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Mamelodi Sundowns defender Tebogo Langerman says he is “happy to be at the club” and prides the five Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles most among all his career accolades.

After tasting his first league title with SuperSport United in 2010, Langerman has gone to win four more with Sundowns.

The left-back’s career is also decorated by two Nedbank Cups, as many Telkom Knockout trophies and an MTN8 crown.

Following the 2016 Caf Champions League triumph with Sundowns, it appeared to be the biggest piece of silverware Langerman has won in his career, but the defender cherishes his league titles the most.

“If I have to choose I’d say the Premiership league title because it’s a big trophy in South Africa and it gives many opportunities like going to into continental competitions,” Langerman told the Mamelodi Sundowns website.

He justifies his choice for PSL gold medals by saying that winning the league title throws players under the spotlight more and enhances their track record.

“For most players, winning the league gives you the chance to go overseas and when you become the player of the year it shows your consistency,” said Langerman.

He has, however, never played his club football outside South Africa, after starting out his PSL journey with Bidvest Wits.

Now in his eighth season at Sundowns, Langerman was signed by former Barcelona assistant coach and World Cup star Johan Neeskens in 2012 before the Dutchman was replaced by Pitso Mosimane.

“Being at Sundowns for this long means a lot and I’m happy to be at a club of this size for this long and still be able to keep my position at this age,” Langerman continued.

“I am being helped by everyone at the club, from the president [Dr Patrice Motsepe], management, the working staff, my family, and the Sundowns supporters. And lastly all the coaches who have left the club and all those that are still here.

“I can’t say I’m a reserved person, I’d say I look at things differently and talk when it’s necessary.”

Tanzania coach Etienne Ndayiragije says he is focused on checking the individual skills of local players in the Mainland Premier League to help him build a strong national team.

The Burundian tactician has revealed he is already satisfied with the performances of players in the top-flight since it resumed on June 13 but maintained his main focus now was on individual development.

“As you know, most of the teams which are doing well in the country have a mixture of foreign-based players as such, for me, I cannot hail the success of the entire team but rather how Tanzanians in such teams are performing,” Ndayiragije is quoted by Daily News.

“I congratulate Simba for being the champions but my concern is not on them but the work rate of domestic players in the team.”

Ndayiragije further pointed out that he was a keen supporter of foreign players playing in the local league because they give challenges to the domestic players to do even better.

“At the moment, I am working closely with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to create another generation of national team players especially considering the fact that most of the current players are nearing to retire from football,” Ndayiragije continued.

Meanwhile, Ndagiragije is finalising a list of the U-23 players which he will name in due course and further thanked the coaches in the top-flight, saying it will help him come up with a good squad for the Taifa Stars.

“Now, many teams are not afraid to give youths a chance to play which is a positive thing and previously, when a team from outside Dar es Salaam came to play here, they were being beaten with many goals like six goals to nil but now, they fight and bring much resistance than before," he added.

"This indicates that football has grown.”

Tanzania were due to take part in the African Nations Championship (Chan) competition before it was called off owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Taifa Stars are also in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers where they are drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Namibia, and Zambia.

KCCA FC midfielder Ibrahim Saddam Juma states it is a sad moment to see his long-time friend Mike Mutyaba retire at an early age.

The 29-year-old Uganda international announced he is retiring after the doctor's advise owing to his heart condition.

His former teammate believes Mutyaba's absence is a disappointing one because he still had a lot to offer in football.

"It was a sad moment seeing [Mutyaba] announce retirement because of health issues yet he still had a lot to offer the game," Juma said as quoted by Sports Nation.

"[Initially] I talked to him and he came back, but it is sad he is retiring because of similar issues. "

The 26-year-old has played with Mutyaba at Vipers SC, Express and KCCA and elaborated on his experiences with the player.

"First of all his [Mutyaba] talent will be missed," Juma recalled

"[He] is the most talented and skilful player I have grown up with, his talent will be dearly missed in the league most especially to the young talent at the team and in the league because his experience adds a lot to them. He added a lot to the dressing room.

"As a player, I felt happy when we reunited at KCCA FC because I was with him at Bunamwaya [Vipers], and Express where he announced retirement in 2017 before his comeback.  

"[Mutyaba] retirement came a little bit early, He is my only football friend and I wish him success in his future endeavours but we will miss him as a player because of his football knowledge."

The forward was known for his discipline and young players have been urged to follow his example.

"Young players need to be determined, never to give up and discipline was key for him and he never undermined anyone at any level," Juma concluded.

Mutyaba, whose contract ran down on June 30, has been at KCCA for the last five years and managed to win three league titles, two Uganda Cup trophies and the Cecafa Kagame Cup in 2019.  

KCCA finished second in the abandoned 2019/20 Ugandan Premier League and won a ticket to represent the nation in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Vipers SC will represent Uganda in Caf Champions League after being crowned as champions.
   

Tanguy Ndombele "will be a success" at Tottenham according to Moussa Sissoko, who has backed his team-mate to win over Jose Mourinho.

Spurs forked out a club-record fee of £63 million ($79m) to lure Ndombele to England from Lyon in July 2019.

The 23-year-old was linked with a number of top European clubs, including Manchester City and Manchester United, before signing a six-year contract with the London club.

The Frenchman carved out a fearsome reputation as an all-action midfielder capable of dominating matches in the middle of the pitch at Lyon, and it was suggested that his qualities were ideally suited to the Premier League.

However, Ndombele's debut season at Tottenham has been underwhelming, with Mourinho publicly admitting he expects more from a prized asset after a 1-1 draw with Burnley in March .

It has also been reported that the two men have fallen out behind the scenes, leading to question marks over Ndombele's future in north London.

Mourinho has denied having any issue with the former Lyon star, while insisting he still has the "talent" to turn his career at Spurs around.

However, Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Ndombele ahead of the summer transfer window, and speculation is likely to increase in the coming weeks unless he is restored to Mourinho's starting line up.

Despite the fact that his international colleague has struggled to settle in at Tottenham, Sissoko is confident that he will stay put and justify the club's initial investment in the long-term.

"Maybe because I am like his big brother, I am a good example because nothing was easy for me at the beginning," the Spurs star told  The Guardian .

"Tanguy's first season has not been easy for a lot of reasons, but I speak with him nearly every day. I play with him in the national team, so I know him very well.

"I told him just to stay calm, keep working every day and his time will come. I just worked very hard at training [when times were tough at Spurs] and things changed.

"We all believe in Tanguy's quality. He has come to another country, another culture, another style of football, another league, he doesn't speak the language - so there are a lot of things.

"I am sure he will be a success at the club."

Gor Mahia organising secretary Judith Nyangi has lauded AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda.

The Gor Mahia official believes Shikanda has got it right at Leopards and that is why the fans have developed trust in his leadership.

Shikanda has been in office for slightly more than a year now and has managed to convince the fans to stand by the team as far as financial issues are concerned.

AFC Leopards fans contributed to the team's coffers via a pay bill number during the season and enabled the club to honour their matches, especially the away ones.

“Look at what [Dan] Shikanda is doing at AFC Leopards. Due to goodwill fans are ready to contribute money because they have trust in his leadership,” Nyangi told Radio Jambo.

“If Gor Mahia fans can be ready to contribute money I am sure we may not even need a sponsor. And if a sponsor comes on board they will find us already in financial stability.

“We should not be beggars.”

Nyangi believes Gor Mahia can post more success if the fans develop some trust in the club's management as she believes AFC Leopards have done.

“I have interacted with the fans and got to understand that they need officials they can have trust in them,” added Nyangi, who vying for the post of the honorary treasurer in the August 8 elections. 

“We have a lot of fans but they will not give out their money to support the club because they are not satisfied with the current leadership," Nyangi continued.

“We have been asking fans to fill the stadiums so that we can get a little money for players but one is astonished that has not been happening instead the club is plunging into more debts.

“Leadership just needs goodwill and closeness to the fans.”

Concerning the election requirements, Nyangi had revealed her dissatisfaction with the need for contestants to possess a degree.

“Qualifications can only be asked for people who want to be employed by the club like the chief executive officer and the finance manager,” she said in an interview.

“When one is elected, he is elected to do a job on behalf of the members. Some people are not happy to see me there because they want to turn Gor Mahia into a club of a certain class of people.”

The posts of chairman, vice-chairman, general secretary, and honorary treasurer are the only contestable positions in the upcoming August polls.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has included Jeje Lalpekhlua in the list of recommendations for the famed Arjuna Award, Goal has learnt. 

His name was added later to the initial list which comprised of Sandesh Jhingan and Bala Devi. 

The India international has 56 caps for the Blue Tigers and has 23 strikes to his name. Jeje made his debut for the senior India national football team in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification against Chinese Taipei and scored a goal. 

He won the Best Young Player at the Football Players Association of India’s (FPAI) Indian Football Awards in 2011 and in 2016, he was honoured with the Indian Player of the Year title.

In that season, he scored three goals in as many matches and played a crucial role in India clinching the SAFF Championship. He is the second-highest Indian goalscorer ever in ISL.

Jeje has also won the Indian Super League (ISL) twice with Chennaiyin FC (in 2015 and 2018). He was the Emerging Player of the Year in ISL in the 2015 season. The Mizo Sniper was named the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year in 2013. 

He has also won the I-League title in 2014-15 with Mohun Bagan, with whom he also won the Federation Cup in 2015-16. 

In the 2019-20 season, the forward did not make any appearance as he was nursing an injury. He was undergoing rehabilitation alongside fellow nominee Sandesh Jhingan in Italy last season. 

Previously in 2017 & 2019, the Mizo sniper was also nominated but Bem Bem Devi and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pipped him to the gong on those two occasions. It remains to be seen whether he makes the cut in his third attempt. 

Simone Inzaghi acknowledged Lazio's Serie A title chances have been dealt a blow after losing 3-0 to AC Milan but insisted the Scudetto hopefuls will not give up.

Lazio were comprehensively beaten by visiting Milan in Rome on Saturday as Inzaghi's men fell seven points adrift of leaders and defending champions Juventus.

Without leading goalscorer Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo due to suspension, Lazio's Scudetto dream was derailed by Hakan Calhanoglu, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ante Rebic at Stadio Olimpico – AC Milan leading 2-0 at half-time.

Lazio – eyeing their first league crown since 2000 – face an uphill battle overhauling Juve with eight matches remaining in 2019-20, while Inter could move within a point of second spot by beating Bologna on Sunday.

"This defeat weighs on us in the table, but we knew that there were some objective difficulties today," Lazio head coach Inzaghi told DAZN.

"We weren't very fortunate either, as we conceded a goal with a deflection, another on a penalty that Thomas Strakosha almost saved.

"Then we had two chances to get it back on track, only to concede the third goal. Unfortunately, I can't rotate the squad right now, so playing four games in under two weeks becomes difficult.

"We've got to look forward and prepare for the next match. We know the journey we have taken and have no intention of letting go. We'll probably lose [Joaquin] Correa to injury for the next one, we must try to rotate a little, because these lads are now very tired.

"Correa has been struggling with a calf problem for a few weeks. If Caicedo and Immobile weren't suspended, he wouldn't have played today. Lucas Leiva had his first appearance today after just 25 minutes of training. We only made the decision after a fitness test this morning.

"Bobby Adekanye hadn't played for 25 days either, [Sergej] Milinkovic-Savic and Correa told me they weren't feeling right. It was difficult against Milan in these circumstances. Even then I have to think we could’ve got back into it at 2-1.

"Initially, Luis Alberto was meant to be in support of Correa, but we were lacking a physical presence and hadn't really used this tactic without Immobile. If we'd had Adekanye in training during the week, I probably would've started him, as he is at least a centre-forward."

It was a return to form for AC Milan, who faced defeat before rallying to earn a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened SPAL last time out.

Milan – with Ibrahimovic back in the line-up – dominated against Lazio as they stayed on track to qualify for the Europa League next season.

"We work really well at Milanello, I always said that I had a group of responsible players who are aware of the importance of the shirt they are wearing," said AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, who is tipped to be replaced by Ralf Rangnick at the end of the campaign.

"I don't know what will happen with our future, with my future, but we are too concentrated on fighting to the end so we can at least get Milan back into the Europa League.

"We won't get the Champions League now, but Milan are a prestigious club and have to be in European competition.

"The players are continuing to give 110 per cent, even those who signed contracts to the end of the season and probably won't remain here after that. They are determined to prove they are still strong players at this level and to give their best for Milan."

Ibrahimovic, who has recovered from a calf injury, converted a first-half penalty to take his tally to five goals since returning to Milan from LA Galaxy in January.

"Ibra has allowed us to grow in terms of mentality, quality, technique, it's a real pleasure to work with him and see how he deals with his team-mates," added Pioli, whose side host Juventus on Tuesday.

"Now we've got a month left and can continue pushing all the way."

Growing up in Calangute, little did young Yolanda D'Souza Kammermeier know that she was going to be part of a historic era in Indian women's football in the late 70s and early 80s.

In what was a stellar career, Yolanda was conferred with the Bakshi Bahaddar Jivbadada Kerkar Award by the Government of Goa in 1979 before being voted "Player of the Decade" by the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) in 1980. She was also the first woman to score an international hat-trick for India against Swedish club BET in 1976.

A few years ago, she got back her number 10 jersey, which she had exchanged with the Swedish side's vice captain Mona Wahlgren after that match, by a stroke of luck.

"Mona Wahlgren came to Goa because they were writing about their team (BET) and the nice surprise was that she brought me my number 10 shirt with which I had scored the hat-trick. It was really very nice of her to do. I was really surprised," Yolanda told Goal.

Looking back at how it all started, Yolanda recalled how she came to take up football. She would often play with her brother Francisco and some of it had to go with the fact that girls from neighbouring villages - Candolim and Parra - usually played inter-village football tournaments.

"I used to like football, so wherever he (Francisco) went to play I used to go along with him. I used to join the boys to play," she said.

She scored in what is now called 'Adam vs Eves' match, in Panjim in 1973, where the women triumphed against men 3-1.

She added, "It was more inter-village (football for women) that was happening. Candolim had a side, Parra had a side. I think it (women's football) was more in the North Goa (initially). 

"So when these two teams came up, I said 'If Candolim is playing so well, why can't we?' Calangute had many athletes - most of them coming from my school. So I caught hold of some of my friends and I showed them how to play the game on the beach. Some of the boys asked us to come to the ground and so we started playing with the boys."

The title of 'Hat-trick Queen' was befitting her record of scoring a hat-trick in each of her debuts - for Calangute Village against Candolim in 1975, for Goa at the 1976 Nationals at Sultanpur and for India vs Swedish club BET in her international debut match at Lakhimpur in 1976.

Yolanda says the 'Adam vs Eve' match in Panjim in 1973 was the first ever recorded women's match.

"We had a friendly against Candolim. It basically became the first recorded (women's football) match. And then other villages started playing and we started playing friendlies before we started getting support from the GFA (Goa Football Association)," she claimed.

"There must have been at least 12-13 villages playing against each other but not in a league. The first league in Goa, called the Parkot trophy was organised by the Vasco Sports Club with about 14-15 village teams participating and later on it came under the aegis of GFA."

Yolanda not only dabbled in football but she was also successful in badminton and hockey as well. 

"In those days, whatever game we played, we played out of passion and for the fact that you could represent your country or state. We would be happy with the trophies that we won. No game was so very professional at the time I played from 1975 to 1981.

"I was a state player in badminton and hockey also."

However, Yolanda opened up on how she came to focus on football.

"Before I could represent India in hockey, I shifted to football because the backing that we got for football wasn't the same that we got for hockey. In fact, we were very good in hockey and I was selected for the India team but unfortunately that year we did not go to Russia because of some reason and immediately after that, I joined football," she recalled.

In 1976, Goa participated in the Nationals that was played at Sultanpur and Yolanda made her appearance on the big stage with a bang. She scored 15 goals which included three hat-tricks.

However, Goa had to wait until the next Nationals that was hosted at the Bandodkar stadium in Campal to defeat Bengal (now West Bengal) to lift the trophy, but there was a reason why Yolanda believes they didn't win outside Goa.

"The thing is, we always lost against Bengal outside (of Goa)," she admitted. "The only time we won was when it happened in Goa and I would think it was because of the coach. It makes a difference when the guy who is coaching you is there along with you. Even at the first nationals (1976), we were the better team.

"Joao de Mello was the Sesa coach and because in those days, men's football was also being played very expansively with everyone being interested, he couldn't leave his job and come with us. We had backing of the crowd everywhere we went. I think it was more like a push that you need to have from the coach to tell you the right thing at the right time."

While Goa defeated Bengal 3-0 in the final in 1977 nationals, Yolanda fondly remembers the tournament.

"The fact remains that I was the top scorer in three of the four tournaments. In the first one that was in Sultanpur, I scored more than the whole Bengal team. In Goa, I was the second highest top scorer (18) because my team-mate Succorinha (Pereira) was the top scorer (19) but I have one very good memory of that tournament because I scored in every single match of the tournament.

She continued, "And in a match (against Madhya Pradesh), (I scored) 11 (goals) but I wouldn't take much credit for that because the team I was playing against were novices. We were feeling so stupid to keep on scoring. In fact, I remember Succorinha turning to me and asking me, 'should I score?'. We didn't want to be near their goal but we couldn't help it, you know."

In the 1979 Nationals held in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Yolanda scored 13 goals that involved two hat-tricks and repeated the same feet in the 1980 Nationals in Lucknow. She was declared Player of the Tournament on all the three occasions she topped the scorers chart.

Yolanda found herself making her international debut in 1976 against the visiting Swedish side BET wherein the Indian team recorded seven wins. She also became the first woman to score an international hat-trick. In 1978, India also won the series against Tiverton Ladies Club from England, with Yolanda playing a significant part.

She was also a silver medalist at the 1979 Women's Asian Cup that was held in Calicut, where Yolanda scored against the likes of Hong Kong twice (group stage and semi-final) before India lost to Chinese Taipei in the final. 

Her reason for quitting football, after the 1981 World Cup, then referred to as the Women's World Invitational Tournament, was an injury and a penchant for art. In the tournament, India finished third in their group, after two draws against Haiti and Bergisch Gladbach and a loss (5-0) against HJK Helsinki.

"It was a second injury of the same type and I didn't have the patience to go through the entire process again. I had to catch up with my passion for art also." 

She was the only Goan and the vice captain of the Indian women's team at the two tournaments.

In fact, much for the struggles that may be recalled with the absence of professionalism, Yolanda pursued her passion despite the challenges.

"When I played football, I was also studying arts. In fact, on many occasions I wanted to leave (football) because art is something I wanted to do till I die but football is something that has a timeline. You cannot go on playing (football) forever. I tried more than once getting out of the Arts college because I wasn't getting the time to play football or practice. The Arts college was a full-day affair.

"But my principal at the time was nice. He said, 'You are not going to leave because you are not going to mess up your (Arts) career for a few years of soccer'. So he gave me the freedom to play football. So I spent more time out of college than in college during those days.

"So I decided that once I stopped playing football, it must be Arts because you cannot serve two masters at one time. Art was also my passion and it takes as much time as football. Even if I wanted to be a coach, it had to be your whole self."

Perhaps it was this challenge that prevented Yolanda from living up to her dream of football at her best.

"Even when I started working, I wanted to leave football but my director was kind enough to let me play. But it was taking a toll on my game because I couldn't practice as much as I would need to."

Despite all that, Yolanda remains a legend of the women's game in India and her goalscoring exploits remain unparalleled.

Following the expiration of his contract last week, the South African Football Association (Safa) says it is no hurry to replace technical director Neil Tovey.

The former Bafana Bafana skipper saw his contract coming to an end last month and the football governing body’s CEO Tebogo Motlanthe says they have started the process of identifying the legend’s successor.

‘Mokoko’ led the national side to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1996 on home soil but the cash-strapped governing body could take time to replace him as the national teams are not in action because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“As the CEO, I’m working on that position to be filled,” said Motlanthe as quoted by the DailySun.

“Once we are fine, we’ll make an announcement. Sadly we can’t rush now because we don’t have any activities internationally.

“If I appoint someone now, I’ll appoint that person and do what? To come and be in the office? It will not make sense. But it is a process and we have started it.”

The Bafana legend had also opened up about his imminent departure from the Nasrec-based organization, saying the governing body had to cut its expenditure and that parting ways with Safa was a mutual agreement.

The 58-year-old had been serving as the Safa technical director for the last five years and his contract came to an end at the end of June.

Although Safa’s financial struggles are well documented, Motlanthe’s sentiments suggest they are looking to fill the void left by the former Kaizer Chiefs skipper.

Meanwhile, in January 2020, Safa parted ways with American sportswear giants Nike, who was their technical sponsor and media reports suggest they have agreed on a new sponsorship deal with Le Coq Sportif.

Looking at the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach's record, Tovey led former coach Clive Barker’s troops to the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations title as the national team captain and he played 52 international matches for South Africa.

While media reports also surfaced that the governing body has already started with a retrenchment processes because of the ravaging pandemic, Motlanthe could not offer insight on their progress so far.  

Manchester United should have pushed harder to sign Erling Haaland in January, according to Paul Scholes, who says the Borussia Dortmund star is "the real deal".

Haaland became one of the hottest properties in European football after a tremendous goalscoring run at Red Bull Salzburg in the first half of the season.

The 19-year-old hit 28 goals in 22 matches across all competitions for the Austrian outfit, including eight in the Champions League, and United were reportedly lining up a winter bid for his services.

The likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were also linked with Haaland, but it was suggested that Old Trafford was a more likely next destination given his previous dealings with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The teenager worked under Solskjaer at Molde earlier in his career, and his fellow countryman had been tipped to lure the in-form forward to Manchester for a reunion.

However, Dortmund ultimately ended up winning the race for Haaland's signature, as they met the €22.5 million (£20m/$25m) release clause in his Salzburg contract.

Scholes thinks United missed a huge opportunity to sign "an out-and-out goalscorer", and would like to see the Red Devils revive their interest in the Norwegian at some point in the future.

Asked if his old club should have gone all out for Haaland, the United legend told BBC 5 Live: "Yes. Do you know what, when all the talk was about, I hadn’t seen a lot of him, but then once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought: 'Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?'

"He looks that good, he’s still young, and he’s an out-and-out goalscorer. He’s quick as well, he’s got real pace. He’s a big lad, he’s a presence, and he scores goals – and that’s priceless.

"Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him. But so what? He looks the real deal."

Haaland has scored 16 goals in his first 18 outings for Dortmund, who finished second in the 2019-20 Bundesliga standings behind Bayern Munich, and he is contracted to remain at Westfalenstadion until 2024.

Simba SC striker Meddie Kagere has hit out at those who claim he is too old to play in the Mainland Premier League, instead saying they keep inspiring him to do even better.

The Rwandan striker arrived at the Wekundu Wa Mzimbazi from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in 2018 and went ahead to finish as the top scorer in his first season with 24 goals, and is currently leading the scoring chart with 19 goals with six matches left to the end of the season.

Kagere has also helped Simba to win back-to-back league titles, as they were crowned champions for the 2019-20 campaign after securing a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons in Mbeya City last Sunday.

The 33-year-old has now talked of what inspires Simba to dominate the local scene and at the same time told off his critics, who have always labelled him as “an old player who should retire”, saying they always make him stronger to continue working hard in his football profession.

“People say I am aged but I don't care about what they say provided I am able to do my job well and help my team to succeed,” Kagere is quoted by Daily News.

“If you have the ability to play, then age does not matter.

“I love my job and I have another one year to play for Simba which is the club I like. I know that Simba fans like me and I like them too."

On why Simba were crowned champions again, Kagere - a father of four children - said: “When money is available, there is always a big possibility for the club to do well.

“For example, whenever we go to play very far, we always take a flight but there are other teams in the league which travel long distances on the road.

"That alone makes players have fatigue before the match has been played because they think about the long trip to and from their intended destination.”

Simba, who have 79 points, will take on Ndanda FC on Sunday, seeking to continue with their fine run in the top-flight.

After Ndanda, they will take a flight to Ruangwa, Lindi, where they will take on Namungo FC at Majaliwa Stadium on July 8.

The new champions will be presented with the trophy after the Namungo match.

Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho said he is prepared to break social-distancing rules just so he can hug Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Mourinho's struggling Tottenham will welcome Ancelotti and Everton to London for Monday's Premier League clash.

Spurs boss Mourinho heaped praise on counterpart Ancelotti ahead of the showdown – pitting ninth against 11th in the table – with the Portuguese willing to break coronavirus protocol for his love of the Everton coach.

"I think everyone in football admires Carlo [Ancelotti] as a coach and as a person," Mourinho told reporters.

"If you don't know him as a person at least you know him as a coach. I like him so much as a person that I'm going to say the obvious, which is that he is one of the top managers in the world in the last two decades and of course now.

"I think it's a privilege for the Premier League to have Carlo back. It's a privilege for Everton to have him as their manager or head coach, whatever you want to call him.

"As a person, I've had the privilege of knowing him for a few years, to stay and be with him a few times, at UEFA meetings or other different occasions and I just love Carlo.

"I think he is a fantastic guy so I think I am going to break the rule of one-metre distancing and I'm going to hug him because I like Carlo very much."

Tottenham have only won one of their past nine games across all competitions following Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Spurs – Champions League runners-up under former manager Mauricio Pochettino last season – are 12 points adrift of the top four with six matches remaining.

"I believe, but it is also possible that does not happen - and if that does not happen it is not the end of the world. If that does not happen, it is probably the beginning of a new world because things change," Mourinho added.

"Change for you, change for other clubs. The squads they change. The motivations they change, the group dynamic changes. The group that possibly was strong 10 years is ago is not strong anymore. A player that was in the maximum of his motivation is not anymore and vice-versa.

"It is also possible that we don't get into a top-six position. And if that happens of course we have to look at it not smiling, but we have to look at it with optimism and look at it with a professional profile of next season has to be different.

"Because if you analyse Tottenham for example last year, how many matches did Tottenham win away from home? When I arrived I think it was almost a year without an away victory. If it happens [finishing outside of the top six], it happens but we don't want it to happen and we are going to fight for it not to happen."

Former Ghana right-back John Paintsil claims that the Africa Cup of Nations is a tougher competition than the World Cup for African teams.

The ex-Fulham man represented the Black Stars at both the Afcon and the World Cup, and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-final with the West African giants in 2010.

Looking back over his career, and comparing his experiences in both competitions, Paintsil has explained why he believes the Nations Cup is the more challenging competition.

“I think the Africa Cup of Nations is stronger than the World Cup,” he told Goal, “because Africans, we know ourselves, and the competition is very high.

“I’m not going to talk about the officiating side [of things], because the officiating is fantastic, but when we’re playing African countries against each other, we call it a derby, a local derby, and it’s very different—it pushes us.”

Paintsil, who amassed 89 caps for Ghana, represented the Black Stars at five Afcon tournaments as the West Africans sought to end their wait for continental gold.

He was a semi-finalist on three occasions, in 2008, 2012 and 2013, but missed out on reaching the final each time.

He was also present for Ghana’s first two World Cup campaigns, helping the Stars reach the Last 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals four years later.

“[The Afcon] gives us more strength to work and to prepare for the World Cup, but for me, the Afcon is always tougher than the World Cup itself,” he added.

“It gives the players experience, and an idea of competing in these tournaments,” the former wideman concluded, “so for [Ghana], the Nations Cup pushed us to where we got to in the World Cup.”

By the early 80s, Ghana were arguably Africa’s most successful footballing nation, having won four Afcon titles including back-to-back successes in 1963 and 1965.

However, after subsequent victories in 1978 and 1982, the West Africans embarked on a near-four-decade wait for the title that shows no sign of ending.

As well as being defeated finalists in 1968 and 1970, they lost in the showpiece match in 1992, 2010—months before their outstanding World Cup showing—and in 2015.

Even in the knowledge that title celebrations were likely to dull Liverpool's instincts, there was something surreal about the manner in which Manchester City went about dismantling the Reds on Thursday night.

For Jurgen Klopp and his men, all that is left to play for is the points’ record. The defeat of the Premier League champions at the Etihad may have been brutal, but at least Liverpool still have 18 points to play for. It is not often that such a comprehensive rout in a meeting between first and second in the league feels so hollow.

Doubly disappointing is the fact that we were deprived of the opportunity to observe Riyad Mahrez's growing influence at Manchester City.

The Algeria international had featured in all four matches for the club since the return of football to English shores, but started on the bench here, only coming on for the final half hour. he generally put himself about, showcasing some neat touches and finishing smartly in stoppage time to momentarily make it 5-0 before the intervention of VAR. 

While his extensive involvement since the restart is a nod to his physical conditioning and professionalism, it is also indicative of the fact that, for the first time since joining in 2018, he looks like more just than an interesting option for Guardiola.

There were always concerns over his fit for the highly mechanized, structured style of football which the Catalan espouses. His best football had come as the sole creative outlet for a functional Leicester City side far removed from Brendan Rodgers' current iteration, and so his improvisation was not only required, but encouraged.

That free-spirited style was, of course, inherently inefficient, but that was a necessary trade-off.

In Manchester, within an orchestra already in tune, Mahrez’s extempore strummings seemed to jar, and so he spent much of his first season lashed to the bench, behind Raheem Sterling (and even Bernardo Silva) in the pecking order.

Having started in 12 of City’s first 24 matches, he only got two more 90s in as the club put together a 14-game winning run to clinch the title in 2019. The implication was clear: he had not yet earned the manager’s trust.

Things have begun to look up, however. Already this season, he has started three more games than he managed in the entirety of last term. Aside Guardiola’s rather droll assessment that the 29-year-old has “no muscles” in his legs (and so is less injury-prone), there are some important factors that have contributed to his establishment within the side.

The first is perhaps the more underrated one. In the summer of 2019, Mahrez captained his country to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt for the first time in 29 years. This historic achievement saw him nominated for the Fifa Ballon D’Or, and in Guardiola’s eyes seemed to take his level up a notch. “He started incredibly well after the African Cup of Nations,” the City boss noted in December.

Just as crucial (for Mahrez, but not so much for the Citizens) was Leroy Sane damaging his knee ligaments against Liverpool in the Community Shield at the start of the season. It was a piece of misfortune that effectively forced Guardiola’s hand; shorn of perhaps his most direct, dynamic wide forward, it became necessary to trust his Algerian maestro a little more. For all his guile, Bernardo Silva, who had often deputized on the right, lacks the same explosive quality.

“[Mahrez] has played more minutes than last year and understands much better,” Guardiola noted.

“I’m satisfied with his performance and with the absence of Leroy there is more space to use the wingers and upfront.”

With Sane agreeing a move to Bayern Munich this summer, Mahrez’s influence can only increase.

He will no doubt be keen to prove himself worthy of the opportunity. His brace against Burnley was a start, but he is only too aware that Manchester City have the resources (and also the will, thanks to Liverpool beating them to the post so comprehensively) to go into the market and replace Sane directly. In order to stave off that possibility, he will need to have a properly transformative impact.

On that front, he could do worse than mirroring Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, both of whom have effectively come to define and embody Liverpool’s attacking play. They were far from their rapier-sharp best on Thursday night, but already their tapestry for the season is woven.

When the Reds sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018 without signing a direct replacement, it seemed misguided and hubristic to the utmost. However, Klopp’s side came out of it even stronger by leveraging what was already there and leaning even more strongly into their superstar forwards.

There is a lesson there for Guardiola, but perhaps even more so for Mahrez himself. With Sergio Aguero continuing to creak physically, and Gabriel Jesus again failing to convince when handed a start against the league champions, there is yet another window of opportunity, but the Algerian will have to give Pep something to think about first.

Seizing his chances for the rest of the season would be the strongest audition yet for the chance to lead the City attack as they seek to wrest back supremacy in the league next season.

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga was in action for Kashiwa Ryesol in Saturday's home loss against  FC Tokyo.

Olunga, a trusted goal hunter for Kashiwa Reysol, did not manage to find the back of the net as they went down 1-0 at Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium.

Japan's J1 League resumed with nine matches staged on July 4.

Tsuyoshi Watanabe scored the goal that separated Olunga's side from their visitors in the 62nd minute with the assist coming from Masato Morishige.

The loss saw Kashiwa Reysol lose ground with the leading sides as they have now dropped to the eighth position on three points following their win in the J1 League opener.

Tokyo are second after winning both matches of the season and their inferior goal difference puts them behind Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

The J1 League had been suspended after only one match had been played. 

After the competition was halted, Olunga revealed his worry that it may affect his goal scoring form.

“I had scored against Gamba Osaka in the J-Cup and then scored in the first league match of the season and then the games were stopped,” Olunga explained in an earlier interview.

“With that form, I was looking to be among the top scorers in the league here and also positively influence the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“It is the first thing I am experiencing this and already miss playing football.”

At the end of May, Japan's football governing body had announced that the league is expected to resume in early July after almost four months of suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As is the practice adopted by other leagues that have resumed, J1 League restarted behind closed doors.

The football administration had promised to assess the situation going forward and whether fans will be allowed in the later phases of football activities.

Officials and players had to be tested before the resumption and a similar test will be undertaken after two weeks to check whether there are re-infections.

The J1 League is expected to establish its own testing facilities in order to complement the efforts set up by the health institutions.

Olunga opened his J1 League maiden campaign with a double for Kashiwa Reysol against Consadole Sapporo on February 22.

The former Thika United, Tusker and Gor Mahia striker was Kashiwa Reysol's top scorer and runner-up on the J2 League scorers' chart.

Steve Bruce has insisted that there is "no chance" of Allan Saint-Maximin leaving Newcastle, despite ongoing speculation linking him with a summer move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Newcastle forked out £17 million ($21m) to bring Saint-Maximin to St James' Park from Nice last summer. The France U21 international committed to a six-year deal with the Magpies, and has since set about stamping his own unique mark on the Premier League.

Saint-Maximin has been the standout player in Bruce's starting XI throughout the 2019-20 campaign, recording four goals and seven assists in 25 appearances.

He has stepped his game up another notch since the resumption of English football following a three-month coronavirus-enforced hiatus, helping Newcastle win two of their last three top-flight matches.

The 23-year-old set up three goals during the Magpies 4-1 over Bournemouth last time out, and is now attracting attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

PSG are reportedly lining up a bid for Saint-Maximin when the transfer market reopens, but Bruce is adamant that a prized asset will not be sold.

Speaking ahead of their meeting with West Ham on Sunday, the Newcastle boss told reporters: "There is no chance [of him leaving], no chance. Every player in the world has got their price, but Allan has only just arrived. He signed a six-year deal in the summer.

"If people are talking about him, good. It means he's doing it on the pitch. That's all they can focus on and let the rest look after itself.

"I wouldn't put a price on him. When you're looking at the levels of money we bought him for, he is arguably the best pound-for-pound signing in the Premier League. You show me another better. What he has produced, we have probably got the buy of the season."

Bruce went on to admit that Saint-Maximin can be difficult to manage at times, adding: “There have been one or two moments but he needs to be reminded of that now and again.

“When you get yourself a bit of a reputation, which Allan seemed to have, then, of course, it's going to test your managerial skills.

“I don’t know how many times I have fined him for earrings, headbands and all sorts, but he’s got great enthusiasm for the game and, for me, that outweighs anything else.”

The Newcastle head coach also expressed his belief that the French winger is capable of reaching the very highest level of the game if he can learn to produce the goods on a consistent basis.

"Every interview I do now, he’s the big talking point. People enjoy watching him," said Bruce.

"He’s certainly different and blessed with a natural ability most people haven’t got. He’s already a fans’ favourite - but the key has to be, can he reach that consistency that top players have?

"He’s got all the ability to be a top player, it’s now the mental side to do it week in, week out.

"That’s the challenge from him and my staff, to get the best out of him, but he certainly has the natural ingredients to be anything he wants to be.”

Yakou Meite is delighted with his impressive display in Reading’s 5-0 demolition of Luton Town in Saturday’s Championship game.

The forward scored four goals in the encounter for the first time in his career to help Mark Bowen’s men secure all three points.

The Ivory Coast international completed his hat-trick just before the half-time break and then sealed the comprehensive win in the 62nd minute.

The victory inspired Reading to winning ways after two consecutive defeats against Derby County and Brentford.

Following the feat, Boga has taken to social media to express his excitement and appreciate the club for their confidence in him.

 “What a day! Four goals for me today, the first time in my career. Thanks to everyone who always believe in me and Reading. I love you all,” Meite tweeted.

Meite has now scored 16 goals and provided two assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for the Royals in this campaign.

The forward started his career with the youth team of Paris Saint-Germain before he was promoted to the senior side and made his debut in Ligue 1 against Guingamp in 2016.

The 24-year-old winger joined Reading in the summer of 2016 and has been delivering spectacular performances for the side.

The forward has so far scored 25 league goals in 86 appearances for the Madejski Stadium outfit, a performance that earned him a call-up to Ivory Coast national team.

He made his debut for the Elephants in a friendly against Togo in 2018 and now has two appearances for the West Africans.

The winger will hope to be consistent with his performances for Reading for a chance to get more playing time with Ivory Coast.

Meite will be expected to lead the Royals’ attack when they take on Huddersfield Town in their next league game on Tuesday evening.

Frank Lampard was full of praise for Christian Pulisic after Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Watford to regain fourth place in the Premier League. 

Big-money signing Pulisic has taken his game to another level since the season resumed last month and caused the Hornets all sorts of problems at Stamford Bridge. 

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and Ross Barkley moved the Blues back into the top four after Manchester United had briefly leapfrogged them with a 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth earlier on Saturday. 

Lampard was not keen on comparing Pulisic to former Chelsea forward Hazard but is delighted with the progress the United States international is making after overcoming the injury issues that blighted him earlier in the campaign. 

Asked by Sky Sports about Pulisic and his similarities to Hazard, Lampard replied: "They can both go by players and are great to watch. Eden did it here and was sensational. 

"I don't want to quite get on that comparison, but at the same stage I don't want to take anything away from Christian. What he's showing is a real natural ability, a balance, speed to dribble with the ball. 

"The next step for him is a better end product, more goals, more assists. But since the restart, he's already shown that, which is great. 

"He’s had injury problems this season but he’s a good one, a really good one. I'm very happy with him." 

Pulisic himself was wary of comparisons to Hazard post-game, stressing he's just trying to be his own player. 

Lampard was impressed with the way his players responded to a 3-2 London derby loss at West Ham in midweek. 

"We have to accept that pressure. Before West Ham we could have gone third and we let ourselves down," said the former Derby County boss. 

"Today there was a bit of pressure to get back into fourth and we produced. We have to get used to that pressure, whatever way it looks, because it's going to be tough all the way through." 

Chelsea next face Crystal Palace on Tuesday before tackling Sheffield United on Saturday.