The race for the SAFA presidency has taken another twist as influential former players and veterans have thrown their weight behind the new candidate. In a significant blow to the incumbent the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) has officially endorsed AmaZulu owner Sandile Zungu to lead the nation's football governing body ahead of the elective conference on September 12.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup duty, so will the Real Madrid right-back figure for England again during the German tactician’s tenure? Ex-Three Lions defender Stephen Warnock has attempted to answer that question for GOAL, with his fellow Merseyside native being advised to brace himself for more bad news.
Xabi Alonso has confessed to making a costly error regarding Moises Caicedo following Chelsea's narrow Premier League defeat against Arsenal. The Blues boss admitted he rushed the influential midfielder back to action too quickly against Brighton, resulting in another frustrating setback.
Cape Verde World Cup hero Vozinha maintained his immaculate defensive record for Colo-Colo by keeping a clean sheet on his Chilean top-flight debut against Huachipato. The 40-year-old goalkeeper produced an assured display in southern Chile to ensure Los Albos extended their commanding lead at the summit of the Primera Division table.
Arsenal's search for a clinical number nine was the primary talking point of the summer transfer window, with several high-profile names linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. While the Gunners eventually opted for a different path, it has emerged that Chelsea star Joao Pedro was firmly on their radar before a final decision was made by the club's hierarchy.
Enzo Maresca will, as successor to Pep Guardiola, be under immediate pressure to deliver trophies in 2026-27, Dietmar Hamann has told GOAL. The Italian tactician has made a bright start to his reign at the Etihad Stadium, but a man that once played Premier League football in that venue is not convinced that the 46-year-old will be a “successful Manchester City manager”.
Valencia legend Santiago Canizares has urged supporters to completely empty Mestalla in an effort to humiliate majority owner Peter Lim into selling the struggling club. Following a crushing 5-0 home defeat against Barcelona, the former goalkeeper stressed that sustained social pressure is the only remaining option to rescue the Spanish giants.
Barcelona star Pedri has rubbished claims that he cannot thrive alongside new signing Rodri after the pair orchestrated a dominant 5-0 victory over Valencia. The Spanish duo provided the platform for a fourth consecutive La Liga win, leaving the Blaugrana three points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea in a dramatic Premier League London derby at the Emirates Stadium. Despite Morgan Rogers giving the visitors a shock early lead and VAR controversially denying Riccardo Calafiori, goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard sealed the win.
Furious Valencia supporters gathered outside Mestalla on Sunday to protest against club owner Peter Lim and label their squad "mercenaries" following a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Barcelona. The heavy home thrashing condemned Los Che to their third successive La Liga loss, leaving the Spanish giants stranded at the very bottom of the table.
Luciano Spalletti has refused to criticise the match officials following a controversial incident involving Randal Kolo Muani during Juventus' clash with Milan. The Bianconeri boss defended referee Maurizio Mariani, insisting that soft contacts should not be given as fouls in modern football.
AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim candidly admitted his side did not deserve maximum points following a dramatic 1-1 draw with Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. The Rossoneri surrendered their perfect start to the Serie A campaign after Federico Gatti headed in a stoppage-time equaliser, cancelling out Alphadjo Cisse's opportunistic strike.
Amakhosi's French coach has delivered a blistering assessment of his side’s defensive capabilities following their narrow victory over Siwelele FC. Despite securing three points, the Amakhosi boss was left furious by the manner in which his team surrendered control at the back.
Former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35 following a career spanning 512 matches across six countries. The La Masia graduate, who enjoyed notable spells with Real Betis and Porto, called time on his playing days after a brief stint with UAE third-tier side Palm City FC.
Jamie Vardy has set his sights on steering Burnley back on track after finalising a free transfer to Turf Moor until the end of the 2026-27 season. The 39-year-old striker is determined to use his extensive experience to lift the winless Clarets off the foot of the Championship table and reward the passionate backing of the club's supporters.
Asian football is enjoying an unprecedented boom across Europe's top five leagues, driven by massive contingents from Japan and South Korea. Indonesian talents have also made historic inroads by featuring in four of the top five divisions alongside representatives from Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
Telstar goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr brushed off opposition mind games after making Eredivisie history with a sensational two-penalty haul against SC Cambuur. The 31-year-old shot-stopper stepped up twice from the spot to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw for his 10-man side, including an equaliser in the 101st minute to cap an unforgettable performance.
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko admitted that conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Everton was painful after his first goal of the season looked to have secured victory. The Slovenian international came off the bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium to head United in front, only for the hosts to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw in the 96th minute.
The Glamour Boys’ hopes of ending their long Premier Soccer League title drought remain alive despite the injury setbacks currently affecting the squad. With the club's hierarchy making it clear that competing for silverware is the target, former Amakhosi attacker Dennis Vukubi believes there are enough positive signs at Naturena to suggest the Soweto giants’ ambitions are within reach.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles described Everton's dramatic last-gasp 2-2 draw with Manchester United as feeling "like a win" following his stoppage-time debut goal. The summer signing struck in the 96th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium to preserve the Toffees' unbeaten start to the season and deny his former Arsenal rival an away victory on Sunday afternoon.
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