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King Faisal president Alhaji Karim Grunsah believes Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold will struggle to make an impression in the 2020-21 Caf inter-club competitions.

The two sides have been ratified by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council to fly the nation's flag in Africa following the premature termination of the 2019-20 domestic football season due to the coronavirus disruptions.

Kotoko will play in the Caf Champions League while AshGold have the ticket for the Confederation Cup. The two sides equally represented Ghana in the 2019-20 campaign where they both got eliminated

"Allow them to go and disgrace themselves," Grunsah told Kumasi FM.

"They represented the country during the era of the Normalization Committee but brought nothing better but shame.

"No one can seize them from participating once they have their money but they should be mindful, especially with their gate proceeds [now unavailable]. Some management members capitalize on that to dupe the club.

"Nonetheless, we [Ghana] cannot waste our slot hence they can keep on trying [to make an impression in Africa]. It may be better for them someday."

Winners of the Ghana Tier One Special Competition which replaced the Premier League last season, Kotoko participated in the Champions League this season but the adventure ended early as they were knocked out by Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the first round.

Ashanti Gold, who won the Ghana Tier Two Special Competition - which replaced the FA Cup last year - played in this term's Confederation Cup where their journey was ended by Moroccan fold RS Berkane in the first round.

Aduana were in pole position to win the Premier League this season and consequently represent Ghana in the Champions League next season as they topped the standings when the championship was annulled on Tuesday.

“The FA deciding to cancel the league is a worry to us because we wanted to win the league and represent Ghana in the African Champions League. So hearing the news was bad,” Aduana attacker Bright told Alpha Radio.

“Going almost four months without football is bad for any player and the team as a whole. Individual training is different from team training.

"I will advise Asante Kotoko and Ashantigold not to partake in the African inter-club competitions.

“It will be prudent for both clubs to prepare for the local league instead of playing in Africa."

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) was terminated at the matchweek 15 stage. 

Cameroon international Ajara Nchout is in shock by the move of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to cancel the 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations.

On Tuesday, Goal reported Caf's cancellation of the continental women's showpiece earlier slated for November 23 to December 20 after its Executive Committee meeting in a virtual-conference.

The decision was largely due to the global health crisis arising from the Covid-19 outbreak, which forced the indefinite postponement of its qualifying series earlier billed for April and June.

"Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled," Caf confirmed in a statement.

This development means the tournament held biennially since 1998 will not take place for the first time as scheduled, having staged the last edition in Ghana in 2018, which was won by Nigeria.

And the Indomitable Lioness, who finished second in the race for the 2019 Africa Women's Player of the Year prize, believes the cancellation will be a serious setback for women's football. 

"An Africa Women's Cup of Nations is more than a competition," Nchout wrote on her Instagram page.

"Since yesterday [Wednesday], I have been saddened by the news of the cancellation of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2020. Even if I understand the decision, I find it hard to accept. 

"Whatever, African women's football will fall behind. African women's football does not offer much opportunity to see one's talents. Afcon is a door of opportunity for us.

For many women's football players, the Awcon represents the major opportunity to defend their country and expose themselves to a career in Europe and America.

"Many of us have emerged with the Awcon. Three years in a lifetime is far. I am sad for my young sisters and African women's football."

To appease women's football fans, Caf announced the inauguration of the new Africa Women's Champions League, which begins in 2021.

Despite her disappointment over 2020, the Valerenga striker has applauded Ahmad Ahmad's led administration for approving the establishment of the continent's women's club competition.

"Nevertheless, I congratulate Africa Football Confederation for the creation of the Africa Women's Champions League. We take RDV to 2022," she concluded.

Cameroon finished three times as Awcon runners-up in the past 11 editions and the cancellation of this year's edition has dashed the quest of Nchout and her side to win their first continental prize.

Newly crowned Tanzania Mainland League champions Simba SC have been awarded TSh100 million ($43,159) by their sponsors Sportpesa. 

The Msimbazi based side retained the title despite a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons on Sunday.

Simba needed just a point to ensure they kept the league title and their performance at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya gave them just that even though the hosts gave an equally brave fight to keep the champions at bay.

An additional eight minutes did not frustrate Wekundu wa Msimbazi in ensuring they went back to Dar es Salaam as champions again.

The draw means Simba collected four points at Sokoine Stadium after their previous encounter against Mbeya City which they won to close in on their 21st league title. It is for this reason the betting firm decided to reward the team for their efforts on the pitch.

"Sportpesa has congratulated Simba SC and today [Thursday], we have given them a gift for successfully defending their title," read a brief post on their official Facebook page.

The league giants also posted their acknowledgement message on their social media accounts, stating it was part of the agreement between the two parties.

"Our main sponsors Sportpesa [handed] us a TSh100 million cheque after winning the 2019/20 season league.

"The monies have been given to us as part of the agreement in the sponsorship contract signed by the two parties in 2017."

The Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) settled for July 8 as the date to award Simba SC the Mainland Premier League trophy.

The Wekundu wa Mzimbazi were crowned champions with six matches to spare after their tally of 79 points proved too much for Azam FC and Yanga SC to catch, and they finally got their hands on their third title in a row and the right to represent the country in the Caf Champions League next season.

The TPLB had earlier ruled out feting Simba in Mbeya, where they managed a 2-0 win against Mbeya City before securing a 0-0 draw against Tanzania Prisons, to be crowned.

Goal can now reveal the league managers have settled for July 8 as the date to hand the trophy to Simba, which they will keep for good, after their match against Namungo FC at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi.

"We asked Simba to tell us when we can give them the trophy and they have settled for July 8 and that is when we will be able to hand them the trophy," TPLB said in a signed statement.

"The trophy presentation will be done at Majaliwa Stadium in Lindi after their match against Namungo."

Simba still have other league matches against Ndanda FC, Mbao FC, Alliance FC, and Coastal Union to play before the season concludes.

Miralem Pjanic’s story so far has been a fascinating one, taking him from Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Barcelona by way of Luxembourg, France and Italy. In a long-awaited announcement, it was confirmed this week that the 30-year-old midfielder will join Barcelona from Juventus for the 2020/21 season on a contract that will run until 2024.

At the Camp Nou, Pjanic will look to add to the three Serie A titles he has won with Juventus – which could be four by the time he arrives – and he’ll also continue his quest for the trophy that has eluded him so far during his glittering career, the Champions League.

La Liga Santander will be the third of Europe’s top leagues to enjoy Pjanic’s talents. After leaving his home country with his family for Luxembourg, where his father played semi-professional football for Schifflange 95, Pjanic developed his skills there and was soon spotted and signed by French side Metz at the age of 14. He made his professional debut for Metz aged just 17 and impressed so much that he was picked up by French giants Lyon after just a season.

After three years in Lyon, his Italian journey began with a move to join Roma. It was there that Pjanic’s profile really rose as he displayed his versatility by playing in a variety of positions across the midfield and scored freekick after freekick, a craft he perfected together with the legendary Juninho Pernambucano at Lyon.

Roma’s own legend Francesco Totti quickly came to appreciate what Pjanic could bring to the table, praising his football brain and insisting that this was far more important than the Bosnia and Herzegovina international’s perceived lack of pace. As Totti told reporters back in 2011: “Pjanic is technically formidable, even if he seems a little slow on the outside. He thinks a second quicker than you and that makes it very difficult for opponents.”

That quick thinking and beautiful style of play earned Pjanic the nickname in Italy of ‘Il Pianista’, or ‘The Pianist’ – a play on words referring to his name, and also his ability to move so gracefully while on ball.

After five years in Rome, Juventus came calling. Pulling the strings in midfield, it was in Turin where Pjanic won the first major trophies of his career with a Serie A and Coppa Italia double, as well as reaching the Champions League final in Cardiff, though the Bianconeri would ultimately lose to Real Madrid.

Pjanic will now renew his rivalry with Real Madrid, not in black and white but in Blaugrana colours. Barcelona are acquiring a player whose technical ability should see him fit comfortably into the midfield at the Camp Nou.

He also already speaks Bosnian, Luxembourgish, French, Italian, English and German and, with language skills like that, it won’t be long before ‘The Pianist’ learns the local language and the footballing language at Barcelona too.

Like many sports, football has plenty of traditions which are tightly woven into the pageantry of the game at all levels.

Etiquette and good sportsmanship have been important aspects of the game, with the idea being that, while you compete with an opponent, you should also respect them.

Hence, we see things such as handshakes before and after the game - albeit not anymore due to restrictions brought in to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Another common tradition in football is the guard of honour, but what exactly is it and why do football teams do them?

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What is a guard of honour in football?

A guard of honour is a display of respect that is usually reserved for the winners of a league or cup competition.

Before a match kicks off or prior to a trophy presentation, players from the opposing team create two parallel lines to flank the champions as they enter the pitch or make their way to lift the trophy.

As part of the guard of honour, players usually applaud the champions in acknowledgement of their feat - a show of basic respect that transcends customary rivalries.

In Spain, the guard of honour is known as a pasillo, which translates literally into English as 'hallway' or 'corridor'.

Testimonial games, where an individual player's service is publicly acknowledged, usually see the players from both teams form a guard of honour for the person being celebrated.

Why do clubs perform a guard of honour?

Clubs perform a guard of honour in order to acknowledge the achievement of the champions in a respectful manner.

In 2020, ahead of the meeting between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola indicated that his team would grant the Reds the honour for winning the Premier League title.

"We are going to do the guard of honour, of course," said the Catalan coach.

"Always we receive Liverpool, when they came to our house, in an incredible way. They cannot complain. Of course we are going to do it because they deserve it."

However, it is not always done in such a magnanimous fashion and is very often carried out through gritted teeth, particularly in the case of bitter rivals.

Gary Neville was famously bitter about giving Chelsea a guard of honour in 2005, likening it to having your wife leave you then "being asked to hang the new bloke's clothes up in your old wardrobe!!"

When Arsenal gave Manchester United a guard of honour in 2013 it was particularly painful for Arsenal fans, who watched on as their team applauded former Gunner Robin van Persie onto the field.

Van Persie's controversial decision to leave Arsenal for their long-time rivals Manchester United was driven by a desire to win trophies and the Premier League triumph in his first season vindicated his move.

Of course, it was not particularly pleasing for Gunners fans, with many booing the Red Devils, or indeed the players, though Bacary Sagna reveals that, on reflection, he does not begrudge the Dutchman his moment.

"It probably felt special for him because when he left he was criticised by many people," Sagna said in an interview with the Telegraph. 

"We all felt the same in the team and we respected him. I was happy for him. He did a lot for our team. He was a top player and a top striker and he deserved it."

Is a guard of honour compulsory?

There are no rules that state clubs must perform a guard of honour for the champions elect. It is very much a voluntary expression of respect and is not always done.

It is not exactly clear when the tradition began, but 1955 is usually marked as the first example of it being performed in England's top tier, when Matt Busby's Manchester United honoured Chelsea.

Of course, nowadays when a guard of honour is not performed, it can become a source of consternation for fans, players and, indeed, managers.

Real Madrid infamously refused to honour Barcelona with a guard of honour, or pasillo, in 2018, despite Barcelona doing so 10 years previously in similar circumstances.

Zinedine Zidane accused Barca of breaking the tradition and so Real would not return to honour, while Sergio Ramos declared it would not happen "full stop".

At the time, then Barcelona boss Ernest Valverde was nonplussed by their Clasico rival's refusal to put on a show of respect.

“On the notion of a guard of honour, I wouldn't do it for anyone, nor would I want it to be done for us," said Valverde. "It has now lost the essence that it had a few years ago."

Jurgen Klopp is proof that patience will be rewarded in modern-day management, says Steve McManaman, with Liverpool praised for bucking what has become a trend of constant change.

The Reds have made plenty of alterations in the dugout themselves since they last got their hands on an English top-flight crown.

Plenty have offered cause for optimism, but those on Merseyside were always demanding and expecting more.

Klopp’s arrival in October 2015 helped to put the Reds on a different path, with the German boasting both the respect and ability to deliver in the most pressurised of posts.

He has, however, been given time in which to get things right, with the trophy floodgates only flung open again in 2019 after previously falling at the final hurdle across a number of competitions.

Liverpool never considered starting from scratch again and have been rewarded for that show of faith with title triumphs in the Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League.

“I've always asked for patience, even my job as a pundit, I don’t like this hiring and firing of managers really quickly. How are they supposed to bed down and grow some roots for the team if they’re in the job for eight months?” former Reds star McManaman told the Gary Newbon Sports Show.

“Klopp, from day one, he gets the club. It's as if he read up on the history of the club before he got here. He was given time by the owners, but more importantly every single year there’s been an improvement. 

“Every year there’s been a progression in what he's been trying to achieve - the players know it's going to be long term.”

Despite history proving that stability and continuity are key ingredients for success, many clubs continue to favour a different approach.

Manchester United fall into that category, having once seen Sir Alex Ferguson spend 27 years in their dugout, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer facing plenty of criticism prior to a recent reversal in fortune.

McManaman is disappointed by the sack culture in 2020, with Klopp having cemented a standing alongside the very best coaching brains in the business after being trusted over a prolonged period of time.

“If you look at Solskjaer, some of the criticism he’s had off former United players has been atrocious, but you can see the steps he's trying to make is great,” added McManaman.

“You can see the fruit starting to bear now - they look like a team. [Paul] Pogba and [Bruno] Fernandes look good, [Anthony] Martial and [Marcus] Rashford look good. And you think two or three big signings and they could be a force again. 

“We need to be patient with the managers. As long as they sit down with the right ethos, the right idea, the right style of football - I think that's the way forward. You need to give them patience, let them work their magic and Jurgen Klopp has absolutely done that. 

“He's excelled to get to two Champions League finals. To achieve what he’s achieved - we speak about the Zinedine Zidanes, we speak about Pep Guardiolas, the Madrids and the Barcelonas - now is the time to talk about Jurgen Klopp.”

Former France striker Christophe Dugarry has been roundly criticised for insensitive comments made towards Lionel Messi, in which he referred to the Argentine as a "1.5m tall kid" who is "half autistic".

Dugarry was speaking on RMC Sport as part of the broadcaster's coverage of Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, a match in which Griezmann was subbed on for the final minutes of yet another disappointing display under Quique Setien.

The 48-year-old maintains that Griezmann's struggles to nail down a starting spot at Camp Nou are down to a lack of harmony and caused outrage when proposing a solution to the problem.

"What is [Griezmann] afraid of? A kid who is 1.5 metres tall and half autistic?" the 1998 World Cup winner said. "All he has to do is show some balls at some point.

"I've been saying for a year that he has a problem with Messi. He has to hit him in the face.

"It's true that Messi could give him more passes, but honestly I am not surprised. Griezmann loses balls, doesn't play with confidence. Griezmann should go and talk to Messi to solve the problem."

Of course, Dugarry's comments caused outrage throughout the football world and he has since issued an apology, albeit later deciding to delete the response from his social media account.

"I’m sincerely sorry for the breadth and depth of my remarks about Lionel Messi," he tweeted. "I didn't want to stigmatise people with autism disorders, that was not my intention. I apologise to the people I shocked and will do it again (apologise) on Team Duga (TV show) this evening."

Messi was not the only Barca employee Dugarry singled out for criticism, however, with under-fire coach Setien getting both barrels from the Frenchman.

"He is not a decisive coach. Setien is very nice but he doesn't have the right credentials – he didn't know who to change," Dugarry said. "He replaced Sergio Busquets in the 85th minute to bring in Ansu Fati and launched Griezmann in in the 90th.

"I don't think it's anything against Griezmann, he just doesn't know how to get this team to play. He's completely overwhelmed. I'm convinced that he has nothing against Griezmann, but rather he is just incompetent."

Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba would have only made the bench at Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s heyday, says Eric Djemba-Djemba, but plenty is expected of the midfield talent in the present.

The January arrival of the Portugal international at Old Trafford is considered to have been a turning point in the Red Devils’ 2019-20 campaign. Fernandes has slotted seamlessly into the fold, with the 25-year-old quickly becoming a talismanic figure in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans.

He now has World Cup winner Pogba alongside him to offer assistance in the creativity department, with the weight of expectation being spread a little more than it was at the turn of the year.

Djemba-Djemba is among those to have been impressed by a rejuvenated United, but thinks the modern day heroes would find it hard to win a place in star-studded sides of the past.

Asked by BettingApps.com as to whether Fernandes and Pogba would be substitutes under Ferguson, the former Red Devils midfielder said: “For sure! Fernandes and Pogba would definitely have been on the bench behind [Roy] Keane and [Paul] Scholes.

“Those two were amazing together. Roy Keane was like a coach, like a manager to the team.”

While admitting that Fernandes and Pogba have some way to go before they can claim to stand alongside the greats, Djemba-Djemba believes the latter – who has faced plenty of criticism during his second spell at Old Trafford – still has the potential to become a legend.

“I think that Paul Pogba can still get a lot better,” he added. “He still a young lad, and we can still expect better things to come from him.

“Now you will see, with Matic and Fernandes, Pogba will become a world-class player again. He needs them to push him, to tell him that he can do these things, to turn him into an even better player."

Djemba-Djemba believes the midfield trio currently being favoured by Solskjaer should be the go-to option heading forward, with there no need for United to further bolster their ranks amid talk of Jack Grealish and Saul Niguez being targeted.

The ex-Cameroon international said: “I would just play Matic behind Pogba and Fernandes. I think that Matic is the best defensive midfielder at United at the moment. I don’t think that United need to sign any other midfielders.”

Jurgen Klopp should be considering a reunion with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Liverpool, says Stephen Warnock, with the former Borussia Dortmund striker stalling on a new contract at Arsenal.

Discussions on that front have dragged on for some time, with the Gabon international remaining coy when it comes to his future plans.

If no agreement is reached in north London, then the Gunners will have little choice but to cash in on another player who would be heading towards becoming a free agent.

Various clubs have been mooted for Aubameyang he leaves Arsenal, from Manchester United to Barcelona, but Warnock believes Liverpool should be in the mix for another proven option to compete with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

The former Reds defender told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If I was Jurgen Klopp, I’d be going for him with a year left on his contract.

"You’re wanting a goalscorer who can either come off the bench or play on a regular basis. “He will challenge the front three, he doesn’t need time to settle, you know he’s proven, he knows the manager and the manager knows what he’s about.

“Aubameyang will be on big wages, but he won’t cost you big money to get him out with a year left on his contract and the age that he’s at.

“Would Aubameyang like to go to a club like Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United? From his point of view, being a squad player at 31, competing for the Champions League, competing for leagues, and he will win some trophies going to one of those three clubs - that’s what he wants at the end of his career.

“When you retire, to have that association with one of those clubs, as well as Arsenal, as well as Borussia Dortmund, what a CV you’ve got then.”

Arsenal are still hoping that Aubameyang can be talked into extending his association with them, but the clock is ticking ahead of the next transfer window and many have suggested that the experienced forward will seek a new challenge in an effort to capture more major silverware in the latter stages of his career.

Bukayo Saka has mentioned Davis Luiz as the Arsenal player that has been most helpful to him.

The 18-year old put pen to paper on a new contract that will tie him to the Emirates Stadium until 2024. He had a year left to run on his previous deal and it looked as though he was not going to commit.

Luiz on his path had committed an extra year having joined from Chelsea last summer. He is somewhat of a divisive figure with his often-mixed performances on the pitch which draws criticism from fans and pundits. His display in the 3-0 defeat by Manchester City where he caused a goal and also got a red card was an example of such.

Coach Mikel Arteta however sees the Brazilian as an important player and so does Saka.

“I would say a lot of them have been really helpful. It would be unfair to really pick people out and stuff like that because since I've come there, I've felt welcomed, I've felt loved,” Saka was quoted saying in the Express.

"Now they feel like brothers to me and I can speak to them, I can say anything to them and they'll always be there for me.

"But one player in particular I would have to say is probably David Luiz.

"He's a man with a big heart and he just has so much experience in the game as well.

"He goes out of his way all the time to advise and help all the young players.

"I'm sure if you asked them as well they will tell you how much he is there to support us.

"He is a very important member of our squad."

The Anglo-Nigerian has played 37 times in all competitions since making his debut in 2018. The current campaign has been his breakout season with three goals and 10 assists in the 34 matches. He has played a more dominant role under Mikel Arteta, showing his versatility in playing at left-back during a period when Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac were out injured.

“Bukayo is a talented and intelligent young player. He has impressed me with his work ethic and attitude to learn and adapt, and it has paid off in his performances,” Arteta said when Saka’s new contract was announced.

“I am excited to continue working with him to develop him further, and for him to help us achieve our goals.”

Former Manchester United Rio Ferdinand meanwhile is of the opinion that Arteta should build the Arsenal squad around players like Saka because of his commitment.

“I think Arsenal need people with the right attitude, right characters and people that want to be at the club,” the 41-year old told BT Sport.

“Looking at his statement [Saka], he buys into the philosophy, and he wants to move forward with the club.

“I would build the club around him, around players like [Joe] Willock.

“The badge means something to these boys. They need to move forward together.”

Jadon Sancho is a "street dog" who was always motivated to get to the very top, according to a former Borussia Dortmund youth coach who helped the England international on his way to stardom.

Benjamin Hoffmann, now a coach with Mainz Under-19s, worked in the academy at Dortmund while Sancho was progressing through the system.

Sancho, now aged 20, is one of the most feared attackers in European football, starring for club and country, as well as being tracked for a potential big-money transfer by several top clubs, including Manchester United.

Hoffman says Sancho had to be given the freedom to play because of his immense talents, and recalled one game against Real Madrid's youth team as a prime example of how the winger was incredibly determined to reach the very top.

Speaking exclusively to Goal and SPOX, Hoffman said: "Jadon is a real street dog who always wants to be the best. I had to give him his freedom because otherwise I couldn't have motivated him for the U19s.

"His best game was in the UEFA Youth League against Real Madrid. There he played with Jacob Bruun Larsen and Alex Isak to make up the offensive three. He knew that everyone was watching, the game was being broadcast on TV, and he could prove that he really shouldn't be here. We won 5-3."

Hoffman was a central figure in Dortmund's very productive academy during his time at the club, and named Sancho as one of the very best talents he has worked with, as well as another current Dortmund star in Gio Reyna.

He also worked alongside former Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp, who has just guided Liverpool to their first English league title in 30 years having won the Champions League last season, and was full of praise for the German.

Hoffman said: "Jurgen Klopp was simply sensational. It's amazing how approachable he is. He builds an individual connection to each player. To see how he deals with the players and how authentic he stays with them."

Of the current Dortmund youth crop, Youssoufa Moukoko is the most highly-regarded young player, with the 15-year-old forward all set to step up to the senior squad next season. Hoffman is backing the youngster to live up to the hype and believes he has the maturity to succeed.

He said: "I think he [Moukoko] can keep up physically and football-wise there. Other than his footballing qualities, he has developed personally under [Dortmund U-17 manager] Sebastian Geppert over the past two years and has matured significantly."

Diego Simeone reiterated his surprise after Antoine Griezmann was used sparingly by Barcelona against Atletico Madrid, but suggested the forward still had time to make an impact.

Griezmann was introduced in the 90th minute of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against his former club at Camp Nou and registered just six touches of the ball.

The France international has been a sub in three of Barca's last four games and has been linked with a move away at the end of the season, just a year after arriving from Atleti in a €120 million (£108m/$135m) transfer.

Simeone said after the game he was lost for words at Griezmann's struggles at Camp Nou but, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, he refused to criticise the 29-year-old for swapping clubs.

"I don't want to be disrespectful," he said. "At the moment we are playing a lot in this season finale and that point is not important for us today."

Asked for his opinion on the substitution, Simeone said: "I am without words. Speechless.

"I don't drive a truck, I drive a team of footballers who work for a major club like Atleti. 

"In our team, three minutes can be decisive. We lost a Champions League final in the space of three minutes and for me they are very important."

Atletico's away draw with reigning champions Barca made it 13 games without defeat in all competitions, including a 4-2 aggregate win over Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Simeone credits the victory at Anfield prior to the suspension of football due to coronavirus as the key to his side's recent resurgence in La Liga, with four wins and two draws since the restart lifting Atleti into third place ahead of Friday's clash with Mallorca.

"We played a great match against Liverpool with a result that we knew was going to give us a major boost in La Liga," he said.

"In La Liga you are awarded for consistency. It is not over yet, but we know the Liverpool result was important for us before the break. 

"The players trained well at home and we returned as we wanted. The group is good, with good relationships between the players.

"We have to continue improving and achieve our objective against Mallorca. Hopefully we can finish as high as possible in the league."

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) 2019/20 champions Vipers SC have completed the signing 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.

Orit becomes Vipers' second signing as the winger joins on a three-year contract. On July 1, Vipers confirmed they had signed Disan Galiwango from Express FC.

"The Soroti-born Cranes winger joins the four-time league champions as a free agent on a three years agreement subject to renewal after its expiration in June 2023," Vipers said as they confirmed the arrival of the 22-year old star.

"Orit becomes Vipers' second signing as coach Fred Kajoba tries to fill all yawning gaps identified during the few months he has been at the club's helm.

"Having spent three competitive seasons at the Western Uganda based club, the proud Itesot brings pace, artistry combined with a huge work rate to the newly-crowned league champions."

Orit launched his career at Junior Eagles Football Academy before he landed at Future Stars which is a regional league club. He joined the 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.

"I‘m 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 website after putting pen to paper.

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

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.

"The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and Orit’s squad number will be confirmed soon," Vipers concluded.

Harry Kane would have left Tottenham had Erik ten Hag been appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor, says Andros Townsend, but a prolific frontman is expected to stick around under Jose Mourinho and help deliver long-awaited silverware.

Transfer talk is starting to build again around the England captain as questions are asked of Spurs’ ability to deliver on his ambition.

Kane, who has seen a big-money move to Manchester United mooted, has conceded that he may have to weigh up his options if a 12-year-long wait for trophies in north London is extended much further.

He has, however, seen a proven winner drafted into the dugout, with Mourinho appointed in November 2019 on the back of successful stints at the likes of Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.

Townsend, who graduated through the same academy system as Kane, believes the Portuguese tactician will get Spurs back on the trophy trail and convince key men to stay put – which may have been difficult had Ten Hag, who has favoured youth and long-term projects at Ajax, been brought in.

“If Spurs had gone for another project, if maybe they had got the Ajax manager in, then maybe he has to leave because he can’t be waiting for or five years to get back to the top and win a trophy,” Townsend told talkSPORT of Kane.

“But I’m certain that Jose Mourinho will win a trophy during his time at Spurs.

“Whether that is the League Cup or the FA Cup or the Premier League and the Champions League, I don’t know. But I feel with the manager that they have, they can fulfil Harry Kane’s ambitions and I hope they do.”

Townsend, who is now on the books at Crystal Palace, hopes that Kane can be retained by Spurs as he has come a long way from humble beginnings to become one of the most fearsome frontmen on the planet.

“In his younger days, he was an incredible finisher,” added the England winger.

“I remember before I broke through that I used to tell people that he’s the best finisher I’ve ever played with, and people used to laugh at me.

“What he didn’t have back then was mobility, maybe a bit of speed, strength, his ability in the air. In the next three or four years, slowly he started adding those to his game and came to a point where he had it all and he has it all.

“I’m sure he will go on to do great things and hopefully win many things with Spurs.”

Once deemed potential star in the making, Lester Fernandez saw his stock go down drastically after 2014 partly due to injuries. The former Pune FC star has admitted that he is not "completely satisfied" with the way his playing career has paved out.

"I'm not completely satisfied. Maybe I have played only 60-70 per cent of my football," he had told Goal as the 33-year-old narrated his story.

Almost eight years back, United Sports Club paid a transfer fee of INR 20 lakhs for Lester, which shows how highly rated he was. But an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in 2015 all but crippled his career. Fellow Goan Adil Khan was another player who suffered such an injury along with Lester. But the current India international rebuilt his career from scratch, dropping down to the I-League Second Division in order to get more playing time.

Lester feels that he erred by not following Adil's approach which has now seen him establish himself as a starter in the national team and at Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Hyderabad FC.

"To give you an example, Adil and I had the same surgery together. He thought to start from scratch and look at him now. I'm so happy for him and that's one thing that I probably should have done. I didn't want to go and play in the second division back then," he admitted.

Khan represented I-League second division side Lonestar Kashmir for a period of three months before joining Dempo SC and returned to the national stage with a good season at Churchill Brothers that opened the doors for his re-entry into the Indian Super League (ISL) with FC Pune City and later Hyderabad FC.

And while Fernandez failed in his attempts to relaunch himself on the national stage, he eventually took to playing for Mumbai-based club Kenkre FC last season besides taking up a coaching job at SP Academy and St. Xaviers' school at Nerul, Navi Mumbai.

"Having played for 10 years, I thought that I don't want to go out of Mumbai and that's when I started to play for Kenkre and completed my (AFC) D-License in coaching," he reasoned.

Having spent his time with clubs in Goa, Pune and Kolkata, Fernandez has pointed out the contrast in the football culture. "In Kolkata there is a lot of crowd pressure. They want you to play well in every match. If you play well in one match, you're the hero but it continues for every match. In Goa also, there is pressure from the supporters but not as much as Kolkata."

The 33-year-old is now planning to get his coaching badges and shares his experience of guiding youngsters.

"What I have learned so far about coaching is, you have to be a little bit patient especially with younger kids. If you get pros (professional players), it's different to coach them because they understand [the game] much better. But when you coach the younger age groups, you have to be patient. 

"The careers that we have had in football, you cannot expect the same thing from everyone. Sometimes you tend to think that they play the same football but then it takes time and you have to start from scratch."

The Coronavirus pandemic situation has put normal life out of gear for many as Fernandez is undecided about his future. "It won't be the same again for sure. People will be extra cautious. Football is a contact sport and so parents will be thinking twice before sending their kids. We have to wait for the situation to go back to normal.

"Kenkre has also offered me to coach them as a player-manager but let's see."

The dust has barely settled on Liverpool’s long-awaited title success, but Jurgen Klopp is probably already looking to tackle challenges that could spring forth next season.

Having waited 30 years, the passionate German finally delivered on his promise to end the club’s domestic drought when he was appointed in 2015, although it had been a long time coming. The nature of the current Premier League campaign meant the Reds were champions-elect as far back as January, while the initial uncertainty created by the coronavirus threatened to shatter dreams of success.

However, they weren’t to be denied, with Chelsea’s win over Manchester City confirming what was a forgone conclusion for months. It is then ironic that their first fixture since a maiden Prem title was sewn up comes against Pep Guardiola’s side on Thursday night.

The result of the game at the Etihad Stadium may be inconsequential, however, the likelihood of Klopp’s mentality warriors giving a sub-par performance is slim. With the world champions eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will have his sights on eclipsing City’s 100-point haul from 2017/18 (they have 86 points with seven games to play).

Contrarily, others have suggested that, with the league now sealed, the Reds can sit back, relax and treat the remainder of the campaign as a mini preseason to try out some of the more fringe players appraising how they could fit in or otherwise next term.

Two names that will be mentioned are Naby Keita and Joel Matip, both first-team players whose influence in the title success was curtailed by long-term injuries this season. The Guinea star has been sidelined for a staggering 22 games in all competitions this year, while Matip missed 20 between late October and the middle of January.

Given their status in the side, and Liverpool’s need to wheel and deal smartly in the transfer market owing to the impact of the coronavirus, are the injury-prone pair lost causes and, consequently, expendable?

In fairness, it’s hard to see Keita leaving this summer, due to Klopp’s fondness of him and majorly because the Reds invested a lot in the all-action midfield man’s arrival in 2018. The Merseyside club waited a year for the West African having struck a deal with German side RB Leipzig in summer 2017.

However, a series of injuries have limited him to just 36 league appearances (21 starts) in nearly two full campaigns. He’d started only two games in the calendar year pre-pandemic, which became three after being named in the XI for the Merseyside derby vs Everton in their first game since the pandemic.

While the former RBL midfielder’s constant absences have been jarring, it is unlikely the Reds cut their losses this season and will probably give the fragile 25-year-old another season in the side to prove himself. That run doesn’t begin in 2020/21, however, with the remainder of this campaign laying a groundwork for what critics might tag a last chance saloon for the 2018 big-money signing.

Matip, unfortunately, isn’t going to get such an opportunity, with a foot injury sustained against Everton on June 21 ruling him out for the rest of the season.

He had featured in eight matches before that fixture at Goodison Park, and will now end the campaign with a measly nine appearances in an injury-plagued year.

Interestingly, the Cameroon centre-back arrived on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, so any fee received for the 28-year-old counts as profit, no matter how small.

He still has four years on his current deal, too, so the Anfield giants will probably receive a sizeable sum for the central defender if they choose to sell.

The caveat if a sale is on the table, however, is whether potential buyers would gamble on a player who’s been absent for a staggering 60 matches since swapping Gelsenkirchen for Merseyside four years ago. Given he’ll now miss the rest of this campaign, that number will rise to 67 by season’s end, a fact that could discourage potential buyers.

While Keita and Matip are saleable assets for a Liverpool side that, has been revealed, have little wiggle room in the transfer market due to the impact of the coronavirus, they may be better off keeping the pair for one more campaign.

In fairness, there are unlikely to be any takers willing to match the asking price for the African pair anyway, while the Anfield giants may be unable to afford too many players who will improve the side significantly given their current situation.

With the pressure now off, Keita has the rest of the campaign to lay his claim for another chance at Anfield next season.

Matip, on the other hand, won’t have that chance as his latest injury setback now threatens to put his position at the newly-crowned champions in jeopardy.

Bandari team Organising Secretary Dickson Kibagendi has revealed the club is planning to release 19 players from their squad.

Kibagendi says the current number making up the entire squad is too big but went ahead to say they have not zeroed in on who is going to be released.

Earlier rumours had indicated assistant coach Ibrahim Shikanda had already been relieved of his duties but Kibagendi has dismissed those reports.

"As we speak, we have a total of 49 members of the team meaning we will have to let go of at least 19 people but only at the right time. The rumours doing the rounds that we have sacked some members of the technical bench are not true," Kibagendi told Nation Sports.

"We have five coaches among them head coach Kennedy Odhiambo, assistant coaches Mohamed Nassoro, Ibrahim Shikanda, Razak Siwa, and team manager Wilson Obungu. This is a number we think is too big by local standards."

Bandari and former coach Bernard Mwalala parted ways early in the year for poor results and Twahir Muhiddin was appointed on an interim basis. Odhiambo was later on re-appointed as the clubs head coach and he is expected to steer the club in the 2020/21 season.

Meanwhile, Mbaraki Sports ground is expected to undergo renovation ahead of the upcoming season.

"Kenya Ports Authority Acting Managing Director Rashid Salim was at the Mbaraki Sports Club to inspect the ongoing renovation of the facilities," Badari announced.

The Managing Director was accompanied by General Manager of Operations and Harbour Master Captain William Ruto who is also the Chairman of the KPA-sponsored Premier League team, KPA Senior Managers, Bandari FC Organising Secretary Kibagendi among other team officials.

"The Managing Director was pleased with the ongoing construction which aims at elevating the sports grounds to international standards," added the Facebook statement.

"KPA Mbaraki Sports Club has been expanded with a provision for extending the sitting capacity as well as upgrading the playing surface.

"Currently, it has two grounds under construction; the main field as well as the youth field which will double up as a training ground.

"The Managing Director together with the Chairman promised to meet the playing unit once the lads resume training."

Bandari are among the KPL teams with a designated home pitch.

Black Leopards have revealed some of their key players have agreed to sign contract extensions.

This comes after the government gave the Premier Soccer League (PSL) the go-ahead to resume the suspended season which halted last March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lesedi Kapinga, Robert Ng’ambi, Mogakolodi Ngele and Tshwarelo Bereng have all agreed to stay at the Limpopo-based club for a further two months.

This was confirmed by Leopards' club director, Tshifhiwa ‘Chief’ Thidiela, who also disclosed Joseph Mhlongo officially left the team on Tuesday, June 30 when his contract expired.

“Most of them have agreed as it is allowed to have an extension for the remaining six matches, it is only Joseph Mhlongo whose contract is not going to be extended,” Thidiela told Far Post.

“The rest of them was obviously based on the coach’s plans we have negotiated with them and some we are still finalizing the negotiations to make sure they remain at the team for the last six games."

Thidiela also confirmed the club has offered some players contracts which will go beyond the current season and they are still waiting for them to indicate whether they will be signing them or not.

“The coach [Alan Clark] wants to still be able to use them, some we have offered new contracts going beyond the six matches so it’s just up to them to say yes or no," he added.

"The offers were tabled long ago, I think at Black Leopards we do this [negotiations] in the last 12 months of their contracts obviously to make sure that by the time the season ends we have all our people secured."

However, Thidiela refused to comment on reports about Kapinga signing a pre-contract with reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

“If he was to have signed with Sundowns I think that question would be appropriate to ask Sundowns or whoever that he may have signed with. I would not be privy to that information,” he concluded.

Relegation-threatened Leopards are placed 16th on the league standings - three points behind 13th-placed Baroka FC.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has aired his ambition to become captain at Liverpool and wants to demonstrate the same levels of ambition as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

At 21 years of age, time is on the youngster’s side as he looks to continue to carve out a reputation as one of Europe's top right-backs.

He is, however, well on his way to becoming an on-field leader at Anfield and one of the finest exponents of his current position that the English top-flight has ever seen.

A Merseyside native has already played a leading role in Champions League and Premier League triumphs, with rapid progress made since stepping out of the Reds’ academy.

There will be no letting up from Alexander-Arnold, though, with a Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo-esque mentality being adopted in the pursuit of further glory.

“Becoming Liverpool captain eventually motives me every day,” Alexander-Arnold told The Telegraph.

“It is something I want to achieve. Obviously that will not be my decision, but if I did not manage that before the end of my career I would be disappointed. I have always thought about that.

“Whether it happens or not, I feel it is my job at Liverpool to lead by example. I always try to do that now – to be an example for the younger lads coming through.

“I feel as though I am part of a team where everyone is influential and helping each other. That is what captains do. They lead and drag the side through tough times, and motivate the players alongside them.

“If you look at Ronaldo and Messi, it is the same. You never see them relaxing. Ronaldo has won five Champions Leagues. If you asked him if he was happy with that, he would say, ‘A little bit, but I want another one’.

“As an athlete, it would be weird not to have that competitive nature. You need goals and ambitions.

“For the last two seasons, that ambition was to win the biggest trophy so far as Liverpool are concerned, which is the Premier League. Coming close last year was tough. Next season will be the same. It is a natural reaction for us as players to keep pushing to achieve what others have not done.”

It is, however, not just tangible success that drives Alexander-Arnold and fuels his ambition.

A move into midfield has been mooted for him at some stage, having provided a flurry of assists from the flanks, but he wants to eclipse the efforts of Manchester United legend Gary Neville before considering any positional change.

“I think about how I can go about becoming the best right-back the Premier League has ever seen,” Alexander-Arnold added.

“When everyone picks their best ever Premier League team, I want my name to be in their team and not his!”

Eintracht Frankfurt sports director Fredi Bobic admitted star winger Filip Kostic could leave the Bundesliga side.

Kostic has previously been linked to Antonio Conte's Inter, while there is reported interest in the Serbia international from the Premier League.

The 27-year-old enjoyed another fine campaign, scoring four goals and tallying 11 assists, having contributed 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions last season.

Bobic was asked about the future of Kostic and he said: "Filip is happy here. He feels very comfortable with us, but it may also be that we are ready to release him.

"That depends not only on us, but also on the player. But I can imagine that he will play here next season: fans happy, players happy, me happy."

Bobic, who sanctioned the big-money departures of Luka Jovic (Real Madrid) and Sebastien Haller (West Ham) at the start of the season as Eintracht made significant profits, is anticipating a difficult transfer period due to the Covid-19 crisis.

"The goal was clearly to break the €300 million mark in the 2019-20 season," he said. "But suddenly there was a stop sign at €280m."

"There are an incredible number of players on offer right now, including interesting ones. But we have to look at the books to see what is possible. Because we do not know how long the situation will last.

"We have to be patient, it will be tough and long. It won't be an easy time. We already have a few players we would like to sign but if the money is not there, you cannot buy."

Bobic – who is also planning to offer head coach Adi Hutter a new contract – was also asked about Ante Rebic and loanee Andre Silva.

Rebic joined Milan on a two-year loan deal at the start of the season as Silva moved to Eintracht on the same terms.

Milan are reportedly keen on signing Rebic permanently, while Silva scored 16 goals for Eintracht.

"We have agreed with the owner of Milan that we will get together soon and talk about the topic," Bobic said. "I don't think Ante wants to get back to our salary level.

"Andre knows that we are happy with him. He is also happy to be here in Frankfurt and can imagine staying longer."