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The agent of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale believes that the transfer market will not be adversely affected by the coronavirus crisis in the long term.

The pandemic has played havoc with world football since the beginning of the year, with play stopped around much of the globe between the middle of March and June as communities around Europe went into lockdown.

With clubs having been left without crowds to play in front of and complications with TV revenue, there has been a fear that the football market might implode, with some predictions suggesting that transfer values could drop by up to 30%, potentially scuppering moves like Jadon Sancho's reported switch to Manchester United, but Jonathan Barnett does not believe that will be the case.  

“If a club has the finances to pay for a transfer, they will do it,” he told ESPN. "The clubs have to be run properly. Every business in the world has to be run properly. Nobody forces anyone and says 'you must have a big transfer.' You've got to look at it generally, and you can't compare apples and oranges. Some clubs can, some clubs can't. What is most important is that every club is run properly."

Barnett believes that clubs have been winded more than anything else and that after a period of stabilisation, normal service will return. 

“Clubs have suffered losses and it will take time to get back because they will have to recoup them,” Barnett said. “But when the crowds come back, the money comes back into the game, it will carry on as normal. Slowly things are coming back but it will take a while. There's no doubt about that.

“We've maintained a slightly different view because we haven't really been looking to talk about football with clubs. With this virus going on and unfortunately a lot of people being ill and dying, it wasn't the right time to start talking about transfers and things like that.

“We haven't really gone into that aspect of it. As we're coming out of it and clubs start to play again, then we can start to talk.”

Additionally, Barnett hit out at UK Ministers, who had criticised footballers for not contributing sufficiently to society.

“I think some of the statements that were made early on by a couple of ministers were outrageous,” Barnett said. “They were made by people who don't know what they're talking about. As a group of people, I think footballers give more money to charity than most. They do some great things and some of those statements were outrageous.

“I have a player who has given a million pounds. Others have given a few hundred thousand pounds. They've given a lot of money to charities. The statements weren't thought out. The answer that was given was ignorant.”

Crested Cranes head coach Faridah Bulega has claimed Uganda are better than teams that have always been termed footballing giants in Africa.

Bulega says the only thing that has worked against the Uganda Women's football team is the fear that affects the players.

"We are better than those women's teams they tag as ‘superpowers’ here in Africa, but the fear factor has always been one of our major challenges while on the pitch," Bulega told Football256.

"You as a coach can confidently lay an effective game plan to win but then the players due to lack of experience and exposure, are affected by stage freight and you effectively lose the game before it even starts."

Bulega further welcomed the establishment of the Caf Women's Champions League which is set to be first played in 2021.

"Caf did a great job, I was happy about it," Bulega added.

"The initiative will help women's football in Uganda to change for good, and I see it helping bridge the sporting gap against the better countries in terms of women's football like Cameroon.

"When teams qualify for the Champions League, they will get to compete against the better teams from the ‘powerhouses’.

"And at the end of the day it grows the game in terms of quality, technicality and exposure and of course it brings a degree of familiarity."

Bulega says what the players will gain from continental football will also be felt at national level.

"At the end of the day, when these players get to play for the Crested Cranes, they will be used to competing at a higher level than in the league and that helps their confidence when you’re playing against teams like Ghana or Nigeria," she concluded.

Meanwhile, striker Vitalis Tabu has praised BUL FC coach Arthur Kyesimira for his managerial abilities.

"Arthur [Kyesimira] is more than a coach because of his discipline and an approachable personality," Tabu told Football256. 

"His approach to guiding, nurturing, and coaching players is unique and wholesome.

"He organizes meetings in which he makes motivational speeches, invites players to the centre to share their life stories, and encourages each other.

"His style has turned the club to a family just within a short time and I feel at home.

"Coach Kyesimira will send you away even when you are late for training or a meeting by a minute but won’t take it personally as he will be willing to listen to your excuses later."

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has revealed the culture shock that the Reds’ players had when Jurgen Klopp took charge, with the intensity of the German’s training formidable.

Klopp claimed the Anfield hotseat from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 and set in motion a sequence of events that resulted in the Merseyside club winning the Champions League in 2019 followed by the Premier League 12 months later.

Milner admits that training proved to be particularly difficult and that it took players some time to get used to the work that the former Borussia Dortmund coach wanted them to put in.

“To see one of the young lads throwing up on the side of the training field in one of his first training sessions, that sets the tone, you know what you're in for,” he told Sky Sports.

“We had to adapt to that, there were a lot of injuries early on. People were saying, 'You can't do that!' You could, you just had to get used to it. Straight away you saw the tempo and the intensity in that first game at Spurs.

“It was ridiculous really - it wasn't like we had played at a slow tempo under Brendan. That journey started then with the manager's methods and how he wanted us to play. 

“You saw it come in bit by bit. One week the quality would be there and the next week we would be miles off it. That was a process again; the consistency started to come in and, eventually, learning how to win ugly and become a more rounded team.”

Milner also admitted that there is a tremendous emphasis on the mental side of the game in training, with Klopp’s methods requiring focus at all times.

“You're reacting to the next situation, always being switched on. If you are doing a shooting drill there might be three balls coming in at once. You might be passing one and a millisecond later there's another one coming at you to shoot,” he explained.

“It's a bit different to anything I've done before, it's based around needing to be switched on at all times in a game. Defensively, as well, it's not training man-for-man or two blocks of four, it is doing two or three jobs at once.”

Siphelele Ntshangase's agent Jazzman Mahlakgane has explained why and how his client ended up renewing his contract with Kaizer Chiefs despite not kicking a ball in competitive matches this season. 

The 27-year-old fell down the pecking order under Ernst Middendorp at the end of last season after the German mentor made it clear that he didn't play the kind of football he would like to see Chiefs play. 

Mahlakgane believes Ntshangase is one of the best midfielders in South Africa, and he feels Amakhosi have realised that as well hence their decision to keep him for another season.   

"It's about whether or not he didn't play this season. I believe Stash is one of the best midfielders in this country, and that's how Chiefs see it," Mahlakgane told Goal.  

Mahlakgane is confident Ntshangase will eventually get his chance to play at Chiefs - and it doesn't worry him how long that could take. 

"We also believe he will get an opportunity to play - be it this season or next season. It doesn't worry us because Stash wants to play for this team and the team, with this deal, has shown that they believe in him as a player," he added. 

He further revealed that Chiefs bought Ntshangase for R3 million from Baroka in January 2018, and therefore that's perhaps one of the main reasons the club couldn't afford to lose the South Africa international that easily. 

"And I want to thank Mr Kaizer Motaung for realising this. I mean, he bought this player for R3 million from Baroka, and he didn't want his money to go to waste by losing him for free. Stash still has a role to play in this Chiefs team," continued the veteran agent. 

Asked about the nature of negotiations between Ntshangase and Chiefs, Mahlakgane said: "There were no negotiations really. Chiefs made the call to keep him because they had the option to renew his deal, and we were happy about it, and this is one of the best midfielders in the country as I said, and we are grateful to the club."

Ntshangase has featured 31 times for the Glamour Boys thus far and has two assists to his name since his arrival in 2018.  

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo feels that it is now time for Amakhosi midfielders, including Siphelele Ntshangase, “to raise their hands” for consideration to replace George Maluleka who has left the club for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Maluleka was released by Chiefs earlier this week following the expiry of his contract and signed a three year deal with the Brazilians.

The ex-Ajax Cape Town man has left a midfield gap which, naturally, would make Chiefs hard-pressed to find his replacement.

But with Chiefs banned by Fifa from signing players in the next two transfer windows, they could be forced to look from within for Maluleka’s successor.

This could have pushed them to extend Ntshangase’s contract by a year despite the midfielder struggling for game time in the two and half seasons he has been at Naturena where he arrived amid a weight of expectations on him.

Khumalo believes that Ntshangase and other players battling to earn playing minutes have been presented with an opportunity to step in for Maluleka.

“It is an opportunity for boys like Ntshangase. It is up to them now to raise their hand and say, ‘Wow, there’s an opportunity, I want to grab it’,” Khumalo told IOL.

“I’m not saying the departure of George will create automatic opportunities but this is a chance for some of the players to raise their hands and come to the party.”

If the season resumes, Chiefs would be entering a crucial phase of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race in which they would have to make do without Maluleka who was a regular.

Khumalo has defended the club’s decision to release Maluleka at such a critical moment.

“I believe that they wouldn’t have allowed George to leave now if they didn’t have a plan to proceed with their title challenge without his services. They are on the verge of winning the league and I’m sure such a decision was well thought out,” Khumalo said.

The rivalry between Chiefs and Sundowns on Maluleka could further add some spark in the two sides' tussle for the league title.

Amakhosi lead the PSL standings by four points ahead of second-placed Sundowns who however have a game in hand and nine matches to play before they complete their campaign.

Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) midfielder Gift Ali says the sporting fraternity should be prepared for mass testing when the government opens sporting activities in the country.

All the sporting activities were suspended in mid-March after the outbreak of the coronavirus and the government is yet to confirm when they will resume despite relaxing a number of stringent measures put in place.

KCCA player Gift believes the only way for sporting activities to take-off is by doing mandatory testing to players and officials when the lockdown is eased.

“I think if they [government] can try to copy what other leagues are doing to resume sports amidst the pandemic,” Gift is quoted by New Vision. “We don't know if this pandemic will end soon or if it is here to stay.

“In Egypt, they are testing players and they have made sure they are far away from the public, and very soon, their league is going to resume. I think this is one of the procedures the authorities can undertake for sports to resume.”

On his part, Proline FC forward Rogers Mato stated: “I think we should copy some of the things in countries that have resumed their leagues such as playing without spectators or when they are allowed to come in, they should observe social distancing. The fans motivate us but this is a health matter that needs to be taken seriously.”

Alex Komakech of Wakiso Giants also waded into the debate calling for the mandatory wearing of masks.

“Let it be made mandatory to both players and technical teams to wear masks when sport resumes especially those who are on the bench. This will help to avoid the spread of the disease,” Komakech also told New Vision.

KCCA defender Peter Magambo called on the clubs to make sure that they test players and keep them in one camp, saying it will help a lot to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“We can also practise mass testing of all players, coaches, and technical staff if possible before resuming and perhaps monitor the situation before we engage in contact with other players.

“The teams can reside in training camps without moving out to make contact with the outside world because we can risk infecting other players.”

Uganda’s 2019-2020 season was ended prematurely with Vipers SC being declared champions and will now represent the country in the Caf Champions League while second-placed KCCA will go for the Confederation Cup.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has described Jordan Ayew as a “phenomenon” on the back of what is the Ghanaian’s most productive season in England.

The 28-year-old has nine Premier League goals and one assist in 31 games this season which is his best return in the top-flight having previously played for Aston Villa and in Swansea City with his older brother Andre.

It marks a remarkable transformation for Jordan who scored just one league goal for Palace in 20 outings while on loan from Swansea last season.

Palace were recently on a four-game winning run of which Ayew scored in three of them and put the south London outfit in the mix for European qualification before back-to-back defeats by Liverpool and Burnley.

"In many ways, he is a phenomenon," Hodgson said on the club website.

"Since he came to us, which is now virtually two seasons ago, he’s been available for every game. Now that’s amazing. I know he’s always there, he always seems to be around but I didn’t know the actual statistic.

"One can’t speak highly enough of a player like that. The mere fact that he’s been there through the two seasons we’ve done quite well... his contribution has been enormous. This season, you could argue, it’s been greater than it was last season because he’s scored some goals."

Ayew meanwhile acknowledges the impact of Hodgson in transforming him, also citing the club having faith to re-sign him after his poor return in 2018-19, as extra motivation for him to improve.

"People think he’s an old school manager, but my first season, I really, really enjoyed it and really, really learned a lot. That’s why I wanted to continue with the football club," Ayew told Premier League Productions as quoted by the Crystal Palace website.

"He has made me improve in so many aspects and I’m really, really happy under him. I think the whole squad and football club is happy to have him at Crystal Palace. He’s just a fantastic manager, a great manager; a great, great manager. He has helped me so much and deserves all the praise.

"The first season wasn’t great but in the dressing room, in the building, the people were really, really good to me and so I really wanted to stay. My family were happy as well in London, so everything was good. On the football side, it was a bit difficult but I had confidence in myself that I could make it.

"Thanks to the football club, the manager, the Chairman, Dougie [Freedman], the staff, I think they all had faith in me and that’s why they signed me. That’s why things have changed. I’ve tried to do my best every time and when you work hard you get rewarded.

"I’ve changed a lot of things: my attitude, my desire to succeed, a bit of luck. When you work hard, you provoke the luck. I just wanted to do well this season; I came with big ambitions and things have changed but there’s still room for improvement."

Palace currently sit in 12th place with 42 points and look very safe as they are 15 points clear of the relegation zone with six rounds of fixtures left.

They travel to a struggling Leicester City, who have recorded just one win since February, on Saturday afternoon.

Under pressure Barcelona boss Quique Setien has refused to comment on Lionel Messi’s future at the club.

After a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid in midweek – a result that means Barca now trail rivals Real Madrid by four points at the top of the Primera Division – reports surfaced that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has threatened to leave the club.

Although the source of Messi’s displeasure appears to be president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the prospect of seeing the Spanish title fall into the capital side’s hands will only have increased his irritation and as a result has sparked talk he could depart in a year’s time, when his contract at Camp Nou will expire.

Some pundits have said this is simply a ploy to try to unsettle the player but Setien would not be drawn into discussing his key man.

“I am not going to speculate on this because I have not heard him say anything about it and it is not my task,” he told the media.

“I see him well, Leo. The rest is speculation that I do not even enter into. That's what you, the press, are there for. I see him training well, and [nothing] more.”

Despite Barcelona’s struggles, which are set to see Setien fired at the end of the campaign unless he wins either La Liga or the Champions League, Messi has enjoyed another prolific season, scoring 22 goals and laying on another 18 in just 28 league outings. 

Former Camp Nou favourite Rivaldo has said that Messi could be a hit in the Premier League, suggesting that a reunion with former coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City would be a mouth-watering prospect for the 33-year-old Argentine, who has spent his whole career with Barca.

Since joining the club as a youth player in 2001, he has become an icon with the side, featuring in 724 matches and scoring 630 goals and is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. 

Among his honours with Barcelona, he has picked up four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups. Additionally, he has led the club to 10 Primera Division titles.

Kai Havertz is a “complete player” and dreams of playing in the Premier League, according to his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Wendell.

The 21-year-old Germany midfielder is one of world football’s most in-demand talents, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all linked with him.

Premier League suitors were given a boost on Friday when Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted the Bundesliga champions would not be able to make a move for Havertz this year.

If he does end up in England, Havertz’s team-mate is sure he would be a success.

“He’s a complete player,” left-back Wendell told Yellow and Green Football.

“If you play him as a No.9 or as a No.10 a little bit behind, or if you put him out wide, he’ll know what to do.

“He can understand what the manager wants. He finishes well with both feet. He’s strong with his head, he has good technique.

“Psychologically, the Germans are very focused people, too. They are very concentrated on what they want.

“If he goes to the Premier League, he will learn a lot. I think Kai dreams of playing there. He has that desire.

“And I think if he decides to play in England, he will be a success.”

With 36 goals and 16 assists in the Bundesliga in the last two seasons, it isn’t difficult to see why Europe’s top clubs want Havertz.

The chance to link up with international team-mates Timo Werner and Antonio Rudiger at Chelsea could appeal from a career point of view but, while the Blues have been strongly linked, Frank Lampard recently denied any bid has been made.

Leverkusen are hoping to keep hold of him for at least another year regardless of any interest, but sporting director Rudi Voller has confirmed there is an agreement in place which could see Havertz leave this summer.

"There is nothing specific, nothing to report. As of now, he is our player," Voller told Bild.

"We have our ideas, we know what he can do. I personally hope that he stays one more year. We have an agreement: if it works, he can go this summer."

Barcelona boss Quique Setien has played down talk of a rift with attacker Antoine Griezmann and has said he is not fearful for his own future.

The former Real Betis head coach is attempting to put out fires on multiple fronts currently, with reports that star player Lionel Messi is discontent, poor form and controversy over his treatment of World Cup winner Griezmann.

This came to a head on Tuesday, when the Catalans were held to a 2-2 home draw by Atletico Madrid. Though the former Atleti ace was instructed to warm up throughout the second half, he was brought on with mere seconds of the match remaining.

His prolonged presence among the replacements sparked a backlash from the Griezmann family on social media, as well as pointed criticism from the media, with ex-Barca attacker Christophe Dugarry claiming the coach is simply “incompetent” and “out of his depth”. 

It was the third time in four matches that the 29-year-old had been left on the bench – and in each of those matches the Catalans had failed to win.

Nevertheless, Setien has claimed the media are simply trying to make something out of nothing.

“Antoine is fine, he is a great professional. I have exchanged a few words with him,” he said. “He is an extraordinary, professional boy and it will not affect him when he has to play again because he is a very mentally strong boy and I am sure that we will have him at 100% when he has to go back to the field.

“I have spoken of hierarchies, but I have not spoken of indisputable players. Griezmann is a great player and very important for the club and the team. When he has played, you ask me about Ansu Fati. 

“Not everyone can play and I have to decide as to my front line and who I think contributes or does not contribute to the team. I take into account the importance and the hierarchy of each player, but in a club like Barca with so many players, I know that some are going to get angry because not all are fit and it is a decision that I must take responsibility for, and that is what I do.”

Addressing his own uncertain future, he said: “I have already experienced it on other occasions, it is part of the circus. I know that there is a lot of noise around me but I do not listen to it or read it. It is not the first time that I have experienced it or that a coach has lived through a situation like this, when they don't win a game.”

Barcelona trail Real Madrid by four points at the top of La Liga with five matches remaining.

Yanga SC captain Pappy Kabamba Tshisimbi insists he is not on strike like some fans perceive. 

The Congolese midfielder has been out for some time after getting injured and has not played since the resumption of games on June 13.

However, the experienced skipper has hinted he will be back to help his team get results on the pitch.

"Those accusing me of striking are out of their mind, how can I strike when things are looking up?" Tshishimbi told Mwanaspoti.

"If it is about striking, I could have done it a long time ago when things were not okay.

"The truth is I have been healing and my doctors believe I will be soon fit enough to play."

The player has also stated the 27-time champions have every reason to defeat their bitter rivals Simba SC in the FA Cup semi-final to stand a chance of playing in the continental competitions.

Wananchi defeated Kagera Sugar 2-1 to qualify to the last four while Wekundu wa Msimbazi eliminated holders Azam FC 2-0 to make it to the next stage.

It will be the third time the two teams are meeting this season in all competitions.

A Bernard Morrison strike was all the Jangwani based side needed to defeat their sworn rivals in the last Kariakoo Derby played on March 8 at the National Stadium.

"Simba are sure of playing in the Caf Champions League [after winning the Tanzania Mainland League]," Tshishimbi added.

"They are not concerned of anything else apart from avenging the [1-0] defeat when we last played them and they want to avoid back to back defeats against Yanga.

"On our part, we need a ticket to play in continental competition. This is our chance; despite being a tough one, we have to give our best and ensure we win.

"This is like a final to us and we have to ensure we win at all costs."

In another semi-final match, Namungo will play Sahare All-Stars and the eventual winner will play in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck sensationally claimed he was keen to face sworn rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. 

"We lost to Yanga in the second round fixture because my players lost concentration and we could not push ourselves to get an equaliser or even a winning goal,” Vandenbroeck told Goal earlier.

"We wanted to play against them again before the season comes to a close so we can rectify the mistakes we committed against them and beat them, I know it will not be easy but I want to prepare my team to be ready.

"It is a match I am really looking forward to, it is a derby and you know the fans will come in large numbers, the derby is the game for the fans and we will do all we can to make amends and beat them to reach the final."

James Milner admits that he could have pushed for a move away from Liverpool when asked to play at left-back throughout the 2016-17 campaign, but the 34-year-old has never shirked a challenge and is now a Champions League and Premier League title winner at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has always embraced the versatility offered to him by an experienced former England international.

Milner has, however, starred on a Premier League stage for close to 20 years as either a winger or combative central midfielder.

He is more than capable of filling in at the back, but those areas of the pitch are not where he feels the most comfortable or at his best.

An entire season was spent providing cover in defence during Klopp’s first full campaign on Merseyside and Milner concedes that he could easily have sought a more prominent role elsewhere.

He told Sky Sports: "It was what the manager needed at the time. There's always going to be positions you prefer but you do what's needed for the team. I suppose at that point I could have turned around and said, 'No I don't want to do that, I want to leave.'

"He came to ask me to do it in pre-season and my mindset was, 'OK, how can I be the best I can be in that position?' and I started to learn the role. A few of the boys were a bit surprised when we set up at pre-season training the next day and I was at left-back, but that was part of the fun."

Milner added: "Do you want to walk away from Liverpool and a manager of his calibre and not be part of something? I did the job as best I could and the year after that I don't know what was in his mind. Maybe he thought, 'Left-back, that's him done,' so it was a challenge to force my way back into the reckoning in midfield and I managed to do that."

Milner has helped Liverpool to get back to the top domestically, in Europe and globally after opting to stay put, with a new three-year contract penned in December 2019.

It could be that he brings the curtain down on a distinguished career at Anfield, but the Leeds native is not ruling out a return to his roots at some stage having seen a second spell at Elland Road mooted.

Milner said: "You never know in football, what's around the corner, but I just want to contribute and win as many trophies as I can for Liverpool and add to the great history here.

"I'm biased, but I think the Premier League will be a better place for Leeds in it, and it will be weird to play against them next season.

"It seems a long time ago since I pulled on that shirt, you look back at photos and see how big the shirts were back then. Plenty has changed since then, unfortunately I was part of the team that got relegated and they haven't come back and recovered just yet. It would be great to see them back next season and their fans are incredible as well."

Lionel Messi will thrash out fresh terms with Barcelona despite the talk of a move elsewhere being made, says Cesar Luis Menotti, with the mercurial Argentine still considered to be at his peak and a “representative” of the Liga giants.

Reports have surfaced which suggest that a talismanic presence at Camp Nou is starting to ask questions of his future.

Messi is only tied to a contract through to the summer of 2021 and is said to have shelved discussions regarding an extension.

That has sparked speculation regarding a switch for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, with it claimed that an iconic career as a one-club man could have a surprising twist to come.

However, Menotti is convinced that a fellow countryman will reach a compromise with the Blaugrana that keeps him in his current surroundings.

The former Barca coach, who is now director of the Argentine national side, told TyC Sports: "He is still in his peak.

"Messi is more representative of Barcelona's history than (president Josep Maria) Bartomeu. It doesn't even cross my mind that they won't fix it.

"Messi doesn't think about the contract when he goes on the pitch. He's still the same on the pitch and in his neighbourhood. I don't think it's a financial problem, I don't understand it." 

Barca have struggled for a spark since the restart of competitive action in Spain, with inconsistency seeing them surrender top spot in La Liga to Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

Messi has still been their go-to man, reaching 700 career goals in the process, and Menotti believes those in Catalunya and South America will be aware that a talismanic captain for club and country remains as important as ever.

He added: "It's evident that Quique Setien has not found his team still.

"But Messi is still the same and it's not in vain that he reached 700 career goals. 

"He is still in his peak, like I said. It's true he's not a kid of 18 anymore, but he's not 50, either. He has a lot of time in front of him still. 

"Those that question Messi and say he doesn't perform for the national team make me laugh. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't even have gone to the last World Cup." 

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Kannemeyer has described George Maluleka as “a very clever player” who did not blindly join Mamelodi Sundowns without expecting stiff competition at his new club.

Maluleka recently dumped current Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders Chiefs to sign a three-year deal with Sundowns who are also pressing Amakhosi for the league title.

At Downs, Maluleka will be met with a midfield decorated by equally experienced campaigners like captain Hlompho Kekana, Andile Jali, Tiyani Mabunda and Oupa Manyisa, as well as Lucky Mohomi and Sammy Seabi.

However, Kannemeyer who also dumped Chiefs for Sundowns during his playing career has high regard for Maluleka whom he played with at SuperSport United.

“George has done his homework, he knows exactly what he is getting himself into and he is up to the challenge and I think he has got loads of talent,” Kannemeyer told Phakaaathi.

“A lot of players go to Sundowns and they don’t feature but I think George will feature. He is a very competitive player, he is a good professional and I don’t think there is a reason for him not to play.

“He is a very clever player. He is at his peak and he knows why he is going there and it is probably because he wants to get the Caf Champions League medal.”

Although Maluleka is now 31 years old, Kannemeyer is convinced that the player is talented enough to be playing in Europe at the moment.

The ex-South Africa international defender feels that some PSL players lack the ambition to move to Europe because of good salaries locally.

“I played with him [Maluleka] at SuperSport and he was still a young man and I could see that he would go places,” said Kannemeyer.

“George should actually be playing in Europe but players don’t want to go abroad anymore because they get big salaries here… but Sundowns is like a European team."

Despite Maluleka failing to secure a move to Europe so far in his professional career, Kannemeyer feels that joining Sundowns is not a train smash.

“A move is always good and I think George has done his bit with Chiefs … he has won trophies with Chiefs and I don’t think there are any hard feelings because these things happen all over the world,” continued Kannemeyer.

“Of course, it is different in South Africa when you move from Chiefs to Sundowns, people will start talking.”

The North West province appears to be leading the race to stage the remaining matches of the 2019/20 PSL season, according to Sport24. 

The publication reports that the province's Department of Sport, Arts and Culture held an urgent meeting with various stakeholders on Friday to make final touch-ups for Sun City and Royal Bafokeng Stadium to be ready to host the matches.  

According to Sport24, representatives from the Rustenburg local municipality and the South African Football Association (Safa) were present at the meeting. 

The PSL together with Safa have proposed that the season be completed in a biological-safe environment to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are the other two provinces who put their names forward to stage the games. 

However, the abovementioned provinces have a high number of confirmed positive cases compared to North West - one of the three conditions the PSL and government will consider before making a final decision. 

Furthermore, Sport24 revealed some of the reasons that were put forward for staging the games in the meeting, including but not limited to the availability of infrastructure and capacity requirements, options available as quarantine sites for potential outbreaks as well as having enough facilities to cover the entire ecosystem of players, officials and broadcasters. 

Both Sun City and Royal Marang hotel have been proposed to host the 32 teams.  

Four stadiums were put forward as possible venues to stage the official games and they are Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Moruleng Stadium, Olympia Park and Royal Marang Practice Fields. 

Teams will be allocated time slots for training and recuperation but the practice fields at Royal Marang are likely to stage NFD matches.  

The South African government has already given the go-ahead for teams to train Level 3 of the lockdown but the PSL will have the final say. 

Cape Town City became the first team to return to the training grounds this week while Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United are among those expected to get going next week. 

The only thing left for the PSL to do is to make a decision on the exact date for the resumption of the season. 

The league aims to complete the season by August 31 the latest, according to Dr Irvin Khoza.  

There are 54 PSL matches to play, 44 NFD games and three Nedbank Cup matches left before the current campaign can officially be declared over. 

Macleans Foundation came to the rescue of former AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala who has been struggling to get medical attention regarding the treatment of his eyes.

The midfielder lost his eyesight in 2018 and was taken to Kikuyu hospital for examination.

The MRI scan revealed the problem was caused by a misfiring nerve. He was put under medication but almost two years down the line, he is yet to fully recover and his inability to get frequent medical attention is exacerbating the problem.

Goal revealed the player had not gotten his medical attention for two months after failing to raise KSh4000 for the same. However, the foundation has come to his aid and promised to help him get regular treatment. 

"Macleans Foundation under the patronage of Macleans Iganza Sloya today paid a visit to former AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala who lost his sight in 2018," read a statement from the Foundation as posted on its official Facebook page.

"The Foundation has taken upon itself to support the former midfield maestro who recently raised an appeal to well-wishers to come to his rescue. 

"In tandem with the Organization's cardinal call of empowering and giving people dignified lives, Imbalambala has been taken to Sabatia Eye Clinic for routine eye treatment."

The Foundation also provided basic needs for the family and went on to pay all the hospital's expenses.

"According to the programs officer at the Foundation Simon Iganza, all the hospital expenses for today's exercise have been catered for," the statement read.

"The Foundation has also secured a one year National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Cover for the former Kenya international.

"Additionally, Imbalambala's family received foodstuff and shopping from the Foundation."

Imbalambala left Leopards in 2015 and signed a short-term contract with Nakumatt FC in June the same year.

However, he did not last at the team and his next move was at Western-based side Kakamega Homeboyz, but the lanky midfielder was axed by Homeboyz alongside former Harambee Stars winger Patrick Oboya.

He went on to join the then National Super League side Vihiga United, who were restructuring, hoping to seal a move to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The player was later released by the club owing to several off-pitch issues.
 

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke would like to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer change his formation and play with a front two of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

The Norwegian coach has favoured either a front three or a 4-2-3-1 this season, with Martial and Rashford alternating as the central striker.

While that approach has brought varying levels of success – with both forwards on the cusp of breaking the 20-goal barrier in all competitions – Yorke believes that United would benefit more from using the pair together in tandem.

"A No.9 is a specialist position and that’s why Alan Shearer and Andy Cole scored so many goals – they didn’t play anywhere else," Yorke told Goal.

"I like Rashford through the middle, although I think he could play as a No.10, as he is intelligent enough. So, he could be a No.10 or a No.9 any given day. I like Marital down the middle as well.

"So, I would go down that road and put both up front. Then, you could have Bruno (Fernandes) and (Paul) Pogba providing some attacking flair from behind, with (Mason) Greenwood and those guys supporting them from the flanks.

"Let them have a go at defenders and take it to the next level."

Martial has occupied that No.9 role for the majority of the season and scored his first career hat-trick against Sheffield United last week but despite his impressive goal tally this season, he has been criticised for a lack of consistency in recent seasons.

However, Yorke, who won the treble with United in 1999 and developed a great partnership with Cole, would like to see Solskjaer stick with the Frenchman.

“He just needs to be given a chance to play there because the No.9 position is a specialist one, it’s one of the hardest positions playing with your back to goal. It’s not an easy position and you have to give them time to really master it if you’re going to get the best out of him,” Yorke said.

“He looks like he wants to play and the only way he’s going to improve is give him the chance to play there all the time instead of shipping him out left and right. That’s all part of your football education.”

With United in fine form since the Premier League restart, Solskjaer has an abundance of options up front.

Martial and Rashford both have 19 goals in all competitions and Greenwood is on 13, after a fine display against Brighton last week.

The teenager has been tipped for a long and successful career at Old Trafford and Yorke is confident Solskjaer will ensure Greenwood remains grounded.

“It’s very difficult, especially now with the social media and the attention that you get at this level, I think it’s alright to be compared with people," Yorke said of the similarities being drawn between the youngster and Robin van Persie.

"As a player, you’ve got your manager and your family around you to make sure you continue to keep a level head and not get ideas above your station.

“I think you just have to look at Greenwood and his demeanour to see he’s just a kid enjoying himself. I like that approach.

"And he’s got the right man leading him. Ole also only wanted to make headlines with his football when he was a player."

But how does Greenwood fit into United’s attacking line if Yorke thinks they should be playing with a front two?

“You don’t put too much onus on him because, at 18, you’re still learning the game and you’re just happy to be in the team,” the former United striker said.

“In two or three years he will develop more, he will get stronger and become a man. Then, you can see what position he feels most comfortable in.

"But, at this stage, you just want him to express himself, you don’t want him to think too much and I think it’s too early to really start saying he would be a better centre forward or right winger.

"He’s doing just fine at the moment and when you start tinkering too much, it stops working. He’s still a kid. Just let him go out there and enjoy himself.”

Watch Manchester United v Bournemouth exclusively live on BT Sport 1, btsport.com and the BT Sport app (Saturday, 2.30pm). Fans can watch this match plus more Premier League and FA Cup games in July contract free with a BT Sport Monthly pass for £25 per month.   

Chippa United are hoping to keep Orlando Pirates defender Tercious Malepe beyond the current season.

The Chilli Boys have been busy preparing for the resumption of the 2019/20 campaign having recently parted ways with Thabo Rakhale and Tebogo Makobela.

The club also brought back experienced local football administrator Morgan Mammila as their general manager.

“Tercious will remain with the team as he is part of our plans,” Mzinzi was quoted as saying on Daily Sun.

Malepe, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, is in his second successive loan spell at the Chilli Boys where he is a key player.

The South Africa under-23 captain has made 40 appearances in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for Chippa since he first joined the club from Pirates in August 2018.

However, Mzinzi indicated the futures of Pirates loanees Diamond Thopola and Meshack Maphangule will be decided at the end of this season.

“The two players will be with the club until the end of the season. Whether we will replace them or not that decision will be made at the end of the season,” said Mzinzi.

Meanwhile, Mzinzi also revealed that Mbuyiselo Sambu will be in charge of the team’s remaining six matches in the PSL as a caretaker coach.

This comes after the Chilli Boys decided against extending Rhulani Mokwena’s contract when it expired on Tuesday, June 30 having joined the club on loan from Pirates last March.

“Sambu was given the coaching role on a caretaker basis until the end of the season,” Mzinzi concluded.

Mokwena is now a free agent, as his three-year contract, which he signed with Pirates prior to the 2017/18 season also came to an end on Tuesday.

He took charge of only one match as Chippa head coach with the team drawing 0-0 with Bidvest Wits in a league clash on March 7 just before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sambu, who has been coaching the Chilli Boys' reserve team, will take charge of the first team for the second time, having served as a caretaker coach during the 2016/17 season.