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Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Juventus marked their return to Serie A action with a 2-0 win over Bologna at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Monday.

Maurizio Sarri's side shrugged off the disappointment of their Coppa Italia final defeat to Napoli last week, Ronaldo setting them on their way from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute in their first top-flight game since March 8.

Dybala added a superb second before half-time, whipping into the top corner from outside the penalty area, while Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi came close to adding further goals after the interval before Danilo was sent off in stoppage time.

The result moves the reigning champions four points clear of Lazio at the Serie A summit, although Simone Inzaghi's side will have the chance to cut the gap back to one point when they travel to Atalanta on Wednesday.

Juve started on the front foot, with Ronaldo forcing Lukasz Skorupski into a smart stop inside the opening 10 minutes.

The forward got the better of the Bologna goalkeeper midway through the opening period, though, slotting down the middle from the penalty spot after a VAR review deemed that Stefano Denswil pulled Matthijs de Ligt's shirt from a corner.

The visitors doubled their advantage in sumptuous style nine minutes before the break, Dybala sweeping into the top corner from 20 yards after a superb backheeled flick by Bernardeschi.

Ronaldo prodded wide shortly after the restart when clean through, while Bernardeschi crashed a 20-yard effort against the post moments later.

Juve were content to play out the second half at a pedestrian pace, though a Ronaldo effort fizzed past the post.

Ronaldo then saw a late strike ruled out for offside, while substitute Danilo received his marching orders in stoppage time after picking up a second booking for a foul on Musa Juwara.

What does it mean? Bianconeri back to their best

Juve had failed to score in both of their Coppa Italia matches since returning to action following the lengthy absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

They were back to their ruthless best against Sinisa Mihajlovic's side, however, putting the game to bed by half-time thanks to Ronaldo and a sublime strike from Dybala.

Dybala too hot to handle

The Argentina international was a handful for the Bologna defence throughout, bamboozling them with incisive movement and an array of smart touches. His eighth league goal of the season was one to savour.

Bologna rue Denswil's lapse

The hosts' hard work keeping Juve at bay was undone by a moment of madness from Denswil. His tug on De Ligt's shirt was unnecessary and proved costly when Ronaldo put away the penalty.

Key Opta Facts

- Juventus have won 13 of their last 14 encounters against Bologna in Serie A (D1), keeping nine clean sheet in this run.

- Bologna have conceded for 22 consecutive games in the top flight for the first time in their history.

- Dybala and Ronaldo have played 68 games together in all competitions: however this is only the third time they have scored in the same match (previously v Frosinone in February 2019 and v Sampdoria in December 2019).

- Ronaldo is now the leading Portuguese goal scorer in Serie A (43 goals), overtaking Rui Costa.

What's next?

Sarri's side host struggling Lecce on Friday, while Bologna travel to Sampdoria on Sunday.

Phil Foden has admitted he was happy to see his training efforts had not been in vain after he played a starring role in Manchester City's 5-0 rout of Burnley in the Premier League.

The midfielder bagged a brace and was instrumental in the rest of his side's goals - including a sensational no-look pass for David Silva's second-half finish - as Pep Guardiola's side made it two wins from two since the return of football in England following a three-month enforced break because of Covid-19.

The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a sterling strike from outside the box after 22 minutes and concluded it with less than half-an-hour to go with a close-range finish past goalkeeper Nick Pope at the left post following a fast press from the hosts.

Foden also teed up Riyad Mahrez's first goal of the game just ahead of half-time when he floated a wonderful long ball to the Algeria international, but it was his delivery in the build up to Silva's effort six minutes after the break that drew even greater plaudits.

The result delivered an emphatic scoreline for the champions, whose barnstorming form over their first two games back has served as a warning shot to their domestic and European rivals as the club continues to chase silverware in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Speaking after the game, Foden admitted he felt he may have played his best game for the club against the Clarets, while paying tribute to the coaching staff's tight drills during training as proving instrumental to both his goals and eye-catching assist.

"It is always good to play a part," he told Sky Sports post-match. "I am enjoying my football. The main thing is getting the result and how the time are playing. We are sharp.

"It is down to the whole team wanting to work hard. No matter who the manager puts it they do a job.

"We have a set-piece coach and have been working hard on short corners and defending as well so it is good when it comes off.

"We worked on the set-piece to draw players out as well so I already knew where to play the pass. I am just glad it came off.

"I'd like to think that was my best game in a City shirt. I am still learning every day but I am happy to put performances in like that."

Foden is widely seen by many as the natural successor to Silva, but the player himself refused to be drawn on the matter, adding: "How he plays today, he is unbelievable. I don't want to think about it. I am just enjoying playing with him. He is a legend of the game."

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku equalled two Samuel Eto'o records in his side’s 2-1 narrow victory against Sampdoria in Sunday’s Serie A game.

The Belgium international opened the scoring for the Black and Blues in the 10th minute of the game after he was set up by Christian Eriksen.

The strike is the 18th league goal of the former Manchester United and Everton striker, thus becoming the seventh Inter player to reach the 18 goal-mark in a single Serie A campaign after Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, Mauro Icardi, Diego Milito, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Christian Vieri and Ronaldo.

Moments after the half-hour mark, Lautaro Martinez then doubled the lead after benefitting from Antonio Candreva’s assist to take his tally to 12 league goals in this campaign.

With Lukaku and Lautaro goals, Inter now have two players to score at least 12 goals in a single league season for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign when Eto’o and Milito achieved the feat.

Victory in the encounter ensured Antonio Conte maintain their third-place on the league table with 57 points from 26 games.

The Giuseppe Meazza outfit is behind Lazio and leaders Juventus, who are on 62 and 63 points respectively.   

Eto'o enjoyed success with the Black and Blues, where he spent two years after joining the side from Spanish giants Barcelona in 2009.

The former Cameroon international hit the ground running on his arrival at Giuseppe Meazza and scored on his competitive debut against Lazio in a Supercoppa Italiana game.

Eto'o went on to find the back of the net 33 times in 67 league games, scooping a number of individual accolades in the process.

The former Real Madrid man clinched the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Champions League and Club World Cup trophies during his time with Inter.

The four-time African Player of the Year later went on to play for Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, Sampdoria, Antalyaspor, Konyaspor and Qatar SC before his retirement from professional football in September 2019.

The Football Federation of Zambia (Faz) and Super League side Napsa Stars have condoled coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic who has lost his mother.

Micho, who took the Zambian National football team's responsibilities in February, lost his mother who was staying in Serbia. Faz President Andrew Kamanga says they mourn with the former SC Villa and Orlando Pirates coach for he had become part of their family.

“Losing a loved one, especially one as close as a mother is very saddening. We mourn with coach Micho who has lived with the Zambian family for almost four months and has become a member of our football family,” Kamanga said in a post shared on Faz Facebook page.

“We extend a warm hand to him and his family and pray that God may ease the pain. On our part, we will do our best to ensure that we ease the burden of the loss.”

According to the former Young Africans SC, Saint-George, Al-Hilal Omdurman and Rwanda tactician, his mother Rada died at the age of 70. 

“I have remained just with best memories of herself in my heart, mind and soul with the best ingredients being the values she engraved in me,” Micho is quoted by Faz as saying.

“My mother will forever [live] inside me and whatever I did in African football I owe it to her.”

Napsa Stars have wished the coach comfort.

"Napsa Stars Football Club through its head coach Mohamed Fathi wishes to convey the deepest - heartfelt condolences to Chipolopolo head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic for the loss of his mother in Serbia,” the club posted on their Facebook page.

“It's very sad to hear of such news especially when you are not home to mourn with your family. I express my sincere sympathy to coach Micho and his family back in Serbia and I pray that they all find comfort in the Lord.”

“May her Soul Rest in Peace.”

Micho had left his Pirates job in mid-2019 citing issues pertaining to her mother's health. He managed the Egyptian giants Zamalek SC briefly thereafter before he left the role and later on was appointed Zambian head coach.

The Serbian is yet to oversee a single match for Chipolopolo as the African Nations Championship (Chan), which was expected to be his first test, remains suspended due to the coronavirus.

Bobby Williamson has revealed he told Gor Mahia they will never wait for 18 years again before winning the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.

The Scott helped K'Ogalo to their first league title in 2013 since 1995. After that, they have secured five more titles and have been dominating the local footballing scene. So, what is Gor Mahia doing right?

"It is all about the mentality they have; that winning mentality," Williamson told Goal on Monday.

"Before I arrived, they were close to winning the title, they then got over the line. I said after we had won the league, that they would never wait 18 long years again and that has been proven. The recruitment is important and they have brought coaches on board that have kept that momentum going."

The experienced tactician has also revealed the influence of Chairman Ambrose Rachier.

"The chairman has been important to the club's success. He said I was the catalyst back then but to date, I believe he was and still is since he has seen coaches coming and going but the winning is ongoing," Williamson added.

"It is not just the team on the park but it is also about the team off the park that is important and also the fans' hunger for more success."

In 2014, the coach left his post at the club to serve the Kenya national team in the same capacity.

"My time at Gor Mahia was good, I made a lot of friends and was privileged to help the team get their first league title after almost two decades," Williamson told Goal.

"I had an agreement with the chairman [Ambrose Rachier] that if the national team comes calling I will leave and it is what happened about a year later. 

"Gor Mahia remained with at least a million shillings and believe you me I have been asking for that money for years. After a few years ... you feel as if you are begging for the money you have earned

"March 21, 2019, was my last email to [Omondi] Aduda they were travelling to North Africa for continental assignment. He said he would get back to me in 13 days; it never happened."

The 58-year-old had the option of suing the club over wrongful dismissal, but he chose not to and has gone on to explain the reason.

"Yes, I could have sued them, but I never spoke about my arrears publicly as I did not want Gor to get bad publicity."

The tactician has since written off the debt.

Nigeria women's national team home kit has been voted the best jersey of the Fifa Women's World Cup held last year in France. 

The Africans turned out in their eighth appearance at the tournament in a heady mixture of cool green, white, and black evoke sensations of spearmint gum, while the blurred chevrons ooze cool. 

The home kit, which was designed by Nike and unveiled in 2018, earned numerous reviews during the global showpiece held last summer, hence its nomination according to Fifa on Sunday.

The Super Falcons were the only African country at the global showpiece shortlisted for the four-nation jersey poll, which also includes Australia, England, and Germany. 

The poll, which ended on Monday, had 2,348 people involved in the voting process, with Nigeria finishing top with 50 percent of the votes. 

Behind the Nigerian jersey, Australia came second with 21 percent and England were placed third with 15 percent while Germany finished fourth with 15 percent in the four-nation ranking.

The Super Falcons recorded a 2-0 victory over South Korea - which was their only win of the tournament but was safe to power the West Africans to the Round of 16 for the first time since 1999. 

Having been bounced out by Germany last summer, African champions will celebrate their international victory via the fan poll over the European giants and two-time world champions. 

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were among the Paris Saint-Germain stars to report back at the club's training ground on Monday.

Thomas Tuchel's first-team squad attended the Ooredoo Centre to undergo medical checks, including Covid-19 tests, ahead of a planned return to training on Thursday.

A total of 27 players reported back to the club on Monday, the notable exceptions being Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier, who are due to leave the club at the end of this month.

As a result of their upcoming departures and the end of their current contracts, Cavani and Meunier will not play for PSG when the Champions League resumes.

Tuchel's men are expected to have further tests until Thursday, when training will resume in small groups.

PSG have not played since their 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in March.

Ligue 1 was the only one of Europe's top five leagues to have its season declared over due to the coronavirus pandemic, with PSG confirmed as champions based on a points-per-game final table.

At the time of the cancellation, PSG had a 12-point lead over second-place Marseille while also maintaining a game in hand.

Stade de Rennes rounded out the top three, with seventh-place Lyon challenging the decision to cancel the league while threatening legal action over what they saw as a premature conclusion.

However, French authorities are set to allow the finals of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue to go ahead on July 24 and 31 respectively. PSG will face Saint-Etienne in the former and Lyon in the latter.

They will then compete in the remaining rounds of the Champions League - reorganised into a form of mini-tournament in Lisbon - in August, before the 2020-21 season gets underway.

PSG are one of four teams to seal their place in the quarter-final round, joining Atalanta, RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid by successfully navigating the round of 16 prior to the coronavirus cancellations.

There are still four matchups still to be determined, though, with Real Madrid facing Manchester City, Chelsea looking to find a miracle comeback against Bayern Munich, Lyon taking on Juventus and Napoli meeting Barcelona.

Neymar, who has won Ligue 1 three times since making the move to Paris, says that he is determined to lead the club to glory in the Champions League this year in an effort to deliver the club its first European triumph.

Antonio Rudiger says he played a part in convincing Timo Werner to come to Chelsea and compared the newly-signed striker to Leicester City star Jamie Vardy.

Werner recently completed a £47.5 million ($59m) deal to join Chelsea and will join the Blues at the end of the season after achieving stardom with RB Leipzig.

For several months, though, it was Liverpool that were expected to win the Werner sweepstakes, with Chelsea's late push ultimately proving successful.

Rudiger says that, throughout the coronavirus lockdown, he did his best to convince his Germany team-mate that Stamford Bridge was the right place for him to shine as he prepared for a move to the Premier League.

"I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time," Rudiger told Chelsea's official website. "We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England. Of course then I did my bit, what I had to do."

He added: "Like everyone, I’m very excited that he’s chosen Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him. I’ve known him since he was 17 and he did very good in the past few years. He can be very important for us."

Werner has fired 32 goals in 44 matches this season, taking his RB Leipzig total up to 93 in 158 games.

The 24-year-old forward has also scored 11 goals in 29 matches for Germany, having been a part of the squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Prior to his breakout at RB Leipzig, Werner was team-mates with Rudiger at Stuttgart, and the Chelsea defender says that he's been impressed with how the striker has grown since the last time they played together at club level.

"He’s a really big threat to defenders," he said. "RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he’s similar to Vardy. He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!"

"His development was just 'wow'. In his first season everything was new for him in men’s football but then he started scoring more goals and of course with that comes confidence. He had very good coaches who believed in him and worked with him."

Five Red Star Belgrade players have tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus in the wake of their SuperLiga title triumph in front of several five-figure crowds, the club has confirmed.

The Serbian champions confirmed the news less than a fortnight after they faced cross-city rivals FK Partizan in their Serbian Cup semi-final defeat, with around 25,000 fans in attendance.

Marko Gobeljic, Njegos Petrovic, Dusan Jovancic, Marko Konatar and Branko Jovicic have all subsequently come back with affirmative results for the illness, with all but the latter having been left out of the club's final game of the season against Proleter on Saturday.

As such, all five players will be forced to wait to receive their SuperLiga winners' medals, with the club confirming that they will be presented to them at a later date.

"The aforementioned players are feeling well, and are in strict isolation as well as constant contact with the club's medical team," read an official Red Star statement. "The condition of the players is being carefully monitored and a new test will be performed before the start of the preparations for next season."

The club further stressed that they had taken the requisite precautionary measures and that there were no other reported cases at present, adding: "It is important to point out that all other players, management and staff who were in direct contact with the first team have received a negative result. Red Star is taking all necessary protection measures and we will continue to do so."

The news is likely to bring the Serbian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic under scruitny after they eased lockdown restrictions earlier this month to allow large crowds back into sporting events across the nation.

With most other major sporting leagues across Europe returning to action firmly behind closed doors, the decision to allow several thousand fans - many of whom are thought to have not followed further recommendations - has already drawn criticism from neighbours Montenegro, who believe that the return of crowds has led to a second wave of infections across the country, due to supporters crossing the border in order attend matches.

Uganda Cranes players Farouk Miya and Tadeo Lwanga have joined the chorus asking President Yoweri Museveni to honour his USD1M pledge to the players who took part in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The head of state made the pledge after the team arrived from Egypt from the 32nd Afcon edition and, according to the stars, the head of state is yet to honour the pledge as of now.

Museveni made the promise at State House in Entebbe on July 8, 2019, after the Cranes, under French coach Sebastien Desabre went on to reach the knockout stage. They were eliminated by eventual finalists Senegal in the Round of 16 after going down 1-0.

The Cranes had never qualified into the knockout stage since their ultimate appearance, against hosts Ghana, in Accra in 1978.

“Greetings from Uganda Cranes players Your Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Miya, the Konyaspor's forward wrote on his Facebook page.

“In these tough Covid-19 times with everyone trying to fend for themselves, we find the timing right to remind you as the number one citizen of the Pearl of Africa about the $1M [One Million Dollars] promise soon after our respectable show during the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year.

“As a captain, my teammates [some already retired now] have been on my neck humbly requesting [others in a demanding tone because of the desperate times] me to remind you of the promise.”

Miya revealed players have grown out of patience now given the time it has taken for the head of state to settle the promise. It is now almost one year since Museveni made the promise where he had also stated the players would get a lion's share from the money.

“We feel frustrated, unhappy and somewhat under-appreciated that our token of appreciation hangs in balance. We truly believe that you will come to our rescue soonest as you have done in the past,” concluded the former Vipers SC and Standard Liege star.

Sharing the same message as Miya, Lwanga joined the likes of Hassan Wasswa in reminding the president of his unfulfilled promise.

The position of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has always been that the government will eventually settle the promise.

Vipers Sports Club goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha has stated what he wants to achieve in the upcoming Caf Champions League season.

They were crowned Uganda Premier League (UPL) winners for the abandoned season and automatically got a ticket to play in the continent's premier tournament. Reaching the group stage, as their domestic rivals KCCA FC did before, is Mugisha's big dream.

The Kassasiro Boys were the first Ugandan side to go that far in 2018 when they overcame St George SC of Ethiopia.

“We have a good squad and my hope is that we reach the group stages in the continent, we want to join KCCA in achieving that feat,” Mugisha told Football256.

“Vipers as a club is a good institution, we have a good mentality and most of all have big ambitions, therefore, it’s a plus for me being here.

“I am also happy about winning the [UPL] title in a short period it shows the winner in me like I was as a player and now as a coach.” 

The former KCCA, SC Villa and URA FC star also spoke about goalkeeper Fabian Mutombora's contract situation at the club.

“I can’t reveal anything in my department but I am sure if anything comes up you’ll learn about it. That said, I am comfortable with all the goalkeepers. They’re all good and only need enough playing time,” Mugisha concluded.

“Fabian [Mutombora] has a running contract and he is soon coming back, that’s what I know.” 

Meanwhile, Express FC's problems have been linked to its structure by the former Chief Executive Abubakar Muhammad Hadji.

Hadji claimes the burden of running the club is too heavy for the current chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

“It’s simply ownership structures that have failed the Express," Hadji told Sports Nation.

“It’s too much weight for a club to be on the shoulders of one man’s wallet considering that all clubs in Uganda are operating on a loss.

“This time if [Kiryowa] Kiwanuka quits Express, it will be a major blow because he has spent over USh300M on that club, how does he recoup his money?

“He has lots of guys on this executive, how many are willing to invest? None other than him. Eventually, he will quit. It’s just a matter of time.”

The Red Eagles are among the traditional clubs in the country, have won six league titles and 10 Uganda Cup trophies.

Atlanta United winger Ezequiel Barco says that his agent has been in contact with several teams in Europe, including Fiorentina and clubs in Ligue 1.

Barco scored in each of the first two league matches of his third MLS season before the league was halted due to the coronavirus.

The 21-year-old forward originally signed with Atlanta in 2018 for a reported $15 million (£12m) fee, making him the most expensive signing in MLS history.

Barco has had his ups and downs since joining Atlanta, scoring just nine times through his first two seasons as he adjusted to life in MLS.

However, the winger was a standout for Argentina at the most recent U-20 World Cup, capturing the eyes of European suitors once again.

“I know that from Fiorentina they contacted my representative," Barco told TNT Sports. "Also some clubs from France… The truth is that Fiorentina would be a nice possibility, yes. But now I don’t know what will happen with all this pandemic.”

Barco added that he recently spoke to Manchester City star and fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero as he wished the forward a happy birthday on June 2.

And, during that conversation, Aguero urged Barco to make the move to Europe, with the Atlanta United winger adding that he hopes the striker can put in a good word with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

“The league that I like the most is the Premier League, I love it," Barco said. "I spoke to Kun Aguero recently, I called him for his birthday. He told me that I had to make the jump to Europe, to go to the Premier League. 

"Let him sweeten Pep Guardiola’s ear a little, ha! It would be nice, yes.”

Despite Barco's claims, Atlanta United president Darren Eales says the club has yet to receive a formal offer.

"Because there's not really a lot going on at the moment, we're going to have, I think, the most silliest of seasons," Eales said on a conference call.

"But the reality, as you know, is Ezequiel is a quality player. He's under a long-term contract with Atlanta United and we've had no clubs reach out to us at the moment in terms of him." 

Barco, Atlanta United and the rest of MLS are set to return play in July for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

Former South Africa national team coach Gordon Igesund has pleaded for more time on Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki to do his work, saying the biggest undoing of the country is a lack of patience.

Igesund, a former Bafana coach between 2012 and 2014, feels that a national team project needs at least four years under one coach for a realistic chance of major silverware.

Since Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)-winning manager Clive Barker lost his job in 1997, no Bafana coach has reached three straight years in his position.

Igesund himself was removed from his Bafana role despite winning three 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and losing one game after taking over the qualification bid midway when the team was yet to record victory.

“We are not giving coaches enough time with the national team. You can’t give a coach a job for three years but your mandate is to get into the final of Afcon and qualify for the World Cup,” Igesund told Goal.

“For the 2022 World Cup you are bringing him three years before the tournament and expect miracles. You have to work on the team. You need to have at least four years to build a team so that they can understand your ways and you can make it happen. But here in South Africa we do not give coaches a chance.”

Current coach Ntseki has so far been in charge for three matches, winning the 2021 Afcon qualifier against Sudan as well as the Nelson Mandela Challenge with a 2-1 victory over Mali.

But the coach has tasted defeat when Bafana fell 2-0 in another Afcon qualifier away in Ghana.

“We have to give the coach the opportunity. He has a lot of work to do. I do like him very much, he is a good upcoming coach, he knows the game,” said Igesund.

“I am sure he will do the right things for instance if he goes and plays three friendly matches and he tries out a couple of players. You can’t build a team playing the same players over and over again. That’s why we need friendly matches. Sometimes you pick a team and leave out your top players and field some youngsters to look at.

“It’s ok to lose friendly matches because now you know which players are ready and which ones are not. Now you know what you need to do with certain players. That is how you start building players.

“We must judge coaches on official matches, don’t judge coaches on friendly matches. Everybody would be saying ‘get the youngsters in, put them in’. But as soon as the coach loses friendlies against Botswana or draw a game against Mauritius, everybody wants to kill the coach, [asking] how can you lose against this team?

“It’s okay to lose these matches. So it’s a process, but here in South Africa we are just too impatient, everybody is too impatient. How can you get a guy who has lost just two matches.”

Igesund has echoed Pitso Mosimane’s sentiments after the Mamelodi Sundowns coach last week said he was removed from his Bafana job without being given ample time to complete the vision he had for the team.

Former South Africa coach Stuart Baxter’s team at the 2019 Afcon finals had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Buhle Mkwanazi, Dean Furman, Thulani Serero, Themba Zwane and Bongani Zungu, most of whom were handed their national team debuts by Igesund.

Nzoia Sugar have joined the teams in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to own a team bus as they are set to unveil the same.

The Bungoma-based club has benefitted from a promise made by CS for Devolution Eugene Wamalwa when he visited the team’s Nzoia Sugar firm early this year.

Nzoia chairman Evans Kadenge has confirmed to Goal the Sugar Millers will receive the new bus on Wednesday in Nairobi.

“We received a call today [Monday] that we travel to Nairobi to receive the bus which was a promise by CS Wamalwa,” Kadenge told Goal on Monday.

“Wamalwa promised us the team bus earlier this year when he toured our sugar factory and I can confirm the bus is now ready and he has spent at least 90 percent to have it ready while Nzoia only gave the rest of the percentage.

“It is a 52-seater bus and we will use it specifically for the team when the league starts but I will be able to have the other details on the bus when we arrive in Nairobi for the handing over ceremony.”

Most of the clubs in the top-flight are used to hiring buses when travelling to honour matches and only Wazito FC, AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker have branded team buses.

Homeboyz’ team bus was unveiled earlier this month with club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula bragging they had purchased "a huge machine" that cannot be compared to what other teams have in the KPL.

“We bought a very serious machine, even Wazito, who used to brag they have the best bus in the league, cannot match our bus,” Shimanyula told Goal.

“It is a state-of-the-art machine and will accommodate 42 people, I used over Sh18million to get the bus, and remember that amount is more than four times more than what a winner in KPL league gets as prize money.

“KPL gives league winners Sh4million, which sometimes they don’t even give out but we managed to purchase a bus at Sh18million.

"It means the club is now becoming a force to reckon with in KPL, we are coming up slowly and soon things will be very different in the league.”

By the time the top-flight was ended, Nzoia Sugar were lying in 15th position with 13 points and were fighting for relegation.

Yanga SC have hit out at some of the fans for the staged protests targeting players who, according to them, are not fit to be at the club.

In a statement signed by interim secretary-general Simon Patrick, the 27-time champions stated their disapproval with the way some fans abused the playing unit.

"Yanga SC have been saddened by indecent acts by a section of the fans who abused and shouted at some players and even reached a point of fighting among themselves," read the statement as obtained by Goal.

"The club management is disappointed and has taken the earliest opportunity to insist on the importance of supporting the team and solve rising issues in a peaceful manner."

The 27-time champions have admitted there are challenges in the team but went ahead to state this was not the right time to focus it.

"The management is aware of the challenges in the team and the pain fans are going through. However, at this time, we should be working together instead of destabilizing the players psychologically," the statement added.

"It will weaken us further and will not develop our game.

"We should be protecting our players against all odds. We were voted the best team in terms of fans discipline and players' respect in Africa; let us not dent our image."

After Sunday's goalless draw with Azam FC, fans stormed outside the Yanga SC dressing room calling out for the release of Ivorian striker Gnamien Yikpe. 

The towering striker was signed by Timu ya Wananchi in January, penning a two-year contract. However, he has failed to live up to expectations and has so far scored just one goal for the team.

After the restart of the Tanzania Mainland League on June 13, the team faithful expected better from the forward.

A poor performance in the 1-0 win against Mwadui - where he missed one gilt-edged chance - and another lacklustre display in the goalless draw against Azam may have sealed his fate at the club.

"Drop Yikpe, release Yikpe," were the chants heard from hundreds of fans who were protesting outside the 27-time league champions' dressing room after Sunday's game.

"I take the point gained in our match, but I am not happy at all with some performance," an agitated fan said.

"Who signed [David] Molinga and Yikpe? Especially the latter, we were told he was a good striker who performed well for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Gor Mahia, so what happened to him here [at Yanga]?

"A striker who has scored just two goals [in all competitions], what does that tell you? The fans are hurt, we are hurting not the management. Is this the new Yanga we had been promised?"

Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA FC) defender John Revita has vowed to return stronger from an injury which threatened to end his career.

The Uganda international player picked up the injury against URA FC in January as the holders went down 1-2 in a Ugandan Premier League (UPL) match, and as a result, was ruled out for the rest of the season after the club’s doctors recommended he undergoes an operation to repair the damage.

The 27-year-old finally underwent surgery at the start of June, five months after he had suffered the career-threatening injury to repair his right knee ligament at CORSU Hospital in Kisubi, but was only released last Tuesday to start the recovery process.

Revita has now assured fans that he will use the current lockdown to heal properly and return as an improved player.

“I am happy and looking forward to the future,” Revita is quoted by New Vision.

“I will utilise this lockdown period to heal and return in time for the national league and the Chan tournament. I will come back stronger after the nine months that the doctors have prescribed for me to recover completely.

“I am still on crutches and will be going back for review after two weeks. For now, I will spend time with my wife and child.”

Revita also thanked the KCCA management for standing with him during the difficult times occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

On his part, club doctor Ivan Ssewanyana, who was present when the player went under the knife said: “I will make sure he follows the medical prescription for a good recovery. I am also grateful for the club's financial input in the health of Revita.”

Meanwhile, KCCA manager Mike Mutebi supported the club for standing with Revita, saying he was injured while doing duty for them.

“We have also treated players like Sadam Juma and Jackson Nunda before Revita got injured,” Mutebi told New Vision.

The defender was part of the Johnathan McKinstry-led team that qualified for the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) competition which was to be played in Cameroon on April 4-25. 

Revita’s injury led to his exclusion from the Uganda team that was preparing for Chan before the training was called off after the competition was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the player might have a chance to help the East African nation in the competition if he manages to recover on time.

The new date of Africa's second-tier national competition has not been confirmed yet.