Riekerink who came in early in the season following the departure of Benni McCarthy.    

Indian football is very much aware of coach Khalid Jamil who took the entire fraternity by storm in 2017 when he guided underdogs Aizawl FC to a miraculous I-League win.

But not many speak about player Khalid Jamil as his playing career was short-lived due to multiple injuries. Jamil had represented the Indian national team, making his international debut in 1997.

He was a part of the victorious Indian squad in the SAFF Championship 1997 under coach Syed Nayemuddin. However, his all-time favourite coach is Sukhwinder Singh.

He said, “I made my senior national team debut in 1997 at the SAFF Cup which was held in Nepal. Our coach was Syed Nayemuddin. After that, I played under coach Sukhwinder Singh.

“The last time I played for India was during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. Sukhwinder Singh was the best coach I have ever played under. I enjoyed the most playing under him. I played seven matches during the World Cup qualifiers against teams like UAE. There were several star players like IM Vijayan, Bhaichung Bhutia. I am thankful to Sukhwinder Singh that he had picked me in that team.”

Jamil also shared a very interesting anecdote about meeting legendary French footballer Michel Platini. The meeting happened while he was still living in Kuwait, his birthplace.

“There was a club in the area where I used to live. The Kuwait national team used to train in the club’s facility. In 1989 the French national team had come to play a friendly match against Kuwait. Michel Platini was the head of the French team at that time. I used to train with the U-14 team of the club and had attended some coaching camps. I had watched both France and Kuwaiti national sides train and was also the ball boy in the friendly match between the two countries. It was a memorable experience for me,” Jamil told Goal.

Other than former JCT and Indian national team coach Sukhwinder Singh, whom he adores, Jamil also looks up to two other managers who have had an impact in his coaching career according to the man himself.

“During my second stint at Mahindra United, we had won the Indian Super Cup, Mumbai league and stood third in the National Football League (NFL) in 2003-04 season under British coach David Booth. Club wise that period was the best time of my career. I learned discipline from Booth. Later at Mumbai FC during the 2008-09 season when Booth was in charge of the club, he had asked me to be his assistant manager at the club. That is how I was introduced to coaching.”

The interim NorthEast United coach also showed gratitude to former India coach Wim Koevermans under whom Jamil had also completed his AFC Pro License.

“From Wim Koevermans, I learned how to handle and work with players professionally. I did my AFC Pro License under Wim and it was a great learning experience for me as a coach,” said the I-League winning coach.

David Mapigano has penned an emotional message to Gor Mahia after the goalkeeper left the Kenyan champions for Azam FC.

The Tanzanian custodian announced he had left K’Ogalo on Thursday and was later on the same day unveiled by the ambitious Azam, ahead of the new Mainland Premier League season, which will kick off on September 6.

Mapigano became the fifth signing by the ‘Ice Cream Makers’, who narrowly missed out on a second-place finish in the 2019/20 season.

On signing for the club, Mapigano took his time to remember the good and bad days he encountered while playing for Gor Mahia, and moved to wish the team the best of luck in the coming season.

“I honestly want to take this opportunity to thank players, fans, and officials of Gor Mahia for the great time we spent together during my playing time for the great club,” Mapigano told Goal.

“The kind of love the team showed to me when I signed for them was second to none and my stay in the country – Kenya – was good, I will miss all of them, I wish I could be able to stay for another season but now I have got another challenge to take up.

“I will miss the great family but I have to move on now.”

The goalkeeper, who also played for Njombe FC and Singida United before moving to Kenya, had a good season with Gor Mahia, where he played in 15 games and managed to keep nine clean sheets.

Mapigano also recorded a goal against Bandari when his long-range strike found the back of the net as Gor Mahia won 3-0.

The former Singida United goalkeeper will battle for first-team chances with Mwadini Ally, who was a second choice goalkeeper, and Benedict Haule, who was coach Aristica Cioaba’s preferred number choice between the sticks.

Mapigano was signed by Gor Mahia at the beginning of the 2019/20 season which the club underwent financial challenges. He had been acquired alongside his compatriot Dickson Ambundo, who has also left the club.

The Tanzanian goalkeeper had made it clear he would not return to K’Ogalo if his monthly wages were not paid in full.

Mapigano becomes the fifth signing for Azam after Awesu Awesu, Ally Niyonzima, Ayoub Lyanga, and Ismail Aziz Kada.

Manchester United should be looking to “go and get Mario Mandzukic on a free”, says Owen Hargreaves, with the Red Devils still in the market for another goalscorer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his attacking unit click towards the end of the 2019-20 Premier League season, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood all posting personal bests.

That exciting trio have earned plenty of plaudits, with obvious comparisons being made to Liverpool’s title-winning trident of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Odion Ighalo also comes into the mix at Old Trafford, with the Nigerian frontman having seen his loan deal extended through to January 2021.

The general consensus, however, is that United will look to further bolster their options during the summer transfer window.

Solskjaer has been urged by many to launch a big-money raid for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but Hargreaves feels experienced Croatian Mandzukic could be a shrewd cut-price addition.

He told BT Sport of a player who severed ties with Qatari outfit Al-Duhail in July: "Maybe you go and get Mario Mandzukic on a free, a different type of centre-forward.

"Defensively they're one of the better teams in the Premier League but in terms of goalscoring they were well behind Liverpool and Man City.

"So you could do with a 20-goal goalscorer but I think I'd take Jadon [Sancho] first and then maybe get Mandzukic on a free."

United have spent several months exploring the option of luring England international winger Sancho away from Borussia Dortmund.

No deal has been done as yet, as the Red Devils see their patience tested, but Hargreaves hopes an agreement can be reached that benefits all parties.

The former United midfielder added on a 20-year-old forward: "He's an attacker, he can play off the right, he normally plays off the right and United desperately need someone to play off the right-hand side.

"Mason Greenwood's done magnificent. But look at [Sancho's] numbers, 17 goals, 16 assists. Those numbers are outrageous at this level for his young age.

"He can play off the right-hand side, he can play in the hole, he can play off the left, and at times he even plays through the middle.

"He gives them goals and assists, I think the other guys do but I think Jadon just gives you something really, really special.

"He's one of the best dribblers of the ball, he's creative, he plays off the cuff, he's almost unplayable one v one.

"I'm all for it, I think he's just what they need really.

"This is money well invested, I think he's going to make a huge difference, fans will love him, gets them off their seats. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a red shirt."

Wilfred Ndidi has rated Kelechi Iheanacho as Leicester City's best penalty taker ahead of Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Demarai Gray.

England international Vardy, who won the 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot award, is the Foxes’ designated penalty taker.

Iheanacho last got an opportunity to convert from the spot during Leicester’s League Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanders in September 2018.  

After both sides failed to find the back of the net in regulation time, the game proceeded into penalties and the 23-year-old swiftly converted his effort to help his side advance to the next stage of the competition.

Ndidi, who has been at King Power Stadium since January 2017 when he arrived from Belgian club Genk, feels his Nigeria international teammate cannot be rivalled from the spot.

"Kelechi’s never missed a penalty. I’ve never seen him miss a penalty,” Ndidi told Leicester Mercury.

Leicester full-back Christian Fuchs also backed the midfielder, saying: "He’s unbelievable. The best penalty taker I’ve seen.”

Perez, who joined the Foxes last summer from Newcastle United, however, doubted the claims, given Iheanacho is not a regular penalty taker for the club.

 “When is he even taking penalties?" Perez said and Ndidi replied, saying "You’ve not seen him? He never misses.”

Iheanacho has scored nine goals in 71 Premier League appearances since he joined the Foxes from Manchester City in the summer of 2017.

In the 2019-20 season, the Super Eagles striker scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 26 appearances across all competitions 

His effort helped Brendan Rodgers’ side secure a place in next season’s Europa League after finishing fifth on the Premier League table.

While Ndidi has 36 caps for Nigeria national team, Iheanacho has eight goals in 25 appearances and both are key components of Gernot Rohr’s team.

Frank Lampard has “lost trust” in Kepa Arrizabalaga, says Frank Sinclair, with Chelsea being urged to address that issue by launching a raid on Atletico Madrid for Jan Oblak.

The Blues are expected to explore the option of bringing in a new goalkeeper this summer.

They already have the most expensive shot-stopper in world football on their books, but £71 million ($93m) man Kepa has struggled to convince across his two seasons in English football.

That has led to him falling out of favour and Lampard casting an eye over potential alternatives.

Chelsea have been linked with a number of keepers in the current window, from Andre Onana to Dean Henderson via Nick Pope and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Sinclair feels Oblak should be made the top target at Stamford Bridge, with a man widely regarded as the finest keeper on the planet considered to be capable of sparking a title challenge at Stamford Bridge.

“It's not a secret that Frank lost this trust in Kepa,” former Blues defender Sinclair told Gentingbet. “In previous games he's made some vital mistakes.

“However, you have to remember that he’s a really young goalkeeper, the £71m price tag shadows the fact that he's a young goalkeeper, fairly inexperienced in playing senior football and the standards are set very high for him.

“At the same time, if you get the opportunity to bring in Jan Oblak then I think if you want to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City, Chelsea need a goalkeeper of the same standard and certainly Jan Oblak would produce that.”

While looking to address issues between the sticks, Chelsea are also in the market for reinforcements across their back four.

Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell figures prominently on Lampard’s wish list, but Sinclair says the Blues should avoid paying “over the odds” for a player who is far from being the only option available to them.

He added: “Ben Chilwell is still a tough nut to crack.

“When you hear the way that Brendan Rodgers talks about Ben Chilwell, so strongly and how much [he is] a part of Leicester City going forward, I guess it would be a difficult one and he's always going to be a very, very overpriced signing.

“For me, there's a lot of world-class full-backs out there and Frank has to get the right one for Chelsea Football Club.

“Obviously Ben Chilwell is a top player and England international, but I don't think Chelsea should pay over the odds for him.”

Bidvest Wits head coach Gavin Hunt has provided an update regarding his goalkeeping department.

The Clever Boys are set to take on Mamelodi Sundowns in a highly-anticipated Nedbank Cup semi-final match on Saturday when the 2019/20 domestic season resumes.

The current campaign was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the season will now be completed in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

Hunt explained that his two first-choice goalkeepers, Ricardo Goss and Brandon Peterson, are both unavailable for selection ahead of the match at Orlando Stadium.

“Goss is out because he’s still got the five-game suspension. Brandon is out as well‚” Hunt told the media.

Former South Africa under-23 international Goss will serve a five-match suspension for assaulting a match referee Masixole Bambiso in a 2-0 away league defeat to Cape Town City in January.

While Peterson is set to miss the cup match against the reigning PSL champions due to an injury which means Brighton Mhlongo will start in goal for the Clever Boys. 

“Brighton has to play. We have also brought our Multichoice Diski Challenge [reserve team] goalkeeper up‚ who I haven’t seen much of," Hunt added. 

Wits' third-choice keeper Mhlongo will get an opportunity to impress having made only one appearance in the league this season.

The former Orlando Pirates shot-stopper will compete with South Africa under-20 keeper Prince Cuwen, who was recently promoted from the Wits reserve team.

Lastly, Hunt also disclosed that they have registered a member of his technical team, Tryon Damons, the Wits goalkeeper coach. 

“Yes, he is registered and may have to do a job for us,” the four-time PSL title-winning coach said.

Damons, 42, is a former Moroka Swallows, Bloemfontein Celtic and Dynamos FC shot-stopper and he retired from professional football in 2013 following a spell with the Clever Boys.

This is not the first time that a member of the Wits technical team has been forced to come out of retirement and be registered.

In 2013, legendary Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Andre Arendse came out of retirement with four Wits goalkeepers all injured.

Arendse, who was 45 at the time, made two league appearances, against AmaZulu FC and University of Pretoria before retiring again.