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Mbappe forced out of Coupe de France final after horror tackle as Champions League looms

The France striker lasted a little over half an hour before limping off close to tears

Paris Saint-Germain suffered a major injury blow when striker Kylian Mbappe was forced off with an ankle injury during the first half of their Coupe de France final against Saint-Etienne.

Mbappe was left in agony after being scythed down by a sliding challenge from Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin as he looked to run through on goal.

Replays showed Mbappe's right ankle was bent inwards by the tackle, which sparked a furious melee between both sets of players, with even Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Jessy Moulin running out of his penalty area to get involved.

Mbappe, meanwhile, was left writhing in pain on the turf as the PSG's medical team sprinted onto the pitch to assess the damage.

After several minutes of treatment, the 21-year-old limped off the field still in obvious discomfort and looked close to tears as he headed straight down the tunnel, with Pablo Sarabia coming on his place.

Perrin was initially booked for the challenge but after consulting the VAR monitor, referee Amaury Delerue decided to upgrade his punishment to a red card, the third time Saint-Etienne have had a player sent off in the first half in a game against PSG this season.

PSG also lost defender Thilo Kehrer to injury during the opening 45 minutes, with Colin Dagba coming on in his place.

Mbappe had earlier played key role in PSG's opener, with his fierce shot parried by Moulin into the path of Neymar, who smashed the rebound in off the bar from close range.

Seven minutes of time was added on to the end of a fractious first half which saw seven yellow cards alongside Perrin's red, once of which was for PSG substitute Marco Verratti for arguing with the referee as he went to check the VAR monitor.

Though the severity of the injury is yet to be known, Mbappe's participation in PSG's remaining fixtures this season could now be in doubt.

Thomas Tuchel's side face Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue final next week before a huge clash against Serie A outfit Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in Lisbon on August 12.

Original author: Goal
  216 Hits

Ebere Orji assists, Uchenna Kanu scores as Linkopings bow at Umea

Even though the Nigerians impressed, they could not help their team to escape the first defeat of the season on Friday

Linkopings lost 3-2 at Umea in Friday’s Sweden Damallsvenskan outing with Nigeria international Ebere Orji assisting compatriot Uchenna Kanu to find the net at Umea Energi Arena.

 

Olof Unogard's ladies enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign this season, with no defeat in five opening matches, but they surrendered a two-goal lead to suffer their first loss this term.

 

Eva Nystrom's own goal gifted the visitors the lead after just four minutes. Seven minutes later, Kanu, who opened her Damallsvenskan account with the winner against Djurgardens, came close to levelling the score but her effort went wide.

 

In the 65th minute, Ebere, who has scored five goals in five matches this season, set up Kanu to double the lead for the visitors.

 

However, the hosts staged an incredible comeback when Therese Simonsson teed up Lova Lundin to pull one back 12 minutes later.

 

A minute after, Olivia Holm was introduced as the replacement for Eva Nystrom before the former levelled matters in the 80th minute.

 

Things fell apart for the visitors as Lova Lundin grabbed her second goal and the winner of the match inside injury time for Umea.

 

Kanu's strike was his second of the season in six appearances. The 23-year-old was in action for the duration of the match and Ebere was replaced by Alva Selerud in the 83rd minute for Unogard’s side.

 

With this result, Linkopings remained third on the log with 15 points after recording their first defeat in their last six outings.

 

In their next outing, Linkopings will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they host Örebro to Linkoping Arena on July 29.

 

Original author: Samuel Ahmadu
  244 Hits

Yaya Toure predicts outcome of Man City vs Real Madrid Champions League clash

Pep Guardiola's side host the newly-crowned La Liga champions for the return leg of their Round of 16 fixture on August 7

Yaya Toure is expecting the second leg of the Uefa Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Real Madrid to be a '50-50' affair due to the absence of fans.

After securing a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu back in February, City welcome Zinedine Zidane's men to Manchester for the return fixture on August 7.

Isco's effort was not enough to power the Spanish giants to victory in the first leg as strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne turned the result around for Guardiola's men in Madrid.

When quizzed about the likely result of the encounter which was delayed by the coronavirus lockdown, Toure - who played for Man City between 2010 and 2018 - thinks it would be difficult if his former team don't score a goal at home.

The four-time African Footballer of the Year just commenced training with League Two club Leyton Orient with the aim of maintaining his fitness level as he awaits a new challenge.

"I think it's going to be 50-50 because without fans it is complicated," Toure told Leyton Orient's channel.

"Real Madrid will be in good confidence having won La Liga two weeks ago. You just have to win because to draw against Madrid...It is going to be hard for City if they don't score one goal."

Toure last played for Qingdao Huanghai in the Chinese League One, and he helped them earn promotion to the Super League after winning the second division title last season.

After leaving China, the Ivory Coast legend was in transfer talks with Botafogo but he turned down a move to the Brazilian club due to family reasons.

“Yaya told us that he really wants to play in Botafogo but this is a very impactful decision for him and his family for an immediate decision. Moving to Brazil,” the club vice-president, Ricardo Rotenberg said.

“In conversation with the agent that for now we will end the negotiations but the doors are open in Botafogo. To be clear, Yaya did not accept - saying no.

"We've closed it but I still believe in Botafogo. Please, we will continue to send good messages to him and his wife."

Original author: Taiye Taiwo
  213 Hits

Wojciech Szczesny: The Light-Hearted Joker Who Replaced a Legend

The Liverpool midfielder says the sight of his captain lifting the Premier League is just reward for his hard work and dedication over the years

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has paid an emotional tribute to team-mate Jordan Henderson, saying no-one deserves success more than the Reds skipper.

Lallana has developed a close friendship with the 30-year-old, having played alongside him for the entirety of his Reds career since joining from Southampton in 2014, with Henderson arriving from Sunderland three years previously.

Henderson struggled for fitness and consistency in his early seasons at Anfield, with rumours the club were considering moving him on.

However, he has thrived since succeeding Steven Gerrard as captain in 2015, playing a central role in the club’s success under Jurgen Klopp in recent years.

In the last 12 months alone the England international has lifted the Champions League, Super Cup, World Club Cup and now the Premier League. He also received individual recognition when he was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

Lallana, who has also endured his ups and downs at Anfield, welled up when talking about his team-mate, how seriously he took his responsibility as captain and the hard work behind his eventual success.

“Having been with Jordan throughout the whole journey I’ve been lucky enough to be alongside him when he had his dark moments and couple of injuries that he’s had,” he told the club’s website.

“He’s also been alongside me in my dark moments, injuries. We always come back to injuries. It’s not just defeats that are dark moments, it’s injuries as well. 

“There was one game when we lost, well we drew 3-3 away to Sevilla. I say we lost because it felt like a defeat. I just remember he had his hood up and he kind of took the brunt of that result, took full responsibility. We were 3-0 up at half-time and it finished 3-3, and just hearing him say as captain, ‘That can’t happen, I’ve got to be responsible and I’m responsible for that being a Liverpool captain.’ 

"Just to hear how honest he was, I was thinking ‘Are you crazy to be taking that responsibility? It’s the team’s responsibility and we’ve not even lost the game.’

"But, that just epitomises his selflessness and how much responsibility he takes for this football club in the bad moments. That’s why he deserves this more than anyone else. He deserves to be captain of Liverpool holding the four trophies in one season more than anyone else and no-one can take that away from him, ever. 

"Being not just his friend, but his team-mate makes me so proud and privileged. Yes, it’s nice that our families are close and my kids are the same age as his kids, but more than anything him being my captain and being next to him on Wednesday when he lifted that Premier League trophy, there is nothing that makes me happier really.”

Original author: Goal
  149 Hits

Indian football: 30 years since Khalid Jamil took the last flight home to escape the Gulf War

The Argentine striker was a doubt for Champions League clash with the Liga champions after having surgery on a knee operation

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could still be in with a chance of facing Real Madrid as he races to recover from a knee operation.

Pep Guardiola had previously said that the Argentine would not be back fit in time for the Champions League last-16 clash with the Spanish champions after he had surgery on a meniscus injury in June.

Aguero, 32, has stepped up his recovery work in the gym and although he has yet to return to the pitch, the City boss says he will have a full squad for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, minus the suspended Benjamin Mendy.

"I think against Madrid everyone will be fit," Guardiola said ahead of Sunday’s final Premier League game against Norwich.

"Mendy is suspended but the other ones will be fit and I think in two weeks, barring a disaster in the training session that hopefully won't happen, everyone will be fit and we're going to count on the senior guys for this game."

Aguero was left on the bench for the 2-1 first-leg victory at the Santiago Bernabeu but having him available will be major boost, particularly with the quarter-finals to follow quickly after.

With second place already secure, Guardiola is focusing the next two weeks on their European challenge and wants to see an improvement on recent performances, particularly the disappointing FA Cup loss to Arsenal.

"We want to prepare the right way for Real Madrid," he said. "The game against Norwich and how they train this week will be what I base Madrid on. Every game will be an exam for me to see who is ready to play the game.

"Against Watford [we were] a little bit better. But still we need to improve."

Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will again be a key figure and the Belgian could set a new record for most assists in a Premier League season.

The 29-year-old is currently on 19 - one behind record-holder Thierry Henry - ahead of the visit of rock-bottom Norwich City.

Despite being beaten to the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, Guardiola says his contributions are clear to see.

"I think [Kevin] speaks for himself what he gives to our team," he said. "It’s not necessary to say how fantastic Kevin is. At the same time, congratulations to the captain at Liverpool. He’s a really good player.

"[Kevin] enjoys making assists, he’d love not to score millions of goals, he makes assists, but he’s taken penalties and free-kicks and taken responsibility to score goals which is most difficult thing.

"Not just this season, the numbers, the way he’s played is incredible. In the 100-point season, I’ll never forget how he played in this incredible milestone."

Original author: Jonathan Smith
  86 Hits

Cosafa Cup: Change to 2021 format as Madagascar withdraw

The Liverpool boss has responded to criticism from his Blues counterpart following the Premier League meeting between the two clubs at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Frank Lampard after the Chelsea boss warned Liverpool’s coaching staff not to get “arrogant” following their Premier League title win.

Lampard had clashed with Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s assistant, during his side’s 5-3 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night, and later continued the row in his post-match interview.

He said: "Some of the bench, it's a fine line between when you are winning - and they've won the league, fair play to Liverpool Football Club - but also don't get too arrogant with it.”

A video later emerged which showed Lampard telling Klopp to “f*ck off”, and the Liverpool  manager was asked about the row at his press conference ahead of the champions’ game with Newcastle this weekend.

Klopp responded: “You cannot hit me and my bench with something like that because we are not arrogant. 

“Frank was obviously in a really competitive mood and I respect that a lot. From my point of view in this sort of situation you can say pretty much what you want. For me, after the game it is completely over. 

“I said a lot in the past because it is pure emotion. He came here to win the game or get a point, to make Champions League qualification, and I respect that a lot. But what he has to learn is to finish it with the final whistle and he didn't do that. 

“Speaking afterwards about it like this, that's not okay, Frank has to learn this and he has a lot of time to learn as he is a young coach but that is what he has to learn. 

“During the game, the words used were no problem at all but after final whistle? No.

“We are not arrogant, we are pretty much the opposite. But in a moment like this in an argument you want to say something to hurt the other person. I have no problem with that but at the final whistle close the book. He didn't do that and that is what I don't like. 

“And by the way, the reason I speak now about it – because otherwise there would be no words from me - but because he spoke after about it, I feel the need to explain!”

Asked if there had been a particular moment during his career where he had learned not to keep an argument with a fellow manager going after the final whistle, Klopp said:  “I don't remember but probably, yes! 

“I really don't know. I respect all the other coaches. When you have a little look at yourself and know how outraged you can be in different situations - because we all have our own subjective view on a situation: foul, no foul, handball, and you feel that it's not fair and you feel you cannot wait until after the game. That happens. 

“Probably I had it but I don't remember. During the game for sure, after the game I don't remember.”

Lampard, for his part, explained his side of the story in his own press conference ahead of Chelsea’s game with Wolves.

The Blues boss said: “I think in terms of the language I used, I do regret that, because I think these things get replayed a lot on social media. I've got two young daughters who are on social media, so I do regret that.

“In terms of regretting having passion to defend my team, no, I could have maybe handled it slightly differently, to keep that language in.

“But what I felt was, and I want to be clear about this actually, that some of the reports were that I was upset with the celebrating of the Liverpool team.

“Far from it, I think Liverpool should celebrate as much as they want with the season they've had, they can celebrate like they did after the game, like they can celebrate every goal they score, like they celebrated when they won the league a month ago, and like they are talking they will celebrate one more time with their fans.

“I would have had a beer with Jurgen Klopp after the game and toasted the performance of what they've done this year. But there were things on the line I didn't like from their bench, not Klopp, people behind the bench, which I felt crossed the line, and that's what got me agitated.

“But it's done, it's done. Emotions run high, and amongst most managers, players and fans in this game. As I say, I regret the language, and we move on.”

Original author: Neil Jones
  161 Hits

How Gvardiol's incredible rise saw him land at Man City

Video: Solskjaer aiming to 'dominate' Champions League decider against Leicester | Goal.com

Premier League

15:16 BST 24/07/2020

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United 2019-20

The United boss has urged his side secure the most important three points of their season

Original author: Goal
  88 Hits

Mikel Arteta Details What Thomas Partey Will Bring to Arsenal

The Germany international winger has taken the decision to head back to his homeland at Bayern Munich and is looking forward to a new challenge

Leroy Sane insists his decision to leave Manchester City was not driven by a loss of hunger at the Etihad Stadium, with the Bayern Munich new boy admitting that Pep Guardiola took his game to a “different level”.

The Germany international winger has headed home after four years in English football.

A productive spell at the Etihad Stadium delivered 135 appearances, 39 goals and two Premier League titles.

Sane still has plenty of potential to unlock in his game at 24 years of age and says that is the reason he has opted to head for the Allianz Arena.

He will be forever grateful to City and Guardiola, but has told reporters of a big career call: “I think he improved me a lot. When I came to Manchester City I was 19 and I had just had one full season where I had played here in Germany and there was a lot to improve and in every area.

“I can say I improved in every single area with him, doesn’t matter what it is – technically, the positional game, my whole game changed a lot because of the way he works and how he wants me to play. He brought me onto a completely different level.

“Obviously we won a lot in these four years but Bayern Munich also won a lot! I just had a personal feeling for myself.

“It was not anything about Man City or anything else – because we’d now won everything or I’d now lost the hunger or anything [like that]. It was just me personally. I just had a feeling and that’s why I came to this decision.”

Sane opted to link up with Bayern before the 2019-20 campaign came to a close, with that decision preventing him from representing either City or Bayern in the latter stages of the Champions League.

He added: “I thought about it, obviously, and City have the option to win the Champions League. But I made this decision and I’m totally fine with it.

“If City win it, then I’m happy for the club and for all my friends there but this was the way I went. If it really happens [and City win], I don’t think I will suffer with it a lot because I made the decision and nobody else.

“It was hard to say no to the Champions League. For everyone it is a dream to play in that competition. But it made more sense just to come here, to settle in, find a new home and to prepare really good for the next season. Everyone knows how difficult this season was for me.

“I have more time to settle in, to focus on the new team, to work with them and prepare myself really well for the next season. If I had stayed until after August then it would have been harder for me.”

Sane added on his general fitness as he links up with Bayern on the back of a serious knee injury suffered in a Community Shield outing for City in August 2019: “I can say I am really happy with my knee and how it healed up.

“I have no problems really anymore and I will just try to prepare really well, as best as I can for the first game and at the end we will see if it was enough or not.”

Original author: Chris Burton
  182 Hits

Simba SC set to unveil modified logo and jersey for new season

The Senegal international is confident the Parthenopeans can secure positive results in their remaining games of the campaign

Kalidou Koulibaly is backing Napoli to finish the 2019-20 Serie A season well and revealed his side will go all out against Barcelona in their Champions League game.  

The Parthenopeans are currently seventh on the league table with 56 points from 35 games, securing a place in the top European competition is all but over as they are 16 points below fourth-placed Lazio.

The Stadio San Paolo outfit, however, still have a chance to clinch a place in the Europa League next season as they are only three points below sixth-placed AC Milan.

The Parthenopeans played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash against Barca and Koulibaly believes their league matches, starting with Sassuolo on Saturday, will prepare them to take on the Spanish giants in the second leg in Naples.

"The goal is to finish the season very well and then look for a great result with Barcelona," Koulibaly told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"In the first leg the success in Reggio Emilia gave us the push to start well on the road, tomorrow we will play Sassuolo again and it will be a good test for us.  

“They have great dribblers and are a technical team. We will have to be good at taking up space and be more determined offensively.

"We have to acquire a winning mentality to aim at great levels. Now there is Sassuolo and we think about this match. Then we will try to progress well game by game up to Barcelona.

“Winning in Naples is special and unique. Nowhere in the world is there the warmth and passion of this city. We will try to give something important to our fans.

“Now we have three more games that must be played to the maximum strength in order to be ready for the Champions League challenge.

“We must grow and above all improve our mentality. We are not afraid and we will try to face Barcelona on equal terms to play for qualification until the end. "

Koulibaly, who has been linked to Premier League clubs Manchester United and Liverpool, has featured in 30 games across all competitions this season for Napoli.

The defender has been with the Parthenopeans since 2014 and was part of the side that won the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia titles.

Koulibaly also played a key role for Senegal as they finished as runner-up in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
  385 Hits

Liverpool Make 'Official Contact' With Bayern Munich Over Thiago

The towering striker reveals to Goal how the Covid-19 pandemic affected his plans in the last campaign and his next plans

Kenyan striker Albert Muema has set a target of notching 15 goals or more for MFK Lokomotíva Zvolen when the Slovakian league kicks off on August 2.

Muema signed for the Division Three club from Serbian First Division side FK Sindeljic at the end of last season but was yet to show his potential after the league was ended prematurely owing to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

But with the new season now set to start on August 2, Muema, who also featured for Kenyan Premier League (KPL) club Tusker, has exclusively told Goal his main target is to score 15 goals or more and help his team to earn promotion to Division Two.

“It has been tough for me since signing for MFK Zvolen but I am coping well now though it was tough because I was about to start the second half of the season in March to the end of June when Covid-19 struck and spoiled everything,” Muema told Goal on Friday.

“It was very tough because, after the winter break, we were forced to take pay cuts due to the pandemic affecting club finances, but now we have started pre-season training and I have regained my scoring touch with four goals and two assists in four games.

“I feel good when I head into the new season with such a good form and my target now is to make sure I score at least 15 goals and above and also help my team to achieve targets for the season.

“I also want to score in every game that we play as from next season and by God’s grace I would love to see myself playing consistently in a top European league.”

Muema has enjoyed a good start to pre-season as he scored his first goal and assisted one in a 3-0 win against FK Lieskovec and scored two goals in the second friendly with an assist as they beat FK Salkova 4-0.

In the third game, they lost 2-0 against FK Podkonice but recovered to beat FK Banska Stiavnica 4-2 where he found the back of the net once again.

Muema now believes his rise to form is because of staying calm, training according to coach’s instructions, and also his ambitions to cement his place in European football.

“I really struggled when I arrived here but now I have become a regular and getting the goals is one of my priorities, I just want to keep the form going into the new season, I have strived to make it here and I think I have the chance now to prove myself right,” Muema continued.

“I want to show people that I deserve to play here and for this great team, I want to fight for the team when given the chance [to play], we must achieve our targets for the new season and I want to lead from the front.”

On whether the cancellation of the league affected his plans with the team, Muema said: “Of course yes…it did, coronavirus affected my plans because I could not achieve the targets I had set for the season, and now I am forced to execute the same plans for next season.”

Playing under coach Milos Foltan, Muema will be hoping to start in their next match when MFK Zvolen take on TJ Sklotatran Poltar in the first round of the Slovak Cup on Saturday, before they open their league campaign with a clash against FK Jednota Banova on August 2.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  286 Hits

West Ham confirm signing of Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow

The retired Masandawana winger urges the 25-year-old to work hard under the former Bafana Bafana coach

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Joel Masilela believes Lesedi Kapinga has a great chance to play and become a regular at Masandawana, but only if he works hard.

‘Fire’ believes the former Black Leopards midfielder is one of the top upcoming players in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and that he can also grow under coach Pitso Mosimane.

On the other hand, Masilela says Mosimane cannot afford to sacrifice Sibusiso Vilakazi, Themba Zwane, or Gaston Sirino to accommodate the 25-year-old, but urged the new acquisition to focus and get advice from the three attacking players.

“I think he’s a good player. I can say he’s one of the young and upcoming players. He has produced promising performances in the games that I have watched him play,” Masilela told Goal.

“I like the fact he’s still young and he will grow to be an asset at Sundowns. He’s a player that wants to grow and learn more and joining Sundowns will definitely develop him.

“You know it will take some time before he establishes himself after joining a big club like Sundowns. This is a big club, known in Africa and you know he will have to fight his way up to the top.

“This is a big club achievement-wise and in terms of the quality on the field of play. However, he must not be carried away by the achievements of the club, but he needs to keep his mind on the job.

“He must work hard, adjust, and work hard, but he must also enjoy himself at Sundowns and learn as much as he can.”

Masilela explained that new players must earn their spots in the starting XI with Sundowns having also signed Jody February, George Maluleka and Grant Margeman ahead of the 2020/21 season.

“There’s nobody that be taken out. In football, you don’t do that. You cannot say I will take this player out or play this one, but he must work very hard to find a place in the team,” he added.

“You never talk about taking Zwane or Vilakazi and Sirino out, it’s all about the competition at Sundowns and he [Kapinga] must be ready to fight for his place.

“Sundowns has top players and it’s good for this player to go there and grow, measure his progress at Sundowns. He will also get good coaching at Sundowns. As I said, he has age on his side.

“Sundowns don’t just buy players and he must not moan when he is not being selected, but he can also talk to the likes of Vilakazi, Sirino and Zwane to get to know and understand the culture of the club and how to do well in that role or position."

“Sundowns is all about winning trophies and I don’t doubt his quality to play. He has a chance to play there and it’s all up to him now. Hard work and good social life will determine his success at Sundowns.”

Original author: Phumzile Ngcatshe
  261 Hits

Balogun: Rangers sign Super Eagles defender

The 32-year-old Nigeria international has teamed up with the Ibrox Stadium outfit after parting ways with the Latics

Scottish Premiership side Rangers have announced the signing of Leon Balogun on a year contract with an option of an extension.

The Nigeria international became a free agent after leaving Championship side Wigan Athletic at the end of the 2019-20 season.

The 32-year-old moved to England in 2018 from Bundesliga side Mainz 05 before teaming up with the Latics after finding game-time difficult to come by with the Seagulls.

The defender, who arrived Wigan initially on loan in January, was signed permanently until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The Super Eagles centre-back featured in 11 league games for the Latics but his effort was not enough to help the side avoid relegation after they were handed a 12-point deduction.

On Friday, Rangers heralded the signing of the defender after a successful medical examination and he will link up with his compatriot Joe Aribo at the club.

“I am pleased to secure the signature of Leon. He is an experienced centre half who will add strength and depth to our squad,” Rangers manager Steven Gerrard told the club website.

“Leon has just finished a round of competitive fixtures with Wigan so will hit the ground running. He’s a positive and bright character and we are looking forward to his influence around the group”

Sporting Director Ross Wilson added: “We quickly targeted Leon after adapting our transfer plan when Niko Katic suffered an injury a few weeks ago.

"Leon impressed Steven and me with his enthusiasm and excitement to join Rangers from the moment we first spoke whilst the staff at Brighton and Wigan couldn’t have spoken any higher about his personality and abilities.”

Balogun has spent most of his career in Germany playing for Turkiyemspor Berlin, Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Darmstadt 98 and Mainz.

The centre-back played 52 league games for the 05ers before joining Premier League club Brighton in 2018.

Balogun, who was born to a Nigerian father and German mother, has 32 caps for the Super Eagles and was part of the side that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

 

 

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
  233 Hits

LIVE BLOG: Kaizer Chiefs face Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns target Baroka FC scalp

The Abafana Bes’thende assistant manager explains why they will not buy players but follow Amakhosi's example

Golden Arrows assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says they will not be delving into the transfer market to replace players such as Danny Venter and Musa Bilankulu.

The experienced manager says they will rather opt to follow the example of Kaizer Chiefs, who are busy promoting their youngsters from the development ranks, and singled out players such as Siyabonga Ngezana and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.

Abafana Besthende recently parted ways with veteran defender Bilankulu as well as former Free State Stars midfielder Venter.

“We will replace them with the youth. In our squad of 35 players, 17 are youngsters. If a coach joins Arrows, they have to follow protocol,” Ncikazi told DailySun.

“Like Kaizer Chiefs who promoted the likes of [Siyabonga] Ngezana and [Siphosakhe] Ntiya-Ntiya from their youth set-up, we also give youngsters a chance to showcase their talent.

"If you don’t then how are they going to get the much-needed experience?”

The former Maritzburg United boss also credited Premier League giants Chelsea for having faith in promoting the youth.

“I was watching the FA Cup semi-final and Chelsea was amazing. The European teams like Manchester City don’t mind using their youth, but our clubs are not comfortable using a 19 and 20-year-old in their starting line-up," he added.

"We need to follow the same trend if we are to be successful at the international level."

Looking at the former Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic versatile player’s contribution, Bilankulu has played over 200 games during two stints with the Durban-based outfit.

However, he has been struggling to make his mark under the former Amakhosi manager Steve Komphela this term and he is now a free agent.

On the other hand, the 33-year-old left-footed Venter has made 14 appearances for the former MTN8 champions in the current campaign as the management opted against renewing his contract.

As things stand, Komphela’s men occupy the seventh spot with 32 points from 23 matches as they look to reach the top eight once the season resumes, after it was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Original author: Phumzile Ngcatshe
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Chelsea vs Manchester United vs Leicester City: Top four permutations for final Premier League matchday

Here's what you need to know about the results these clubs need as they push for European qualification heading into the last day of the season

With the final day of the 2019-20 Premier League season fast approaching, the race to finish in the last two coveted Champions League spots has been hotting up.

Liverpool and Manchester City have long cemented their spots in the top two of the Premier League, but Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester will have to battle it out for the remaining elite European places as they head into the final day of the season separated by just one point.

Goal has what you need to know about the results each team needs to qualify for next season's Champions League.

What result does Manchester United need to qualify for Champions League?

Manchester United will travel to Leicester where they will need to either win or draw against the Foxes to guarantee Champions League qualification. The Red Devils, who sit in third in the table, head into the final day of fixtures in pole position.

They will also qualify should Chelsea lose, regardless of their own result at the King Power Stadium.

If they lose to Leicester and Chelsea draw, Man Utd would finish fifth.

What result does Chelsea need to qualify for Champions League?

Chelsea require a win or a draw against Wolves to qualify after losing to Liverpool on Wednesday.

They will also qualify if they lose against Wolves and Man Utd win away at Leicester.

What result does Leicester need to qualify for Champions League?

Leicester must win against Manchester United at home if they want to finish in the top four.

A draw will suffice only if Chelsea lose against Wolves.

Pos Team MP W D L GD Pts
1 Liverpool (UCL) 37 31 3 3 +50 96
2 Manchester City (UCL) 37 25 3 9 +62 78
3 Manchester United 37 17 12 8 +28 63
4 Chelsea 37 19 6 12 +13 63
5 Leicester 37 18 8 11 +28 62

*As of Matchweek 37

Original author: Goal
  205 Hits

Salah: Winning takes away your hunger, but Liverpool must chase down more trophies

The Egyptian forward is aware that complacency can set in during periods of success, but he expects those at Anfield to be competitive in 2020-21

Mohamed Salah admits that winning “takes from your hunger”, but he expects Liverpool to be back in the business of collecting trophies in 2020-21.

The Reds have enjoyed a remarkable run of success through the last two seasons.

A Champions League triumph saw them get a taste for major silverware, with the floodgates opened again on Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp has overseen UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup triumphs in the current campaign, while also delivering a long-awaited Premier League title.

Liverpool have positioned themselves back at the top of domestic and continental games, but the challenge facing them now is to stay there.

Salah concedes that complacency can set in when winning becomes a habit, with collective standards being allowed to dip.

The Egyptian is determined to ensure that does not happen at Anfield, with Klopp’s squad ready to raise their game again and add to ever-growing medal collections.

Salah told BBC Sport: “Hunger when you win something – you win the Champions League, you win the Premier League – when you win something, it takes from your hunger.

“The thing is now to change that mentality, you have to find the points in your head that drive you forward and keep that hunger for next season and the season after.

“I don’t know why we can’t win the Premier League two times or three times. So it’s only in our heads.

“I think if we keep that hunger and we fight for all that we have, it would be okay to do it next season, it would be possible.”

Liverpool, having bowed out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage against Atletico Madrid, are about to bring their 2019-20 campaign to a close.

A record-setting season has seen them bring an end to a 30-year wait for English top-flight glory, with it possible for them to finish on 99 points.

Klopp’s side will take to the field one last time on Sunday when they take in a trip to Newcastle, with attention then set to shift to the opening of another transfer window and the potential arrival of fresh faces on Merseyside.

Original author: Chris Burton
  347 Hits

Yanga SC coach Eymael would love to see Simba SC play without key players

The Belgian tactician reveals to Goal the tough conditions he is working under as they fight to finish second with one match to go

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has blamed the team’s inconsistent run in the Mainland Premier League and FA Cup to missing his key players owing to various reasons.

The Jangwani Street-based giants are fighting to finish the season in the second position after losing the chance to win a direct ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup following the humiliating 4-1 defeat against rivals Simba SC in the semi-finals of the domestic cup.

The Belgian coach has now told Goal how he has struggled in recent weeks to come up with a winning side, as several key players are either out injured while others have walked out of the team, giving the example of Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who is yet to report to training since the Simba defeat.

Eymael has further said he would love to see Simba in the same situation so he can observe what kind of results they will get from their matches.

“I am playing for the last few weeks with eight key players missing out and in these eight players you have my regular three from the midfield,” Eymael told Goal on Friday.

“You can also add [Morrison] that was the best winger here, but I have not seen him since we lost to Simba, then you can add the other very good winger Deus [Kaseke] who got unfair red card Wednesday, and you can add two experienced central defenders Lamine Moro injured last Wednesday during the game....and Kevin [Yondani] who is absent without reason since last week...the same with international winger from Rwanda Patrick Sibomana.

“Then you can add to that four very unprofessional players who are coming at very few training sessions Ally Ally, Banka, Dante and Dauda...imagine those are the conditions that we currently working under here at Yanga.

“I would love to see any other team...including Simba working under the same conditions and see how they can perform to their maximum. I have to say also that our injuries are injuries contracted during the games and not during training sessions and always during challenges or intentional tackles.”

On whether Yanga have released 13 players, among them Kenyan custodian Farouk Shikalo, Eymael said: “Those are stupid rumours, they are are propaganda, nothing like that has happened.”

Yanga are sitting on 69 points, same as second-placed Azam FC with one match remaining to end the season.

Original author: Dennis Mabuka
  215 Hits

‘Abraham will have Chelsea role despite Werner deal’ – Schwarzer expects 17-goal striker to get games next season

The former Blues goalkeeper has been impressed by the promising front man this season and believes squad depth is vital at Stamford Bridge

Tammy Abraham will have a role to play for Chelsea in 2019-20 despite the arrival of Timo Werner at Stamford Bridge, says Mark Schwarzer.

The Blues have moved to bolster their attacking options for next season.

Hakim Ziyech represented their first piece of business, with the exciting Morocco international snapped up from Ajax. That deal was quickly followed by an agreement for Werner, with Frank Lampard preparing to add another proven goalscorer to his ranks.

Abraham has found the target on 17 occasions this season, with the 22-year-old seeing his patience in west London rewarded. He has, however, slipped behind Olivier Giroud in the pecking order of late, while Werner can be expected to slot straight into Chelsea’s starting XI.

Questions have been asked of whether Abraham will stick around with minutes hard to come by, but Schwarzer feels the home-grown star will have an important part to play in a deeper squad.

The former Blues goalkeeper told Stadium Astro: “Seventeen goals he's scored now, he scored again [versus Liverpool], I know he had a great first half of the season and he's dropped off a little bit but I kind of expected that with the younger players. I don't think Mason Mount's playing at the same level he was earlier in the season, he just doesn't have that same spark.

“Going forward Chelsea have always had an abundance of top talent and I think having that striker that scores you an abundance of goals, you can argue 17 goals for Abraham is a phenomenal return.

“I think that's a very good return. In terms of Timo Werner coming in, he can play through the middle or also as one of the wider players, interchanging between positions.

“I think you'll find Werner likes to sometimes drift out towards the left side a little bit and cut in.

“I think the number of games they're going to have, the rotation they'll be implementing, I think they do need quality and strength in depth.

“Chelsea have always been looking to improve, to bring in big-name players and they're going for young and up-and-coming players but ones who have performed at the highest level already and done very well.

“It's exciting times for Chelsea. Let's not forget Chelsea are going to lose Pedro, they're probably going to lose Willian. You've got Ziyech coming in, whether it's Kai Havertz coming in, Werner, they're going to need extra bodies to replace them.

“Chelsea have already been proactive and have started to already bring in those replacements.”

Original author: Chris Burton
  193 Hits

Msakni ‘motivated’ to lead Tunisia to Qatar 2022 World Cup

The 29-year-old has spoken of his target to help the Carthage Eagles secure a place in the next edition of the global tournament

Youssef Msakni has stated he is motivated to again lead Tunisia to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after he inspired the North African country to the last edition.

The29-year-old propelled Carthage Eagles to the 2018 global tournament, scoring a hat-trick in their away victory over Guinea during the qualifiers which sealed their return to the competition since 2006.

The forward was, however, ruled out of the global showpiece in Russia due to a serious knee injury he suffered seven weeks prior to the commencement of the competition.  

Msakni, who plies his trade with Qatari side Al Duhail, explained how playing in the new stadia that will host the 2022 World Cup has served as inspiration for him to help Tunisia qualify for the tournament.

"It is indeed hard to miss the chance to play at a World Cup and wear your country’s colours when you're only a few weeks away from the world's premier sports event," Msakni told Fifa website

"This could badly affect any player lacking the strength of character, but thanks to God I accepted the situation and told myself I’d make it next time.

"Yes. Soon I'll complete seven years in Qatar. I came here in 2013, three years after the country won the rights to host the 2022 edition. Since then, the construction of stadiums has never stopped. That has been great.

"But when we started playing on pitches that will host World Cup games, I became even more motivated to lead my national team to qualify and compete here.

"It's really exciting to experience playing on these pitches, which are luxurious and on par with the world's best arenas. They create the ideal environment for players to perform at their best. I'll convey these feelings to my team-mates to motivate them to battle fiercely in the African qualifiers and reach Qatar 2022."

The Carthage Eagles are in Group B of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers along with Zambia, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea.

Despite being the highest-ranked side in the group, Msakni feels his side’s opponents will not be a pushover.

"African football has changed over the past five years. They're no longer technical differences between the majority of teams,” he added.

“We know we must respect everyone and approach each game as if it was a final. We need to accumulate points and qualify. There's no room for mistakes this time."

Tunisia finished fourth in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after losing to Nigeria in the semi-final, Msakni revealed his countrymen were not pleased with their performances in the continental tournament but revealed his side has learned lessons from their shortcomings.

"Yes, we learned some lessons from that experience. We as players learn from both wins and losses. There's always an opportunity to learn, focus on positive things, and avoid the negative ones," he said.  

"The Tunisian fans weren't happy with our performance, but we qualified for the knockout phase, where we showed the ability to compete and win at the kind of tournament where small details can make all the difference.

“Again, we came close to making the final, which we’d managed in 2004, when we won but luck was not on our side when we missed a penalty and the game went into extra time.

"The lesson here is there will be some periods in these kinds of tournaments [African finals or international qualifiers] that require patience and good preparation to be able to win.

“Now we have a chance to enhance our displays and perform strongly to reach the final round of the qualifiers and secure our ticket to Qatar."

Msakni has made 62 appearances for Tunisia and scored 11 goals since he made his debut against the Gambia in January 2010.

 

 

 

Original author: Gbenga Adewoye
  230 Hits

Coronavirus: Government has contributed to the confusion between Safa and PSL - Motlanthe

The two football bodies have not agreed on almost everything that has to do with the return of matches thus far

The South African Football Association (Safa) acting CEO Tebogo Motlanthe has revealed that the government created confusion between them and the PSL by sending two different letters to both organisations. 

Both Safa and PSL have, at times, found themselves at loggerheads with regard to the return of competitive football in the country.

According to Motlanthe, there were times when meetings were held at director general level with himself and PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala while other meetings were held between Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan and PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.     

"For the JLC (Joint Liaison Committee) to sit‚ it was after the Safa president (Danny Jordaan) had met with the minister (Nathi Mthethwa) and the chairman of the league (Dr Irvin Khoza) saying that football needed to develop a one-voice policy‚" Motlanthe told the South African Football Journalists Association.

"The JLC was very successful. We succeeded in getting the communication and we knew that the communication was fine up until the government started communicating with us in a different way," he said. 

Motlanthe said Jordaan only became of a letter sent to the PSL by Mthethwa when he met with Khoza while Safa had a different letter to the one sent to them by the Minister of Sports. 

"You have a letter which the president (Jordaan) only became aware of when he met with the chairman (Khoza)," revealed Motlanthe. 

"And when it was asked‚ to say but‚ in terms of our meeting resolution the federation must be the ones communicating‚ then another letter came from the minister [to Safa]."

"And I think the source of the confusion is those two letters of the 28th and of the 5th. 

"I think they have created huge confusion‚ and they have derailed the discussions that were taking place," he continued. 

"Because I can tell you there were meetings that were held at the DG level where he would meet with me and the CEO of the league‚ and the minister‚ when he wanted a meeting‚ would meet with the Safa president and the chairman of the league."

"That was how communication was handled until those two letters came and really brought huge confusion."

Motlanthe said the letter Mthethwa sent to the PSL failed to address the role of Safa in the discussion for the return of football. 

The Sports Ministry had given Safa the power to play an overarching role in facilitating the resumption of PSL football. 

"Because now the PSL says‚ ‘Whatever we are doing we are basing it on the letter of the 28th‚ and they are ignoring the letter which came on the 5th‚ which says the association must [play an overarching role].

"That’s how the government has contributed to this confusion," concluded Motlanthe. 

Safa has proposed the first week of August as the return date for PSL football but the league is yet to make a decision on whether or not to accept it. 

The league and its board of governors will meet on Monday, July 27 to decide the future of the 2019-20 season and possibly go back to Safa with a solid answer.   

Original author: Ernest Makhaya
  189 Hits

Video: Premier League 5 Things - Reds go unbeaten at Anfield for three years

Video: Premier League 5 Things - Reds go unbeaten at Anfield for three years | Goal.com

Premier League

12:18 BST 24/07/2020

Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool 2019-20

Five things from this week's EPL football as Liverpool go three years unbeaten at Anfield in the League.

Original author: Goal
  178 Hits

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