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Gary Neville says Jurgen Klopp's "great coaching" and Liverpool's recruitment strategy were pivotal in the club's Premier League success.

The Reds sealed the top-flight title for the first time in 30 years this season, having taken a 23-point lead over Manchester City with seven games left to play.

Liverpool finished sixth in the league the season before Klopp took over at the helm and transformed the team into Champions League and Club World Cup winners before their latest triumph.

Ex-Manchester United and England full-back Neville credited Klopp with fine-tuning the squad says he has done an incredible job to overtake their rivals and dominate the league.

"It's a brilliant achievement from Klopp, to work within the net spend budget he has to amass that team has been a combination of great coaching and brilliant recruitment," he said on Sky Sports.

"The club's recruitment has been absolutely spot on, precise, laser-focused, every single player they have brought in they have made count. Every single player fits a mould, the principles of Klopp, there has been no veering away from that.

"From day one, when Christian Benteke and a few others were deemed not to fit the profile they were moved aside.

"Klopp has now got quick, energetic strikers who make the runs, a formidable defence, the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment in time, and in midfield he's got reliable players with really good personalities in Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum.

"None of them are individually outstanding or the best in the world in their position, but together as a collective with that goalkeeper, that defence, those full-backs, that strike force, they become the rock in the middle of it all."

Neville says it is Klopp who has "set the tone" for everyone at the club and turned the Anfield side into a "fantastic" team.

"They have absolutely been the best team this season," he added. "What Jurgen Klopp has done has been fantastic. He came in four years ago and at the time I never thought Liverpool were capable of mounting a Premier League title challenge. It just felt like all of the other clubs had bigger budgets.

"Liverpool were in a deep rut over many, many years. They have great history and a great fanbase so you can never write clubs like that off, but to go and win a league title ahead of the investment of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United is something I didn't think was possible.

"What Klopp has done over a three or four-year period has been absolutely outstanding. Everything at a football club comes from the manager, he sets the tone for everybody; the players, the owners, the fanbase. Klopp has galvanised Liverpool over a three-year period, brought everybody with him and put a brilliant team together.

"They're a fantastic team, they've been brilliant to watch for three years but painful for me. It's been coming.

"When you get to a Champions League final and lose you have a little smirk, but when they won the Champions League the following year and chased Manchester City like they did to a point where they would have been worthy champions last season, you can only congratulate them.

"It's obviously something that is horrible for every Manchester United fan, it's something the modern Manchester United fan has never seen but as one who watched them in the '70s and '80s it's a moment we didn't want to see again but one we saw a lot of in our early years."

Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has advised Lille striker Victor Osimhen to stay humble and ambitious after winning the Marc Vivien Foe award.

Osimhen succeeded Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe to win this year’s prize after his incredible debut season in Ligue 1, where he provided 13 goals and four assists in 27 appearances.

The 21-year-old is the second Nigerian player, after goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who also played at Lille, to clinch the award which crowns the best African player in the French top-flight every season.

He defeated compatriot Moses Simon, Algeria’s Islam Slimani, Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga, Montpellier’s Andy Delort and Rennes’ trio of Mbaye Niang, Hamari Traore and Edouard Mendy to the gong.

In his congratulatory message, Oliseh acknowledged Osimhen’s hard work in Christophe Galtier’s team but cautioned him to remain professional as he aspires for more success.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate Victor Osimhen for being elected winner of the Marc-Vivien Foe Prize. This trophy is important since it rewards the best African player in the French Championship. It is important for us Africans,” Oliseh told RFI .

“I find his victory even more surprising when we see the competitors that Victor had to surpass to win this title. Many people will wonder if he deserves it, if he is stronger than these players.

“But what Victor has done this season is truly exceptional. Thanks to him, his team managed to make a magnificent season.

“I think Victor frankly deserves it because he brought a lot to his club. We really saw the difference when Victor was on the field and when he was not. We see the possibilities he offers his teammates to go forward. We also see the weight it places on the enemy's defences.

“Frankly, congratulations Victor! You deserve it. But I advise you my little brother to always remain humble and ambitious at the same time.

“Stay professional and good luck. Congratulations again, little brother!”

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder played alongside Rashidi Yekini in the Super Eagles during his active days, and he disclosed that Osimhen is the closest to thing Yekini, who is Nigeria's all-time top scorer with 37 goals in 58 international games.

“When I was coach, I was trying to assemble a new team. In fact, the bases of the current national team are made up of players that I put together. For me, it was important to have young people of the future who were hungry for national team matches,” he continued.

“Victor Osimhen was playing at the U17 World Cup at the time. I had watched the meetings with my assistants, including the final won by Nigeria. He had done it with such ease, the way he eliminated his opponents.

“We had planned to invite him to the national team but I left the selection. Otherwise, I would have invited him.

“Because, since Rashidi Yekini left the selection, we have not had a player of the calibre of Victor Osimhen. My plan was to integrate him very slowly into the Super Eagles, to give him a few minutes, before launching him 100% as we did with Wilfred Ndidi or Alex Iwobi at the time.”

Benik Afobe claimed he adapted well to playing a new role in Bristol City’s attack during their 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, who normally plays as a centre-forward, was drafted to the left side of the Robins attack where he also made some defensive contributions.

The DR Congo international was in action for 64 minutes but he could not add to his tally of three goals this season before he was replaced by Senegal’s Famara Diedhiou.

Despite the switch in position, the Stoke City loanee said he was out to repay manager Lee Johnson’s faith in him after he handed him his first league start since August.

"The gaffer has been talking to me all week about playing that inside left [position]," Afobe was quoted as saying by Bristol Live.

"He told me that when I play upfront I tend to go towards the left anyway - it wasn't much different to be honest.

"When the manager has a lot of faith in you, and I've been out 10 months and straight away he's sticking me in, I've got to repay him with work rate and trying to create something.

"I think in the first half I did my defensive duties as well - I tried to work hard and I played for him as well, because when you're out for 10 months and he chucks you in he obviously has a lot of faith in you.

"I tried my best to give it my all in that position.”

Saturday’s loss left Bristol City without a win in their last seven league matches, a result he described as "very disappointing" for the Robins after their efforts in training.

However, Afobe is positive they would make things right when they visit Nottingham Forest for their next Championship outing on Wednesday.

"We're obviously devastated,” he added.

“We worked all week on our pressing triggers, on how we're going to get chances and exploit their defence - and to concede like that in the first half and then when we were chasing the game to concede by another set-piece is just shocking and disappointing for all of us.

"We've worked on our set-pieces all week and we thought we'd got it right.

"Very disappointing and we're going to analyse the game tonight and tomorrow - but after that we've got to move on to Wednesday because it's another massive game for us against Forest.”

Bristol City have dropped to 12th in the Championship table with 55 points from 39 matches, and are six points away from the play-offs spot.

Zaragoza have confirmed the signing of Morocco international Hanane Ait El Haj from Moroccan side ASFAR.

The defender will arrive at Estadio Pedro Sancho in the summer after seeing out the 2019-20 campaign with ASFAR, whom she helped win the Moroccan top-flight titles in the last four years. 

Her switch will see the Raja d'Agadir-born former Najah de Souss and Nadi Baladi de Laayoune defender move to pursue her professional career with the Reto Iberdrola club in Spain.

Having agreed on personal terms, Ait El Haj's signing represents the ambition of Nacho Bracero's side as the Moroccan becomes his sixth new arrival this summer ahead of the new season.

She also will become the third African to join the Spanish club after the signing of Zambia duo Racheal Nachula and Hellen Mubanga, from Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows, last week.

Besides the signed African trio, Zaragoza has also secured the services of Austria's Annelie Leitner, America's Mady Brown and Venezuela's Lisbeth Castro.

Her move will also swell the list of Moroccan female footballers to ply their trade in Spain after Meryem Hajri with Sporting Huelva.

After a routine medical at the club, Ait El Haj will hope to boost the ranks of Zaragoza and inspire the team to the top-flight next term.

Mesut Ozil still has a role to play at Arsenal if he is “willing”, says Mikel Arteta, while the Gunners remain hopeful that Bukayo Saka will soon commit to a new contract with the club.

Since the Premier League restart on June 17, a World Cup winner on the books at Emirates Stadium has seen no competitive game time.

Arteta has left Ozil out of matchday squads altogether and not turned to him off the bench despite inconsistent Arsenal being in need of creative inspiration at times.

Nobody is being ruled out of the club’s future plans, though, with Matteo Guendouzi also falling into that category after seeing his attitude questioned, and it could be that minutes are found over the coming weeks.

Asked whether Ozil and Guendouzi could figure again this season, Arteta told reporters ahead of a Premier League meeting with Norwich on Wednesday: “I said that everybody that I have in the squad, my job is to get the maximum out of them and to try to help them and support them. And if they are willing, everybody is welcome.

“I always hope that the players want to give their best.”

Pressed further on whether Ozil, whose ability has never been in doubt, should have kicked on more over recent weeks, Arteta added: “The players want to play as well as possible, train as well as possible and then it's a tricky game.

“You have momentum, you have your team-mates to help you as well and you need confidence. It's not just one factor but I never doubt that the players want to do their best.”

While it remains to be seen whether Ozil will figure in the remainder of the current campaign, highly-rated academy graduate Saka can expect to see game time.

The 18-year-old is, however, entering the final 12 months of his current contract and is yet to agree an extension.

Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in a similar position and while Arteta has reported no progress there, he is confident that top teenage talents can be retained.

He said: “I am not worried because I know that the club is doing their best to try to keep them [Bukayo and Folarin Balogun].

“Hopefully we can have some good news about them very soon. They know my opinion on them and how much I like working on them, the intention that I have in the future with them.

“I see them really committed and hopefully we can find the right agreement for both parties and move on, because I think there's a great future ahead of us with these kids.”

Antoine Griezmann "knows he can do better", according to Clement Lenglet, who has backed the under-fire striker to turn around his Barcelona career.

Barca forked out €120 million (£109m/$135m) to bring Griezmann to Camp Nou last summer after a lengthy transfer saga, and tied the prolific frontman down to a lucrative five-year contract.

The France international was among the top goalscorers in La Liga season in, season out while on Atletico's books, but has so far been unable to live up to the same high standards in Catalonia.

Griezmann has only scored eight goals in his first 31 top-flight outings for Barca, having been asked to adapt to an unnatural role on the left-hand side of a front three alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.

The 29-year-old has struggled to strike up an understanding with the talismanic pair, and teenage winger Ansu Fati is now threatening to take his spot in Quique Setien's starting XI.

Lenglet acknowledges the fact that the former Atletico star is failing to live up to expectations, but still believes he can rediscover his best form if he continues to work hard behind the scenes.

The Barca defender told Le Parisien: "Antoine is well integrated in the dressing room, there really is no problem. On the pitch, he himself knows he can do better.

"But we must not forget his statistics. He has still scored 14 goals and created several assists.

"For a first season, it's not bad. But, for Antoine, he is playing in a different style to what he was better used to at Atletico, and he is a player with whom we are very demanding.

"But I see him working hard in training, it can only get better. It's always the same when a Barca striker doesn't score for two games, that's he's in trouble.

"When he scores two goals, it looks like Super-Antoine is back."

Barca are currently locked in a tense title race with arch-rivals Real Madrid, who are sitting top of La Liga by two points with only six fixtures left to play.

Setien's men are also still in the hunt for Champions League glory, and Lenglet has named Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain as his "dream" opponents if Barca make it all the way through to the showpiece event in Lisbon in August.

He said: "A Barca-PSG final would make you dream ... provided that Barca wins it, of course."

Lenglet, Griezmann and Co. will be back in action when Barca play host to Atletico in a must-win La Liga clash on Tuesday night.

Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour is being backed to play his way through a first form dip of his senior career, with Pat Nevin pointing out to a fellow Scot that nobody “cruises through a career without difficult times”.

The talented 18-year-old played his way into favour with Frank Lampard prior to the coronavirus-enforced break which pushed competitive football into a state of lockdown.

He has remained part of the Blues’ plans since Premier League and FA Cup football resumed and is now up to nine appearances in what has been a breakthrough campaign.

Gilmour is considered to be a hot prospect for the future, with there plenty of potential to be unlocked in his game.

He has, however, faced questions for the first time over recent weeks – finding himself among those withdrawn at half-time in an FA Cup clash with Leicester - with the spark that accompanied his rise to prominence having faded somewhat.

Nevin says that is to be expected from a player still learning his trade, with there every reason to believe that the teenager will – like many of those around him – overcome challenges and establish consistency with the more games he plays.

“It may be that some of the younger players will have a dip in form, that is not something to be too concerned about, that has happened since the dawn of history in the game. It is part of the learning curve and they will be fine,” the former Chelsea winger told the club’s official website.

“Billy Gilmour had a tough afternoon at the King Power Stadium, but will that have a lasting effect? Yes it will, but in a good way.

“No one in the history of the game cruises through a career from day one without difficult times. You have to learn how to cope with it.

“He will be fine not only because of his talent and personality but also because of the management team and the kind of team-mates he has around him. He will be back on the pitch soon enough with their support and of course ours.”

Lampard has conceded that Chelsea allowed their standards to dip as a collective against Leicester, despite reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, but the Blues boss is aware that consistency will be an issue at times with a squad that includes so many young and relatively inexperienced players.

On-loan Liverpool forward Taiwo Awoniyi has recollected his near-death experience after a head collision in Mainz clash against Augsburg.

The Nigerian forward lasted for only 17 minutes in the encounter before he was forced off after colliding with Augsburg centre-back Felix Udoakhai.

Awoniyi was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he spent a night, and after a test was carried out it was revealed he suffered a severe concussion.

The striker revealed the observations and findings of the doctors who attended to him, as well as their advice for him on how to handle a similar situation in the future.

"The doctor told me it's really strange. They said the way I was coming down, I should [have gone come] down with my head. If I had gone down directly with my head, it would have been a different story,” Awoniyi told ESPN.

"They said they were surprised because I was already [passed] out in the air but I was lucky that the first thing that happened was my feet hitting the ground, then my shoulder also, before my head.

"They said that made it less of a problem because if I had landed straight with my head it would have been a different story.

"The doctor told me I was talking on the pitch but I didn't know I was talking. He said when they tried to wake me up I was telling them I'm okay and I still wanted to play but I didn't know I was saying that. I don't remember that.

"When we got to the hospital before I regained consciousness, they were lifting me up and that was when I realized I wasn't on the pitch anymore."

After the incident, referee Marco Fritz reacted fast to save the life of the Nigeria U23 star and the forward has stated he sent the referee a message to thank him.

"Most of the players were not even aware of what happened and he was the one that was [aware] and came to my rescue," he continued.

"For me, there are a lot of things that I see that gets me amazed but when I saw that picture it really got to me and I was like, 'Is this me?'

"Honestly, I must commend the referee. I had to send him a text and call him because when I saw the picture of what he did, it was like a saving hand indeed.

"He said he was also glad that I am alive and well and he is looking forward to seeing me next season if I am still there."

The 22-year-old Imperial Soccer Academy graduate also revealed the reaction of his family members after the incident.

"For my wife, it was something I can't explain. My agent kept calling her because she was alone in the house watching the game,” he added.

"My family, my mum and my dad were crying and I had to call them immediately I regained consciousness to tell them that everything is fine before they believed I was fine.

"It was a really scary experience. My dad tried to be strong. He said he was praying that everything would be fine, but when my brother started crying he couldn't hold it anymore so he started crying also. And then my mum joined in."

Awoniyi missed his side’s last two games of the season and will hope to return to action during Mainz’s pre-season games.

Barcelona will receive a fee of €10 million (£9m/$11m) after Getafe exercised their option to buy Marc Cucurella on Tuesday.

Cucurella began his professional career at Barca in 2017, but ended up being sold to Eibar two years later after failing to break into the senior squad.

However, the Blaugrana performed a swift U-turn and triggered the €4 million buy-back clause in the Spaniard's contract just 16 days after his departure, before sending him straight out on loan to Getafe for the 2019-20 season.

Cucurella has been deployed on the left wing under Jose Bordalas at Coliseum Alfonso Perez, where he has contributed one goal and six assists in 39 games across all competitions.

The 21-year-old's performances have helped Getafe rise to fifth in La Liga and within sight of Champions League qualification, and they have now taken steps to ensure his services will be retained beyond the end of the current campaign.

Cucurella's move to Getafe has been officially made permanent, bringing to an end his long-term affiliation with Barca once and for all.

Cucurella had been linked with a move to the Premier League earlier this year, with Chelsea reportedly among his potential suitors, and Barca will receive 10% of any fee if the versatile star switches clubs again in the future.

Bordalas is currently preparing his side for a crucial meeting with La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Thursday night.

Getafe's chances of a top-four finish will be significantly boosted if they can pull off an upset, and they could do Cucurella's former club Barca a huge favour in the process.

Quique Setien's side are trailing Madrid by two points with six games remaining, having dropped points in their last two outings against Sevilla and Celta Vigo.

Barca will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Atletico on Tuesday, five days before they take in a trip to El Madrigal to face Villarreal.

Getafe will also be in action on July 5, with an away fixture against Osasuna scheduled which could end up have a huge bearing on their final league position.

Benjamin Mendy says he is "happy" that Pep Guardiola missed him during his two lengthy spells on the sidelines, and is now hoping to play a key role in Manchester City's future bids for silverware.

Mendy's first two seasons at City were completely ruined by a persistent knee injury, which prevented him from justifying the club's £52 million ($64m) investment in his talent.

The France international arrived at Etihad Stadium from Monaco in 2017 with a reputation as one of the most dynamic left-backs in European football, but has only recently started showing flashes of his best form.

The 25-year-old has featured in 26 games for City this season, and has been in Guardiola's line-up for three of the team's four outings since the Premier League resumption on June 17.

City have won eight trophies in total since Mendy's arrival in Manchester, but he admits that those successes were tinged with a sense of regret over his limited contribution.

The World Cup winner says Guardiola's support has been crucial in keeping his spirits up through a frustrating period, and he is now eager to help City add a first Champions League and another FA Cup to their trophy collection come the end of the season.

“When he [Pep] said he missed me I am always happy,” Mendy told the club's official website. “It is something very good and it touched me.

“I want to show him, I think he knows, but I want to show Manchester City and the world.

“First Manchester City, because it is my team and I love this team and give everything for them because they deserve that for what they did for me for two years, while winning the cups and titles.

“I played a few games, but honestly, you win and I don’t feel the same. I am happy, but I don’t feel the same.

“I want to fight and say I helped my team win this trophy.”

City are currently preparing to welcome newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to the Etihad on Thursday, having relinquished their crown by falling 23 points behind Jurgen Klopp's men with seven games left to play.

Mendy insists the Blues will be motivated to get one over on the runaway leaders after a disappointing title defence, as he added: “What they are doing is incredible.

“In the game against them we need to show them that we won the title two times and we want to beat them.

“It will be a good game for us and them too.”

Mikel Arteta spoke of his respect and admiration for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, whose advice he still seeks regularly.

Arteta worked under the tutelage of Guardiola as his assistant from July 2016 until departing to replace Unai Emery as Arsenal head coach last December.

Earlier this month, Arteta had an unhappy return to the Etihad Stadium as the Gunners were beaten 3-0 by City when the Premier League returned from its coronavirus hiatus.

He has a chance to avenge that defeat before the end of the campaign after the teams were drawn to face one another in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Arsenal overcoming Sheffield United and City defeating Newcastle United to make the last four.

Arteta recognises the challenge Arsenal face but acknowledges to win the biggest prizes Arsenal have to overcome the best teams.

"We have spoken a few times in recent weeks. Facing them again in the semi-final is a tricky one but look at the level of the teams who are involved in the competition," Arteta said. "If you want to win the title, you have to beat the best teams and if we want to do that we have to beat City."

Arteta may no longer work under Guardiola but says he is still able to seek his counsel.

"Yeah, he's a person that I have huge respect and admiration [for] and we talk about a lot of things," he added. "When I need advice or I want him to support me he's always there and willing to help me. For me it's great to have someone like him around."

Since leaving City for Arsenal, Arteta has sought to blood the youngsters within his squad. Bukayo Saka has particularly flourished under Arteta, while big things are expected of academy prospect Folarin Balogun.

Both youngsters are out of contract in June 2021, with Saka linked to the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, while Southampton are said to be monitoring Balogun's situation, but Arteta is confident of tying both players down to long-term contracts.

"I am not worried because I know that the club is doing their best to try to keep them," he added. "Hopefully we can have some good news about them very soon. They know my opinion on them and how much I like working with them, the intention that I have in the future with them. 

"I see them really committed and hopefully we can find the right agreement for both parties and move on, because I think there's a great future ahead of us with these kids."

Kaizer Chiefs have announced that George Maluleka is no longer their player following the expiry of his contract on June 30.

Chiefs have also parted ways with Joseph Molangoane and Kabelo Mahlasela whose contracts both also ran out.

Headlining the departures is Maluleka, who is set to be officially unveiled as a Mamelodi Sundowns player after six-and-half seasons at Naturena.

The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder turned down a new Chiefs deal offer earlier this year before signing a pre-contract with Mamelodi Sundowns in March.

“George Maluleka's contract has expired and he opted not to renew it as previously stated. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” announced Chiefs.

Maluleka made 19 Premier Soccer League (PSL) appearances for Chiefs this season and contributed five assists.

Also leaving is Malongoane, whose last two seasons at Chiefs were made difficult by persistent injuries and extremely limited game time.

The 32-year-old managed to feature in just two games for Chiefs in the past two seasons and was yet to play a single minute this term.

“Joseph Molangoane's contract has expired and it has not been renewed. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Thank you for your contribution,” announced Chiefs.

Malongoane and Maluleka have been followed through the exit door by Mahlasela, who had been out on loan at Polokwane City since January.

“Kabelo Mahlasela has left the Club as his contract was not renewed. We wish him all the best at Polokwane City FC and going forward,” said Chiefs.

While the midfielder is reportedly close to sealing a permanent move to Polokwane, he had said that he hoped to stay at Chiefs.

“I’ll be lying if I say I don’t want to play for Kaizer Chiefs anymore. But this is football and this is life,” Mahlasela told IOL.

"Sometimes we don’t get all the things we want. At times you have to move and try and move out of any situation you are facing. If it happens that I go back to Chiefs, only God knows, I’ll really appreciate that. If it doesn’t, I have to move on and focus on my next move. What I love the most is playing football.”

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has cancelled the 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations and also approved the creation of the first-ever African Women's Champions League.

Goal understands these outcomes were part of the decisions reached during the virtual Caf Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 30.

This means the continental women's showpiece, which was slated for November, will not take place, having been held biennially since it was last staged in Ghana in 2018.

The news will come as a rude shock to women's football fans in Africa, after they had geared up for this year's edition of the competition for women's national teams.

In July 2019, Caf made a positive step with the expansion of the African Women's Cup of Nations from eight to 12 teams for the 2020 tournament, which was the first change to the format after 11 editions.

Six months later, a record total of 36 national teams have entered the qualifying tournament for the 2020 Awcon finals, with 11 countries expected to make it out of the qualification series.

In April, Caf confirmed the postponement of the 2020 Awcon qualifier a few days prior to the first round of matches due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With another postponement expected in the face of the inability to ensure the staging of the two rounds of the qualifier, the continent's football body, subsequently, decided to cancel the event.

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

However, Caf announced the launch of a new Women’s Champions League, which is scheduled to kick off in 2021.

This could be seen as an appeal to the dampening spirits of women's football stakeholders and fans following the disappointing news of the 2020 Awcon cancellation.

"Meanwhile, the Caf Women’s Champions League will be launched in 2021. The format and other details will be communicated in due course," it further disclosed.

The development will see Africa become the fourth confederation with a continental club competition after South America's Copa Libertadores Femenina, Asia's AFC Women's Club Championship and Europe's Uefa Champions League.

It also opens the door for Africa to take part in the inaugural Fifa Women's Club World Cup, as confirmed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, in the coming years as part of his future plans for women's football.

Former Schalke winger Donis Avdijaj says turning down the chance to join Liverpool is the biggest mistake he has made in his career.

Avdijaj spent seven years with Schalke, having joined at the age of 14 in 2011 and progressed through the youth system. 

He left on a free transfer to Willem II in 2018 having made 12 appearances for the Schalke first-team.

The Kosovo international was released by the Dutch club in March 2019 and was snapped up by Trabzonspor that summer, though he left a few months later to join Hearts in January. The 23-year-old finds himself without a club again as his time at Hearts has come to an end.

Avdijaj admits his career could have gone another way as the Premier League champions and Real Madrid wanted him a few years ago.

He told Sport1 : "My biggest mistake, which I bitterly regret, was turning down another mega offer from Liverpool before I signed the long contract with Schalke, which was a matter close to my heart. I also had one from Real Madrid."

However the winger remains optimistic about his future, as he has already received several offers for next season.

"I already have a lot of requests from clubs," he said. "I have to probe first. I have to make a plan for myself, where I want to go, what is best for me, and how to proceed. There are a lot of talks going on."

He added: "I've never doubted myself. I am still convinced of myself. In most of my past stations, the sporting side speaks for itself. 

"I convinced athletically in Netherlands. After a long break without football, I played 20 games at Trabzonspor and almost played through in the Europa League. I also had 10 or 12 games at Hearts and you don't know how things would have gone if the coronavirus pandemic hadn't intervened.

"I could have had a bit more luck in Scotland, but if I continue to believe in myself, train hard and play well in the next club, I'll get back that little bit of luck that I might have been missing lately. 

"I know that it is up to me what my sporting future looks like. It certainly doesn't matter whether I've played at one club for five years or have 10 clubs in five years.  In the end, only one thing counts for me, namely that I can play football and show what I can do."

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice-president Doris Petra has welcomed the establishment of the Caf Women's Champions League.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) Executive Committee, in a meeting held on Tuesday, June 30, via a video-conference, gave the formation of the competition a nod.

The football governing body also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on African football and other related issues.

The FKF official stated the Champions League is a timely competition for women as they will now have a bigger platform to showcase their talents.

"I sat in the workshop that came up with the strategic plan. It is a good thing because women have always been overlooked when it comes to continental competitions," Petra told Goal in an interview on Tuesday.

"They have not had a Champions League before and I think it is a good thing for the girls.  It is going to open windows for the girls to showcase their talent and probably get better clubs to play for so that they become professional footballers."

The official also believes the inauguration of the Champions League will see domestic competitions improve as teams fight for the available slots for the continental competition.

"It will also improve the level of competition of women football in their respective nations. Clubs will always learn from each other on how management should be done professionally," Petra continued.

"In my opinion, it is the best thing that has ever happened to women football."

As she welcomed the news, Petra also called on Caf to consider sponsoring the teams who qualify for the inaugural tournament. 

"It is good that Caf moved to replicate what they have for men. We also discussed the possibility of Caf financing that competition as opposed to self facilitation that is applied for men.

"At the first level, Caf can source for sponsorship for women's teams. You know women's teams also face huge financial difficulties."

Caf is implementing a four-year women's football strategic plan for Africa, which was launched in collaboration with Fifa last November in Egypt.

In Tuesday's meeting, the African body also arrived at a decision that saw the 2020 African Women’s Cup of Nations cancelled.

Gor Mahia have picked August 8 as the new date to hold fresh elections and usher in new officials to lead the club.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions were scheduled to hold elections last year but it was postponed without a proper explanation provided.

A statement on the club’s official website confirmed: “Gor Mahia held a virtual Exco meeting and has set August 8 as the date for the club's elections and the exercise will be done under the new constitution which offers just four seats.”

So far no official has shown a keen interest to unseat chairman Ambrose Rachier, who in a recent interview told Goal he will only leave the club after steadying the ship.

“It is quite true that last year on several occasions, not just once I indicated I will hand over the leadership mantle of Gor Mahia to another chairman in an election that would have been held sometime early this year,” Rachier told Goal.

“But what then has transpired is that our boat has been locked, I have been the captain of the boat and the boat has been rocked, first by the departure of the sponsor and now the coronavirus pandemic and for that reason, I have decided as a captain you do not let the boat sink when you are kind of directing it.

“We are going to look at different aspects here and there and when the boat is stabilised I will still carry out my intention, that is to leave, and that is my position, that I am still running Gor and will run it to a point I think it has been steadied because if I leave it now, in the situation it is, I will be accused of neglect.”

On many occasions, Rachier has come out to state he is keen to leave the position of chairmanship at the KPL champions, something that has never materialised.

Earlier this year, Rachier confessed he was thinking of handing over the mantle of running the club to a new chairman, but the elections were later postponed, leaving him in office.

The election will come at a time when the club managed to secure a sponsor in Betsafe, with the betting firm set to give the champions Sh50million in each of the next three years.

Retired Bafana Bafana defender Macbeth Sibaya believes the South Africans could have done better if the 2010 Fifa World Cup was staged on a different continent.

The former Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows anchorman believes some of the players were caught between being citizens and players, thus making it difficult for them to focus on their matches.

He insists that the squad was distracted by the activities that surrounded the team and that eventually led to some failing to focus and fight the right balance between being a player and a supporter.

“It’s difficult to sum everything up. One was caught between being a citizen of a hosting nation and a player,” Sibaya told IOL.

“There were also ambitions that needed to be reached by the team, and there were a whole lot of activities that were surrounding the World Cup, so it was quite difficult to deal with everything and being everything at once.”

Under the guidance of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and Pitso Mosimane, the 1996 African champions bowed out of the tournament in the group stage after a draw against Mexico, a defeat to Uruguay, and a victory over France.

“It could have been easy if the tournament was played on another continent. Maybe if as a country we were used to qualifying for major tournaments, that would have also made our job a little bit easier,” Sibaya added.

“There was a very big gap between Germany and Korea/Japan. There was an eight-year gap between Korea/Japan and 2010.

"A huge gap. We didn’t participate in big competitions, and as a country, we struggled in the [Africa] Nations Cup and so forth.”

Having been one of the top players in the Bafana camp whilst playing for Rubin Kazan in Russia, the 42-year-old believes their failure to do well could be attributed to a number of factors.

“The problem is that the ambitions and commitments as a country have shifted so you are likely to be a victim of those changes,” Sibaya explained.

“Most of the players who’ve not made it overseas are victims of our perfection like a country and community. One can easily be influenced by a shift of thought or ambition.

“So, there are factors that contributed to some of the players that didn’t make it abroad. But it’s not only from football, but it could also be any type of career.”

Achraf Hakimi says he is proud of the stance against racism he and Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho took on the field this season.

Hakimi and Sancho were among several Bundesliga players who during matches showed support for the protests that erupted in the United States after George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers in May.

The Dortmund duo celebrated goals by revealing t-shirts with the message 'Justice for George Floyd' written on them and the German Football Association (DFB) decided not to punish the protesting players.

Hakimi says he was inspired to participate in the demonstration because he feels it is important for people to show their support for justice and equality.

"I'm from Africa, my father is from Africa. I'm a little bit a black guy. I spoke with Sancho before the Paderborn game, he wrote 'Justice for George Floyd' on my t-shirt and said: 'You need to score and take the T-shirt up to show the people'," he told BBC Sport. 

"We both did it. It was great to be one of the players to do this thing to show the people. Yes of course [players should speak out against racism]. It's not only football players - all the people in the world need to speak about this, because everyone is the same.

"I don't care if you're a black guy, a white guy, if you have money, if you don't have money, I don't care. I think everybody needs to be the same, and get the same justice."

Although Dortmund wanted to extend the full-back's loan from Real Madrid, he has already bid farewell to the German club's fans as he is on the verge of joining Inter in a €40 million (£36m/$45m) move. 

The 21-year-old played a key role for the Bundesliga runners-up this term and he hopes to enjoy as many first-team opportunities in Italy. 

"I think next I need to relax a little bit. For my head and my body. Then after I need to think about everything - what I have and what is better for me," he said.

"I want to continue to play, like I have done since I was 17 years old. I want to play all the time like I have done over these last two years with Dortmund. If I play regularly, I think I can be a good player - you learn more and become better. I don't care where, you know. I think only that wherever I go, I go to play.

"I think it's an amazing thing to play [for Dortmund] in front of 80,000 people. It doesn't matter where you play, this feeling is incredible."

Alexander Nubel says he is ready to "take the next step" of his career at Bayern Munich after completing a medical and signing a five-year contract.

Bayern snapped Nubel up in January from Schalke, where he saw out the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign, after reaching an agreement over a free transfer.

The 23-year-old is now ready to join up with his new team-mates at Allianz Arena after committing his future to the Bundesliga champions through to 2025.

Nubel passed all necessary medical evaluations after arriving at the club on Tuesday morning, and has already been taken in by his impressive new surroundings.

The highly-rated keeper explained his decision to join Bayern after his move was finalised, telling the club's official website: “The first impressions are very, very good. I wanted to take the next step.

"My goal is to improve steadily and celebrate many successes with FC Bayern."

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added: “We’re glad Alexander is with us now. He has decided to join FC Bayern, and we’re certain we’ll enjoy having him as our player.

"Alexander Nubel is one of the biggest goalkeeping talents, he’ll continue to improve at FC Bayern and make good progress. He’ll get every possible form of support from us.”

Nubel will now be expected to compete with Bayern legend Manuel Neuer for the No.1 jersey at the Allianz.

Questions were asked over Neuer's future at the club after the signing of the ex-Schalke star, but his performances in the second half of the season helped silence speculation.

The 34-year-old was rewarded with a new two-year contract in May, and Bayern legend Oliver Kahn expects him to retain his place in Hansi Flick's line-up until the time is right for Nubel to succeed him.

Khan told Sky90 of Bayern's move for a new keeper in June: "It was a sensible decision at the time. It is a path he is taking - to accept the situation with Manuel Neuer and to line up behind Manuel Neuer and gradually become number one."

Nubel signed his first professional contract with Schalke in 2016, and went on to feature in 53 matches for the club in all competitions.

2019-20 was another solid season for the Germany international between the sticks, but he couldn't prevent Schalke from slumping to a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

After progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea return to Premier League action in midweek, as the race for Champions League qualification takes another twist.

While the English title race has already been concluded, it’s still all to play for in the battle to finish in the top five—with fifth place likely to result in a UCL berth unless Manchester City’s European ban is overturned.

Leicester City remain in pole position and enter their midweek fixture away at Everton in third on 55 points.

However, their form has been underwhelming since football returned, with a lack of creativity in midfield and an absence of dynamism without the injured Ricardo Pereira.

They were particularly toothless as they were eliminated from the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea on Sunday, and must improve if they’re to secure a result away at Everton on Wednesday.

The Toffees have improved in recent weeks, holding Liverpool 0-0 between winning away at Norwich on Wednesday, and Brendan Rodgers’ side need a significant improvement to break them down.

In fourth place, Chelsea will be confident they can get over the line, although they face a potential banana skin in Wednesday’s London derby against West Ham United.

Frank Lampard’s side improved dramatically in the second half of their FA Cup clash against Leicester on Sunday to advance 1-0 and they will be buoyed after consecutive victories over Aston Villa and Manchester City.

While they still must play Liverpool, Manchester United and Wolves, the dark horses in the UCL qualification race, this season, the Blues have momentum on their side, and their attacking options may prove too much for the Hammers when these two collide on Wednesday.

SuperSport Fixures

Tuesday 30 June – Torino vs Lazio (Serie A)

Tuesday 30 June – Genoa vs Juventus (Serie A)

Tuesday 30 June – Brighton vs Manchester United (Premier League)

Tuesday 30 June – Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid (LaLiga)

Wednesday 1 July – Inter Milan vs Brescia (Serie A)

Wednesday 1 July – Everton vs Leicester  (Premier League)

Wednesday 1 July – West Ham vs Chelsea (Premier League)

Wednesday 1 July – Arsenal vs Norwich (Premier League)

Down in ninth, Arsenal have their work cut out to muscle their way into the top five.

They’re nine points behind Wolves, but have played a game fewer, and could climb above both Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur with a victory at home against Norwich City on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ victory over the Blades in their FA Cup quarter will have done the confidence and morale of Mikel Arteta’s side a major boost, as will the 2-0 victory at Southampton on Thursday, as they put the disappointment of consecutive defeats behind them.

Nicolas Pepe was again the hero against Sheffield United, having netted against Brighton last weekend, and the Londoners will be confident they have the edge against a Norwich side who had to play to extra time against United on Saturday.

Speaking of the Red Devils, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has returned to action in style, battling back to draw at Tottenham Hotspur in their first match after the restart, before thumping the Blades in midweek.

Admittedly, they struggled to put Norwich away on Saturday, but having given many of his starters a rest, Solskjaer will be confident they can take maximum points away at Brighton—live on SuperSport—on Tuesday evening.

There’s also Serie A action in midweek, with the top three all looking to boost their title aspirations.

Internazionale came from behind to defeat Parma at the death in dramatic fashion on Sunday and move eight points behind leaders Juventus.

Despite beginning to lose their composure, and seeing reserve keeper Tommaso Berni sent off from the bench with a 68th-minute red card for dissent, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni struck inside the final six minutes to keep the Nerazzurri’s hopes of a grandstand finish alive.

Admittedly, Juve—who are away at struggling Genoa on Tuesday—are favourites, but Antonio Conte will be acutely aware that his rivals have some tricky fixtures to come before the season’s conclusion.

Inter will be confident of taking all three points from 19th-placed Brescia on Wednesday, although they’ve displayed a certain brittleness throughout the campaign so far, and have lost two of their last five.

Lazio, on 65 points, bounced back from their 3-2 defeat by Atalanta with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on Saturday evening, and could yet be the dark horses in the title race.

Can they dispatch relegation-threatened Torino away on Tuesday evening?

In La Liga, there’s also a massive midweek match-up, as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening.

The Catalan giants are fast in danger of throwing away a title that had appeared theirs for the taking and dropped two more points on Saturday when Celta Vigo twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw.

This draw, coupled with Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory at bottom-placed Espanyol on Sunday, has led to Zinedine Zidane’s side pulling out in front; they’re now two points clear of Barca with six games to go.

This one could still go either way, but third-placed Atletico, who have won their last four matches in a row, have the quality to heap further misery on Barca this Tuesday.