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Simba SC have started planning for next season after they moved to keep Mzamiru Yassin and Said Ndemla at the club for the next two seasons.

The two players have signed a two-year contract each to stay with the mainland giants. According to a source, who did not want to be named, Simba paid TSh60millon to convince both players to stay.

“The two players have reached an agreement to stay at Simba and the club is very happy to keep them,” the source is quoted by Sokaletu.

“If there is a player whose contract is running down and is yet to talk to the club, then he must be on his way out because most of them [players] have already started talks to extend their stay.”

The move by Simba to renew the contracts of the duo comes barely five days after club chairman Mohammed Dewji assured club fans they will not sell any of their players in the coming transfer window.

The Mainland Premier League giants are keen to build a strong team ahead of next season’s Caf Champions League as they are likely to represent the country in the competition for the second season in a row.

“My fellow lions,” Dewji wrote in a statement on his official social accounts. “I want to assure you none of our players will leave Simba but we will also sign any player, from anywhere if our coach will need him in his squad.

“We want to remain consistent and will not let our squad change.”

Simba have already been linked with the services of two Gor Mahia players – defender Joash Onyango and midfielder Kenneth Muguna.

Goal understands the club is already talking to Muguna, who has 18 months left on his contract with K’Ogalo but has expressed his desire to leave for greener pastures because of salary problems.

Simba are currently chasing a third straight league title, as they top the league table on 71 points from 28 matches, while Azam FC are second on 54 points and rivals Yanga SC are lying third after accumulating 51 points.

Simba will resume the league with a home game against Ruvu Shooting at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Liverpool would win “the Premier League, the Champions League and the Grand National” if they could prise Kevin De Bruyne away from Manchester City, says Peter Crouch, but N’Golo Kante and Philippe Coutinho are considered to be more realistic targets.

The Reds continue to scour the market for potential additions, with the opportunity to move for RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner passed up.

Alternative options are said to figure prominently on Jurgen Klopp’s radar, with a desire to add greater depth to the Anfield attacking ranks seeing Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho and Wolves winger Adama Traore come into contention for big-money moves.

There have even been murmurings of a raid being launched on the Etihad Stadium for De Bruyne, with City facing the threat of star turns leaving if their European ban is upheld.

Crouch admits the Belgium international playmaker would be a dream addition on Merseyside, with his ball-playing ability perfectly suited to the system favoured by Liverpool.

Such a swoop may, however, be a little ambitious, with Klopp urged to consider a move to take World Cup winner Kante off Chelsea – amid reports of the Frenchman being made available – and a bid to bring Brazilian schemer Coutinho back to familiar surroundings from a forgettable stint at Barcelona.

Former Reds striker Crouch told the Daily Mail when asked if he would like to see De Bruyne at Anfield: “What a joy that would be!

“If Liverpool signed De Bruyne, they would win the Premier League, the Champions League and the Grand National next year. Maybe if we all throw £10 in, we will raise enough money to make it happen!

“The thing with Liverpool is that they really don't need much. Michael Edwards, their sporting director who I knew from my time at Portsmouth, has overseen an incredible recruitment drive. 

“Liverpool don't just have good players - they have good characters too and the training ground is harmonious.

“They won't stand still this summer and they will keep evolving. The front three is good enough to be left alone but maybe they need something in midfield. 

“If it was me, maybe N'Golo Kante would fit right in. I'd even bring Philippe Coutinho back, so long as he knew he would be a squad player.”

Liverpool have found considerable value in recent windows and appear reluctant to spend for the sake of it after assembling a squad that has tasted European glory and opened up a 25-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Jose Mourinho believes it is "too risky" for Tottenham to play any more friendlies before they return to Premier League action.

Spurs enjoyed a training friendly with Norwich City on Friday - the action split into four 30-minute quarters - as players from both clubs try to quickly get back up to speed ahead of the restart.

Harry Kane, Moussa Sissoko, Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn, who were all injured prior to the coronavirus-enforced suspension to the 2019-20 season, were all involved.

Mourinho would ideally like to fit in another game before Friday's huge clash with his former club Manchester United, but he is not prepared to gamble given Spurs' packed schedule upon the resumption.

"We are not going to have any more friendlies. We think it would be good, but it's too risky," Mourinho told the club's official website.

"We are going to do a normal preparation week, starting on the Monday and going through to Friday. After that, we've two more days and then West Ham, so the next 10 days are going to be busy.

"We have to adapt to this new reality, which is what we've tried to do.

"We have to think that the points are there to fight for. With fans or without fans, the points are there on the pitch. Ourselves and United will have to fight for them."

Mourinho was pleased that his players were able to experience a match situation inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without fans, as will be the case in the top flight due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"We needed minutes, we needed to know the feeling of playing here without our supporters and to have this training session with another Premier League team is the best thing," the Portuguese coach added.

Spurs face an uphill battle to qualify for next season's Champions League as they sit eighth in the table, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games remaining.

After resuming with the game against top-four rivals United, Spurs will also take in a London derby date at home to West Ham before travelling to Sheffield United, who are also in Champions League contention.

Tanguy Kouassi will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June, Goal can confirm.

The 18-year-old defender has been linked with a number of clubs around Europe including Barcelona, AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Rennes.

He had been one of the revelations of the season for PSG, making 13 first-team appearances and scoring three goals.

However, he has turned down the contract proposal put to him in Paris, and is now set to find a new club.

Neither Milan nor Leipzig are likely to land him, despite recent reports in France suggesting they could be the most likely destinations.

Rennes have made an offer to him, but competition for his signature is said to be “very tough”.

Kouassi joined PSG in 2016 from youth club Pays de Fontainebleau and has represented France at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level, winning Under-17 World Cup bronze last year.

The decision to leave brings to an end months of discussions between PSG, Kouassi and his entourage.

As recently as last month, club sources had suggested they were hopeful of being able to keep him in Paris.

Now, all eyes are on Kouassi as he decides his next move.

The news comes on a busy day for PSG, following the announcement from director of football Leonardo that club veterans Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani will leave at the end of the season .

The club captain and centre-forward are both out of contract at the end of June, but PSG are hoping to be able to keep them until the season is fully resolved in August.

Thomas Meunier and Layvin Kurzawa, both heavily linked with moves to the Premier League, are also expected to depart, though their futures are not yet fully decided.

The French champions are still in the Champions League and are through to the finals of both the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue.

Thomas Tuchel is aiming to have his squad return to training on June 22, with Neymar having returned to Paris on Saturday in order to avoid a potential 14-day quarantine .

PSG were awarded the Ligue 1 title after the season was cut short in April .

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) President Moses Magogo has asked Big League clubs to desist from the desire of 'trying to grow fast'.

Magogo urged the Fufa Big League officials to grow their club's capacities in order to avoid being demoralised after promotion to the Premier League and relegation back to the top-tier almost immediately.

“You need to grow your capacity before you go to the next level,” Magogo said during the Fufa Big League consultative meeting as was quoted by Sports Nation.

“A team wants to be in UPL just a year after promotion from Big League. It's not organic growth, many times you get discouraged because you are trying to grow fast.

“What is the purpose of being promoted and drop back immediately? When you go up when you haven’t grown, you will suffer and get demoralised.”

The consultative meeting was convened to discuss matters of the 2020/21 season and also the club licensing issues with Magogo urging the clubs to see the business side of football.

“Some clubs even close simply because ‘you took a Primary Four kid to sit for Primary Leaving Examinations [PLE] exams, even if he is the best, he can fail and think that school is a bad thing',” said the Caf Executive member.

“You will enjoy the UPL when you go when you have grown. There is a business side of football also. It’s not about promotion alone, you need to grow your capacity and that is why club licensing is there to put checks on whether you are ready.”

The Fufa chief also drew parallels between the Premier League and the second-tier competition as he also explained how the federation did not consult clubs before cancelling the league.

“It's [Big League] the hardest league to play in, maybe harder than the Premier League in terms of conditions there,” concluded Magogo.

“However, football can generate its own money and at Fufa we have tried it and has been successful.

“We cannot be consulting on matters of rules. It is clear, it’s a rule. However, I know that every decision by a regulator hurts one and will benefit the other.”

Meanwhile, Fufa's Club Licensing Chairman Rogers Mulindwa has hinted the Big League clubs will be required to have junior sides.

“There are some new ideas that every Fufa Big League club this time will have an U17 team,” Mulindwa said during the meeting.

“These teams will only be playing in that particular region [where the senior team plays]. It's a new idea and we had a debate with the members and they have welcomed the idea.”

Water FC, Kataka FC, Doves All-Stars, Bukedea FC, Bukedea FC, Nyamityobora FC, Kiboga Young, Ndejje University FC, Kigezi Home Boyz FC, Paidha BA FC, UPDF FC and Kitara FC were represented during the meeting.

Anthony Ujah featured as Union Berlin clinched a narrow 2-1 win against Kingsley Ehizibue’s Koln in Saturday’s Bundesliga game.

The Super Eagles player was afforded his 21st league appearance this season at RheinEnergieStadion but started the game from the bench.

The 29-year-old forward made a second-half appearance to help Urs Fischer’s side end an eight-game winless run, having last won against Eintracht Frankfurt on February 24.

The Iron Ones hit the ground running in the encounter and could have been rewarded for their efforts in the 33rd minute when the centre referee handed them a penalty but after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR) the decision was revoked.

They, however, opened the scoring six minutes after the incident through Marvin Friedrich, who headed past goalkeeper Timo Horn, after benefitting from Christopher Trimmel’s assist.

A few minutes into the second half, Sebastian Andersson came close to doubling the lead with a fine header which was saved by Horn.

In his quest to secure a comfortable lead, manager Fischer brought on Nigeria international Ujah for Andersson in the 63rd minute while Koln’s Ehizibue, who was handed a starting role made way for Kingsley Schindler.

However, it was Christian Gentner, who doubled the Iron Ones’ lead five minutes after Ehizibue was replaced firing home from Marius Buelter’s assist.

Jhon Cordoba scored a late effort for Koln a moment before full-time which only ended up as a mere consolation as their visitors secured all three points.

With the result, Union Berlin are 13th on the Bundesliga table with 35 points from 31 games behind the Billy Goats, who edged them by goal difference.

Ujah has now made 25 appearances across all competitions for the Iron Ones in this campaign, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

The centre-forward will hope to deliver a more impactful showing for Berlin when they take on Jamilu Collins’ Paderborn in their next outing on Tuesday.

Ehizibue, meanwhile, will be expected to continue his consistent displays for Koln, having featured in 29 games across all competitions for his side since joining them last summer from PEC Zwolle.

The defender, who was recently handed his first Super Eagles call-up, will hope to feature for 90 minutes in their next league game against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Caf Secretary General Abdelmounaim Bah says moving the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament to June or July is not an option, but January 2022 would be an alternative in the event the finals fail to be staged next year.

Qualifying matches for Afcon have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that could see the finals scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2021, being moved to later dates.

Caf has already cancelled the March and June qualifiers, and Bah says it is now impossible to have August matches go ahead as planned.

With some countries intending to have their domestic leagues running in the next few months and also following the resumption of football in Europe, Caf hopes Afcon qualifiers could continue in October, at a time when four rounds of matches would have already been lost.

"What we can say is that all the confederations hope to be able to play again this year and each is making its [own] arrangements. In this regard, the Asian confederation has announced that it will resume its qualifications in October and November. And at Caf we subscribe to this logic," Bah told Radio Sport Info.

"The international windows scheduled for March and June have been cancelled, but the months of October and November 2020 represent a lot of hope. We no longer include September in the strategies because it will be quite complicated to have the teams travel from one country to another as early as September. This means that the matches can resume locally but international matches will be difficult to be held because of the travel factor."

Bah says if Afcon fails to take place in January 2021, the next best option would be to stage the tournament 12 months later. He says switching the tournament to June 2021 would see Afcon suffer counter-attraction from the Uefa European Championships and Copa America.

"If we cannot make up for the Afcon 2021 qualifiers in October and November, we will have to think of another plan... But today the longer the crisis lasts, the more this scenario deserves to be thought about. Afcon next January, however, remains our number one priority," said Bah.

"January 2022 remains the second option for Afcon 2022...As everyone knows, playing in June/July in Cameroon is difficult because of the weather conditions. In addition, in June/July 2021 there is already a lot of competition with the Euro and the Copa America. So the best time to postpone the Afcon would be January 2022. But all that I repeat, these are alternatives because our priority for the Afcon is to play in January 2021."

Also affected by the coronavirus is the African Nations Championship which was due for April 2020 in Cameroon as well as the Africa Women Cup of Nations which was slated for November and Caf admits that both tournaments would be difficult to reschedule.

The current Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigns which were stopped at the semi-final stages could, however, resume "very soon."

"We can announce here that the Champions League and the Confederation Cup are the competitions by which we will resume very soon. Besides, this year we have four magnificent posters not to be missed," Bah said.

Cristiano Ronaldo is famed for his relentless pursuit of perfection, but former Manchester United team-mate Owen Hargreaves says the Portuguese is no “egomaniac” and more of a team player than many give him credit for.

Over the course of a remarkable career, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner has faced accusations of being selfish and caring more about his own end product than that of the wider collective.

His stunning exploits have made it difficult to argue against his approach, with comparisons being made to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan when it comes to demanding nothing less than perfection.

Hargreaves, though, feels that Ronaldo can sometimes be portrayed in an unfavourable light.

For him, the 35-year-old is merely willing to be the main man if those around him have no desire to take on such a role.

He is, however, able to spot “if you’re good at something” and will happily pass on responsibility to those who prove themselves deserving of sharing what can be a heavy load.

Hargreaves, who tasted Champions League success alongside Ronaldo when United edged out Chelsea on penalties in 2008, told beIN Sports on how he was able to take on set-piece duty at times: “Ask politely, like anything. But to be fair we used to practice all the time and he knew I could take them.

“We used to practice all the time and Cristiano knew I could (score them) and I love that about him.

“I remember we played, I'd scored a couple, and we practiced before the Champions League final against Chelsea that year, he was on one side of the box and I was on the other.

“I hit nine out of ten into the top corner and Edwin van der Sar was in goal.

“And Edwin came to me and said, ‘Owen, if we get a free-kick in the Champions League final you've got to take it’.

“I said, ‘I can't take it off Cristiano, that's Cristiano Ronaldo’.

“Anyway, we get to the dressing room, we're warming up to go out on the pitch before we go out, nobody is around, Cristiano walks over and says, ‘Owen if we get a free-kick today it's yours, I saw you practising’.

“That's who he was. Everybody thinks he's like it's all about him and an egomaniac. But if you're good at something he's the first one to see that.

“And that's why I got to take a couple that year because he knew I might score. I admire that about him, I really do.”

Ronaldo found the target in a memorable European clash with Chelsea in Moscow, but would miss his penalty in the shootout and relied on others – such as Hargreaves and Van der Sar – to deliver him the first of his five Champions League crowns.

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) vice-president Sammy Tiyoi Shollei has declared his interest to vie for the presidency of the federation.

Shollei served under Sam Nyamweya previously and has now made his interest to face off with his former boss public.

His entry sees him join Herbert Mwachiro, Nicholas Musonye, Lordvick Aduda and Moses Akaranga as those who want to unseat the current president Nick Mwendwa.

Shollei, a former Kenya Breweries FC (now Tusker), Rivatex and Raymonds FC player, has also explained what he would want to do if elected.

“Our football has been going down and I am among people who have been complaining of the same. So, I am declaring my candidacy because I believe I am a servant of the people,” Shollei told Radio Jambo.

“I will always refer to the office as 'our office' and not 'my office' and I think there are a lot of things that need to be done together.

“Football needs a humble guy because it is a game of humble people, it needs an accessible person and a man who is ready to listen to everyone.

“It is all about what you want to do for the people.”

The retired footballer suggested the current office has done some good work but went on to highlight where they have failed.

“The current federation has blundered in a number of ways and one of them is that they have forgotten grassroots football. Football will always start from the lowest level. I want to turn it upside down,” he added.

“I would rather go and watch a football match at Kangemi or Githunguri and not at Nyayo Stadium as a president. One needs to spend time with people down there to understand what is hailing our football.

“If football at the lower level does not grow, it will definitely affect the top-tier clubs.”

Shollei, who earned his first national call-up under coach Mohammed Kheri in 1991 and went on to register 20 caps, spoke about sponsorship too.

“If we start treating the government as a number corporate entity that will be all good. We have always lived believing it is a must for them to support football but that is not the case,” explained the retired midfielder.

“If the government cannot sponsor football, they can connect clubs to other corporates. If we respect the government even corporates would want to work with us in football.”

Shollei also explained why Mwendwa might have failed to work effectively and also revealed what he will do to help retired players.

“[Nick] Mwendwa has done some good job but the people around him can be blamed for maybe not allowing him to function effectively,” he concluded.

“Primary schools can be used as youth centres for the federation and this can be done in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

“At the same time, we will need trainers for these kids and in this respect, we will employ retired footballers. In one school, we will need more trainers thus incorporating more former players.”

It is not clear when the FKF elections will take place given the court cases around it though it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Lionel Messi will not want to take any more breaks between now and the end of the 2019-20 campaign, but Rivaldo feels Barcelona should be offering rests to their talisman if they surge clear in the Liga title race.

Barca will be back in competitive action on Saturday when they take in a trip to Real Mallorca. It remains to be seen how prominently Messi figures in that contest, with the Argentine having nursed a knock since a return to full training in Spain.

Regardless of how much game time he sees in the opening round of games, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner can be expected to have a key role to play for Barca over the coming weeks.

They will be looking to the mercurial forward for inspiration in pursuit of another league crown, with only a two-point lead over rivals Real Madrid as things stand.

Rivaldo, though, believes that Messi’s workload needs to be carefully managed and that manager Quique Setien should take his captain out of the firing line – saving him for Champions League tests to come – if a commanding advantage can be opened up in pursuit of the domestic title.

The Barca legend told Betfair: “Lionel Messi had some physical issues last week, so there's a lot of discussion about whether he play the whole game for Barcelona in their first game back against Mallorca on Saturday.

“Barca are two points head of Real Madrid at the top of the table so the title race is tight. If Barca can pull away, they could rest Messi in a few games.

“If the battle goes to the wire then he might have fewer chances to rest - perhaps only in games which Barca manage to dominate from the first-half - but it will be important for Quique Setien to manage his squad well, as it won't just be Messi that will reach the first game still looking to be 100% fit, after all everyone has stopped and it's not easy to resume on the best form.

“As we know, Messi is always in contention for the 'Pichichi' top scorer award in La Liga and always making the difference in the team, so he wants to be on the pitch all the time and it's difficult for the manager to rotate him. He also fights for the Ballon d'Or every season and that's on his mind regularly, so you can't go to Messi and simply tell him 'take a rest'.”

Messi has added another 24 goals to his remarkable tally through 31 games this season, with an 11th La Liga title and fourth Champions League crown still very much in his sights.

With more South African legends sharing their stories as far as the 2010 Fifa World Cup is concerned, former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth says meeting former President Nelson Mandela just before the global showpiece remained his major highlight.

The retired defender also believes it would have been wonderful to see an African team reaching the semi-finals, and explained why they stood behind the Black Stars of Ghana.

Booth also believes the current coach Molefi Ntseki must be supported, adding that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane’s appointment to succeed Carlos Alberto Parreira was badly timed by the South African Football Association (Safa).

“The highlight for me was meeting Madiba, I think the bus tour in Sandton where we had to meet thousands of people to wish us well was another one,” Booth told Goal.

“Of course Shabba’s [Sihiwe Tshabalala] opening goal is a highlight and I think those three things were my major highlights, they really stood out for me."

Booth also suggested South Africa's struggles at international tournaments relates to the continuity in the squad.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had one squad which has played over a space of eight years together and so, every time we go to a big continental tournament we seem to have a different coach or squad. I think we need to build experience from the U20, U23 level.

“And that gives the players an opportunity for them to go to the Olympics and play in the Junior World Cups. When we keep that squad and try to help them qualify for two World Cups…once you do that then you have an opportunity of progressing.”

Following their failure to progress to the next stage of the tournament, the former Ajax Cape Town defender provided his reasons on why they adopted the West Africans led by Asamoah Gyan whilst sharing his thoughts on ‘Jingles’.

“When we got knocked out, we adopted Ghana and it was a pity they couldn’t make it to the semis, it would have been fantastic for an African team to go to the semis especially during an African World Cup,” he added.

“I think we had three coaches in very quick succession, we had [Joel] Santana, Parreira and then Pitso - for Pitso it was just bad timing.

“Of course, like players you mature as you coach as well and he’s now gained a lot of confidence, success, and experience with Sundowns and I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes back to the national team.

“When he took over from Parreira, I think it was not the right timing.”

On going forward heading to the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the former Bidvest Wits centre-back urged South Africans to rally behind Ntseki’s troops.

“We’ve had a good start in the World Cup qualifiers and we must show confidence and faith in him [Ntseki] and get behind him,” Booth continued.

“There’s a bit of a negative aura around our football at the moment but as fans, we have to change that and rally behind the team and the coach.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has talked up the talents of Jadon Sancho, insisting " the sky's the limit" for his England team-mate.

Sancho has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League this summer, after another impressive season in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old has scored 20 goals in 40 appearances for BVB in 2019-20, while also laying on 20 assists, earning a regular spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad in the process.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window, but Dortmund have reportedly placed a £100 million ($125m) on the winger's head to ward off potential suitors.

Sancho has come on leaps and bounds since moving to Germany from Manchester City in 2017, and Henderson thinks he is destined for the very highest level if he continues on his current trajectory.

The Liverpool midfielder said of his compatriot on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel Five: "A lot of people are speaking about him. He is a top player, a special player, that in training he has got something different and he's sharp and able to get past players with ease.

"Also he's got a good head on his shoulders, he loves football, wants to improve, listen and learn so if he just continues on that path the sky's the limit for him really."

Sancho found himself in the headlines for non-football reasons last week, as he was fined for breaching coronavirus lockdown protocols to get a haircut. The talented young attacker labelled the decision an "absolute joke", leading to Emre Can publically calling for his Dortmund colleague to "grow up".

However, Henderson doesn't think Sancho needs to change anything on or off the pitch, as he added: "He just needs to keep working hard and listening to the people around him and keep doing what he's doing. He's been brilliant for Dortmund and England, so he just needs to carry on."

Henderson went on to praise England duo Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, both of whom have enjoyed strong seasons at Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.

He also lauded fellow Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold - another key member of Southgate's Three Lions set-up - insisting the full-back has the same unlimited potential as Sancho.

"There's not only him, you look at Marcus [Rashford] who's been out with injury, but such a talented player. He does stuff in training where I just think 'wow'," said Henderson.

"Look at Raheem [Sterling] now. How he's blossomed. Obviously I was playing with him at the very start, he's gone from strength to strength. He's turned into such a good player.

"You forget Trent [Alexander-Arnold]'s so young. He's achieved so much at a young age but he's mature and has got great people around him to keep his feet on the ground. Works hard, wants to improve and the sky's the limit for him as well."

Mainz manager Rouven Schroder has confirmed his club are in talks with Liverpool over keeping Taiwo Awoniyi at Opel Arena.

The 22-year-old joined last summer and initially struggled for game time. However, the Nigerian has experienced something of a resurgence since the Bundesliga resumed, playing every game and scoring in the 2-2 draw at Koln, his first for the club and of the season.

He has also completed 90 minutes in Mainz's last two league outings, the most recent a shock 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

“I am very, very positive about him,” Schroder told Bild. “Taiwo never let himself down, always had his head up and the absolute will to improve was never negative. It is a symbol of how team sport works.

"We are in an exchange with Liverpool, that is an open position. We are now waiting for the last games. Then we'll see what the next steps are."

Awoniyi's loan contract ends on June 30, with the Bundesliga wrapping up three days earlier.

He joined Liverpool in 2015 after shining for Nigeria at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2015 African Under-20 Championship in Senegal.

His move to Anfield has been complicated by the failure to get a work permit which led him to loan spells at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron and Gent.

His two stints at Mouscron were the most successful with a combined 21 goals and 10 assists in 47 appearances.

Awoniyi is pleased with his progress, which he hopes the coaching staff at Anfield are noticing.

"Coming here is just to make myself better. Even without playing for a while, coming in on Sunday just really shows I've really improved since coming to Germany. That's the goal with being on loan,” he said previously on Liverpool's official website.

"I don't think I'm the same player as I was in the last few years. I personally have seen improvement in my game and I believe most Liverpool coaches have seen that as well.

"I just have to be prepared to improve myself and work on my weak points as well. When I'm back at LFC, I hope they will see that."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is thrilled to have Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio fully fit again following significant injury lay-offs, but he could not guarantee Luka Jovic will recover before the end of the season.

Hazard and Asensio have both had miserable seasons, with the Belgium international enduring a continued battle with fitness problems, while the Spaniard is yet to make an appearance after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a pre-season friendly.

Hazard suffered an ankle fracture in November, ruling him out for almost three months, and he then cracked his fibula shortly after returning.

Had the season not have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the former Chelsea star – who joined Madrid in a reported €100 million (£90m/$113m) deal last year – would have been expected to be out for at least another eight weeks.

But, as Madrid prepare to return to action at home to Eibar on Sunday, Zidane confirmed both Hazard and Asensio are available once again, potentially a significant boost as Los Blancos attempt to chase down pacesetters Barcelona, who go to Real Mallorca on Saturday with a two-point lead.

"The good thing is they had the same time to prepare as the rest of the team," Zidane told a press conference.

"Asensio's injury was a bit more serious and required longer rehabilitation, but both are available, they'll be there for the team to help us and it's good news to have them back."

Zidane was again asked about Hazard's condition and the Frenchman affirmed the winger is completely recovered, though Jovic may not return anytime soon.

The Serbian forward broke his foot in May and Zidane was unable to guarantee he would be able to play again in what has been a disappointing first season at the Santiago Bernabeu for the former Eintracht Frankfurt star.

"On Hazard, I'm happy he's back and fully fit, he has re-joined the group and he can play and help us. The bad news is Jovic's injury," he said.

"He injured himself at home. It was unfortunate, obviously, because now it will keep him away from the pitch.

"We don't know for how long for, but we'll see. It's bad news of course – we hope he is back as soon as possible and before the season is over."

One of the new temporary measures brought in for the end of the season following the enforced hiatus is a substitutions increase from three to five.

Critics have suggested this will benefit the bigger clubs with deeper squads, though Zidane does not see it making a major difference to anyone.

"I don't think anyone will benefit immensely," he added. "It's a different rule, we have to adapt to it and if we have five substitutes then we'll adapt to that.

"As I say, I have 23 players available and I'll try to adapt to it. The circumstances are strange and obviously we have to take that into account, but we adapt to whatever we need to adapt to. We're ready for everything."

Those questioning Liverpool’s decision not to move for Timo Werner have been urged by Glen Johnson to trust Jurgen Klopp, with many having considered Mohamed Salah to be “pricey” when the Reds brought in talent that others overlooked.

The prolific Germany international striker appeared destined to end up at Anfield when transfer talk started to build around the RB Leipzig star.

Chelsea have, however, surged to the front of the queue, with Liverpool allowing their Premier League rival to trigger the release clause that will add a proven performer to their ranks.

The Reds’ decision to pass on Werner has resulted in a mixed response, but Johnson is among those who feel that the 24-year-old would be heading to Merseyside if Klopp really wanted him.

He thinks the call not to explore that option is a sign that alternative additions are being pursued, with the Premier League leaders having shown in recent windows they can find value in those they really want.

Former Reds defender Johnson told BETDAQ: "It looks as if Liverpool won't be signing Werner which is obviously disappointing for Liverpool fans, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

"They've shown in the past that when they recruit they more often than not get it right, so I think you've just got to let them find the right players.

"Everyone thought Mohamed Salah was pricey when they signed him and look how much he's worth now, so I'm sure there are players they're looking at besides Werner.

"At the end of the day, Liverpool have plenty of pulling power nowadays and if they really wanted Werner, I think they would have gone out and got him, so for whatever reason they've decided against that.

"They have been far and away the best side in the league this season and while you don't need to fix something that isn't broken, successful teams should always be looking to strengthen and rebuild again.

"It might not be the players who are going to be in the first team straight away, but you've always got to be looking ahead and the players who are brought in should be chosen with that in mind."

Johnson, who also represented Chelsea in his playing days, believes a switch to Stamford Bridge for Wener may end up being beneficial to all concerned.

"He’s got an eye for goal and is quick, both of which are attributes that are very useful in the Premier League," added the former Blues right-back.

"However, playing in England is a totally different kettle of fish to playing in Germany. Every game is tough and there aren’t any freebies which he’ll have to get used to, but he’s clearly a classy footballer and looks to have lots going for him. If he’s as good as people say he is then £50 million looks like a very good deal for Chelsea.

"From Chelsea’s point of view, it’s good they are competing with the players that the top teams want. Liverpool were obviously linked with Werner too, so it shows that Frank Lampard’s side are still able to attract the best."

Former Golden Arrows midfielder Thanduyise Khuboni says the sacking of Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane was a mistake by the South African Football Association (Safa).

The former Abafana Bes’thende skipper, who is now campaigning in the National First Division (NFD) with Uthongathi, was part of the 2010 Fifa World Cup squad that represented the national side on home soil and said he will never forget that experience.

Although he believes ‘Jingles’ is a good manager, the former Mpumalanga Black Aces anchorman urged the football bosses and fans to practice patience and used former Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque as an example.

“I will never forget the World Cup experience. In my township in Clermont, they thought I will be the next Siyabonga Nomvethe,” Khuboni told Isolezwe.

“I think one can’t explain the experience of playing at the World Cup and how I feel. I will always be grateful for that opportunity."

As he looked back on why the 1996 African champions have failed to reach the previous global events hosted in Brazil and in Russia in 2014 and 2018, respectively, Khuboni suggested coaching changes are the downfall.

“We need to be patient with our Bafana coaches as South Africans. We need to stop making decisions based on haste because there is no coach that will take the job and have things going his way," he added.

“The decision to fire Pitso was rushed. I am not someone that likes to talk about people’s names but I still believe Mosimane must have been given a fair chance.

“He is a top coach, he played the game and he understands the players. What he has done for Sundowns is proof that he is a good quality coach.

“Even at Sundowns, he didn’t just arrive and made things happen. There were problems but he managed to solve them. I think the same thing would have happened at Bafana.

“There’s a coach in the Spain national team and he recently retired. He arrived and took over where there were issues and challenges but he instilled his way of play and philosophy, eventually, things were smooth and they won trophies.

“That took him many years to achieve. He left after winning the World Cup and the Uefa Euro titles. All the coaches that came after him are carrying on with his philosophy, that’s what we had to do with Pitso.”

The agent of Bidvest Wits midfielder Deon Hotto has confirmed that the race for the player's signature is now between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Reports in recent days suggested that Sundowns were close to reaching a deal with Hotto, but Pirates have emerged as another option for the Namibia midfielder.

Hotto's agent Machini Motloung could, however, not divulge which side has the upper hand in the talks.

"He has been approached by both Pirates and Sundowns," Motloung told Sowetan Live.

"Remember he is still with Bidvest Wits and we need to respect that. The league is not done yet. I don't think it would be professional for him to choose preference when the league is still running.

"As it is now, nothing has been finalised; we are still in negotiation with both Pirates and Sundowns."

Hotto has become one of the key players at Wits, featuring in all their Premier Soccer League (PSL) games and scoring five goals while providing four assists so far this season.

He is Wits' joint top goal-scorer together with fellow midfielder Gift Motupa, who is also linked with Sundowns.

With the owner of Limpopo-based GladAfrica Championship side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila reported to be on the verge of buying the Bidvest Wits franchise, a massive clearance sale is expected at the Braamfontein-based outfit.

Pirates and Sundowns are also reportedly in the race to sign Wits and South Africa captain Thulani Hlatshwayo although the former is said to be the frontrunners to secure his signature.

Wits form the backbone of the Bafana Bafana defence through Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanazi and Sfiso Hlanti. Mkhwanazi and Hlanti are also said to have attracted interest elsewhere.

Other top-performers at Wits like Zimbabwean midfielder Terrence Dzvukamanja, goalkeeper Brendon Peterson and Haashim Domingo might find themselves on the move.

Their coach Gavin Hunt's name has been attached to Kaizer Chiefs although he has rubbished the rumours.

Wits are currently placed sixth on the log with a chance to end the season in the top three if it resumes.

Borussia Dortmund youth sensation Youssoufa Moukoko will be able to start training with the first team from July, according to Bild.

The 15-year-old wonderkid has been making headlines for his goal-scoring prowess in the various BVB youth teams and has scored more than 150 goals already.

Indeed in the cancelled Under-19 Bundesliga, Moukoko scored 34 goals in 20 outings with Dortmund just two points behind Cologne.

His prowess meant he would be tipped to be drafted into the first team but German football rules initially did not allow players to debut until they turned 17.

It meant Moukoko would have had to wait until November 2021 for his full debut, but after Dortmund tabled the matter before the authorities, the limit was lowered to 16, giving him the chance to play later this year.

"We are very happy. The majority of clubs now want to give exceptionally talented young players the opportunity to take a new step in their development in absolutely exceptional cases," Lars Ricken, Dortmund's youth director, said in Kicker, after the age limit was lowered.

In spite of the positive development, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc previously stated the club would not put pressure on Moukoko, nor will they raise expectations as he still has a lot to learn.

"The framework conditions for professional appearances by absolute exceptional players of this age have been created, but we are therefore not putting any pressure on him at all," Zorc told Bild am Sonntag.

"We do well not to raise expectations of Youssoufa too high."

Dortmund are currently in second place on the Bundesliga standings, and have won all their matches since the restart bar a home defeat to Bayern Munich which has put a dent on their title hopes.

Born in the Cameroon capital city of Yaounde in 2004 and in possession of a German passport, Moukoko is eligible to represent the Indomitable Lions or Die Mannschaft.

He is often compared to Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o, who scored a total of 427 goals for both club and country.

Moukoko's proficiency is also compared to Arsenal and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 98 Bundesliga goals and 141 goals in all competitions in five seasons with Dortmund, finishing as top scorer in 2017 with 31 strikes.

Barcelona great Hristo Stoichkov says Lionel Messi is always unfairly blamed for Argentina's failures, and that his team-mates are guilty of "hiding" on the biggest stages.

Despite sweeping the board during a glittering career with Barca, six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has never lifted a major honour with Argentina.

There were a succession of near misses during the past decade, with Germany beating La Albiceleste after extra time in the final of the 2014 World Cup, before Chile prevailed on penalties in the 2015 Copa America and Copa America Centenario showpieces.

The 2020 Copa America was due to start on Friday but has been put back 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is likely to be Messi's final tilt at the big prize.

Speaking to Argentinian station Radio Villa Trinidad, Stoichkov said he felt the 32-year-old had shouldered an unfair share of criticism over the failures of his national team.

"To see a friend happy, like Leo, and to stop him suffering so much for not being able to win a World Cup, I would change my Golden Boot, which I got at the 1994 World Cup, to see Messi world champion," said the ex-Barca forward.

"Always when he loses, Messi has the blame and they never talk about those who are next to him and fail.

"In South Africa [at the 2010 World Cup under Diego Maradona], they had a great team and where did it end and why? No one asks it.

"Later in Brazil, Argentina reached the final and when [other players] have clear opportunities, the fault lies with Messi and Messi loses.

"In the Copa America, they have lost two finals on penalties. And again, Messi cannot win, but what do we do with the players who failed and Messi assisted them? They are hiding."

Nevertheless, Stoichkov does not think all is lost for Argentina ahead of Qatar 2022.

"Sooner or later the glory of Messi will end," he added. "Then we must value everything that was done in football.

"I believe that in 2022 in Qatar this Argentine national team will have the last great opportunity to win the World Cup in its history.

"With Lautaro Martinez, with Paulo Dybala, with the last campaigns, I imagine, by Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria. There is a very competitive team."