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Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been left to rue his side’s defensive frailties after a 3-2 defeat against West Ham on Wednesday at the London Stadium.

After Leicester’s defeat to Everton earlier in the day, the Blues had the opportunity to move to third in the Premier League with a victory.

Although they took the lead through a Willian penalty, they were pegged back by a header from Tomas Soucek and trailed early in the second half when Michail Antonio tapped in. The Brazilian responded with a free kick but as the Blues chased victory, they were caught on the counterattack as Andriy Yarmolenko fired home a late winner.

It left the former England midfielder frustrated with the standard of his side’s defensive work. 

“I wouldn’t say it’s the story of our season, but there have been so many of these moments,” he said. “We had a good restart, three good results, and tonight we had the opportunity to go third. 

“In a match like this, you have to do every part of the game well. You can dominate possession, which we did for most of the game, but if there are moments where you switch off, if you make one or two errors that lead to them scoring a goal that lets them go in 1-1 at half-time, you’re going to encourage teams on. I’ve been there and I’m aware of it. 

“The players have to show a bit of extra mentality and do the extra things that let you see a game through.”

Looking at his side’s situation in the league, he commented to Sky Sports: "We are two points ahead of Manchester United, who have been playing fantastic and are on a great run, Wolves are having a great season and they're behind us, Leicester have had a great season and we're just behind them.

“It's about perspective. We are upset because we wanted to win the game, we're footballers and we're in a good position. So there's no point in being down but I can't help but say the truth today which is that it's a game we should have won tonight.”

Chelsea will attempt to bounce back against Watford on Saturday.

Andreas Christensen has declared his "love" for Chelsea, with the defender keen for a longer stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old's future with the Blues looked in doubt after last season when he started just six Premier League games under Maurizio Sarri.

However, Christensen, a favourite of former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, has been handed 17 top-flight starts by Frank Lampard this term and is enjoying life in London again.

Back in January, Lampard said he would not let the Denmark international leave because he believes he can develop into a top centre-back at Chelsea.

"I've never looked anywhere else," Christensen, who has two years left on his contract, told Sky Sports .

"I've never doubted my situation. I've always had my eyes at Chelsea.

"I've had my contract and I've always expected to finish that and I've always dreamed of even more than that. Nothing has changed.

"Obviously it was a different situation last season but I still love being here, that's the short answer."

Lampard has rotated between centre-backs Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori, with each of the quartet having started at least 15 Premier League games in 2019-20.

This season was seen as something of a rebuilding one for the club given Lampard's arrival and the transfer ban imposed on them last year, but they remain in the driving seat for a top-four finish.

And with Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner having already agreed to join for next term, Christensen is excited about the future.

"We are in a process but I think we are way ahead of time," he added.

"We know what we are capable of. We feel very comfortable and confident at the moment. [Winning titles] is where we all want to be, so why not?

"We're all hungry. We have a good balance between experienced people and young, exciting talent. So I think that's the goal for all of us."

Jose Mourinho is hopeful that Eric Dier will sign a new contract with Tottenham.

The versatile England international's deal expires at the end of next season, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and manager Mourinho want him to stay.

Dier has informed Mourinho of his desire to extend his stay at the Premier League club, which was music to the ears of the Tottenham boss.

Mourinho said: "My boss Mr Levy tells me that he wants Eric to sign a new contract and Eric tells me that he's more than happy here, more than happy with his situation, especially now that he feels we have a certain idea for him and the deal.

"And he tells me also that he wants very much to stay.

"So I hope that we can find an agreement because I'm trying to take the team in a certain direction and when I try to develop a player in the team it's because I'm waiting for a player to stay with us."

The London club travel to Sheffield United on Thursday in the battle for European spots and Mourinho says Europa League rather than Champions League qualification would not be a failure.

"If you tell me I start the season with zero points like everyone else and at the end of the season I am not in a Champions League spot I would say disappointing," the Portuguese said.

"If I put myself in my day one and where the team was and everything that happens I would say I would not be disappointed because the situation was incredible.

"But we are going to fight until we can, until it is mathematically impossible. One objective is points on the table but we cannot forget that one objective is working for the future, working for next season.

"This is not a waste of time for us. It doesn't matter how we end the season, to know the players, to work with the players, to make decisions to improve the team step by step in certain areas I think is also very important for us.

"We just want to play and see where we are at the end of the season. When the season finishes we know a couple of weeks later we are starting pre-season for the next season and then is the moment to say everyone has the same points let's go and fight."

George Maluleka's agent Sean Roberts has revealed that his client wasn't offered a contract extension to finish the season with Kaizer Chiefs. 

The 31-year-old midfielder was unveiled by Mamelodi Sundowns after signing a three-year deal. 

The announcement came a day after he left Amakhosi, and Roberts said Maluleka is surprised he couldn't remain at Naturena until the end of the current campaign.   

"George is now a Sundowns player. A contract extension was not offered to him by Chiefs to finish the season," said Roberts on SA FM.  

"That came as a surprise to him and a lot of people in the football fraternity."

According to Roberts, the Tembisa-born star would have loved to finish the season with Chiefs after contributing immensely to where they are on the PSL log. 

"George would have loved to have finished the season with Chiefs. I think he added a lot of value to the club. We have seen this season that George has grown tremendously and at 31 he is playing some of the best football of his life," he revealed. 

Nonetheless, Maluleka remains grateful to Chiefs and he is now looking forward to starting a new chapter of his football career with Sundowns.

"George is extremely grateful to the Kaizer Chiefs family for what they offered him and what they've done together. It's a sad day for George and the Chiefs family, but we just want to say thanks to Chiefs for what they have done for him but now we look forward."

While Maluleka is now officially a 'Brazilian', he cannot feature for the club in the remaining matches of the season. 

This is because the transfer window hasn't officially opened, meaning he will have to wait for next season to kick a ball in a competitive match for Sundowns.  

Sundowns have already confirmed that Maluleka will train with the club, and will team up his new colleagues once the clubs are allowed to go back to the training grounds. 

Maluleka spent six-and-a-half years with Chiefs and won one league title with them in 2015.

He featured 168 times for the Glamour Boys, scored 11 goals and registered 24 assists to his time. 

Oumar Niasse has sent a heartfelt message to Everton after ending his four-year stay with the Toffees and donated part of his final week’s wages to a Liverpool charity.

The forward joined the Goodison Park outfit from Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow for a fee of £13.5 million in February 2016.

The Senegal international made his debut against Bournemouth on February 20, replacing Belgium international Romelu Lukaku.

The striker made 35 Premier League appearances for the Toffees and scored eight goals before his departure from the side.

The 30-year-old also had short loan stints with Championship sides Hull City and Cardiff City during his time with the Merseyside outfit.

Niasse, who is now a free agent, has appreciated the Toffees and former manager Roberto Martinez for giving a chance to feature in the English top division.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Everton FC for giving me the opportunity to compete in the English Premier League,” Niasse told Echo.

"In particular a special thank you to Mr Roberto Martinez and the Everton Board for making this possible.

“Although my circumstances were public and personally challenging, I leave Everton FC with a record of a goal every three games of playing time for the club.

"And I will always incentivise any young black athlete to come to England and perform at the highest level, no matter the difficulties, no matter the challenges.

"The Everton backroom staff, the fans and the North West of England welcomed me with open arms and I can only say again, thank you.

“Finally, I have decided to donate a percentage of my final week’s salary to the St Andrew’s Community Network who operate the North Liverpool Foodbank.

"They are doing extraordinary work in very challenging circumstances and they are a reminder that together we can all contribute and play an active and positive role in society.

"I now look forward to my next challenge in football.”

Niasse started playing professional football with US Ouakam in his home country club and then joined Turkish Super Lig side Akhisar Belediyespor before signing for Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014.

Real Madrid have completed the formalities necessary to absorb Deportivo Tacon into the club, meaning that from 2020-21 onwards the Merengue will field their first-ever side in the women's Primera Division.

The likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Valencia have long incorporated the women's game within their supported sporting activities, with the former founding Club Femeni Barcelona as early as 1988, the year that Spain introduced a women's competition. 

The Blancos, however, had failed to keep up with their rivals, although an unaffiliated club named Madrid CFF which plays in white has been in the Primera since 2017. 

In 2019 Madrid moved to change that fact, announcing that newcomers to the top flight Tacon would be integrated inside the club the following year. 

That decision has now been made official, with the club planning to field teams at both youth and senior level in the women's game for the coming season. 

"Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that it has sent the corresponding documentation to the Spanish Football Federation in order to make effective the merger by absorption of Club Deportivo Tacon, a women's football club, as approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly of Committed Members held on 15 September 2019," Madrid signalled in a statement released on Wednesday .
 
"The Royal Spanish Football Federation has informed us that said documentation is correct, so the merger will be effective when the current 2019-20 football season is definitively concluded.

"Real Madrid will play the women's football competitions from the 2020-21 season, with Real Madrid City as the venue for the team's matches and training sessions.
 
"Our women's football section will be made up of the senior and Under-16s to Under-19s teams. A youth structure that will allow us to remain faithful to our philosophy of identifying, training and developing young talent. Our teams will also play their respective competitions from the 2020-21 season.

"Real Madrid are looking forward to this new challenge with a commitment to promoting women's football and contributing to its development and growth in our society."

Barcelona are the reigning Primera champions, having been awarded their first title in five years by the RFEF when the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang notched his 50th Premier League goal for the Gunners against Norwich to become the club’s quickest player to that mark in the modern era, reaching the milestone on the occasion of his 79th appearance.

With his future still very much in doubt, the Gabon international opened the scoring against the relegation strugglers by robbing goalkeeper Tim Krul and then tapping into an unguarded net.

Soon afterwards, he laid on his side’s second against the basement club, delivering the pass from which Granit Xhaka fired under the Dutchman from a testing angle to make it 2-0.

It was, however, his contribution from the opener that fired him into the club’s history books as he notched the mark in a quicker time than legendary figures such as Thierry Henry and Ian Wright, who took 87 and 101 games respectively to reach the mark in the red of Arsenal.

Indeed, only five players have been quicker to the 50-goal mark in the history of the Premier League. 

Andy Cole, who came through the Arsenal youth ranks before achieving fame at Newcastle and Manchester United, is the fastest to his half century, grabbing it in 65 games, one fewer than Alan Shearer and three quicker than another former Old Trafford star in the form of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Anfield favourites Mohamed Salah and Fernando Torres both reached their 50 in 72 matches, putting the former Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan forward, who turned 31 last month, in illustrious company.

Aubameyang has been with Arsenal since January 2018, when he joined the club for a fee in the region of £56 million ($70m). 

He made a hot start to life in the Premier League as he registered on his debut against Everton in a 5-1 home win, and after two blank outings went on a run of five goals in four games, finishing the season with 10 strikes in just 13 outings.

His first full season in England proved to be equally successful as he notched 22 goals in 36 outings, while he already has 18 in 30 this term, giving him a fighting chance of matching last season’s effort as Mikel Arteta’s side chase down European football.

AmaZulu FC captain Siyabonga Mbatha has extended his contract with the club amidst reported interest from Orlando Pirates.

The bulky shot-stopper has impressed this season despite Usuthu's struggles in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Mbatha's previous contract was due to expire at the end of last month, but it has been extended according to AmaZulu's general manager Lunga Sokhela.

“We have extended Mbatha’s contract until the end of next season,” Sokhela was quoted as saying on Daily Sun.

“We are set to sit down with him and try and have a long-term contract."

Mbatha has been linked with Pirates since last January and it remains to be seen whether the Soweto giants will make an offer for the 31-year-old goalkeeper in the next transfer window.

The Umlazi-born shot-stopper, who has struggled with injuries this season having made just 15 appearances in the league.

Meanwhile, the publication also indicated that Mario Booysen will remain with AmaZulu until the end of next season after he signed a new one-year deal at the Durban-based side.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns central defender joined Usuthu last October as a free agent having been released by Kaizer Chiefs two months earlier.

Booysen has featured in 17 matches across all competitions for the team including their last game, which was the 1-0 win over his former side, Chiefs, on March 7 in a league match.

Lastly, Sokhela also confirmed that Tsepo Masilela will remain with the club until the end of the current season which has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March.

The experienced left-back's previous contract with the KwaZulu-Natal giants expired at the end of last month.

“Tsepo will stay until the end of this season, whenever that may be for now. At the end of the season, the club will decide regarding his future,”  Sokhela added.

Masilela was snapped up by the club last November having been a free agent since he parted ways with Chiefs at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

The 35-year-old player has made eight appearances in the league for the relegation-threatened side this season.

AmaZulu are placed 15th on the league standings - three points behind 12th-placed Chippa United.

Manchester United have released midfielder Angel Gomes on a free transfer, the club confirmed on Wednesday. 

Gomes, 19, started training with the United academy at the age of six and made his first-team debut towards the end of the 2016-17 season, becoming the club's youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards in 1953. 

But the youngster struggled to find regular football at Old Trafford, making only a handful of appearances at senior level and failing to score a single goal. 

His contract with the Red Devils expired on June 30 and the club have now revealed that he has chosen to pursue his career elsewhere. 

"Manchester United can confirm that Angel Gomes has not taken up the offer of a new contract and has, therefore, left the club," United signalled in a statement released on Wednesday . 

"The 19-year-old joined the Reds at a very young age and worked his way through the ranks before becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent the first team, as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in the final game of the 2016-17 season, against Crystal Palace.

"It meant he became the youngest player since Duncan Edwards to make his senior debut for the club, soon after being awarded the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

"The attacking midfielder made 10 senior appearances in total for the Reds - three of them starts, which all came in this season's Europa League.

"His final outing came in the 4-0 defeat of Norwich City at Old Trafford in the Premier League in January.

"Everybody at Manchester United would like to wish Angel the very best of luck for the future and thank him for his efforts for the club."

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had suggested that Gomes might be leaving at the end of June as the stand-off continued between player and club over his new deal. 

“I’ve got no news, nothing, so it doesn't look like it," Solskjaer told reporters when asked about the possibility of a contract extension.

“I've not heard from them last night or this morning, it seems like they haven't managed to agree so the answer is probably short and yes, then.”

Police coach Abdallah Mubiru has claimed they will not venture into the transfer market to fight for players who are earmarked by rivals Vipers SC and Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC).

The Venoms and KCCA have already swung into the transfer market with the former signing Disan Galiwango from Express FC while the latter have unveiled three signings - Italian Stefano Mazengo Loro, striker Charles Lwanga and midfielder Ashraf Mugume.

Police are yet to sign a player but coach Mubiru insists they will assemble a decent squad without fighting with the two giants for new signings.

“We are not going to fight with Vipers, KCCA, and URA for top players in the market but still we are going to assemble a decent side that will give us success soon,” Mubiru is quoted by Daily Monitor.

Mubiru, who also handles the Uganda national team, has admitted the club is struggling financially and will lose a number of key players this transfer window.

“I’m afraid to tell that even this season we are going to lose about five players, including Samson Kigozi, Arafat Galiwango, Pius Kagwa, and Denis Rukundo but we shall soldier on,” Mubiru continued.

However, despite the struggles, Mubiru believes the Uganda Premier League (UPL) club can still challenge for trophies when the new season kicks-off.

“When I look back at the three years I have been in charge, we are not so far away from becoming a side that can win trophies,” Mubiru stated.

"Two seasons ago, we topped the table for a while after a strong start and many reckoned we were destined to win the title that year but a few challenges here and there and we lost it.

“Most times we outplay our opponents even in games that we lose, we want to change that. We are one of the most attacking sides in the league and among the top scoring clubs.

"If we maintain that, polish our defence and focus on winning the title, why not?”

Police finished in the 13th position last season after the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) moved to end the top-flight prematurely owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vipers were declared champions by virtue of sitting at the top and will now represent the country in the Caf Champions League while second-placed KCCA will take part in the Confederation Cup.

Simba SC progressed to the FA Cup semi-final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Azam FC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Goals by John Bocco and Clatous Chama were enough to see the league champions progress into the next phase of the tournament.

Bocco, who has turned into a key goal-scoring figure for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi since football resumed in Tanzania, scored the opener in the 40th minute to ensure Simba were leading at the break.

Benedict Haule's misplaced pass was collected by Francis Kahata and the Kenyan's cross into the box was headed in by Bocco with minimal interruption from the opponents.

Simba fought and they were deservedly rewarded in the 57th minute when Chama scored the second to stretch the lead against the defending champions.

The loss should be a big disappointment for Ugandan star Nicholas Wadada, who had hopes of victory and perhaps finishing the year with a trophy.

"It is a quarter-final and remember we also want to end the season on a high by winning a trophy,” Wadada told Football256.

“We are the defending champions of this trophy and the team is in high spirits and regardless [of the outcome of the league] we are confident of our chances.”

The loss is even bigger for Azam coach Aristica Cioaba who had called for "determination on the pitch, a fantastic organisation on the pitch, and also a good spirit and sacrifice, and players should know it is a Cup game."

On the other hand, captain Bocco, who led the onslaught by opening the score, should be heading home a happy man.

"We will strive to win the game, we want our fans to come and support us, we are ready to give them a smile and something to celebrate about," Bocco had promised before the match.

The Simba victory was also witnessed by their returning star Sharaf Shiboub. The South Sudanese was the only remaining player who were yet to touch base since the league resumed.

Shiboub's arrival was delayed by the travel restrictions ordered by his country to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, First Division League side Sahare All-Stars defeated Premier League outfit Ndanda FC to book their slot in the semi-finals.

After a 1-1 draw at full-time, Sahare emerged victorious from the post-match spot-kicks. They managed to convert their penalties successfully four times compared to Ndanda's three.

Sahare now join Namungo FC, who defeated Alliance FC 2-0, and Yanga SC, whose controversial 2-1 win saw them progress to the penultimate stage of the domestic tournament as well.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has opened up on his failed move to Real Madrid in 2018, insisting he is "happy" at Allianz Arena.

Lewandowski has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation since moving to Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014.

The 31-year-old has hit 240 goals in 289 appearances for the Bundesliga giants in total, with 49 of those efforts coming during the 2019-20 campaign .

The Poland international is showing no signs of slowing down despite approaching the latter stages of his career, with a potential treble now on the cards for Bayern if they can finish the season strongly.

Lewandowski might, however, have been playing in Spain rather than Germany had Madrid succeeded in persuading him to move to Santiago Bernabeu in 2018.

The Blancos had reportedly identified the Bayern frontman as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, but were ultimately unable to negotiate a final deal.

Although Lewandowski admits that his head was turned by Madrid's interest, he is certain that he took the right decision by choosing to remain at Allianz Arena.

"There was a lot of speculation at the time. Real is a great club, of course, I was thinking about it. I stayed and I do not regret it," the Polish frontman told Sport Bild .

"We are a family and this should dispel any doubts. I'm happy in Munich.

"I am 100 per cent a Bayern player and I fully identify with it. I know how much the club stands behind me."

Lewandowski went on to claim that he has yet to reach his "full potential" at Bayern, and that despite his prolific exploits in the final third this term, he hasn't always been firing on all cylinders.

He said: "In August I will turn 32, but I feel 27, 28, maybe even less. I want to play at the highest level for many years, I will do my best to achieve it. 

"I don't see limits for myself, I can be even better. I don't feel I've reached my full potential, I played 90 per cent this season."

Lewandowski added on Bayern's chances of winning the Champions League for the first time since 2013: "To be honest, I see a great chance that we will be able to win the Champions League this season. 

"The team has a good atmosphere, we feel the chemistry between us."

Chippa United have confirmed the departure of former Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale. 

Rakhale's future has been the subject of speculation over the past few months after it emerged Kaizer Chiefs were looking to sign him.

That was before Amakhosi were hit with a two-window transfer ban but even after that, the skilful player still continued to be linked with a move to the Soweto giants. 

Chiefs have already written to Fifa's Appeal Committee to at least allow them to sign new players before their hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September. 

Chippa United released the following statement on their social media platforms on Wednesday: 

"Thabo Rakhale's contract has expired. We can confirm the club and Thabo have amicably decided to part ways," reads the statement. 

"The club would like to thank Thabo “Jomo” Rakhale for his service at the club for the past 3 years. He will surely be remembered. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

The 30-year-old had been an integral member of the Chilli Boys since his arrival from the Buccaneers in January 2018. 

He featured 68 times for the Port Elizabeth-based side while scoring five goals and providing 10 assists. 

This season only, Rakhale registered three assists and scored twice in 23 matches for Chippa. 

His departure comes a week after his assistant coach at Pirates, Rhulani Mokwena, exited the club in what came as a shock to football fans in the country. 

Mokwena had been in charge of Chippa for four months but only got to manage a single match as their head coach due to the coronavirus outbreak which forced the suspension of the current season. 

It's unclear at this stage if Rakhale already has offers elsewhere now that he's decided to leave Chippa.

However, what's clear at this stage is that whoever he will sign for, he cannot play until next season simply because the transfer window hasn't officially opened. 

With the PSL looking to conclude the season by August 31, Rakhale will be forced to watch football from a distance while waiting for his potential new employers to register him with the PSL.   

Arsenal have announced that Bukayo Saka has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the club, ending any speculation that he might leave the Emirates upon the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.

The teenager, who has been with the Gunners since he was seven years old, had been turning heads since making his first-team debut in 2018, impressing with his dribbling skills, trickery and an eye for a killer pass.

Teams monitoring his situation will have to shelve their plans for now, however, with the 18-year-old pledging himself to Arsenal for the foreseeable future.

“London is my home. Arsenal is my team,” Saka posted on twitter after the deal was made official. 

“I'm so happy to finally announce my contract extension. I love playing for this club and I'm looking forward to what the future holds. The hard work continues so I can continue living my dream.”

Head coach Mikel Arteta, faced with a summer rebuild at Arsenal, was understandably delighted that the academy graduate will remain with the club as they look to re-establish themselves as a side that regularly competes at the highest level. 

“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. 

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

Technical director Edu Gaspar added: “This is something everyone involved wanted to happen and we are delighted that Bukayo has signed a new long-term contract. He’s making great progress and is one of a number of young players who have developed through our academy. 

“This is so important for us as we move forward as a club.”

Saka is likely to have another chance to impress his boss and the fans when Arsenal take on Norwich on Wednesday evening, with the Gunners currently sat in 10th place in the Premier League, nine points shy of the last European qualification spot with seven games left to play.

Umar Kyebatala has revealed life at Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC has been easy.

Kyebatala joined Vipers straight from St Mary’s Kitende School in the 2019/20 mid-season transfer window and the 18-year old has enjoyed life.

"Coming from the school side straight to the senior team was exciting and challenging at the same time due to a different environment from the one at school but I took little time to adapt and settle because of the old friends I found at Vipers," Kyebatala told the club's website.

"Life has been easy. And in regard to football, my first half of the season has been a huge lesson. My mentality, goals, and expectations have been shaped and I look forward to next season with optimism."

Vipers have been getting most of their players from the St Mary’s Kitende School and the youngster says his direct transfer from the school team to the senior team is all about the blessing from God.

"I must confess it was Allah’s blessings as even the rest of fellow school teammates are really good," Kyetabala said.

"Further to that, the discipline, hard work, determination, and self-belief were also key factors for my consideration."

As he aims to play like his teammate Fahad Bayo, Kyetabala hopes to grab his opportunity while still serving the Venoms.

"I always thrive to be better than how I was yesterday and that attribute pushes me each time I step on the pitch," he added.

"Opportunities come once, therefore when given, one always strives to impress the coach as under performances and excuses don’t augur well with tacticians.

"I hope to open my goals account as a Venom and also win silverware. Those are my major priorities for the coming campaign. My dream is to play professional football somewhere in Europe with the guidance of Allah, the Most Merciful."

On how he will deal with stiff competition from Dan Sserunkuma, Bayo, Tito Okello, and Shaban Muhammed, Kyetabala has an answer.

"There is only one opportunity to prove your worth and it can only work in your favour when you are prepared. I will not give up my fight until I get a starting berth in the side," the forward concluded.

Kyetabala, wearing jersey number 11, has been nicknamed Champion Boy.

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has ended his stint with Olimpia after both clubs reached an agreement to terminate his contract amid health concerns emanating from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The 36-year-old joined the Paraguayan capital outfit in February after leaving Turkish club Kayserispor in December 2019.

Adebayor’s arrival in Asuncion was met with a lot of fanfare owing to his profile and the influence of Roque Santa Cruz, who were teammates at Manchester City in the past.

The Lome-born man played four games in the Paraguayan Primera Division and Copa Libertadores until football was suspended in March once Covid-19 became a severe global health risk.

South America is one of the hotspots of the virus with more than two million confirmed cases, more than half of that coming in Paraguay’s neighbouring country and the continent’s largest nation, Brazil.

Paraguay has more than 2,000 cases with 17 deaths and more than 1,000 recoveries.

“The Board of Directors of Club Olimpia informs its members, fans and the general public that a decision has been made by mutual agreement to terminate the contractual relationship with the player Emmanuel Adebayor,” read a club statement released on its Twitter account.

“The pandemic situation due to the Covid-19 virus puts the player at health risk to start his return to our country, with multiple flights, scales and quarantine measures, in addition to the high logistics cost and the economic situation the country is going through, which Olimpia does not escape, that forces us to make the best decision to protect the heritage of our institution and to guarantee relative economic stability to face the rest of the year and thus continue our victorious path.

“We thank Mr Emmanuel for trusting us, we are very proud that with his enviable sports career he has gone through the history of the club. We wish him success in his future.

“To Olimpia's fans we say that we are convinced that this is the correct way, a solid club Olimpia in its Training Younger Divisions, with the best first team in Paraguayan soccer, and capable of hiring the most renowned players all over the world. Thanks to the reliable and robust image that as an institution we project to the world, we are the most successful club in national sport today after much effort, we are back and back to stay.”

Adebayor has been residing in his home country Togo since football activities in Paraguay were suspended.

He is a well-travelled man in his football career, playing for Metz, Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor.

He has also been capped by Togo 66 times, scoring 29 goals and playing at his country’s maiden World Cup in 2006, as well as four Africa Cup of Nations (2002, 2006, 2013, 2017).

Express FC have vowed to use all legal means available to reverse the move by Vipers SC to sign their defender Disan Galiwango.

The newly crowned Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions officially announced the arrival of the left-back beating rivals Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) to his services after he penned a four-year contract to sign for the St Marys Kitende-based giants.

KCCA were also among the teams which were fighting to sign the player, who was very impressive for the Red Eagles in the last campaign.

However, Express chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka has openly claimed they have not released the player to sign for Vipers because he still has a running contract with them.

“Express FC with a valid contract has not released or transferred Disan,” Kiwanuka wrote on his Twitter handle. “This has not come as a surprise to us. While we respect his wish to leave, the club has rights that Vipers are aware of.

“We intend to enforce them using all the legal avenues available to us.”

On signing the player, Vipers stated on their official club website: “Vipers have completed the signing of left-back Galiwango from Express.

“Galiwango, previously a flying Red Eagle, will now spit ‘Venom’ from the St Mary’s Kitende-based after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract.”

Galiwango became the first signing for coach Fred Kajoba, who is looking to beef up the squad as they will take part in the Caf Champions League next season.

“The talented defender signs for an undisclosed fee and becomes the Venoms first signing as coach Kajoba looks to add steel to an already multi-faceted squad,” the statement continued.

“His arrival brings an end to transfer speculation which have been linking him to various clubs within and outside the country before finally agreeing to terms with Vipers.”

Galiwango was also delighted to sign for Vipers, who were declared champions for the 2019-20 season after the league ended prematurely owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus, by saying he was ready to help the club win major trophies starting next season.

“In my view, Vipers is a big football brand in this country hence I’m honoured to be joining this great club. I promise to add value as expected and help them win as many trophies as possible,” Galiwango told the club’s official website.

Galiwango started his football career in Richo Soccer Academy based in Kampala before he was signed by Simba SC at the start of the 2015/16 season, who after their relegation bought The Saints FC.

The attacking player stayed with the army side in the entire 2016-17 season before he signed for Water FC and later in August 2019, he moved to Express where he distinctively plied his trade until the end of the just-concluded season before Vipers moved for his services.