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Former Cameroon midfielder Thomas Libih says they “greeted with pride” the achievements of compatriot Pierre Achille Webo who helped, as an assistant coach, Istanbul Basaksehir win the Turkish Super Lig title.

Istanbul Basaksehir sealed their first-ever league title last weekend following a 1-0 win over Kayserispor and were confirmed as champions with one match to go.

The dislodging of Galatasaray as Turkish champions comes eight months after 38-year-old Webo joined Istanbul Basaksehir as assistant coach to Okan Buruk.

“It can only be a great joy to know that a compatriot has gone beyond our borders and that he was able to obtain such a crowning. The news was greeted with pride especially from our side who do the same job,” said Libih as per Radio Sport Info.

Webo spent seven years of his playing career in Turkey including a one-and-a-half season stint at Istanbul Basaksehir between 2011 and 2013.

Istanbul Basaksehir was his first port of call when he arrived in Turkey from Spain before returning to the club at a different capacity as a technical staff member.

With Webo having retired as a player in 2018 before landing the Basaksehir role the following year, Libih stresses that it is important for footballers to decide if they want to venture into coaching while still playing.

“When you are a player and you already think about quitting one day, you have to start thinking about it [coaching],” Libih said.

“It is not at a dead end that it should be done. There are players who have a bitter taste when they quit, they don't want to hear about football anymore.

“We must not fall for everything that is going on around it. It's about staying professional and thinking that football has given you everything and in return, you can give it something good.”

Webo becomes the first Cameroonian tactician to win a league title in Europe.

Libih who once played as a midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and is now Cameroon national Under-17 coach feels that being an African should not be a drawback from coaching in Europe.

“It generally depends on those around [an African coach getting an opportunity to coach in Europe]. If these people care about you so much, the better,” said Libih.

“Those who are with him take him to heart and they have respected what Achille has done for the club. Today they will realise they were right.”

Webo’s achievements came the same weekend former Nigeria goalkeeper Ndubuisi Egbo guided Albanian side KF Tirana to a league title as head coach.

Leroy Sane has urged David Alaba to stay at Bayern Munich so the pair can play in the same team.

Alaba, 28, has been linked with a move away from the Bavarian side as he has just 12 months left on his contract, with Manchester City reportedly eager to sign him.

Sane, meanwhile, has moved in the opposite direction after Bayern reached a €49 million deal (£45m/$55m) with the Premier League side.

The Germany international is excited by the idea of playing alongside his friend Alaba and hopes to convince the Austrian full-back to continue his career with the Bundesliga giants.

“I really hope David stays. I would like to play with him. He is a good guy, a great footballer, and we like each other privately,” Sane said to Sport Bild.

“David has proven that he is not only one of the world’s best left-backs, but also exceptional in the centre.”

Sane spent four years with Pep Guardiola’s team after joining from Schalke and went on to lift two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup on one occasion.

He had been limited to just one league appearance this term, however, as an injury kept him sidelined while City surrendered the crown to Liverpool.

With Bayern on a record run of eight consecutive Bundesliga titles, Sane is confident of winning even more silverware and has his eyes on the European crown.

“I can feel [the excitement at Bayern]. The boys are hot and focused, they have big goals with the club,” he added.

“I think a lot can be achieved. I definitely see a realistic chance of winning the Champions League with Bayern.”

The 24-year-old is also back in Germany coach Joachim Low’s plans despite being left out of the squad for the 2018 World Cup and he is eager to resume his international career.

“I was very surprised about that. Statements and judgements about my character came from many corners, from people who don't know me personally and don't know what makes me tick,” he said.

“I wondered how things like that came about? If I don’t know a person, I would never talk about their character.

“I was far away [from Germany] and, of course, there is speculation. But still, I found it strange, surprising.

“I’ve completely ticked off the 2018 World Cup chapter, and I don't think about it anymore. My relationship with Jogi Low was very good right from the start, and that hasn't changed.

“He is counting on me for the future, and I appreciate that. I really enjoy working with him. I didn't focus on the national team when I made the transfer but I know how much it has helped the national team when there was a strong Bayern block at tournaments.”

Ghana Premier League club Hearts of Oak have made another addition to their squad with the acquisition of forward Isaac Mensah.

The striker has joined the Accra-based side in a three-year deal from lower division fold Nkoranza Warriors.

He is the latest to join the Phobian family following the likes of former Bechem United ace Abedenago Tetteh and returnee defender Nuru Sulley.

"Accra Hearts of Oak is delighted to announce the signing of Isaac Mensah from Division One outfit Nkoranza Warriors after successful negotiations," Hearts announced on their official website on Wednesday.

"The striker has signed a three-year deal with the capital club and will join his colleagues to prepare for the start of the new season when the green light is given for football to return after the coronavirus pandemic has been calmed.

"Mensah started for Nkoranza Warriors in the season just gone by that was cancelled due to the Covid-19 breakout. He scored eight goals for the Division One, Zone One side including four in a single game against Gbewaa FC before the season was called off.

"Mensah started his career at youth side Royals SC at Konongo in the Ashanti region before making the switch to Nkoranza a couple of seasons ago."

Ahead of next season, Hearts have also already secured the services of Nigerian striker Danjuma Ademola Kuti and Ivorian attacker Eric Dizan Bi.

“I am very happy to have signed for a huge club like Hearts of Oak and, I cannot wait to get started with my new teammates," Mensah said.

“It is every young players’ dream to play for a big club at the highest level and I want to help the club win trophies and leave a good imprint at the club.

“I want to make the fans happy with good performances and, I will work hard to repose the trust imposed in me by the team."

Hearts are the second most successful club in the history of the Premier League, having won 19 titles.

The Phobians also won the Caf Champions League in 2000, the Caf Super Cup in 2001 and the 2004 Caf Confederation Cup.

Former Nigeria U17 coach Emmanuel Amuneke believes Lille star Victor Osimhen can be better than former Chelsea and Galatasaray star Didier Drogba one day.

A few months ago, Osimhen was compared to the two-time African Footballer of the Year by his former teammate at Sporting Charleroi Nicolas Penneteau.

The Nigeria international was in fine goalscoring form in his debut Ligue 1 campaign, returning 13 goals in 27 matches and he was crowned the best African player in the French top-flight this year.

When quizzed about the comparison with Drogba, Amuneke - who led the 21-year-old and the Golden Eaglets to U17 World Cup success in Chile five years ago - thinks Osimhen can take his game beyond the Ivorian legend's level.

“Victor is still young, he has still a long road to reach Didier's level. But, in my opinion, one day he could become even better than him. Maybe, by playing in the Serie A.,” Amuneke told Tuttomercato Web.

“To change championship and country again, after Germany, Belgium and France, will let him experience a new reality and to improve as a man and player.

“It's clear Napoli are one of the most important clubs in Italy, with a great history and passionate fans like few others. In my opinion, Osimhen has everything to become an idol to Napoli fans in the next years, he will only need some time to settle down."

Amuneke who is currently acting as sporting director for Egyptian Premier League side El-Makkasa, played for Barcelona between 1996 and 2000, and helped the Spanish giants lift the Copa del Rey in 1997.

Ahead of the Champions League return fixture between Barcelona and Napoli on August 8, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year has predicted an ‘open’ encounter at Camp Nou.

Both teams settled for a 1-1 draw back in February after Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Dries Mertens' opener at Stadio San Paolo.

"After the long stop due to the coronavirus a lot has changed, Barcelona remain Barcelona but Napoli can play their cards and progress. Everything is open from my point of view,” he said.

Monaco winger Henry Onyekuru is targeting a return to the Premier League after his unsuccessful stint at Everton.

Onyekuru joined Everton from Belgian outfit Eupen in 2017, but he was unable to secure a work permit in England which forced him to move to Anderlecht on loan in his first year and later to Galatasaray the following season.

After failing to secure a spot at Everton, the 23-year-old moved to Monaco on a five-year deal last summer where he struggled to play four league games before returning to Turkish giants Galatasaray on a short-term loan in January.

Ahead of his Monaco return, Onyekuru is hoping to rediscover his form in the Ligue 1 club with the dream of securing a Premier League move.

"We have our plans but then life brings its own plans, but I am still working on it, and hopefully I will be back soon, maybe not with Everton but surely in the Premier League," Onyekuru told BBC Sport.

"I have been with players like Keita Balde from my days at the Aspire Academy, Cesc Fabregas is a top guy, who welcomed me when I arrived at the club, it's like going back home.

"Monaco are a big club they know how to work with their players when it comes to transfers, just look at Anthony Martial.

"I hope to make a good season or two and hopefully the future will be bright."

The Super Eagles winger recently ended his second temporary stint at Galatasaray where he returned with a goal after 10 Super Lig matches in the second half of the 2019-20 season.

Onyekuru has been a regular fixture in Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles set-up since his debut outing against Togo in an international friendly in June 2017.

A knee injury ruled him out of the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia but he was part of Nigeria's 23-man squad that won bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Harry Maguire says Paul Pogba apologised to his Manchester United team-mates after giving away a penalty in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against West Ham.

The Hammers took the lead at Old Trafford when Pogba blocked a shot with his hand, allowing Michail Antonio to convert from the spot.

United pulled level early in the second half when Mason Greenwood fired past Lukasz Fabianski, but were unable to take control of the Premier League encounter.

Although Maguire feels the penalty was harsh on Pogba and the Red Devils, he says the France international has taken responsibility for the mistake.

"You could say it was a natural reaction from Paul. Should he do it? He probably should take one in the face, but he has apologised, he held his hands up and knew that he shouldn’t do that," Maguire told Sky Sports.

"It was soft because it’s probably not ending up in a goal, they’ve been given a penalty and got an amazing opportunity to take the lead."

He added: "We came here wanting three points so we’re disappointed. When we play at Old Trafford we want to win every game.

"We started the game really well, on the front foot, we dominated the first 30 minutes. We should really try and score but we always need the ball to bounce for us or be more clinical in front of goal and we conceded a soft goal and made it hard for ourselves.

"It was a good reaction at the start of the second half, [but] we huffed and puffed and we weren’t good enough. We gave the ball away far too much and maybe ran out of steam a bit.

"The momentum of the game just kept stopping, sub after sub, drinks break, VAR, we couldn’t get any flow to the second half, I’m sure their players would say the same. It just felt like we played for three minutes and then stopped for a minute. We can’t make excuses.

"The schedule has been ridiculous. I think we’ve played four games in nine days or something, but it’s no excuse. We’re fully prepared. We started with a high intensity. We haven’t been starting games well, we’ve been finishing them a lot better.

"I wouldn’t say we’ve run out of steam. We’re already well prepared and got a huge game on Sunday and we’re looking forward to it."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team are third in the table heading into Sunday's season finale against Leicester, who are just a point behind.

With a place in next season's Champions League at stake, Maguire says his side will be ready to face the Foxes.

"It’s a big game. They’ve had a great season and got themselves in a great position," he said.

"A few months ago you probably wouldn’t have seen us catching them but we’ve had a great run ourselves. It’s disappointing tonight and against Southampton. It was disappointing not to win either of those games, but we’ve got ourselves in a great position.

"Six months ago you would have snatched someone’s hand off to go to Leicester and have an amazing opportunity to get Champions League football, which we set out to do. We’re ready, there’s no excuse for us to be tired. It’s a big game, if you can’t get up for that game then you’re in the wrong sport."

Kenyan wonderkid Clarke Oduor came off the bench to net a 91st-minute winner for Barnsley as they defeated Said Benrahma’s Brentford 2-1 at Griffin Park to avoid relegation to the EFL League One.

The 21-year-old scored his first senior goal at the death to ensure the Yorkshiremen will enjoy Championship football again next term.

Brentford headed into the match eyeing automatic promotion, and this appeared within their grasp as rivals West Bromwich Albion toiled against Queens Park Rangers at The Hawthorns, in a match that ultimately ended 2-2.

A win would have been enough to have sent the Bees into the Premier League at Albion’s expense, but having lost against Stoke City at the weekend, they were stunned by Oduor and Barnsley at the death.

Angola’s Josh Dasilva gave Brentford a fighting chance with a 73rd-minute equaliser to cancel out Callum Styles’ opener for Barnsley, but Oduor, who had been introduced as an 86th-minute substitute, arrived at the back post to meet Patrick Schmidt’s cross in second-half stoppage time.

The goal prompted delirious celebrations from the travelling Barnsley team—all of whom piled on top of Oduor in delight after his maiden strike for the club—while Brentford slumped to the turf in dismay and must now face the playoffs.

Benrahma, linked with a move to Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City in recent weeks, was lively in his left-wing role, but Thomas Frank’s side lacked the fluidity and the zip they showed in their eye-catching eight-game winning run, and will regret failing to take a handle on the game.

This was Oduor’s 16th Championship outing of the season, with the left-sider starting 12 matches and coming off the bench as a substitute in a further four matches.

He was born in Siaya County, Kenya, and moved to England as a youngster before beginning his career with Leeds United after being promoted from their academy, signing a professional contract in early 2007.

He signed permanently for their Yorkshire rivals Barnsley last year, penning a contract until 2023 with Tykes.

While the Yorkshire side evaded relegation, Wednesday’s final day represented the end of the road for Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Hull City, all of whom dropped into the third tier of English football.

Leon Balogun’s Wigan Athletic have been relegated from the Championship after settling for a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Wednesday.

They were 13th in the league table before the final game of the season but the Latics were deducted 12 points by the EFL for entering administration which will move them down to the bottom three.

Balogun was in action for 90 minutes at the DW Stadium but his defensive contributions were not enough for the hosts as they registered their third draw in their last five league outings.

Kieffer Moore got Wigan off to a flying start with his opener in the 32nd minute but his opener was cancelled out by DR Congo's Neeskens Kebano who equalised for Fulham four minutes into the second half.

The strike was Keebano's third goal of the season, four days after he opened his account with a brace against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Balogun made his 11th appearance in the second division on Wednesday and he partnered Ivory Coast's Cedric Kipre in the heart of Wigan's defence.

Egypt's Sam Morsy was also in action for the hosts but he was shown a yellow card in opening 20 minutes of the encounter.

The result had no implication on Fulham's position in the Championship table as they finished fourth with 81 points after 45 matches and they qualify for the play-offs.

After the deduction of the 12 points, Wigan will end the 2019-20 campaign with 47 points and they will drop to 23rd in the standings.

The demotion might come as a blow for Balogun who recently joined the Latics on a permanent deal until the end of the season after his initial loan from Brighton and Hove Albion expired in June.

Gabriel Agbonlahor says Jack Grealish can't turn down the chance to join a club like Manchester United or Tottenham, with the opportunity to play in Europe and force his way into the England squad too good to pass up.

Grealish has led Aston Villa's fight against relegation this season, making the transition from the Championship to the Premier League seamlessly despite playing in a struggling team.

The 24-year-old has scored nine goals in 40 appearances for Dean Smith's side in 2019-20, while also contributing nine assists, with his latest stellar display coming in a crucial home win over Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The playmaker was quizzed on his future after the final whistle, and his response served to fuel the ongoing speculation linking him with a big-money move to either United or Spurs.

Asked if he had played his last game at Villa Park, Grealish told reporters: "I’m not too sure at the moment. I have one aim and that is to keep this club in the Premier League, where this whole fanbase knows we belong."

Agbonlahor, who played alongside Grealish between 2012 and 2018, says his old-team mate should take the next step in his fledgeling career if Villa's top-flight survival is confirmed in their final outing of the season against West Ham on Sunday.

The former Villa centre-forward told Talksport: “Jack loves Aston Villa. I’ve had the pleasure of being captain of that club and being a fan as well, and he’s in a similar situation, he just loves the club.

“He’s been outstanding since the return. You look at his performance yesterday, he was the one creating things, he was the one tracking back, throwing his body on the line, making interceptions.

“He just showed yesterday how much he wants to keep this club up, everyone has seen how he has carried Aston Villa this season, really, and they’ve given themselves an amazing chance.

“You know what football fans are like, they never want to lose their best players, but for me as a Villa fan if he can keep us up and then had a move where he’s got a chance of playing Champions League football, playing with elite stars, then I’d give him my blessing. I’d understand that.

“I might get a bit of stick for this, but it’s what I’d do in his position.

“He’s got a chance to join a club like Manchester United, or Tottenham, whoever is interested in him, and he’s got the chance to win trophies, to play in the Champions League and maybe a better chance to get into the England squad.

“At this time of his career, he’s coming into his prime at 25, so he can’t really turn down a chance of going to a top club, you just can’t do it."

Kenya’s Michael Olunga was on target once again as Kashiwa Reysol picked up a heavy 4-0 win against Urawa Reds.

It is the second straight match the Harambee Star found the back of the net after going for three matches without scoring since the J1 League resumed.

The win at Saitama Stadium 2002 was also Kashiwa Reysol's second straight win after a 3-2 victory against Shonan Bellmare on July 18.

The visitors got a 32nd-minute opener after Brazilian Richardson Fernandes struck past Urawa Reds’ goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa to begin what became a big away win for Olunga and teammates.

The former Thika United star struck his fourth goal of the season in the 51st minute with Taiyo Koga providing him with a valuable assist.

Hayato Nakama scored the third one for the visitors five minutes after Olunga’s goal with an assist from Yuta Kamiya.

Kamiya found himself getting onto the scoresheet with an 89th-minute goal that ensured Kashiwa Reysol will not only head back home with a big win but also with a clean sheet.

There was only one yellow card booking which went to Kashiwa Reysol’s Fernandes in the 27th minute.

Kashiwa Reysol, now eighth, are a point below Urawa Reds who are sixth on the log after both engaging in six matches.

When Olunga had broken a three-match goalless streak, he exuded confidence that he had indeed regained his goalscoring touch.

“But of course it is a good feeling to get my scoring boots back again and I know now the gates are open,” he said in an interview.

“It is going to be a different ball game altogether and today [July 18] I scored two goals and I am looking forward to the upcoming games.”

Meanwhile, Yokohama FC produced a splendid performance against Yokohama Marinos as they bagged a 4-0 win too.

Shonan Bellmare won 1-0 against Kashima Atlas in their respective tie while Gamba Osaka also picked up a slim win at a similar margin against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

There was a 1-1 draw registered between Sagan Tosu and Shimizu S-Pulse when Consadole Sapporo got a similar result away to Tokyo FC.

Kawasaki Frontale fought and won 3-2 against Vegalta Sendai in the other match staged on July 22.

Three of Jordan Ayew’s strikes have made the shortlist for the Crystal Palace Goal of the Season award.

The Ghana international is the Eagles’ top scorer in the Premier League this term having scored nine goals in 36 top-flight appearances.

His last goal came in Palace’s 2-0 victory at Bournemouth – where he attained an enviable milestone in his football career.

The 28-year-old became the highest-scoring Ghanaian in Premier League history – scoring 25 times to beat Tony Yeboah’s feat of 24 goals in 47 appearances, while his brother Andre is third on the Ghana chart with 21 goals from 87 outings.

Although he has gone on a surprising run of seven games without scoring, three of his efforts have been selected to compete for the club’s individual diadem alongside compatriot Jeffrey Schlupp, as well as Andros Townsend, Patrick van Aanholt, Wilfried Zaha and Luka Milivojevic.

According to a statement on the club website, his efforts in the 1-0 defeat of Aston Villa on August 31, 2019 tops the list.

Connecting with a pass from countryman Schlupp on the left, Ayew ghosted past two Aston Villa players before drifting the ball into the right-hand corner of the net, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Also nominated for the accolade was his sublime match-winning strike against West Ham United on December 26, 2020.

That strike was a beauty to behold as he drove into the box from wide, cheekily beating three defenders, before effortlessly dinking the ball over onrushing goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez.

Lastly, his strike against Watford on March 7, 2020 in an English top-flight game was considered for selection.

The Black Stars’ forward blasted home from 20 yards with his right foot after magnificent hold-up play from teammate Christian Benteke.

Zaha's goals in the Eagles' home games against Liverpool and Chelsea made the final cut, while Schlupp would be hoping his strike at Selhurst Park fetches him the prize.

Ayew has one last chance to reach his first double-figure tally in Europe as Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Selhurst Park on Sunday. Aside from that, Hodgson’s side would attempt to end their run of seven successive defeats.

Alexandre Lacazette has admitted that being on the bench caused him "unhappiness" while opening up on the toughest season of his Arsenal career to date.

Lacazette quickly established himself as a fan favourite at Arsenal after joining from Lyon in the summer of 2017.

The 29-year-old has scored 48 goals in 125 appearances for the Gunners, but only 12 of those efforts have been recorded in the 2019-20 campaign.

An ankle injury saw the France international sidelined for two months, and his place in the team came under threat following Eddie Nketiah's return to Emirates Stadium from a loan spell at Leeds in January.

Rather than fold under the pressure to turn around his situation, Lacazette has worked hard behind the scenes to force his way back into Mikel Arteta's plans since last month's Premier League restart.

The former Lyon star has found the net three times in his last six outings, with his latest effort helping Arsenal beat newly-crowned champions Liverpool 2-1 last Wednesday.

Lacazette says he found it difficult to deal with being on the fringes of the action, but never lost faith in his own ability during a frustrating period away from the pitch.

The forward told Canal Plus: "Certainly, it is not nice to be on the bench.

"At the same time, in my life I have had moments that were a lot more complicated and I did not doubt myself. It wasn’t really doubted, it was more unhappiness, like every player who is on the bench and wants to play."

Asked if the current season has been the most challenging of his professional career so far, Lacazette responded: "At Arsenal, yes. The [ankle] injury hung around longer than I expected and it affected me.

"Afterwards, I had this period without scoring, so certainly it wasn’t easy for me, but I still learned a lot this season, because mentally it was not easy.

"The difficulties this season are going to serve me well in the future."

The Frenchman added on his relationship with Nketiah: "Between me and him, things are very good, there are no problems. We support each other. We know that everyone wants to play and it is the coach who makes the decisions, but between me and him there are no problems."

Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Tuesday ensured they will finish outside the top six for the first time in 25 years, and they only have the FA Cup left to play for in the final weeks of the season.

Lacazette concluded by highlighting where his side have gone wrong over the past 12 months, stating: "We lacked rigour at key moments in the season.

"We lacked on confidence as a team, because each time we were lacking, whether it was a player at the back or a player up top, who affected the team to the slightest extent."

Montreal Impact’s Musafa Kizza has disclosed playing under legendary Thierry Henry will serve as a big motivation for him.

The 20-year-old was signed by the Major League Soccer outfit on a two-year contract, albeit, he will remain with Uganda top-flight side Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) until December – owing to restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

At the Saputo Stadium, he will be looking up to Kenya international Victor Wayama and Algeria’s Saphir Taider for inspiration, but his biggest drive will come from playing under his childhood role model Henry.

"Everybody I grew up with adored Thierry Henry and he was a role model to many young players," Kizza told BBC Sport Africa.

"I was old enough to understand football and I can vividly remember him scoring nice goals for Arsenal"

"I am so happy for the opportunity to play under a great legend like Thierry Henry and that is a great motivation for me to become the best I can in football because I will learn a lot from him."

The harsh climatic condition and language barrier no doubt might be a cog in the wheel of Kizza’s adaptation in Canada. Nevertheless, the Uganda international is confident he will defy the odds to cope.

"I am aware of the terribly cold weather in Canada but I think I will cope," he continued.

"Earlier in the year I spent some time in Switzerland on trial with FC Zurich, it was tough, but I coped.

"My French is very little, but I am a very good learner. I will learn with time."

The left-back who joined KCCA in 2017 has been a key member of the Kassasiro Boys’ side that lifted the Premier League title in 2019. In the abandoned season which KCCA surrendered the title to Vipers FC, the full-back-cum winger scored five goals and gave 12 assists from 19 games.

Kizza will become the second Ugandan to play for Montreal Impact in the MLS after Mike Azira.

Azira is now at Chicago Fire and was the first Ugandan to join Montreal Impact and served them for two years between 2018 and 2019.

Simba SC have denied reports they will do away with the entire technical bench currently headed by Sven Vandenbroeck ahead of the new season.

Social media in Tanzania was awash on Tuesday with news the newly crowned Mainland Premier League will go for a new technical bench to help them do better in the Caf Champions League.

However, the club CEO Senzo Mazingiza has now come out to clarify the claims insisting at no time did the club issue such a statement and that they will stick with the same bench for the new season.

Mazingiza also accused those peddling the false rumours that they were trying to destabilise the team as they prepare to play in the final of the FA Cup against Namungo FC on August 2.

“We have not chased away anyone or planning to do so, we will not chase any member of the technical bench and even the team’s playing unit will remain the same,” Mazingiza told the club’s official website.

“I am shocked at the rumours because those doing it have an agenda to bring chaos in the team and derail our chase for a double, they want us to lose in the FA Cup final and that will not happen.

“I also want to ask those spreading such rumours to desist from doing so because they are not good for the game of football, if Simba wants to do changes, we will do it openly and everyone will know, we don’t need to hide anything.”

In a recent interview, Mazingiza explained the reason the club will delve into the transfer market for quality players ahead of the new season.

“Looking at how the team plays, there are some positions which should be toughened enough before the upcoming Champions League matches,” Mazingiza told reporters.

“For now, we are focusing on the players we have in the squad but before Simba Day, people will be happy to see the new faces to join Simba next season.”

Simba have two matches remaining to conclude the season and will next face Coastal Union before tackling Polisi Tanzania.

South Africa is in the news again after three of their Fifa players were ranked in the top 100 by Electronic Arts (EA). 

According to Electronic Arts, players need to become FUT champions verified players to Global Series Points and play in online qualifiers for the rest of the season and qualify for the rankings.

For a player to qualify for the rankings, they would need to win at least 27 games in a single weekend league.  

In an article published by Redbull, 26 of the 100 ranked players played PS4 while 16 were Xbox One Players. 

Thabo 'Yvng Savage' Moloi, Mohamed 'KingCJ0' Alioune Diop and Kaylan 'MBCKaylan' Moodley, all South Africans, made the list of top 100 players in the world. 

At 16, Moloi dazzled the crowd at the VS Gaming Fifa eWorld Cup qualifiers to earn enough points in the Globa Series a few months ago.   

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, EA was forced to cancel most of their physical events. 

As a result, it was forced to hold the current rankings from online competitions and weekly games, and those were determined according to the Golden Series points.  

Moloi came top on the rankings from South African taking part on Playstation 4 and 73rd in the world. 

This is one of Moloi's first achievements this year, adding to a long list of them, including travelling overseas to compete and being announced as the professional player for the eBafana Bafana team that took part in the eNations Stay and Play Cup. 

The eBafana Bafana team includes prominent rapper Cassper Nyovest and Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi. 

Furthermore, Diop was the second player to be ranked amongst the top 100 PS4 players. 

Diop is currently based in the United States of America (USA) following his departure from the Orlando Pirates eSports team. He is ranked in position 99 in the world. 

In 2019, both Diop and Moloi finished in the Top 3 on PS4 alongside Julio 'Beast' Bianchi. 

This followed Shiaan Rugbeer from Goliath Gaming, who was the leading player on the FGS Rankings. Ryan Bastos from Orlando Pirates came in second in 2019. 

Completing the top 100 is Moodley who plays on Xbox One and finished 33rd in the world. 

According to Redbull, he is the highest-ranked South African both on Xbox and overall.  

Coach Hossam El Badry has praised the virtues of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for the Egyptian national team.

Since joining the Reds for £36.7 million ($45m) in the summer of 2017 from Serie A outfit AS Roma, the Egyptian has been an instant hit for Jurgen Klopp’s men helping them win the Champions League, Premier League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

His brilliance in front of goal saw him win the Premier League topscorer prize twice, and in the process joining the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Harry Kane as players who have won the accolade for two consecutive seasons.

Salah played a key role in qualifying Egypt for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, hosts Egypt failed to get through the Round of 16, getting knocked out by South Africa.

Reacting to questions from the Fifa website on how he intends making the 28-year-old perform as he does for Jurgen Klopp’s men, El Badry outlined what makes Salah special, but he warned he will not be overworked.

“What Salah has achieved so far makes us so proud of him. He’s reached the highest level and has become an icon for Egyptians.

“It is no exaggeration to say he’s considered a role model in the Arab World and Africa. He’s become the epitome of dreams, hard work and perseverance, and young people want to follow his path.

“I know very well that he likes challenges and that the national team is of the utmost importance to him.

“Salah has reached the highest level of professionalism and understands his rights and responsibilities. He’s the cornerstone of the national team and carries the hopes of all Egyptians.

“However, we shouldn’t overburden him. Football is a team sport that requires collective work. I like to make everyone’s responsibilities clear on the pitch.

“Every player has offensive and defensive duties and the success of one player influences the success of his team-mates. We all have to stand united for the national team.”

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been revealed as the global cover star for FIFA 21.

The France international replaces Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, who was on the cover for the standard edition of the previous title in the series.

Mbappe described it as a "dream come true", while creators EA Sports proclaimed the 21-year-old World Cup winner "the leader of the next generation".

"Being on the cover of FIFA is a dream come true," he said to the game company's website. 

"From my time at Bondy to Clairefontaine to the World Cup, this marks another big milestone. 

"I've been playing this game since I was a kid and I am honoured to represent a whole new generation of footballers and be in the same group as many other amazing footballers who I now share this honour with."

The game is scheduled to be released in October.

Mbappe scored 18 goals in 20 appearances in Ligue 1 in 2019-20 before the season was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic, with PSG crowned champions on a points-per-game basis.

He has consistently been linked to a move away from the French capital, with Real Madrid and Liverpool said to be courting him, but the attacker has said he planned to be at PSG for the 2020-21 season "no matter what".

"I'm here. I am in the project for a fourth year," Mbappe said in an interview with beIN Sports after a 4-0 friendly win over Celtic on Tuesday.

"The 50th year of the club is an important year for the club, the supporters, everyone, so I will be there no matter what.

"I will try to bring back trophies with the team and give the best of myself."

Thomas Tuchel's team face Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France final on Friday and Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue showpiece a week later. They will then take on Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon on August 12. 

Young Africans (Yanga SC) squandered another chance to widen the gap between them and Azam FC after drawing 1-1 against Mtibwa Sugar on July 22.

Yanga were forced to work even harder and draw against their Wednesday rivals after they went down in the 28th minute when Haruna Charongo scored Mtibwa Sugar’s goal.

Adeyum Ahmed equalised for Yanga in the 83rd minute to help Timu Ya Wananchi pick their 69th point of the season.

Yanga are now above Azam with three more points while the former will be in action against Mbeya City on July 23.

Elsewhere, Mbao FC registered a 3-0 win over Namungo FC. The FA Cup 2020 finalist fell away from home and the defeat is a big blow to their ambition to wrestle second place from either Yanga or Azam at the end of the season.

A brace from Jordan John in the fourth and in the 14th minutes, as well as one goal from Abdulkarim Segeja, were enough to hand Mbao a win over an otherwise on form Namungo.

Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC) lost at home against Tanzania Prisons after going down with a 1-0 margin.

Ramadhan Ibata was the scorer of the only goal in the 75th that separated the two sides during the encounter.

Mwadui FC picked up a slim 1-0 win against Biashara United in another Mainland Premier League tie. Musa Chambega scored the goal that ensured Mwadui claimed all three points at home against their rivals.

Meanwhile, relegation-bound Singida United were downed by visiting Kagera Sugar as they conceded a 2-1 defeat.

Kevin Kongwe scored a fourth-minute goal for Kagera Sugar before Awesu Awesu added the second one in the 52nd minute.

Stephen Sey was Singida United’s scorer in the 46th minute.

Meanwhile, Yanga have condoled with their fans who were engaged in an accident as they headed to Morogoro to witness their encounter against Mtibwa Sugar.

“Yanga would like to condole with the members and fans from Kadili Asilia Tandale Branch who were engaged in an accident as they headed to Morogoro where our team was playing against Mtibwa Sugar,” the club’s statement obtained by Goal read.

“The accident that occurred at Kingorwila led to a number of injuries and the destruction of properties and the club would like to wish those injured a quick recovery.

“The club understands and will always appreciate the support it is given by the fans whenever our team is playing.”