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Odion Ighalo is happy to be “judged on goals” at Manchester United, with the Nigerian striker eager to prove himself as a “great addition” for the Red Devils.

A promising start has been made in that quest, with the target found on five occasions through 12 appearances.

The former Watford frontman is still waiting on a first Premier League effort for United, but has contributed significantly to FA Cup and Europa League causes.

Ighalo has matched a record that has stood for 95 years along the way, with goals recorded in each of his first four starts for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The 31-year-old, who has seen a loan from Shanghai Shenhua extended through to January 2021, is determined to offer even more and is aware of the need for end product to be delivered on a regular basis.

Ighalo told United Review: “With strikers, we are being judged on goals.

“Sometimes, when you don’t score goals, you’re sad. As long as the team wins, that’s the most important thing but, as a striker, I would like to score in every game.

“That is what you are being judged on – goals, goals, goals.

“It’s the measure of a striker – how many goals you have scored. It is what people want to know about.

“That’s why we’re always eager to score goals and why, every time I’m on the pitch, I give my best to try to make sure I can create chances and score goals. But if I don’t score then, as long as we win the game, and my team-mates score, it’s okay for me.”

Ighalo has played a part in United going unbeaten through 14 games in all competitions, with his value to the collective cause being recognised by Solskjaer and many of his team-mates.

The boyhood Red Devils fan is delighted to be showcasing what he is capable of, with his ability and experience proving to be useful assets at Old Trafford.

Ighalo added: "We have a good squad with good lads and good players, who are ready to work to give everything they have for the team.

"So it's a privilege for me to join them, to play with these great lads – the young ones, the mature ones. They are good people and you see the atmosphere is always great.

"People are happy coming to work to do their job, smiling and all that. Me, I'm a happy guy, you know. I'm always around them and sharing with everyone – who is playing, who is not playing, who is down.

"We just laugh and talk about everything. I’m happy if the manager thinks I'm a great addition to the team but the squad is fantastic.

"I am happy to always encourage the young ones as well, to push them to achieve their dream and work hard."

Azam FC midfielder Frank Domayo has come out to apologise to Shomari Kapombe of Simba SC after his careless tackle resulted in the defender to be stretched off during their FA Cup clash on Wednesday.

The Wekundu wa Mzimbazi needed goals from John Bocco and Clatous Chama to beat the ‘Ice Cream Makers’ 2-0 and advance to the semi-finals of the domestic Cup where they will now take on rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) on July 12.

However, despite the win against Azam, Simba lost their key defender to a reckless tackle from Domayo, who has now come out to apologise to the player, insisting he was not intending to injure him.

“It was not my intention to foul him that is why immediately after the incident, I wanted to shake his hand to symbolise fair play but instead, he was furious and wanted to beat me,” Domayo is quoted by Daily News.

“I really apologise to him for that and later, I will call him personally to apologise. Such things happen in football due to high tension among players especially considering the fact that we lost the match.”

Meanwhile, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck believes the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) should take appropriate action against Domayo over the tackle.

“It was a bad tackle on him [Kapombe] and I have to clearly look at it once again on the Television. But for now, it is early to evaluate the scope of his injury but what I have been told is that we might miss him throughout this season," Vandenbroeck told the same publication.

“I think the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) should analyse the incident and take appropriate action on the player behind the incident.”

On beating Azam, Vandenbroeck said: “We defended and attacked as one team and I can say it was my biggest win. The positive thing though is that we have made it into the next stage of the competition.

“We dominated the whole 90 minutes creating many scoring chances mainly in the second half and not giving our opponents opportunities to score.”

On Friday, Kapombe underwent scans to reveal the extent of the injury and the club now says he is out of danger.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Kannemeyer has expressed disappointment with how the Soweto giants handled George Maluleka’s contract situation, saying it’s a blow to let him go.

The retired left-back believes Amakhosi still have a long way to go to match Mamelodi Sundowns’ success because coach Pitso Mosimane is a step ahead when planning for glory.

Kannemeyer’s sentiments come after ‘Mido’ turned down an offer to extend his stay with coach Ernst Middendorp’s men and signed a pre-contract with the Brazilians.

He was eventually unveiled at Chloorkop this week.

“It is a big blow and we are going to have to see how that will unfold. I am not sure who they have in their development in the Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) to step up at this point since George left,” Kannnmeyer told Phakaaathi.

“I have always said that over the last 10 to 15 years, Chiefs have not really stepped up to the plate and signed players, and the unfortunate part [or fortunate for Sundowns] is that Sundowns have been buying the players and having the success.”

Having played for both Sundowns and Chiefs in his career, the Cape Town-based legend has urged the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders to buy quality players, saying he doesn’t see anyone capable of replacing Maluleka.

“You do not buy success but you buy quality players and the coach will make that work and coach Pitso Mosimane has done that very well,” he added.

“It unfortunate for Chiefs that they haven’t done what Sundowns have been doing and that is the downfall, because now who will step up to George’s place? I don’t see anyone who can step up.”

The Naturena-based giants are still banned by Fifa after they were found guilty of illegally signing Madagascan midfielder Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana, who was shipped out to Black Leopards, but they have appealed the decision.

As part of the sanction, Chiefs are not allowed to sign players for two consecutive transfer windows and they have since retained midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase, goalkeeper Brylon Petersen and left-back Philani Zulu this week.

On the other hand, they released midfielders Kabelo Mahlasela and Joseph Molangoane whilst also parting ways with the 31-year-old former Ajax Cape Town midfielder.

French prosecutors have asked for Karim Benzema to stand trial in connection with an attempted blackmail in 2015 of Mathieu Valbuena over a "sex tape" alleged to have involved the Real Madrid striker’s former international team-mate.

The Real Madrid striker was alleged to have been involved in an attempt by blackmailers to extort money from a fellow France international ahead of a friendly against Armenia five years ago.

Valbuena was reportedly contacted by blackmailers who threatened to leak an intimate video of him, and Benzema is suspected of encouraging his ex-team-mate to meet their financial demands.

Benzema has consistently denied any involvement with the alleged blackmail plot, and has always insisted that he only broached the subject with Valbuena to warn him that such a tape existed.

Valbuena has previously alleged that Benzema urged him to pay up in order to avoid any footage surfacing in the public sphere, and condemned his compatriot's actions during an in-depth interview in November 2015.

Valbuena, the former Marseille and Lyon player who now plies his trade in Greece with Olympiacos, told Le Monde: "I was more than disappointed. I told myself that it was quite simply a lack of respect. You can’t behave like that with anyone."

Benzema has not played for his country since, with France head coach Didier Deschamps publicly expressing his belief that the forward "crossed the line", and the Versailles prosecutor has now requested a trial against the 32-year-old, along with four other suspects.

“Some people can give speeches that can have consequences that go beyond any form of understanding, and I can never forget that,” Deschamps told Europe 1 in January 2019. “At that moment I considered that a line had been crossed.

“I pick French players, all of them are French and it has never occurred to me to not select someone based on their colour or religion. And in the same way the other way around, I would never pick someone based on the same criteria, because that would be just as bad or worse.”

Benzema has been enjoying one of his strongest seasons yet in a Madrid shirt.

The Frenchman has hit 22 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for Zinedine Zidane's side, who are currently sitting top of La Liga, four points ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona.

Gabriel Jesus should be ignoring any interest being shown in from the likes of Inter, says Rivaldo, with the Brazilian striker urged to remain at Manchester City and under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

At just 23 years of age, those at the Etihad Stadium have high hopes for the South American frontman. They do, however, have another in the form of Sergio Aguero on their books, and the Argentine remains their go-to man in the final third of the field.

That is restricting the opportunities for Jesus to shine from the start, with the hot prospect often having to make do with an impact role from the bench.

He is getting a chance to impress at present, with Aguero ruled out through injury, and continues to boast a notable strike rate that has seen him net 63 times in 142 appearances.

Jesus is also benefitting from working with Guardiola daily, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss expected to bring even more out of a player with potential still to be unlocked. With that in mind, Rivaldo feels his fellow countryman should be committing his long-term future to City.

The former Brazil international has told Betfair: “Sergio Aguero may have ended his season after a bad injury so Gabriel Jesus could have a great chance here of establishing himself as a regular starter in this decisive phase of the season.

“For that reason, Jesus needs to focus and build confidence by regularly scoring goals and help his team achieve their objectives.

“There are also rumours that Internazionale would try to sign Jesus if they sell Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona, but if it was me I would prefer to stay at City.

“Additionally, Gabriel Jesus is already settled to English football, to the city of Manchester and is being coached by one of the best, so I believe he should continue at the club as it might be the best option for his career at the moment.”

No formal approaches have been made for Jesus as yet, but the long-running saga involving Martinez at Inter may have a far-reaching impact on the summer transfer market. Any move for the Argentine, as Barcelona continue to circle, will set into motion a domino effect that sees a number of other strikers fall under the microscope.

Barcelona suffer on the pitch for having such a wide-ranging club model, former president Sandro Rosell believes.

The Blaugrana have endured a tumultuous season with off-field issues - including an apparent row between Lionel Messi and the board - playing out in the background as their La Liga title defence stutters.

Barca have not won the Champions League since 2014-15 either and face a battle to progress through a last-16 tie with Napoli this term.

But for all of the club's problems, Rosell suggests Barca would be more competitive if they did not also run teams at various other levels and in a number of other sports.

Joan Laporta's former adviser, who was Barca president himself from 2010 to 2014, even claims the FC Barcelona Foundation saps their resources.

"As an entity, we have to evolve towards a 'mas club' model," Rosell told Sport .

"Barca is too many things. You have to sit down and analyse in depth if you really need the professional sections, the amateurs, the Foundation...

"If we don't, we will lose rope. We cannot cover everything, and everything that is not football causes us to lose competitive capacity with the big clubs in Europe, who are only dedicated to football.

"You have to sit down, discuss it, explain it in an assembly and, if necessary, hold a referendum. Someone has to dare to do it.

"I know it is uncomfortable. The easy thing is to use cheap demagoguery and attack this debate, but it has to be done."

Rosell, who spent 645 days in prison as part of a money laundering investigation but has since been acquitted, was also asked who he would sign for the club if he were to be reinstated as the Catalan club's president.

“Neymar,” the 56-year-old said. “He is the only player, along with Messi, who really makes a difference. He has a great personality on the field.”

Of Neymar's off-field antics, however, he added: “Of course, I would make two contracts. One sporting and one behavioural.”

Rosell's successor and current Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has also come under scrutiny from the Spanish state, with the entrepreneur under investigation for alleged tax fraud relating to the transfer of Neymar in 2013.

Real Madrid have moved to the top of the La Liga Santander standings since the restart following the Covid-19 enforced break, but Zinedine Zidane’s team could face their stiffest challenge since the return when they travel north to face Athletic Club on Sunday afternoon. Both these teams' last La Liga meetings at San Mames have been draws, while their clash at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this season also finished all square.

Three draws in their last four La Liga games has seen Barcelona lose their advantage at the top, so Lionel Messi and company will be going all out for victory at Villarreal on Sunday evening. This fixture ended 4-4 last season, and more drama is very likely this time again.

The weekend kicks off Friday evening with Atletico Madrid at home to Real Mallorca. Atleti are still well set for third place after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou, while Mallorca remain in the bottom three but got a big confidence boost with their 5-1 midweek win over Celta Vigo.

That result will have focused minds at Celta that they are still not safe from the drop, so the Galicians will be aiming for three points on Saturday afternoon at home to a Real Betis team with just one win away from home all season in La Liga Santander.

Real Valladolid and Deportivo Alaves are also not yet mathematically safe from relegation, so will want to continue their good form since the restart when they meet at the Jose Zorrilla later Saturday. Alaves have won all four of the most recent meetings between these teams, including a 3-0 when they met last November.

Granada and Valencia have both seen their hopes of playing European football next season hit by recent poor form, but three points when they meet on Saturday evening would get them back on track. Valencia, who parted ways with coach Albert Celades this week, have won three and drawn one of their last four visits to the Nuevo de Los Carmenes.

Espanyol against Leganes on Sunday afternoon is a huge relegation six-pointer, with both teams in danger of losing sight of the sides above the bottom three. Leganes won their reverse meeting 2-0 in December in southern Madrid.

Osasuna at home to Getafe brings together two teams who have over-achieved so far this season, and still have plenty to fight for. The visitors will be looking to improve on their poor recent record at El Sadar, where they have not scored on any of their last five La Liga visits.

Monday evening has Levante hosting Real Sociedad. The home side got their first La Liga win at their temporary home at La Nucia in their last home game against Betis, while fitness problems for super-influential Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard has really hurt La Real since La Liga returned.

Sevilla strengthened their grip on fourth place with a 3-0 win at Leganes midweek, and Julen Lopetegui’s side can move closer to sealing Champions League qualification with a win on Monday at home to Eibar. This fixture promises goals - with 19 across their last five La Liga meetings, including the Basque side’s 3-2 victory when they last met in September.

Watch La Liga Santander live this weekend on SuperSport 7 and GOtv’s SuperSport Select

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set Mason Greenwood a challenge to keep his spot in the Manchester United first team as he admitted the "sky is the limit" for the promising forward.

The 18-year-old scored a brilliant goal against Brighton on Tuesday, his 13th in all competitions during the 2019-20 campaign, and the Norwegian was full of praise for the youngster ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.

He told reporters: "We have done well over the course of the season giving him more and more exposure, more and more game time, it’s not easy being a young boy.

"He could still play in the FA Youth Cup team, but he's performing off the bench or when he starts and he's developed fantastically this season.

"The sky's the limit, it's up to him he knows what he should do, can do, and must do to continue playing, but that's between us."

After convincing victories against Sheffield United and Brighton in their last two Premier League outings, Solskjaer suggested he could name the same XI that he picked in both of those matches against struggling Bournemouth.

"I've got to wait and see," he added. "A couple got some knocks - bruises - if there are a couple of changes don't be surprised. Not just because of fitness, but there are so many games.

"It would be nice to play the team that played so well against Sheffield United and Brighton but let's wait and see how everyone is after training. I've got many, many reasons to play the same team but also have reasons to rotate."

Midweek results mean United are now just two points behind Chelsea in fourth and three points behind Leicester in third with six games left to play.

While many believe Solskjaer’s side have an easy run-in as they push for a Champions League spot, the United manager has warned against complacency.

He said: "I've seen lots of quotes that we have an easy run-in but next the five games... Bournemouth we lost, Aston Villa we drew at Old Trafford, Southampton we drew too.

"We lost to Palace, lost to West Ham... there are teams we've got a point to prove against and we have to improve on the last performances [against those teams]. It's not an easy game [against Bournemouth]."

David de Gea will have been unfazed by the criticism aimed in his direction during a recent “dip”, says Manchester United’s former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, with a deaf ear being turned to the taunts of Roy Keane and co.

The Spain international on the books at Old Trafford has been a model of consistency throughout much of his time in England. De Gea had to overcome a slow start in order to nail down the No 1 berth, but is now a four-time Player of the Year for the Red Devils and closing in on 400 appearances for the club.

Having proven himself over the course of a nine-year spell, earning lucrative new contracts in the process, the 29-year-old is considered to have cemented a standing among the global elite.

He has made the occasional error, with United legend Keane recently claiming that the Spaniard is “the most overrated goalkeeper” he has seen in a long time, the outspoken Irishman saying he would have been “swinging punches” on the back of a costly mistake against Tottenham.

Steele, though, believes a player he worked with on the back of a big-money move from Atletico Madrid in 2011 will have ignored any critics and focused on playing his way back into top form.

"Roy Keane has his way and that is Roy Keane's way, as a player, as a coach and what he does as a pundit," Steele told the Football, the Albion and Me podcast. "Roy Keane was terrific for Sky TV. What I'd say is, I'd have handled that totally differently. David de Gea did not need Roy Keane to go on a rant for him to know he made an error.

"I'd look at it and I'd say the same if I was talking to Joe Hart, Tom Heaton, Mart Poom at Derby, Lee Grant at Derby, who is now at Man United.

"He's now coming up to 400 games for Manchester United. He's going to make that in the next two weeks. You don't play that many games for one of the biggest clubs in the world without being a very good goalkeeper.

"Yes, he's had a little dip but if you've been at a club for nine years - Peter Schmeichel arrived at 28, he had a very tough time in his first two, three months, as did David for five, six months.

"David was 20, he's now nearly 30 and coming up to 400 games for Manchester United. My answer to that would be, look what he's won, look what he's contributed. Yes, he knows he has made an error but what I do know is David's composure, his character, his calmness, he won't be bothered.

"I bet he hasn't even watched it. It would take someone to send it him on Twitter or whatever. It would go straight over his head.

"He came to Manchester United, he'd won the Europa League, the Under-21s with Spain, he'd won it again, he'd won the Super Cup and Under-17s with Spain.

"He's since won the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shields, Europa League. You don't become a fantastic goalkeeper overnight and, yes, he's had a rough ride over the last eight, nine months but it's his ninth year.

"The pressures he's had to work under. Different managers, five different goalkeeper coaches. David will rise again and part of that demeanour is his character, which will come through."

Casa Mbungo has been relieved of his duties at Rayon Sports with Guy Bukasa taking his position until the end of the next season.

The changes have been made just five months after the former AFC Leopards tactician took over at the Kigali-based side. The nine-time Rwanda National Football League champions have confirmed the development on their social media channels.

"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Guy Bukasa [Coupe du Congo 2018 winner] as head coach on a contract that runs until the end of the 2020/21 season," Rayon Sports tweeted

The Les Leopards assistant coach has been serving as the head coach of Gasogi United, who he helped to a ninth-place finish in the abandoned top tier season.

The promoted side had managed to win seven games, drawn eight and lost as many in the 23 matches played, accumulating a total of 29 points in the process.

"Gasogi United thanks coach Guy Bukasa for the excellent job he did for the team and the good times we spent together. We wish you luck wherever you go," Bukasa's former team tweeted.

The youthful coach will now take over at Rayon Sports who finished second in the league. 

In the 23 matches played, the team had won 15, drawn five and lost just three to collect a total of 50 points, seven fewer than APR who had won 17 matches, drawn six and lost none.

Bukasa rejected a contract extension by Gasogi despite the management tabling what is believed to be a decent offer.

 The tactician had joined the team from DR Congo side AS Nyuki and helped them to promotion.

He opted to join the former champions where he will reportedly get $4000 a month.

Guy Bakila will remain his assistant coach at the club, and their immediate objective will be to help the team win the league next season.

The move came as a shock to Gasogi United fans considering the tactician had poured cold water on reports of his exit. The team had stabilized under his leadership and many believed he would lead them to the top.

It is not clear why Rayon Sports opted to replace Mbungo with Bukasa.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has said they are in support of the decision taken by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to postpone the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 33rd edition of the biennial tournament was due to begin in Cameroon on January 9, 2021, but has now been pushed back to January 2022 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic across the continent.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday, Caf said they had postponed the tournament to 2022 after consulting with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation.

"After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022," Caf confirmed in a statement. 

"The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course."

The Kenyan FA boss Mwendwa has since told Goal they are in support of the move because Caf “did not have any other options other than to postpone."

“We are in support of the decision taken by Caf because if you look at the scenario they found themselves in, they did not have any other options to take,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“It was the only decision they had to take, to postpone the tournament and as Kenya, we are ready to play again when Caf is ready.”

Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi also supported the move,  saying it was important to give the health of players and those involved a big priority.

“I think Caf have done the right thing, the situation currently is not the best to play in the tournament and we are okay with the decision they have taken,” Kimanzi also told Goal.

On Thursday, Fifa announced that September's international football window would be cancelled for all territories outside Europe and South America, denying Africa a critical window in which to play some of the outstanding four rounds of qualification ahead of the proposed January 2021 start date.

African football’s governing body has not announced whether the 34th edition of the tournament—scheduled for Ivory Coast in 2023—will also be pushed back..

While Caf could play some of the outstanding qualifiers in the October-November international window, this would impact the World Cup qualifying campaign, where the five qualifying teams must play in eight qualifiers before the Qatar tournament in late 2022.

Algeria are the reigning African champions, having defeated Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 final in Cairo.

The Africa Cup of Nations was long-held during January and February, but moved to a June-July schedule ahead of the 2019 event, with newly elected president Ahmad Ahmad keen to avoid the club-vs-country disputes that often overshadowed a tournament being played during the European winter.

However, the 2021 tournament’s dates have already been moved once, with the original June-July 2021 dates brought forward to January due to the unfavourable climate in Cameroon during the summer months.

Bruno Fernandes is the most exciting talent on Manchester United’s books at present, says Ryan Giggs, with the Portuguese’s willingness to gamble when in possession making him perfect for the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew what he was getting when snapping up a 25-year-old playmaker in the January transfer window.

United had been monitoring Fernandes for some time and ultimately took the plunge over the winter in order to prevent domestic and European rivals from pipping them to a prized signature.

Big things were demanded of a new arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, but expectations have been exceeded during a stunning start to life in England.

Fernandes has hit the ground running in English football, becoming a talismanic presence for United in the middle of the park.

He now has a fit-again Paul Pogba alongside him, while the likes of Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are starring in more advanced roles, but there is one undoubted star for the Red Devils at present.

“100 per cent Fernandes since he came in,” United legend Giggs told the Webby & O’Neill YouTube channel when asked which player gets him out of his seat.

“He excites me because every time he gets on the ball he’s looking for something to happen. It doesn’t always come off but that’s a United player – gambling [in possession].

“It’s not easy to do by the way because when I was older I could handle it. I could always look for that killer pass – if Robin van Persie was on the shoulder – try it!

“One or two times it might not come off and there might be a groan around but you’ve got to keep trying, keep knocking at the door.

“I don’t know if you remember the last couple of minutes before we scored in the Norwich game, he was chasing back.

“He’s a player that makes things happen as a No.10 but for him to show that... I watched him after, he sprinted back, he didn’t walk back up the pitch.

“He was knackered obviously but he was jogging back to try and win the game. I love that.”

Fernandes has contributed five goals and three assists through eight Premier League appearances for United, with his efforts helping the club to a 14-game unbeaten run across all competitions – with that sequence of results seeing them into top-four contention, the semi-finals of the FA Cup and last 16 of the Europa League.

Riyad Mahrez has taken to social media to express the joy of Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Liverpool on Thursday, although he wished it was by a bigger margin.

The Reds had been confirmed league champions for the first time in 30 years after the Citizens lost 2-1 at Chelsea last week.

City performed a guard of honour for the new champions as they walked out of the tunnel, but had other ideas during the match.

After some early pressure from Liverpool that saw leading African frontmen Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane miss chances to put them in front, and Roberto Firmino hit the upright, City blitzed to a 3-0 first-half lead between the 25th and 45th minute thanks to Kevin De Bruyne (penalty), old Liverpool boy Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

Liverpool’s misery was compounded after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the ball into his own net midway through the second half. Mahrez made it 5-0 in the 90th minute but his effort was ruled out by VAR after it spotted a foul in the build-up to the goal.

It is Liverpool’s heaviest defeat in the Premier League since Manchester City beat them 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September 2017.

“Big result tonight even if I wish it was more,” the Algeria international posted on Twitter.

Having started against Chelsea, Mahrez made the bench in this game and replaced Gabriel Jesus in the 58th minute, eight minutes before Oxlade-Chamberlain’s own goal.

In the 32 minutes he played, he produced 15 touches, eight accurate passes (80%) and had 100% success in his dribbles (one from one), long balls (two from two) and ground duels (two from two).

Mahrez was denied what would have been his 10th Premier League goal of the season alongside his 11 assists.

Overall, the 29-year-old has 11 goals and 15 assists in 42 competitive outings, similar to his maiden season at the Etihad in 2018-19 where he scored 12 goals and provided another 12 assists and won the domestic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

The Sarcelles-born player recently revealed his early struggles when he moved to the blue half of Manchester.

"I didn't make a difference as quickly as they thought I was going to make," Mahrez told Sky Sports.

"So obviously they don't have time to give me time because we are 20 players, top players.

"I was on the bench and the other players were performing, so it was difficult for me to come back. Then more to the end of the season I came back, I played good and I start this season differently.

"Now when he played me I was performing, so the confidence is here."

Vipers SC coach Fred Kajoba has revealed why he went for the services of Ibrahim Orit from Mbarara City.

The Venoms have started their transfer business in earnest as they prepare for a Champions League appearance next season, after they were declared champions of the abandoned season.

AOn Thursday, Orit signed a three-year contract to become the club’s second signing after they confirmed they had also secured the services of Disan Galiwango from Express FC on July 1, although that transfer is currently being disputed.

Coach Kajoba has now confirmed the reason why he went for the services of the player, who had a decent season with Mbarara in the top-flight.

“We did not have many options on the left of the attack. Allan Kayiwa and Abraham Ndugwa were used there but it is mostly Kayiwa who is more comfortable in that position,” Kajoba is quoted by Daily Monitor.

“Going forward I want to use players at roles where they are best suited and Orit can play as a wide forward often cutting in from the left but has at times played on the right and off the main striker.”

On signing for Vipers, Orit expressed his pleasure to be joining an ambitious club and takes the new challenge as an opportunity to showcase his talent more.

“I am very happy to be here as it has always been my dream to feature for this competitive club and when the coach called to express his interest, it wasn’t a hard decision to make,” Orit told the club's official website.

”Allow me also to thank the Mbarara administration for the wonderful time I have had with them and all fans for the love they showed throughout my stay at the club.”

Orit launched his career at Junior Eagles Football Academy before he landed at Future Stars, which is a regional league club, before he joined UPL side Mbarara City in 2017.

He scored four goals as he turned out to be one of the main stars for Mbarara City as they finished seventh on the UPL log.

Coach Kajoba will rely on the winger to solve issues in an area he had pointed out as one that needs to be seriously strengthened.

Orit is expected to fight with Allan Kayiwa for a position in the first team once the new season starts.

Arsenal need to be doing all they can to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tied down on a new contract, says Alan Smith, with the Gunners told “others can be sacrificed” in a bid to free up funds.

There has been no suggestion that financial issues are holding up the penning of fresh terms by the prolific striker at Emirates Stadium. Personal ambition is said to have Aubameyang mulling over his options, with the 31-year frontman eager to compete for more major honours before approaching the end of his playing days.

Arsenal have struggled to offer much cause for optimism on that front of late, although they are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Silverware would be a useful bargaining chip in discussions with Aubameyang, with the Gunners eager to avoid having to move him on in the final 12 months of his current deal.

Smith hopes a compromise can be reached that suits all parties in north London, with there plenty of other players that could be deemed surplus to requirements if sales help to keep the talismanic presence on board.

“It was bad enough when the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie left to go and win trophies,” former Arsenal frontman Smith told the Evening Standard. “But at least Arsenal had the means back then to bring in decent replacements, even though they weren’t of the same quality.

“The situation appears different now. Money is extremely tight. Not only that, Arsenal’s cachet has changed. No longer a Champions League competitor, they simply cannot attract the same kind of talent as they could in the good years under Arsene Wenger. Sell your best player now and you lose an awful lot.

“Forget about trying to find someone who can do what Aubameyang does. That’s impossible, because it costs way too much. Instead, you’re looking at potential, something to nurture over the next few years.

“If there’s half a chance of persuading Aubameyang to stay, as [Mikel] Arteta hints, the club have got to grab it. Others can be sacrificed, others can be sold, but not this fella. The team is far too reliant on his nose for goal.

“With Alexandre Lacazette struggling and with the injured Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah only just starting out, Aubameyang’s departure would leave a huge hole that any possible replacement couldn’t immediately fill.”

Arteta has stated his confidence that a new deal will be agreed with Aubameyang, having already got Bukayo Saka to commit his future to the club, but no paperwork has been signed as yet.

A player of Mesut Ozil's quality will always have a place at Arsenal regardless of what system they play, says Mikel Arteta.

Ozil featured in all of Arsenal's games under Arteta prior to the Premier League being suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic, but he is yet to feature since the resumption.

A back injury kept the midfielder out of the matchday squad for the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Sheffield United last weekend and the 4-0 triumph over Norwich City on Wednesday.

Arteta deployed a 3-4-3 for the visit of the Canaries to Emirates Stadium and thinks Ozil, primarily used as a number 10, could still be useful in that formation.

"I think players can adapt to different systems and we can adapt systems for different players," said Arteta.

"Sometimes it's not just about what we want to play or how we want to play. Sometimes we have to try to fit the players we have available in the right moments in the right positions to perform and be comfortable on the pitch to do what we require them to do.

"There's always a place for a player of his [Ozil's] quality."

Bukayo Saka did not feature against Norwich on the day the club announced he had signed a new contract.

The 18-year-old academy product has been used in attacking and defensive roles on the left since breaking through this season, with Arteta yet to decide on where he will play in the long term.

Asked for Saka's best position, he said: "Evolving, getting better and getting to understand different positions, and finally we will fit him in in one that gives the best - but at the moment we need him to float a little bit because he gives a lot of versatility to do different things even with the same shape.

"He understands the position really well, he picks the movements and the situations and when to use the spaces really, really quickly. He's very intelligent and I think it's a really good thing for his development to do that."

Saka has scored three goals and supplied 11 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season, leading to suggestions he could force his way into the England squad for next year's European Championships.

"I don't know," said Arteta when asked if Saka should be looking to nail down a spot in Gareth Southgate's team.

"He should keep performing like he's doing, keep training, keep improving, trying to be the best in training, as he can every day. If he does that, we know the potential he has and things will come to him naturally."

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended the name of former Director of Coaching Gabriel Joseph for the Dronacharya Award, Goal has learnt. 

Gabriel Joseph, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, could become only the second football coach after Syed Nayeemuddin to receive the honour which is annually awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for outstanding and meritorious work in the field of coaching, should he win the award.

The veteran coach has worked with the AIFF as a consultant and advisor and also served as the Director of Coaching. He has also had worked with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as an instructor and as an assistant coach for the India national team when Syed Nayeemuddin was the head coach.

Last year, the recipients of the award were Mohinder Singh Dhillon (Athletics), Rambir Singh Khokar (Kabaddi), U Vimal Kumar (Badminton), Sandip Gupta (Table Tennis), Sanjay Bhardwaj (Cricket) and Merzban Patel (Hockey). The only other football coach to have received the award, Nayeemuddin, won it in 1990. 

Gabriel is a renowned figure in the coaching community, having played a part in the development of many Indian coaches who have earned AFC licenses under his tutelage. He has also worked with the likes of Western India Football Association (WIFA) to help with coaching education.

The Dronacharya award from the Government of India will be a well-deserved accolade for the maestro should he win it.

The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the world of football and domestic football in India has been on hold since March 14. The Indian Super League (ISL) final between ATK and Chennaiyin FC was the last bit of action Indian football fans witnessed before the country went into a rigorous nationwide lockdown.

The last I-League match was played between Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC at the Kalyani Stadium on March 10. Mohun Bagan had picked up the all-important win which helped them to secure the title before the season was suspended.

The Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown affected everybody but more so the foreign contingent of the I-League. While the overseas players in the ISL had ample time to leave the country, Most I-League players were stuck because there was no clarity on the curtailing of the league. When the lockdown was imposed by the Government, there was no clarity for the AIFF on when it could resume the league.

The decision to end the league finally was taken only on April 21, 2020. As a result, the overseas players could leave India only after that decision was taken. Many of them have managed to get back to their countries. However, with commercial flights suspended, there are some who are still stuck in the country.

We take a look at the foreign players of all 10 I-League clubs who are still stuck in India.

Mohun Bagan  

Mohun Bagan had arranged for the repatriation of their three Spanish players, Francisco Gonzalez Munoz, Francisco Morante and Joseba Beitia along with Spanish coach Kibu Vicuna and his assistants Tomasz Tchórz and Paulius Ragauskas on May 4. Tajikistan international Komron Tursunov left the country on May 28.

The only foreigners who are left behind in India are Senegalese striker Papa Babacar Diawara and Trinidadian international defender Daneil Cyrus. Both players are still in Kolkata and are waiting for international travel to resume.

East Bengal

East Bengal’s Spanish brigade which consisted of Juan Mera Gonzalez, Jaime Santos Colado, Marcos De La Espada Martinez, Victor Perez and coach Mario Rivera and his assistant Marçal Trulls Sevillano left the country along with Mohun Bagan’s Spanish group on May 4. The only Spaniard who had stayed back at that time was physical trainer Carlos Nodar.

Nodar was accompanied by Costa Rican World Cupper Johnny Acosta and Senegalese midfielder Kassim Aidara who stayed in Kolkata until the middle of June. Aidara was the first to leave on June 14 followed by Nodar and Acosta on June 18 and 19 respectively.

Punjab FC

Other than Cameroonian striker Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka and Nigerian defender Eze Kingsley, all the other foreign recruits of the club had left the country before the nationwide lockdown on March 25.

While Dipanda is still stuck in Punjab, Kingsley had travelled to Kolkata and is currently residing there.

“I am still in Punjab. I chatted with my consulate and they told me that they can do nothing as it is not they who decide. Now I have to wait until the international travelling in India resumes,” said Dipanda to Goal.

Even though he is not really enjoying his stay in India, Kingsley had a completely different perspective. He told Goal, “I am in Kolkata currently. I will be here until international flights start working. The cases are on an increase in my country. So I don't want to take a risk.”

Real Kashmir FC

Three Real Kashmir FC players Loveday Enyinnaya, Gnhere Krizo and Armand Bazou are yet to return to their respective countries due to Coronavirus pandemic. The three players are stuck in Kashmir and are residing in the club’s facilities.

Scottish head coach David Robertson, his son and Real Kashmir defender Mason Robertson and English striker Kallum Higginbotham had left the country on May 7 in a special flight arranged by the British High Commission. Zambian defender Aaron Katebe has also left the country.

Gokulam Kerala

Five out of Gokulam Kerala’s six foreign players from last season are still in Kolkata. Forwards Henry Kisekka and Atuheire Kipson (from Uganda and Rwanda respectively) are waiting for their medical test results, based on which they are expected to leave on July 4. Trinidadian footballers Andre Ettienne, Nathaniel Garcia and Marcus Joseph are waiting for their embassy’s response.

Spanish coach Fernando Santiago Varela and Afghanistan international defender Haroon Amiri left the country on June 10 and June 15 respectively.

It must be noted that all the players’ expenses have been taken care of by the club during the nationwide lockdown even though their contracts had expired.

Chennai City FC

Every single foreign player from Chennai City have left the country. The club had reached out to the respective embassies of the footballers and made sure that the players made their way back to their country. Spanish players - goalkeeper Nauzet Santana, defender Roberto Eslava, midfielders Fito and Sandro Rodriguez - left towards the end of April on a repatriation flight while coach Akbar Nawaz left for Singapore later.

Aizawl FC

All foreigners of Aizawl FC, except Matias Veron, were stranded in the country until July 1. Veron was the first foreign player to leave the country in May. Justice Morgan and Richard Kassaga left Aizawl for Kolkata on July 1. While Kassaga travelled to Mumbai on July 2 and then took a flight back to Uganda on the same day, Justice Morgan’s flight to Nigeria is on July 4.

Ugandan defender Joseph Adjei is still in Aizawl but he is expected to fly back by the first week of July. Unfortunately, midfielder Abdoulaye Kanouté will have to stay back in India for a longer time as he cannot return to Mali due to the ongoing civil war in the country.

The club provided accommodation to all the foreigners during the lockdown and have also paid for their flight tickets.

Churchill Brothers

Four footballers - Willis Plaza, Dawda Ceesay, Robert Primus and Abu Bakr - are still stuck in Goa and are waiting for the international travelling to resume in India. Portuguese striker Socrates Pedro and Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan had left the country before the lockdown.

NEROCA

All six NEROCA FC foreigners are still stuck in India amidst the nationwide lockdown - Ousmane Diawara and Boubacar Diarra (Mali), Taryk Sampson and Marvin Phillip (Trinidad & Tobago), Attila Busai (Hungary),Philip Adjah (Ghana). The foreign players will fly back to their respective countries once international flights resume.

TRAU

Unlike their city rivals, TRAU FC had managed to send back their entire foreign contingent - Oguchi Uche, Joseph Olaleye, Joel Sunday and Princewill Emeka (all Nigeria), Gerard Williams (St. Kitts and Nevis), Isaac Isinde (Uganda) - before the nationwide lockdown was implemented on March 25. 

ATK's defensive midfielder Michael Regin has reached a zenith in his career graph at the age of 32 after winning the Indian Super League (ISL) last season.

Having won the I-League in the 2018-19 season with Chennai City FC, Regin ended up winning both of India's domestic leagues back-to-back. It was a satisfying moment for a player who has had to go through a lot of challenges, including not playing professional football during his peak years.

Regin is part of a crop of footballers from Tamil Nadu who were brought into national conscience by the emergence of Chennai City. Regin, his younger brother Michael Soosairaj, Chennaiyin FC midfielder Edwin Vanspaul and Odisha FC winger Nandhakumar Sekar were all given their chance to shine by Rohit Ramesh-owned Chennai City. Regin was quick to heap praise on them.

In fact, his excellent performances for Chennai City in the 2017-18 season saw Soosairaj being bought for good money by Jamshedpur FC who then sold him for a huge fee to ATK.

"Let it be me, Soosai, Nandha or Edwin, every player who came out of Chennai City have done well. If they were not there, there is no doubt we wouldn’t have reached anywhere. We played with them even before they were in the I-League. We won the CFA Senior Division title with them," Regin told Goal.

Regin details how Rohit Ramesh's insistence on promoting local talent when Chennai City gained entry to the I-League helped all of them. It is a policy that Chennai City and Rohit Ramesh have stuck to with unwavering belief. It has also brought them success with the I-League title coming their way in the 2018-19 season.

Despite the likes of Edwin and Regin leaving the club after 2018-19, Chennai City have continued to back young talent and it is an approach that Regin has heaped praises on.

"Rohit Sir called me when I was going for a Santosh Trophy camp (in 2017), he asked me to come and play for the team since they were going to the I-League. He told me he was looking to give chances to a lot of local players and promote them. I was not sure how it was possible but he has done it as he envisioned it.

"A lot of Tamil Nadu players have come out of Chennai City and even now the squad has primarily local talent. They continue to achieve good results. The performance has not gone down. They were a huge part in my life and I cannot forget them and Rohit sir," expressed Regin.

Rohit Ramesh himself was quick to point out that the club always had belief in Regin that he will come good despite his injury troubles. "I’m happy we had given him that platform! Despite him being injury prone, we stuck with him and believed he can reach the heights like his brother! Wishing him more success in the coming future," Rohit told Goal.

The ISL final this time around also pitted Regin against his former teammate Edwin Vanspaul who has had a breakthrough season with Chennaiyin FC where he excelled in midfield. Regin, who missed the majority of the season with injury, had cemented his place in the ATK midfield towards the business end of the season. Naturally, the final saw the two 'friends' clash, with Regin guilty of hacking down Edwin during one particular passage of play.

"Edwin, he’s like my brother. Yeah, there was a tackle on him. If I missed a ball, the coach would’ve killed me. So, I had to go for that ball. It was in the air, he also went for it. I mistimed it and ended up fouling Edwin out. I immediately apologised to him," said Regin.

Regin was quick to point out the importance of the Chennai Football Association (CFA) leagues which have traditionally played a huge role in giving opportunities to aspiring players from the state. Regin himself, Nandhakumar, Soosairaj, Edwin and countless others from the state have come through after excelling in the CFA leagues. However, the league did not take place from 2019 after a High Court ruling had declared the results of CFA election held in 2018 null and void.

"Chennai league is a first step for many local players. I played both second, first and then played senior division. It gives a lot of exposure to local players. I used to enjoy playing in that league. Nobody would have known me If I’d not played there. I got a job only because of playing there.

"I don't understand what is happening, but a lot of players are suffering. Everybody cannot play for Chennai City FC and come up. They cannot give a chance to every player. There needs to be the league in the city. It is such an important part for a Tamil Nadu player," reasoned Regin.