Looking for Soccer News?

Blog Posts and Articles that give you up to the minute news and information about the world Leagues, Teams, Players and Updates.

‘Nothing against Europa League, but Manchester United deserve better’ – Bruno Fernandes targeting trophies

The Portuguese midfielder has helped to guide the Red Devils back into the Champions League, with their sights now being set on major silverware

Bruno Fernandes has “nothing against the Europa League” but believes Manchester United “deserve” a Champions League place and is determined to deliver major silverware at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international midfielder has made a stunning impact in English football since his arrival from Sporting in the January transfer window.

United, who were some way off the top-four pace at that stage, desperately needed inspiration from somewhere. Fernandes has provided that, with a remarkable run of results through 2020 seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to a third-place finish.

With one target hit, the Red Devils can still finish their season with a trophy in continental competition.

Fernandes is eager to deliver on that front, telling MUTV: “Now our focus is on the Europa League because this is a really good trophy and we want to win. I came to Manchester to win trophies. We need to play every game to win. If we go into the Europa League and win every game, we know we'll win the trophy.”

United have struggled for consistency in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, but Fernandes believes they are heading back to where they belong.

He said: “Of course, playing Champions League is always special and I hope it can be with the supporters, that will be more special. We deserve to be in the best games, in the best European competition. Nothing against the Europa League, but everyone knows the best competition is the Champions League.”

The 25-year-old added on climbing into the top four, with Leicester edged out 2-0 on the final day to get over that line: “We feel good, it's what we wanted.

“We trained hard and we worked hard for this moment. We know the only thing we could achieve this season was getting into the Champions League, so we fought hard for that, but we are not happy enough because we know this club and these players, they can bring much more for the club.

“I think we have qualities enough to fight for some titles - more than one title, you know? I think we need to win some trophies and then we'll be really happy.”

United will be back in European action when they face LASK on August 5, with a 5-0 lead already established in that contest to have one foot in the quarter-finals.

Original author: Chris Burton
  218 Hits

Van der Pluijm: Experienced coach tops Yanga SC’s list to succeed Eymael

The Dutchman is seen as the best option for the club’s top job after parting ways with the controversial Belgian tactician

Yanga SC have prioritised the appointment of Hans van der Pluijm as Luc Eymael replacement as the club's head coach.

A close source within the club has told Goal the Tanzanian club are set to make a quick appointment after sacking Eymael for what they termed as racist comments.

Van der Pluijm was Timu Ya Mwananchi’s coach between 2017 and 2018 and the club’s top hierarchy have listed him as the best viable option to take over.

“You know Van der Pluijm has been with the club before and given the tight programme the club is expecting to have in the immediate future, Yanga would contact him soon and see if he is ready for the job,” the source told Goal.

Eymael’s stint at Yanga has been characterised with friction with the players and the club's senior management.

The former coach criticised players like Gnamien Yikpe who arrived at the club almost at the same time with him early in the year. He has been open that the Ivorian star was not part of his plans going forward given what he believed as below-par performance.

Defender Andrew ‘Dante’ Vincent, who was signed from Mtibwa Sugar three seasons ago, was also relegated from the first team by the Belgian coach who had confirmed he was not keen to retain him once his contract ends.

The former Free State Stars and Black Leopards coach has also not been keen to give Kenyan goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo playing time in key games for what has been termed as ‘lack of trust in him’ by various soccer pundits in Tanzania.

Bernard Morrison, who immediately became a darling to the fans due to his strike against Simba SC on March 8, has had a turbulent relationship with the management recently under the coach.

The former Polokwane City’s coach also criticised Yanga management before the league resumed after coronavirus lockdown saying they were not keen to help him travel from Belgium and join the players for preparations.

Although Eymael managed Yanga to a second-place finish in the league, a 4-1 loss against Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final match on July 12, was a big blow to confidence in the coach's abilities.

Yanga might still get a Champions League slot should Caf move to strip Libya of its place and that is why the club prioritised finishing second after elimination from the FA Cup tournament.

Van der Pluijm is a Dutch coach with massive experience in African football as he has been in charge of more than 10 teams across the continent.

He was at Heart of Lions between 2003 and 2004 before joining Saint George of Ethiopia for one year after he left the Ghanaian side.

He did not last at the Ethiopian club as he exited in 2005 for Gold Fields where he remained for one year too. Between 2006 to 2014 the 71-year-old coach served different Ghanaian teams that included Heart of Lions again, Red Bull Soccer Academy, Kessben FC, Berekum Chelsea and Medeama SC.

He was appointed by Yanga in 2017 and lasted until 2018 where he lost just four matches in the 57 games he oversaw, although it wasn't enough to win the league as arch-rivals Simba lifted the trophy.

Van der Pluijm has also had coaching spells at Azam FC and Singida United in Tanzania.

 

Original author: Kiplagat Sang
  233 Hits

USWNT to face Ireland in pre-World Cup friendlies

The veteran centre-back will remain at Chloorkop at least until 2023 after agreeing to a contract extension on Monday

Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento has signed a new three-year deal with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Tshwane giants confirmed the news in a statement on Monday with the centre-back expressing delight at extending his stay three more seasons. 

"I feel very happy about the confidence Mamelodi Sundowns has shown in me and my football abilities. I want to thank the President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, the Board and the Technical team with Coach Pitso," Nascimento told the Sundowns website.  

"From the start, I was well-received by all the supporters and I'd like to thank the supporters and my teammates for making me feel so welcome. My family and I are enjoying the country and I must certainly say that South Africa is my second home." 

Nascimento joined the Brazilians from Portuguese outfit Academia in 2016 and has been a regular for Pitso Mosimane's team since then. 

After suffering a nasty groin injury at the start of the season, Sundowns allowed Nascimento to go back to Brazil and recover and temporarily decided against registering him with the PSL for the first half of the season.

Upon his recovery toward the end of 2019, the technical team registered him with the league for the remainder of the season.    

The latest developments mean Nascimento will spend at least seven years at Choorkop, and he's vowed to help the club win more trophies, including the Caf Champions League.   

"I want to promise Mamelodi Sundowns that I want to help the Club win more titles starting with the League and Nedbank Cup this season. I also want Sundowns to win the CAF Champions League and make more history," concluded Nascimento.

Since his arrival four years ago, Nascimento has featured in 101 matches for Sundowns. 

He has 13 goals and one assist to his name despite being a natural defender.  

The 33-year-old was instrumental in Sundowns lifting the Caf Super Cup trophy in 2017 as his penalty against TP Mazembe secured the crown for Mosimane's men. 

Following his return from the groin injury at the start of the year, Nascimento has gone on to make nine appearances across all competitions and scored once.  

Original author: Ernest Makhaya
  80 Hits

All 12 Super League founding clubs meet to decide exit strategy

Despite being linked with a switch to the Buccaneers, the Matsatsantsa boss says they are yet to receive an offer

SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews says they have not received an offer from Orlando Pirates regarding their striker Bradley Grobler.

Although the Matsatsantsa boss says he doesn’t want to comment much on the matter involving their target man, he says they will wait for the Buccaneers to table a formal offer.

The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to coach Josef Zinnbauer’s troops for some time but his agent Sean Roberts explains they have not been contacted by the former African champions.

“I cannot comment much on Bradley’s matter because Pirates have not contacted us,” Matthews told Isolezwe.

“We will wait for Pirates to come to us, we will take it from there and see how we deal with it.”

By the time the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Grobler was enjoying his best form for coach Kaitano Tembo’s side.

On the other hand, his handler Roberts has also shared an update on the talisman, saying his client remains contracted to the reigning MTN8 champions.

“Bradley is SuperSport United’s player. It’s not true that Pirates contacted us. He still has a valid contract with SuperSport,” added Roberts.

In the past, Roberts had confirmed interest from Pirates in his client but more recently said they don’t know if the Soweto giants will come back with renewed interest.

Grobler had been expected to join Bucs prior to the start of the current season after Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kudakwashe Mahachi moved to SuperSport, but the move to the Houghton-based side never materialized.

The Johannesburg-born hitman has found the back of the net on 12 occasions in the league for SuperSport and will look to challenge the likes of Gabadinho Mhango of Pirates in the race to clinch the top goalscorer award.

Formerly on the books of Platinum Stars, Grobler has featured in 28 matches with 15 goals across all competitions for the Tshwane giants and has chipped in with three assists so far.

 

Original author: Phumzile Ngcatshe
  169 Hits

Barcelona President Insists Quique Setien Will Lead Team Next Season

Pep Guardiola's side ended the Premier League season with a 5-0 win over Norwich, and are now preparing to welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium

Manchester City want to see David Silva off with the Champions League trophy, says Kevin De Bruyne, who thinks the Spaniard is one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Silva bade farewell to English football with a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich on Sunday, the sort of dominant City win which has become the norm over the course of his decade at the club.

His time in Manchester isn’t over just yet, though, with City still having European football to play.

Pep Guardiola’s side hold a 2-1 away-goal advantage over Real Madrid ahead of their last-16 second leg on August 7, with Lyon or Juventus lying in wait in the quarter-finals.

"He's going to be a big miss,” De Bruyne told the Manchester Evening News of Silva. “That's why you get young players in and learn from him. I did that myself, and hopefully we can end the season well for him. It would be great if we would win the Champions League so he can go in this way.

"It's good to stay in the rhythm. There's no point slacking a little bit then say in two weeks we'll put in another notch again. That's impossible in football.

"You need to keep going full pace, so it's good to keep going the 90 minutes and keep going until the end which we did. Now we have two weeks to prepare ourselves fully and we have another final in two weeks."

After a disappointing season which saw Liverpool race away with the league title and Arsenal or Chelsea set to lift the FA Cup, City need to see progress in Europe if they are to call the 2019-20 campaign a success.

The second leg against Real Madrid will be played in Manchester despite the UK's quarantine on arrivals from Spain, before the rest of the tournament is played out in Portugal.

With one-leg knock-out ties introduced for this season, City are two wins away from equalling their best ever European finish, the semi-final they reached under Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.

Whether City lift the famous trophy or not, their final game will be one tinged with sadness as Silva takes his leave.

"For me, he's probably one of the best players who's probably ever played in the Premier League," De Bruyne said. "Obviously you can always debate who is what but when you play with him you can appreciate what he does, day in, day out.

“I've played with him for five years so I've played a long time with him. We've won a lot together, we've won things together."

  214 Hits

Mikel Arteta Preparing for 'Unpredictable' January Transfer Window

The defender is also eyeing the KPL title and believes it can be achieved as soon as next season

KCB defender Mke Kibwage has set himself the target of winning the Caf Champions League in the next few seasons. 

The 22-year-old Kenya defender has been instrumental for the Bankers since joining from AFC Leopards and is quickly establishing himself among the best in the country. 

"As a player I have dreams and they keep me going," Kibwage told Goal on Monday.

"As I had said, we are targeting the KPL next season and we believe it is achievable. But for me, I want to win the Caf Champions League in the next few seasons. This is not meant for some players, it is meant for all, the difference is the effort one makes to achieve it."

The 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) was halted owing to the Covid-19 outbreak. By the time, KCB were placed in the fifth position with 42 points from the 23 matches played.

Reports indicate the 2020/21 season might kick-off in October and the defender hopes it goes according to plan.

"I am yearning to give my best to my team and win the Defender of the Season Award on back-to-back basis," Kibwage continued.

"All this will happen if the league returns, and we hope it happens as planned. We are going for it as a team, and I am also going for my targets, my individual objectives and nothing is going to stop me."

It is not ending at the KPL and Caf Champions League for the towering defender.

"Most people, most football fans watch Uefa Champions League, it is where the big boys dine together.

"That is my dream competition which at one time I want to play. It is achievable, and once again, it is all about hard work. It is my long term target and I am optimistic I will realize it." 

In an earlier interview with Goal, KCB assistant coach Godfrey Oduor was not short of words for the defender.

"He is a talented player who is disciplined and works hard to have value for the team," the tactician revealed.

"We will continue nurturing him and make him even better. In Kibwage, Harambee Stars have their central defence problems solved for quite a long time."

Original author: Seth Willis
  225 Hits

‘Fernandes has made Man Utd watchable again’ – Yorke hails impact of Portuguese playmaker

The South American, who now plays his club football in Asia, has suggested that he would be open to deserting the Selecao if FIFA rules are changed

Former Chelsea star Oscar, who is now on the books of Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG, has said that he would be willing to switch international allegiance from Brazil to China.

The 28-year-old playmaker has won 47 caps for the country of his birth, with 12 goals. He has, however, been overlooked by the Selecao for several years now, with Brazil always well stocked for attacking talent.

Oscar is also plying his club football a long way from home and away from the spotlight cast on South American and European competition.

He took the decision to leave Chelsea for Asia in January 2017, with a big-money deal seeing his head turned. A career call that raised plenty of eyebrows has been justified by league and cup success in China, with Oscar catching the eye across 123 appearances and 39 goals.

Having become a star attraction in Shanghai, the talented forward has now revealed that he would be willing to represent his adopted home at international level.

FIFA rules prevent players who have appeared in competitive fixtures from representing another nation.

Oscar, though, would like to see those regulations tweaked, telling Sportscene: “Of course I can think about it because it's difficult to go to the Brazil national team now because I'm here, but in China everyone sees how good I play. 

“The China national team need one good midfielder, so I think I can help with this. I like China, but the players now who go to China to change their nationality, they can do better also.”

Oscar made his debut for Brazil in 2011, while he was on the books of Internacional in his homeland. A high-profile switch to Chelsea was made in 2012, while he formed part of a triumphant Confederations Cup side a year later.

He also earned a place in the Brazil squad for a home World Cup in 2014, but has not been called upon since 2016.

It appears unlikely that FIFA will be relaxing their stance regarding eligibility, but China could do with a player of Oscar’s experience and ability as they sit 76th in the world rankings and have failed to qualify for a World Cup finals since 2002.

Original author: Chris Burton
  217 Hits

Gor Mahia 1-0 Kakamega Homeboyz: K’Ogalo bounce back to winning ways

The Nigeria international is hoping to emulate the Super Eagles and the Ivory Coast legends and revealed his future aspiration

Huesca midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has named former Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu and ex-Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure as his role models, while also revealing his desire to play for Barcelona in future.

The 22-year-old has struggled to play top-flight football since he bursts into the limelight at the 2015 U17 World Cup, where he captained Nigeria to victory at the tournament.

The midfielder joined the Gunners in 2016 but failed to play a single game for the Emirates Stadium outfit during his three-year stay and made do with loan spells at MVV Maastricht, VVV-Venlo and Porto B.

In the summer of 2019, the midfielder secured a permanent move to Spanish Segunda Division side Huesca and recently helped them gained promotion to La Liga.

Nwakali only played five league games for the Oscenses, owing to visa issues and hopes to feature regularly for the side in the top flight.

The midfielder also revealed Nigeria legend Kanu and former Ivory Coast international Toure as players he models his football after while also hoping to fulfil his long-term dream of playing for Spanish giants Barca. 

“I am delighted that my club has gained promotion to the Spanish La Liga. It was not easy for my team at the second division because of the quality of teams at that level,” Nwakali said, per the Guardian.

“I was only able to play in five games because I had Spanish visa issues. My focus now is to work hard to play regularly when the league resumes.

“I have always hoped to play for Barcelona someday as a young footballer but in life, you must start somewhere to achieve your dream. I am delighted that I am now a player in the Spanish top league.

“Giving my best to my club remains the priority now. As a young footballer, I aspire to play like Kanu Nwankwo and Yaya Toure because I fancy their style of play.”

Nwakali has one cap for the Nigeria national team while his teammates at U17 level, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze have become a key part of the Super Eagles.

“I believe when Coach Gernot Rohr needs me, he will invite me. I speak with him at times and I know my time will soon come,” He continued.

“I am delighted that my teammates, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are doing well in Super Eagles. My aspiration is to join them in the team. They understand my kind of play and we connect very well on the pitch.”

Nwakali will hope to deliver convincing showings for Huesca to boost his chances of enjoying regular call-ups to the Super Eagles.

 

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
  80 Hits

Josef Martinez 'back 100 percent' for Atlanta United

The Black Maidens and Black Princesses have received permission to commence camp amid contact sports ban due to the coronavirus pandemic 

Ghana's national U17 and U20 female teams have received a special permit to regroup for training ahead of upcoming international assignments despite a lingering ban on contact sports in the west African country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The dispensation was announced when Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the nation on Sunday night.

Both the U17 and U20 women's side are set to commence training ahead of World Cup qualification matches.

"Our female Under-20 and Under-17 national football teams have been given the clearance to go into their respective training camps to begin preparations towards their Fifa and Caf-sanctioned international matches, which begin in September," Akufo-Addo said in his speech during a live broadcast on TV, radio and social media.

"Whilst in training, the playing, technical and management teams must observe strictly all the protocols issued by Government, CAF and FIFA against Covid-19. All other team and contact sports, and competitive sporting events remain suspended till further notice."

Ghana are set to face arch-rivals Nigeria over two legs in October/November, with the winners guaranteed a ticket at the U17 World Cup in India.

The Black Maidens will host the first leg before travelling for the return fixture.

Both legs were initially scheduled for May but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus disturbances.

Originally scheduled for November 2 to 21 this year, the final tournament has had to be moved to February 17 to March 7 next year.

Ghana are hoping to continue with their enviable record as the only African side to have qualified for all six previous editions of the U17 Women's World Cup.

Their best performance remains a third-placed finish at the 2012 edition in Azerbaijan.

Ghana's U20 women's team will, however, be first to get into action as they face Guinea-Bissau over two legs in September, having dispatched Liberia in the preliminary round.

The Black Princesses travel away for the first leg ahead of the return fixture at home.

The two matches were originally planned to take place in March.

The winners will have two more stages of matches to negotiate to stand a chance of grabbing a ticket for the world gathering.

Ghana has qualified for the last five previous editions of the U20 World Cup, and will hope to make a sixth appearance at the tournament to be co-hosted by Costa Rica and Panama from January 20 to February 6.

The championship was originally set to be hosted in August/September this year.

Ghana's ban on contact sports has been in effect since March, a situation which resulted in premature termination of the 2019-20 football season, including the Premier League (GPL). 

Original author: Prince Narkortu Teye
  86 Hits

Brandon Williams providing a bright spark in a miserable Norwich season

The tactician is alleged to have made the statements after a mid-week match before Timu Ya Wananchi decided to sack him

Coach Luc Eymael’s comments that sealed his fate as Yanga SC head coach have been revealed.

In a voice message obtained by Goal, the Belgian coach has pointed out numerous issues he claims made his time in Tanzania unbearable.

Yanga confirmed they had released the former Polokwane City coach after his comments following a 1-1 draw with Mtibwa Sugar last Wednesday, ahead of the final match of the season against Lipuli FC.

“My brother this place is not for me, playing in such pitches so bad pitches of a level of seventh or eighth division in Europe is not for me,” Eymael is captured as saying.

“With fans who are only shouting and are not able to invade the pitch to beat the officiating man and change things is not for me. You know if officiating were always against us and is only favouring Simba SC and not giving us even a clear penalty and things like that is not for me.

“Changing rooms too is not for me. I would prefer that they release me, let me just do my last game and let me go.”

The former AFC Leopards coach did not spare the larger Tanzanian public in his rant as he complained about conditions in the country.

“I am not enjoying your country [Tanzania], you are uneducated people. I don’t have a car, what is that? I do not have Wifi and I do not have the DSTV. No! No! No!” he added.

“Working in this condition is not for me, my man.

“My wife is absolutely not enjoying here and this is disgusting to me. I am disgusted. The only pleasure that I have is the pitches are always full when we are playing, full of our fans but these fans do not know anything about soccer.”

The former Black Leopards tactician also hit at the fans for their reaction during their Wednesday match against Mtibwa Sugar that ended in a 1-1 draw

“This striker [David] Molinga did not win any ball, did not make one run and did not bring any danger,” he added. “I had put [Gnamien] Yikpe on the wing then I put Yikpe as a striker and he gave us runs and efforts and the fans were shouting at him and wanted me to take Yikpe out.

“The time when I took one holding midfielder out to put a second striker they did not understand. There is pettiness in this country.

“The fans can only shout and are like monkeys who are barking ‘babababa’. They can only do that. They do not know anything about soccer.

“The soccer is very poor when you are playing away games and the pitch is like that, the officiating is against you and all the things. It is not for me, it is not for me.”

The Belgian also claimed Yanga, the record Mainland Premier League champions with 27 titles, are not going to win them again given their state of organisation and went further to claim Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) is a biased body.

The federation has already stated they will report Eymael to Fifa for action.

“I said to the sponsor [GSM] again that ‘please, please my men, please release me. It is better!’” Eymael concluded.

“Do your own things and you cannot be able to win the league because you are not an organised team, you are not an organised club and the officiating is always against you because you are a poor club.

“Then you wait for the federation and the federation is only for Simba. It is not for us, so you have to release me.

“I do not want to stay here.”

Eymael joined Yanga in January 2020 to replace Mwinyi Zahera.

 

 

  86 Hits

LaLiga wants PSG, Man City FFP probe

The German manager has delivered a long-awaited Premier League title to Anfield, with the charismatic coach eager to talk up their collective effort

Jurgen Klopp claims to like his Liverpool players “more than they like me”, with the Premier League title-winning coach aware that “hard decisions” are not going to be well received by everyone.

Keeping everybody happy all of the time is an impossible task, but Klopp has shown that he can find the right mix when it comes to establishing both success on the field and harmony off it.

“[Me and the players] created a really, really close relationship over the years,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website on the back of an historic campaign for the Reds.

“The relationship is clear – I like them more than they like me! Because I have to make hard decisions, that’s how it is. There are things I don’t like to do, but I have to do – so for me, seeing them like this means absolutely everything. It is exactly why I do it.

“It is the same to see my family that happy. When I met my wife and my sons after the game, they lost it kind of! They were so happy. On the night Chelsea won against City, that night they were completely going nuts. The boys [players] went nuts here. That’s really something. 

“These pictures which I have in my mind I will never forget, I know that. I have still the pictures of the Dortmund moments in my mind and it is very special. My coaches jumped in the pool – thank God I was not there!

“They are such nice pictures and it is my fuel if you want, my petrol, that I get over the years that I can keep for a long time.”

Klopp faced a number of challenges once again in 2019-20, with Liverpool having surged clear of the Premier League pack only to then see football locked down amid the coronavirus pandemic.

They have also picked up untimely injuries and suspensions at various intervals, but Klopp has always found a winning formula and kept his side focused on chasing down their ultimate goals.

“A season is not 365 days, I don’t know exactly how many days a season is but it is long and we spend a lot of time together,” he said. “On the pitch is only one-and-a-half or two hours a day; all the rest of the time we are more or less in this building [Melwood] together with these people.

“How can you have the energy for going again and again with all the setbacks you have – I don’t mean losing a final. Injured players is always a problem, but it’s always the wrong player on top of that.

It’s like if you have four players for one position, none of them are injured. If you have two for one, both are injured. How can you keep the energy? It only works because we all give energy to each other.”

Original author: Chris Burton
  97 Hits

Sources: City near $60m deal for Wolves' Nunes

With Wolves losing at Chelsea on the final day, Spurs needed just a draw to secure sixth place and did so in a dull affair at Crystal Palace

Jose Mourinho told Tottenham to play for a draw in their game with Crystal Palace on Sunday, according to Eagles and ex-Spurs winger Andros Townsend.

Tottenham secured Europa League qualification with a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park which, with Wolves beaten at Chelsea, saw them finish sixth in the Premier League.

Since Mourinho took over in north London, Spurs rose from 14th to securing another season of European football, with the Portuguese insisting he is happy to be in the Europa League.

Townsend, though, took aim at what he felt were negative tactics from the visitors.

“We were playing Spurs and they only needed a point to finish sixth,” Townsend told TalkSport. “You could tell the Spurs bench knew and Jose Mourinho was getting messages on to the pitch that they only needed a draw, and in the last 10 minutes they were literally taking the ball into the corner.

“You do need to know [what is happening in other games] because it can change our tactics and the way you approach the last 10-15 minutes of the game.”

Spurs and Palace only had two shots on target each in the game, with Harry Kane and Jeffrey Schlupp finding the net in an underwhelming end-of-season affair.

Nevertheless, Spurs finished the season strongly and Mourinho is feeling vindicated in his approach since replacing Mauricio Pochettino, although he admitted they weren’t at their best on Sunday.

“The season was crazy, since they played the Champions League final it has been up and down and really hard," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "We, in this group of matches managed to get results and to perform.

"Not today, it was not the best, but in this period, we played well, got results and were solid to put ourselves in the position to get in the Europa League.

"From a personal point of view, I'm happy because since I arrived, we would be fourth which is good with all the problems we had."

Less than 24 hours after the season ended, Spurs have already confirmed some transfer activity. Jan Vertonghen has announced his departure from the club following the end of his contract, with Michel Vorm also having made his exit.

  93 Hits

Bhaichung Bhutia recommends Manoranjan Bhattacharya and Tarun Dey's names as East Bengal selectors

The 22-year-old Portugal midfielder is on the rise once again after impressing for the Ligue 1 side this season

Lille have turned down offers of €70 million (£64m/$82m) for former Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches, the Ligue 1 club’s president has claimed.

The Portugal midfielder, previously of Benfica and Swansea, has found his feet once again in France after a disappointing end to his Bundesliga career.

Still only 22, he has plenty of potential to fulfil, and Lille chief Gerard Lopez says there has been significant interest.

With star forward Jonathan Ikone reportedly targeted by Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Jadon Sancho and defender Gabriel Magalhaes linked with clubs in the Premier League and beyond, there has been plenty of interest in the side which finished fourth in the curtailed French top-flight season.

However, according to Lopez, Lille have no desire to part with their star players as they look to build for the future.

“We have received offers totalling more than €200m (£182m/$235m), which we will not accept,” Lopez told l’Equipe. “The real question for us is the competitiveness and balance of the team.

“For example, we have had offers over €70m for Renato Sanches. He won’t go. Our sporting project takes precedence.

“We want to continue developing. How many clubs in Ligue 1 would refuse more than €70m for a player, other than PSG?”

After bursting onto the scene with Benfica in 2015-16, Sanches announced himself to the world as one of the star performers of Euro 2016.

His performances as Portugal lifted the title raised excitement levels with Bayern having already agreed to sign him, but he left after three underwhelming seasons - including that disastrous loan spell at Swansea.

Sanches played 33 times for Christophe Galtier's Lille side this season, and his stock is now beginning to rise once more.

Lille are apparently looking to strengthen as well as holding onto their key players, with reports in France suggesting they are close to completing a deal for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has repeatedly stated his desire to keep hold of the 22-year-old Colombian but, after scoring 77 goals in three seasons at Ibrox, Morelos may well be ready for a fresh challenge at a higher level.

  88 Hits

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Player ratings as Blancos edge El Clasico

The former Mahindra United star has reveled his time under Bob Houghton and heaped praise on the current India coach...

Steven Dias has hailed his time at the Indian national team under Bob Houghton and feels that current coach Igor Stimac needs to be given more time.

Dias, who was a mainstay in the Indian national team in his time, feels that only under Houghton did Indian players started training professionaly and know more about important aspects like diets, nutrition etc.

"Now, what we see, the players have become more professional. At my time, players hardly knew anything because there was no information on what to do off the pitch. If you talk about diet, even when I was in (joined) the Indian team in 2004, we used to eat french fries and all because we didn't know anything.

"The one good phase I enjoyed (at the national team) was under Bob Houghton. He really showed us what professionalism is all about and personally, he made football so easy for me - positioning and all. So that full phase, I will never forget, especially the Nehru Cups that we played at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi," he told Goal.

The player who has joined the Indian Super League (ISL) side Odisha FC as an assistant coach was a key member of the Blue Tigers when they won two Nehru Cup twice (2007, 2009) that sandwiched India's only AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Challenge Cup title in 2008.

"My dream is to see India at the [FIFA] World Cup. I don't know how long it will take but we are at least going step by step (in the right direction). The team, under Igor Stimac, are playing very good football now. They (players) are keeping ball possession, they know what to do attacking wise and know their roles defensively. I hope they keep this coach for a long time."

Houghton spent the longest time in office as India coach between 2006 and 2011 wherein the Englishman led his side into the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, followed by Stephen Constantine's second stint (2015-2019). The latter helped India to its best FIFA Ranking (96) in 21 years after being ranked 94th in February 1996 and took the country to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

"The problem is that we (India) keep changing coaches. A coach comes for around two-to-three years and with the change of coach, a change in the style of play takes place. So it becomes difficult for the players also to understand," Dias explained.

 

Original author: Anselm Noronha
  77 Hits

Cristian Romero is the centre-back Tottenham have needed for years

The former Red Devil is adamant the club's current number one continues to make too many mistakes

Roy Keane believes Manchester United need to sign a "better goalkeeper" over the summer to challenge for the Premier League title next season. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side secured a third-place finish and their place in the Champions League after beating Leicester City 2-0 on Sunday with David de Gea keeping his 13th clean sheet of the season - only three shy of Golden Glove winner Ederson.

The Spaniard however did make a number of costly errors this season with Keane previously declaring he was "sick to death" of De Gea

While De Gea conceded just two goals across the final four games of the Premier League season for the Red Devils, Keane is adamant the club must find a replacement if they want to reach the next level.

"I’ve never been a big fan of his. He makes far too many mistakes, big mistakes that cost United big points," Keane told Sky Sports about De Gea ahead of United's game against Leicester.

"We talk about recruitment, it’s a difficult part of the game. That’s just my opinion. If Manchester United want to challenge for league titles, they need a better goalkeeper.

"They need a change, they’ve done it before. I don’t know what the big song and dance is about a goalkeeper, Man United have been doing it for years.

"Strikers are dropped or sold, same with midfielders, but for some reason, with goalkeepers, they think we have to stick with the goalkeeper for a bit longer than others because of something they did two or three years ago.

"The game doesn’t work like that. We’ve seen Liverpool get onto another level when they’ve improved the goalkeeper.

"What’s the big deal? If he’s not doing it, he’s making mistakes, then make a change. There are good goalkeepers out there."

Despite Keane's plea, the Red Devils are unlikely to replace De Gea anytime soon with the 29-year-old contracted at Old Trafford until 2023. 

Solskjaer has also shown plenty of faith in the Spanish shot-stopper in recent times and believes he remains a "top keeper". 

"David has proven it over the years. Form might be temporary, but class is permanent. He's an absolutely top keeper," Solskjaer told Sky Sports earlier this week.

Original author: Josh Thomas
  72 Hits

Manchester City forward Torres suffers injury on international duty with Spain and faces up to six weeks out

The country's FA said the season can resume during the first week of August after rejecting the league's proposed date of July 18

South African Football Association (Safa) chief medical doctor Thulani Ngwenya has revealed he nearly quit as the association's compliance officer after receiving death threats from unknown people. 

According to Ngwenya, the said people felt he was the one refusing to let PSL football to return, and he reported this to his bosses at Safa who then took the matter to the police.  

"This recent period has been the most stressful in my life. It has been really bad. It got to a point where I received private calls from people threatening my life,” Ngwenya told City Press.

"I have reported it to Safa and we have opened a case with the police. That’s how bad it is. I have been insulted and threatened I don’t know how many times in the past few weeks. I really needed to think long and hard about whether I wanted to continue," he revealed. 

One of Ngwenya's responsibilities as Safa's compliance officer is to ensure that all the 32 PSL teams observe the stringent measures set by the Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) for the return of football without exposing anyone to the risk of contracting the coronavirus.   

The association's decision to reject PSL's proposed return date of July 18 appears to have infuriated a lot of people in the football fraternity and they have directed their anger at Ngwenya.  

The KwaNyamazane-born medical doctor said his primary objective is the safety of the players, the majority of whom he works with at national team level. 

"I work with many of these players and, as a medical doctor, it’s my job to want the best for them," he said. 

"I became a doctor to help people and nothing else. People think I am being used as a pawn, but they don’t know that I took an oath as a medical doctor and there are certain principles and ethics that I have to follow."

Ngwenya, 36, said it hurts that some people are blaming him for the delay in the resumption of the 2019-20 season, saying he would have not been part of the whole process if the safety of players and officials were not a priority.  

"If I was drawn into something wrong and unethical, I would never be part of that. I am very principled. It hurts me very much that I am seen as a stumbling block to the return of football," added Ngwenya. 

"People think I don’t want football to return and that is untrue. I am part of a collective and we have worked very hard to put together the Joint Liaison Committee document that speaks to the return of games. As instructed by the government, Safa and the PSL have been engaging on the matter of the return to football."

The PSL is expected to make a decision the future of the suspended season in their Monday's board of governors meeting.  

Original author: Ernest Makhaya
  100 Hits

Liverpool's Salah eclipses Drogba to become highest-scoring African in Premier League

The Secretary of the Karnataka State Football Association spoke about some of the initiatives aimed at nurturing local talents....

The potential of football in Karnataka has not been realised for some time now. The state has had very little representation at the national level, in the I-League and in the Indian Super League (ISL) in the last few years in terms of players from the region.

In fact, only two players based out of Karnataka featured in the ISL last season – Hyderabad FC duo Shankar Sampingiraj and Mangaluru-born Nikhil Poojary who spent most of his formative years in Mumbai. Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) Secretary M Satyanarayan emphasised on the federation’s vision to provide a platform for upcoming talent and ensure more players from the state play at the top level.

“We are putting some plans in place because we want more players from our state to play in the ISL. Right now, we just have two players,” he said.

“We are also looking to give a boost at the grass-root level and conduct more baby leagues. Richard Hood, who is with Bengaluru United has done a lot of work to uplift our grassroots development programme.

“We have made it mandatory for all Super Division and the first division clubs to ensure that two juniors – U21 players play in the playing 11. This means that they should recruit at least four such players. With the 14 Super Division and 10-12 A Division teams, we will straight away have about 80-100 U21 players playing the top leagues.

The KSFA also wants to see better performance at the highest level in the Santosh Trophy - a title that has eluded the state since 1971. Karnataka did well in the qualification stage this year and topped a group that also contained Telangana and Puducherry. But the final round was put on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Satyanarayan said - “In the Santosh Trophy, five of the 20 have to be U21. So, we will get some good players who will gain experience from playing in these tough leagues. The Khelo India U21 is another good avenue for these players.

“In our local system, after the U15 level, there is no avenue for these boys. There is no U18 level and so we are planning to start it. Once they do the decentralisation (AIFF to hand responsiblity of conducting youth leagues to the states), we want to do U13, U15 and U18 tournaments. The boys who will play for teams in the U18 leagues will then get openings in the big clubs. If they play for 2-3 years, then they will also become better players.

“In our Santosh Trophy team from last season, barring the goalkeeper and captain who were about 29, the average age was just 22. We last won it in 1971 and are determined to try and win that.

“We have spotters who watch all the games of the Super Division and the A Division. Then they make a list of about 60-70 players. If we see some good talent from the B and C divisions, we call them. We had a long camp of about two months this time. The boys played very well and we won both our South Zone matches. The boys were looking forward to the final round but now that might not happen (due to the pandemic).”

The KSFA Secretary spoke about two initiatives aimed at nurturing local talents that will kick off when the restrictions are lifted. The federation is looking to have Super Division clubs venture into the football pockets of the city and train the talented youngsters.

A similar approach to acquiring talented youngsters from different districts was also discussed.

“Last month we asked new clubs to come up in the C division. As of today, we have 60 new clubs who have enrolled.

“Our president is keen that all 30 districts have good leagues. Earlier it was just 10-11. Now it has gone up to 19 districts. We want to change the constitution because according to the AIFF constitution, you need 10 clubs to form a district association. But what we are telling is even if you have seven clubs, we will call you an associate district. You start with six or seven clubs. Once you have 10 clubs, we will give you a full district association status. We want all districts to start leagues.

“We had a webinar with the Super Division and A Division sides which had the likes of Bengaluru FC, Ozone, Bengaluru United, Kickstart and so on. I expressed to them that we want to see more players from Bengaluru.

“The boys in some of the football pockets in Bengaluru are highly skilled but they don’t have organised training. I have asked the Super Division clubs to adopt one area each and send one of their coaches for at least three days a week for the whole year. The clubs have wholeheartedly come forward.

“Most of these clubs have academies and for them, this will be a good supply route of players. They don’t have to bring kids from the North-East and put them up in schools here. Our own boys will fill in for those players.

“The aim is to see more of our players in the ISL. They have the footballing skills but must improve their life skills. At 18-19 they are in the state team and then maybe the Indian camp and then they become wayward. That is something I did in my presentation to AIFF. We want to have classes on life-skills for these young players so they know that they can be in the ISL if they work hard.

“We have done a lot of planning but unfortunately Covid-19 has pushed us back.”

Satyanarayan also revealed that the KSFA are committed to developing women's football in the state as well.

“I also told the district teams that if they want to play in the inter-district tournament, they must have a ladies’ team. It is okay if it is seven-a-side to start with. We have girls from Mangaluru and Belgaum playing in the state side right now,” he concluded.

  66 Hits

Kevin Monyi: Tusker sign defender from Western Stima

The Belgian tactician remembers ex-President who passed away at 81 after his team secured second spot on the final day

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has dedicated the team’s efforts to finish second in the Mainland Premier League to the late former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa.

Mkapa died on July 24 at the age of 81 after leading Tanzania from 1995 to 2005 and was succeeded by Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

And in a perfect sendoff, Yanga, who in an earlier statement had described Mkapa as their ‘number one fan’, pipped Azam FC to the second position after beating Lipuli FC 1-0 while the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ only managed a 2-2 draw against Tanzania Prisons.

The win enabled the Timu ya Wananchi to finish second with 72 points, while Azam settled for third on 70 and Namungo FC came fourth on 64, while Simba SC, who had already been crowned champions, finished top on 88 points.

The Belgian coach has now told Goal the win against Lipuli, which pushed them to the second position, is a perfect dedication to the late Mkapa.

“It is all because of God because going into the match we lost one of our best fans in the country, Mkapa, and I want to dedicate this win and the position to him,” Eymael told Goal on Monday.

“[Mkapa] was a great Yanga fan, I am told he could not miss our matches especially when we are playing in Dar es Salaam and also follow our results and we want to join other Tanzanians to mourn his sudden death, the win is dedicated to him.

“I also want to thank the sponsors and fans for their support throughout the season, without them we could not have achieved what we have achieved, to finish second and also reach the semis of the FA Cup.”

Eymael continued: “I am very proud of my boys, very proud of my staff and the people who were there, they never gave up, you know my physio came back, the U-20 coach also came to rescue us and finally with a very weak squad, we have managed to finish second, it is a fantastic feeling to finish second.

“It was not easy for us because when I arrived the gap between us and Simba was 28 points but we have managed to finish second and it is a good day for Yanga and the fans, we thank them for their support throughout the season.”

Singida United, Ndanda FC, Alliance FC, and Lipuli FC were all relegated as the curtain came down for the 2019-20 season.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  62 Hits

N'Golo Kante lifts the lid on his incredible fitness & reveals his idols

Goal review the continent’s best performers around the world this weekend, and name a few who under-performed
Original author: Seye Omidiora
  0 Hits

Arsenal Propose Plan to Allow Fans to Return to Emirates Stadium for Sheffield United Game

The Taifa Stars captain reveals he will remain at Villa Park for next season after his side escaped relegation on the final day

Tanzania striker Mbwana Samatta has confirmed he will remain at Aston Villa for the new Premier League season after helping the club to stay up.

Jack Grealish’s late goal, coupled with Watford’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, was ultimately good enough for Aston Villa to avoid relegation from the top-flight in the final day of EPL action.

The battle to avoid the two remaining relegation places went to the wire as Aston Villa scored in the 84th minute, conceded a minute later, then held on for 1-1 draw at West Ham to survive.

West Ham had already secured their own Premier League place for 2020-21 with a draw at Manchester United on Wednesday and end the season in 16th.

Samatta, who struggled for form since the return of football - after impressing in his early stints with goals against Bournemouth and Manchester City, signed for Aston Villa in January - and came into the side for Brazilian Wesley Moraes who fell to injury at the start of the year.

The Taifa Stars captain has now taken to his social media pages to thank God for helping Villa to stay up and went on to confirm he will be at the club for the new season.

“I want to thank God for giving me another chance to play in the Premier League for another season,” Samatta wrote on his social media pages.

“I also want to thank all those fans who were behind me, and kept praying for Villa to stay up so that you can see me again in the Premier League.”

Samatta, an £8.5million January signing from Genk, barely had time to get settled in his new surroundings before the season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, he was able to write history by becoming the first player from Tanzania to play in the Premier League. 

Samatta scored only one goal in 14 appearances leading to Birmingham Live reporting that the attacker could be granted a quick exit route from the club at the end of the season.

 

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  91 Hits

FutPost.com