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Scottish champions Glasgow City has secured the services of Janine van Wyk from South Africa's Sasol Women's League side JVW FC.

Van Wyk's signing comes exactly six months after parting ways with Danish side Fortuna Hjorring without kicking a ball, having struggled with an injury which she is now fully recovered from.

The latest switch will see South Africa's most-capped player, with 170 appearances, actualise her European dreams after back-to-back missed opportunities with Hjorring and English side Bristol City.

The 33-year-old becomes the third signing for the Scottish giants this summer after Krystyna Freda and Zaneta Wyne, from Cypriot giants Apollon Ladies and Norwegian side Klepp, respectively. 

Confirming the switch, Glasgow City head coach Scott Booth expressed joy over the acquisition of the experienced defender. 

“We are absolutely delighted to bring Janine van Wyk to our club," Booth told the club website.

"She has incredible experience and I feel this will be key for us this season. Janine captained her nation at the 2019 World Cup and is their record cap holder. 

"I know that she will 100% lead by example and fit into our already talented squad.”

Reacting to her transfer, Van Wyk said: "I am extremely excited to start this new chapter in my football career with a football club that is known to be the best team in the Scottish top league. 

"I look forward to playing in the Uefa Women’s Champions League, win titles and most importantly continue to learn as much as I can about the insights of the game and hopefully add value to the squad with the experience I carry." 

She led South Africa to two Olympic Games, in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, before guiding them to a maiden Women's World Cup outing in France last year.

Having sealed her deal, Van Wyk becomes the seventh Banyana star to earn a move to Europe, after Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nothando Vilakazi.

With Glasgow still in the Champions League, she is expected also feature in this season's quarter-finals when they take on German champions Wolfsburg on August 21 in Spain.

Cape Town City have revealed that they have completed their second round of coronavirus testing.

This is also the final round of testing and it is mandated by the National Soccer League (NSL) health and safety return to training protocol.

The Citizens released the following statement on Tuesday with the 2019/20 season set to resume soon having been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

“The club has undergone the final round of testing in preparation for return to football matches in the BSE [Biologically Safe Environment]," a club statement read.

"We are now fully compliant to finish the 2019/20 season."

The Western Cape-based side was also the first Premier Soccer League (PSL) team to resume training last month.

Prior to this, the 2018 MTN8 champions announced that none of their players and officials have tested positive for Covid-19.

City's latest announcement comes after PSL chairman Irvin Khoza disclosed that all 16 PSL teams and 16 National First Division (NFD) clubs will only be required to have two rounds of coronavirus testing.

The 32 teams will then move to the BSE which will be hosted by Gauteng where the suspended campaign will be completed.

“There is no continuous testing, there are two testing [rounds]. There is a first test and the second test 48 hours before you go to the bubble [BSE]," Khoza told the media on Monday.

"People that would be going to the bubble shall have been tested for the last time to make sure that whoever goes in there is negative.

"There will be a continuous screening of temperatures of players and other things which is normal but testing happens only twice. There are two tests that’s are compulsory."

The PSL were hoping to resume the suspended season this weekend with the first matches taking place on Saturday, July 18.

However, the South African Football Association (Safa) has made it known that no football will be played until August 2020.

The PSL have indicated that they will need at least six weeks to complete the current campaign with the Nedbank Cup semi-final and final matches also expected to take place.

Manchester City would only feel like they have matched the efforts of their last couple of seasons under Pep Guardiola if they win the Champions League, Kyle Walker has claimed.

The former Premier League title holders were dethroned last month by Liverpool to bring a two-year reign as champions of England to a close.

However, the club could yet still seal a prospective treble to end their season on a high following their earlier Carabao Cup success, with City still firmly in contention at home and abroad in the FA Cup and the Champions League respectively, currently holding a 2-1 first-leg advantage over Real Madrid heading into next month's round-of-16 tie.

It is just the latter honour that eludes Guardiola's side, with the Spaniard - a two-time winner during his time in charge of Barcelona - having failed to repeat the feat so far in Manchester.

Walker admits that he feels the club's domestic dominance over the past two campaigns has gone somewhat under the radar with the absence of the top continental honour - but that the European crown would certainly prove the equal of their last few honour-laden terms if they could achieve it.

"I think it would come on par," the defender told Sky Sports News. "I think last year gets really overlooked in terms of what we've achieved.

"Our first season we got 100 points, and that was: 'Oh my gosh', but to kind of conquer England last year, take everything, we thought that was a massive achievement for the team and where we've come from. To win it back-to-back, something a team hadn't done for many years.

"I think if we win the Champions League it would be right among that, because it's something I feel this club needs to step up again into the right direction.

"We've proved we can be Premier League winners, but one thing missing is the Champions League, and that's one thing us as players want, and definitely what the manager wants again.

"It's strange because when I first signed here and someone would have asked me what do you want - the Premier League or Champions League?

"For me it was the Premier League. Obviously it's all I've grown up watching. But now I've got that, and have two of them, which I'm fortunate to have, I do really want this.

"I do think for some of the players in there, it's to kind of finish their career - the likes of David Silva, Fernandinho - and not have picked up a Champions League, for the types of players they are, I think that's the least we can do and we owe it to them.

"We owe it to this club, which has supported each and every player to achieve what they wanted to achieve. For the club I think it's what they need as well."

Lipuli FC's hopes of playing in the Tanzania Mainland League beyond this season were boosted after a 2-0 win over KMC on Tuesday.

The Iringa-based charges came into the match desperate for a win to get out of the relegation zone compared to their opponents from Kinondoni, who were chasing a top 10 finish.

Neither of the two sides could get a goal in the first half owing to poor finishing and good goalkeeping.

However, things changed after the break and Paul Materaz opened the scoring for the hosts in the 54th minute to settle the nerves of the home team.

Six minutes later, Mohamed Rashid doubled the advantage to ensure his team bagged maximum points.

In Dar es Salaam, visitors Mwadui cracked late into the match to lose 3-2 to Ruvu Shooting.

Mwadui were the first to open the scoring after just nine minutes courtesy of Enock Jiah. Gerrard Mathias received a good ball from Malid Jafari and he crossed the ball into the danger zone for Jiah to score.

In the 37th minute, the hosts levelled matters after Ruvu won a corner which was taken by Abdulrahman Musa, and Santos Mazengo rose highest to head home.

Musa turned the provider again a few moments later, this time around beating the defence with an inch-perfect pass to Fully Maganga, who squared the ball to the unmarked Mohamed Sadat, who had no problem beating the goalkeeper from about 12 yards.

In the 55th minute, Baraka Mtui handled the ball in the danger zone leaving the referee with no option but to hand the visitors a penalty. Wallace Kiango rose for the occasion to level the scores once again.

It looked like the game would end in a 2-2 draw, but with seconds left, Mwadui lost concentration to allow the ball to land at the feet of Mazengo, and the forward won it for Ruvu with his effort.

At Shinyanga, Biashara Mara United fell by a solitary goal to Polisi Tanzania. The lone goal came in the 50th minute courtesy of Erick Msagati.

The result puts Polisi in the sixth position with 51 points with Biashara dropping to 10th with 46 points. Lipuli FC are now 13th with 40 points, a place higher than Mwadui who are on the same points but with an inferior goal difference.

On Wednesday, second-placed Azam FC will be away against Mtibwa Sugar, with Yanga SC playing Singida United FC. 

Jurgen Klopp saluted Mohamed Salah ahead of a Liverpool milestone, but acknowledged he did not expect the Egyptian and his fellow forwards to be as effective as they have become.

Salah joined the Reds from Roma three years ago in a deal that reportedly cost an initial £34 million (€37m/$43m).

In 105 Premier League matches, Salah – who is generally deployed from the right – has scored 73 goals, including a record-setting 32 in 2017-18.

The Egypt star has helped turned Liverpool into European and domestic champions, his understanding with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in attack making them a deadly trio that has scored 250 times under Klopp.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's trip to Arsenal, in which Salah is expected to make his 150th appearance, Klopp said: "First and foremost, that means he played 50 games a year, each season, 50 games, and still counting. Unbelievable. That's a big number.

"Obviously he was lucky and we were lucky that he could play all these games, because he was not injured, which is good.

"I was very positive in the moment when it was clear that we signed him. I remember our talk, when we first met face to face, when we spoke.

"'What's your favourite position?' 'It would be right wing, but Sadio Mane is playing there and he played a pretty good season.' 'Yes, he does, but he can play the other wing as well.'

"That was pretty much the start. The idea was clear how we want to play with the boys up front, but it worked out in a manner which we couldn't have expected. They scored now 250 goals since they [joined the club], that's an incredible number.

"It was a good day for Liverpool [when Salah signed] and a very good day as well for Mo because it fits really well and that's very important in life. You cannot change the world alone, but together, with the right people around you, you have a better chance to do it."

Salah's future seems certain to lie at Anfield, and Dejan Lovren appears likely to stay put for the time being as well. The 31-year-old has been a fringe player this season, but Klopp insists he still appreciates what the Croatian offers.

Although the German would not comment specifically on reports the Reds are to trigger a one-year extension option to keep Lovren until 2022, it seems a departure is unlikely.

"Dejan played outstanding games for us, is a very important part of the squad, absolutely no problem," Klopp said.

"It's always like this – we have four centre-halves and we play usually with two of them, but we needed all four always, so a very, very important role. He played the Champions League final for us, played a lot of big games, and was always a very reliable player.

"Dejan was always either in the team or close to the team, or not available. There was nothing else, we never had problems. It's all good, but [I've] nothing to say about the contract situation because it's nothing to discuss in public. It's just how it is.

"The situation is absolutely clear – Dejan is a player of Liverpool and we need him. In this moment again, with Joel [Matip] injured we have again only three centre-halves.

"You need the quality we have on the centre-half position to be successful, and that's why there's nothing really to discuss."

Manchester City have "hit the ground running", according to Kyle Walker, who has backed the club to carry their momentum through the rest of the season after the frustration of their Premier League campaign.

Pep Guardiola's side surrendered their two-year hold on the top-flight crown as Liverpool claimed the title.

Despite that however City have already claimed silverware once this year with success in the Carabao Cup and they could yet add to their haul, with FA Cup and Champions League encounters to come, and England defender Walker believes that his side are in the ascendancy.

"We've come back and hit the ground running," he told Sky Sports News. "I think the momentum is on our side, we've got the rhythm, players are looking sharp, feeling great, and hopefully we can just continue this great form we're on and take it into the competitions we want to win.

"We all believe in ourselves, we all believe in the manager, his philosophy, his way of playing. I feel on our day we can beat anyone in world football. It's going to be a very exciting six weeks. In my first season I picked up three trophies here, and in my second season I picked up four. Obviously we're just missing the Champions League, that's the only one I haven't got.

"Missing out on the Premier League was a big blow for us as a team, but you have to take your hats off to Liverpool, they played fantastically well throughout the season and deserved it, so fair play to them. But hopefully now we can go and do what they did last year by winning the Champions League, and put all our eggs into that basket now."

Having only edged out Liverpool by a point last term in the Premier League, City's capitulation in the title race this season has been particularly notable, but Walker says that the club will only return with their drive and ambition doubled.

"This year was always going to be tough, and I felt in some games we've just thrown points away," he added. "No disrespect to the likes of Norwich, but we shouldn't really be going down there and losing. We will come back stronger, we're hungry to not just sit on what we've done, we want to build on that.

"You have to show your appreciation for what Liverpool have achieved this year, and the way they've done it; they're not just three or six points clear, they're a lot of points clear of us, and that just shows they are deserved winners.

"Since then, it's about being professional; they've won the league, but let's not make the gap silly. Let's try and close the gap down."

Real Kings CEO Philani Majola has confirmed their midfielder Luvuyo Phewa has signed with reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Media reports surfaced over the past weekend that the 20-year-old attacking midfielder will be unveiled by coach Pitso Mosimane and play for the Tshwane giants next season.

The former South African U20 international is a brother to Banyana Banyana star Veronica, and although Majola told Goal he was in a Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, he confirmed the news.

“The news is true. Luvuyo has joined Mamelodi Sundowns,” Majola told Goal.

Despite media reports suggesting that Orlando Pirates were also interested in luring the youngster to Gauteng, the 2016 African champions have managed to win the race for the player’s signature.

Phewa was in action for Kings against Bidvest Wits in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals back in March, where he featured as a second striker, but they lost the clash 4-0.

Having already announced the signing of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka last week, Phewa is expected to be unveiled by Sundowns just before the start of the 2020/21 PSL season.

Phewa will join the likes of Siphelele Mkhulise and Surprise Mkhuma, who are some of the youngsters expected to become regulars in the near future.

On the other hand, Sundowns have also signed Grant Margeman and goalkeeper Jody February from Ajax Cape Town, who are campaigning in the National First Division (NFD) and gunning for PSL promotion.

Media reports recently indicated that the reigning Telkom Knockout Cup champions are also keen to land Wits players such as Deon Hotto, Gift Motupa, and Haashim Domingo, as the club was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).

Meanwhile, the Clever Boys keeper Ricardo Goss did confirm to Goal that he was negotiating with Sundowns to reunite with his former Golden Arrows manager, Manqoba Mngqithi.

As things stand, the current season remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but the Tshwane giants are one of the clubs that has been busy in the market to beef up their ranks.

Simba SC player Gerson Fraga says he was happy to have opened the floodgate of goals when they hammered Young Africans (Yanga SC) 4-1 on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi proved too strong for their rivals in the FA Cup semi-final clash as goals from Fraga, Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone and Muzamiru Yassin were enough to make Simba fans smile wide at a half-packed National Stadium, and kept alive their hopes of sealing a double this season.

The Brazilian player has now revealed he was on cloud nine after his effort towards goal found the back of the net in the 21st minute, and went further to reveal that immediately after the ball beat the keeper, he waited for a few seconds to celebrate because he was enjoying the singing noise from Simba fans.

“It was an amazing atmosphere to score in the derby and when my ball hit the back of the net, I, first of all, waited for like three minutes before I started celebrating, I was listening to Simba fans as they were singing nicely,” Fraga is quoted by the club’s official website.

“It was the goal which opened the floodgates, and we went ahead to beat them 4-1, it was a nice feeling to have scored the opening goal because it was the goal we needed to take control of the game, and indeed after I scored, we took control of the derby and went on to register the resounding win.”

Fraga further revealed he has watched derbies across the world, including his native Brazil, but has never seen a derby so well attended and supported by the fans like the Kariakoo derby.

“I have seen several derbies but this one in Tanzania is on another level, the crowd and how they are passionate with their teams is something I have never seen before,” Fraga continued.

On his nickname Mkate Umeme, given to him by Simba fans, Fraga explained: “It is obvious players get nicknames from the fans going by the contribution you make to any team and I am happy with what the fans call me here, I like the nickname because it keeps me fighting hard like electricity.”

After resting for two days after the derby win, Simba will report to camp on Tuesday night ahead of their Mainland Premier League match against Mbao FC at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez says that Paul Pogba has been "weighed down" by responsibility at Old Trafford, adding that the midfielder would be a great fit at Real Madrid should he decide to leave the Theatre of Dreams.

Pogba returned to United in 2016, having originally left the club in 2012 in search of first-team football.

The French midfielder spent that period away at Juventus, where he became one of the best midfielders in the world, winning four Serie A titles with the Italian side.

His rise through the ranks at the Bianconeri paved the way for a return to United, with the Premier League club paying an £89 million ($115 million) transfer fee to sign their former player.

In the years since, Pogba has gone on to make 150 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 32 goals in the process.

However, the World Cup winner has also been a target or criticism during his time as a result of the massive fee required to sign him.

And Alvarez says he believes that that fee and that criticism have impacted Pogba's play since making his United return.

"I don't know but I do know that he is a footballer with all the talent to play at any club in the world," the Spaniard told AS when asked if Pogba would be a good signing for Real Madrid. 

"Physically he is incredibly gifted. Where he has problems is the area of the demands that come with being a star signing. At United, he was weighed down by the responsibility and the pressure of being a multi-million euro signing. He was anxious to show his level.

"I stayed with him after training and did extra work. I can tell you that he has incredible dexterity, talent and is incredible athletically. His success depends on his head. 

"He needs to make challenges and to be more self-critical. He could be a great signing for Madrid."

Pogba's 2019-20 campaign has been hampered by injuries, with the Frenchman limited to just 15 appearances and one goal this season.

However, he has been a regular presence since the Premier League's restart, joining with winter signing Bruno Fernandes in the midfield.

Following Monday's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sit fifth in the Premier League, level on points with fourth-place Leicester City for the final Champions League spot.

Up next for the Red Devils is a visit to Crystal Palace on Thursday before a vital clash with fellow top-four hopefuls Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Harambee Starlets forward Esse Akida has challenged top Kenyan Premier League (KPL) teams to form women's teams.

At the beginning of July, Real Madrid completed the formalities necessary to absorb Deportivo Tacon into the club, meaning that from 2020-21 onwards the Merengue will field their first-ever side in the women's Primera Division.

The likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia have long since incorporated the women's game within their supported sporting activities, with the former founding Club Femeni Barcelona as early as 1988, the year that Spain introduced a women's competition. 

The 27-year-old Besiktas J.K player has now challenged Kenyan teams to emulate the Spanish giants by having women's teams.

"Real Madrid official women's team is finally out," Akida posted on her official Facebook page.

"The team was just formed months ago. Hi Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Bandari FC and everyone back at home, can we have this soon down there, please.

"It is possible. Very possible. Give it a try."

Currently, no top tier team in the country has a women's team despite Kenya having an active Women Premier League (WPL). 

The Moving the Goalposts (MTG) Academy graduate has been a key figure for the Kenya women's team before being controversially left out for recent assignments.

She previously played for Spedag and Thika Queens before moving to Israel in 2018, where she turned out for FC Ramat HaSharon until 2019 when she joined Turkish side Besiktas.

Akida was part of Harambee Starlets team that qualified for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) held in Cameroon.

The East Africa nation was pooled in Group B alongside Nigeria, Ghana and Mali.

The first match was against the Black Queens and Akida opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, but the West Africans came back stronger after the break and scored three goals courtesy of Samira Suleman, Elizabeth Addo and Portia Boakye.

The second game was against Mali and Kenya, once again, fell by the margin.

The final Group B match was against eventual competition winners Nigeria where Kenya fell 4-0.

Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey is Africa’s most outstanding player in the 2019-20 LaLiga season, according to Sevilla’s all-time top scorer Frederic Kanoute.

Partey, who has been the subject of growing rumours linking him with various European heavyweights, is one of Diego Simeone’s consistent players this term.

The Ghana international has featured in 33 Spanish elite division games for Los Rojiblancos, with 28 of them in the starting line-up - finding the net twice, against Eibar and Valencia.

Despite admitting the choice was a tough one, the former Mali striker claimed the 27-year-old has been the standout African performer in Spain’s top flight, while listing Nigeria and Villarreal youngster Samuel Chukwueze, Youssef En-Nesyri and Andre-Anguissa for honourary mentions.

“It is difficult to answer but there are two players that have impressed me – one is a bit younger and that is [Samuel Chukwueze],” said Kanoute during a LaLiga conference on Monday.

“There is [Youssef] En-Nesyri who scored against [Real Mallorca on Sunday] for Sevilla. I like Baba [Rahman] from Mallorca and [Andre-Frank] Anguissa from Villarreal and Cameroon.

“I have followed all of them and I would say that the one who took a higher and bigger dimension is Thomas Partey.

“He is all over the place in the middle of the park. He has impressed me in terms of his activity, the quality of his passes, recovery and winning so many balls.

“So, I would say Thomas Partey is number one.”

Partey has established himself as a key figure at Atleti after making his senior debut in November 2015, after completing loan spells at Real Mallorca and Almeria

His notable performances have incited intense transfer speculation, with rumours linking him with Arsenal, and Kanoute claimed he would be happy if Partey signed for the Gunners.

PSG are also monitoring the midfielder, who has a £45 million/$56 million release clause in his current contract, however, the Wanda Metropolitano side are keen on keeping him for the foreseeable future.

Simeone’s men are currently third on the LaLiga log, having accrued 66 points from 36 games – which has sealed their place in next season’s Champions League.

Unbeaten in their last eight games, they are guests of Getafe on Thursday before wrapping up their season with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has issued an official statement confirming that they won't be able to go ahead with plans to resume the suspended season this weekend. 

In a letter sent by PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala to the South African Football Association (Safa) acting CEO Tebogo Motlanthe, the league pencilled in July 18 as their preferred date for the return of competitive football. 

However, Safa rejected this proposed date saying it was too soon - insisting football can only return in the first week of August 2020.      

This was the resolution taken by Safa's compliance officers and all the compliance officers from the 32 clubs on Monday. 

According to the league, Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa gave them the go-ahead on June 23 to resume the 2019-20 season.   

Safa, in their statement on Tuesday, said their 110 match officials will not be ready to officiate this week as they require at least 14 days to undergo medical and mandatory fitness tests.  

"The National Soccer League Board of Governors held a virtual meeting today, 14 July 2020, to consider, amongst other things, the resumption of the 2019/20 season," reads a statement. 

"The Board of Governors noted that the PSL had received permission from the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on 23 June 2020 to resume the 2019/20 season.

"The PSL had complied with the requirements and ready to resume with the 2019/20 season on 18 July 2020, but unable to do so due to unavailability of match officials."

Furthermore, the league's executive has been mandated by its board of governors to re-engage "stakeholders regarding the current status quo". The said stakeholders include Safa, Fifa and the sponsors.  

"The Executive Committee has been mandated to re-engage stakeholders regarding the current status quo," concluded the statement. 

The PSL, through chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, said the intention is to complete the season by August 31. 

Khoza further revealed that a minimum of six weeks is required for all the matches to be played.

But with Safa proposing the first week of August, chances are the PSL will have to consider extending the season by at least a week or two.  

Gauteng will host all the remaining matches despite the province being deemed the epicentre for the coronavirus in South Africa. 

Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal and Newcastle in an ongoing bid to free up squad space and funds that will allow them to launch a raid on Inter for Lautaro Martinez, Goal has learned .

It has been clear for some time that Brazil international playmaker Coutinho does not figure in the long-term thinking at Camp Nou.

Barca snapped Coutinho up from Liverpool in the winter window of 2018 , but have seen little return on their investment.

With the South American having struggled to find a spark in Catalunya, he was allowed to head out on loan in the summer of 2019.

A season-long stint at Bayern Munich has only served to raise further questions of the 28-year-old’s form and fitness .

Barcelona are now looking to put another deal in place, with the Liga giants aware that they cannot incorporate another sizeable salary into their plans for 2020-21.

There is acceptance on the part of the Blaugrana that they are going to struggle to find a European suitor willing to take on both Coutinho’s wage and a sizeable transfer fee.

Bayern passed up on their purchase option some time ago, leaving the door open for others to make a move, and Barca believe that a return to the Premier League for Coutinho would now be the best option for all concerned.

With that in mind, they have started to seek out potential landing spots, and Arsenal and Newcastle have been sounded out, with both clubs having been heavily linked with the midfielder in the past.

No answer has been received from either club as yet, with the Gunners and Magpies continuing to mull over the terms of a deal and their respective standings for next season – on both sporting and financial fronts.

It could be that they explore the option of putting another loan agreement in place with Barca, who are not ruling out such an arrangement, with all offers set to be considered.

The Blaugrana concede that they are going to lose money on Coutinho in the long run, having acquired him for a base fee of €120 million (£109m/$136m), but they need to get him off their books.

Efforts to bring in alternative options, such as Argentina international Lautaro , can only be made if money is saved and raised elsewhere.

Lille striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly entered into negotiations with Napoli, having made up his mind to join the Serie A side.

The forward has been linked with a number of European clubs following his eye-catching performances for Christophe Galtier’s men in the 2019-20 season.

The Parthenopeans have, however, been leading the race to secure his signature and the striker was believed to be close to securing a move to the side last month but his agent raised the issue of racism in Italy.

Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly recently revealed the Super Eagles striker called him to make an enquiry about racial discrimination in the country and advised him on steps to take if he eventually joins the Parthenopeans.

Goal gathered the 21-year-old forward recently changed his agent which led to the delay in wrapping up his transfer to the Stadio San Paolo outfit.

The striker is now close to sealing an €81 million move to the Parthenopeans which is subject to successful medical examinations, having been swayed by manager Gennaro Gattuso’s genuine interest in him.

According to L'Equipe, Osimhen could complete his move to the side on Thursday and it is believed the striker will earn seven times more money than he currently earns at Lille.

Last summer the French outfit sold Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe to Arsenal for £72 million but Osimhen’s deal could be the best ever for the Mastiffs.

The forward joined the Stade Pierre-Mauroy outfit last summer from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi and impressed in his debut campaign with the side.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, winning the club’s Player of the Season award and the Marc Vivien Foe best Ligue 1 African Player prize in the process.

The forward burst into the limelight at the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile, where he won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards to help Nigeria win the title.

The Ultimate Strikers Academy graduate, who currently has nine caps for the Super Eagles, will link up with Koulibaly if his transfer is successful.

Manchester United are not concerning themselves with what Chelsea or any other Premier League rival does, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Red Devils boss confident that his side are not about to buckle under pressure.

The Red Devils saw a top-four door flung open to them ahead of their latest outing against Southampton.

Shock defeats for Chelsea and Leicester presented United with an opportunity to clamber up into third spot.

They fluffed their lines, with a dramatic late equaliser conceded in a 2-2 draw with the Saints at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer’s team continue to sit fifth as a result, but with fate still in their own hands when it comes to securing Champions League qualification through their remaining three fixtures.

Maximum points from those outings will see United book their place among Europe’s elite for 2020-21, with there no need for the Red Devils to be looking to others for favours or slip-ups.

Quizzed on whether handling expectation could be a problem, Solskjaer told United’s official website: “Absolutely not.

“I don’t think any of our players have been thinking about: ‘Oh what have Chelsea done this weekend.’ Not at all. It’s just the way the games go.

“We all play against the same teams and we all have 38 games to go through and it will even itself out during the long season. You’ll deserve the position you get in the end.”

Solskjaer is confident that United will hit their ultimate goal, with a group of players that have gone unbeaten through their last 18 games in all competitions being backed to find a formula that delivers a top-four finish.

The Red Devils boss added: “I have to say the mentality of the boys has been brilliant.

“We’ve had a few setbacks over the season, of course, and this is another challenge for us. I’m very confident in the mentality of them.

“I'm very disappointed of course, but you have to take the disappointments, as well as the positives when you win games. Of course, the disappointment with this [the Southampton draw] is when it’s one of the last kicks of the ball and you concede a goal and you lose two points.

“That’s part of football and we’ve learnt a hard lesson, hopefully. We’ll make it right, we’ll put it right. I trust them in that respect.”

United will be back in action on Thursday when they take in a trip to Crystal Palace.

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has revealed he has identified players he will sign for the club ahead of the new season.

K’Ogalo will be taking part in the Caf Champions League after being declared champions for the 2019-20 campaign after the league was ended owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus effect and will also chase the league and domestic Cup titles.

With that in mind, the British coach has confirmed to Goal he has already identified the areas he will work to strengthen and has gone ahead to engage the new signings who will be unveiled in due course.

“We are talking to players, we are talking to a few players and let us see what will happen, but I am not going to give out their names because our rivals will jump for their services,” Polack told Goal on Tuesday.

“We talking to players in the Kenyan league, we are talking to a lot of Kenyan players and I will not give you the names or positions, just know we are in talks with several players and the talks are very positive for now.

“Let people know, and we have to do it a little more professional, about the transfers because if you start saying the names then everything might fail before they even sign, so we are not going to give names, we will let people know when the deals are done and I want to set the bar, we want to get them all signed first and then we unveil them in one press conference.”

Polack, however, took his time once again to hit out at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and KPL officials for the uncertainty which is still surrounding the fate of last season.

“You know after the president said there is no social gathering, we are doing nothing, we are still in the dark, will the league continue, was the league ended? In fact, everyone is in the dark.

“Imagine after three months, FKF and KPL have refused to come out and tell us what is happening, we are all in the dark, we don’t know what is happening, it is not good at all for Kenyan football, something needs to be done, and it should be made public.”

While Gor Mahia will take part in the Champions League, Kenya will have no representative in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Nemanja Matic is optimistic Paul Pogba will remain with Manchester United "for a long time".

The Serbian has formed an impressive midfield trio with Pogba and Bruno Fernandes since the Premier League's resumption, helping United extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions.

Pogba's future at United has long been the subject of intense speculation, with comments from his agent Mino Raiola causing controversy earlier in a 2019-20 season where he has struggled with injury.

But the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the club's upturn in form since the World Cup winner returned to the pitch to join new signing Fernandes have led to increased hopes he will stay.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed confidence that Pogba – who is contracted until 2021 with the option for a further year – would sign a new deal and Matic thinks his team-mate is enjoying life at the club.

"I think at the moment he is happy," Matic, who himself signed fresh terms with United this month,  said to Stats Perform News.

"When you are injured and outside of the pitch people will always talk and rumours will always be around him, but he can do anything. 

"As soon as he came back to training with us and playing I think he has shown that he is happy to play football and he is a great guy. 

"I think for me it is very important that Paul stays because that gives us more quality. Also, with his personality, he brings a lot to the team. 

"Of course, you never know what is going to happen in life but I see him happy at the moment.

"I wish for him to stay, I wish for the team. It is good he is a great guy for the group, there is always fun around him. I will be happy to see him for a long time at Manchester United."

Pogba said this week United felt like "a proper team" again and he does not think they can be stopped if they continue on their current path.

He also praised the balance of the starting XI under Solskjaer and Matic feels the arrival of Fernandes is what has helped get the best out of Pogba.

Matic added: "With him and Bruno, I think that Paul can now, in my opinion, do what is his job.

"He is the player and kind of midfielder that can play box to box, he is not only an attacking midfielder like people were thinking. 

"He is a box-to-box player because he is strong, he can run, he can shoot, he can also defend very well, he can read the headers. 

"So now with Bruno, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, when they play in front of him, then in my opinion he can do the best.

"He is a player for everything, so I don't think he is a typical playmaker to be behind the strikers, but that player like a number eight, box to box.

"For me he is one of the best players in the world. So, I expect him next season to be even better, but what we saw in the few games of him [after the restart] he was absolutely fantastic, a proper player."

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the “disgraceful decision” to lift a two-year European ban imposed on Manchester City for alleged Financial Fair Play breaches.

The Blues were barred from competing in Champions League or Europa League competition by UEFA in February.

Those at the Etihad Stadium were, however, quick to plead their innocence and lodge an appeal.

Their case was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the decision taken at the end of that investigation to lift a continental ban.

City have still been stung with a €10 million (£9m/$11m) fine, but that is a drop in the ocean for a club bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour’s billions.

Mourinho is among those to have been left stunned by the ruling from CAS, with confusion continuing to reign as mixed messages are fed out.

The Portuguese has pointed out that if City were guilty of enough to merit a fine, then the original sanctions should have stood.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss fears that FFP is no longer fit for purpose, with it difficult to see how regulations can be pushed out when there are obvious loopholes to exploit.

Mourinho told reporters of the City ruling: “In the case it's a disgraceful decision because if City are not guilty of it then you are not punished with 10m.

“If you're not guilty you shouldn't have a fine. If they are guilty the decision is also a disgrace and you should be banned from the competition.

“I don't know if Manchester City are guilty or not but either way it's a disgraceful decision.”

Mourinho added on the approach Tottenham will now take: “Spurs is Spurs and I don't think Spurs change this mentality and in this aspect it's more than correct. I'm happy with the way we act here.

“I think it's the end of Financial Fair Play.”

Jurgen Klopp is another to have questioned the future of FFP after seeing UEFA’s authority undermined, with the Liverpool boss admitting that the events of Monday were not “a good day for football”.

Those at Anfield can at least console themselves with the fact that they have beaten City to the Premier League title this season, but Mourinho and Spurs now need to force their way into the top six in order to guarantee a place in the Europa League for 2019-20.

Former Baroka FC manager and Kaizer Chiefs striker Wedson Nyirenda has been unveiled as the new manager for Zambian Super Division giants, Lusaka Dynamos.

‘Wada’ parted ways with Bakgaga Mphahlele in the middle of the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign and has expressed delight after taking on his new role.

In an official statement, Dynamos announced the former Amakhosi hitman will be assisted by Ian Bakala, Josphat Nkhoma, and Stephen Mwansa as he joins on a short-term deal until the end of the current term.

"It is great to be associated with Lusaka Dynamos FC. For the next 3 months, we shall work tirelessly to see that we end this current season in the best position,” said Nyirenda in a statement released by the club.

“If everyone works accordingly, and pulls in the same direction we can achieve the unthinkable. God will guide us through.”

The Elite also confirmed that Mwansa will also double as a goalkeeping coach while Manchi Janza is the physical trainer.

Nyirenda tendered his resignation with the Limpopo-based club in December last year and the former Zesco United and Zanaco boss joins Dynamos at the back of winning the Telkom Knockout Cup in the 2018/19 campaign as they overcame Orlando Pirates.

Although Bakgaga endured a poor start to the current season which saw them struggling at the bottom end of the PSL log table, the 53-year-old tactician was reportedly not pleased with the alleged interference by the club's management during his team selection.

At Baroka, he was replaced by former Gor Mahia manager Dylan Kerr who was unveiled just before the end of 2019 and they now sit 13th with 23 points from 24 matches so far.

On the other hand, Nyirenda guided the Team Ya Ziko to their first-ever league championship in his first spell at the club in 2007 and achieved a similar feat after guiding Mozambican side Ferroviario de Beira to their first trophy in the club’s 92-year history in 2015.

Mikel Arteta is only concerned with becoming “the best” at Arsenal, with the Spaniard looking to use the success enjoyed by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool as a blueprint for where he intends to be in four years’ time.

Those at Anfield turned to a highly-rated tactician when in need of inspiration back in October 2015.

Patience was shown in pursuit of domestic and European glory, with that faith ultimately rewarded with Champions League and Premier League triumphs.

It took Klopp a while to get to that point, with Liverpool in need of clever recruitment and careful guidance when he took the reins.

Arsenal have taken a similar approach in their appointment of Arteta, with a former Gunners captain returned to familiar surroundings in December 2019.

He is now a matter of months into his tenure, with there clearly much work for him to oversee, but lofty targets are being set as the 38-year-old seeks to emulate the achievements of a coach he will be sharing a touchline with on Wednesday.

Ahead of a meeting with Liverpool and Klopp, Arteta told reporters of his desire to scale similar heights over the course of a long reign in north London: “If you ask me that question in four years and we’re both sitting here and I can tell you ‘yes, we’ve done it’, I will be so happy.

“But I know how many decisions have to be right and how much support you need from the club and the people around, and how much connection you to have to generate from your fans to have the full package, and afterwards it’s football.

“The context right now is different to what it was as well four years ago and the abilities for a club to rebuild something is more limited, but it’s certainly something we have to look at and how they did it because it’s a great example.

“But we have to know that we have to do it our way, with our resources and have it in mind that the content right now is different, but we are heading to be the best and this is my only objective with this club. We have to find a way to do it.”

Arteta has a number of issues to address at Arsenal, with defensive leaks considered to be among the most pressing, but the hope is that he will force the Gunners back into contention at some stage.

Pressed on whether he thinks such ambition is realistic across the next four years, the former midfielder said: “I don't want to talk about four years in football. It's almost impossible.

“You have to see a trend and you have to see movement and you have to see that the direction that you are taking is the right one and that you are making progress all the time.

“At the end of the season we are going to have to assess where we are in all terms of the club, what is the ambition and where we want to head in.

“In order to do that, either the ambition and the level is equal or it's not realistic or it's more than realistic. That's what we have to get a deal on.”

Arsenal have slipped to ninth in the Premier League table this season and have just three games left – and an ongoing FA Cup bid – in which to try and ensure that they have European football on the agenda for 2020-21.