Stoke will compete the £16m signing of 22-year-old West Brom striker Saido Berahino this week. (Sunday People)
- Swansea are close to signing Ajax centre-back Mike van der Hoorn, 23, in a £2m deal.(Mail on Sunday)
- Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is lining up a £10m bid for Bournemouth midfielder Matt Ritchie, 26, as he fears he could lose 24-year-old winger Andros Townsend. (Sun)
Monday 27 June 2016
#Transfer
#Transfer
Tottenham face competition from French club Paris St-Germain for the signature of AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen, 22.(L'Equipe via Sunday Express)
- Spurs midfielder Eric Dier, 22, has caught the eye of German giants Bayern Munich with his performances for England at Euro 2016. (Sunday People)
- New Everton manager Ronald Koeman is keen to sign 26-year-old Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.(Sunday Mirror)
Transfer window
Premier League champions Leicester City have set aside £50m to try to keep the star players who led them to the title last season.(Star on Sunday)
- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is frustrated at the club's transfer strategy with 22-year-old defender Eric Bailly their only summer signing to date. (Manchester Evening News)
Thursday 16 June 2016
Two late goals take France to the quarters.
Hosts France secured their spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 by defeating Albania 2-0 with late-goals from Antoinne Griezmann and Dimitri Payet.
France made two changes to the team that beat Romania in the opening game, starting with Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman in place of Griezmann and Paul Pogba, while Payet started in the number 10 role. Albania were without their captain Lorik Cana who was sent-off in the last game against Switzerland.
Albania had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Emir Lenjani's shot from the left went over the bar. In the 36th minute, Payet's free-kick found Olivier Giroud, who put his header over the bar.
Lenjan had another chance to score in the 38th minute but his effort was blocked by Adil Rami. Albania were awarded a set-piece near the area after Patrice Evra was penalised for a high kick on Andi Lila. The resultant free-kick from Ledian Memushaj went over the bar.
France made a change during half-time, replacing the ineffective Martial for Pogba. France then started pressing forward and in the first minute of the second-half, Giroud's cross from the left was flicked on by Matuidi to Coman, who sent his header wide.
In the 51st minute, Memushaj failed to get enough power in his shot, even though his shot hit the post.
Two minutes later, France had another chance to score when Payet's cross from the left found Pogba on the far post, who volleyed the ball over the bar. Coman's effort in the 56th minute went wide off the mark.
Giroud had another chance to score in the 67th minute but his header from a Coman cross went wide. Another oppurtunity for Giroud to score came one minute later but this time his header from a Blaise Matuidi cross was denied by the crossbar.
Even right-back Bacary Sagna pushed forward to score but his volley in the 78th minute went high and wide. In the 82nd minute, substitute Griezmann failed to connect to Sagna's cross.
In the 90th minute, France finally found their breakthrough through Griezmann, who headed in Rami's cross. The final nail in the coffin came in the dying minutes of the game when Payet cut in from the left and unleashed a low shot to the bottom right corner of the net to secure France's place in the quarter-finals.
Others results: Romania 1-1 Switzerland; Russia 1-2 Slovakia
France made two changes to the team that beat Romania in the opening game, starting with Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman in place of Griezmann and Paul Pogba, while Payet started in the number 10 role. Albania were without their captain Lorik Cana who was sent-off in the last game against Switzerland.
Albania had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Emir Lenjani's shot from the left went over the bar. In the 36th minute, Payet's free-kick found Olivier Giroud, who put his header over the bar.
Lenjan had another chance to score in the 38th minute but his effort was blocked by Adil Rami. Albania were awarded a set-piece near the area after Patrice Evra was penalised for a high kick on Andi Lila. The resultant free-kick from Ledian Memushaj went over the bar.
France made a change during half-time, replacing the ineffective Martial for Pogba. France then started pressing forward and in the first minute of the second-half, Giroud's cross from the left was flicked on by Matuidi to Coman, who sent his header wide.
In the 51st minute, Memushaj failed to get enough power in his shot, even though his shot hit the post.
Two minutes later, France had another chance to score when Payet's cross from the left found Pogba on the far post, who volleyed the ball over the bar. Coman's effort in the 56th minute went wide off the mark.
Giroud had another chance to score in the 67th minute but his header from a Coman cross went wide. Another oppurtunity for Giroud to score came one minute later but this time his header from a Blaise Matuidi cross was denied by the crossbar.
Even right-back Bacary Sagna pushed forward to score but his volley in the 78th minute went high and wide. In the 82nd minute, substitute Griezmann failed to connect to Sagna's cross.
In the 90th minute, France finally found their breakthrough through Griezmann, who headed in Rami's cross. The final nail in the coffin came in the dying minutes of the game when Payet cut in from the left and unleashed a low shot to the bottom right corner of the net to secure France's place in the quarter-finals.
Others results: Romania 1-1 Switzerland; Russia 1-2 Slovakia
Tuesday 14 June 2016
Portugal held by Iceland
Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland after Nani's opener in the 31st minute was cancelled out by Birkir Bjarnason in the 50th minute.
The action started as early as the 2nd minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot from the left was saved by Rui Patricio. In the 17th minute, Vieirinha cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed shot that was saved by Hannes Þór Halldórsson. Two minutes later, Halldórsson denied Portugal another chance when he saved a Nani header which was provided by Cristiano Ronaldo from the left.
Portugal had another chamce in the 22nd minute when Ronaldo's header from a Nani cross went wide. Ronaldo missed another oppurtunity when he failed to latch onto a Pepe long-ball in the 25th minute.
Portugal finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Andre Gomes' low cross found Nani, who slotted the ball on the near post into the net.
Portugal picked up where they left off in the second half when Ronaldo's volley flew wide off the target in the first minute of the second half.
The game took a turn in the 50th minute when Jóhann Berg
Guðmundsson's cross found an unmarked Bjarnason, who volleyed the ball into the net.
Portugal had a chance in the 70th minute when Raphael Guerreiro's free-kick was flicked on by Nani, who sent the ball wide. Ronaldo had an opening in the 72nd minute but his shot went wide. In the 77th minute, substitute Ricardo Quaresma's shot from a tight angle was saved by Halldórsson.
Portugal kept pushing for a winning goal in the last ten minutes and they came close in the 81st minute when Pepe's header from a Quaresma corner went over the bar. Ronaldo had another chance to score after being picked up by Nani from the wing but he sent his header straight into Halldórsson's hands.
A minute later, Iceland nearly pulled a shocker when Sigurdsson unleashed a shot that was well saved by Patricio. Iceland managed to hold on until the final whistle, earning them their first in the European Championships.
Another Group F result: Austria 0-2 Hungary
Mogomotsi Phalatse
The action started as early as the 2nd minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot from the left was saved by Rui Patricio. In the 17th minute, Vieirinha cut inside from the right and unleashed a left-footed shot that was saved by Hannes Þór Halldórsson. Two minutes later, Halldórsson denied Portugal another chance when he saved a Nani header which was provided by Cristiano Ronaldo from the left.
Portugal had another chamce in the 22nd minute when Ronaldo's header from a Nani cross went wide. Ronaldo missed another oppurtunity when he failed to latch onto a Pepe long-ball in the 25th minute.
Portugal finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Andre Gomes' low cross found Nani, who slotted the ball on the near post into the net.
Portugal picked up where they left off in the second half when Ronaldo's volley flew wide off the target in the first minute of the second half.
The game took a turn in the 50th minute when Jóhann Berg
Guðmundsson's cross found an unmarked Bjarnason, who volleyed the ball into the net.
Portugal had a chance in the 70th minute when Raphael Guerreiro's free-kick was flicked on by Nani, who sent the ball wide. Ronaldo had an opening in the 72nd minute but his shot went wide. In the 77th minute, substitute Ricardo Quaresma's shot from a tight angle was saved by Halldórsson.
Portugal kept pushing for a winning goal in the last ten minutes and they came close in the 81st minute when Pepe's header from a Quaresma corner went over the bar. Ronaldo had another chance to score after being picked up by Nani from the wing but he sent his header straight into Halldórsson's hands.
A minute later, Iceland nearly pulled a shocker when Sigurdsson unleashed a shot that was well saved by Patricio. Iceland managed to hold on until the final whistle, earning them their first in the European Championships.
Another Group F result: Austria 0-2 Hungary
Mogomotsi Phalatse
Monday 13 June 2016
Italy outclass the Belgians
Belgium had the first chance of the gam in the 10th minute when Radja Nainggolan unleash a shot that was parried by Italy skipper Gianluigi Buffon. Nainggolan had another crack at goal but this time his shot went wide. Pelle had a chance to score in the 28th minute but he shot wide.
Italy opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Leornando Bonucci's long pass found Giaccherini, who made an excellent run from the left which blind-sided Toby Alderweireld and slotted the ball home.
Italy had another chance two minutes later when Antonio Candreva inside from the right and unleash a left-footed shot that was saved by Thibaut Courtois. A minute later, Candreva's cross from the right found Pelle, who headed the ball wide.
First chance of the second half came in the 53rd minute when Belgium launched a counter attack led by Eden Hazard who fed Kevin de Bruyne who immediately released Romelu Lukaku whose shot were over the bar. Almost immediately, Italy had a chance to double their lead when Candreva's cross found Pelle, whose header was saved by Courtois.
In the 56th minute, Hazard had a shot at goal but it went straight into Buffon's arms. Belgium had another chance to equalise in the 81st minute when De Bruyne's cross from the left found substitute Divorck Origi, whose header went over the cross the bar.
Italy looked to add a second when substitute Ciro Immobile's powerful shot was stopped by Courtois. Italy deservedly added a second in the 3rd minute of stoppage time when Pelle connected with a volley from a Candreva cross, in what turned out to be the action of the game.
Mogomotsi Phalatse
Italy opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Leornando Bonucci's long pass found Giaccherini, who made an excellent run from the left which blind-sided Toby Alderweireld and slotted the ball home.
Italy had another chance two minutes later when Antonio Candreva inside from the right and unleash a left-footed shot that was saved by Thibaut Courtois. A minute later, Candreva's cross from the right found Pelle, who headed the ball wide.
First chance of the second half came in the 53rd minute when Belgium launched a counter attack led by Eden Hazard who fed Kevin de Bruyne who immediately released Romelu Lukaku whose shot were over the bar. Almost immediately, Italy had a chance to double their lead when Candreva's cross found Pelle, whose header was saved by Courtois.
In the 56th minute, Hazard had a shot at goal but it went straight into Buffon's arms. Belgium had another chance to equalise in the 81st minute when De Bruyne's cross from the left found substitute Divorck Origi, whose header went over the cross the bar.
Italy looked to add a second when substitute Ciro Immobile's powerful shot was stopped by Courtois. Italy deservedly added a second in the 3rd minute of stoppage time when Pelle connected with a volley from a Candreva cross, in what turned out to be the action of the game.
Mogomotsi Phalatse
Sweden, Ireland share spoils
A Ciaran Clark own goal cancelled out Wes Hoolahan's stunning opener as the Republic of Ireland and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw.
Ireland had the first chance of the game in the 9th minute when Jeff Hendrick's shot was saved by Andreas Isaksson. Ireland had another chance in the 17th minute when captain John O'Shea missed a flick-on header by Clark from a Robbie Brady corner.
Brady had a chance to score in the 25th minute but his shot went over the bar. Ireland had the best chance of the half when Hendrick's curling shot hit the woodwork.
The Irish duo of Glen Whelan and Hoolahan dominated the midfield, which forced Zlatan Ibrahimovic to drop deep to collect balls. Sebastien Larsson was ineffective on the right wing due to losing right-back Mikael Lustig through injury.
Ireland started where they left off in the first half and in the first minute of the second half, Hendrick had a chance to score but his shot was again saved by Isaksson. They finally broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Seamus Coleman delievered a cross in the box from the right which found Hoolahan, who hit a half-volley into the net.
Sweden's first real chance of the game came in the 59th minute of the game when Martin Olsson's low cross found Ibrahimovic, who dragged his shot wide. Ireland nearly conceded an own goal in the 69th minute when Clark's header was saved by Darren Randolph.
Sweden scored the equaliser in the 71st minute when Ibrahimovic's cross from the left was met by Clark, who's header could not be stopped by Randolph this time. Ireland immediately tried to respond and Hendrick was denied by Isaksson for the third time in the game in what proved to be the last real chance of the game.
Mogomotsi Phalatse
Ireland had the first chance of the game in the 9th minute when Jeff Hendrick's shot was saved by Andreas Isaksson. Ireland had another chance in the 17th minute when captain John O'Shea missed a flick-on header by Clark from a Robbie Brady corner.
Brady had a chance to score in the 25th minute but his shot went over the bar. Ireland had the best chance of the half when Hendrick's curling shot hit the woodwork.
The Irish duo of Glen Whelan and Hoolahan dominated the midfield, which forced Zlatan Ibrahimovic to drop deep to collect balls. Sebastien Larsson was ineffective on the right wing due to losing right-back Mikael Lustig through injury.
Ireland started where they left off in the first half and in the first minute of the second half, Hendrick had a chance to score but his shot was again saved by Isaksson. They finally broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Seamus Coleman delievered a cross in the box from the right which found Hoolahan, who hit a half-volley into the net.
Sweden's first real chance of the game came in the 59th minute of the game when Martin Olsson's low cross found Ibrahimovic, who dragged his shot wide. Ireland nearly conceded an own goal in the 69th minute when Clark's header was saved by Darren Randolph.
Sweden scored the equaliser in the 71st minute when Ibrahimovic's cross from the left was met by Clark, who's header could not be stopped by Randolph this time. Ireland immediately tried to respond and Hendrick was denied by Isaksson for the third time in the game in what proved to be the last real chance of the game.
Mogomotsi Phalatse
Wednesday 8 June 2016
STEPHEN KESHI DIES AGED 54
It's huge blow to the African continent, after it was announced this morning that another one of the greatest coach is no longer with us.
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| Caption: Keshi celebrates their victory for winning African Cup of nations, in Nigeria |
Africa is in mourning after waking up to the news that the 54-year-old former Nigerian international had suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The experienced coach was recently linked with a move to the Bucs, with the Soweto giants’ boss paying tribute to the departed mentor.
“It's a great loss,” Khoza told EWN Sport. “He made history as one of the few men to represent his country at AFCON and the World Cup.
“He brought a lot of confidence and motivation to players and coaches looking to make their mark.”
Khoza then spoke of his side’s link with Keshi, revealing that there was at one stage a “70% chance” he would come and coach in the PSL.
"There was a possibility before he joined the Nigerian national team,” he said.
“It's regrettable because at some time we were expecting him to be a coach in South Africa.
“It would've been nice to have a player and coach of his calibre at Pirates.
“At the time when he came from Togo, there was about a 70% that he would come to South Africa.
“There are a lot of Nigerian supporters in South Africa. This time around there were no discussions opened.”
Wednesday 1 June 2016
Komphela part of Chiefs massive clear out decision
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela and his technical team were inclusive in the decision-making process that has led to 20 players being shown the door by the club in an apparent large-scale rebuilding process of Amakhosi’s squad.
Chiefs communications manager Vina Maphosa said he could not comment on the individual technical aspects of the players who have been released from contracts, or whose contracts will not be renewed, which will be addressed at a press conference at the end of June.
Maphosa did confirm that Komphela was instrumental in the process of arriving at the names of players to be culled at Chiefs, whose need to rebuild their squad was patently clear in a season where they ended trophy-less and in fifth position in the PSL.
The Chiefs’ communications manager also confirmed that right-back Siboniso Gaxa is among the players who will be leaving Amakhosi.
There has been confusion over Gaxa’s name being on the list of four players whose contracts have not been renewed. In October Chiefs tweeted that Gaxa had renewed his contract until 2018.
“The contractual issues at this stage – the direct answer is that it’s between the club and the player,” Maphosa said.
“As soon as there is word coming from the club on that [Gaxa’s contract issue], we will inform the media. What we are confirming is that as far as Pa Gaxa is concerned he is on the list of players who have been released by the club."
Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela and his technical team were inclusive in the decision-making process that has led to 20 players being shown the door by the club in an apparent large-scale rebuilding process of Amakhosi’s squad.
Chiefs communications manager Vina Maphosa said he could not comment on the individual technical aspects of the players who have been released from contracts, or whose contracts will not be renewed, which will be addressed at a press conference at the end of June.
Maphosa did confirm that Komphela was instrumental in the process of arriving at the names of players to be culled at Chiefs, whose need to rebuild their squad was patently clear in a season where they ended trophy-less and in fifth position in the PSL.
The Chiefs’ communications manager also confirmed that right-back Siboniso Gaxa is among the players who will be leaving Amakhosi.
There has been confusion over Gaxa’s name being on the list of four players whose contracts have not been renewed. In October Chiefs tweeted that Gaxa had renewed his contract until 2018.
“The contractual issues at this stage – the direct answer is that it’s between the club and the player,” Maphosa said.
“As soon as there is word coming from the club on that [Gaxa’s contract issue], we will inform the media. What we are confirming is that as far as Pa Gaxa is concerned he is on the list of players who have been released by the club."
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