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Adel Amrouche has sensationally claimed he does not want to see Kenya miss out of the 2022 Africa World Cup qualifiers.

The former Harambee Stars coach is currently embroiled in a tussle with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) who were ordered by the world governing body Fifa to pay him Sh109million for alleged wrongful dismissal.

While FKF has maintained they don’t have money to pay the coach, who won the case in the arbitration court based in Zurich, the country will thus face a host of sanctions with the main one being banned from taking part in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022.

Goal exclusively reported two weeks ago FKF and Amrouche had reached an agreement with Fifa on how the money he is owed will be settled and thus Kenya will take part in the qualifiers.

Amrouche has now told Goal the reason why he doesn't want to see Kenya banned from the qualifiers, because of the respect he has for Kenyan supporters and also he did not want to kill the dream of Kenyan players from playing in the World Cup final.

“I don’t want to be that person who kills the dreams of our players,” Amrouche told Goal exclusively from Botswana, where he is handling the national team.

“Most of the players in the Kenyan squad are my former players and friends and it will hurt me most if they miss out on playing in the qualifiers just because my case against FKF brings the sanctions from Fifa.

“I also have respect for Kenyan supporters, they are good people, I enjoyed their support when I was the coach back in Kenya, I enjoyed their hospitality and will be offended to see them miss to watch and support their team during the qualifiers.”

Asked on whether he has now forgiven FKF in regards to the fine, Amrouche said: “No, we are still fighting but I would not want Fifa to ban Kenya.

“I am going to make an arrangement with my lawyer and will give you more details on what we have decided in regards to the issue, maybe by next week, I will have a good answer.

“Now there is nothing happening, but I am deeply thinking about the issue, I hope it will be sorted and my players will have the chance to play in the qualifiers.”

Kenya under Francis Kimanzi have been drawn to face Uganda, Mali and Rwanda in the qualifiers set to kick-off in October.

Former Watford star Tommy Smith believes Ismaila Sarr can move to the next level in his career after already showing glimpses of his potential in the Premier League.

The Senegal international joined the Hornets last summer as the club’s record signing following his consistent showings for Rennes during his two-year stay with the French side, where he featured in 59 league games and scored 13 goals.  

The winger, however, struggled to adapt to the English top-flight on his arrival at Vicarage Road but has been in superb form since December.

The forward has scored five goals and contributed four assists in 19 Premier League appearances, including his man-of-the-match display against Liverpool in February, where he scored two goals as his side ended the Reds’ unbeaten run.

Smith is delighted with the performances of the 22-year-old since he acclimatized to the league and praised the Hornets for securing his signature.

“He looks like an incredible talent. He took a little while to get used to the pace of the league and strength of the players and looked like he lacked a little bit of belief, which is understandable,” Smith told the club website.

“He's now got that belief and he looks like he can go on to the next level. It's another brilliant scouting find by Watford and he'll look even better in the next 12 to 18 months.”

Andre Gray, who arrived at Watford from Burnley in 2017, is also in awe of the potential of the Senegalese forward and believes he can reach the peak of his career.

“He was very shy and doesn't speak the language properly yet, but he's looked the part since he got his goal at Southampton,” Gray said.

“The gaffer now makes life simpler for him and every time he gets the ball, it's just the encouragement to go, go, go. He is so quick – he's the quickest player I've played with and can just knock it and go.

“He's so fit as well and can go both ways [up and down] and he's unplayable on his day, as we saw against Liverpool.

“He's a threat to everyone and if you watch the games, you see the full-backs he faces and they step off him every time he gets the ball, but even then he manages to get past them. He relieves so much pressure and enables us to counter-attack. He can be whatever he wants to be.”

Sarr will hope to continue his blistering performances when the Premier League resumes on June 17, having been suspended since mid-March.

The winger was part of Senegal’s squad that finished as runner-up in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, behind Algeria.

He will be expected to play a key role for the Teranga Lions when the 2021 Afcon qualifiers, which have been in hiatus due to Covid-19 restart.

Germany boss Joachim Low has revealed that he planned to use Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka as a right-back.

The 25-year-old has been in eye-catching form with the Bundesliga leaders since the resumption of play following the coronavirus crisis by scoring two goals and laying on three more as FCB have extended their advantage over second-placed Borussia Dortmund to seven points.

While the former Schalke man has been impressing with his acumen in the final third, Low admits that he has toyed with using the midfielder at the opposite end of the field.

“It was always my idea to use him as a full-back because he can also be this type of player,” the 60-year-old said in an interview with Kicker.

Low, though, revealed why he has been reticent to use Goretzka, who has 11 goals in 25 international appearances, in that role.

“He’s never played this role,” he said. “Games and training are necessary for this. Why his dynamism, his feeling for the ball and his understanding of the game, he would be an option.”

The coach, meanwhile, believes that his evolution is likely to lead him to playing in a more advanced role, for example as a No.10.

“He is a player with a combination of a lot of dynamism, very good technique and good positional ability,” he said. “From the central position he exudes – and this is what sets him apart – a goal scoring threat because he keeps pushing forward. He knows how to score with his right and left foot, as well as his head. That’s why I think we’ll see him in a more attacking central role in the coming years.”

But the player is not simply excellent technically; Low has been left impressed with the midfielder’s attitude.

“He’s very critical and is aware of trends and what’s going on around him,” he said. “He’s very good to talk to for young players. He’s someone who thinks outside the box and it’s interesting to talk to him. He’s also got a very acute sense of justice.”

Goretzka has featured 28 times for FCB in all competitions this season and has scored seven goals, while delivering nine assists.

Asante Kotoko skipper Felix Annan has thrown his club's hat in the ring as debates over Ghana's possible representatives for next season's Caf inter-club competitions continue.

Talks about the West African candidates for the 2020-21 Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup have become rife due to the unlikelihood of the completion of the current season due to coronavirus disruption.

The 2019-20 Ghana Premier League and FA Cup have been on hold since March 15 when a ban on public gatherings came into force and it is presently uncertain when football will return.

“Per what I know about Caf rules, we [Kotoko] are still eligible to play in the champions league," Annan told Skyy Power FM.

“The Caf rules state that if a season is not completed or cancelled or suspended because of a problem, the previous champions are to represent the country.

“So if the league is suspended or cancelled, I think we are still eligible to play in the champions league."

The league champions will represent Ghana in the Champions League while the FA Cup winners take a place in the Confederation Cup.

Winners of the Ghana Tier One Special Competition which replaced the Premier League last season, Kotoko participated in the Champions League this season but the adventure ended early as they were knocked out by Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in the first round.

Ashanti Gold, who won the Ghana Tier Two Special Competition - which replaced the FA Cup last year - and played in this term's Confederation Cup, have also expressed interest in playing in Africa next season.

Football in Ghana, meanwhile, remains suspended until at least July 31. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has said it would not take a final decision on the future of football in the country until June 30.

“Frankly speaking, as at now and as per what the president said that all contact sports activities are suspended until at least July 31, it will be difficult for us to continue the season,” Annan added.

“Even if authorities are able to place measures so that the restriction will be lifted on July 31, clubs will need like one month or six weeks to prepare.

“So we are entering into August-September, so when are we going to finish all these 16 remaining games, [before] we start the next season?

“In my estimation, I think we are not in the right frame to start the league now."

Hearts of Oak, who won the Champions League in 2000 and the Confederation Cup in 2004, have also expressed interest in the 2020-21 continental action. 

Former Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy has explained why too many coaches fail at Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

According to McCarthy, coaches have to make it clear as soon as they get appointed that they should be in charge of the playing personnel. 

However, McCarthy admits that giving the coach too much freedom may be catastrophic, saying teamwork is what makes the team tick. 

"It's about making it clear [at the Big Three]. When you come in as a coach, you’ve got to let your bosses and club owners know the intentions and what you want to achieve and the way you want to work. It’s not about the coach making every single decision for the club; it’s about working together," said McCarthy to the South African Football Journalists’ Association. 

"At the end of the day, everyone wants the same success [and] when the team does well, the club gets the recognition. I know the big problem at these clubs is that coaches, the majority of the time, don’t bring in the players. They don’t get to choose the players they bring in. They find the players there and they’ve got to make them better," he explained. 

Speaking from his home in Scotland, the 42-year-old mentor said team managers and club chairmen should work together for what is best for the team. 

"What clubs at home need to understand is that the coach is the one who is in charge of the team; he knows what the team needs to progress to be better when they go out there.

"The football managers and chairmen need to work with the coach on the kind of players that come in and make a difference to the team and are better than what the club already has," continued McCarthy.

"If they can establish that, you will see that there will be more success for a club that implements that first," he said.  

"I don’t think coaches should have 100 per cent free reign - that’s abusing the system, especially because there are so many you hear take backhanders. That’s why there needs to be working together," added McCarthy. 

U.S. men's national team veteran Fabian Johnson will become a free agent at the end of the Bundesliga season.

Borussia Monchengladbach announced that the midfielder, who can also play defense, will leave the club following the expiration of his contract.

Johnson has been with the German side since 2014, having made the move from Hoffenheim.

The 32-year-old, who has also played for 1860 Munich and Wolfsburg, has spent his entire professional career in Germany.

Johnson made a total of 140 appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach during his six-year stay, scoring 15 total goals.

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Johnson's upcoming departure on Monday while also announcing that veteran Tobias Strobl is also set to depart.

"Tobias Strobl has informed us that he would like to join FC Augsburg at the end of the season," Eberl said. "We have also reached an agreement together with Fabian Johnson to let his contract run out."

Johnson originally sealed his move to Monchengladbach just prior to the 2014 World Cup, where he shone as a member of Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT setup.

During the USMNT's run in Brazil, Johnson started each of the team's three group stage matches while also being named as a starter in the eventual round-of-16 loss to Belgium.

Johnson has earned a total of 57 caps for the U.S., having been a part of the 2015 Gold Cup and 2016 Copa America squads.

However, he has not been called up since 2017, although USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter said in 2019 that he was open to having Johnson return to the national team.

Since Johnson's USMNT breakthrough in 2011, he has been linked with moves to MLS, most notably a reported move to FC Cincinnati ahead of the club's first MLS season.

A deal never came to fruition and, should Johnson look to come to MLS as a free agent, the winger/defender would be subject to the league's allocation order.

Before departing, Johnson, who has made six appearances this season, will finish off the campaign with Gladbach, who sit fourth in the Bundesliga.

The club's next match will be a difficult one, though, as they'll visit Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Tanzania Mainland League champions Simba SC have defeated fellow top-tier side KMC FC 3-1 in a friendly game staged at Mo Simba in Bunju, Dar es Salaam.

Captain John Bocco scored a brace with Ibrahim Ajibu getting the third for the hosts while the visitors scored what turned out to be the consolation courtesy of Charles Ilanfya.

The two teams had already met twice in the top-tier, with the 20-time league champions claiming an identical 2-0 scoreline. having beaten Yanga SC 3-0, the Municipal side was motivated and on high spirits. 

Avenging the two defeats in the league were on top of their agenda against the Msimbazi based side who are targeting their third title in a row.

It took the visitors half an hour to open the scoring through Ilanfya who finished a fine move which was poorly defended by the Sven Vandebroeck-led charges. It was a goal which silenced hundreds of fans who had turned out to support Wekundu wa Msimbazi.

However, Simba fans were up on their feet again cheering louder as John Bocco scored the equaliser four minutes later. The two teams headed to the break on level terms.

Taifa Stars striker Bocco completed his brace with a quarter of an hour to go after getting the better of the defenders before Ajibu's fine strike sealed the win in the 88th minute.

Earlier in the day, the league leaders defeated Transit Camp 4-2 in the same venue.

The Democratic Republic of Congo forward Deo Kanda was the first to strike for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the third minute.

Gerson Fraga scored the second for Sven Vandenbroeck's charges in the 15th minute before Tairone Santos added the third goal of the encounter two minutes after Fraga's strike.

Simba did not add a fourth goal until after the first half ended but they also could not keep Transit Camp at bay, as their opponents reduced the deficit in the first minute of added time courtesy of Hamadi Habibu.

In the 46th minute, Meddie Kagere added his name onto the scoresheet as he stretched Simba's lead further. Transit Camp answered back in the 64th minute from Nisile Kisimba's strike but their resurgence did not deny Simba a convincing win.

This was Transit Camp's second friendly match against a top club in the country after they had fought to a 0-0 draw against Azam FC a day ago.

The win for the Tanzanian 20-time league champions was witnessed by a large group of fans who followed proceedings from the terraces.

Teams are in a race to raise the level of fitness of their players before the league resumes on June 13 after it had been suspended in mid-March due to the restrictions the government had applied to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Simba will face Ruvu Shooting on June 14 at home as they restart their title defence. The Wekundu wa Msimbazi enjoy a good lead at the top and coach Vandenbroeck had urged them to ensure they bag the first 12 points to win the title in earnest.

With three of their four foreign players already in Tanzania, Simba are assured of an almost full squad for the matches, which also includes the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Azam.

Sharaf Shiboub is the only foreign player yet to report for duty.

Lionel Messi appears on course to be fit for Barcelona's first La Liga game back this week having returned to group training on Monday.

The Spanish top flight recommences on Thursday following a three-month break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic, with leaders Barca visiting Real Mallorca on Saturday.

However, there were concerns their key man may be missing for that fixture after Barca confirmed last week Messi had a quadriceps injury and was unable to train with the main group.

The Blaugrana captain was still training separately on Saturday when the team conducted a session at Camp Nou, yet on Monday the club's all-time leading scorer was back with the rest of the squad.

Barcelona uploaded photos of that session showing Messi smiling alongside Luis Suarez as Quique Setien's players warmed up.

Setien had previously insisted Messi was "perfectly fine" when the Barcelona head coach was asked about the superstar's physical condition.

"It's not just Messi - other players haven't trained because they've had niggles," Setien told Movistar. "It's happened to lots of them.

"Leo has a cramp that's not hugely significant. I think he's perfectly fine and he won't have any problems. It's the same for any other player. We'll see how the league goes and what circumstances come up.

"We have lots of games and a small squad. I always want to have Messi on the pitch, of course."

Messi is La Liga's top scorer for 2019-20 having registered 19 goals in 22 appearances, while he has contributed 12 assists - also the most in the division.

Barcelona full-back Nelson Semedo, another who had been training alone due to an injury issue, was also back with the main group on Monday.

While Messi's fitness was a focus for Barcelona, the club will also be boosted by the return of Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan star's extended injury absence. The club confirmed over the weekend that Suarez will be fit to take part in the weekend’s clash with Mallorca, as he will return to the Barca squad for the first time since January.

La Liga will resume with Barcelona two points clear of their great rivals Real Madrid with 11 games to go.

After Mallorca, Barca face a short turnaround before a match against Leganes three days later before a slight break ahead of a game against Sevilla on June 21.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has maintained his stand that the 2019-20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season should be declared null and void.

While the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved to end the season and crown Gor Mahia the champions while promoting Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United, the KPL has insisted a decision on the league is yet to be made.

On two occasions, KPL plans to issue a stand on the league have been jolted by the extension of the nationwide curfew, with the latest being on Saturday when Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed the ban on all sporting activities and social gatherings will remain in force for another 30 days.

The decision by Kenyatta has left the Ingwe chairman also calling for the league managers to move quickly and make a decision, insisting the only way to have peace is by annulling the top-flight.

“My stands is still the same and it will not change, KPL should annul the league and allow teams to start afresh next season,” Shikanda told Goal on Monday.

“It will be a very big mistake to award Gor Mahia the trophy, even if it was AFC Leopards who were leading, I will not advocate we be given the title whereas we have not played all the matches.

“The simplest way for KPL to solve this puzzle once and for all is to declare the season null and avoid and allow Gor Mahia and Bandari to represent Kenya in Caf competitions, as AFC Leopards we don’t have any objection with that and it will remain our stand.”

Shikanda’s comments come a few hours after Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack also called on KPL to issue a final decision on the 2019-20 season.

“Thirty more days [extension of curfew] …it means we are now where we were three months ago, and let’s be honest, at the end of the current ban which ends on July 7, we will not be able to play the league,” Polack told Goal on Monday.

“Even if the President says we can now start sporting activities at the end of the 30 days, it will not be possible to play the league, we will need at least four to five weeks of training, which will take us to the middle of August, and then if we resume the league it will finish at the beginning of October.

"Then you will need to rest and have pre-season, meaning the new season can only start in November or December, which is not possible.

“For me, the KPL needs to make a decision now, do they nullify it, do they cancel it or do they award Gor Mahia trophy, so that everybody can get prepared for the new season which starts at the end of August.”

Gor Mahia are leading the 17-team league table on 54 points, seven more than second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz, who have a game in hand.

Alexis Sanchez's struggles at Manchester United have "no explanation", according to Ander Herrera, who says his old team-mate "had everything to succeed" at the club.

Sanchez joined United from Arsenal in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January 2018, bringing to an end his hugely impressive four-year spell at Emirates Stadium.

The 31-year-old scored 80 goals in 166 appearances for the Gunners, becoming one of the finest imports in Premier League history in the process.

He was, however, unable to reproduce the same electrifying form at Old Trafford, and ended up being shipped out to Inter on loan last summer after netting just five goals in 45 outings across all competitions.

Sanchez is due to return to United at the end of the month, but it is uncertain whether he will figure in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans.

Herrera played alongside the Chile international before his final contract at United expired, and admits he has been mystified by the mercurial performer's spectacular fall from grace.

The ex-United midfielder, who now plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, told The Athletic: "Sometimes, in football, there is no explanation for every single thing that happens.

"Alexis is one of them. He came from Arsenal. He used to win games by himself for Arsenal.

"I remember watching him because Arsenal were our rivals for titles and the top four. I saw them losing games 2-0 and Alexis would score two and they’d win the game. He’d score the winning goal.

“It shows football sometimes has no explanation. How can a player, who one month before, two months before, is the best player by far in a big team like Arsenal… then he comes to United and he doesn’t perform? I have no explanation."

Herrera added on Sanchez's failure to transfer his performances in training to matchdays at Old Trafford: "He trains good, he is a good professional, he tries to improve.

"In training sessions, you can see his quality. He scores a lot of goals. In front of the goalkeeper in training, he was lethal, scoring goals, goals, goals.

"He fights if he loses the ball, he runs back and wins the ball, so he had everything to succeed at United, and he didn’t do it.

"The only thing I can tell you is that I have no explanation."

Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has described Lionel Messi as an "inspiration" as he reflected on his first few months at Camp Nou.

The 29-year-old was a surprise signing in February after injuries to Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele left Barcelona short on attackers. While yet to score for the club across three appearances, Braithwaite did contribute two assists on his debut as he gets used to playing with the Catalans. 

Messi is one player the Dane hasn't struggled to gel with as he noted the Argentina legend has already begun improving his game. 

"It changes a lot, of course," Braithwaite told Goal when asked about his opinion on Messi now he plays alongside him.

"He gives so much confidence to the team because he can make the difference and also helped me personally to be a better player with his advice and how he sees football. He is really an inspiration."

Signed in the wake of an injury to Suarez, Braithwaite may now struggle for minutes when the Liga season resumes this week with the Uruguayan star now fully fit again, but rather than despair at his likely limited role at Camp Nou, the Denmark international is eager to learn from Suarez. 

"Honestly I don't think in that kind of way. I am so happy that Luis is back because when I came here he was injured and I haven't played with him," he said. "I want to learn from him, he is one of the best strikers in the world and I am happy he is back." 

After previously playing for the likes of Leganes, Middlesbrough and Toulouse, Braithwaite has found things quite different on the training ground at Camp Nou. 

"The training is totally different to what I was used to so I can feel I am developing a lot in the technical level," Braithwaite said. "As a human I can feel I have more attention in such a big club like this but you must learn to live with all this attention."

One year ago, the prospect of Braithwaite being a Barcelona player would have been laughed off by many, but the fact it has happened convinces the man himself that no dream should be deemed too hard to reach as he hopes his time at the club will show his grandchildren anything is possible. 

He said: "I just want to tell them everything is possible in life. If you put your mind in it you can achieve your dreams."

Jordan Henderson admits the pain of losing major finals helped to feed Liverpool’s hunger to get back on the trophy trail, with everyone at Anfield determined to establish another dynasty.

Prior to lifting the Champions League crown aloft in 2019, the Reds had gone seven long years without getting their hands on major silverware.

A wait for top-flight glory has stretched on even longer, with the 30-year mark reached in 2020.

That barren spell appears set to be brought to a close, with Jurgen Klopp’s side about to resume competitive action sat 25 points clear of the chasing pack, and the floodgates have been well and truly flung open on Merseyside.

Henderson believes falling short over recent years, in domestic and European competition, can be credited with having taught Liverpool what was required to get over the line and to become regular contenders for the very biggest prizes on offer.

The Reds captain told the club’s official website: “That was a big factor.

“Not only the 2018 [Champions League] final, but previous finals over the years that we had been involved in – the ­Europa League final to Sevilla as well, the League Cup final that we lost to Manchester City.

“All of those things you sort of learn from and it gives you even more ­hunger to put things right and improve.

“Every time we have faced that adversity we have bounced back in a really good way.

“It was just a case of continuing to do that and we knew the time would come where we’d manage to win something. Thankfully it came last year.”

Liverpool are also benefitting from Jurgen Klopp’s work in assembling a star-studded squad, with Henderson of the opinion that the Reds could not be better placed to build on their triumphs of the last 12 months.

He added: “The amount of great players of course that we have in this team, but how they are as people, how we are as a dressing room, how close we are and not only players but that’s the staff as well.

“The fans are incredible of course so it’s just an amazing football club and over the past couple of years we’ve played some pretty good football, went through some pretty tough times but also some pretty amazing times, so I’m just so excited to see what the future holds for this team and this football club because I know we’ll continue to give everything and keep improving and keep learning.

“If we do that then there’s no reason why we can’t have more success in the future.”

As Carl Ikeme turns 34, Goal take the opportunity to review the brief Super Eagles career of a player whose time with the national side was brief but memorable, curtailed prematurely by his early retirement in July 2018.

While it was always going to be hard to rebound from the leukaemia diagnosis which turned his world upside down in 2017, it was impossible to prepare for the finality of Wolves' official statement almost two years ago, when Ikeme confirmed that there would be no return.

Now 34, Goal celebrate a player who was raised a wolf, then became an eagle.

In a tenure that was riddled with acrimony, accusation and attrition, he proved one of the few positives of Sunday Oliseh's shortlived time at the helm, as the keeper took his first steps in the international arena. It was the former Super Eagles captain who gave him his international debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Nigeria has not always handled goalkeeping transitions well, although one must concede that it is not exactly a cinch to pull off. With their ability to continue well into their 30s, unlike outfielders, there is the danger of letting them run on too long. However, Ikeme's arrival on the scene came as a matter of necessity, following the surprising decision of Vincent Enyeama to retire from the national team.

With a toothless Super Eagles attack unable to muster any menace, its midfield devoid of any guile, and its defence shorn of all structure, the Wolves goalkeeper was literally the sole reason the game ended goalless. His tremendous reflex save from Thomas Ulimwengu in the second half lives long in the memory, but it was just the pick of a brilliant bunch.

"Carl Ikeme had a great game for us." Oliseh acknowledged afterwards. "He saved us from defeat."

There had long been the impression that players eligible for European countries would only opt for Nigeria if they weren't good enough.

Yet, here was a tall, commanding goalkeeper, in his prime and playing club football in England, and he was not only chuffed to be here, but he was actually quite excellent? Why are we so blessed?

It was love at first sight, but a love that almost seemed fated not to last.

Before the cancer, there were the injuries. He missed the crucial return leg of the Afcon qualifier against Egypt, a 1-0 defeat which confirmed Nigeria's absence from the 2017 edition.

He then missed the World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo with a hip injury. As it turns out, his final game for the Super Eagles was the opening qualifier against Zambia in Ndola. There is a nice symmetry to the Ikeme love story: Zambia and Tanzania, where it ended and where it began, are contiguous; beyond land, they are now connected by Ikeme's brilliance.

It would have been unfathomable, watching him wave a rattled defence into position after repelling wave after wave of Zambian attack, that he was waving goodbye.

The depth of disappointment following the revelation of his cancer diagnosis months later was like the excision of a painful tooth, only to find the root rotting. It felt like a cruel joke: relief quickly turning to grief, which in turn quickly became panic.

With the World Cup on the horizon, who was supposed to be in goal?

For the second time in two years, the Super Eagles had to deal with Enyeama's retirement. Ultimately, it led to the discovery of Francis Uzoho, but few would have begrudged Ikeme his World Cup moment; he only featured in three qualifiers, but they were hugely important ones: the two-legged play-off against Swaziland, and that crucial victory over the Chipolopolo.

He was in goal just a handful of times for the Super Eagles, but that was all it took to win a nation's hearts. He leaves unblemished, with no losses on his record, and while he may not have burnt long, he certainly burnt brightly.

Bidvest Wits are set to lose striker Gift Motupa to Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of next season. 

According to a Goal source close to the player, the Brazilians have reignited their interest in the former Orlando Pirates attacker, and the proposed move could happen in the next few weeks.

"The interest is still there from Sundowns and it could happen before the start of next season," the source told Goal. 

Motupa was close to joining the Tshwane giants earlier this year but the deal failed to materialise as Wits changed their minds about selling one of their top strikers in recent years. 

However, with rumours that the Students may be sold at the end of the season, Motupa may consider jumping ship, according to the source. 

"You'd recall that the deal didn't happen in January but it's back on the table and the player wants to secure his future because we are not sure of what is going on at Wits [with regard to rumours that the club could be sold]," said the source. 

While neither Sundowns nor Wits have commented on possibly signing or losing players, the source confirmed there have been talks behind the scenes.  

"For now, everything is still being spoken behind the scenes but if all goes well, Gift will join Sundowns," concluded the source.  

The Clever Boys, through club director George Mogotsi, have distanced themselves from reports that TTM owner Masala Mulaudzi is in the process of buying their PSL status.

But indications are that all is not well at the club financially, and therefore they could look to cash in on some of their top players instead of losing them for free. 

Motupa has been with the Students since July 2018 following his arrival from Chippa United, who sold him even without kicking a ball after securing a permanent move from the Buccaneers.

He has scored 12 goals in 25 matches across all competitions for the club this season - including five in the league and six in the Caf Confederation Cup. 

In the last two years, the 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 50 appearances and he appears to be enjoying his time under the stewardship of Gavin Hunt. 

Goal contacted Sundowns media officer Shupi Nkgadima but he did not pick up his phone or responded to texts sent to him at the time of publication. 

Having put a deal in place for Timo Werner, Chelsea have been urged to rival Liverpool for another reported transfer target, with Frank Leboeuf saying Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly would “fit very well” at Stamford Bridge.

After two windows of no activity, with a transfer ban keeping their hands tied, the Blues are very much back in the market for top talent.

Hakim Ziyech was the first to be targeted, as Frank Lampard swooped to snap up the Morocco international winger from Ajax. A £54 million (€60m/$68m) move has now been made for RB Leipzig striker Werner, with other Premier League suitors fended off in order to close on the highly rated Germany international.

With the final third have been focused on so far, it may be that attention now shifts towards defensive matters. If that does prove to be the case, then Leboeuf feels Chelsea need to be adding Senegal international Koulibaly to their wish list.

Liverpool may be faced once again in that hunt, with the Reds another of those said to be keen on the commanding centre-half, but Roman Abramovich is making the funds available that allow those in west London to be competitive on the recruitment front.

Discussing potential clubs for Koulibaly with ESPN FC, former Chelsea defender Leboeuf said: "I will never ask him to go to Manchester United for many reasons.

"I want him to win some stuff and I think Manchester United is not the club that they used to be and they're not ready to win stuff.

"I think Liverpool would be a good fit with [Virgil] van Dijk, that would be fantastic. Paris Saint-Germain as well with Marquinhos, there would be two great central defenders.

"I think Chelsea will need a player like that. I don't know if Koulibaly will be interested, but even if they have two very good central defenders, Koulibaly I think belongs to another level and would fit very well.

"I know he has a link with Liverpool, Van Dijk and Koulibaly at the back - my God, that's going to be another Red season I guess.

"You have to make a choice at certain points. The question was 'what is the best fit for Koulibaly?' and definitely with Van Dijk, and when you're a defender like Koulibaly, that would be the best central defence in the world."

Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has insisted that the club won't sell their star players on the cheap amid the coronavirus crisis, as Donny van de Beek continues to be linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

After several years of mediocrity, Ajax finally re-emerged as a major force on the biggest stage in 2018-19, with head coach Erik ten Hag boasting one of the most exciting young squads in European football.

The Amsterdam-based outfit won a domestic double last season, and managed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League - only to be knocked out in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of Tottenham.

Unfortunately, prized duo Matthijs de Light and Frenkie de Jong departed for Juventus and Barcelona respectively last summer, which naturally, led to a downturn in results on both domestic and European fronts.

Ajax were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages this term, and exited the KNVB Cup at the semi-final stage, while failing to maintain their dominance in the Eredivisie.

Ten Hag's side were denied the title when the season was voided due to the Covid-19 pandemic in April, despite being top on goal difference, and now look set to lose more key players when the transfer window reopens.

Hakim Ziyech signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea in February, and is set to join up with his new team-mates at Stamford Bridge next month, while United and Madrid are reportedly preparing to launch separate bids for Van de Beek.

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana and left-back Nicolas Tagliafico have also been tipped to leave Ajax this summer, but Van der Sar says no further departures will be sanctioned unless the club's director of football Marc Overmars gives the green light.

The Ajax CEO told Dutch publication NoS: “We know players have an ambition to leave for a better competition after a few years, but this will only happen on the conditions of Marc Overmars and Ajax.

"There will always be some who benefit from a crisis and some clubs will have to sell for less, but I think we're in a fortunate position thanks to our strong financial policy. Therefore we don't have to sell, but we made agreements with the players. These won't go below a certain price level. We won't let go of our players for sale prices. We prefer to keep them here."

Paul Pogba has secured his place in call of Duty: Wazone ultimate team, which features a cambo of COD's operators and football players who have similar characteristics.

Goal.com has teamed up with Call of Duty to make the "Coalition vs Allegiance" ultimate team. The concept consists on choosing 11 characters from both the Coalition and Allegiance who are featuring in Warzone.

We then analyze the specific traits of each character and potential Footballers who fit the mould and resemble well with the character. The audience is involved by voting for their favorite Operator-Footballer combo to make it feature in the Ultimate team.

For the sixth poll, we had a duel between Paul Pogba and Van de Beek who were representing Nikto from the Allegiance team and Alex from the Coalition team respectively.

Pogba led the poll with 73% of the votes (15894) beating out Ajax's midfielder who ended up with 27% of the votes (5710).

Stay tuned for our next poll...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects to have Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford at his disposal when Premier League action resumes, but he will not be setting any trophy targets for Manchester United.

The Red Devils are due to restart their 2019-20 campaign on June 19 when taking in a reunion with former manager Jose Mourinho and his Tottenham side.

With only three points separating them from the top four at present, there is still plenty for United to play for when competitive action returns.

A spark had been found prior to lockdown, with the January signing of Bruno Fernandes proving to be particularly inspired, and the Red Devils could be even stronger when they next take to the field.

That is because those who had been nursing knocks - such as Pogba, Rashford and Eric Bailly - have been able to use an enforced break to work on their fitness and push themselves back into contention.

“Well, we hope everybody’s going to be ready for the first game,” Solskjaer told United’s official website, with a green light having been given for matchday squads to be increased.

“We’ve had time out so I don’t think we can expect that those lads who’ve missed lots of the football can last the full game.

“But now the rules have changed, we can use five subs and have nine on the bench. I think that’s helpful because footballers, after being out for so long, going into competitive games will be a challenge for them and we have to look after them injury-wise and fitness-wise.

“We can’t just flog one player and say to them, ‘you play every game and every minute’ because it might be a period when we have to rotate quite often.”

Solskjaer intends to make full use of his squad from this point, adding: “We have a big squad, a strong squad and at the moment, loads of these players can prepare for the first game and hope to play in the first game and then if you don’t play in the first, you might play the second or the third.

“So that’s what it is about at Man United, being in the squad, being in the team, being ready when you’re asked upon.”

The Red Devils will hope to still have plenty of games left to take in, as they also remain in the hunt for FA Cup and Europa League honours, but Solskjaer is reluctant to set sights on silverware at this stage.

He said: “Of course, when you get to Man United, you want to end the season with trophies. But trophies won’t be what we’re talking about now.

“We’ve got to make sure we make this short spell before next season a good one for us and if it ends up with trophies, fantastic. We’ve just got to focus on what we can control and that’s our own performances. If that takes us to a final or two, it would be great.

“I’m focused on each game as it comes but also on developing this team. It’s a young team with some great talent, some great work-rate, personalities… the human qualities in the group are fantastic.

“And of course, Paul and Marcus are back, Eric has been out for a long time, Scott [McTominay] was out for a long time, so we want to gel the team together again.”

Former AFC Leopards striker Francis Chinjili has revealed how a small fish mongering business has become a good source of income since he retired

Chinjili, famously known as 'Yekini' due to his likeness to Nigerian legend Rashidi Yekini, hanged up his boots in 2013 and tried his hand in the coaching world before quitting after it became clear it was not going to sustain him effectively.

The retired striker then ventured into fish mongering, a business that he says is valuable and worth undertaking.

“It might be labour intensive but I have learnt over the few years that it is very valuable and maybe then this is a good retirement path onwards,” Chinjili told People Daily.

“It was not rocket science. It was such a sweet deal that probably only a fool could turn down.”

The former St George SC star started the business in the Bunyore area and hopes to expand it soon in order to reach as many customers as possible.

“I tried to set up a shop in Mbale, Vihiga but it did not get the market I hoped for,” he added.

“When I then turned to social media and set up a page on Facebook, things changed. I used my name to inform potential customers and also did deliveries.

“I am now happily getting big orders from clients as far as Europe and America who tell me to supply their older kin at home and this is exciting.”

With a stable income in his pocket daily, Chinjili says he has been able to employ a number of people to help him run the business.

“On a good week before the coronavirus struck, I could make KSh15,000 on average and this has made me employ youth from the area to help in the business,” Chinjili added.

“I have mighty plans and if all goes well, then maybe we could have a restaurant because the gap and demand are alive for fresh fish that we offer.

“We have six ponds at the farm, which is fed with fresh water from the river and all we do is to feed the fish and during harvesting ensure all compliance is met because the product is sensitive.

“On a good day, we sell up to 50kgs to hotels and individuals.” 

Chinjili's revelation comes in a year when the majority of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) players have faced salary delays as some clubs are without sponsors.