Namibia’s planned kick off of their new Premier League season this weekend has been postponed until next month, the country’s football association said.

The league will now start on Saturday, November 7 with a launch at Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay. From this season it will be independently run after years of conflict with the Namibia Football Association.

The league has 16 teams with African Stars the defending champions. Stars lost on Friday to South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the second round of the African Champions League.

Returning to the Namibian league this season will be Young Brazilians, who won immediate promotion after being relegated, plus newcomers Onambula United and KK United, the first top flight cub from the Kavongo West region in the north of the country.

They are replacing Tigers, Life Fighters and Rundu Chiefs who were relegated at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Bayern Munich expect coach Vincent Kompany to miss an extended period as he continues his hospital treatment for a virus after collapsing on the training pitch on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Kompany was still hospitalised in a "stable" condition.

Kompany's English assistant coach Aaron Danks will replace the 40-year-old for Sunday's Bundesliga match at Freiburg.

Eberl told reporters "examinations were continuing" to determine the nature of the former Manchester City and Belgium captain's condition, with a recovery timeframe yet to be determined.

"Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes.

"We need to firstly figure out what it is and then we'll discuss calmly what recovery time is to be. We won't be talking about days, but weeks. We need to all be clear on that."

Taking Saturday's press conference in Kompany's absence, Danks said he had spoken with the former centre-back briefly on Friday but only to wish him well.

"I explained to him that we wouldn't be having no football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he's OK.

"All the football operations are in our hands and we'll work together as a team to keep the club moving forward."

Bayern's second team's game was postponed yesterday after Kompany's collapse but Eberl said the club did not consider trying to postpone Sunday's Bundesliga game.

"I think the greatest joy for Vinnie would be for us to play well tomorrow and, ideally, get a positive result," Eberl said.

"That would probably be one of the best things we could do to help him recover."

Danks confirmed Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday, would also miss Sunday's game.

Kompany returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home clash with Arsenal despite missing the pre-match press conference due to the virus.

Speaking after the Arsenal game, Kompany said his body reacted after he tried to push through the illness.

"I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body -- and then at some point my body just said, 'enough is enough!'"

The defending champions sit on top of the Bundesliga table ahead of Sunday's game, one point above Freiburg.

Their next Champions League match is on November 3 in Madrid against Atletico.

Lionel Messi received Spain's most prestigious sports award on Friday in recognition of his glittering career and his work for disadvantaged children's access to health and education.

The Argentine forward, 39, was named winner of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in June, with the jury hailing "the most successful footballer of all time" and his social work.

Dozens of fans wearing Argentina football shirts cheered and chanted Messi's name as he arrived to the sound of bagpipes and drums at the ceremony in Oviedo, capital of the northern Spanish region of Asturias.

Messi collected a formal roll of parchment from Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne after whom the awards are named, who lauded his "unique career".

"He turned the extraordinary into routine by reading the game and deciding on the most effective option in fractions of a second, while respecting the collective essence above ego," Leonor said.

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or titles, a World Cup and dozens of trophies at club level.

He spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he played in a side that dominated Spain and Europe under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

After leaving the Catalan club in 2021, Messi spent two years at French giants Paris Saint-Germain and currently plays for Inter Miami in MLS.

ARGENTINA LEGEND

Argentina's all-time top goalscorer, assist provider and caps holder called time on his international career earlier this year after losing the World Cup final to Spain in New Jersey.

"The most important thing is to know how to lose and how to win," Messi told an event with children in Oviedo on Thursday, saying that attitude was "fundamental" in football.

Founded in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards are the most prestigious in the Spanish-speaking world and come with prize money of 50 000 euros ($56 000).

They encompass the arts, sciences and sports and are handed out annually in honour of efforts to improve human coexistence, solidarity and global cooperation.

British author Julian Barnes, trailblazing US astronaut Christina Koch and punk star Patti Smith were among the other winners who received their prize on Friday.

Previous winners of the sports award include tennis greats Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, marathon record-breaker Eliud Kipchoge and US skier Lindsey Vonn.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany was taken to hospital by an emergency medical team on Friday after collapsing during training, the club said.

"Vincent Kompany had to seek medical attention on Friday after collapsing during a training session with FC Bayern's reserve team," Bayern said on their website.

"Kompany is undergoing thorough examinations at the hospital and will remain under medical care."

Kompany, the 40-year-old former Manchester City defender, missed training and a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Bayern's Champions League draw against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena.

"I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body – and then at some point my body just said, 'enough is enough!'" Kompany said after the Arsenal game.

On Friday, Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl said the health of their coach "is our top priority".

"We at FC Bayern will do everything we can to ensure he recovers quickly. Vinnie is receiving all the necessary medical care and support, as well as all the time he needs. His coaching staff, whom we trust completely, will take over his duties."

Bundesliga leaders Bayern visit Freiburg on Saturday.

Mamelodi Sundowns will play the next installment of the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar in December after FIFA announced that the last three games of the competition would be hosted in the Middle East.

Sundowns will play there on 12 December against the winner of the Derby of the Americas which takes place in Qatar three days earlier on 9 December.

That match pits Mexican club Toluca, who CONCACAF Champions Cup winners against the victor in this year’s Copa Libertadores, which will be decided on 28 November in Montevideo, Uruguay. Argentina’s Estudiantes edged Flamengo of Brazil on penalties on Thursday night to book their place in the final against Palmeiras of Brazil, who were runners-up last year.

Should Sundowns win their semi-final against the Americans champions, they will go to the decider in Qatar on 15 December against holders, and reigning European champions Paris Saint Germain of France.

It will be Sundowns’ third excursion outside of Africa to compete in a major competition. In 2017, after they won their first African Champions League title, they played at the old-style Club World Cup in Japan but were beaten in both matches.

Last year they went to the expanded Club World Cup in the United States where they collected four points in their three group matches and were unlucky not to advance to the knockout stages.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is hoping for a "special night" at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in his hometown of London, where the England captain is the bookies' favourite.

The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for club and country, the second-best mark in history after Leo Messi's 82 in 2010-11.

But in continuing his habit of tormenting old foes Arsenal on Wednesday, the former Tottenham striker again demonstrated how complete a player he had become since moving to Germany in 2023.

At one point dropping back to take goal kicks to ignite Bayern's attack, Kane also set up Alphonso Davies's first-half equaliser with a pinpoint long-range pass.

In the second-half, Kane won and then converted a penalty, giving Bayern the lead before England teammate Declan Rice scored late to grab a share of the spoils.

 OPEN FIELD 

Kane is odds-on to claim what would be a first Ballon d'Or, but the outcome is anything but certain in one of the most open fields in recent memory.

The Bayern striker faces stiff competition from Spanish World Cup-winning duo Lamine Yamal and Rodri, along with France captain Kylian Mbappe and teammate Michael Olise.

While Yamal and Mbappe in particular have taken to the airways to extol their suitability for the award, Kane has been typically circumspect despite constant media questioning.

Repeatedly asked about his chances after Wednesday's star showing, Kane said: "I try not to think about it, obviously it's hard.

"There's rumours flying around so you try and stay away from it. I'm going to try and enjoy Monday night as much as possible. It's a big occasion and a big event."

Officially, there are three broad criteria upon which the Ballon d'Or is awarded: individual performances and impressive character, team performances and class/fairplay.

In recent years, recipients have either won the Champions League and/or World Cup, or have made their case through sheer weight of numbers -- with Kane clearly satisfying the latter criteria.

Long criticised for a failure to win team trophies at Tottenham, Kane brought his total to five with Bayern after last year's league and cup double, but the Bavarian giants' dominance of Germany may count against him.

Kane's Bayern made the semi-finals of the Champions League, going out narrowly to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

England finished third at the World Cup, with captain Kane scoring six times and laying on an assist.

After scoring against Arsenal, Kane has at least one goal in each of his past 10 Champions League matches, one short of Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 11.

"Whenever you're in any conversation with Ronaldo it means you're doing something special, especially in this competition," Kane said.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane's team-focused efforts, saying: "What made Harry happy the most in recent years is that he finally won his first team trophies here.

"Now if he can crown his career or his season with the Ballon d'Or, that would be deserved for the way he plays for the team."

Arsenal's Declan Rice scored late to grab the visitors a share of the spoils, but saved special praise for his international captain after the match.

"Harry is the clear winner (of the Ballon d'Or). His numbers speak for themselves. The year he had is remarkable.

"For a striker to play that pass for their first goal then take the penalty how he did... he's ridiculous, he's such a good player."

Former Three Lions midfielder Steven Gerrard on Wednesday joined Jude Bellingham in calling Kane "arguably the best England player there's been" after Kane's masterclass against Arsenal.

Michael Owen was England's last Ballon d'Or winner, back in 2001, while another striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the last Bayern player to claim the Ballon d'Or in 1981.

"Monday could be a special night, we'll have to wait and see," Kane said on Wednesday.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much, because we have important games and another one on Sunday.

"I know it's a massive event. I am looking forward to it for sure. Hopefully it'll be a special night."