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Kaizer Chiefs attacker Khama Billiat has revealed he has never been happy with his performances at the club and feels he has the potential to deliver more.

The Zimbabwe attacker joined Amakhosi from Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018, ending a five-year association with his former club. He played 99 matches for Masandawana, with a return of 39 goals.

To date, he has made 84 appearances for the Soweto heavyweights and scored 16 goals in the process. However, the 30-year-old believes he should have done more.

'I am never satisfied'

"My performance; I am that one person that is never satisfied with my current performance, ever since I joined the club. I always want to do better," Billiat told KCTV as quoted by iDiskiTimes.

"The more things get harder or tougher or challenging, you always learn a lot of lessons from there and it makes you better as a player, as a person. 

"You get to think out of the box a little bit and it might not be the best way of learning but you have to go through it. I have never been happy with my performances since I joined, [as] I always feel there is something I need to do better."

'We have to assess our contributions' 

The experienced attacker has set a target of playing as many games as possible for Chiefs. He has further challenged his teammates to assess their contributions to the team ahead of the new campaign.

"My goal is to play as many games as I can and learn as much as I can while I still keep playing and correct a lot of things, winning a lot of games, winning silverware," Billiat continued.

"We need to work towards that and it’s going to need a lot of work, it’s not going to be easy. Individually, you have to look at yourself, how much are you contributing to the team and towards that dream that you want to be a part of."

In the concluded campaign, Chiefs finished eighth in the PSL but reached the Caf Champions League final where they lost 3-0 to Al Ahly.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has warned his understudies that they will have to work extra hard to dethrone him as the number one.

The 36-year-old Ugandan custodian, recently hanged his gloves from the Cranes squad in a bid to put more focus on Sundowns, and with the new season set to kick off in three weeks’ time, he has told Kennedy Mweene, Ricardo Goss, Reyaad Pieterse, and Jody February to get ready for a real fight.

What has Onyango said?

“We all did not come to Sundowns and started playing immediately. We can’t give it to them on a silver platter, they must work hard for it and I believe that in the coming few years they will be goalkeepers for Sundowns because everyone has their own qualities,” Onyango said as quoted by Citizen.

“They have made me a better goalkeeper this past season and I kept 15 clean sheets, I have never been to that number before and it shows that the goalkeeping department has done fantastic.”

Onyango, who was voted the best for last season, has, however, admitted the solid performances of the aforementioned keepers had pushed him to work hard as well.

“Jody and Goss have brought in something different in the team because we believe they have the quality and where they are coming from, they have been winning,” Onyango continued.

“Goss was one of the best at Bidvest Wits, he is one for the future for Bafana Bafana and I believe he will eventually get more game time. Jody has a future with Sundowns and the national team and for me to be there as well it pushes me to work hard and it pushes them to work hard as well.”

In a recent interview, Onyango completely ruled out any possible return to the national team following the appointment of Milutin Sredojevic as the head coach of the Cranes.

“I served my part as national captain and player, and I think it is time for the other goalkeepers in Jamal [Salim], Odongkara [Robert], Lukwago [Charles], and so many young goalkeepers,” Onyango said.

“Well, I am not thinking about it. I am now fully focused with my club Mamelodi [Sundowns] and think about what I’ll do when I completely retire from football.”

Further PSL reading

The United States Women's national team have won an Olympic Bronze medal after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Australia.

Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd reached scored a brace to help Vlatko Andonovski's side overcome Australia, whose ultimately finished fourth in the tournament despite goals from Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Emily Gielnik.

The USWNT have now won six Olympic medals (Four golds, one silver and one bronze), which draws them level with Brazil as the most successful nation in the history of the Games.

More to follow.

The tightest Nigeria Professional Football League campaign ends on Thursday evening with Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United, Rivers United and Kwara United still in contention for a place in Caf’s club competition.

Having played a 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars the last time out, Enyimba face an arduous task against Dakkada FC as anything short of victory would ruin their Caf Champions League ambition.

Despite dominating ball possession and taking the lead against Owena Whales in Aba, they paid for their momentary loss of concentration as former player Ejike Uzoenyi gifted the Akure side a late equaliser.

Fatai Osho’s men have been tipped to secure all points at stake as their hosts will still finish in the middle of the log regardless of the outcome in Uyo.

Elsewhere, second-placed Nasarawa United travel to Abia Warriors in a fixture where both teams chase contrasting ambitions.

Abia Warriors – who are in the relegation zone - must emerge victorious to guarantee their stay in the Nigeria elite division. Unbeaten in their last three league games, the Solid Miners must pick their fourth away win of the season to confirm their place in the Champions League.

Should they end up on the losing side, they are likely to have to be contented with a place in the Caf Confederation Cup due to their superior goal difference.

At the Ilorin Township Stadium, Kwara United welcome Katsina United and they have their focus fixed on a big prize.

The Afonja Warriors occupy sixth position in the Nigerian elite division log and victory at home could hand them a ticket on the continent – although the results from other centres will be considered too.

Following their failed attempt to beat Akwa United to the league title, Kano Pillars’ consolation would be a return to the continent.

An away victory over Heartland – who need just a draw to avoid demotion - would confirm this ambition.

Rivers United face an arduous task in their quest to pick a ticket to either the Champions League or Confederation Cup.

Occupying fourth position with 63 points, Stanley Eguma’s men must win at Sunshine Stars.

Deji Ayeni’s men are in dire need of all three points to help them negotiate their way from the drop zone.
 

NPFL FIXTURES IN FULL

Abia Warriors vs Nasarawa United
Dakkada FC vs Enyimba
Enugu Rangers vs Plateau United
Heartland vs Kano Pillars
Ifeanyi Ubah FC VS Warri Wolves
Kwara United vs Katsina United
Lobi Stars vs Akwa United
MFM FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars
Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United
Wikki Tourist vs  Adamawa United

Football is filled with all sorts of unique terminology and phrases which can make it tough to follow if you're new to the sport. Indeed, you'd need a glossary!

If you were watching the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, you might have heard commentators refer to a player scoring an 'Olimpico' goal.

It is a rare achievement, but what exactly is it? Goal takes a look at the meaning of the term and the players who have scored in such a manner.

What is an 'Olimpico' goal?

An 'Olimpico' goal or Olympic goal is a goal that is scored directly from a corner kick.

So why is it called an 'Olimpico' goal?

In 1924, Argentina player Cesareo Onzari scored against reigning Olympic champions Uruguay from a corner kick. Henceforth, the goal became known as 'Gol Olimpico' - Spanish for 'Olympic goal'.

There was initially some dispute over whether the goal should stand, but the game's rule-making body the IFAB had indeed recently permitted such goals to be scored.

It is still perfectly legal to score directly from a corner kick, but it is notoriously difficult given the angles involved, with the corner taker in line with the opposition goal, not to mention the number of bodies in the way.

In order to score from a corner kick, a player must apply sufficient swerve to the ball so as to bend it away from the byline and back in towards the net.

Of course, it is entirely possible for a player to accidentally score an Olimpico goal, but some players do deliberately attempt them.

Which players have scored 'Olimpico' goals?

U.S. women's national team legend Megan Rapinoe has scored a number of Olimpico goals during her career, doing so at the Olympics on two separate occasions.

In August 2021, during the 2020 Olympics bronze medal match against Australia, Rapinoe curled a corner kick past Teagan Micah.

Rapinoe had also achieved the feat nine years earlier as the USWNT cruised to a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. 

In the semi-final game against Canada, Rapinoe curled the ball directly into the goal at the near post from her corner. In the process she became the first-ever player to score an 'Olimpico' at the Olympics.

As well as Onzari and Rapinoe, a number of other high-profile stars have managed the feat.

Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry scored an 'Olimpico' for New York Red Bulls against Columbus Crew in a 2012 game.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham has also scored directly from a corner kick, notably doing so for LA Galaxy against Chicago Fire in 2011.

Joao Morais scored an Olimpico goal for Sporting in the 1964 Cup Winners' Cup final against MTK Budapest.

Carli Lloyd has made U.S. women's national team history after netting in her fourth successive Olympic games, becoming the Stars and Stripes leading scorer in tournament history

The Gotham forward, a double gold medalist in 2008 and 2012, nabbed her first goal of Tokyo 2020 during the bronze-medal match with Australia, bagging a brace in a rampant performance.

It further enshrines the 39-year-old's place in USWNT folklore, as she additionally moves to become the second most-capped player in their history, among other honours.

What has Lloyd achieved?

Lloyd's finishes in Kashima saw her move outright atop the list of USWNT goalscorers in Olympic competition history, with her two efforts against the Matildas taking her to 10 in total.

In addition, her efforts - in her final game of Tokyo 2020 - means that she has become the first Stars and Stripes star to score in four different Olympic tournaments, having done so at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Furthermore, her appearance in the bronze-medal match means she has now pulled clear of Christie Pearce in the all-time appearance stakes into second outright, with 312 caps to her name.

She now only trails Kristine Lilly in the record books, who clocked up 354 games for the USWNT during a 23-year international career.

USWNT left to rue tournament shortfall

For all of Lloyd's achievements, she and her team-mates still suffered something of a disappointment in Tokyo, after they were unable to deliver another gold-medal triumph to match their World Cup crown.

Having seen their 44-game unbeaten run ended by Sweden in the first game of Group G, a 6-1 thrashing of New Zealand looked to signal the return of regular service.

But a tepid 0-0 draw with Australia and a nervy penalty shootout win over the Netherlands preceded a narrow loss to Canada, scuppering hopes of stepping back onto the top step of the podium nine years after they last did so.

Further reading

United States Women's national team midfielder Megan Rapinoe scored directly from a corner in their Olympics bronze medal match against Australia.

The USWNT are fighting for the consolation prize of a bronze medal, which they also won in the Rio 2016 Games, after being stunned by Canada in the semi-finals.

Australia were denied a final berth by Sweden, and fell behind in the third-place tie after just eight minutes, with Rapinoe producing one of the goals of the tournament to put her country in front.

What happened?

The USWNT were rewarded for their early pressure with a corner from the right-hand touchline, which Rapinoe went to take after being restored to Vlatko Andonovski's starting XI.

The 36-year-old whipped in a beautiful cross with her right foot that deceived the Australia goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner of the net, sparking wild scenes of celebration on the American bench.

Rapinoe has now scored directly from a corner in two Olympic Games, repeating the trick after her successful effort against Canada at London 2012, which was the last time the United States won a gold medal.

The United States' lead in the match didn't last long, with Sam Kerr hitting an equaliser shortly after Rapinoe's opener to become the all-time top scorer in Australia's history with 48 goals.

However, Rapinoe then popped up with another moment of magic in the 21st minute, rifling home a powerful volley to give Andonovski's team the advantage once again.

Reaction to Rapinoe's stunning corner

Gor Mahia assistant coach Sammy Omollo believes Gad Mathews should be worried after the solid performance by Samuel Njau on Wednesday.

The latter was in goal and played a crucial role in ensuring K'Ogalo defeated Kakamega Homeboyz by a solitary goal in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League assignment. He saved two penalties and was commanding at the back as his team ended their seven-match winless run.

He did not play like a debutant 

"It was his first league game for Gor Mahia, as far as I am concerned, but his display did not reflect the same," Omollo told Goal on Thursday. 

"He stood tall on goal and kept us in the game. I think Gad [Mathews] should be worried. Njau presents a healthy competition that we want, and it will lead to impressive levels.

"Even after conceding the first penalty, he did his best to ensure we didn't concede. Then came the second penalty, and he again ensured it did not hit the back of the net.

"The penalties were unfortunate, but it is part of the game, sometimes things like this do happen, but the best part of it is that we won."

What does the win mean?

Prior to Wednesday's league assignment, the Nairobi-based charges had struggled to win matches. However, the run ended when Sydney Ochieng scored a beauty to win his charges maximum points.

"The win was all we needed to give us the confidence ahead of the remaining matches," Omollo continued.

"Going seven matches without a win was not easy, but after managing to get three points against Kakamega Homeboyz, our confidence will definitely be boosted. Homeboyz are a good team and winning the game is a welcome relief to the players and the technical bench.

"We just want to ensure we maintain the performance and finish the season on a high. All players are back, and everyone is fighting for the starting berth in the team."

K'Ogalo are currently placed 10th on the table with 40 points from the 27 matches they have played. They have won 13, drawn 4, and lost 10, scoring 32 goals and conceding 26.

Real Madrid may have finished the season trophyless for the first time since 2009-10, but the Liga side will be looking to gear up for next season and challenge for silverware and titles once more.

They will be dealing with the departure of head coach Zinedine Zidane from the club, with Carlo Ancelotti returning as his replacement.

Los Blancos will be a semi new-look side for the 2021-22 season, and they'll be decked out in an all-new set of shirts by manufacturer  adidas.

Ahead of the new campaign,  Goal  takes a look at what Real Madrid will be wearing and release dates, as well as leaks and rumours about potential styles.

Real Madrid's 2021-22 home kit & release date

Real Madrid's new home kit under  adidas  was released on June 1.

It features the club's signature, classic all-white kit, but this time it features additional blue and orange accents for a more eye-catching pop.

The design for the latest home strip has been inspired by the city of Madrid, as well as the worldwide support for the team.

adidas combined the traditional Los Blancos white with a spiral design that symbolises the iconic Plaza de Cibeles fountains, an area in the city of Madrid where the supporters gather to celebrate victories and titles.

The kit, with its trademark white base, is accentuated by shades of orange and blue as a means to illustrate Madrid's status as an urban and cultural hub. It also pays homage to adidas' signature three stripes, with the corresponding logos and sponsors – still Emirates – on the front.

“Real Madrid is a unique team with a unique history. We wanted to keep the design of this season’s jerseys bold yet simple to reflect the expectation that comes with the badge, and that is to win," said Marco Omiccioli, designer at adidas.

"With a meaningful reference to the Cibeles within the city and the colours of the stadium, which the clubs’ players and fans are proud to call home, we wanted to give supporters a sense of pride when they put on this season’s shirt. Real Madrid has always been a club cut from a different cloth, and this year’s jersey is no different.”

Real Madrid's 2021-22 away kit & release date

Real Madrid's away kit was officially released on August 5, and is available to purchase via the adidas website and the club's online store.

The design represents art, music and people -  the three pillars of culture in the Spanish capital - and has been inspired by the Malasana district, with an abstract graffiti graphic engineered into the fabric of the shirt.

The victory blue base colour is complemented by lucky orange stripes on the shoulders, with the loop label of the neck also in orange and embedded with a special art-inspired Real Madrid logo.

A series of high-performance recycled materials named PRIMEGREEN completes the makeup of the new jersey, with adidas’ temperature regulation innovation incorporated to keep the players cool on the pitch.

Real Madrid Women’s team will don the shirt for the first time today against Sparta Prague, while the Men’s team are due to model the away jersey in a friendly clash with Milan on August 8.

Real Madrid's 2021-22 third kit & release date

According to websites online, Los Blancos' third shirt will consist of a bright teal colourway that incorporates a unique design of a compass and its needle, as a tribute to the plaque of the Puerta del Sol, in the city centre of Madrid.

In Puerta del Sol, a marble plaque on a street has the lettering "Km 0", which signifies the spot being the centre of both Madrid and Spain – the cross-section of the two roads in the country.

How much will they cost & where to buy?

Fans will be able to buy the new Real Madrid kits from the club megastore, as well as the usual high street sports retail outlets.

Alternatively, they'll be available to purchase online using the official club webstore.

Last season's Real Madrid jerseys can be bought for £44 for adults.

Note: Prices may vary.

What about other new kits for 2021-22?

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has warned they will be unpleasant to handle if they get off to a good start in the Premier Soccer League this season.

The Amakhosi struggled last season in the top-flight as they managed to finish the season in position eight with 36 points from 30 matches, a whopping 31 points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns while AmaZulu came second on 54 points.

After beating their rivals Orlando Pirates on penalties to win the Carling Black Label Cup on Sunday, Baxter, who last won the team silverware, feels the new signings have shown him quality and if they can start the season well, then it will be difficult to handle them.

What has Baxter said?

“So‚ yeah‚, of course, some of the bigger principals we’ve been talking about have been involved. But this time – I think some of these boys have had four sessions with me,” Baxter said as quoted by Sowetan live.

“So that was great [on Sunday] in terms of information. Identify: do we play 4-2-3-1‚ do we play with three at the back‚ do we play a normal 4-3-3? How do the players suit that shape? Is ‘Bibo’ [Sabelo Radebe] a candidate now?

“So all of that I’ve got to digest‚ I’ve got one week where we’ll play a friendly game‚ and then one week to Sundowns. So we don’t have a lot of time‚ but I think the boys are doing really well.

“Maybe it’ll be a work in progress for the first few games in the season. But if we get off to a decent start and we’re there or thereabouts‚ I think as we improve we could be a bit unpleasant to deal with a bit further down the line.”

Baxter also feels playing in the final of the Caf Champions League has left the Soweto giants playing catch-up in their pre-season preparations for the 2021-22 season.

“We get through [our last two league] games‚ then you’ve got the [Champions League] semi-finals. We got beaten 4-0 [by Wydad in the group stage]‚ so you’ve got to identify a gameplan‚” Baxter continued.

“Then you’ve got the final‚ Al Ahly – how are you going to play? You get through that game.

“So it’s only really after Al Ahly‚ when we got all the new players in‚ that we started thinking of the bigger picture [for 2021-22].

Chiefs will open their new campaign with an MTN8 quarter-final clash against Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday‚ August 15.

Further PSL reading

Romelu Lukaku's mooted move to Chelsea from Inter has seen the Nerazzurri's ultras issue a warning to the club over their transfer plans.

The Belgium international was at the forefront of the Serie A outfit's first Scudetto for a decade last term, but has seen his future grow cloudy amid financial constraint and boardroom turmoil.

With title-winning coach Antonio Conte having already left, Inter may well move on further big names to ease costs, but members of the club's Curva Nord fanbase have spoken against any such call.

What has been said?

Taking to the team's Milan headquarters, ultras unfurled a banner that read: “To the club, watch out... Promises must be maintained."

They then added a further statement, stating: “Any type of transfer operation must now be, as agreed, to improve the squad. Bringing in cash without adequate investment is not acceptable. That is true for any player.

“We will not just lay down and be treated as fools by anyone and we will act based on what we were told at the end of the season. We don’t think anything else needs saying right now.”

What did Tuchel say about Chelsea's Lukaku interest?

Speaking amid Chelsea's pre-season draw with Tottenham, Thomas Tuchel was reluctant to talk about Lukaku as speculation mounts.

"I will not talk about players who don't play in my squad." the German told his press conference.

“He's a fantastic player but he's an Inter player and I will not talk about him in this situation."

The bigger picture

Talk of a Premier League return for Lukaku - to the club where he started his English career - would offer the striker another shot to prove his critics wrong after he was deemed to have underperformed at Manchester United.

Having rediscovered his best form at Inter, he would provide a fearsome boost for the Blues as they look to back up their Champions League success from last season with further glory under Tuchel this term.

Chelsea get their campaign underway in less than a week against Villarreal in the Super Cup, before they kick off their new Premier League season against Crystal Palace on August 14.

Further reading

Dimitar Berbatov has offered his reaction to the rumours linking Harry Kane with Manchester City, insisting it's a different situation to his Manchester United move back in 2008.

Kane is being tipped to bring his 12-year stay at Tottenham to an end this summer amid reports that City are preparing a big-money bid for the striker.

The 28-year-old has fuelled the ongoing speculation over his future by failing to report to Spurs' training facility at the start of the week, leaving Berbatov concerned that the saga could turn ugly in the coming weeks.

What's been said?

Berbatov famously missed two games at the start of the 2008-09 season to push through a £31 million ($41m) switch to Old Trafford, but does not support the approach Kane is taking to try and secure an even more controversial transfer.

“I was surprised. I don’t think it’s the right way. I never boycotted training, that’s the difference," the former Tottenham and United forward told The Sun.

“I didn’t play two games. It was difficult for me to admit but I found the power to say, ‘If I play, my mind will not be there, so I will be in the way of my team-mates doing their job’.

“But training is easy. It’s behind closed doors, most team-mates will understand you, and it will be easy to let go of some stress with banter and jokes.

“I hope Harry resumes training, then the difficult and interesting part comes - the games.

“If it’s going to happen, I think it will be the last day of the window. But I would love it to be resolved sooner, because I don’t want to see him boycotting games."

Berbatov on Levy

It has been reported that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is holding out for a £160 million ($222m) fee for Kane, and Berbatov can understand the firm stance he has taken.

The Bulgarian feels Kane's status as a club legend will be at risk if he joins City, as he added: “If I was Levy, I would do the same. He is fighting for his team. It was different for me because I was a foreigner from a small country and it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“Kane is at his home and is a world star. He is going to leave people disappointed, especially the fans who worship him. Some understand, others never will. Football is cruel, the pain is going to be bigger than when I left.”

Kane's Tottenham record

Kane, whose contract is not due to expire until 2024, is currently second in Tottenham's all-time scorers list with 221 goals from 336 appearances across all competitions.

Of those efforts, 166 have come in the Premier League, and he won the competition's Golden Boot and Playmaker awards for his exploits in the final third last season.

Further reading

SuperSport United star Sipho Mbule's agent Mike Makaab has moved swiftly to address rumours indicating his client is close to finalising a transfer to Kaizer Chiefs.

The Bafana Bafana international is one of the most sought after players in the current transfer window with Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns known to be keen to sign the highly-rated midfielder.

Recent reports have indicated Chiefs have beaten Sundowns to Mbule's signature after the Soweto giants reportedly agreed on transfer terms with SuperSport.

However, Makaab, who is the chief executive officer of ProSport International, has now refuted the rumours by stating that there is no deal close to being finalised with any club for Mbule's services. 

"Sipho Mbule is contracted to SuperSport United on a long-term deal," Makaab told Gagasi FM on Wednesday night.

"Out of absolute respect and honouring football contracts in the right way, any team that is interested in his services first and foremost will have to agree on transfer terms with SuperSport United.

"Only then can we as an agency and Sipho's representative step in. I can categorically state, as we sit here now, that there's no deal close to being finalized with any football club for Sipho Mbule."

The 2020/21 season proved to be Mbule's best season since he made his professional debut in the Tshwane Derby clash between SuperSport and Sundowns in August 2017.

The attack-minded midfielder netted four goals from 25 matches in the PSL as one of SuperSport's key players under coach Kaitano Tembo.

Mbule, who was nurtured in the Harmony Sports Academy in the Free State, also registered seven assists and only Augustine Mulenga of AmaZulu FC had more assists than him in the league with nine.

Tembo recently stated that reports linking Mbule and his SuperSport teammate Teboho Mokoena with Chiefs and Sundowns are affecting their focus.

The agents of Mokoena and Mbule have both confirmed Chiefs and Sundowns’ interest in the players, but nothing has materialised so far with the current PSL transfer window set to close on August 31.

Gor Mahia left a section of Kenyans asking questions when they received their prize money for winning the FKF Shield Cup in cash on Wednesday.

The Kenyan champions had won the domestic cup after beating rivals AFC Leopards 4-1 on penalties in the final and they were entitled to get Ksh2 million for the fete.

However, instead, of asking Football Kenya Federation to deposit the money in their bank account, K’Ogalo opted to send their secretary-general Sam Ochola to pick the amount in cash at the federation’s offices in Kandanda House.

The decision left many, especially Gor Mahia fans questioning the financial status of the club, others wondering how a huge club could not have a bank account where the prize money should have been deposited.

Former Gor Mahia official Chris Omondi told Goal: “I can’t help but weep for my beloved club...how much longer can we rationalise such mediocrity via different lenses?

“When are we going to start creating the brand? In the twenty-first century, receiving prize money in cash?”

Goal has exclusively obtained a letter from Gor Mahia signed by Ochola and sent to FKF CEO Barry Otieno, detailing why they wanted the money received in cash and not deposited to their account.

What Gor Mahia wrote to FKF?

“We acknowledge receipt of your letter today [August 3, 2021], and have noted the contents,” read part of the letter. “If it sits well with your office we would request that you release to us the payment in cash to enable us to do the following:

“Pay players and technical bench the bonus the office agreed to pay them, make remittances to former players and coach whose arrears we have contracted to pay in order to comply with the requirements for club licensing.

“Pay for accommodation and related expenses for our new coach.”

The letter continued:  “In full concurrence with the vice-chairman, we have mutually agreed to collect the aforesaid cash of Ksh2 million from your office for immediate disbursement.

“We shall collect the money from yourselves at the time you will let us know or preferably by 10 am, Wednesday, August 4.”

On Wednesday, the money was presented to Ochola by Otieno, who told Goal: “We have given Gor Mahia Ksh2 million for winning the Betway FKF Shield Cup, they wanted it in cash, not through the bank, but AFC Leopards have not received their Ksh1million yet because they are yet to respond to our letter.

“I know people will ask why we have given Gor money and we recently fined them, but the reason is what they received was meant for the Shield Cup and is not related to the league.

“We are now waiting for AFC to confirm their bank account or if they also want to pick the same from our office, we have also wired the other amount to third-placed division one side Equity Bank.”

Further FKF Premier League reading 

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and FA Cup champions Leicester City are all set to lock horns in the Community Shield 2021 clash on Saturday at the Wembley Stadium in London.

This will be Manchester City's third Community Shield appearance in four years while Leicester will take part in the competition after six years. The last time the Foxes played in the Community Shield was in 2016 when they featured as the Champions of England. They had lost 1-2 to FA Cup winners Manchester United.

The Cityzens won their third Premier League title in the Pep Guardiola era and their sixth league title overall last season. They had topped the league table with 86 points from 38 games.

Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City, on the other hand, defeated giants Chelsea in the final 1-0 to win their maiden FA Cup title.

Community Shield is an annual match contested between the league winners and the FA Cup winners. It is the first match of a new season in England. There is often a saying that winning the Community Shield jinxes your chances of winning the Premier League.

But how often does a Community Shield winner go on to win the Premier League title in the same season?

History suggests that only on six occasions in the last 20 years, a Community Shield champion went on to the Premier League title in the same. Manchester United have won both titles thrice in the last 20 years followed by Chelsea who have achieved this feat twice. Manchester City won both the trophies in the 2018/19 season.

Who are the Community Shield and Premier League winners of the last 20 years?

Who has won the Community Shield most number of times?

Manchester United have won the Community Shield most number of times (21) followed by Arsenal (16) and Liverpool (15). Manchester City are the sixth most successful team in the history of the tournament with six titles and a win on Saturday will help them touch Tottenham Hotspurs' record.

*Shared titles

Brazil are all set to take on Spain in the final of Tokyo Olympics 2020 men's football on Saturday at the International Stadium Tokyo in Japan.

The Selecao will be eyeing a second consecutive gold medal at the Olympics after their triumph at Rio 2016 where they defeated Germany in the final 4-3 (1-1) in the penalty shootout.

Before Brazil, only four men's teams have won the gold medal in consecutive editions. Great Britain were the first to achieve the feat at the 1908 (London) and 1912 (Stockholm) Olympics.

The last team who had won two back-to-back gold medals were Brazil's arch-rivals Argentina who won in 2004 and 2008. The most successful team in Olympics football history, Hungary (three gold medals), won two medals back-to-back in 1964 and 1968.

The five-time World Champions also have a chance to equal Argentina and Uruguay's tally who are currently the joint-most successful South American teams in Olympic men's football.

Here we take a look at the four teams who have won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympics.

Which teams have won back-to-back gold medals in Olympics football?

How have the Brazil men's football team performed at Tokyo Olympics 2020?

Brazil were placed in Group D alongside Ivory Coast, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Their campaign began with a 4-2 win over Germany. In their second match, they drew against Ivory Coast but came back strongly in their third game and thrashed Saudi Arabia 3-1. 

In the quarterfinal, Brazil edged out Egypt 1-0 and in the semifinal, they beat Mexico 4-1 (0-0) in the penalty shoot-out to reach the final for the second consecutive time.

Richarlison has scored the most number of goals (5) for Brazil and is also the top goalscorer so far in the competition.

Barcelona midfielder and Spanish international Pedri is all set to break Manchester United and Portugal star Bruno Fernandes' record of playing the most number of matches in the 2020-21 season in Europe as Spain are all set to take on Brazil in the Olympic men's football final at Tokyo 2020 on Saturday.

Pedri, who turned 18 in November 2020, has appeared in every single match at the Olympics in Tokyo this year. With his appearance in the semifinal against South Korea, Pedri equalled Fernandes' record of playing the most matches (72) in this season. 

Being one of the most important players in the Spain U23 side at the Olympics, Pedri is likely to feature in the all-important which will see him overtake the Manchester United midfielder's tally.

Pedri has played a total of 52 matches for Barcelona in the La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League in the 2020/21 season while for Spain he played 20 matches which include, international friendlies, Euro 2020 qualification, Euro 2020 finals and the Olympics 2020.

Bruno Fernandes appeared in 58 matches for Manchester United in Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and the Europa League last season. He has represented Portugal in 14 matches across international friendlies, Euro 2020 qualification and Euro 2020.

While the two players have appeared in the same number of matches so far, the Portuguese star has more minutes under his belt (5509) as compared to the Spaniard who has played 4876 minutes.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 players with the most appearances for club and country in the 2020/21 season.

*Stats courtesy: Transfermarkt

*Players who play top division football are considered in this list

Monterrey center back Hector Moreno has suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain, the club announced, in news that will prove a short-term disappointment but can still be considered best-case scenario under the circumstances.

His muscle injury diagnosis is the mildest variety, and he will miss at least two weeks but could be back shortly thereafter.

Moreno was forced off the pitch last week on Mexico duty in the Gold Cup final against the United States, but he only underwent testing for the problem when he arrived at Rayados camp.

What has been said?

“Hector Moreno has a grade one muscle injury in the hamstrings of the right thigh," announced the club. "After conducting the pertinent studies, the prognosis for recovery is at least 14 days."

Monterrey arrival

Moreno was a summer pick-up for Rayados after becoming a free agent at the end of last season. He had spent two years in Qatar with Al-Gharafa but has since admitted he never felt the organization was the correct fit for him.

His return to Liga MX is a homecoming long in the making, as he last played domestically in Mexico in 2007.

World Cup ambitions

Earlier this week, Moreno said part of the reason he has come back to Liga MX is to ensure he's a leading candidate for El Tri's backline in the 2022 World Cup, having felt the time in Qatar lowered his national team stock.

"[Monterrey is a] club where you have all the tools, where I can keep myself physically as well as possible," he said.

The news he could be back within a month, then, will be seen as a positive as it means he could be in contention for Mexico's World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on Sept. 2.

Further reading