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Mbarara City CEO Mwine Mpaka has revealed they had to rehire coach Brian Ssenyondo to help the Ugandan Premier League side because the country has few qualified tacticians.

The position fell vacant early in the season after the departure of Livingston Mbabazi, who was relieved of his duties.

The team struggled to stabilize and the youthful tactician was demoted to the junior team, with Paul Nkata appointed to guide the senior team.

"We hired Brian Ssenyondo as we have a big challenge in the country regarding coaches, they are few," Mpaka told Urban TV.

"Even when we were in the Big League, it was a challenge; we hire a coach today and after a season, he wants to go.

"So we opted to go for a young but ambitious coach who in this case was Ssenyodo. Pressure came along the way considering we were playing our home games away because Kakyeka has not been cleared.

"Our home ground became Luzira in Kampala."

The administrator revealed how it affected the team.

"We lost the support of our home fan base, yes, some fans travelled with the team but it was not enough. When the team is struggling, fans will not have it easy and they will definitely put in pressure," Mpaka recalled.

"It eventually reached the administration and we had to act; sometimes you have to show leadership skills when necessary."

The management made a decision affecting Ssenyodo and opted to bring on board a more experienced coach.

"We opted against firing [Ssenyondo] and gave him an opportunity to lead our junior team," he continued.

"His demotion paved the way for an experienced coach, Nkata.  

"We believed Nkata would help the team by the look of his CV but he failed to do so. The relationship between him and his players was also wanting; it was one of the factors why he struggled to pick-up."

The veteran coach was fired after just 12 games where he collected 10 points and left a team almost in the relegation zone.

Ssenyodo was brought on board and helped the team to finish seventh with 16 points. The season came to an abrupt end owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Federation of Ugandan Football crowned Vipers SC as the champions.

Oghenekaro Etebo has taken to social media to express delight at scoring his first-ever goal for Getafe in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Eibar at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

The Azulones came into the match winless since the restart of La Liga, with their last outing a goalless draw at home to Espanyol.

Etebo gave his side the lead after driving in the ball home from Angel Rodriguez’s assist in the 30th minute.

That lead didn’t last long as Charles Dias equalised just before the half-time whistle with a header after Sergi Enrich knocked the ball into his path.

“Happy to get my first Getafe goal. Heads up lads,” Etebo posted on Instagram.

He became the 21st Nigerian to score in the Spanish top-flight, joining an illustrious list that contains the likes of Ikechukwu Uche, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins and Rashidi Yekini.

The 24-year-old, who is on loan from English Championship side Stoke City, played 69 minutes, produced 41 touches on the ball, and 16 accurate passes (64%) with one shot on and off-target.

It was Etebo’s ninth league appearance for Getafe since his arrival in January. He has played in every game bar against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, in which he had a knock and was unfit to make the matchday squad.

Of the nine outings, six have been starts.

Saturday’s strike was Etebo’s first-ever in Spain as he had previously played for Las Palmas on loan from Portuguese side Feirense. He was also a January loan signing and made a total of 14 appearances.

His presence was, however, not enough for the Canary Islands outfit to stay up in La Liga as they finished in 19th place.

Getafe’s draw with Eibar means they were unable to close the gap to fourth-place Sevilla, who drew with Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Friday night. The gap now stands at four points.

Jose Bordalas’ side is now unbeaten in their last four La Liga matches, drawing three and losing one. Their last victory came in a 1-0 win Mallorca on March 1, a week before the league was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their next assignment is an away trip to Real Valladolid on Tuesday.

A nasty battle is brewing between Ria Ledwaba and the South African Football Association (Safa) after the experienced administrator was removed from her position as the association's vice-president on Saturday. 

Ledwaba was dismissed after she was found to be at fault for seeking political intervention for the way the country's FA is run under the leadership of Dr Danny Jordaan. 

In April, the former Ria Stars boss wrote to Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa following Safa's response to Gay Mokoena's allegations against Jordaan. 

Mokoena alleged in his report to the National Executive Committee (NEC) that it was Jordaan who requested him to step aside as acting CEO despite not having the powers to do so. 

In their response, Safa denied the allegations and pledged support for Jordaan, and that didn't sit well with Ledwaba and his subsequent reaction got her removed from her position. 

However, Ledwaba claims there were already calls for her to be removed as Safa's vice-president even before she wrote to Mthethwa. 

"I know for a fact that before I even wrote a letter to the Minister, already there was a call by the NEC that I must be removed,” Ledwaba told FarPost. 

"In fact, I was the most insulted vice-president ever since the report of Gay Mokoena, you understand?

"Now the Gay Mokoena report comes, goes to the President copied to all NEC, the President does not respond to Mokoena to say I acknowledge receipt of your report and the matter will be addressed."

Ledwaba then wrote to Jordaan asking him to give direction in the manner in which the association should handle Mokoena's damning allegation, and she alleged that this was ignored. 

She feels Safa NEC's reasons that she shouldn't have written to the Mthethwa was used as a convenient excuse, and she promised to challenge the decision to remove her.  

"But I am not going to be silent, I am going to challenge this decision," added Ledwaba.

"They must do things according to the constitution, Danny cannot be a law unto himself, he can’t! And I told him yesterday. The letter to the Minister is just a scapegoat.

"The NEC decided a long time ago that they want to fire me and Mokoena, that’s the point and that’s the truth and they all know.

"All that I am telling you now I told them straight to their face during the meeting [on Saturday]. I told them that ‘really 30-something men, you are afraid to look me in my eyes and tell me if you feel I have done something wrong’."

Ledwaba said she was hurt by the fact that women within the organisation were mobilised to vote for her removal and alleged that some have already promised her position.   

"You know the hurtful thing for me in that meeting was to see women voting that I should be released. That was the most hurtful part. I was very hurt by that, but you know why?" she asked.

"Because they are promised to be given the position of the vice-president. So, I understand but it was a bit hurtful and they know what they did to me yesterday was wrong, they know that it was an orchestrated move.

"In fact, to be honest with you, Safa is an abnormal organisation, honestly. It is a completely abnormal organisation and I have told the president [Jordaan]. I have had meetings with him and I told him."

Simba SC have suffered another blow in their quest to have midfielder Sharaaf Shiboub return to the club.

The towering midfielder relocated to his native country Sudan when the Mainland Premier League was halted owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic but is yet to return despite the league restarting on June 13.

Simba information officer Haji Manara had last week promised that they are doing everything possible to have the player return but this might have suffered a blow after the country extended the curfew to June 29.

Simba had hoped the curfew in the country will be lifted on Saturday but instead, the Sudanese government extended it to June 29.

The latest decision by the Sudanese government now means Shiboub will miss Simba’s next matches against Tanzania Prisons, Mbeya City, and Ndanda FC.

Simba had four foreigners outside the country before the league resumed, which also includes lead striker Meddie Kagere, Francis Kahata, and Clatous Chama. However, the aforementioned players have already reported to camp and were also involved in two matches the team has played so far.

On Saturday, Simba hammered Mwadui FC 3-0 with goals from Hassan Dilunga and John Bocco coupled with an own goal from Augustino Samson, securing maximum points at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The result left coach Sven Vandenbroeck praising his players for their mental composure and playing according to instructions and urged them to keep fighting as they closed in on a third straight title.

“Especially after a week of hard work, it is always good to win and I think the guys did a very good job tactical, in three days we changed a bit how we play, a bit typical for Simba and I have to give my players a compliment for their mental ability to give us the three points,” Vandenbroeck told Goal after the match.

“We fly out on Monday morning to Mbeya and let’s see how the circumstances are those side, I hear it is cold over there than here but let us reach there first and the first thing to do is make sure we adapt well.

“But I have only one message, for my players. Keep fighting, keep pushing yourself physically and mentally to your limit so we get fully fit and as quick as possible because you know in the end is when trophies are given not at the beginning of the season."

Simba will next face Tanzania Prison and Mbeya City in Mbeya town.

Aston Villa star Jack Grealish would shine for any team in the world, former England midfielder Joe Cole says.

Grealish, 24, is expected to leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, regardless of the result of their fight against relegation from the Premier League this term.

Manchester United have included the England Under-21 international on their list of summer transfer targets, while the attacking midfielder has decided he wants to make the switch to Old Trafford.

There are other candidates reportedly chasing the signature of the Villa captain, however, and Cole believes he is good enough to deal with the pressure of playing for any side.

“I’m sure he has plenty of options,” the ex-Villa player told The Daily Mail.

“Any of the big clubs, not just in England but Europe. I think he’s the type that can pull on any shirt and it wouldn’t be too heavy for him.

“I include the England shirt with that. His England career has been a long time coming for various reasons but no shirt would be too heavy for Jack. He’d be able to wear it."

Cole added: “I love Jack. I think he’s an immense talent. I love watching him play.

“Jack is the kind of player that, as fans, you go to watch football for. He plays strong-minded, super talented, he’s artistic and he’s become a pivotal figure at Aston Villa.

“I think if they were to go down I think even the most ardent of Villa fans would wish him well on his way, and he’s just a great player.”

Grealish is Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with seven goals from 27 appearances and his six assists are more than any team-mate has registered so far.

Dean Smith’s team have failed to win any of their last five matches in the English top-flight and sit second bottom in the table, but they are just a point behind West Ham, who linger just outside of the relegation zone.

After returning to Premier League action with a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United in midweek, Villa host fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.

Simba SC have registered yet another post-Premier League tie friendly victory, against African Lyon on Sunday.

The friendly encounter took place almost a day after the defending Mainland Premier League champions defeated Mwadui FC 3-0 on Saturday.

Simba defeated African Lyon 5-0 with a brace from Ibrahim Ajib, a goal each from Tairone Santos, Mzamiru Yassin and Deo Kanda responsible for the big win.

Ajib found the back of the net in the 25th and in the 30th minutes while Santos' goal was scored in between Ajib's two strikes.

Yassin added the fourth two minutes after the half-hour mark while the Democratic Republic of Congo star Kanda scored the only goal in the second half, three minutes before the full-time whistle.

After dispatching Mwadui, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck asked his players to fight and regain fitness as they race to defend their league title.

“But I have only one message, for my players. Keep fighting, keep pushing yourself physically and mentally to your limit so we get fully fit and as quick as possible because you know in the end is when trophies are given not at the beginning of the season,” Vandenbroeck said after the Dar es Salaam encounter.

“We have two matches, tricky matches in Mbeya and I know we can come back with maximum points if we play as we did on Saturday.”

It is the second time Simba got engaged in a friendly match after a previous league encounter. When they drew Ruvu Shooting in their first match after resumption, Simba faced Transit Camp the following day and won.

A point gained against Ruvu Shooting and another three from their win against Mwadui ensured Simba widened the gap at the top of the league table. The Wekundu wa Msimbzi have 75 points from 30 matches so far.

Azam FC, who are in action against Young Africans (Yanga SC) on Sunday, remain second with 57 points.

Third-placed Yanga, determined to finish above Azam, are two points below their Sunday opponents.

The next game for Simba will come on June 28 when they will be hosted by Tanzania Prisons as the league races to its conclusion following June 13's resumption.

Kevin- Prince Boateng has taken to social to praise Besiktas after they recorded a massive 5-1 win victory at Denizlispor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old Fiorentina loanee was absent from the tie because of Acute Tendonitis, which he suffered in training last week.

The Black Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat at home by Antalyaspor last week which dented their hopes of closing in on European qualification

Burak Yilmaz got the ball rolling for the visitors in the 10th minute and they headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Oscar Estupinan equalised for the home team eight minutes into the second half, and a Besiktas onslaught was to follow with Gokhan Gonul, Franco-Cameroonian Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Adem Ljajic and Mali winger Abdoulay Diaby all finding the back of the net in the space of 18 minutes.

“Well done eagles, great win! Let’s keep going on this way,” Boateng posted on Twitter.

It was the first game the Ghana international would miss in the Super Lig since a 2-1 win at Rizespor which was supposed to be his debut, but he had a bruised knee from his time in Italy.

He was fit for the next game against Gaziantep and scored from the bench and played the next six matches.

The former AC Milan star made headlines after the defeat by Antalyaspor when he threw his shirt away, but apologised for what he claimed was a misunderstanding

"I would never disrespect to throw the Besiktas shirt on the ground," Boateng said in a post on Twitter.

"After leaving the game, I tried to take off my jersey and threw it towards our shopkeeper.

"I don't even have a disrespectful attitude towards this club and jersey. But I'm sorry if it was understood from the outside."

There are reports that Boateng will become a Besiktas player permanently if he clocks 45 minutes in nine games as stipulated in his loan contract. Presently he has played within that time frame on six of his seven Super Lig outings.

Besiktas have now closed the gap to fourth place Galatasaray to three points, but it could be back to five points should their fierce rivals get the better of Gaziantep on Sunday evening.

Their next game will be against 16th-placed Konyaspor at Vodafone Park on Friday evening.

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed he is already looking to secure his future ahead of next season following the club's decision to sell its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzvhandila owner Masala Mulaudzi. 

However, Hunt said he will only consider the right project where there will be no interference in his coaching job. 

The experienced mentor added that he won't accept any job offers in the PSL if that can't be guaranteed, revealing he just wants to be given a mandate and be left to do what he knows best. 

"Things are starting to happen for me, and right now, it's about getting the right project," Hunt told Daily Sun.  

"I don't like interference. I just want to be given a mandate and left alone to do my job if I decide to accept any offers in South Africa. 

"If that can't be guaranteed then I will have to look elsewhere."

The 55-year-old further stated he could consider looking for better opportunities outside of South Africa if no one offers him a job in the PSL.  

Hunt made it clear that he doesn't mind even coaching a national team at this stage. 

"But I could be moving outside of South Africa to look for better opportunities," confirmed Hunt.  

"At this stage, I don't mind if it's a national team or at club level." 

The former SuperSport United manager dismissed claims that his high salary demands could stand in his way of finding a new home, labelling reports about him being one of the highest-paid coaches in South Africa "a pile of complete rubbish". 

"Whenever people say I earn a lot of money, it makes me angry. It's a pile of complete rubbish. Anyone that goes around saying that nonsense is planting the wrong seed in the club bosses minds," he added.

"I am open to negotiations and I am a reasonable coach. I don't go around demanding ridiculous salaries." 

Hunt concluded that all he wants right now is to finish the current season, pack his bags and leave the Students. 

"I will finish the season and then leave," concluded Hunt.    

Frenkie de Jong is facing a period on the sidelines after sustaining a muscle injury.

Barcelona confirmed on Sunday that tests have revealed an injury to the midfielder's right leg.

De Jong started for the Catalan giants on their return to La Liga action in the 4-0 victory over Mallorca on June 13, but missed the subsequent clash against Leganes and the 0-0 draw against Sevilla on Friday.

The Primera Division leaders are unsure when the 23-year-old Netherlands international will be fit to play again as they wait to see how he recovers.

"The clinical follow-up on Frenkie De Jong has uncovered an injury in the soleus of his right leg," a statement on the club's website read. "The evolution of the injury will condition the player's availability."

De Jong joined the Camp Nou outfit from Ajax last summer and has been ever-present in the team this campaign, though the way the club have used him so far has been questioned by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, who uses him in a deeper role alongside another defensive midfielder. 

The Netherlands international has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season and missed just three matches so far, chipping in with two goals and two assists.

While Argentine sensation Lionel Messi remains the undisputed star at Barca, former Ajax, Real Madrid and Netherlands attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder recently tipped his compatriot to take over as the team's leader and hero when it is time for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to leave.

“De Jong made the best choice because he understood that his football is perfect for Spain and Barcelona," Sneijder said earlier this month. “He did very well to choose Barcelona: it is a club suitable for him, when Messi will stop with football Frenkie will become even more of a leader."

Barca sit top of La Liga having played 30 matches and sit three points clear of Real Madrid, who take on Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. Quique Setien's team are in action again on Tuesday when they take on Athletic Club at Camp Nou before visiting Celta four days later.

Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham "can definitely play together" for Chelsea, according to Gus Poyet, who thinks a new partnership could blossom under Frank Lampard.

Chelsea announced the signing of Werner from RB Leipzig in a £47.5 million ($59m) deal last week, with the striker committing to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old was being linked with a number of top clubs across Europe after another stellar year at Red Bull Arena, and the Blues saw off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool to secure his services.

Werner will be expected to slot straight into Lampard's line up next season, which raises questions over Abraham's future role in the squad.

The England international has been Chelsea's top scorer in 2019-20, hitting 15 goals in 34 appearances to date, and will likely continue to lead the line in the final weeks of the campaign.

Poyet has urged Abraham to give Lampard a selection dilemma, while suggesting Werner could even be deployed alongside the 22-year-old going forward.

“They can definitely play together because he’s been playing, in his team, with the big fella upfront. So, it’s not new for him,” the ex-Blues midfielder told Talksport. “It’s just a matter of the system you play and how you prefer to play. I think it’s options. For any manager to have different options is very important.

“I think Tammy has done very well and I hope he finishes the season in the same way because that’s the best way to give somebody a decision to make. You’ve done your best and then it’s down to Frank Lampard to pick.”

Poyet went on to hail Werner as a versatile forward capable of adding a new dimension to Lampard's starting XI, before praising Chelsea's recruitment staff for getting some major business done early,

He added: “It’s always very difficult to get one of the top strikers in Europe, especially if you’re the club buying, because there’s too many people who are trying to look for the same type of players.

“I’m pleased that he’s coming to Chelsea. I’m pleased that he will give options to Frank Lampard, especially in front of goal which is the most important and normally the most expensive one.

“He’s very good at running into space and quick. I’m not saying really fast, but he’s quick, pacy and he can go in [behind] one vs one.

“He’s intelligent. I think he enjoys it more when he plays as the main striker, but also he’s been playing at lot coming in off the left when you play three up front. I think there are good options for Chelsea next season.

“This is the dream for the coach. Before you even start training for next season, you’ve got players through the door already. This is acting quickly and not letting anyone get involved and deciding which players are your first choice because that’s something that is very difficult in England.

“When you talk about big teams in England, like the top four and top five, most of the time when they’re looking for a specific player, that player can be the same one. Then he becomes very expensive or you start looking for other options because you don’t think you’re going to get him.

“In this case, there was no time for anyone as ‘Bang’ Chelsea. [They made the] first decision and see you later. That’s something that is very welcome from the point of view of the staff and everyone around Chelsea.”

Mohamed Salah is beginning to have the same effect for Liverpool as Cristiano Ronaldo once had for Manchester United, according to Wayne Rooney.

Salah has played an integral role in Liverpool's transformation from also-rans into European champions and Premier League pace-setters over the last three years.

The Egyptian completed a £34 million ($42m) move to Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2017, and has since scored 91 goals in 144 appearances for the club. 20 of those efforts have come this season, with Liverpool now on the verge of winning a first league title in 30 years, under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp.

Salah has formed one-third of a deadly attacking triumvirate alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane which has blown away opposition defences on the domestic scene. The Reds have hit 66 goals in their opening 29 fixtures this term, the second-best record in the top flight, and need only two more victories to be confirmed as champions of England.

Rooney has credited Salah for being a constant threat for Liverpool in the final third, while highlighting similarities between the 28-year-old and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Juventus striker earned legendary status for his performances at United between 2003 and 2009 before being snapped up by Real Madrid, and Rooney thinks Salah strikes fear into defenders in the same way the Portuguese used to at Old Trafford.

United's all-time record scorer told The Times: “Mo Salah is starting to do what Ronaldo did for Manchester United, in terms of just being there and not really getting back to defend but always being a threat so that if you’re a defender or midfielder playing against him. You’re terrified of him on the counterattack.”

Salah will be back in contention for a place in Klopp's starting XI when Liverpool get back on the pitch for the first time in over three months against Everton on Sunday.

The Reds have only dropped points twice all season, and will be expected to get back to winning ways in a crucial Merseyside derby which will be held behind closed doors at Goodison Park due to the continued threat of coronavirus.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has openly claimed he will not leave the club anytime soon.

On many occasions, Rachier has come out to state he is keen to leave the position of chairmanship at the Kenyan Premier League (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.

On Saturday, Rachier now said he will only leave Gor Mahia when they have solved the problems they are facing financially.

“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 reporters after the team was hosted to a luncheon at a Nairobi Hotel.

“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 locked 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.”

Rachier further clarified during the function that new title sponsors Betsafe will start bankrolling the club when the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season kicks off.

On Thursday, the Kenyan champions, along with their sworn rivals AFC Leopards, signed a partnership deal with the betting firm that will last for the next three years, with K’Ogalo set to pocket KSh55million per year while Ingwe will receive KSh45 million.

“As things stand now, we don’t have anything to give back to the new sponsor because there is no football being played,” Rachier told reporters after Gor Mahia's players were hosted in a luncheon on Saturday.

“What we agreed on when signing the deal, is they will only be able to start funding the club when football resumes, and that can only be possible when our league starts again.”

Rachier further revealed the club was working on ways to reduce their monthly wage bill, which currently stands at Sh5million, by half.

“We have 35 players who are in our payroll and we must have Sh5million every month to clear their salaries and this is becoming a bit too much for the club to handle, so our aim, for now, is to try and reduce it to at least half,” Rachier continued.

“If you ask me, I would prefer our wage bill to stand at Sh3million a month because we can try to handle it.”

"Rachier also called on Gor Mahia fans to register as members in big numbers so they can directly help support the team financially.”

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have been struggling since SportPesa, their previous sponsor, left, leaving the club to depend on fans, members, and other well-wishers to honour matches and settle players' allowances at times.

Bayern Munich must be careful when it comes to making a move for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane this summer, club legend Oliver Kahn has warned.

The German giants have been chasing the signature of the 24-year-old since last year, but put their pursuit on hold when he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture at the start of the season.

Sane has not featured for the reigning Premier League title holders since the Community Shield win over Liverpool last August, but is available for selection again and was on the bench for the 3-0 win over Arsenal in midweek.

Pep Guardiola confirmed this week that the Germany international wants to leave the club in the near future and has rejected an offer to extend his contract, which expires in the summer of 2021.

Bayern remain the Germany international's most likely destination, but board member Kahn is holding off discussing the likelihood of a move in the next transfer window. However, he did warn that the club will have to play it safe when it comes to finances for the foreseeable future as they look to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

"He still has a year contract with Manchester City, and there is nothing more to say about it now," former Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Kahn told ZDF. "We will then talk about transfers, about player commitments, if they have actually taken place.

"Possibly also in the next season, I think it is a time when you have to act very carefully, especially economically."

Bayern won an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title this year, having gone 10 points ahead of nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund.

Kahn, who won eight titles as a player with the club, is disappointed by the lack of competition for his side, but says they cannot slow down for other teams.

He said: "Of course, a competition like the Bundesliga lives very much for the tension, especially the tension around the championship title, but we can’t go and say: 'yes, we’ll play a little bit worse now'. Of course, the competition is also required to make the best of their means.

"There have actually been chances for the competition to attack and knock us off the throne but this team has an incredible mentality, an incredible will. They were absolutely deserved champions."

Alex Iwobi has acknowledged he needs to show more of the “hype” about him after a string of unimpressive performances for Everton this season.

The 24-year old Nigerian has featured 22 times in all competitions for the Toffees, but has only just two goals to his name and one assist.

His lack of form has led to questions about the £35 million fee Everton paid to get him from Arsenal and his worth as a player despite showing potential as a teenager at Arsenal and for famously being the nephew of Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha.

“I’m no longer that young prospect, that young talent. I have to show why there was so much hype about me,” Iwobi was quoted saying in the Daily Mail.

“The only way you can do that is in games. I feel I’m at that time in my career when I need to start doing that. I need to up my stats a bit more, improve a bit more. That will come. I’m looking forward to restarting the season so I can prove myself.”

Everton resume league action when they host cross-town rivals and runaway leaders Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

The Toffees are winless in 18 top-flight encounters against the Reds, failing to score in their last three derbies at Goodison Park.

Iwobi acknowledges that it is something that has to change as they prepare to play without their supporters. He also wants to ensure the men in blue delay Jurgen Klopp’s men from winning a historic league title for the first time in 30 years.

“We have to accept it’s not a great record but we are on our own turf, even without fans. We’re going from no games to a derby, everyone will put in the hard graft, that extra bit of helping a team-mate,” he continued.

“We’re like one big family. You wouldn’t want a family member going into a challenge on their own or fighting a war without being there for each other.

“I’m sure there would have been no better feeling for Liverpool than winning the title at Goodison. They can’t but we will still treat it the same. We are ready for the war.”

Iwobi also spoke on former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and current Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti. 

“Both of them [Wenger and Ancelotti] want to play football, to get forward the quickest way but also keep the ball,” he said.

“As people, they are really patient. They don’t say a lot but when they do, it’s with a lot of wisdom. All managers are different. Some have a temper and give you the hot treatment, these two are calm and collected.”

Arsenal "always give teams a chance" to beat them, according to Ray Parlour, who has expressed his belief that the Gunners are "going backwards at the moment".

Mikel Arteta's men have been dealt two major setbacks in the space of a week, having failed to pick up from where they left off in March following the resumption of Premier League football amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Arsenal were unbeaten in 2020 before coming up against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but they suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat which severely dented their hopes of Champions League qualification.

The Gunners were expected to bounce back from that result away at Brighton on Saturday, and looked on track for all three points when Nicolas Pepe struck in the 68th minute at the Amex Stadium.

However, Lewis Dunk equalised seven minutes later before Neal Maupay scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner for the Seagulls to complete a huge upset and compound Arsenal's misery.

Parlour was left dejected at the final whistle and he is concerned that his old club are starting to regress again after a bright start to Arteta's reign.

Asked how confidence levels within the squad will be holding up after the Brighton loss, the ex-Arsenal midfielder told Stadium Astro: "Oh, absolutely shot.

"This was a game they had to win. Not a lot of people would’ve given them a chance against Manchester City in a normal league period, but going to Brighton, if you’re going to compete with teams at the top, everybody’s dream at Arsenal is to get back into the Champions League, but these are the sides you’ve got to beat.

"They got themselves in a good position by getting the opening goal but they always give teams a chance. That’s the problem with Arsenal at the moment.

"Fair play to Brighton, they took that chance and they scored two fantastic goals, especially the last one, it was a fantastic winner for Brighton, but the fans will be very much on their backs a little bit now because they demand more of the players, they demand wins, they demand getting closer to that top five.

"At the moment Arsenal are going backwards."

The South African Football Association National Executive Committee (Safa NEC) has decided the South African National Women's League (SNWL) be declared concluded. 

This follows Dr Thulani Ngwenya's report on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the restart of play to the NEC on Saturday. 

With only three to four rounds of matches remaining in the SWNL, the association's highest-making decision body felt the season should be concluded and Mamelodi Sundowns be crowned champions. 

Sundowns top the standings with 63 points from 21 league games and are nine points ahead of TUT Ladies. 

The Brazilians finished the season unbeaten - in fact, they won all their 21 league games, scored 82 goals and conceded just 12 in the process.    

"Safa Medical Officer, Dr Thulani Ngwenya gave a full briefing on the impact of Covid-19 on the restart of play, both for professional and amateur football. It is in this context that the NEC decided the SNWL be declared concluded and that the current league log standing, with a handful of matches to be played, be declared final," said Safa in a statement. 

"It is on this basis that Mamelodi Sundowns Women’s team is declared the league champions for the inaugural 2019/20 season." 

Furthermore, the NEC also decided that JVW which is owned by Banyana Banyana legend Janine van Wyk, as well as Malndies will be promoted to the SNWL ahead of next season. 

"The Safa NEC further confirmed that JVW and MaIndies are both promoted to the SNWL for next season." 

All the other leagues in the country, including the ABC Motsepe League, remain suspended and Safa said the NEC will revisit the decision at a later stage.  

"Dr Ngwenya recommended that all other amateur leagues must remain suspended until the end of the lockdown or when the general environment is conducive to do so. This matter will be further revisited and discussed at a later stage." 

"It was also reported that in the absence of official competitions in the Regions and LFAs which are similarly suspended, the phenomenon of social games has emerged in some parts of the country and it was emphasised that this is in violation of lockdown regulations and the authorities must act to avoid a spike in Covid-19 infections," read the statement on the official Safa website.

The country's FA will continue to work with the National Soccer League (NSL) which governs the PSL for the return to play of professional football in South Africa.  

"On the National Soccer League (NSL), Safa will continue to work with the NSL to develop further proposals for submission to the government on the way forward," said the association.  

Meanwhile, Safa announced the NEC's decision to appoint Safa's legal head Tebogo Motlanthe as the association's CEO for the next six months.  

"The NEC also confirmed the appointment of Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe as Safa CEO until December." 

Former Manchester United star Roy Keane says he was “too nice” during his playing days, leading to many betraying him over the years.

The ex-Ireland midfielder was famous throughout his career for his rough and physical style as well as his quick temper on and off the field.

Keane was sent off a total of seven times during his successful spell in Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield and had several high-profile run-ins with the likes of Patrick Vieira, Alan Shearer and Alf Inge Haaland.

His confrontational nature ensured the controversies followed him into management, but he maintains his difficulties as a player and coach were a result of him being too nice to those around him.

“Sometimes I was too hard. Sometimes I was too soft,” he told the Irish Independent. “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.”

Keane says he has always been a demanding figure and that his career would not have turned out the way it did had he tried to repress that side of him.

“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,” he added.

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

Keane joined United from Nottingham Forest in 1993 and spent 12 years at Old Trafford.

He captained the Red Devils for eight of those years and made 469 appearances and scored 51 goals for the club, lifting seven Premier League titles and a Champions League crown among others before he left to join Celtic before calling time on his career in 2006.

Jurgen Klopp has already achieved more than Pep Guardiola in English football, according to Stan Collymore.

Guardiola inherited the managerial reigns at Manchester City in 2016, and has since delivered eight major trophies, including back-to-back Premier League titles.

The Spaniard is widely revered as the finest manager of his generation, having also won numerous titles at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but he has always benefitted from strong financial backing in the transfer market.

Klopp arrived in England with a similarly sterling reputation in 2015, after guiding Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga crowns, and he quickly set about stamping his own mark on a Liverpool squad devoid of confidence.

The German head coach has gradually affected significant change on a limited budget over the last five years, overcoming early growing pains to create a side which is now considered to be among the strongest in Europe.

Liverpool won the Champions League last season, and look set to add an elusive Premier League title to their trophy cabinet this summer, with Klopp credited for being the mastermind in their ascent to the top.

Collymore says the Reds boss has had a greater impact at Anfield than Guardiola has had at Etihad Stadium, and that he is well on his way to earning a place in English football's hall of fame.

The former Liverpool striker wrote in his latest column for The Mirror: "If Jurgen Klopp carries on like this he will go down as one of the all-time great managers – not just at Liverpool but in English football history.

"His buying and building of a team, his management of his players, his demeanour and his achievements are first class.

"And if he can back up last season’s European Cup win, and this season’s Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League triumphs with two or three more titles, maybe another Champions League and a domestic cup or two, then he will quite rightly be talked about in the same breath as Sir Alex Ferguson, Bill Shankly, Brian Clough, Bob Paisley, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

“In terms of what he has achieved in England, I’d even put Klopp ahead of Guardiola now. Manchester City were already four, five or six years into a project when Guardiola arrived at the Etihad, whereas Klopp pretty much had a standing start at Anfield by comparison.

“I know some people will point to the £75 million-plus Klopp splurged on Virgil van Dijk and £56 million on Alisson. But others have spent those sorts of sums several times over without the return Klopp is enjoying.”

Alfred Duncan has explained why victory is "fundamental" for Fiorentina when they host Brescia at the Artemio Franchi in their first Serie A game since March.

The Italian top-flight was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the easing of government restriction has made it possible for many European leagues to return, albeit under safety protocols.

Prior to the lockdown, Fiorentina were on a three-game unbeaten run that took them five points clear of the relegation zone.

"It would be fundamental to win," Duncan told Gazzetta dello Sport as per TuttoMercato.

"It would mean starting again along the lines of what we were doing before the stop. It's a very important game."

Games will be played behind closed doors until the conclusion of the season as a means of curbing the spread of coronavirus.

Duncan admitted it is something players will have to get used to, knowing the significant role supporters in the stands play on match day as the "12th player" on the field.

"The emotions are different. The audience form a different adrenaline and pushes you when you don't have any more," Duncan continued.

"Unfortunately we will have to get used to it, hoping that we can return to normal as soon as possible."

Duncan is presently on loan from Sassuolo and has played three times for Fiorentina since joining in January.

A hip problem prevented him from featuring in games against Juventus and Atlanta which ended in 3-0 and 2-1 defeats, respectively.

However, his debut in a 5-1 win at former club Sampdoria started Fiorentina's unbeaten run in which he made the XI on each occasion.

Before moving on loan, Duncan played 13 times for Sassuolo, scoring one goal in a 3-0 win over SPAL and providing five assists.

The 27-year-old Ghanaian has been with the Neroverdi since 2015, initially on loan from Sampdoria before it was made permanent the following year.

Duncan began his career at Inter Milan as a youth player in 2010 but never held his spot in the first team, making just four appearances in two years in between a loan spell at Livorno.

He admitted his time at the San Siro was not wasted, but an opportunity that made him grow.

“I don’t think it was a wasted opportunity," Duncan said in Gazzetta dello Sport as per Sempreinter.

"Inter was unexpected but beautiful, a very important club, at the top in Italy and Europe. I trained with formidable players, an experience that allowed me to grow a lot.”