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Asante Kotoko board member Yaw Adu has disclosed the club are in no hurry to appoint a new chief executive officer (CEO) despite being under pressure to do so.

The Kumasi-based club has been without a CEO following the exit of George Amoakoh following the constitution of a new board in May.

Adu was recently reported to have been handed the big office, days after renowned administrator Nana Yaw Amponsah was heavily linked to the role.

“We will not rush in doing things," Adu told Kumasi FM.

"The media is speculating and giving so much pressure to the board. We have to make sure all structures are in place and all conditions are favourable for him.

“We will give him our policies for him to run the club with, and also take charge of the day-to-day running of the club.

“We have to make sure everything is put in the right place. Kotoko is too big a club to be run by an individual. The highest decision body will be the board. We are not relying on the chief executive officer.

“We are not in a hurry to appoint. We have to take things slowly, take our time to do the right thing at the right time."

Kotoko's new board is led by Kwame Kyei, who has been at the helm of affairs for the last three years.

Nine members of the set-up were announced in May, while three more others were added last month.

Jude Arthur (Board Chairman for Ghana Commercial Bank), Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi (Board Chairman Ghana EXIM Bank), Kwasi Osei Ofori (Chairman Erdmark Group/CEO, Rocksure Mining Ltd), Lawyer Kwamina Mensah (Corporate Lawyer), Alhaji Lamine (Businessman), Joseph Yaw Adu (Retired Director of Sports at Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology), Baffour Kwame Kusi (Otumfuo's Ankobeahene), and Evelyn Nsiah Asare (Acting Head of Sports at Sunyani Technical University) complete the initial list announced.

Martin Osei Kwaku Brobbey (CEO, Lexta Ghana Ltd), James Osei Brown (CEO, Joshob Construction Ltd) and Kofi Amoah Abban (CEO, Rigworld Group) are the extra additions.

Kotoko are arguably Ghana's biggest club and the most successful in the history of the Premier League with 23 titles.

The last of their trophies came in 2014. The side has also won the Ghana FA Cup on nine occasions and the Super Cup three times.

On the continental level, they ruled Africa in 1970 and 1983.

Barcelona have been cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) of committing fraud when they signed Neymar from Santos.

Neymar left the Brazilian side to join Barca in 2013, but the deal has been mired in controversy ever since.

The Catalan side claimed they signed the Brazil star from Santos for €17 million, though it was later revealed that the total fee paid came to around €83m, with Barca making payments to the player’s private company and directly to his father.

Santos appealed to CAS claiming they were owed over €61m (£55m/$69m) in compensation but the court has ruled in the reigning Spanish champions’ favour, insisting they did not act illegally when they came to the agreement with the attacker.

A statement from Barcelona read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the appeal made by Santos to FIFA in which the Brazilian club claimed a payment of €61,295,000 in damages from FC Barcelona and the corresponding sporting bans with regards to the transfer of Neymar Jr.

"The CAS considers that the contract between Santos and the player was ended by mutual agreement, that FC Barcelona did not infringe any transfer agreement when it paid additional amounts to the father of the player and to the N&N company and that FC Barcelona did not behave in a fraudulent manner when it signed a pre-contract with Neymar Jr, nor when it signed a transfer agreement with Santos.

"The CAS verdict compels Santos to pay FC Barcelona's legal costs, a figure of 20,000 Swiss francs."

Neymar spent four years with the Camp Nou outfit and scored 105 goals in over 180 appearances in all competitions as he won two league titles as well as a Champions League crown and the Club World Cup with the club.

He left to join Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking €222m (£201m/$250m) deal in 2017, though he has been consistently linked with a return to Spain ever since.

However, this week Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu this week ruled out the possibility of his side bringing the 28-year-old back any time soon because of the financial blow they suffered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Joseph Malongoane’s manager Paul Moraka has revealed three clubs are after the signature of the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder who left the Soweto giants last week.

The midfielder parted ways with Chiefs together with fellow linkmen George Maluleka and Kabelo Mahlasela following the expiry of their contracts on June 30.

Moraka says Malongoane is already a sought after man and without mentioning the clubs, the manager hinted at the player finding a new home soon.

While the former Orlando Pirates star has since moved on, his camp, however, appears unhappy with the manner in which Chiefs announced his departure.

“Nothing has been communicated to him [by Chiefs], we only read about it in newspapers. But already we have about three offers. I'll make sure he gets employment. But for now, we must finish everything with Chiefs,” Moraka told Sowetan Live.

The past two seasons have seen Malongoane being injury-blighted which deprived him of game time before he was released by Chiefs.

Last season he made just two appearances in all competitions, before failing to play a single match this term, prompting Chiefs not to give him a new deal.

The persistent injury sustained in August 2018, at one stage, fanned rumours that the player was to go into early retirement because of the injury.

Moraka, however, insists that Malongoane is far from hanging his boots.

"He's not going to retire. He still has four or five years of football in his body," said Moraka.

"Medically, he's been cleared... he's been training. He's been making pound-for-pound tackles. It was going to be a medical retirement but based on what the doctors said he's ready to play. He's 100 percent ready to play football, he's been in the playing squad this season. The boy is raring to go.”

It is yet to be seen if Malongoane will reclaim his old form which also saw him play for Orlando Pirates when he finally signs for a new club.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela has declared himself “healthy and well” but says “nothing concrete” has come up in his search for a new team.

Just four months into his Cape Town City contract, Mayambela parted ways with the Citizens in February.

It is now four months without a club for the midfielder who says he has not struggled for a living during the period he had spent without a salary.

“Not really, it hasn't been difficult [surviving without a salary] at all,” Mayambela told Sowetan Live.

"And also, it is a decision that I took after leaving Cape Town City, I decided that I will stay without a club until the end of the season. Then I can start pre-season with the new team. So, I'm good and I'm healthy and everything is well.”

The coronavirus pandemic could have ruined plans for Mayambela who had anticipated that by now he would be having a new club had the current season not been suspended.

He describes the current situation as “bizarre” and reveals that he has been involved in discussions with some clubs but nothing has materialised from the discussions.

The former Ajax Cape Town man has, however, not revealed if the teams he has been in contact with are Premier Soccer League (PSL) or GladAfrica Championship sides.

“No doubt we are in a bizarre situation whereby nothing is confirmed. I think it's important for everyone to be safe with the current situation,” said Mayambela.

“I have been engaging with other teams, but there is nothing concrete yet... I’ve also realised that a lot of teams have taken a strain financially, I have heard stories of players being paid half salaries. I know that financially, it has killed a lot of teams; I have been getting calls also from players telling me about their situations in their teams.”

Mayambela’s stint at Cape Town City was largely unsuccessful with the midfielder making just six appearances in all competitions.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier looks likely to return unopposed as no official has shown interest to contest the position during the much-awaited elections set for August 8.

The Kenyan champions are set to conduct the polls using the electronic online voting system after the government extended the curfew of sporting activities and social gatherings for another 30 days on Monday.

According to a list of aspirants published by the club’s official website, Rachier, who has been in charge of the club for the last 16 years, is still unopposed going into the exercise.

Former treasurer Sally Bolo, who now wants to contest for the vice-chairman post will face off with Francis Wasuna, Ronald Ngala will go for the secretary-general post alongside Sam Ochola, while the honorary treasurer post has attracted aspirants such as Judith Nyangi, Chrisphine Okoth, Dolfina Onduto and Victor Mbaka.

On Tuesday, the club confirmed that they had closed the membership drive ahead of the exercise to pick new officials.

Only four positions will be contested during the polls that will be done under the club’s new constitution which was changed to comply with the Sports Act 2013, which directs that only three officials are mandated to run the affairs of the club.

In an earlier interview, Rachier confirmed his interest to defend his seat has the blessing of his family. In 2019, Rachier said he would be leaving the club but after a change of mind, the veteran administrator revealed he talked with his family members and sought permission to contest the August 8 elections.

“I have spoken with my family and they have told me Gor Mahia are important and that I should stick a little bit around then I can leave later on,” Rachier told Radio Jambo.

“We have had successful family negotiations and I have their blessings to contest again. They have given me permission just to steady the boat. Not all family members have agreed to this but those who supported the move told me to go for just one term.

"Gor Mahia are not a monarch and I welcome other people to come and challenge me in the ballot.”

Gor Mahia were declared Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions and will represent the country in the Caf Champions League next season.

Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu has taken to the streets to spread awareness on the reality of the coronavirus in Nigeria.

The virus spread to the West African country in March which made the government enforce a total lockdown on three of the most affected states in the country, Lagos, Abuja and Ogun.

The lockdown was partially eased in May to save the economy but maintain a ban on the gathering of more than 20 people.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a number of guidelines including wearing of face mask, regular hand washing and observing social distancing.

In Nigeria, more than 600 lives have been lost to the virus and recently, two-time governor of Oyo State Abiola Ajimobi and commissioner of health in Ondo State Wahab Adegbenro died from Covid-19 complications.

29,286 cases have been confirmed in the West African country while 11,828 persons have recovered from the pandemic.

Kanu emphasized the guideline issued by WHO to avoid the further spread of the virus and assured his countrymen that the virus is real.

“Covid-19 is real and I and my Covid-19 team went out on the streets to create awareness and educate people on what to do,” Kanu posted on Instagram.

“The number of people having it is increasing every day and people have to start doing what is right by the washing of hands regularly and using face masks always and keeping social distancing all the time.

“We will go everywhere to make them aware and do the right thing. Giving back, support and helping, Covid-19 in Nigeria is real, let everyone all come and do their bit and use whatever to help with this fight.”

Kanu had 87 caps for the Super Eagles and played for Arsenal, Inter Milan, Ajax, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth before his retirement.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he is not in favour of drinks breaks continuing in the Premier League next season.

Since the English top-flight's return from a three-month coronavirus pandemic-enforced hiatus in June, matches have stopped midway through each half to allow players to rehydrate.

The measure was introduced to help players cope with playing in the summer heat, but coaches have used the opportunity to give tactical instructions to their squad.

Guardiola was asked if he believes the drinks breaks should be made a permanent rule in the league, but the 49-year-old would rather they scrapped the idea next term. 

"No. I think we did it because of the lack of preparation for all of the teams, with just three weeks before the start of the competition and maybe for the weather conditions," he said.

"The managers use it to talk to players, of course."

West Ham boss David Moyes is in agreement with this City counterpart, as the Scottish coach believes it is unnecessary this season, too.

"Personally, I don’t think water breaks should have been introduced," he told reporters.

"I understood why they were, but I thought it should’ve been at the referee’s discretion in games – if the temperature were up in the 70s or the 80s [Fahrenheit], and they felt that players needed a drink. 

"I don’t think they’re a necessity and it’s also a change of rules from where we were at the start of the season. I think it’s wrong to start the Premier League season in one way and finish it in a different way."

Along with drinks breaks, the Premier League allowed teams to make five substitutions in each game to help lower the risk of players suffering injuries in the crowded calendar.

Moyes is happy with the way his charges have dealt with the rush back to action in recent weeks, saying: "The players are recovering much quicker than usual, and they know and realise what they have to do to get back ready to play again. 

"Players and clubs are not being able to have as many recovery days as usual because of the turnaround of games. We have to do the same as everybody else, and I have to say the players have been great. They’ve looked after themselves. 

"We’re trying to keep as many of them fit and ready for games as we can. After they came back from lockdown, they were in good condition. They kept themselves well and we trained hard and tried to prepare, and I hope what we did shows through in the coming days. 

"We only have three weeks to go of the season now so we have to try and keep focused and fit, and mentally and physically in good shape."

Ashanti Gold boss Roberto Landi is pumped up for their campaign in the Caf Confederation Cup next season.

The Obuasi-based side is set to compete in the continental inter-club championship for the second year running, after receiving the nod for the 2020-21 event following the cancellation of the Ghana football season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ordinarily, the winners of the Ghana FA Cup represents the nation in the Confederation Cup but the premature termination of the domestic cup competition and the Premier League left the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with a choice to find representatives in the boardroom.

"I am waiting for the borders of Ghana to be opened so I can return but I have been in touch with my players and other technical team members and hope they are training as I have scheduled for them," Landi, who is caught up in his home country due to travel restrictions because of Covid-19, told Oyerepa FM.

"We want to do better than what AshGold did last time in the Confederations Cup.

"We will do our best but hope Covid-19 does not affect us.

"I wish I was in Ghana to monitor their training. We will add new players especially those who will give revenue to the club."

In the 2019-20 Confederation Cup, AshGold were eliminated by Moroccan fold RS Berkane in the first round.

“One thing a lot of people don’t know is I was with the team the last time we went to Africa," AshGold chief executive officer (CEO) Emmanuel Frimpong, who recently replaced Frederick Acheampong at the helm of affairs, told Citisports.

“I was working under Frederick Acheampong so I know what did not go as planned.

“I feel like we have learnt from our mistakes and we know what to do and what not to do.

“We have signed a couple of new players that will help us get to the level we aspire and we also have a new coach coming in."

The Ghana football season was first brought to a halt in March and after failing to convince the Government of Ghana for a return under strict safety protocols, the GFA permanently cancelled the season on June 30.

MLS has altered the schedule of the league's tournament in Orlando, postponing a match on the opening day of the competition after several Nashville SC players tested positive for the coronavirus.

The news comes just one day after FC Dallas was forced to pull out of the MLS is Back tournament altogether, with 10 players and one coach testing positive for Covid-19 after arriving at the league's campus in Orlando.

Now, a series of positive tests for Nashville have altered plans even further, with five players testing positive ahead of Wednesday's tournament opener.

Nashville had originally been scheduled to kickstart the tournament against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, with Orlando City's clash with Inter Miami also taking place on the tournament's opening day.

However, following the positive tests, that match has been postponed with the league not yet confirming a makeup date.

The league confirmed that it will continue to monitor Nashville's status in the tournament should additional test results come back positive.

In addition, Toronto FC will see their schedule altered as a result of the club's late arrival in Orlando, with the Canadian side departing later than intended while waiting on results from a series of Covid-19 tests.

Toronto FC's clash with D.C. United, which was originally scheduled for July 10, will now take place July 12 while the Seattle Sounders' match against the San Jose Earthquakes will now be played at 9 p.m. on July 10 as a result of the shift.

With TFC's arrival, all 26 teams have now moved to Orlando for the tournament and have been tested at the league's hotels.

In the wake of FC Dallas' withdrawal, MLS commissioner Don Garber reiterated that he expects the tournament to go on as planned.

"We have 550 players that have already been tested and 13 of them have tested positive,” Garber told ESPN. “Right now it’s an extremely low percentage. The players that are there [in Orlando] are safe, they’re comfortable, they’re training, they’re eating, they’re recreating. They’re doing the things in accordance with our protocols – they’re wearing masks, they’re socially distancing. They’re managing their lives in a bubble.

“Now if that bubble is suspect and something should happen, then we’re going to have to address that. Right now, we’re in a pretty good spot although Dallas will not be participating in the tournament. We’ll have to replace those regular season games they’re going to miss and continue to monitor the rest of the arrivals very closely. Thirteen of 550 [player tests] is relatively low. But in the days leading up to Wednesday’s opener on ESPN, we’re going to have to keep a close eye on it.”

He added:“We’ve got a great matchup with our new team in Miami playing against Orlando. And we have 50 other games that are going to take place throughout the tournament. And I just want to reiterate: We’re going to make the right decisions as it relates to the health and safety of our players. And right now the protocol is working.”

AFC Leopards are targeting the services of former Wazito FC striker Derrick Otanga, Goal has learnt.

The player is a free agent after being released by the 2018/19 National Super League champions.

A close source to the 13-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions confirmed chairman Dan Shikanda has already contacted the player regarding the move to Ingwe.

"Leopards are interested in signing Otanga who is still rated as one of the quality prospects in Kenyan football," a source close to the club intimated to Goal on Tuesday.

"The chairman [Shikanda] talked to the player yesterday [Monday, July 7] and I believe the two parties are set to meet before the week ends to finalize the move. It is almost certain."

When reached for comment, Shikanda could not deny or confirm the club's interest but stated the player was approached while at Sony Sugar but opted to join Wazito.

"Otanga is a good player and I remember following him up when he was still at Sony but chose Wazito," the former striker told Goal on Tuesday.

"However, we all know his quality and with enough motivation, he can get his confidence back and score goals. Whether we will sign him or not, I cannot confirm."

Other players who were dropped by Wazito include long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya and Pistone Mutamba.

The foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia and Togolese Issifou Bourahana were not spared either. Kevin Omondi, who has also been serving as the club's first-choice goalkeeper, has been axed as well.

"The management told us Covid-19 has not made it easy for the club businesswise, and tough decisions had to be made," Otanga, who joined the club at the beginning of the 2019/20 season told Goal on Tuesday.

"It is a matter of recollecting yourself and getting another team to continue developing and growing your career. I take this opportunity to thank Wazito for the chance to play for them and wish them the best."

While AFC Leopards finished the abandoned season in sixth position, Wazito struggled to finish seven places lower.

Highlands Park co-director Brad Kaftel says they have extended former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and ex-Orlando Pirates anchorman Musa Nyatama’s contracts.

According to the Lions of the North’s boss, the experienced duo will stay put with coach Owen Da Gama’s side until the end of August after signing short-term deals.

In addition, Kaftel has also set the record straight on the former Moroka Swallows netminder Greg Etafia, saying he will remain their fourth keeper.

“We have extended the contracts of Yeye and Musa Nyatama until the end of August,” confirmed Highlands co-director Brad Kaftel as quoted by Daily Sun.

“And during that time we’ll negotiate with them and see where that takes us.”

The publication further reports they will engage the former Amakhosi and Buccaneers veterans at the end of their short-term deals next month.

As the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season remains halted because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kaftel could not indicate if they will push to retain the duo beyond the current campaign.

The MTN8 losing finalist’s move comes after Fifa sent out a guideline advising clubs around the world that players whose contracts were due to expire at the end of June could be signed on a short-term deal until the end of the current term.

Letsholonyane, 38, completed his switch to the Tembisa-based outfit at the beginning of the season whilst the 32-year-old, Nyatama, joined in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, ex-Nigeria international shot-stopper, Etafia, moved to the Lions of the North ahead of this season initially as a coach of the club’s junior side.

On top of that, the 37-year-old keeper has also been registered to deputize for Tapuwa Kapini and Thela Ngobeni after the two keepers picked up horrible injuries.

“As far as Greg Etafia is concerned, he’ll continue to be a junior coach and also a fourth goalkeeper. So nothing has changed in that regard,” added Kaftel.

It is also reported the former Mamelodi Sundowns netminder has been ruled out until September, according to the club.

Under the former Bafana Bafana manager, Highlands Park is gunning to reach the top eight for the second consecutive season as they sit eighth with 31 points from 24 matches so far.

The 2019-20 Spanish season might not be over yet, with the Covid-19 pandemic having delayed European club football for months, but Barcelona's new jerseys are already being unveiled to the world.

Goal has the latest information about the Spanish giants' 2020-21 shirts - home, away and third - as well as when they expected to be fully released and more.

New 2020-21 football kits: Chelsea, Bayern Munich & all the top clubs' shirts & jerseys revealed

Barcelona's 2020-21 home kit

Nike launched the latest edition of the Barcelona home shirt on July 6, with the jersey returning to the traditional vertical blue and red stripes that have become synonymous with the club.

Recent Barcelona home jerseys have featured more adventurous geometric patterns, but the newest kit will pay tribute to some of the Catalan club's most successful periods.

The wide vertical stripes will recall the kit that Barcelona wore when they lifted the 2010-11 Champions League trophy against Manchester United at Wembley, complete with the yellow collar.

Additional thin yellow lines border the larger blue and white stripes, paying tribute to the club's kits of the 1920s.

Barcelona are expected to debut their latest home kit in style against city rivals Espanyol at Camp Nou on July 8.

Barcelona 2020-21 away kit & release date

Full details on Barcelona's away jersey have not yet been revealed, but it is expected to take on a monochrome look inspired by the club's second kit during the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons.

In contrast to the traditional blue and red striped home kit, the away kit is looking to be mainly black with metallic gold accents, including a black and gold club crest instead of the traditional full-colour version.

Barcelona's 2021-21 away kit is expected to be released in July.

Barcelona's 2020-21 third kit & release date

Barcelona's third kit is yet to be announced but, according to leaks, it is set to be the first-ever completely pink jersey in the club's history.

While the club have previously had kits that have dabbled in pink shades, they have always been accompanied with colours such as orange.

It is set to be released by Nike as the last of Barcelona's collection of new kits in September 20, with the pastel pink colourway complemented by a teal and black trim.

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has blamed the problems facing African football to endless wrangles involving those mandated to run the game.

The British tactician, who has been handling K’Ogalo for the last season, is irked by the fact the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) are yet to make official the fate of the 2019-20 season, which was ended in mid-March owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the FKF ending the season and declaring Gor Mahia the champions, the KPL has insisted they were not part of the decision and will make their findings known when the right time comes.

It is a situation that has left coach Polack a mad man considering the latest ban on sporting activities and social gatherings, which will end on August 7, means the top-flight likely cannot be played to the end as the KPL was advocating for and as such teams can only plan for the new season.

“If these associations were organised and doing responsibilities they have been mandated to do and they come together, then we could be talking of football development in the country,” Polack told Goal on Tuesday.

“Instead of the associations fighting each other, they should be on the same page working together to find a solution not fighting about no solution, we have to find a solution of talking to each other and this will help, not always fighting day in day out, they [FKF and KPL] are always not on the same page, it is all about football, nothing else, football, football and that is what we need to promote.

“I don’t know why we always have politics in African football if you go to Ivory Coast, South Africa, Ghana in Nigeria and the rest we have same problems, same fights, people not reading from the same page and like I said we all want to train and the players want to play football and that is the end of the story.

“Football should not have politics, I talked to my players on Saturday, we are all football people, we want to play football, and I want to coach football, we don’t want politics in football, the players want to play, my technical staff wants to coach and I also want to coach.”

Polack maintained his stance that both the FKF and the KPL should come out for once and give a final statement on what happened to the last campaign.

“They can even do away with the league if they want and we plan for next season, if they nullify it that is what it means, we need to have an official statement, we want it made official, I want something that is concrete, is the league cancelled, is the league nullified or Gor Mahia are the champions,” Polack continued.

“We know we don’t have the resources to do like other leagues have done in Europe to resume, no club has those resources here in Kenya and that is why the President has kept pushing the resumption of sports, I understand he knows we don’t have the resources to do that.

“The question still remains, what happened to the 2019-20 season? That is the question, which must be answered and I think basically, we are not smart people, we are not moving with the situation when curfews are being extended.

“It means now the league could start at the end of September or earlier October, and are we ready for that, are they [FKF and KPL] prepared?

“All football clubs don’t know what is going, even the media doesn’t know what is happening, they have refused to tell us what is the final state of the 2019-20 season, it is either they cancel it and tell the clubs or give the title to Gor Mahia and make it official.”

Polack replaced Hassan Oktay at the start of the last campaign.

Thiago Alcantara would be a welcome addition to a Premier League title-winning squad at Liverpool, says Steve Nicol, but the Spaniard has been warned he will not “walk into” the team at Anfield.

Speculation continues to be build when it comes to a possible raid on the ranks at Bayern Munich from Jurgen Klopp.

The German champions have conceded that those they have been unable to tie down on fresh terms could depart as they enter the final 12 months of their current contracts.

Thiago falls into that category, with the 29-year-old said to be open to the idea of taking on a new challenge in England.

His qualities would sit well within Klopp’s ranks, with the Barcelona academy graduate another of those who blends graft with guile.

Nicol, though, feels that the Spain international would merely be adding depth on Merseyside if a deal were to be done.

For the former Liverpool defender, there are no established stars that would be nudged out of the starting XI by the arrival of Thiago.

Nicol told ESPN FC: “I’d like to see him at Liverpool because that would mean he’d just be strengthening the squad and strengthening the competition for places.

“If they do sign him, I don’t think he walks into the team. I don’t think he is in the starting eleven. But yes absolutely, the more quality you have and the more competition you have for places.

“At the very least, it keeps everybody on their toes.”

Klopp continues to play his cards close to his chest when it comes to possible summer additions at Liverpool.

He has, however, admitted to being an admirer of Thiago, whose performances have helped Bayern secure a league and cup double in Germany this season.

Quizzed on his supposed interest in the Spanish star on the back of a 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa, Klopp said: "Would you be surprised if I never gave an answer on that? I never answer these kind of questions.

“Thiago Alcantara is a really good player. Like a lot of other players out there, I like him a lot. That's all I have to say about that.”

Luis Alberto admits that it is “a little bit” his fault that he flopped at Liverpool before going on to become a star at Lazio.

The Spanish midfielder spent three years on the books at Anfield between 2013 and 2016.

Just one full campaign would actually be spent on Merseyside, in 2013-14, with 12 goalless appearances taken in.

With the Reds deciding that Alberto was surplus to requirements, he was loaned out to Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna before sealing a permanent move to Italy.

The 27-year-old has thrived in Serie A, earning senior international recognition along the way, and is seeing big-money moves mooted ahead of the next transfer window.

Liverpool could be forgiven for questioning their decision to let the talented winger go, but Alberto concedes that he did not offer enough in England to be deserving of an extended stay.

He told France Football: “I think it’s a little bit my fault.

“I didn’t do everything necessary to be at my level in terms of work and focus.

“What I should have done at 20, I was only able to do it at 25. It’s a shame, I lost a few years. I’m 27 now. I’m trying to make the most of it and I think there’s a lot of time left to continue to enjoy myself."

Alberto added: “I left Spain quickly, and especially a context, at Barcelona’s B team. At Liverpool, I adapted well, but it happened bit by bit.

“I finished by reaching a good level, with the possibility of playing a little bit. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to win the Premier League.”

Alberto has seen his stock rise again in the 2019-20 campaign, with six goals and 16 assists recorded through 34 appearances for Lazio.

He has played a leading role in a season that has seen the Rome-based outfit challenge Juventus for title glory.

Lazio have him tied to terms through to the summer of 2022 but, amid the mounting interest being shown in his services, are said to be in the process of trying to thrash out an extended stay for a key man.

Wazito FC boss Ricardo Badoer has explained the reason he moved to sack 11 players from the club.

Goal exclusively reported on Tuesday the promoted side had released 11 players, among them long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba, Derrick Otanga, and goalkeeper Kevin Omondi.

Others are the foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia, and Togolese Issifou Bourahana, who were not spared either.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions struggled to cope with the best teams in the top-flight, and after the league suspension, they were in the 13th position with just 20 points acquired from 23 matches.

Badoer has now revealed he had to release the players because they had failed to live up to expectations and were signed without his approval.

“Today [Tuesday] the Wazito FC cleaning continues,” Badoer said in a message on Twitter, which also indicates more players will be kicked out.

“Kicking out no good players that were recruited without my approval. All they did was to eat my money and lose games. I wish them the best on the streets where they belong. They lacked self-respect and love for the game.”

In an earlier interview, Otanga, who joined Wazito from Sony Sugar, told Goal they had been asked to leave because the club was not making enough money owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The management told us Covid-19 has not made it easy for the club businesswise, and tough decisions had to be made,” Otanga, who joined the club at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, told Goal on Tuesday.

"It is a matter of recollecting yourself and getting another team to continue developing and growing your career. I take this opportunity to thank Wazito for the chance to play for them and wish them the best.”

The sacking of the players came just a day after the club parted ways with British coach Stewart Hall on mutual agreement. The tactician had managed to steady the club after it had struggled to cope with the pressure in the top-tier since their promotion at the start of the season.

Hall's departure makes him the latest in Wazito's long line of coaches.

Fred Ambani was relieved of his duties in October 2019 after helping the Nairobi-based club earn promotion. Ambani's place was taken by Melis Medo who was subsequently sacked after just three matches at the helm.

With his abrupt exit, Hall becomes the first KPL coach to leave his job before the start of the 2020/21 season.

The country was caught up with the central defender who was thought to have ties to Malaysia whether by blood or through his paternal links. As a 22-year-old player who has an impressive physique, Kalonda was seen as the answer to the shortage of quality options available to national team head coach Tan Cheng Hoe in that position.

Efforts were made to do the groundwork and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) themselves reached out to the Zesco United player to clarify the situation. However after an extensive check on his background via the documents that the player provided to the governing body, it has been proven that the tenuous link is not valid.

Through FAM's general-secretary Stuart Ramalingam, the statement released on Tuesday evening closed the book on the Kalonda chapter with FAM assuring the public that they do not take lightly claims such as this and at the same time warn people not to make false claims.

"After the stories surfaced regarding Kalonda and his subsequent claims that his father and grandfather came from Sabah, FAM too the first step of contacting Kalonda to get confirmation. He was informed of the criterias per the rules set by FIFA and we provided to him a checklist to get further confirmation.

"Upon receipt of the documents from Kalonda, FAM have contacted the relevant parties to validate those documents including Congo Football Association (FECOFOOT), Congo consulate in Mlaaysia as well as the National Registry Department (JPN). Yesterday (6 Jul), FAM received the response from JPN that one of the documents received is not valid.

"We have informed Kalonda on the result of the validation and with that, FAM have decided to stop all the process regarding this player," said Stuart in his statement.

While it was a long shot in the first place as FAM themselves already have a working committee to find heritage players from around the world and Kalonda himself has not surfaced in their checks, this confirmation is still a slight blow to the national team as the centre back position is a known problematic area.

Goal understands that Cheng Hoe himself was quite keen to have the chance to assess Kalonda after seeing videos of his performances for his club side but this latest development has certainly put a stop to that. With this, the attention looks likely to turn back towarsd Liridon Krasniqi who had early this year obtained his Malaysian passport.

Jurgen Klopp has outlined his vision for a completely homegrown Liverpool squad in the future, insisting it his "dream to have a team full of Scousers".

Liverpool have enjoyed a hugely successful 2019-20 season, winning three major trophies in total including an elusive Premier League title.

To boost their bid for top-flight glory, Klopp took the chance to rest a number of first-team stars in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and as expected, his side exited both competitions early.

However, a number of academy prospects gave a good account of themselves when asked to step up, including Neco Williams, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

All three youngsters impressed enough to force their way into contention for Premier League minutes, with Klopp set to shuffle his pack in the final weeks of the season with nothing left to play for.

Jones committed to a new long-term deal at Anfield on Saturday, and Elliott followed suit two days later, as the Reds continue to usher in the next generation of talent.

Klopp is hoping to see plenty more promising youngsters hop off the conveyor belt in the coming years, and would ideally like most of them to hail from Liverpool.

He told a press conference ahead of the Reds' clash with Brighton on Wednesday: "The biggest plus for young players is time. But the moment they lose patience is the moment things go not how they should.

"We try to help them as much as they can to become the best players they can be. I really like that these boys have committed their future. Our Academy is producing some great players in the past few years.

"We want to be the club where everyone with a Scouse soul wants to play. If you are talented and ready to work hard we want you here. To be able to do that we have to show there is a pathway through to the first team.

"The dream in the long term is that we have a team full of Scousers. Why not? They would fight like crazy."

Williams is also reportedly in line for a new contract at Anfield and Klopp is pleased with how he has developed since graduating to the senior fold.

The Liverpool boss added: "Neco will make exactly the same steps as Harvey and Curtis. It is a little bit easier for him to have minutes than it is, for example, Harvey, who has made really good steps and is unbelievable.

"The more players you can produce yourself the better it saves you money. Whatever we can save out there in the crazy transfer market that helps.

"I'm so happy with the two boys' new contracts. We are here for preparing careers until the boys are ready to play week in, week out.

"I proved in the past at [Borussia] Dortmund and here it is not about how old you are but how good you are."