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Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chama has honoured his promise by donating Tsh 1 million to an orphanage.

The Zambian has been in fine form and played a vital role in helping Wekundu wa Msimbazi win a treble in the concluded 2019/20 season.

On Sunday, he was named the FA Cup's Player of the Tournament and went on to promise he will give back to the community.

On Tuesday, August 4, the attacking midfielder ensured he did as promised.

"Clatous Chama has donated Tsh 1 million to Maunga children orphanage in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam," Simba confirmed on their official social media page.

"The money was part of the promise made on Monday when he was presented with the reward for winning the club's Player of the Season Award by club sponsors SportPesa."

The 29-year-old helped the Msimbazi-based side start the season with the 4-2 Community Shield win against Azam FC. 

Wekundu wa Msimbazi went on to win the league with six matches to spare and secure their third title in a row and 21st overall.

On Sunday, they completed the treble after defeating Namungo, who finished fourth in the league, 2-1 to lift the FA Cup.

Captain John Bocco and Man of the Match Luis Miquissone provided the vital goals that ensured the Dar es Salaam side headed back home as the champions of the domestic cup.

After 35 minutes of failed attempts to break an otherwise tight Namungo backline, Simba finally got a hard-fought opener through Miquissone’s strike.

The Mozambican, who has proved to be an undroppable figure for coach Sven Vandenbroeck, scored an important goal and further showed why his January signing was a masterstroke.

Shomari Kapombe delivered a swinging cross into the penalty box, but Bocco was denied the opportunity to strike as the opponents swarmed around him, but as Namungo focused on Bocco, the ball fell into Miquissone’s path and the winger slotted home.

Bocco added the second goal four minutes after Miquissone had registered the opener, heading into the net and ensured Simba headed into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.

Namungo scored their consolation in the 57th minute when Edward Charles Manyama managed to beat Aishi Manula in Simba's goal as the affair in Sumbawanga turned into an end-to-end encounter.

The biggest test perhaps lies ahead for the former Zambian national team coach as he has to ensure Simba prosper in the 2020-21 Caf Champions League.

Under his predecessor Patrick Aussems, the club was eliminated in the preliminary round by UD Songo of Mozambique.

The Indian Football Association (IFA) held a meeting with the West Bengal state government on Monday to discuss the possibility of hosting the remainder of the 2019-20 I-League Second Division in the state.

IFA general secretary Joydeep Mukherjee along with representatives from Mohammedan Sporting and Bhowanipore FC, the two local clubs in Second Division, met the West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas.

The IFA secretary told Goal that they have received the green signal from the state government and if the central government permits sporting activities to happen in September, West Bengal will be ready to host the final stages of the Second Division.

“We had a very positive discussion. The West Bengal government is always there to back football in the state. If the Central Government permits sporting activities to resume from September, they have no problem in hosting tournaments,” said Mukherjee.

Joydeep Mukherjee further stated that they have already written to the All India Football Federation and informed them about the state association’s wish of hosting the Second Division league. The IFA has also picked Kalyani as the possible venue to host the matches.

“We have informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) about our intention (to host the competition). Two out of the five clubs are from West Bengal so there is no reason why it should not be held here.

“We are planning to host the Second Division in Kalyani. The ground is ready, practice grounds are available and there are enough hotels in Kalyani. Most importantly the number of Covid-19 cases is very less in Kalyani compared to other places. So when we consider the issue of safety, then also Kalyani is the best option.”

Karnataka State Football Association had also shown interest in hosting the Second Division League in Bengaluru but now it looks like IFA is the frontrunner. 

Six teams were supposed to take part in the final stage of the league but FC Kerala recently withdrew citing financial constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Angel Gomes has confirmed he has left Manchester United, following months of speculation over whether the 19-year-old would remain at Old Trafford.

It has been widely reported that he has signed for Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer, and could be sent straight out on loan. 

Indeed, RMC Sport claims Gomes has signed a five-year deal with Lille, and has joined Portuguese side Boavista on a temporary basis.

Born in London but raised in Salford, attacking midfielder Gomes had been part of United's set-up since the age of six and made his first-team debut under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

Gomes won the Young Player of the Year award for United's Under-23s in 2016-17, but only made 10 first-team appearances in total.

He bade his farewell to United with a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday.

It read: “It’s [taken] me a while because it’s not been easy to put my emotions into words.

“Sadly the time has come to end a beautiful chapter that has been my life for 14 years. Being from Salford, Manchester United is all I have ever known.

“I went from playing on my estate, pretending to be Wayne Rooney to being in the academy and doing the same.

“[On] May 21, 2017 I made my Premier League debut for the club of my dreams aged 16, replacing the legend himself, Wayne Rooney.

“I want to thank every single individual at the club for the help and encouragement I received, from the very first time I signed at the club.

“I want to thank all the coaches from every age group that looked after me from six [years old] to now.

“To all the kit men, Kath the receptionist, the media team, the security, the staff at the cliff, the staff at Littleton Road, the staff at Carrington to the cleaners, you all played a part in getting me to where I am today.

“It is time I take the next step in my career, I hope you can all be proud [of] what I go on to achieve. I wish the club and everyone involved the best of luck, you will all be missed more than you can imagine.

“I also want to thank the fans, your SUPPORT hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Once a RED always a RED.”

German football faces a dramatic cultural shift if supporters are allowed back to stadiums next season, with away fans, standing and alcoholic drinks all set to be curbed.

Elite clubs joined a key German Football League (DFL) meeting on Tuesday where a set of strict rules was put in place to ensure uniformity in how the coronavirus crisis is handled.

Bundesliga clubs would be ready to welcome back fans if public health authorities consider it a safe step to take, having played out the final weeks of the 2019-20 season behind closed doors.

In a statement, the league said it shared the view of clubs that away fans "make up an important part of German football culture that must be preserved".

Yet under the circumstances clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga agreed they will not sell tickets to supporters of visiting teams until the end of the year.

The DFL said clubs had also agreed "on a voluntary basis" to forbid standing at games, for the purpose of making it "easier to monitor compliance with distance and hygiene standards in the stadiums".

That was another reluctant move on the part of the league, which stressed: "Completely unaffected by today's decisions is the fundamental commitment of the DFL and its clubs to preserve standing room in the sense of football and fan culture in Germany."

Drinking beer at a game is also popular in Germany, but it will be off the menu until at least October 31, the DFL said. Clubs have agreed not to apply to their local authorities for licences to sell alcohol until that date.

Fixtures for the new season, which begins on September 18, are set to be released on Friday.

Clubs have been told they must show they are ready to play a key role in contact tracing, which will mean tickets are personalised in the new season to show who is watching the game and from what precise area of the stadium.

"The professional clubs have undertaken to ensure in their games that in the event of infection the identity and contact details of possible and eventual affected stadium visitors can be determined," read a DFL statement.

"This is based on the consideration that the local health authorities can only interrupt existing infection chains early and effectively if they can quickly identify and contact the relevant people.

"The precise arrangement of the regulation initially agreed for this calendar year remains the responsibility of the individual clubs, which have to include concrete measures in their location-specific plans."

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Josta Dladla has urged the current generation to adopt the spirit of legends such as Doctor Khumalo and the late John Moshoeu to inspire the team to glory.

The Soweto giants are currently sitting at the summit of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log with 48 points from 22 matches and are gunning for their first league title since the 2014/15 campaign.

Dladla has also credited coach Ernst Middendorp and assistant Shaun Bartlett for their work whilst challenging the players to finish the job, saying their mentality going into the final stretch of the season could be the difference between success and failure.

“For the Chiefs players, most of them have not won the league at all. They want to taste it and they can smell it, it is just around the corner for them,” Dladla told Phakaaathi.

“At the end of the day, it is all about the attitude and the willingness of the players to say ‘I want to be like the Doctor Khumalos and the Shoes Moshoeus'.

“My mentality was always wanting to be in the history books, I wanted people to talk about me even when I am gone and these players have got a chance to do that.

“[The] 50 years anniversary was a huge deal for Chiefs but they have not won any major trophy in the last five seasons.”

Speaking about the German manager and the former Bafana Bafana hitman, the retired Wits University midfielder added it’s up to the troops to come up with good displays when they retake the field.

“The coaches have done the job, with the training and everything. At this point, what will work the most are the mentality and the hearts of the players,” he added.

“It is really up to the players and whether they are going to absorb the information from the coaches and turn it into good performances on the pitch.”

On the other hand, the Naturena-based club faces a battle to fend off the reigning PSL champions, Sundowns' quest to retain the lucrative title.   

The Brazilians are four points behind Chiefs having played a game less.

“Both teams have got the blueprint, now they have to go out there and graft for their team and get into the history books, because if Chiefs win it,” continued the former Masandawana player.

“The squad will always be remembered as the team that won the league in the 50th anniversary of the club and on the other hand, if it goes to Sundowns, history will remember them as the group that won the league three times in a row.”

Although coach Pitso Mosimane’s men are chasing a 10th championship gold medal, they also stand a chance of lifting the Nedbank Cup trophy as they will face Bidvest Wits in the semi-finals next weekend at Orlando Stadium.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has picked September 9 as the date to kick off the 2020-21 Mainland Premier League campaign.

According to a statement from the federation obtained by Goal, the top-flight will kick off the season on Sunday, September 6.

However, before the season gets underway, champions Simba SC will take on Namungo FC in the Community Shield season opener on August 29, 2020.

The Division One league will then kick off on October 3, 2020, while the last division will start on November 7, 2020.

The domestic Cup, which is referred to as the Azam Cup, will start on November 28, 2020, while the mid-season transfer window will open on December 12, 2020, and will close on January 15, 2021.

Simba SC, who won three titles – Mainland Premier League, Community Shield, and FA Cup –  in the recently concluded campaign, will be keen to retain the titles when the season gets underway.

Simba won the league with six matches to spare after their closest challengers Young Africans (Yanga SC) and Azam FC failed to reach their tally of points, and they ended the season with 88 points, while Yanga came second and Azam third.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi then went ahead to clinch a treble after beating Namungo FC 2-1 in the final of the FA Cup.

Simba will thus represent the country in the Caf Champions League whereas Namungo will participate in the Confederation Cup.

Currently, the transfer window is open for teams to sign players with the federation stating transfer business by the teams will be carried out within the month of August and there would be no additional time once the window slams shut.

The window was opened just after the conclusion of the top-flight and the lower leagues and some teams are now engaged in play-offs to determine who will get the promotion or relegation slots.

Yanga have been the busiest side in the ongoing transfer window so far as they have signed four players already and released 14.

According to the club, former Gor Mahia striker Gnamien Yikpe, who took much criticism last season, was axed alongside captain Papy Tshishimbi, who refused to renew his contract, and Congolese striker David Molinga have all been released.

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

Surprisingly, the club have retained controversial Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who has missed training since the team suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against rivals Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final and was since arrested under suspicion of marijuana possession.

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

Jose Mourinho has claimed that he and Iker Casillas have repaired their relationship after the pair repeatedly clashed during their time at Real Madrid. 

Casillas announced his retirement on Tuesday after a legendary 22-year playing career that saw him win a host of trophies for both club and country. 

Among the honours the 39-year-old secured during his career are two European championships and one World Cup with Spain, and five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns with Real Madrid. 

Near the end of his run with Real Madrid, Casillas fell out with Mourinho, who dropped his side's long-time starter in favour of Diego Lopez.

After clashing with Casillas and Sergio Ramos among others, Mourinho departed Madrid at the end of the 2012-13 season to re-join Chelsea. 

Now managing Tottenham, Mourinho has claimed that he and his former goalkeeper have patched things up and paid tribute to Casillas as he officially called time on his playing career.

"His intelligence and maturity have made us always respect each other and years later we have even been able to cultivate an honest friendship," Mourinho told AS before acknowledging the pair's difficulties in the past.

"He is a historic goalkeeper for Real Madrid, La Roja and world football," Mourinho continued. "With him I won La Liga and with him I had difficult moments due to my professional and never personal decision to play another player."

Mourinho added that Casillas is a "great goalkeeper and a great man".

After a decade and a half with Madrid, Casillas departed the Spanish capital in 2015 and joined Portuguese giants Porto. 

The goalkeeper made 156 appearances and won two league titles with Porto before suffering a heart attack in May 2019. He was unable to return to the pitch after that incident.

Officially bidding farewell to the game, Casillas posted on social media: "The most important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination that it takes you.

“I think I can say, without hesitation, that this has been the right path and the dream destination. Thanks.”

Casillas announced his decision to run for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in February.

Have you ever wanted to throw your gaming controller through the TV because your online FIFA 20 opponent keeps celebrating a goal by shushing or dabbing?

Well, rest assured you might be able to keep your frustration under better control in the new FIFA 21 game, with EA Sports endeavouring to remove toxic features.

Sam Rivera, FIFA's lead gameplay producer, has revealed that the developers have listened to feedback regarding situations where users would purposefully try to anger their opponent.

"We were told by the community that there is toxic behaviour in the game and we wanted to make sure we removed them," Rivera said.

In past editions of FIFA, a common point of frustration was competitors overusing particular celebrations after scoring a goal - and making them run their full duration - to help rise the blood pressure of their opponent.

Rivera says that certain celebrations would be removed from FIFA 21, and although he did not reveal which would be canned from the game, expect moves such as the 'pigeon' and 'dab' to be under threat.

Another bugbear of FIFA users was the waiting times during choreographed scenes such as when the ball was out of play for a throw-in.

Some users would purposefully drag the scene out in order to frustrate an opponent or arrest their momentum.

But in FIFA 21, such cut scenes will be auto-skipped to allow for quicker, more seamless gameplay - and more importantly, less time-wasting and frustration.

There will also be a significant reduction in waiting times for players to take all set-pieces such as kick-offs, corners and free kicks.

Previously, players could let the clock run down while they waited the maximum amount of time to restart play - another tactic that could cause extreme irritation.

It isn't just cutscenes where EA Sports have tried to reduce user frustration - there have also been significant tweaks to the playing mechanics involving tackling.

In FIFA 20, consumers became angry when they repeatedly made tackles and the ball would end up back with the opposition instantly.

However, with a new tackling system implemented in the new version, EA have assured that users will be rewarded more often for executing a well-timed tackle.

With all these added features to reduce player frustration, it appears EA are really trying to improve the levels of enjoyment from their consumers.

Everton are set to miss out on long-term transfer target Everton, with the Gremio forward edging closer to a move to Portuguese giants Benfica.

Goal has learned a deal between the clubs has moved a step closer, with Benfica set to pay €20 million (£18m/$24m) for the 24-year-old Brazil international.

Gremio will also receive 15 per cent of the profit on any future sale.

Carlo Ancelotti's Everton had been interested in the player for some time, and were said to have been considering an offer during the most recent January transfer window.

The Premier League side were looking for a third scoring option to share responsibilities with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, who each scored 13 goals in the league in 2019-20.

While such a move may have seemed like fate, the player is now set to take his first steps in Europe with Portugal.

He was a prime target for manager Jorge Jesus, who himself has recently returned to Benfica after a hugely successful spell in Brazil with Flamengo.

Benfica finished as runners-up to Porto in both the Primeira Liga and the Taca de Portugal this season, and will be looking to launch an assault on the title in 2020-21.

In Everton, they will be signing a player who registered 15 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances in the most recent completed season, between the Brazilian Serie A and the Copa Libertadores.

He made his senior Brazil debut in 2018 and developed into an important player the following year, featuring prominently in his country’s victorious Copa America campaign and winning the Golden Boot with three goals.

Gremio currently own 50 per cent of Everton’s economic rights. The rest is divided between businessman Gilmar Veloz (30%), Everton’s youth club Fortaleza (10%), and an investor (10%).

Despite the advanced nature of the transfer discussions, Everton is expected to play for Gremio in their game against Internacional on Thursday.

The game will decide the winner of the Campeonato Gaucho, an annual tournament contested between 14 clubs in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Gremio have won the last two tournaments but remain seven titles behind Internacional in the all-time table, with 38 trophies to their rivals’ 45.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier had revealed why he wants to seek another term in the club’s upcoming elections.

Despite leading the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions for the last 12 years, Rachier has defended his move to seek re-election again during the club’s much-awaited polls set to be conducted via electronic voting on August 8.

“I have done much for this club and it is evident enough. Since I took over in 2008, we have achieved so much and that makes me proud,” Rachier is quoted by People Sports.

“In 12 years, we have won 46 trophies, surely that is something. It is also a testament I have retained my seat unopposed; it means members have always had faith in my leadership.

“To run this great club, you have to be a servant first. It is not easy to lead Gor Mahia given the image and so it is about being passionate and efficient. The reason I am in the seat is so to help drive the club to greater heights.”

Rachier, who is heading to return unopposed, as no official stepped up to contest his position, has also supported the club’s new constitution which moved to reduce the number of elective posts from 11 to four.

“It will be better to have a lean but effective office with individuals able to persecute the mandate given to them,” Rachier continued.  “In the past, it was a bit complicated and sometimes differences would occur.

“We want to speak a unified language that is endeared to developing the club.”

On whether they are ready for the exercise, Rachier said: “We are ready for the polls and we have followed all directives of the Sports Act. In fact, the recent directive by Sports Registrar on deploying monitors to assess the viability and credibility of elections online is complete.

“We have ICPAK [Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Kenya] on board and we have already forwarded names of voters who have met criteria of being registered club members.

“The Board is in place with gender balance ascertained.”

Apart from Rachier, secretary Sam Ocholla is also unopposed while former club officials ‘Sally Bollo and Francis Wasuna will battle for the vice-chairmanship post while Gor Mahia’s Augmentin official Dolphina Odhiambo will face off with Chrispine Okoth.

Odsonne Edouard is unlikely to end up at Arsenal if he does head for the exits at Celtic, claims Charlie Nicholas, with Leicester or Leeds considered to be more suitable landing spots.

The French forward continues to generate interest with his efforts in Scotland, with a hat-trick netted in the opening rounds of Premiership fixtures in 2020-21.

Edouard has proved to be a prolific source of goals for Celtic since making a move from Paris Saint-Germain and at 22 years of age is expected to have a bright future ahead of him.

Many have suggested that the Premier League could be his next port of call, with leading sides in England closely monitoring his progress.

Nicholas has previously talked up a potential switch to Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal still waiting to discover whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be committing to a new contract.

The former Celtic and Gunners forward has, however, changed his tune and now believes that a transfer to the King Power Stadium or Elland Road could be made ahead of a move to north London.

Nicholas told Express Sport: "I know Edouard is still under contract but the player still holds all the power.

"If he decides he wants to leave then it will happen, that has been shown with Moussa Dembele, Virgil van Dijk and Kieran Tierney in the past.

"For Edouard to leave I do think it would take a sizeable fee, whether that is £25 million or £30 million.

"People argue he is worth more than Tierney because he is a striker and he gets goals but the problem is that the market has changed dramatically post-Covid-19.

"I don't see Arsenal making a move for him but I could see Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United or Leicester City making bids.

"Leicester is the one of interest because Brendan Rodgers rates him so highly and was the one who signed him for Celtic.

"He knows he can trust Edouard to play the way he wants.

"That is important because I don't see him fitting into an Everton or a Newcastle, but he might suit a Leeds United and would also do well at Leicester.

"He has to go to a club that suits his style because he knows that when he does leave and goes to the Premier League he is probably walking into a £100,000-a-week contract.

"They have six weeks, which is a long time, to wait until the transfer window closes.

"If they can keep him then he is key to Celtic winning 10 and it is no secret that winning this league is everything to the club.

"If Edouard wants to leave then it will happen."

Iker Casillas has officially announced his retirement at the end of a 22-year playing career, with the legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper hanging up his gloves at the age of 39.

The World Cup winner has not taken in a competitive appearance since suffering a serious health scare in May 2019.

He recovered from a heart attack to rejoin the ranks at Porto and was named in their squad for the 2019-20 campaign.

Casillas has, however, now taken the decision to hang up his gloves as he seeks to move in a different direction away from the field.

He posted on social media: “The most important thing is the path you travel and the people who accompany you, not the destination that it takes you.

“I think I can say, without hesitation, that this has been the right path and the dream destination. Thanks.”

Casillas burst onto the scene as a teenager at Real Madrid and would go on to take in 725 appearances for the Blancos – helping them to five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns.

He also captained his country to World Cup glory in 2010 and sandwiched that success with European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012.

A move away from his homeland took him to Portugal in 2015, with a further 156 outings and two more title triumphs secured with Porto.

Casillas is now looking to take on positions off the field, having announced his decision to run for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and will have many fond memories to look back on as he prepares to open a new chapter in his professional and personal life.

Recognising his efforts over the course of a stunning playing career, Real posted in a statement on their official website: “Real Madrid CF wants to show its appreciation, admiration and love for one of the greatest legends of our club and world football.

“The best goalkeeper in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football came to our house when he was nine years old. Here our bond was formed and defended for 25 years, being forever one of our most iconic captains. Iker Casillas has earned the love of Real Madrid and is a benchmark of the values ​​that represent Real Madrid.
 
“Today, one of the most important footballers in our 118-year history, a player whom we love and admire, a goalkeeper who has enlarged the legend of Real Madrid with his work and exemplary behaviour both on and off the field, says goodbye as a professional player.

“With the first team he played 725 games during 16 seasons in which he won 19 titles: three European Cups, three Club World Cups, two European Super Cups, five Leagues, two King's Cups and four Spanish Super Cups.

“In Portugal, with Porto, he has achieved two Leagues, one Cup and one Super Cup. He has been an international with Spain on 167 occasions and has won one World Cup, two Euro Cups and one U-20 World Cup.
 
“Casillas was included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI five times and chosen as the best goalkeeper in the world by the IFFHS five times. 

“His impressive sports career has been recognised with the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit, the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit and the Gold Medal of the Community of Madrid.
 
“Casillas belongs to the heart of Real Madrid and will do so forever. Real Madrid wants to convey to him and his family the affection of our club, which is the club of his life.”

Although he is suspended for the eagerly anticipated Nedbank Cup semi-finals against Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend, Bidvest Wits goalkeeper Ricardo Goss is confident they overcome his new team.

The former Golden Arrows netminder is on his way to Chloorkop next season after the Braamfontein-based side was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). 

Goss was handed an eight-match ban by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in March and says he is not focusing on his big move to the reigning PSL champions, but rooting for Gavin Hunt’s men to lift the Ke Yona trophy.

Together with Sameehg Goss and Doutie, Goss was charged with assault following an altercation with match referee Masixole Bambiso during their 2-0 defeat to Cape Town City at Cape Town Stadium in January this year.

“Obviously it’s going to be a tough and difficult game for both teams. We’ve prepared well and we are ready for the game obviously we haven’t played in a long time but we are ready,” Goss told Goal.

“So, in terms of match fitness, I think we will be ready to go, and facing Mamelodi Sundowns is always tough. They are a good side with quality players – it’s going to be a really good game.

“We will have to do our best to win it and ensure we finish this one with silverware. I’m suspended for this game.

"I will be watching from the hotel but I just hope the guys will come up and give a good fight. It won’t be easy but we will give it our best shot.

“I feel if we give it our all we stand a good chance of winning it.”

Speaking about his next move and facing his new teammates, the 26-year-old shot-stopper says he is not looking beyond the current campaign and is focused on the Students.

“For now, I’m focusing on where I’m at [not on my move to Sundowns], I’m rooting for my boys to come with a win and end the season by winning this competition,” he added.

“I’m focusing on Bidvest Wits until the end of the season. As I said, it will be good to finish this season with silverware and we need to give the team a proper send-off.”

The encounter will be staged at Orlando Stadium in Soweto just after the other semi-final clash pitting Bloemfontein Celtic and Baroka at the same venue.

Kenya international Joseph Okumu returned from injury as IF Elfsborg claimed a 3-3 draw against IK Sirius FK in a Swedish top flight match played on Monday.

The towering defender has been missing in action since he picked up an injury and was stretchered off during their 2-1 win against Kalmar FF, three weeks ago.

However, Okumu was given the opportunity to start after recovering from the injury and he featured for 70 minutes before being substituted.

Okumu., who suffered muscle problems, has confirmed to Goal his happiness of returning to action after staying out for at least three weeks.

“I feel great to play again, I am happy I was finally involved and the 70 minutes is not bad for a player who is coming from injury,” Okumu told Goal on Tuesday.

“I now want to cement my place in the team, as I had done before the injury, and help my team do well this season.”

The draw saw Okumu’s side move third on the 16-team table with 21 points from 12 matches, four fewer than table-toppers IFK Norrköping FK, who have played a similar number of matches while Malmö FF are second also on 25 points.

Okumu’s Elfsborg will next face AIK in another league match on Wednesday.

In a recent interview, Okumu revealed to Goal he would love to captain the national team sometime in the future.

The 23-year-old centre-back has been one of the rising stars in the country and his exceptional display in the 2019 Afcon held in Egypt sealed his place in the first XI.

The youngster played in all three matches in Group C - the 2-0 loss to Algeria before helping the team to a 3-2 win against close neighbours and rivals Tanzania and eventually losing 3-0 to Senegal.

"It is a dream for any player to captain his national team," Okumu told Goal when asked whether he wishes to skipper Harambee Stars in future.

"If an opportunity to [captain] the team comes my way, I will take it with both hands. It will be a privilege, but if it does not, my job is to give my country the best services and I will continue pushing myself harder on the pitch."

In 2017, the towering defender was released by South African side Free State Stars after barely one season.

Jean-Pierre Nsame has set a new goal scoring record in a single Swiss Super League season after scoring a brace in Young Boys' 3-1 win over St. Gallen.

The Cameroon international helped the Stade de Suisse outfit clinch their 14th league crown on Monday with his two first-half goals before his compatriot Moumi Ngamaleu sealed the victory in the 86th minute.

Nsame ended the 2019-20 Super League campaign with 32 goals after 32 games, to be become the all-time top scorer in a single Swiss top-flight season. He surpassed the previous record held by Ivory Coast's Seydou Doumbia who scored 30 goals in 32 league outings for Young Boys back in the 2009-10.

Nsame opened the scoring at the Stade de Suisse in the 14th minute and he doubled their lead eight minutes later. Towards the end of the first-half, Jeremy Guillemenot pulled a goal back for St. Gallen.

The Cameroonian forward was replaced by his compatriot Ngamaleu in the 63rd minute and the 26-year-old made his mark in the game by sealing the crucial win with his seventh goal of the season four minutes from time.

The victory ensured Young Boys hold an eight-point lead ahead of second-placed St. Gallen who gathered 68 points from 36 matches.

Nsame has been in fine goalscoring form since football activities in Switzerland restarted in June after the coronavirus hiatus, scoring 14 goals in 11 league matches.

The title is Nsame's third league crown with Young Boys since his arrival from rivals Servette in 2017.

On the international scene, the Douala-born striker has played two matches for Cameroon with his last outing dating back to June 2019 in a friendly match against Zambia ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Nsame was dropped from Clarence Seedorf’s selection for the biennial tournament, however, he will be hoping his scintillating form in front of goal earns him a recall to the Indomitable Lions.

Jose Mourinho is “the best coach in the history of football”, according to Emmanuel Adebayor, with the Portuguese having enjoyed success wherever he has been in a distinguished managerial career.

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ burst onto the scene when guiding Porto to domestic and Champions League glory.

Premier League title triumphs were then savoured at Chelsea, before a historic treble was secured with Serie A giants Inter.

Mourinho went on to conquer La Liga with Real Madrid, before returning to England to get Chelsea back on top of things and claiming three trophies in his debut campaign at Manchester United.

The charismatic 57-year-old is now looking to deliver long-awaited silverware at Tottenham, with Adebayor considering him to be the perfect man for that job.

The ex-Spurs striker, who claimed Copa del Rey honours when working under Mourinho during a loan spell at Real in 2011, told AS of his former boss: “I love Mourinho, we had a great relationship and he was the one who brought me to Madrid, although it wasn't easy for him to find a place for me in the side.

“The only trophy I have ever won was at Madrid with him. Now he's at Tottenham and I wish him the best of luck.

“He is the best coach in the history of football.”

Adebayor spent only five months at Santiago Bernabeu, and has represented a number of other leading clubs, but considers his time in Spain to be a career highlight.

The 36-year-old Togolese, who was last on the books of Paraguayan side Olimpia, added: “I've played for Monaco, Arsenal and City, among other teams before coming to Madrid and so I could see the difference.

“Madrid is way ahead of the rest. I enjoyed a wonderful experience there. I love Real Madrid and I would like to go back and say my goodbyes when I get the chance.

“Signing for Madrid was the best moment of my life. But in the end, it was the place where I played the least football of my career - nevertheless it was the club which left the biggest mark on me.

“The organization was incredible, how I was treated, the affection from the fans... everything.”

Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning efforts in 2020 mean that they will “always be remembered”, says Fabinho, with the record books having been rewritten by Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Reds fell agonisingly short of claiming a domestic crown in 2019 as Manchester City pipped them to the post by a solitary point.

Rather than wallow in the pain of that disappointment, Klopp’s side dusted themselves down and landed Champions League glory.

Major silverware has been secured on a regular basis since then, with a 30-year wait for English top-flight supremacy brought to a close along the way.

With the men from Merseyside back on top of the global game, Fabinho believes the legacy of those who helped to return Liverpool to that perch will stand the test of time.

The Brazil international told the Reds’ official website: "We may not have realised this importance yet but I think we will always be remembered because we were the first Liverpool squad to win the championship since it became the Premier League. 

"This club has a lot of history and has won many trophies as well, but this one is perhaps a little bit more special due to the long period we've spent without a league title. 

"Liverpool supporters have been waiting for this title for a long time and unfortunately they could not be inside the stadium with us [due to coronavirus restrictions], but certainly everyone in their houses celebrated a lot. 

"We absolutely have to celebrate because the way we conquered, with the huge points difference between us and second place, is really something to celebrate."

Fabinho has seen the success enjoyed by Liverpool justify his decision to join the Reds in the summer of 2018 when he had other options to consider.

The versatile 26-year-old added on being at Anfield: "Liverpool is very important to me.

"When I decided to leave Monaco, I wanted to go to an important football club, that fought for huge goals, and here at Liverpool I managed to do all these things. 

"I've also arrived at a football club where the atmosphere and the squad are great. I've learnt a lot from the technical staff as well. 

"I've really managed to learn more at this club and understand the supporters' love closely. 

"So I am very grateful for all these experiences I've had living here and I hope to achieve more."