Looking for Soccer News?

Charles Okwemba believes he is ripe for top tier coaching from as soon as the 2020/21 season.

Former players turning to coaching is nothing new in football, with the likes of AFC Leopards coach Anthony Kimani stepping up into management after taking over from Rwandan tactician Andre Casa Mbungo in December last year.

Okwemba believes he will be able to handle the pressure associated with coaching once he gets the chance.

"Coaching comes automatically to most former players and I am not an exception," Okwemba told Goal on Tuesday.

"Actually, I have been doing it with lower teams, the latest being the now National Super League side Vihiga Bullets where I was the assistant coach to Edward Manoah.

"Coaching has massive pressure, but I am ready for it and the challenges coming along with it."

The 40-year-old refused, however, to name a specific team he would like to start his top flight career with in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

"I have qualifications to handle any team in the league, be it the top tier or NSL," Okwemba told Goal.

"Before leaving for Vihiga, I had offers which I did not take because there were some basics I needed to perfect.

"Now I am ready and whichever team comes first, I will for sure go with it. My main aim is to help the players get the right direction and fulfil their potential. It is time for me to give back to the community in a bigger way, and that is by improving lives."

In an earlier interview with Goal, the former Kenya international opined on what he feels lets down Kenyan football.

"I am a fighter and love football, but unprofessionalism from players, administrators and some fans piss me off," the former AFC Leopards player said.

"This is the reason why we are still struggling with our football, it almost made me quit. Football is administered casually, we have not taken it seriously. I collided with many players and tacticians but I stood my ground and kept performing to my level best."

Despite not winning the Kenyan Premier League title, Okwemba helped Leopards to win the Shield Cup in 2001, 2009 and 2013.
 

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Stanton Fredericks strongly believes South Africa will produce another player who will score goals just like Benni McCarthy used to during his playing days.   

McCarthy is Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goalscorer with 31 goals from 80 matches and he's followed closely by Shaun Bartlett who scored 29 goals in 74 appearances. 

And Fredericks is confident that McCarthy's long-standing record will be broken although he doesn't see it happening anytime soon.   

"Records are there to be broken," Fredericks told Goal. 

"We thought that we wouldn't get any player better than Diego Maradona or Michel Platini... here comes Messi, here comes Ronaldo," he said.  

"It's scary to think there will be somebody better than Messi or Ronaldo but there will be somebody. 

He added: "And yes, there will be another Benni McCarthy. The only thing is, I can't tell you when. I don't think it's anytime soon because strikers and scoring goals in South Africa has always been a problem and I am sure coaches can cry day in and day out for the low percentage of conversion rate." 

"But, yes, we will see another Benni McCarthy. When? I can't tell you," concluded Fredericks. 

Only Katlego Mphela and Bernard Parker are anywhere near McCarthy and Bartlett's tallies with 23 goals each in the all-goal scoring charts for Bafana Bafana. 

However, Mphela has since retired from professional football while Parker is in the twilight of his career and hasn't been called up to the national team in a long time. 

South Africa's only hope thus far has been Percy Tau who has netted nine goals in 21 appearances for Bafana Bafana but he is yet to break into the top 10 of leading goalscorers for the national team. 

Tokelo Rantie and Siphiwe Tshabalala are the only 'active' players in the top 10 list with 12 goals each for Bafana.  

Apart from the likes of Tau, Bafana Bafana have Lebo Mothiba and Thembinkosi Lorch - the two attackers with huge potential to at least attempt to break McCarthy's record but they have struggled to score goals on regular basis in the past.  

Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona and several other Warriors players have added their voices to the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter social media campaign.

The movement has also been dominating South African social media and is intended to bring to light the alleged human rights abuses, corruption and misrule by the Zimbabwean government.

Following the failed protests that were planned for July 31, which were crushed by government security forces, the campaign has switched to social media.

Musona headlines the Warriors players including the Kasier Chiefs duo of Khama Billiat and Willard Katsande, as well as ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi and Matthew Rusike, Talent Chawapiwa and Cuthbert Malajila who have all supported the initiative.

South Africa national team attacker Percy Tau has also shown his support for the campaign which began on Monday and spilled into Tuesday.

Besides footballers, Zimbabwe-born Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira and former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor have posted messages to their social media accounts.

The campaign has also caught the attention of American rapper and actor Ice Cube, while several prominent South African politicians have expressed their support.

Neymar "is determined to bring Paris Saint-Germain to the top", according to Marco Verratti, who has hailed the Brazilian as a "leader" ahead of the Champions League restart.

PSG have benefitted from the presence of a fully fit Neymar throughout 2020, after seeing him put the disappointment of a failed move to Barcelona and a string of injury issues behind him.

The 28-year-old has contributed 19 goals and 10 assists to the club's cause in 24 outings this season, helping them to complete a domestic treble, and he could also be poised to inspire success on Europe's elite stage.

Neymar scored in both legs as PSG beat Borussia Dortmund in the last 16, to set up a last-eight clash against Serie A outfit Atalanta - who knocked out Valencia in the previous round.

The winner of next Wednesday's one-off fixture in Lisbon will be rewarded with a semi-final meeting with either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid, as a revised straight knockout format comes into play amid the continued threat of coronavirus.

PSG will be buoyed for the contest after returning to action with French Cup and Coupe de la Ligue final wins over Saint Etienne and Lyon, with Neymar once again playing a key role in both victories.

The Brazil international scored the winner against Saint-Etienne before netting a crucial penalty in the shoot-out triumph against Lyon, and Verratti is hoping he can also make the difference in the Champions League.

"I see him particularly determined to bring PSG to the top," The Italian playmaker told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Having him in this physical and mental condition is an added bonus. Neymar is a leader who plays and always trains hard, an example for all."

PSG are sweating on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe ahead of their return to European action, after he suffered an ankle sprain in the Coupe de la Ligue showpiece.

Like Neymar, the Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move away from Parc des Princes over the past 12 months, but Verratti thinks both men are settled in their current surroundings.

"I can feel they are well here, they believe in the project and know that there are not many teams stronger than PSG," he said. "In Paris, they have the possibility of winning. And winning here would really be really special."

Atalanta will be without top scorer Josip Ilicic against PSG, and although Verratti believes his absence will be felt by Gian Piero Gasperini's side, he insists they remain a formidable outfit.

The PSG star added: "It weighs heavily, as Messi's absence from Barcelona or Ronaldo's from Juventus would. But even without him, Atalanta has continued to win. And it's all thanks to Gasperini's work."

Express FC coach Wasswa Bossa is expecting a competitive 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League season.

Many teams are buffing up their squads in preparations for the new campaign which will begin in October. The tactician states he is already aware of what to expect from opposing teams.

"We all know clubs are re-organizing themselves and that they will be competitive next season," Bossa said as quoted by the club's official website.

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

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

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

The tactician, in an earlier interview, said he wants to come up with a competitive squad, able to challenge their rivals in the top-flight among them KCCA FC, Vipers and SC Villa.

"We want to bring the team to the level where it will be competing for trophies," the experienced tactician said.

"Express is a well-known traditional club. She is a big brand that does not need to be in relegation dogfights. I promise the fans that we are ready to do anything that will make this club great again.

"Before I left Express it was performing well and in good positions and I hope and believe that it's where we are going. We are working on so many things to ensure that we revamp Express. This is a big club with a rich history so it should aim for big things."

After the 2019/20 struggles, the Wankulukuku-based side went on to release 18 players who they felt were surplus to requirements.

Those released were Tonny Kyamera, Joshua Adea, Mohammed Yiga, Emmanuel Bafoe, Martin Kizza, Joseph Zziwa, Hamis Batega, Andrew Kiwanuka, David Kakeeto, Hamdan Nsubuga, Axel Konan, Lawrence Kigonya, Dennis Sserukwaya, Peter Mutebi, Isaac Doka, Shafiq Avemah, Baker Lukooya and Idris Kabonge.  

The PSL has adopted that five substitutions be made by coaches for the remaining matches of the 2019-20 season. 

The league has also increased match squads for clubs from 18 to 20, meaning each team is allowed to name nine players on the bench. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the league further revealed that six substitutions will be permitted in Cup matches but the sixth change can only be made in case where matches go into extra time.  

After four months of no competitive football in South Africa due to the coronavirus pandemic coupled with the lockdown regulations which forced the suspension of the current campaign, football in the country will finally return this weekend. 

On the menu is the Nedbank Cup semi-finals which will be played on Saturday, August 8 at Orlando Stadium. 

Bloemfontein Celtic and Baroka FC will get the ball rolling at 14:00 before Mamelodi Sundowns take on Bidvest Wits at 19:15 at the same venue. 

The Nedbank Cup final is scheduled for September 9, four days after the completion of the league matches.   

Part of the statement released by the PSL reads:

PSL adopts five subs at matches:

The League can also confirm that there will be five substitutes allowed in a match for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
This means:

The majority of teams will undoubtedly welcome the league's decision to allow for more substitutions given the tight fixture schedule they will have to contend with in the next few weeks.

On average, teams will play after every three days in an attempt to conclude the current season and prepare for the 2020-21 campaign. 

The PSL has made a provision for all the 32 teams under the NSL umbrella to use players from their MDC teams in cases where there are injuries or first-team players test positive for Covid-19 while the season is in progress. 

As things stand, Kaizer Chiefs lead the standings with 48 points from 22 league matches followed by Sundowns in second place with 44 points from 21 matches, and all eyes will be on the two teams when the league matches get underway next week. 

It will also be interesting to witness the relegation battle between AmaZulu and Black Leopards, who have struggled for positive results this season. 

Paulo Dybala has beaten Juventus team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to this season's Serie A Player of the Year award.

Lega Serie A announced Dybala as the winner of the annual prize on Tuesday, with Ronaldo failing to retain the title he won in his first year at the Allianz Stadium.

Italian football's main governing body named the Argentina international as the 2019-20 'MVP', with Juve's newest signing Dejan Kulusevski grabbing the Young player of the Year prize for an outstanding campaign at Parma.

Juventus also had another winner in Wojciech Szczesny, who got the nod for best goalkeeper, while Inter's Stefan De Vrij, Atalanta star Alejandro Gomez and Lazio talisman Ciro Immobile were acknowledged in defensive, midfield and forward roles.

Dybala has recorded 11 goals in 33 Serie A outings for Juve this term, along with 11 assists, bouncing back strongly after a testing final year under Massimiliano Allegri.

The 26-year-old struggled to adapt to a new role in the team following Ronaldo's arrival at the Allianz Stadium from Real Madrid in 2018, but has rediscovered his best form since Maurizio Sarri's appointment last summer.

The diminutive playmaker's performances helped Juve secure an unprecedented ninth successive Scudetto, as Sarri's men narrowly finished one point ahead of Inter following an intriguing title race which also included Atalanta and Lazio.

Ronaldo might have thought he'd done enough to retain Serie A's top individual accolade after contributing 31 goals to the Bianconeri's cause, but his final tally was still five behind Lazio frontman Immobile, who earned the Capocannoniere.

There have been questions asked over whether Dybala and Ronaldo are capable of operating at full capacity in the same system, but Sarri noted a change in their relationship after a 3-1 win over Genoa on June 30.

After seeing both men geet on the scoresheet, the Italian boss told reporters: "They have learned to look for each other more often.

"They have realised that by benefitting from each other, both reap the rewards. It's something I have noticed in training too."

Chris Smalling could play for Manchester United next season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the door open for the defender to stay at the club.

The centre-back impressed during his season-long loan spell at Roma and admitted he was “gutted” to be leaving the club before they had finished their Europa League campaign.

The terms of Smalling’s loan meant his time in Italy - which was extended to allow him to complete the Serie A campaign - ended before the resumption of the knockout stages in the Europa League. 

A new long-term loan deal or a permanent transfer could not be agreed for the England international so he will now return to Old Trafford.  

Solskjaer is on the hunt for a centre-back in the summer window and it is understood that Smalling returning on a permanent basis could be an option if they can’t get any of the targets they are looking at for the right price.

Indeed, when asked about Smalling's future on Tuesday afternoon, the United boss stated that the player “will be valuable” going forward.

“I think Chris has shown over his Manchester United career how valuable he is at Manchester United,” Solskjaer said. 

“This season was about him being a regular and going to Roma and showing how good a centre-back he is, I wanted to give Harry [Maguire], Vic[tor Lindelof] and maybe Axel [Tuanzebe] a chance.

“It was best for him to go and play for a year in Roma and he has shown he will be valuable, I’ve been speaking to Chris throughout. I’ve been delighted with his season.”

Smalling is not available for the final few games of United’s Europa League campaign and although some of the players looked fatigued in their final league matches, Solskjaer warned not to expect vast changes from the sides he has fielded earlier in the competition.

“Jesse will be starting but the team won’t be too different from the team that played LASK away” Solskjaer explained. 

“We know it will be a difficult game. It wasn’t a 5-0 difference between the teams. We were winning 2-0 after 60 minutes and scored three in the last five so we know we have to perform and there’s opportunities for players to stake a claim - if they get through,

“The players want to play, they don’t want the break, they’re bothering me all the time - they don’t want to rest, they want to play. It’s not easy to say they’re rested, especially with players of that quality. 

“But we go into that tournament wanting to win - I hope the players need to win, like I do. For me as a coach to lift the trophy is a different feeling to when you were a player because you know you represent so much more than just a team. 

“For me we go into this tournament with players wanting to win so they won’t be given a break, they will be called upon.”

Liverpool will not be making any £100 million ($130m) signings in the summer transfer window, says John Barnes, as the Premier League champions “aren’t looking to buy a Mbappe, Messi or a Ronaldo”.

Jurgen Klopp has pointed out on a regular basis that he expects to take in a few quiet weeks before the 2020-21 campaign gets underway.

The Reds will be keeping a close eye on the market, in case top talent suddenly becomes available, but they are not planning on forcing the issue.

Those already at their disposal have delivered a record-breaking run of success and there are no obvious gaps to fill in a star-studded starting XI.

Greater strength in depth may be sought at the right price, but Barnes cannot see Klopp breaking the bank again for a global superstar that would expect to see regular game time.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Liverpool aren’t looking to buy a Mbappe, Messi or a Ronaldo or anyone that is going to come and say ‘I want to play in the team’, because they know what their best 11 is, particularly with the front three.

“They will need to replace certain players if they go, and not with someone for £100m and on £200,000-a-week because there are players out there that can come and supplement the squad that are good enough to play every now and again, as we’ve seen when Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi and players like Minamino coming in. I think that’s what Klopp will look to do.

“If people go then you have to replace them to get the squad good - Liverpool have Curtis Jones, Rhys Williams, Harvey Elliott and other young players, but I think they need more experience.

“If no more players go then Liverpool don’t need to make loads of signings, the squad is big and strong enough, but in football, you can lose players very quickly and you have to have a contingency plan in place to replace them.”

One of those Liverpool are said to be looking at is Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The Spain international would add further graft and guile to the Reds’ engine room, but Barnes is not convinced that his services are required.

The former England international also believes that the likes of Thiago could be lured elsewhere if more money is put on the table, with Liverpool not top of football’s food chain just yet.

Barnes added: “If PSG offered him £500k a week then he would probably go there.

“I wouldn’t say Liverpool is more attractive than Barcelona or Real Madrid. Liverpool are a team with Jurgen Klopp, who people will want to come and play for, not necessarily ahead of three or four other big teams.

“They are the champions of England and the Premier League is the place to play, so players thinking about coming to England will think about Liverpool.”

Lamontville Golden Arrows head coach Steve Komphela is expecting a lot of PSL teams to struggle with injuries when the 2019/20 season resumes. 

The current campaign which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March is set to resume this weekend with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals taking place on Saturday. 

Komphela's side was eliminated from the South African FA Cup by ABC Motsepe League (Gauteng) side Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in February and they will be focusing solely on their league campaign. 

The experienced tactician believes there will be increased pressure on the medical staff at most PSL clubs with the workload expected to go up significantly as a result of back-to-back fixtures.

“We are looking forward to the challenge in the last seven remaining matches. We know the games will be coming thick and fast,” said Komphela on Daily Sun. 

“We just have to cope and hope we won’t have too many injuries. But I anticipated a lot of teams, naturally so, will be struggling with a number of injuries.

"We just hope they are not too bad so we can see the season over." 

Komphela is keeping his fingers crossed as injuries could affect their plans of securing a top-eight finish.

“The study and data collected have shown that there were lots of injuries and they’re still happening," he continued.

"I’m sure South Africa is not going to be different. We just hope they don’t become a hindrance. It is just seven matches left.

“We didn’t have many injury concerns before the suspension kicked in. We had come from a solid pre-season, had played matches and the loading of the players was sufficiently scientific," he added.

“Now there has been an issue about the restart. We have been doing training sessions via zoom and we only just got back to the training field.”

Arrows will be hoping to resume their league campaign with a win over PSL debutants Stellenbosch FC at Tuks Stadium on August 15.

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) president Moses Magogo has challenged coaches to embrace changes to ensure the game continues to develop in Uganda.

The East Africa nation has been making giant strides in football, with many players moving abroad owing to their talent. The administrator was however quick to appreciate the job done by the coaches in growing the game.

"We appreciate the role you play as coaches," Magogo said in a meeting with coaches as quoted by Fufa website.

"You make a great contribution because the careers of players who are the key pillars of the football product are in your hands.

"Football is a dynamic entity. Things are changing almost every hour. So if we want to improve and attain professionalism, coaches must as well embrace change and learn the new tactics that will help you suit the modern trends."

The 43-year-old has urged the tacticians to continue learning and increase their knowledge in the game. The courses offered will, on the long-run, help coaches to up their game and be competitive.

"Learning never stops and this is very important for coaches," Magogo continued.

"In a way of motivating those that have made self-development, FUFA will put in a place a fund to help coaches either by paying for coaching courses or funding travel for those that want to enrol for coaches abroad."

The Federation, as a result, has come up with new rules to professionalize the game in the country.

"For us to improve, we must upgrade and this means trying out to ventures which may seem strict but that is the journey we have taken.  

"All coaches in the Uganda Premier League and the FUFA Big League will be required to have a Pro-License that will come with limits and sanctions.  

"Coaches in the first and second division will not be allowed to make more than two transfers during a season."

The tacticians will also have to sign a code of conduct to ensure the image of the game is protected. They will also need to have agents to discuss contracts with teams.

Clubs will also have to submit proof of payment of coaches after every two months.  

"We believe this will help coaches to work in a conducive environment. Caf, for instance, doesn't have any club that owes coaches and players to participate in the continental-club competitions," Magogo concluded.

Gareth Bale should be considering a return to Tottenham if he still has the “passion” to play at the highest level, says Danny Murphy, with the Welshman continuing to endure a tough time at Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane has taken to freezing the 31-year-old forward out of his plans at Santiago Bernabeu.

A lack of game time, along with ongoing questions of his commitment to the Blancos cause, is sparking more transfer talk in the latest window.

Various landing spots have been mooted for Bale, from China to MLS, and he has no shortage of suitors in the Premier League.

Spurs would welcome the opportunity to bring a familiar face back onto their books, having sanctioned a record-breaking deal back in 2013, and Murphy believes Jose Mourinho should be enquiring as to the availability of a player he was heavily linked with during a spell as Manchester United manager.

The former Tottenham midfielder told talkSPORT of Bale: "To make a top footballer these days, the love and passion for it must be from within you from a young age to want to be a footballer.

"Now Gareth might be an exception to that... but maybe he's lost that passion for it.

"Maybe the lifestyle, the family contentment; he loves his golf, the climate and the finances are good.

"So maybe he's not like everybody else... but playing football is something you can't do forever.

"He's damn good at it. People like watching him play. He's a wonderful footballer and he's done so much in the game but he's still only 31.

"I'd be saying to him, 'go play mate. Just enjoy it. Go somewhere you enjoy it'.

"We can talk to Madrid and they might have to pay you half to get you gone but they'll do that anyway because they're saving half. There has to be a way out.

"I think the one place for Gareth is Tottenham. He's loved there already and he's got the fans on board.

"Could he find a way of going back there? That for me would be great for Tottenham.

"Even if it's for two or three years, go back to where you made yourself, enjoy yourself and help Tottenham get back to being competitive."

Bale previously spent six years on the books at Tottenham, with 55 goals recorded through 203 appearances and the PFA Player of the Year award collected on two occasions.

Wakiso Giants have confirmed the signing of Tom Masiko from Vipers SC.

The midfielder, who was on loan from the Venoms and played for the Purple Sharks in the 2019-20 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season, has now agreed to make the move permanent by penning a three-year contract that will see him stay at the club until August 2023.

Wakiso have confirmed the signing on their official website by stating: “We are delighted to announce Tom [Masiko] has joined the club on a permanent contract from Vipers.

“The midfielder featured for us last season on loan but has now completed a permanent move signing a three-year contract.”

On sealing the permanent deal, Masiko said: “I am happy to make a permanent move. I had a good time here last season and want to continue my marriage with the club as well as create history here.

“I want to thank Vipers for the great time I had at Kitende, the coaches that have handled me and all my teammates as well as management.”

Masiko played a key role to help Wakiso retain their status in the top-flight after notching four goals, and he will be remembered for scoring the team’s first goal in the last campaign of the league.

Meanwhile, Wakiso held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, June 27, 2020, at Club House, Najjanankumbi.

The meeting approved, among other items, the audited accounts for the financial year 2019/20. A budget for the forthcoming season (2020/21) was also approved and adopted by the General Meeting.

At the same meeting, the club approved the appointment of an advisory committee headed by Ahmed Ddamulira and also passed a motion to directly deal with the Wakiso District Executive Leaders with the CEO confirming meetings are already in place to streamline the partnership.

Wakiso will be gracing the top-flight for the second season in a row after they managed to keep their status, finishing 10th on the league table and were also taking part in the Uganda Cup before it was ended prematurely owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Simba SC have categorically stated their coach Sven Vandenbroeck will not leave the club and will be in charge of the new season.

The Belgian took over from countryman Patrick Aussems who was fired late in 2019 after falling out with the club’s management, and went on to clinch two titles – Mainland Premier League and FA Cup – to add the Community Shield which was already won by the fired Aussems.

After beating Namungo FC 2-1 to lift the FA Cup, Vandenbroeck cast doubt on his future, stating he was not sure whether he will be at the club for the new season.

“I don't know with me or without me,” Vandenbroeck answered reporters when asked whether he will be with the team for the new campaign or not.

“There is no meaning, everyone reads newspapers, everyone listens to rumours even me, so we will see what happens. I will go on holiday in two days with a big smile with whatever happens.”

Simba Information Officer Haji Manara has now blamed the media for writing lies about their coach, insisting the Belgian tactician will not leave the club.

“I respect everyone here in Tanzania but what hurts me is when people start spreading rumours and lies that our coach will not be here for next season, who told them that? Did the statement come from any Simba official? It is very wrong to spread rumours and I want our fans to treat the news as rumours and nothing else,” an agitated Manara told reporters in Dar es Salaam after Simba arrived back from Mbeya.

“I know amongst yourself [journalists] there are those who are looking at negative things to write about Simba because we don’t have any, we have won three titles this season and you still cannot find anything to write about, or you want to write is negative stuff about Simba, we know you.

“This is not the time to write rumours about Simba, it is the time to celebrate with the champions, it is the time to write about the truth, and anyone who will continue to write rumours about our coach, our players or even officials, I will deal with him openly, you can write about other teams about their coaches and players, who keep fighting every day but not about Simba, who are united and looking ahead to the new season.”

Simba’s journey for success began at the beginning of the season with Aussems when they defeated Azam FC 4-2 in the Community Shield which launched the 2019/20 season.

The second title for the Msimbazi-based side came in the Tanzania Mainland League. Simba went on to finish the season with 88 points after taking 27 wins, seven draws, and just four defeats.

New Azam FC player Ismail Aziz Kada has revealed the reason he ended up signing for the club ahead of the new season.

The attacking midfielder arrived at the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ from Polisi Tanzania on Monday after penning a two-year deal.

“I am very happy to have signed for Azam, every players’ dream is to play for such a great club, I have always wanted to play for them like all the players out there and I am happy I have finally arrived here,” Kada told reporters after sealing the move.

“I want to use this chance to play for the great club in the country as a stepping stone to great heights, it is every player’s dream to play in Europe or to be precise play for a club in a foreign country, and that is my dream, it is something I want to achieve here at Azam.

“I want to come here and make sure we play in the Caf competitions, I came here to play where the agents can see me, and we can only achieve that if we play as a team, I know Azam are building a good squad, and it is the one which will give us the ticket to Caf competition next season.”

Kada continued: “My dream still remains to play outside the country and Azam is a big team to take me there, I also want to play for the national team Taifa Stars and Azam have a good platform to help me achieve my dreams.

“I want to show my potential, I want to make sure I make sure the fans are happy, so many teams wanted me but I settled to come here, I wanted to play for them, my dream is to play hard, I am a hard worker, I will do my best, I will make sure that I don’t disappoint the fans.”

The Chamazi-based side have been strengthening for the new season and are aiming at improving every department. It is for this reason the team is moving fast to make signings that will help the technical bench achieve their objectives next season.

Aziz is the fourth player to be signed by the 2014 Tanzania Mainland League champions. Others who have joined Azam are Awesu Awesu from Kagera Sugar, Ally Niyonzima from Rwandan side Rayon Sports, and Ayoub Lyanga.

Roberto Firmino is not the striker for anyone looking for a 40-goal centre-forward but the Liverpool star is a “complete” frontman, according to former Brazil international Sylvinho.

Those at Anfield are certainly aware of the value in a hard-working forward.

Jurgen Klopp has embraced the qualities of a South American whose footballing philosophy matches his own.

Firmino is happy to let others steal the headlines, with important contributions made to the collective cause on and off the ball.

He is still a useful source of end product, but his game is about much more than merely hitting the net.

Liverpool and Brazil have bought into that skill set, with Sylvinho having been impressed by the Reds star when sent on a scouting mission by Selecao boss Tite in 2016.

The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City full-back told The Guardian of Firmino: “When I started working with Brazil, Tite sent me to watch Firmino at Burnley and he was incredible.

“You see him play [on TV] and think: ‘Yeah, he’s very good.’ But at the ground? Wow. He does so much. I left there enamoured.

“The ball’s on the other side and you see him move, the generosity with which he links team-mates, how he never lost the ball – that’s incredibly hard in the Premier League.

“If you say ‘I want 40 goals’, maybe he’s not that striker but if you want someone complete, who generates spaces, goes outside, inside… brilliant.”

Firmino has continued to be showered with praise throughout the 2019-20 campaign, with his efforts helping Liverpool to UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League crowns.

Reds legend Graeme Souness is among those to have talked up the Brazilian’s talent, telling Sky Sports of an unsung hero: “I love watching Roberto Firmino play. A couple of years ago, I likened him to Kenny Dalglish. He’s like a big cat walking through the jungle waiting for an opportunity to do damage.

“His radar is on all the time and he’s got a great football brain, whereas Salah and Sadio Mane, they will catch your eye more because they are direct and they score more goals.”

Manchester United will be mentally stronger after this season, according to Fred, who is targeting "as many trophies as possible" in 2020-21.

United secured a third-place Premier League finish by beating Leicester City on the final day of the league season, capping off an impressive run of form since the turn of the year.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side won nine of their last 14 top-flight outings to earn Champions League qualification, with January signing Bruno Fernandes proving to be an inspirational presence in the middle of the pitch.

The Red Devils haven't lost a single top-flight game since the Portuguese star's arrival from Sporting CP, and they also enjoyed a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions before being beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Optimism around Old Trafford has been in short supply since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, but Solskjaer's rebuilding job is finally starting to take shape, and United could yet end the season with a piece of silverware.

Ahead of a Europa League round-of-16 clash with LASK on Wednesday, Fred has talked up the Red Devils chances of fighting for major trophies across all competitions next term.

“The team have been on a really good trajectory,” the Brazil international told the United Review.

“We've had some wobbles, some ups and downs, which is normal during such a long season, but we managed to maintain a great run of form.

"That was really important for the team and in our fight for a Champions League place.

“I'm sure our squad will be mentally stronger after this season. It's been an atypical season with all that's happened, so next season I'm sure we'll be strengthened mentally and we'll look to win all the competitions we're in.

“I'm sure we're capable of doing this, we've got a great squad and we'll go for it. There's the Premier League, we'll be in the Champions League and also the cups so we'll do everything to win as many trophies as possible for Manchester United.”

Fred was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford after a difficult first year in Manchester, but he's bounced back to play a key role in Solskjaer's plans over the last 12 months.

The 27-year-old has taken in 45 appearances for United in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and laying on four assists, finally justifying the club's £52 million ($68m) investment in his talent.

“I've been really happy with my performances. Coming from a difficult previous season, I think I've had a great season and I've maintained a high level of football, which I'm really happy with,” Fred added.

“I've received a lot of praise which is important, but I need to continue working hard so that I can improve my game every day, show my worth and help Manchester United. I want to win a lot of trophies here.

“I've done really well this season, but I can definitely get better every day. I look to improve with every game and day by day so I'm sure there's a lot more to come.”

Chris Smalling has thanked Roma's fans while expressing how "gutted" he is to be returning to Manchester United before the end of the Italian club's Europa League campaign.

Smalling joined Roma on a season-long loan deal back in August, after falling down the squad pecking order at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 30-year-old has since racked up 37 appearances for the Giallorossi, scoring three goals, while helping them to finish fifth in Serie A and advance into the latter stages of the Europa League.

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca publically admitted that he would like to retain Smalling's services beyond the end of the current season back in April, telling Portuguese publication A Bola: "He's a great professional and person, it's a pleasure to have him here with us."

The English centre-back's loan agreement ran until the end of the 2019-20 Serie A campaign, but he has not been granted the chance to extend his stay in Italy to take part in the club's remaining Europa League matches.

Roma will take on Sevilla in a single leg round of 16 tie in Germany on Thursday, and will have to make do without a key performer as he makes his way back to Manchester.

Smalling delivered a message to his followers on social media confirming the news, writing on Twitter: "I’m gutted that I can’t finish what we started this season.

"To experience the love shown to me in such a short time was extra special and it will not be forgotten.

"I want to thank and wish all the players and staff the best of luck against Sevilla. DAJE ROMA!"

The Giallorossi will still have the opportunity to try and sign Smalling permanently now that the summer transfer window is open, and they are also free to explore the possibility of another loan deal in 2020-21.

Inter loanee Alexis Sanchez is also due to return to Old Trafford, but the Serie A giants are currently in the process of persuading United to part ways with the Chilean.

The Nerazzurri are on a course to meet the Red Devils in the Europa League final, and they want to tie Sanchez down to a permanent deal so he can aid their cause over the next couple of weeks.