BEST EURO 2016 GOALS...SO FAR!

The 2016 European Championship has kept millions of spectators across the globe on the edge of their seats. The tournament has provided plenty of excitement as stunners of goals continue to be scored in different match venues during the tournament which is held in France.

Arguably the biggest European international tournament,  the Euro 2016 has provided nothing else but plenty of spectacular entertainment for both fans and footballer. It is every footballer's dream to play in the Euro tournament and it is every fan's dream to witness the biggest football spectacle in Europe after the Uefa Champions league.

The defending champions Spain are currently in a quest to win the tournament for the third time in a row after winning the 2008 tournament and 2012 tournament held in Austria and Ukraine/Poland respectively.

The defending champions began the tournament with a late strike Gerard Pique strike over Northern Ireland to secure a 1-0 victory at Stadium Municipal in Toulouse.

The tournament has raised lots of questions on which goals should be considered as the goal of the tournament when the tournament comes to an end on 10 July at Stade de France

Here are some of the goals which have been scored in different venues during the tournament.

1. Dimitri Payet (France vs Romania)



2.  Gareth Bale (Wales vs Slovakia)

3. Luka Modric (Croatia vs Turkey)

   

   4. Eric Dier (England vs Russia)                                                                                                 

5. Marek Hamsik (Slovakia vs Russia)

NEW ACES OWNER CONFIRM MBESUMA EXIT

Collins Mbesuma celebrates scoring a goal with teammate

Zambian International striker and 2015/2016 Absa premiership top goal-scorer Collins Mbesuma will not be retained by Mpumalanga Black Aces, according to new CEO John Comitis.

Mbesuma, alongside goalkeeper Bafana Nhlapo were shown the door by Comitis. The former Ajax Cape Town CEO also confirmed the club will also relocate in a Cape Town and current coach Muhsin Ertugral will remain in charge in the coaching reigns.

The sacking of Mbesuma came as a shock after he had revived his form this season by waking away with the top goal scorer award in the recent Premier soccer league awards at Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

 Mbesuma finished the season with 14 goals. Comitis said the decision to not renew the contract of Bafana Nhlapo was influenced by the good showings of Jackson Mabokgwane and Shuib-Aib Walters.

TINKLER DAYS NUMBERED AT PARKTOWN

Stephen "the big boss" Keshi

Former Nigerian tactician, Stephen Keshi look set to be announced as Orlando Pirates coach.

Keshi recently fuelled the rumours linking him with South Africa by signing a contract with Tim Sukazi’s Quality Talent Sports. The former Nigerian captain has been club-less since being sacked by the Super Eagles in July of 2015.

His link with the Soweto giants comes after a disappointing season in which the Sea Robbers failed to collect a piece of silverware.

Goal.com (South Africa) revealed that Sukazi is in the process of finding Keshi a PSL club which suit "his character and profile".

Sukazi was quoted saying: “We have made some headway as it regards getting a job for Mr. Stephen Keshi in South Africa which is what we have been working on”.

‘The Big Boss’ as he is known by the football fraternity is no stranger in coaching having led a relatively over-looked Togo team to 2006 FIFA world cup. This was shortly followed by a brief spell with Mali national team at the 2010 AFCON in Angola.

Keshi’s last coaching stint was with Nigeria. He led the super eagles to an AFCON victory in 2013 at South Africa, by doing so he became the first person to win the trophy as a player and as a coach.

EURO 2016: STAR PLAYERS AND PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR GROUP A

The 24 teams which will be competing for the European championship crown in France have announced their 23-man squads for the tournament.

The biggest absentee in the tournament would be Germany’s Marco Reus who was ruled out of the tournament through a groin injury.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is set to miss his third international tournament after being left out of Germany’s squad for the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil through injuries sustained before both tournaments began.

Below are players which are likely to have a major impact in the tournament for their teams for group A.

Group A features hosts and title favourite France, Romania, Switzerland and Albania.

FRANCE

Star Player: Paul Pogba

Arguably the best box-to-box midfielder, the 23-year old French international will be carrying Les Bleus chances of lifting the crown on home soil. Pogba has been linked with a move away from Turin with English giants Chelsea and Manchester city showing interest.

Player to Watch: Anthony Martial

The 20-year Manchester United striker had a brilliant campaign in his first season at Old Trafford after a shocking move of £36 million from Monaco at the beginning of the season. The Frenchman scored 17 goals this season and provided five assists.

ROMANIA

Star Player: Vlad Chiriches

Vlad Chiriches is probably the most experienced footballer in the Romanian squad. The 26-year old defender currently plays for S.S.C Napoli in Italy and had a brief spell in England with Tottenham Hotspurs under Tim Sherwood and Andre Villas-Boas.

Player to Watch: Nicolae Stanciu

The 23-year old Steaua Bucharest midfielder made his international debut in March and has scored three goals for his country in four appearances.

SWITZERLAND

Star Player: Stephan Lichtsteiner

Stephen Lichtsteiner is a veteran defender for the Swiss national team. The 32-year right back is nicknamed “The swiss express” and “Forrest gump”. Lichtsteiner has been a full international for Switzerland for 10 years. He has represented his country for 80 times and scored five goals in the process.

Player to Watch: Granit Xhaka

Xhaka is an attacking midfielder who was recently signed by Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach. The 23-year old left-footed winger represented the Swiss national team in the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil.

ALBANIA

Star Player: Etrit Berisha

Berisha (27) plays as a goalkeeper for Lazio in Italy. He is known for his perfect penalty taking abilities. Berisha has made 33 appearances for Albania since making his debut in 2012. He has represented Lazio 33 times since joining the club in 2013.

Player to Watch: Frederic Veseli

Veseli is a 23-year old defender who had a brief 18 months spell with English football giants, Manchester United, and Manchester city. He failed to break into in the starting 11 for both teams. Vaseli currently plays for Swiss Super League side Lugano. He will be hoping this will be a perfect opportunity for him to secure a move to one of five Europe’s big leagues