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Keita Balde has spoken out on the problem of racism in Spain, with the Senegal international suggesting that the coronavirus crisis has highlighted the plight of seasonal workers to him.

The Monaco forward, who was born in Arbucies and brought up in Barcelona, has long been known for his charitable donations.

Balde is sourcing accommodation and food for 150 black families, who have previously been turned away by hotels, with the 25-year-old explaining that this shows that racism remains endemic in Spain.

He was drawn to the problem by a video shot by filmmaker Paco Leon, who worked with seasonal worker Serigne Mamadou to show the injustices that seasonal workers have to cope with, while he also saw the issues that workers in Lleida were having via social media.

"Black lives seem to matter if your name is Keita Balde, but if you're a part-time worker in Lleida, your life doesn't matter,” he told El Mundo.

“Maybe they didn't want to rent anything to a black boy. I felt I had to do what I could to help.

“I didn't want to offer words, I didn't want to speak, I wanted facts. People needed help. They were living in subhuman conditions, sleeping on the streets between cardboard boxes. They work 13 hours a day for €25 (£22/$27); they have to buy food, to find a place to sleep, they're not stealing from anyone.

“In Spain, we need people working in the fields to collect the fruit. We need them, but if you don't treat them well...”

Balde has also paid for 80 key workers’ accommodation in Barcelona during the Covid-19 pandemic and has explained that ever since he was a young player with the Camp Nou outfit, he felt it was important to give back to the community. 

“I’ve financed a mosque and a school in Senegal, I’ve helped with the pandemic in Europe… I like to be like this,” he said.

“I’ve been like this since I was young. I’m a boy at heart and I like to share.

“I gave out the clothes and boots that Barcelona and Nike gave me in the neighbourhood square.

“Money is one of the problems of this world. It classifies people. If you have a bill you are someone. If you don't have it, you are nobody. 

“We live in a polluted society in that regard. The person's real value is lost. It's sad. 

“I was happy before, when I had no money. And I am happy now.”

Liverpool edged closer to their first league title in 30 years but were frustrated by an obdurate Everton in a 0-0 derby draw at Goodison Park. 

The Toffees are now winless in 19 Premier League matches against their local rivals, although that statistic did not appear to weigh upon Carlo Ancelotti's approach as his side offered scant attacking threat. 

They still came closest to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes from time, though, as Tom Davies hit the post after Alisson had kept out Dominic Calvert-Lewin's clever flick.

Jurgen Klopp left Mohamed Salah unused on the bench and his team need five more points to become champions, although that equation will change if Manchester City fail to beat Burnley on Monday. 

An early error from Fabinho let Richarlison loose to flash a shot across the face of Alisson's goal.  

Takumi Minamino dispossessed Andre Gomes in the 34th minute, allowing Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane to tee up Roberto Firmino, with the Brazil forward pulling wastefully wide.  

Everton centre-back Michael Keane, booked for an earlier foul on Mane, produced a vital block to thwart Minamino before half-time, by which point Liverpool had lost James Milner to a hamstring injury and sent on Joe Gomez. 

Firmino's clever chested lay-off saw Naby Keita volley wide in the 51st minute, with Everton attacks having more or less disappeared from view. 

It made Richarlison's shank into the Gwladys Street End with Virgil van Dijk breathing down his neck all the more frustrating. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a 63rd-minute free-kick deflected over before Joel Matip joined Milner on the injury list. 

In the context of a dour contest, Everton launched a stirring late rally, Davies agonisingly close to snatching glory and Alisson frustrating his compatriot Richarlison once more after Calvert-Lewin sent a diving header wide. 

What does it mean? Liverpool made to wait 

Not that they will mind at all, but Liverpool could still end next week without being crowned Premier League champions.

When they are, their success should be remembered in the context of what came before the coronavirus pandemic. This soulless encounter was very much at odds with the finest moments Klopp has crafted on Merseyside. 

No shame for Seamus 

It might only be one win in 15 attempts now, but Seamus Coleman is still an Everton player who knows what it feels like to beat Liverpool. The experienced captain led by example at right-back, with two inch-perfect challenges on Gomez and Mane early in the second half crucial when it came to preserving parity. 

Minamino still bedding in 

Klopp said the extended training period before the Premier League restart had been useful for January recruit Minamino. A surprise inclusion ahead of Salah, who is still short of match fitness, the former Salzburg forward showed some nice touches and enjoyed a couple of half chances, but the opportunity to make a statement passed him by. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Minamino for the start of the second half .

Key Opta facts

- Seven of the last eight Merseyside derbies played at Goodison Park in the Premier League have ended level. 
- Liverpool have now gone 22 games without defeat against Everton in all competitions since a 2-0 loss at Goodison Park in October 2010 (W11 D11). 
- Everton are the only Premier League side to remain unbeaten on home soil in 2020 across all competitions (P5 W2 D3 L0). 
- Jurgen Klopp has managed more games against Everton in all competitions without defeat than against any other opponent in his managerial career (P11 W7 D4). 
- The average age of Everton's starting XI was 24 years and 356 days – their youngest starting line-up for a league match against Liverpool since February 1986 (24 years and 250 days), when they won 2-0 at Anfield. 

What's next 

A stunning title triumph may still be completed when Liverpool host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with Everton on the road at bottom club Norwich City. 

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that Barcelona are interested in attacker Lautaro Martinez but says that he is “optimistic” that the Argentina international will not depart the club this summer.

The Catalan side have been closely linked with a summer move for the 22-year-old, with Lionel Messi reportedly driving on their bid, but negotiations thus far have not proven fruitful.

From the Italian side’s perspective, though, this is a positive as they do not wish to see a player who has scored 12 times in 22 Serie A outings leave.

Marotta believes that there is still reason to believe that the former Racing star will be at the club next term.

"It is known that he is the object of market attention,” he told Sky Sport Italia of a player who arrived at the club in the summer of 2018. “He started well, he is young and he has great qualities. 

“Inter is a club that does not tend to sell its best players. If he does not show his willingness to leave, we will keep him close.

“He is flattered by the attention of big clubs. On our part, there is the desire to keep him and he has never actually expressed the desire to leave. I am optimistic that we can continue with him again next year.”

Marotta, however, has previously hinted that the Nerazzurri are making plans for the post-Lautaro era.

“If Lautaro [leaves], a top player will arrive,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport at the beginning of June, when he downplayed a suggestion that Edinson Cavani could join the club following his release from Paris Saint-Germain.

"He is one of the players being monitored," he said. “But we did not go into the matter further: at the moment he is quite far from Inter.”

Inter have had a positive season in Serie A this season in as far as they are firmly established in the top three of the standings. 

As they return after a three-month absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, however, they trail league leaders Juventus by nine points ahead of their Sunday match against Sampdoria. 

They retain an interest in the Europa League, which will be completed in Germany in August, having already defeated Ludogorets in the last 32. 

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Mark Williams admits playing the remaining matches behind closed doors will definitely affect Ernst Middendorp's men. 

However, Williams believes other teams such as the Brazilians and Orlando Pirates will equally be impacted negatively by the absence of fans. 

"There is no question that Chiefs will miss their '12th player' but they are not the only team that will be affected by this," Williams told Isolezwe . 

"I think all the 'Big Three' teams will suffer because they are used to having a lot of fans at their games." 

In Europe, a number of television broadcasters have included an artificial crowd noise feed and Williams hopes this could also work in South Africa. 

"We don't know if there will be a sound of Vuvuzelas to help the players feel as if they are playing in front of fans but that would mean the players must imagine having fans at the stadium," he said. 

Furthermore, the former Bafana Bafana marksman believes smaller PSL teams could benefit a lot from the remaining matches of the season which are set to be completed in one province due to the coronavirus.        

Williams picked Bidvest Wits as the team that could benefit the most because they are used to playing in front of fewer fans in almost all their home games. 

"No doubt that players who play for teams that don't usually attract too many fans sometimes feel intimidated when the stadiums are packed."  

"Teams such as Wits are used to being watched by around 2 000 fans or less - they are used to having no fans at times and I think they will benefit from this situation," he added.    

The Students are in the process of selling their PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Williams admits this could prove tricky but he's of the view the performance of the players will depend on an agreement between the squad and management.  

Nonetheless, he feels this is an opportunity for those that could lose their jobs to market themselves if they mind leaving the Gauteng province for Limpopo. 

"That one is a problem because there are players who I know very well that they won't agree to leave Gauteng for Limpopo." 

He added: "It will affect them but that will depend on their agreement with the chairman of the club." 

"There are those who will use the remaining nine games to market themselves to Gauteng teams that could be interested in them," concluded Williams. 

Wits have an outside chance of winning the league title despite sitting 10 points behind log leaders Chiefs. 

Gavin Hunt's men still have to play Amakhosi twice before the suspended season can be concluded. 

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has admitted he would pick Southampton forward Danny Ings over Arsenal superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he was to choose between the two at the moment.

The 31-year old has drawn blanks in games against Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion in the restart of the Premier League.

It has prompted more doubts about his focus and commitment to the club with a year left to run on his contract.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Ings was a catalyst in Friday’s 3-0 victory at Norwich City, scoring a goal and providing an assist to send the Saints 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Aubameyang has 19 league goals this season, two behind top scorer Jamie Vardy, while Ings has 16 goals.

“Having a player like Aubameyang is great, but he doesn’t want to be at Arsenal, he’s not committing himself to the club,” Cascarino told TalkSPORT.

“I don’t question him as a striker getting goals, he’s always score you 20-plus a season.

“This year he’s got one more Premier League goal than Danny Ings, but Ings has given a lot more to Southampton, as we saw [against Norwich]. His commitment to the team, he has a desire that drives the other players around him and makes them a better side.

“That’s one of the problems I see for Arteta, with players likes Aubameyang and Ozil.

“So, if I had a choice, I’d take Ings over Aubameyang.”

Cascarino is of the opinion Ings tops Aubameyang because he does more for the team in the kind of manner Roberto Firmino does for Liverpool.

Ings played for the Reds between 2015 and 2019, playing just 25 times as he was largely on the sidelines with injury and scored only four goals.

“When you look at Aubameyang’s numbers, they’re extraordinary,” Cascarino continued.

“But when you compare him to a player like Roberto Firmino for Liverpool, hasn’t got the goals say the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres did, but he does far more for the team.

“Danny Ings is like that, too, for me. He’s done this all season

“Let’s not forget, Ings’ career has been wrecked by injury and he’s come back and looks so good, he just leads the line brilliantly.

“He’s a consistent threat, even when the team isn’t playing well he’s still trying his socks off.

“He also wants to be at the football club, he wants to be at Southampton, he wanted to leave Liverpool and go there to play football.”

Jurgen Klopp's claim that Liverpool cannot dominate in the Premier League like Manchester United did has been disputed by Wayne Rooney, who says the key for the Reds is keeping their manager.

Liverpool, who are 22 points clear of Manchester City, are on the cusp of a first top-flight title since 1990 and need just two more wins to guarantee lifting the trophy.

Boss Klopp said he feels it is impossible for one club to enjoy the sort of success United did under the legendary Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles during his 26-year stint.

Former United captain Rooney – a long-time foe of Liverpool due to his association with Everton and the Red Devils – disagrees, though, and tipped the Anfield club to win the league at least five times in the next decade on the proviso Klopp remains at the helm.

"Liverpool's squad is young and all the key players are tied down on long contracts. They have huge potential to win more trophies," Rooney wrote in his column for The Times.

"Klopp says it's impossible for any club to dominate like United once did but he is wrong. There's a simple way for Liverpool: let Klopp go on and on.

"United dominated because Fergie stayed so long. I think if Klopp, who is only 53, stayed at Anfield for the next 10 years Liverpool would win at least five Premier League titles.

"He could keep building great sides because, as I mentioned, players join clubs to work with managers as good as him.

"On the flip-side, players stay at clubs because of managers, too. If Klopp left it would be no surprise to see the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino also deciding to move on.

"If I were one of Liverpool's owners, I would be doing everything in my power to tie him down for many years."

Rooney won the Premier League five times playing for Ferguson at Old Trafford, while he also became a Champions League winner under the Scot.

Liverpool's first game back since the suspension of the top-flight due to the coronavirus pandemic is Sunday's Merseyside derby at Everton.

Frank Lampard will guide Chelsea to a top-four finish in the final weeks of the season, according to Joe Cole, who says a club legend "has been unbelievable" in his first year at the helm.

Chelsea are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League standings, two points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United with a game in hand.

The Blues can open up a five-point lead over their rivals in the race for the final Champions League spot if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday, while also moving to within three points of Leicester in third.

Cole is confident that his former employers will earn a spot at Europe's elite table once again, and he can even see them leapfrogging the Foxes as the campaign reaches its conclusion over the next two months. 

"I'm going to stick with the four teams that are there, but I think Man Utd will push all the way," the ex-Chelsea winger told 90min.

"I don't think Chelsea will fall, Frank will have enough. I think Leicester could fall because of their lack of experience, as a club at the top, top echelons. I know they won the league a few years ago, but I think if you're going to ask if any of the teams would fall out, I think possibly it could be Leicester. I think Chelsea will be fine, I think Frank will be fine."

Cole went on to praise Lampard for the work he's done with Chelsea's academy stars since succeeding Maurizio Sarri in the Stamford Bridge hot seat last summer.

The 38-year-old said of his former team-mate: "The future's looking bright, you know, credit to the club for appointing Frank at the start of the season. It was a bold decision and credit to Frank, I think he's been unbelievable, his staff as well.

"He's brought his staff in, people he can trust, people who do their job very well. He's really steadied the ship, you know, a great job right from the academy, the club's really pulling in the right direction and the names they are linked with I think are bang on.

"I think they're the right type of players for Chelsea, so the club in that sense I think is in a strong, strong position and, you know, a lot of people have to share out the credit for that, but I think mainly you've got to look at Frank coming in. I think he's taken it in his stride and he looks like he's going to be a top, top manager."

Timo Werner’s agent has defended the RB Leipzig star from criticism over his £47.5 million ($59m) move to Chelsea.

It was confirmed this week that the German forward will join the Stamford Bridge side on a five-year deal next month. The transfer means he will miss out on the remainder of this season’s Champions League, which will resume in August.

Werner has faced criticism for walking out on his side before they contest the quarter-finals of the European competition, though managing director Oliver Mintzlaff came to his defence on Saturday, saying he is an “absolute sportsman”.

Karlheinz Forster has reiterated Mintzlaff’s message and says Werner does not deserve a negative image.

"What annoys me is that Timo is now being put in a corner and portrayed as a bad sportsman who lets his team-mates down,” Werner’s representative told Sport1. “I have to contradict that very clearly and I can only agree with what Oliver Mintzlaff said yesterday before the game!

“It would have been anything but a good start for Timo at his new club if he had to return to Leipzig for the preparation and the Champions League after the break.

“It was the joint vote of all parties involved - and not just Timo's decision - that he should move to Chelsea on July 1, and not until mid or late August.”

Chelsea beat the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich to the signing of the Leipzig star and ex-Germany star Oliver Bierhoff believes he was right to pick the Premier League ahead of staying in the Bundesliga.

"There's a lot of competition at Bayern, so you have to have a certain character. He's more of a player who lives on continuity and trust,” he said to Sport1. “English football is good for him. He'll have a good development there. I see him there more than in a team that works purely with technical football.

“He is a player who needs space, who needs depth and who plays out his speed. Maybe that was also a thought when changing.

"Timo always wants to play. Maybe there are also financial aspects. For example, Chelsea said: ‘We cannot take the risk that he will start with us injured or tired’.

“I believe that there has been pressure on Timo from various sides."

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Patrick Mayo believes the Soweto giants can succeed with Bidvest Wits defender Sifiso Hlanti's experience.

The retired striker also hopes the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders can do well with a defender like Thulani Hlatshwayo as they look to fill the void left by former defender Tefu Mashamiate.

With the Clever Boys set to part ways with a number of players following the sale of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), Mayo wants to see coach Ernst Middendorp signing Thabang Monare to replace George Maluleka who is bound for Mamelodi Sundowns.

“I think they need an experienced defender like Hlanti because Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya is a young boy. Hlanti is playing for the national team and Siphosakhe can learn from Hlanti,” Mayo told Goal.

“Hlanti has the experience and ever since they parted ways with Tsepo [Masilela], Chiefs never had a good and experienced left-back.

“I think it’s time they capitalize on this opportunity and sign Hlanti because I hear that some of the players don’t want to go to Venda as the club is sold.”

On Monare, the Mthatha Bush Bucks legend explains the Naturena-based side will need someone that will occupy Maluleka’s central spot.

“I think it’s also time they sign a player like Monare because ever since Yeye [Reneilwe Letsholonyane] left the club, I don’t think they have replaced him,” he added.

“Monare is a good ball player and he can do well for Chiefs. He is a great, talented player. That boy can open up the defenders and create chances for Chiefs. What I like about him is that he is very disciplined. He lives a clean life and he was developed by Jomo Cosmos.

“I also think Chiefs must push to sign Thulani. We lost Mashamaite and we need someone to support Tower [Erick Mathoho]. Yes, we have [Daniel] Cardoso and Mathoho but he needs an experienced defender to do well and ensure we are astable at the back.

“We have a good goalkeeper in Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi but we would really be good if we have Hlanti and a good right-back. Having Thulani [Hlatshwayo] will definitely boost Chiefs.”

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has admitted he is “concerned” about Bukayo Saka’s contract situation at Arsenal, fearing he could leave.

The 18-year-old’s contract runs out in 2021 and there has not been any talk. Should he fail to renew, it could mean he leaves at any stage from now or allows his contract to expire and leave as a free agent.

Crouch is worried Saka’s situation could continue the trend of Arsenal losing their best players and not offering them better contracts.

Saka has been a sensation this season, playing 32 times in all competitions under Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, playing a more prominent role under the latter.

The Anglo-Nigerian teenager has scored three goals and provided 11 assists. His competitive assist tally is only behind Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (18), Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (14) and Algeria international Riyad Mahrez (12) in the Premier League.

His latest assist was for Nicolas Pepe’s goal in Arsenal’s shock 2-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday which strengthened the Seagulls quest to avoid relegation by going five points clear, while for the Gunners, they are eight points away from the top four and it could widen should Chelsea beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

"I would be concerned [if Saka left]. It's happened time and time again at Arsenal,” Crouch told BT Sport.

“I'm not sure who's in charge of contracts, but it needs to be sorted out.

"They're giving big, big contracts to players who don't want to be there and they haven't sorted out someone with immense potential like Saka.

"Some players are lacking a little bit of desire at Arsenal, and you have to say, he's been the shining light.

"A club of Arsenal's stature, they should be trying to tie down these top young players. It's a surprising thing that they haven't been able to do that."

Arsenal’s next two league games will be on the road against in-form Southampton and top four chasers Sheffield United.

They also have a consecutive stretch of four difficult games to come in the month of July against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and then league leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool may be running away with the Premier League title but the race for the Golden Boot is a whole lot closer.

Goal is compiling the individual goal tallies for the highest-scoring Premier League players this season and you can check it out below.

Premier League 2019-20 Top Scorers

Jamie Vardy has flourished under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers and currently leads the charts. He is followed closely by Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng and a chasing pack that includes Sergio Aguero, Marcus Rashford and Danny Ings.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling will also feel they still have a chance, with plenty of time still left in the 2019-20 campaign.

*Up to date as of games played on June 20

Who finished top in 2018-19?

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah successfully defended his title as Golden Boot winner in May when he scored 22 goals in 2018-19, though he had to share his prize in a three-way tie with team-mate Sadio Mane and Arsenal forward Aubameyang when the duo pulled level on the last day of the season.

The Egypt international scored 32 goals in 2017-18, beating previous holder Kane to the title.

Shola Ameobi claimed he has been massively awestruck by Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s performances for Everton this season.

The 23-year-old joined the Toffees from Sheffield United in a £1.5 million deal on 31 August 2016.

Calvert-Lewis made a slow start in his first three seasons at Goodison Park – accounting for just 11 goals in 78 appearances in the Premier League.

This season, however, he stepped up his game to turn in 13 goals in 27 appearances – which earned him a new five-year contract in March.

He has made a strong case to be included in England’s Euro 2021 plans, and could make the final cut to the championship should regulars Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford get injured during the build-up.

Overall, the England youth international has done enough to impress the Newcastle great who is gobsmacked with his stirring qualities.

“I’ve been so hugely impressed with the way he carries [himself],” Ameobi said on Sky Sports.

“I remember when Everton came here [to Newcastle] earlier in the season, I was so impressed with his movement and tenacity, he knows where to be.

“He is a striker who has got pace, got power and he has a knack of being in the right place at the right time.”

The 38-year-old also hailed the impact of Carlo Ancelotti and Duncan Fergusson on his development.

Calvert-Lewin has thrived since the Italian manager was named the club’s boss in December, scoring eight goals in his last 10 English elite division outings before the league went on hiatus owing to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since Ancelotti has been here, he just shows us the different types of goals he scores,” he continued.

“His improvisation is brilliant. You can’t underestimate the impact Ancelotti has had on him this season and also Duncan Fergusson.

“I just love his tenacity, he never gives up – he keeps fighting. He is obviously the huge star of the moment."

The striker is expected to lead Everton when champions-elect Liverpool come calling in Sunday evening’s derby clash before heading to Norwich City on Wednesday.

Ancelotti’s men are currently 13th in the log having accrued 37 points from 29 matches.

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he advised Manchester United to sign Idrissa Gueye a month after re-joining Everton.

Rooney began his career at Everton before moving to United in 2004, and went on to win 16 major trophies at Old Trafford, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The former England international made his way back to Goodison Park on a free transfer in the summer of 2017, having been deemed surplus to requirements by then Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.

Rooney stayed for one full season before undertaking a new challenge in MLS with DC United, helping Everton earn an eighth-place finish in the top-flight.

One man who stood out above all others to United's all-time record scorer during his second stint with the Toffees was Paris Saint-Germain star Gueye, who enjoyed an impressive spell on Merseyside between 2016 and 2019.

Rooney says he quickly became convinced that the Senegal international had enough quality to join United, who have been linked with the midfielder on several occasions, but he failed to convince his former club to launch a bid for his services.

The Red Devils legend wrote in his latest column for The Times: "Everyone talks about his tackling and energy but what surprised me was his quality on the ball — he always looked to play it forward and to your feet.

"After a month playing with him, I spoke to people at Manchester United saying he was good enough for them. I wasn't shocked when Paris Saint-Germain signed him."

Rooney also discussed his time spent playing alongside another ex-Everton star, Marouane Fellaini, who left Goodison to join United in 2013.

The Belgium international was often criticised for not fitting the Red Devils' style of play, and never quite managed to win over his detractors despite putting in some impressive performances in the middle of the park.

Rooney added on Fellaini: "He was an absolute handful. He didn't mean to, but he'd always catch you with a knee or elbow; he scored goals, was always threatening and never got the credit he deserved.

"He was such a nice person and when he was getting stick at Manchester United it was hard for him. I admired the character he showed to get through that and win fans around a bit."

Former Mainland Premier League champions Yanga SC and Azam FC fought to a 0-0 draw on Sunday at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam.

Azam FC, after punishable mistakes by their defenders, were saved from going down by a superb Benedict Haule in goal.

Yanga conceded a corner after Idd Seleman was brought down from the right-hand side of the pitch and Azam almost got an opener from the resultant kick.

Idd Kipagwile received a short corner and delivered a pinpoint cross for Selemani who headed it past Metacha Mnata only for his goal to be ruled out for offside. It was not Selemani who was caught in an offside position but it was Zimbabwean Never Tigere in the sixth minute of play.

A chance for the Timu Ya Wananchi presented itself in the 15th minute when David Molinga, left unmarked in Azam's box, collected a back pass meant for Haule by Kipagwile. Haule did well to deny Yanga the opener by stretching to his right-hand side and collected Molinga's striker with considerable calm.

Another horrible backpass by Oscar Masai in the 35th minute almost cost Azam big and gave Yanga an opener. Masai's pass back to Haule was intercepted by Patrick Sibomana but the goalkeeper again stood firm to thwart the danger.

Apart from the nullified Azam's goal and Haule's key saves, none of the sides was able to get a much-sought opener before the first half ended with the scoreboard reading 0-0.

Yanga's furious appeal for a penalty was not entertained by centre referee Elly Sasii in the 67th minute when Ugandan international Nicholas Wadada looked to have brought down Molinga.

The Congolese striker, starting in his first match since resumption, received a cross from the left side of the pitch from Sibomana and as he entered into the box, there was contact between him and Wadada.

To the referee, the contact was not a serious one that would have warranted a penalty for the home side. 

In the 76th minute, Wadada himself saw his call for a penalty dismissed when he was brought down inside the box by Jafari Mohammed. Referee Sasii waved play on as Wadada looked on without further protestation.

None of the sides was able to claim maximum points in an equally feisty match in Dar es Salaam even in the six additional minutes.

Yanga will remain third with 56 points as Azam maintain second spot, with 58 points, after 30 matches.

Yanga SC XI: Metacha Mnata, Deus Kaseke, Jafari Mohammed, Kelvin Yondani, Said Makapu, Feisal Salum, Balama Mapinduzi, Haruna Niyonzima, David Molinga, Ditram Nchimbi, Haruna Niyonzima, Patrick Sibomana.

Subs: Farouk Shikalo, Paul Geofrey, Ally Mtoni, Bernard Morrison, Abdoulaziz Makame, Ngasa, Gnamien Yikpe.

Azam FC XI: Benedict Haule, Nicholas Wadada, Salmin Hoza, Oscar Masai, Abdallah Kheri, Bryson Raphael, Idd Selemani, Mudathir Yahya, Richard Djodi, Never Tigere, Idd Kipagwile.

Subs: Ally Mwadini, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Bruce Kangwa, Khlefin Hamdoun, Andrew Simchimba, Shaaban Idd Chilunda.

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate says he doesn’t want to come up against the Swansea City trio of Andre Ayew, Rhian Brewster and Conor Gallagher again after they were instrumental in a 3-0 bashing of Boro at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

The game marked the return of Championship fixtures after a halt in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Brewster - who is on loan from Premier League leaders Liverpool, scored first with Ayew providing the assist. The youngster then registered his brace before Ayew made it 3-0 from the spot after Gallagher was brought down in the box by Boro captain George Friend.

“They've got some exceptional players in Rhian Brewster, Conor Gallagher and Andre Ayew. We just couldn't deal with them,” Woodgate was quoted as saying in Wales Online.

"It's hard to explain that type of performance. It's not nice to see. It was just the basics of the game at times. It wasn't good enough.

"We won't come up against a Brewster, an Ayew or a Conor Gallagher again. Them three up top, I thought they were absolutely outstanding."

Brewster has now scored six goals in 12 Championship outings since his arrival from Anfield in January and Ayew took to social media to congratulate the 20-year-old for his performance.

“Three points great start. One more goal. Congrats my Lil bro Rhian Brewster. Missed the Jack Army! Let’s keep going,” he posted on Twitter.

Ayew had a solid game at the Riverside, making 43 touches on the ball and 22 accurate passes (91.7%) which was the highest percentage of any player on the pitch. He also did well defensively, making four tackles and five clearances.

The Ghana captain remains the club’s top scorer in all competitions with 15 goals and six assists in 3216 minutes, averaging a goal every 214 minutes.

Saturday’s victory is Swansea’s biggest away from home in the Championship this season and their second biggest in the second-tier after seeing off Birmingham City 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium on August 25, 2019.

The South Wales outfit are just a point away from the promotion-playoff places and will next host title-chasers Leeds United, whom they saw off 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Elland Road.

Roy Keane has taken aim at Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keith Andrews, stating that the former WBA and Blackburn midfielder is a “bullsh*tter”.

Keane departed his role with the national team in November 2018, having enjoyed some success as the right-hand man to Martin O’Neill in the dugout, notably helping them to Euro 2016, where they qualified for the knockout phases.

The Boys in Green face an uphill task to qualify for the postponed European Championships, which will take place next summer, with a trip to Slovakia in the play-offs before a final away against Bosnia and Herzegovina or Northern Ireland, and Keane has taken aim at a certain member of their coaching staff.

“If I can make one point about new Irish staff. I’ve heard a lot of bullsh*tters over the last 10 years and Keith Andrews is up there with the best of them,” he told the Irish Independent . 

Keane, who hit the headlines earlier this week for his scathing assessment of David de Gea’s goalkeeping in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham , struggled in management and he claims it was because he was “too nice”.

“Sometimes I was too hard. Sometimes I was too soft,” he commented. “If I was critical, looking back on my own career and how I dealt with people, even in management – and people mightn’t believe this – but I reckon that sometimes I was too nice to people.

“People stabbed me right in my chest, it wasn’t in my back. Because I was too nice to them.”

On the park, though, Keane was known as a hard man who took no prisoners during his time with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Celtic, and he has no problems with that. 

“That was who I was. Even pre-season, any game I ever took it easy in, I guarantee you I was the worst player on the park. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t do it. It just wasn’t in my make-up ... I had to be full pelt,” he said.

“If I lightened up too much in football, I would never have got to England. And if I did, I wouldn’t have lasted two minutes.”

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has described Jeremy Brockie as “an exceptional player” and says the forward can come back to the club.

The 32-year-old New Zealand international will be a free agent from July 1 after Mamelodi Sundowns opted against extending his contract following two and half seasons as their player, including a season loan stint at Maritzburg United.

Maritzburg have also decided against permanently signing him and have since released him despite the possibility of the current season being completed.

With Brockie having previously spent three terms at SuperSport when Tembo was then club assistant coach, the Zimbabwean has close appreciation of the attacker and wants him back at the club.

“Although I’m still focusing on finishing the season before I can think of beefing up the squad, I’m happy to say that Brockie is more than welcome to rejoin us,” said Tembo as per Sun Sport.

“Any player who can add value to the team is more than welcome and Brockie is no different. He’s an exceptional player.”

In recent seasons, Brockie has failed to recreate the form of his SuperSport days that attracted Sundowns to sign him midway through the 2017/18 campaign.

When Downs came calling for his signature, he was playing under former Matsatsantsa coach Eric Tinkler who later on brought him to Maritzburg United.

Turning to his own future, Tembo is unmoved by reports linking Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt to the SuperSport job.

After the announcement that Hunt will not be relocating to Limpopo following the sale of the Bidvest Wits franchise, the veteran coach has been rumoured to be on his way back to SuperSport with whom he won three Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles between 2008 and 2010.

“I’ve never been worried about my future here. The focus has always been on getting the job done and exposing young players to the first team,” Tembo said.

“We’re looking forward to returning to training and finishing the season. Players can’t wait to report for camp.”

Finishing third on the PSL standings and qualifying for the Caf Confederation Cup if the season resumes would probably cement Tembo’s job for next season.

Matsatsantsa are currently placed third but face stiff competition for a top-three finish from Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United and Bidvest Wits.

Stefano Pioli has ordered his Milan team to cut out the wasteful finishing that has blighted their season as he plots a route into Europe amid intense speculation over his position at San Siro.

The Champions League is surely out of reach for the seven-time European champions, with fourth-placed Atalanta 12 points better off in Serie A having played a game less.

The Rossoneri last appeared in that top-table competition in 2013-14, and have toiled ever since, but seventh place could be enough for a Europa League spot.

And that should be well within range for the Rossoneri, with or without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is still working his way back from a calf injury.

Milan sit ninth heading into Monday's trip to Lecce, and there is no mistaking where their main problem lies, with a paltry 28 goals from 26 league games so far.

Pioli, who succeeded Marco Giampaolo in October, accepts his job will be under threat if Milan fail to deliver over their final 12 matches of the season, which is resuming after the coronavirus suspension.

Rumours abound about the possibility of Ralf Rangnick or Julian Nagelsmann taking the Milan hot seat next season.

"Today we are not in Europe, but even if we were, everything can change in 40 days," Pioli told a pre-match news conference. "It would be a shame to finish the season in this position, we have to recover quickly.

"We don't have an easy schedule but we have shown that we can compete with those ahead of us. We have shown that we have quality and sacrifice, tomorrow is a very important match.

"We are not the fourth-worst attack in the league because we haven't created chances, but because we have one of the lowest conversion rates. We have to improve on this.

"There will be chances to make the difference, to score another goal will be even more important. We have to improve this data."

Ibrahimovic will sit out the Lecce game but the 38-year-old Sweden great, brought in at the turn of the year on a six-month deal, should be fit to contribute over the closing stretch.

Pioli said Ibrahimovic was "better" and would be examined next week, adding: "He is working with great dedication and commitment."

The Milan head coach confirmed defender Mateo Musacchio, who needs ankle surgery, is unlikely to play again this term.

Lecce are in a relegation battle so have plenty of incentive to add to Milan's problems.

Yet, if Pioli is to get a second season, he knows Milan cannot afford to sleepwalk their way to the end of this campaign.

"The future of all the coaches depends on these 40 days," he said. "Everyone can be talked about. We live on results.

"We have a great target to chase, our position in the table does not reflect our qualities and we have the chance to prove it."

Lobi Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote has called on Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players to seize their Super Eagles opportunities when they come.

The national team has been dominated by foreign-based players since the arrival of Gernot Rohr, as the Franco-German tactician claimed the best of Nigerian players play abroad.  

Heartland goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the only consistent home-based player in the national team under the 66-year-old.   

Rohr, who recently signed a new two-year contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been mandated to watch more domestic league games in order to discover talents for the national team.

Ogunbote, who has previously coached Sunshine Stars, Enyimba and Enugu Rangers, has praised the directives and urged the NPFL stars to be ready to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.

“Every player, either home-based or playing abroad has a right to represent the nation as long as he is a Nigerian,” Ogunbote told the Guardian.

“The news that NPFL players will be watched during league games is interesting and very good. Before now, the coaching crew of the Super Eagles never had confidence in the domestic league players.

“It is a question of time and we will see to whether the players are of good quality or not. I know the Eagles’ coaching crew would be convinced because we have very good players in the domestic league.

“The truth is that before now, the domestic players used to have a lot of publicity at home playing for the national team. But when they are not being considered again, of course, the next thing is to go for trials in Europe on their own.

“At least with the new development, the local league players once again have the opportunity to not only sell themselves to the Eagles’ coaching crew but also play their way to clubs in Europe. Therefore, my advice to them is to take this opportunity.

“They need to grab this opportunity as long as it is on a level playing field with the foreign-based players and make good use of it.

“The NPFL players need to know fully well that for them to be part of top-flight leagues in Europe, they need to do more by displacing their counterparts from Europe for Eagles shirts and make it their own permanently. But this can only come through hard work.”

Rohr led the Super Eagles to finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and will be expected to strengthen his squad with more home-based players during the Afcon qualifiers.

Nigeria currently top Group L with six points after victories against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho. They will take on Sierra Leon in their next qualifying game.

RB Leipzig showed that they have no hard feelings towards future Chelsea attacker Timo Werner by presenting him with a specially-commissioned mosaic before the club’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

The fixture was the last time that Werner will feature in a home match for the East German side before he completes a £47.5 million ($59m) switch to the Premier League club in the summer.

It is a move that has generated some controversy, however, with the Germany international forward having been made unavailable for the remainder of the club’s Champions League campaign in August.

Given his importance to the side – he has scored 32 goals and created 13 more in 43 outings for the club this season – it represents a significant blow and resulted in his agent coming out to defend him.

“What annoys me is that Timo is now being put in a corner and portrayed as a bad sportsman who lets his team-mates down,” Werner’s representative, Karlheinz Forster, told Sport1. “I have to contradict that very clearly and I can only agree with what [RB Leipzig managing director] Oliver Mintzlaff said yesterday before the game!

“It would have been anything but a good start for Timo at his new club if he had to return to Leipzig for the preparation and the Champions League after the break.

“It was the joint vote of all parties involved - and not just Timo's decision - that he should move to Chelsea on July 1, and not wait until mid or late August.”

The player, meanwhile, is looking forward to the move and is grateful to Leipzig for providing a stepping stone after he joined them from Stuttgart in 2016.

"I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club," Werner said. "I, of course, want to thank RB Leipzig, the club and the fans, for four fantastic years. You will forever be in my heart.

"I look forward to next season with my new teammates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans. Together we have a very successful future ahead of us."