The Magpies, without their injured captain Bruno Guimaraes, could have led in the first minute when Sandro Tonali beat three players and fired in a low effort which Emi Martinez brilliantly saved.

Villa also went close early on when Jadon Sancho found Ollie Watkins whose effort was well saved by Nick Pope off his line.

And the visitors broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Morgan Rogers laid it off to Buendia whose dipping shot from distance arrowed into the corner beyond Pope’s despairing dive.

Unai Emery’s side dominated possession for the rest of the half but their final ball let them down.

It was the home side who came close to scoring when Lewis Miley’s goal-bound header was brilliantly kept out by Martinez.

The visitors continued to threaten on the counter-attack in the second half with substitute Leon Bailey’s effort blocked.

Eddie Howe brought on Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock in the second half but it failed to yield a goal.

Their best chance fell to Anthony Gordon at the back post who was unable to cleanly collect with Kieran Trippier’s cross.

And it was Villa who sealed victory on 88 minutes when Newcastle failed to clear a corner and Lucas Digne’s cross was nodded in by Watkins.

The result sees the Midlands side go joint second in the Premier League table with Manchester City, four points behind leaders Arsenal who clash with Manchester United at 4.30pm.

Goals from Estevao, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez earned the points at Selhurst Park, while Palace’s England midfielder Adam Wharton was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of six second‑half minutes.

Chris Richards headed in a consolation goal from close range late on.

Palace had looked the more likely to score first early in the match. Striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta, linked with Aston Villa and Juventus, went one‑on‑one with Robert Sanchez but hit his shot straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Fernandez and Caicedo had efforts for Chelsea, with returning Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, having an attempt at the other end before Estevao opened the scoring in the 34th minute.

He latched on to a poor back-pass from Jaydee Canvot, used his pace to escape marker Tyrick Mitchell and drove a firm shot past Dean Henderson.

The 18-year-old Brazilian had a further attempt before the interval and after the break he clipped a pass to forward Joao Pedro, who turned Palace midfielder Wharton, before shooting through Henderson to double the advantage.

After a lengthy check by the video assistant referee, Chelsea were then awarded a penalty – Joao Pedro’s goalbound effort having struck Canvot’s hand inside the box – and Fernandez converted.

Minutes after earning a first yellow card for pulling Caicedo, Wharton was late in a tackle, earned his second booking and was sent off.

It was a miserable afternoon for Palace despite Richards heading in from a corner in the 88th minute as they dropped from 13th to 15th, eight points above the relegation zone.

New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has overseen back-to-back Premier League wins, the first time they have managed that since November, in his first two top-flight matches since replacing Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea leapfrogged Liverpool back into the top four, although they have played one game more than Manchester United, who travel to Arsenal later in the day.

Parker Hanson joined the Still Believe lads from Division Two outfit Golden Kick ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.

However, his time at Dawu has been cut short after he submitted a resignation letter, citing his desire to return to his struggling former club.

In a statement released on Sunday, January 25, Dreams FC confirmed that management had accepted his decision to step down.

“Coach Hanson expressed his desire to return to his struggling Division Two club in his letter of resignation which has since been accepted by Management,” the statement read.

“The club places on record its thanks to the departed coach and wishes him the very best of luck.”

Sources close to the club, however, suggest that the separation was reached by mutual consent following internal challenges, leading to an amicable parting of ways.

Dreams FC have since moved to reinforce their technical setup, appointing former Legon Cities assistant coach Saeed Adnan to work alongside Winfred Dormon as the club seeks stability on the bench for the remainder of the season.

Earlier this week, Tottenham opened talks with Liverpool in an effort to sign the left-back, who is out of contract in the summer.

“He’s my vice-captain,” said Van Dijk.

“Robbo is a very important member of our team and I want him to stay but whatever happens, let’s see.”

Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign and he has made 364 appearances for the Reds.

The 31-year-old has won nine trophies during his time at the Anfield club, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Robertson is no longer the first-choice left-back at Liverpool but is keen to play regularly again and is considering options that allow him to do that.

The Scotland international came off the bench to replace Milos Kerkez at half-time in Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth but he has started just four times in the Premier League this season.

Pushed on whether he expected Robertson to be at Anfield for Liverpool’s Champions League game against Qarabag on Wednesday, Van Dijk said: “That’s not on me, is it?”

The Liverpool skipper was then asked about his best memories of Robertson but insisted he would only “speak about that” if the move happened.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot refused to discuss the prospect of allowing his vice-captain to leave when he was asked whether he felt Robertson would still be a Liverpool player by the end of January.

“What do you think my answer is going to be? Have I ever said anything about transfers in front of these microphones,” said Slot.

“My answer is always the same and it’s quite boring to always give the same answer – we don’t talk about transfers in public.”

Not in Liverpool’s best interests to let Robertson leave – analysis

In the aftermath of their defeat at Bournemouth, Arne Slot spoke about the tiredness of his players following their midweek win in Marseille.

Joe Gomez went off injured in the first half, while left-back Kerkez was removed at half-time for Robertson and right-back Jeremie Frimpong made way just before the hour mark.

As Liverpool chased the game, they did so with a back four of two midfielders in Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, alongside Van Dijk and Robertson. This is a side that lacks serious depth.

Yes, Robertson is considering his options before the World Cup this summer, but with Liverpool still in the Champions League and now well and truly in the thick of the race to qualify for the Champions League next season, it would be a baffling decision if they did allow one of their most experienced players to leave in January.

For Richard Hughes, the sporting director, the question is whether it is really worth losing one of the most important members in the dressing room for a small fee.

There is a likelihood that Kostas Tsimikas will return from his loan spell at AS Roma if Robertson departed, but that would simply be papering over the cracks.

“I need all my players,” said Slot. Perhaps bringing Robertson on at half-time on Saturday was the biggest indication of that.

Robertson ultimately wants to play football regularly and the understanding is that any decision will be made with the best interests of both club and player.

There will be more midweek games to come with Liverpool still in Europe and the FA Cup, and with that more chances for rotation. The reality right now is that it is not in the best interests of Liverpool to allow Robertson to leave this month.

In the Gunners’ past six league games, Eze has played a total of 23 minutes. He was an unused substitute in four of those matches.

The England international was signed from Crystal Palace in August for £67m to add creativity to Arsenal’s attack – he shoots freely, while his ability to open a defence in a flash means he adds an element of flair to the forward line that not many others in the squad have.

That makes the fact that he played just over 10 minutes in each of the recent 0-0 draws with Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, when Arsenal did not allow either of those teams to have a shot on target, even stranger.

If Eze is not allowed to showcase his ability when Arsenal need a breakthrough, the questions about where he fits into Mikel Arteta’s team will keep coming.

Odeegard’s return impacts Eze

Eze has five goals and four assists in 26 games for Arsenal this season but has not scored since that hat-trick against Spurs.

The 27-year-old’s only starts since the turn of the year have been in the FA Cup win at Portsmouth on 11 January and the Champions League victory against Inter Milan last Tuesday.

Eze played 64 minutes at San Siro and had a big involvement in the Gunners’ opener in a 3-1 win but it was still not a vintage performance from the England forward.

One of the biggest reasons why Eze has found it difficult to break back into the starting XI is the return of Martin Odegaard.

The Arsenal captain returned to fitness at the end of November and has started eight of the 10 Premier League games since then.

Odegaard and Eze play in similar positions and if Arteta was to start both of them, as he did against West Ham in October, it would mean one of Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi would have to drop to the bench – and that is unlikely given how important those two are to Arsenal.

Eze can also play from the left wing, with his best performances for his former club Crystal Palace coming from that side, albeit from a narrower number 10 position.

But his route into the team there has been restricted by the impressive form of Leandro Trossard, who has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season.

It is something that Arteta has previously acknowledged, but that does not mean Eze cannot excel from elsewhere on the pitch – having also been used on the right side of Arsenal’s middle three.

“He is that intelligent, and that good as a footballer, that he can occupy any space. I am more driven to decide where he plays in relation to the players around him than his position,” Arteta said before the 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

Eze has had limited starts from the left wing and the last time Arteta played him there, at Aston Villa on 6 December, he was at fault for their opening goal in a 2-1 defeat after failing to track right-back Matty Cash.

Arteta has said that during his period out of the team, Eze has been exceptional, and that his desire has gone “even higher”.

At the turn of the year, the manager said Eze had played more football than he had at the same stage of any previous season.

That is true in terms of his Premier League career – by January, he had appeared in five more games and clocked up 75 more minutes than he did last term at Palace, though he had twice played more by that stage for QPR in the Championship in 2019-20.

The Gunners are having an excellent season, seven points clear in the Premier League and with a 100% record in the Champions League.

They also have a 3-2 lead over Chelsea from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and are in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Eze is still getting game time, albeit not regularly in the Premier League.

A big favourite of manager Thomas Tuchel, he will hope to make England’s World Cup squad – but the Three Lions boss has previously said it is not enough to just be a good team-mate.

That will be playing on Eze’s mind.

If the forward does get a rare start against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, he will need to show why Arsenal splashed £67m on him.

Djokovic was scheduled to face the 20-year-old Czech during Monday’s evening session in Melbourne but he will now progress straight through to the quarter-finals.

He will face either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the last eight.

The news follows the withdrawal of two-time champion Naomi Osaka on Saturday, while others – such as 2025 winner Jannik Sinner – have struggled in the heat, which is forecast to rise as high as 42C on Tuesday.

Should the remainder of the draw go with seedings, 38-year-old Serb Djokovic could then come up against Sinner in the semi-finals and world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

His most recent Grand Slam success came at the 2023 US Open and he is currently level with Margaret Court on 24 major titles.

Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open, went out in the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025.

Speaking after his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday, he said: “[I feel] really good. It’s been a great start to the tournament.

“Obviously things can change. I’m not getting ahead of myself because last year I learned a lesson.

“I got too excited too early in some of the Grand Slams, playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis, and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four last year.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Jakub Mensik had won his previous two matches in straight sets before withdrawing from the Australian Open

Mensik beat Djokovic in the final of last year’s Masters event in Miami, a result which catapulted him into the world’s top 25, and he warmed up for the Australian Open by winning another tour title in Auckland.

Seeded 16th in Melbourne, he was poised to appear in the fourth round of a major for the first time in his career.

He posted on Instagram: “This is a tough one to write. After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last matches.

“After long discussions with my team and doctors, we decided not to step on court tomorrow [Monday].

“Even though I’m disappointed, making the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne is truly special.

“Thank you to my team for being with me every step and to everyone sending messages and cheering – it means more than you know. Now it’s time to recover properly.”

Mensik had beaten Spanish duo Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Jodar, plus American Ethan Quinn, to reach the last 16.

A straight-set win over American 19th seed Tommy Paul took world number one Alcaraz into a 14th Grand Slam quarter-final, surpassing the record previously held by Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker (13) for the most of any player in the Open era before turning 23.

After the match, Alcaraz spoke at length about the tweaks he has made to his serve in recent months – joking with the crowd on Rod Laver Arena about the similarities it now has with that of Novak Djokovic.

“I’m surprising myself to be honest,” said the six-time Grand Slam champion, who is yet to drop a set during his first four matches in Melbourne.

“The serve is something I’ve been working on for a long time. I’m really happy to see the improvement of the serve and to have a high percentage.

“After every set, I try to take up my percentage, I look at the screen after every set. In general, [in] the four matches I’ve played, the serve has been an important weapon for me.”

Alcaraz was broken by Paul in the first game of the match but the 22-year-old responded to force a tie-break, which was halted for almost 15 minutes because of a medical emergency in the crowd.

The Spaniard eventually clinched it thanks to a Paul double fault, and a break of serve in each of the next two sets helped Alcaraz wrap up a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-5 win in two hours and 44 minutes.

He did not face a break point in sets two and three, while he ended with a first-serve percentage of 70% – his second-best performance on that metric during his four matches of the tournament to date.

His best (71%) came in his third-round match with France’s Corentin Moutet, while his lowest – a still respectable 64% – came against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in round two.

Alcaraz, who has never been beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne, will continue his bid to complete a career Grand Slam against Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur, who beat Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-1 6-1 in Sunday’s late session in front of a home crowd.

‘Healthy’ Zverev breezes into last eight

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Alexander Zverev ended with a first-serve percentage of 77% in his fourth-round win

Should Alcaraz progress to the last four, a semi-final against Alexander Zverev may await.

The German third seed, who ended the hopes of Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in round three, impressed in a 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory against 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.

Zverev, who was beaten by Jannik Sinner in last year’s Australian Open final, said he is “as healthy as he has been for the past 12 months” as he chases a maiden Grand Slam title.

In last year’s majors, he followed his runner-up finish in Melbourne with a quarter-final at the French Open, a surprise first-round exit at Wimbledon and a third-round loss at the US Open.

“I had a lot of issues with my body and a lot of injuries that prevented me from playing 100%,” said the 28-year-old. “I played through them but I was not really feeling great.

“When I’m healthy, I’m happy on the court and everything becomes a bit easier. I don’t want to jinx it but hopefully we have three more tough matches and hopefully I can stay that way.”

Zverev’s next opponent will be American 25th seed Learner Tien, who overcame an early nosebleed to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

The 20-year-old put together a run of 11 successive games in a crushing 6-4 6-0 6-3 win against former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who – playing in his 35th Grand Slam tournament – was on the wrong end of a 6-0 set for the first time in a major.

He extended special appreciation to his past and present colleagues at ATL FM and Dormaa FM, mentors, staff of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), the University of Cape Coast Alumni National Executive Committee, friends, supporters, as well as his wife and family for their unwavering encouragement throughout his career.
In an emotional moment, Mr. Forkuo dedicated the award to two late mentors who played pivotal roles in his journey—Devine Joseph, who introduced him to radio broadcasting, and Winner Man, his adviser, whose guidance and wisdom helped shape his professional path.
“This award belongs to everyone who walked this journey with me, especially those who are no longer with us but laid the foundation,” he noted.

The Osabarimba Royal Awards celebrate excellence, service, and impact across various sectors in the Cape Coast traditional area, recognising individuals whose work continues to uplift the community.

After a goalmouth scramble, Adli finished in the fifth minute of time added on to send the home fans wild after Liverpool had initially come from two goals down to level.

With 10 minutes to go, Dominik Szoboszlai scored his second free-kick of the week to equalise for Liverpool after Virgil van Dijk had initially pulled a goal back.

A calamitous seven-minute spell for Liverpool saw Arne Slot’s side go two goals down on the south coast.

Evanilson gave the Cherries the lead in the 26th minute after Van Dijk failed to clear the ball and Joe Gomez was injured as he clashed with goalkeeper Alisson while trying to block Evanilson’s strike.

With Gomez off the pitch and Wataru Endo ready to replace him, Liverpool did not kick the ball out and carried on playing with 10 men for seven minutes.

In the 33rd minute, Alex Jimenez got on the end of a through ball from James Hill and finished through Alisson’s legs to double Bournemouth’s lead.

Liverpool then made the change and showed great resilience to come back into the game with Van Dijk heading in Szoboszlai’s corner on the brink of half-time, before Mohamed Salah, from a free-kick, rolled the ball into the path of Szoboszlai who fired into the bottom corner past Djordje Petrovic to level.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time with Alisson tipping Ryan Christie’s effort over before Petrovic pulled off a great stop to deny Florian Wirtz.

Adli’s last-gasp winner brought protests from Liverpool about a foul in the build-up, but the video assistant referee (VAR) did not intervene as they tasted defeat for the first time since November.

Yet to win a Premier League game in 2026, Liverpool remain fourth in the table, while Bournemouth rise to 13th.

The clash at the University of Ghana Stadium saw the Phobian side take control early, with Mawuli Wayo giving Hearts the lead in the 8th minute. The hosts held onto the advantage through to half-time.

After the break, Martin Karikari extended the lead in the 63rd minute, and Kelvin Osei Asibey wrapped up the win from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.

The result moves Hearts of Oak up to second place on 35 points. They could remain there by the end of the match week depending on other outcomes, and will face Bechem United in Matchday 21 next weekend.

For Eleven Wonders, the loss keeps them rooted at the bottom of the table with just 9 points, leaving them dangerously close to the relegation zone. They will travel to Wenchi Sports Stadium to take on Young Apostles next weekend.

City welcomed bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium in Round 23 of the Premier League, and it took just six minutes for the hosts to take control.

Fresh from Africa Cup of Nations duty, Egypt forward Omar Marmoush opened the scoring with an early strike.

The home side dominated proceedings throughout the first half and, just as Wolves looked set to head into the break only a goal down, Semenyo struck.

The former AFC Bournemouth forward doubled City’s advantage in the 45th minute, sealing a 2–0 win that cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to four points ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

The goal marked Semenyo’s first in the Premier League for Manchester City. He had previously found the net in the FA Cup against Exeter City and in the Carabao Cup versus Newcastle United.

The 26-year-old has now scored three goals in four appearances for City and will be looking to continue his impressive form when the champions host Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League midweek before travelling to face Tottenham Hotspur in their next league outing.

Addo faced scrutiny after Ghana missed out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). However, he guided the team to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

Speaking to Citi Sports, Dr. Ofori emphasized that the national team’s challenges cannot rest solely on Addo’s shoulders.

He argued for a stronger technical framework around the coach, noting that modern football requires collective responsibility and specialised support.

“I think it is highly unfair for anybody to single out the coach and then blame him,” Dr Ofori said.

“If you look at it, unfortunately, in our part of the world, even when you have a management committee, people bypass the management and go straight to blame the coach,” he added.

He also commended the Ghana Football Association (GFA) leadership, under president Kurt Okraku, for taking corrective measures after identifying gaps in the technical setup that contributed to the AFCON disappointment.

“I give credit to Kurt and his team. When they realised that they failed in their appointment of other technical staff, which led to our inability to qualify for AFCON, they quickly reassembled the team around them. So clearly, you couldn’t have blamed only the coach.”

Meanwhile, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that the Black Stars’ technical team will be strengthened ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Mali, Cameroon and Cape Verde for the tournament, which is set to take place in Morocco later this year.

Despite their impressive bronze finish at the previous WAFCON, Björkegren warned that the competition will be tougher than ever and that no team can be taken lightly.

“We also need to respect that there are other teams that are thinking the same way,” he told the Ghana FA Media.

“There are probably six, seven, eight teams that can win the gold. We’re not alone.

“We’re going to do everything we can, and hopefully it’s going to be enough,” he added.

Under the WAFCON format, the top two teams from each group automatically progress to the quarter-finals, with the four semi-finalists earning spots at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Swedish tactician, who took over from Nora Hauptle last year, spoke on the team’s prospects as Ghana prepares to face Mali, Cameroon, and Cape Verde in Group D.

Björkegren, who led the Black Queens to a third-place finish in the previous WAFCON, said the team has been steadily improving and believes they can challenge for the title.

“We have shown that we keep moving in the right direction the whole time. If we do that, we have the potential to go all the way in the tournament,” he said.

The WAFCON format allows the top two teams from each group to qualify for the quarterfinals, with the four semifinalists earning spots at the Women’s World Cup.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sector Minister Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams described the occasion as the start of a new era for Ghanaian sport, one anchored in transparency, accountability and deliberate investment. He noted that for decades, stakeholders across the sector had called for a dependable funding structure to support athletes, federations and infrastructure, a long-standing gap the Fund is now expected to fill.

“The Ghana Sports Fund is designed to change how sport is financed and how opportunity is distributed,” Adams said.

“Funding has long been uneven and unpredictable. This Fund will mobilise resources transparently for athlete development, grassroots sport, infrastructure and capacity building. It introduces planning where there was uncertainty, equity where there was imbalance, and accountability where there was discretion.”

The establishment of the Fund follows years of advocacy, policy engagement and political commitment, particularly under former President John Dramani Mahama, who positioned sport as a key pillar of national development. The initiative progressed from a Cabinet Memorandum to parliamentary approval of the Sports Fund Bill, before being enacted as Act 1159 through Presidential Assent.

While describing the Fund as a vital instrument, the Minister stressed that sound leadership and governance would ultimately determine its success. He charged the Governing Board to act with fairness and independence, insisting that decisions must prioritise merit and performance over personal or institutional interests.

“This Fund must serve sport, not interests. It must reward performance, not proximity,” Adams cautioned.

He also urged sports federations and athletes to align with the new framework by submitting well-structured proposals supported by clear programmes and measurable outcomes. According to him, effective implementation would help position sport as a viable career path for young people and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness on the continental and global stage.

The inauguration ceremony drew senior government officials, sports administrators, federation representatives and members of the media. With the board now in place, the responsibility lies with its members to ensure the Fund is managed prudently, transparently and in the best interest of Ghanaian sport.

Expressing optimism about the future, Hon. Adams said the Ghana Sports Fund has the potential to accelerate development, empower athletes and strengthen the country’s sports ecosystem.

The newly constituted Governing Board is chaired by Prof. Koryoe Anim-Wright, with Dr. David Wuaku serving as Fund Administrator. Other members include Azumah Nelson, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Ernest Thompson, Mrs Wilhelmina Asamoah, Mr Duah Alhassan Oteng, Mrs Deborah Adei Djanie, Ms Belinda Plange, Hon. Rachel Florence Appoh and Hon. Dickson Kyere-Duah.

Let’s take a look at how we got here.

When La Liga restarted in January, Barcelona were top with 46 points, four clear of Real Madrid.

The Catalans’ return to form was impressive: two wins from two including a comfortable league victory over Espanyol and a place secured in the Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.

Real Madrid had also started the second half of the season strongly, opening with a convincing 5–1 win over Real Betis and earning their place in the Super Cup final against Barcelona.

It was that match that would prove to be a turning point.

Los Blancos were defeated 3–2 by their arch-rivals. This was to be Xabi Alonso’s last match in charge of Real Madrid, as he stepped down the following day.

Arbeloa comes in at Real

In response, Real Madrid turned to Alvaro Arbeloa, the reserve-team coach. An outstanding former player with a deep understanding of the club, he stepped into the managerial role determined to restore confidence and stability following their Super Cup defeat.

He couldn’t have had a worse start. His team travelled to Albacete, 17th in Spain’s second division, in the Copa del Rey last 16. It should have been an easy victory.

But Real lost 3–2. Captain Dani Carvajal admitted the squad had hit “rock bottom”.

The Madridistas questioned Arbeloa’s appointment. Barcelona’s fans celebrated. Their great rivals were in disarray.

Barcelona, themselves, came through a tricky tie against Racing Santander to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, maintaining their perfect start to the second half of the season – four wins from four, scoring 12 goals.

Barcelona’s shock defeat

However, yet another twist was to come in Barcelona’s next league game against ninth-placed Real Sociedad.

Before the fixture, manager Hansi Flick said he wanted to “continue our run and show our fans the same spirit as last season”.

But Barca’s 11-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end, when the hosts beat them 2-1 for the second consecutive season.

“I’m disappointed because we played a very good game,” Flick said. “There are days when you put a lot of energy and in the end you are not lucky. We deserved to win, but that’s football.”

The day before, Real Madrid had beaten bottom-of-the-table Levante 2–0.

Victory came amid an ugly reception at the Bernabeu, with supporters not afraid to voice their disapproval of recent performances, as Real cut Barcelona’s lead at the top to just one point.

What’s the feeling in both camps?

Let’s start with Real Madrid.

Arbeloa described Tuesday’s 6-1 Champions League victory over Monaco as a “turning point”.

“It’s a night where the Bernabeu has shown that when it’s behind its team, when the Bernabeu is on our side, we are a truly great team,” he said.

“I’m delighted with the players’ desire to help the team. They’ve shown me that from day one.”

The performance will have undoubtedly boosted the confidence of the manager, the players and the supporters. And as Real Madrid prepare for a Saturday trip to third-placed Villarreal, Arbeloa knows how significant every game is.

“Tomorrow’s match is very important because of what it means, because of the opposition and because of three points that would give us a lot of confidence,” Arbeloa said.

“It’s one of the toughest games we have in the league. We know that we’ll have to be at our best and play at a very high level if we want to get the three points.”

Barcelona also head into the weekend on the back of a Champions League victory, beating Slavia Prague 4–2. They face bottom-of-the-table Oviedo.

It won’t be until May that Real Madrid and Barcelona meet again: And that match could yet prove decisive in the title race.

Real won the first Clasico of the season 2–1 in Madrid in October.

If last season is anything to go by, the title race will remain far from predictable.

At this stage last year, Real Madrid sat six points ahead of Barcelona, only for the Catalans to overturn the deficit and win the league.

Once again, there is all to play for.

The 23-year-old grew up in Manchester and has been described as missing life in the north, external amid links to Manchester United.

Palmer is known to have been a boyhood United fan, despite coming through Manchester City’s academy before joining Chelsea for £42.5m in 2023.

He signed a two-year contract extension in August 2024, which could keep him at the club until 2033.

Rosenior said: “I’ve had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems, and is, very, very happy to be here.

“He is a huge part of our long‑term plans, he’s an outstanding player. Every player goes through difficult moments in their career with injuries, but that is no indication of his quality.”

Palmer has cut a frustrated figure this season, having had to manage a troublesome groin injury.

Speculation intensified about his future after he barely celebrated scoring a second‑half penalty against Brentford and went straight down the tunnel following Chelsea’s 2‑0 Premier League win last weekend.

“There was frustration in the Brentford game – not because he isn’t happy here, but because he couldn’t perform at the level he wants to for the club,” added Rosenior.

“My job, and the club’s job, is to get him performing consistently at the level he wants to.”

Palmer missed Chelsea’s 1–0 Champions League win over Pafos in midweek with a minor thigh injury, but the Blues boss said they “will assess his reaction to training” before Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

Rosenior also confirmed number two goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen will miss out, although his injury is “not as bad” as first feared and he could be available for Wednesday’s Champions League game at Napoli.

Midfielder Dario Essugo will be sidelined “for over a month” after “slipping in training”.

Gyan, who made his senior national team debut in November 2003, went on to become Ghana’s all-time leading scorer, netting 51 goals in 109 appearances.

The forward featured in three FIFA World Cups – Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014 – before announcing his retirement from football in June 2023.

Reflecting on his international career, the 40-year-old explained that he put immense pressure on himself to deliver for the supporters.

“When I used to play for Ghana, people expected you to score because that is what the fans want. I created that pressure for myself to be consistent in scoring, so anytime Ghana played, they knew I would score,” he said.

Gyan added, “Anytime I don’t score, I feel like there’s a problem. Before every game, I pray and ask God to help me give the fans what they want. When I don’t score, I feel like the worst player, but when I score, I feel like the best.”

He also holds the record as Africa’s highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, with six goals.

Speaking ahead of their Matchday 20 clash against Swedru All Blacks on Sunday, Cioabă explained that fatigue from extensive travel affects performance.

“It’s very difficult in away games. Our team sometimes travels 14 to 15 hours before a match, but this is football,” he said.

After 19 matches in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season, Aduana FC sit third on the league table, seven points behind leaders Medeama SC.

The Dormaa-based side have recorded nine wins, five draws, and five losses so far.

Ghana have been drawn alongside Cameroon, Cape Verde, and Mali in what promises to be a fiercely contested group.

Reacting to the draw in an interview with the Ghana Football Association, Björkegren admitted the Black Queens will need to be at their best to progress.

“It’s going to be a tough group for sure,” the Swedish tactician said.

He singled out Cameroon for special praise, noting the quality within their squad.

“I watched the Cameroon squad the other day, and I was a little bit surprised… I found out she is from Cameroon. I didn’t know, so it’s an amazing squad,” he added.

Björkegren also highlighted Mali as a familiar and dangerous opponent, recalling previous encounters on the global stage.

“We played against Mali in the previous Women’s World Cup, so we know that they are a good team,” he said.

The Black Queens will be making their second consecutive appearance at WAFCON, having returned to the continental stage last year after missing out since 2018. Under Björkegren’s guidance, Ghana secured a bronze medal at the previous edition of the tournament.

According to the competition format, the top two teams in each group will progress automatically to the quarterfinals.

Beyond continental success, Ghana have their sights set on a return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in 19 years, with a semifinal finish at WAFCON enough to secure qualification.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3.

Robertson, 31, is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and said last week that he was undecided on his future.

The Scotland international has started just four times in the Premier League this season and wants regular involvement before the World Cup.

BBC Sport understands Spurs have made an approach but no outcome has been reached at this stage.

Liverpool signed Robertson from Hull City for £8m in 2017 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign and he has made 363 appearances for the Reds.

Robertson’s most recent appearance came from the bench in the 1-1 draw against Burnley on 17 January.

Before that game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said Robertson had been “important” to the club and praised him for the way he has handled losing his starting position to summer signing Milos Kerkez.

Hungary international Kerkez would be the only senior left-back for Slot to call on if Robertson is sold, but Liverpool could look to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma.

Tottenham completed the signing of Brazilian left-back Souza on Thursday and are already well stocked in that area of the field.

Destiny Udogie has been the preferred choice of manager Thomas Frank this season, with Djed Spence also offering cover.

Ben Davies was another option, but the Wales international sustained a broken ankle on Sunday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Spurs’ move for Robertson could be a bid to add experience to a young squad, with 32-year-old Davies the only player over the age of 30.

Robertson has won nine trophies during his time at Liverpool, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

The weekend’s action kicks off at the University of Ghana Stadium, where Eleven Wonders will host Hearts of Oak in a 15:30 GMT showdown on Saturday. On Sunday, Asante Kotoko will take on Basake Holy Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium, also with a 15:30 GMT kickoff.

Other key fixtures include Swedru All Blacks versus Aduana FC at Swedru Stadium, and Medeama SC welcoming Karela United to TNA Park. At Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem United will clash with Heart of Lions, while Hohoe United faces Vision FC at Hohoe Stadium.

FC Samartex will take on Nations FC at DUN’s Park, and Berekum Chelsea will challenge defending champions Bibiani GoldStars. Dreams FC will also be in action against Young Apostles at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Most matches are scheduled for 15:00 GMT, promising an exciting weekend of Ghanaian top-flight football.

Full Fixtures:

The two teams will face off on Saturday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in what promises to be a pivotal encounter.

Speaking in a pre-match interview, Dramani stressed that Eleven Wonders remain a quality side, insisting their relegation-zone position does not reflect the strength of their squad.

“I think the position of Eleven Wonders should not deceive people. They have one of the finest squads in the league,” he said.

“They play fluid football and keep the ball well, so we will try as much as possible to create spaces and take advantage of the vulnerabilities they present.”

The former Black Stars assistant coach added that while Hearts of Oak will respect their opponents, they will also look to capitalise on any weaknesses.

“We will respect what they have, but we will also exploit their inability to defend as a team,” he added.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT.

The Porcupine Warriors currently sit fourth on the league table with 32 points after 19 matches, but Zito believes the season is far from over.

Speaking to the club’s media ahead of Matchday 20, which will see Kotoko host Basake Holy Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium, the experienced trainer stressed that his team is working relentlessly to keep their title ambitions alive.

Zito made it clear that Kotoko are not prepared to abandon their objective, describing the league campaign as a long and demanding race.

“You have to make your intentions known and then work towards them, and that is exactly what we are doing. I still believe it is not too late. As I said, it’s a marathon. Some teams start well, but there comes a time when gaps close or open, and that’s when people decide to give up,” he said.

“But this is me — I don’t give up until it ends. We are still fighting for it. Football is about moments. There are times when things go well for you, and there are times when they don’t.”

Drawing parallels with everyday life, Zito urged resilience and persistence during difficult periods.

“In normal life, when things don’t go well, you don’t sit down and cry. You fight hard and come back to achieve your target. So we are not giving up; we are still fighting,” he added.

Kick-off for the match against Basake Holy Stars is scheduled for 15:30 at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The savings come after President John Mahama directed that the senior national team’s budget should no longer be kept confidential ahead of the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In line with the directive, Mr Adams made public the budget for the Black Stars’ recent doubleheader against Chad.

The decision by the Buem Member of Parliament drew criticism from sections of the football fraternity, who questioned the disclosure of the team’s financial details.

However, speaking to the media after Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang paid a working visit to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Mr Adams defended the policy, describing it as prudent and beneficial.

“We worked closely with the FA to rationalise the budgeting and disbursement processes, and this has saved close to $700,000 across two Black Stars matches,” he said.

Mr Adams stressed that the cost-cutting measures did not negatively affect the team, noting that players and the technical staff received all their entitlements.

“These measures have gone a long way to build confidence. The players did not suffer, and the technical team did not suffer. They continued to receive what was due them, even with the savings,” he added.

Those present during the Vice President’s visit included Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, Deputy Directors of the National Sports Authority Veronica Commey and Gideon Hammond, as well as Sports Ministry Chief Director Wilhelmina Asamoah.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany.

Through the Olympic Scholarship program, Judo star Elizabeth Serwaa Oduro has received advanced training in France, while Taekwondo ace Henritta Naa Ayele Armah will also train in Germany to further her growth.

The Olympic Scholarship covers the athlete’s travel to the centre and provides a return ticket at the end of the programme.

It also funds one round-trip travel per year for the athlete to return home during holidays and a $5,000 travel subsidy for the athlete to use for competition-related travel.

Mr Richard Akpokavie, President of the GOC, said the decision formed part of a deliberate long-term strategy aimed at enhancing Ghana’s medal prospects at the quadrennial Games.

He stressed that the selections were no handouts, but earned through consistent high-level performances and recommendations from coaches.

“Our number one priority is the athletes. How to support them and how can we get them to do what they have to do, so we will do everything to get them to the top. There is only one thing that we ask in return: when we invest in you, you must work,” he added.

He lauded the federations for their tireless work behind the scenes, shaping athletes who continue to fly Ghana’s flag at major international competitions.

The GOC President said the athletes would be evaluated through appearances at key international tournaments during their European stint.

Mr Kenneth Arthur, President of the Ghana Judo Association, thanked the GOC for selecting the athlete in the initial group, noting it as a show of confidence in the sport.

He described both athletes as highly disciplined competitors who were determined to battle for qualification to the next Olympic Games and deliver medals for Ghana.

The Olympic Scholarships awarded to the athletes are expected to conclude in 2028, aligning with Ghana’s preparations for the Olympic Games.

Present at the short meeting were Madam Rafatu Inusah, President of Ghana Rugby, Mr Evans Yeboah, President of Ghana Badminton, Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President of Ghana Armwrestling, Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, President of Ghana Taekwando and Mr George Owusu Ansah, President of Ghana Sports For All.

The 33-year-old joined from Real Madrid for £70m in 2022 and has made 146 appearances.

He scored the opening goal in the 2023 Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle as Manchester United finished third in the Premier League in his first season.

But last year he was mentioned by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe who told BBC Sport some players were “not good enough” and “overpaid”.

The Brazil international said: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life.

“It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months.

“We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.”

On Tuesday a journalist asked Slot whether former Liverpool player Alonso – who earlier this month left his role as Real Madrid head coach by “mutual consent” – had been in touch.

Slot laughed off what he called “one of the weirdest questions” by joking that the Spaniard had called to say he was “going to take over in six months, or maybe earlier”.

The question came on the eve of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Marseille in the Champions League.

Liverpool did not ask the journalist who posed the Alonso question to be banned but Van Dijk was keen to call him out after the game.

“That (question) was disrespectful,” said the Dutch defender.

“Criticism is justified if you look at what we are doing in the season, especially based on last season.

“It’s been a difficult part of the season for us players and the manager as well but he has handled it well.”

Liverpool put in one of their most “complete performances” of the season to beat Marseille according to Van Dijk who became the 50th player to reach 350 appearances for the club.

“To play my 350th game, win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet, that’s something I’m proud of,” said the 34-year-old.

The Reds are in a strong position to finish in the top eight in the league phase and advance directly to the last-16 in March, thus avoiding the knockout play-off round in February.

They host Qarabag on Wednesday, 28 January knowing victory will secure them a top-four slot and a home tie in the second leg of the last-16 and, should they get that far, the quarter-final.

But Van Dijk’s attention has already turned to Saturday’s league game at Bournemouth.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 games since losing 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on 26 November.

But they have won just four of their 10 Premier League games, drawing the past four, to lie fourth in the table, 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

They are seven points behind third-placed Aston Villa and five teams below them are within three points, as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.

After that Afcon will be hosted every four years instead of biennially.

Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motespe dropped that bombshell on the eve of the recently completed finals in Morocco, as well as announcing the creation of a new African Nations League which will be introduced in 2029 and played annually.

The decision was made after consultation with world governing body Fifa and the announcement sparked division and debate, with Mali coach Tom Saintfiet labelling it “totally wrong”.

However, Motsepe has doubled down, stating that Caf is “convinced” the decision is in “the best interests of African football”.

He also believes the Nations League will provide a “better competition” than Afcon.

BBC Sport Africa explores some of the key topics of discussion surrounding the changes.

A Caf decision or a Fifa decision?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Caf president Patrice Motsepe was seated alongside Fifa general secretary Mattias Grafstrom for his announcement on the future of Afcon on 20 December

Fifa president Gianni Infantino first publicly proposed holding Afcon every four years in February 2020, an idea Motsepe rejected after he was elected as Caf president 13 months later.

“This is one area where there are different views among different people – I have no doubt it [Afcon] has to be every two years,” Motsepe said then.

One respected former manager, with extensive experience across the continent, said Infantino “wants to kill African football”.

With the Fifa World Cup expanded to 48 teams and nine African sides guaranteed spots, the Swiss has clearly turned Motsepe to his way of thinking on Afcon over the past five years.

Motsepe’s argument now is that Caf had to compromise to help make the global calendar “significantly more synchronised and harmonised”.

Yet the South African reacted spikily after facing accusations from some members of the media that Fifa, not Caf, runs the African game.

“We have got to move on from this inferiority complex,” he said.

“What saddens me is Europeans and Fifa people have more respect for us than some of our own people [in Africa].

“At times you need to make concessions. Sometimes we have to take unpopular decisions.”

Changing football heritage

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The 2019 Afcon, won by Algeria, was hosted at the end of the European club season in June and July, but weather conditions saw the 2021 and 2023 editions hosted in a January-February slot while the 2025 Fifa Club Word Cup pushed the 2025 finals back to start in December

Afcon has been a biennial tournament since its inception in 1957, barring a three-year gap between 1959 and 1962 and one year separating the 2012 and 2013 editions.

It has become a compelling watch known globally for its dramatic storylines and unpredictability.

Yet the ever-increasing number of Africans plying their trade in Europe has caused scheduling issues, with clubs consistently losing players mid-season.

A pledge to stage Afcon in June and July has fallen by the wayside, first because of climate concerns and then the introduction of Fifa’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup last year.

“We look too much to please the big clubs in Europe,” Belgian Saintfiet, who has coached seven African nations, told the BBC World Service.

Opinion appears split, with Egypt’s Hossam Hassan also saying the move “would serve the interests of European leagues”, while Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae believes it can be “a good thing” if African football continues to develop.

The Nations League could potentially provide that chance to improve for smaller nations.

“I don’t know that them losing games 5-0 or 6-0 really raises the level of African football,” Fae said.

“If they play against other teams of their level with the aim of being promoted, I think everyone will be a winner.

Show me the money

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The third-place play-off, won by Nigeria on penalties, drew a healthy crowd to the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, but attendances at some group games could have been higher

Since Motsepe took office, Caf has vastly increased the money it generates from Afcon.

A profit of $114m (£85m) was forecast for Afcon 2025, up from $75m (£56m) for the Ivory Coast and what was less than $5m (£3.7m) for the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

Regular hosting has encouraged the development of football infrastructure, although upkeep of those facilities can prove challenging.

“We know that it’s really important to have the [Afcon] every two years for the development of the continent,” Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly said.

“For our continent, I think that every two years was amazing. But now, if the decision is like this, we’re going to see what the future is going to be.”

It begs the question ‘Why change?’, especially having established a slick product.

However, Motsepe says Afcon revenue “is significantly less” than that which Caf has “implemented” for the African Nations League.

Whether the balance sheets stack up to the forecasts is another matter – yet the fact the Nations League will be played on a regional basis could revive dormant rivalries.

Motsepe raised the example of Ghana facing Nigeria every year – a huge derby which has seen just five competitive meetings in two decades.

The shop window and the end of CHAN

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Morocco claimed a record third African Nations Championship title at the delayed 2024 finals in East Africa, but the competition first played in 2009 will not be retained

Afcon has often provided a shop window for players to secure potentially life-changing, lucrative transfers.

“We are the luckiest [generation] because the youngest, they’re going to wait every four years to play an Afcon,” Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore, who featured in his sixth Afcon in Morocco, told BBC Sport Africa.

“Some players will be more receptive about this decision but in the other end some need this competition to show themselves to the world.”

Caf’s changes also mean the death knell for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the tournament for domestic-based players.

The past two CHANs have felt like ugly ducklings – with some nations not even entering qualifying, an odd number of finalists, Morocco withdrawing from the 2022 edition because of diplomatic tensions and the 2024 finals delayed because the hosts were not ready.

Motsepe described CHAN as a “spectacular money-loser”, yet it helped launch the international careers of Morocco forward Ayoub El Kaabi and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, who both featured in the 2025 Afcon final.

Winning coach Pape Thiaw, meanwhile, gained experience leading the Teranga Lions to the 2022 title.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, no mention has been made about a possible move to a four-year cycle.

Former South Africa midfielder Amanda Dlamini believes the women’s game in Africa is “different” and still trying to establish itself as a “product”.

“I hope it does stay as two years, because if it is four years they are going to forget about us,” she told BBC Sport Africa.

A communications issue

What Motsepe has accepted is that Caf could have done a better job of explaining its decision and the manner of its announcement.

It certainly served as a bolt from the blue during what was a near two-hour news conference in Rabat last month.

“We didn’t do as good a job in preparing the ground on this Afcon every four years,” Motsepe admitted on Saturday.

“We must make sure that our everyday people, who we account to, understand what we have done is good for them.

“We know that in two, three years people will see what we are talking about.”

The Nations League may prove to be a success, but Afcon is unlikely to lose its lustre as the continent’s greatest prize.

A packed domestic weekend across Europe brings defining moments in title races, European qualification battles and survival fights, with several standout fixtures carrying significant weight.

In France, Matchday 19 opens with Auxerre welcoming PSG. It is a familiar test of resolve for the hosts against a side accustomed to controlling matches through sustained pressure and territorial dominance. Auxerre will look to disrupt rhythm and stay competitive deep into the contest, while PSG arrive knowing that efficiency rather than spectacle is often enough in these away fixtures.

Later in the round, Marseille v Lens offers a more even contest between two sides chasing consistency, before Lille host Strasbourg with an opportunity to assert authority at home.

The Premier League delivers multiple points of intrigue, starting with Bournemouth v Liverpool. Bournemouth’s intensity and compact approach at home will challenge Liverpool’s attacking ambition and ability to break organised lines. On Sunday, Crystal Palace v Chelsea brings together two sides searching for momentum, where control of midfield zones and discipline without the ball may decide the outcome. The weekend’s centerpiece comes as league leaders Arsenal host Manchester United. Arsenal enter as favourites for the title and will look to impose their authority, while United arrive intent on disrupting momentum and reasserting themselves in one of English football’s defining rivalries.

Serie A provides heavyweight drama, beginning with Inter Milan v Pisa, where the hosts will expect control and dominance against determined opposition. Juventus v Napoli is a clash loaded with tactical tension, blending structure against ambition in a fixture that often shapes the title picture. Roma v AC Milan rounds off Sunday night in Italy, a meeting of two giants where pressure, atmosphere and fine margins traditionally play decisive roles.

In Spain, Villarreal v Real Madrid stands out as a true test of credentials. Villarreal’s excellent season earns them the chance to measure progress against one of the league’s benchmarks, while Madrid will be keen to assert authority on the road. Atletico Madrid v Mallorca promises a battle of patience and precision, with the hosts expected to dictate tempo. Barcelona, league leaders, face Oviedo knowing that consistency is key as they aim to maintain control at the summit.

Across the major leagues, the weekend offers a blend of expectation and uncertainty, where reputations are tested and narratives begin to harden as the season moves toward its decisive phase.

Ligue 1, Matchday 19

Friday 23 January

• 21:00: Auxerre v PSG – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Saturday 24 January

• 22:00: Marseille v Lens – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Sunday 25 January

• 21:45: Lille v Starsbourg – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Premier League, Matchday 23

Saturday 24 January

• 14:30: West Ham v Sunderland – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 17:00: Fulham v Brighton – LIVE on SuperSport Action

• 17:00: Burnley v Tottenham – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 17:00: Manchester City v Wolves – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 2, SuperSport Blitz and SuperSport GOtv Football

• 19:30: Bournemouth v Liverpool – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 25 January

• 16:00: Crystal Palace v Chelsea – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 16:00: Newcastle v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 16:00: Brentford v Nottingham – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport OTT4

• 18:30: Arsenal v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Monday 26 January

• 22:00: Everton v Leeds United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Serie A, Matchday 22

Friday 23 January

• 21:45: Inter Milan v Pisa – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Saturday 24 January

• 16:00: Como v Torino – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 19:00: Fiorentina v Cagliari – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 21:45: Lecce v Lazio – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Sunday 25 January

• 13:30: Sassuolo v Cremonese – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 16:00: Atalanta v Parma – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 16:00: Genoa v Bologna – LIVE on SuperSport Action Africa

• 19:00: Juventus v Napoli – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 21:45: Roma v AC Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 26 January

• 21:45: Verona v Udinese – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360

La Liga, Matchday 21

Friday 23 January

• 22:00: Levante v Elche – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 24 January

• 15:00: Rayo Vallecano v Osasuna – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 17:15: Valencia v Espanyol – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 19:30: Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 22:00: Villarreal v Real Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Sunday 25 January

• 15:00: Atletico Madrid v Mallorca – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 17:15: Barcelona v Real Oviedo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 19:30: Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 22:00: Alaves v Real Betis – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 26 January

• 22:00: Girona v Getafe – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Headlined by an Interim Lightweight Championship clash between Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, plus a blockbuster Women’s Bantamweight title fight pitting reigning champion Kayla Harrison against a returning legend, Amanda Nunes, this card blends star power with high stakes. 

Gaethje vs. Pimblett: A Divisional Crossroads

With undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria stepping away from competition early in 2026 to address personal matters – saying he “wants to focus on my children and resolve this situation” — the UFC opted for an interim title bout to keep the division moving. 

Gaethje, one of the most consistently action-packed fighters in UFC history, views this as a final shot at gold. He’s openly relishing the challenge, admitting he thrives on the pressure of big fights as he eyes Topuria’s return later in the year. Pimblett, undefeated inside the UFC at 7-0, arrives with brash confidence that resonates with fans — even guaranteeing a finish, insisting “someone’s getting finished… One hundred percent, that’s not going to judges.” 

This matchup represents not just a belt, but narrative contrast: Gaethje’s seasoned violence and championship experience versus Pimblett’s youth, flair and relentless self-belief. The winner almost certainly becomes the next challenger for Topuria, setting up a tantalizing unification down the line.

Harrison vs. Nunes: Legacy on the Line

In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison makes her first title defense since dethroning Julianna Peña in June 2025. A two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and unbeaten in the UFC, Harrison has methodically built a dominant reign at 135 lbs.

Standing across the Octagon is Amanda Nunes — arguably the greatest female fighter in MMA history. A former two-division champion, Nunes retired in June 2023 but chose UFC 324 for her comeback. Her return adds colossal intrigue: can the “Lioness” reclaim the title she once held, or will Harrison solidify her own GOAT-level legacy? 

The narrative practically writes itself. Harrison has openly declared her ambitions to be remembered as the greatest, while Nunes seeks to cap her storied career with yet another historic chapter.

The Bigger Picture

UFC 324 isn’t just another card — it’s the first numbered event under a new broadcast partnership, the kickoff of 2026’s fight calendar, and a crossroads for two divisions. With contrasting styles, generational matchups, and legacy implications on both top-line fights, this Vegas fight night promises fireworks that reverberate long after the final horn.

UFC 324 – Main card

– Main event: Interim Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje v Paddy Pimblett

– Co-main: Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison v Amandu Nunes

– Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley v Song Yadong

– Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes Acosta v Derrick Lewis

– Featherweight: Arnold Allen v Jean Silva

UFC 324 – Broadcast details

Sunday 25 January

02:00: Prelims – LIVE on SuperSport Action, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1

04:00: Main card – LIVE on SuperSport Action, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1

Villarreal vs Real Madrid, January 24

In the main match of La Liga round 21, Villarreal will host Real Madrid. The Yellow Submarine has an excellent chance to pull away from Atlético and improve its position in the fight for a Champions League spot.

The Meringues have regained their spirit after the change of head coach – it seems that Álvaro Arbeloa has managed to resolve all conflicts in the dressing room. Real Madrid continue to chase Barcelona, so every point is priceless for them.

W1 – 3.575, X – 3.94, W2 – 2.074

Arsenal vs Manchester United, January 25

The Gunners are in incredible form and deserve to be considered the main favorites to win the Premier League and the Champions League. Mikel Arteta’s men no longer look like the eternal runners-up and are ready to make a loud statement.

The clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium will be another test of Arsenal’s championship ambitions. Michael Carrick managed to inspire the Red Devils, and last weekend, his team secured a spectacular victory in the crucial Manchester derby.

Arsenal are racing towards their first Premier League title in more than 20 years, while Manchester United are desperate to regain their former glory. Whose determination will prove stronger? We’ll soon find out.

W1 – 1.636, X – 4.115, W2 – 6.2

Juventus vs Napoli, January 25

Today, Serie A is far from its prime, but the race for the Scudetto is as hot as it was in the mid-2000s. After losing to Cagliari, Juventus dropped out of the top 4, and the game against Napoli is a good opportunity to get back into the Champions League zone.

Napoli have personnel problems: Kevin De Bruyne, Matteo Politano and David Neres are still injured. However, Antonio Conte’s team has a 9-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and extensive experience of winning key battles, which could be a decisive factor in the clash with Juventus, who still lack maturity and unity.

W1 – 2.125, X – 3.265, W2 – 4.185

Roma vs Milan, January 25

Gian Piero Gasperini has finally got the forward he’d been looking for. Donyell Malen scored in his debut game and doesn’t seem to be missing Birmingham too much. Roma have consolidated their spot in the top 4, but now they need to make the next push to fully break into the Scudetto race – the match against Milan will provide such an opportunity.

The Rossoneri are Inter’s main competitors in the title race. Massimiliano Allegri has brought Milan the stability they lacked last season. Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão are in excellent shape and ready to break any opponent’s defense.

W1 – 2.774, X – 3.015, W2 – 3.09

The pre-match analysis from the best sports betting site  1xBet will help you get ready for the main matches of the weekend in European football. Even more interesting information about the battles between the giants in the top leagues is available via this link. Remember that only responsible gambling will tame the capricious Fortune.

Ayew, who had been without a club for six months after leaving Le Havre, signed with NAC Breda until the end of the season.

In an interview with the club’s media team, Amoah—who represented Ghana at the 2006 World Cup—expressed surprise at the signing and dismissed claims that he was the main reason behind Ayew’s arrival.

“Maybe it was like 10 per cent. Even me, I was surprised when they told me. There were rumours that it was because of me that André came here. Of course, maybe in a small way; he watched videos of me when I played for NAC, and there is a lot of respect for what I did here,” he said.

Amoah revealed that Ayew was attracted to NAC Breda because of its strong history with Ghanaian players. He added that the coaching staff had carefully assessed Ayew’s fitness before finalising the move.

“They asked me if he was fit because they had seen his training videos, sometimes with his dad. If you ask me, the role I played was not much. I think the coaches did their work,” Amoah explained.

Ayew is now training with the squad as NAC Breda prepare for a challenging Eredivisie clash against league leaders PSV this weekend.

Following a standout performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Gyan secured a transfer to Sunderland from French side Stade Rennais for a club-record fee of £13 million.

The striker made an immediate impact at the Stadium of Light, scoring on his debut against Wigan Athletic on September 11, 2011, after coming off the bench to replace Danny Welbeck.

In a recent interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Gyan revealed that playing in England’s top flight had always been a goal.

“It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League. Watching Tony Yeboah, I said to myself that I want to play in the Premier League, so my mind was made up. I had the option to stay at Stade Rennais, but I told them this is my time to go to the Premier League,” he said.

“Coming in, I was ready to deliver, and on my debut, I scored, and everything started getting better,” he added.

After 34 appearances and 10 goals for Sunderland, Gyan surprised many by moving on loan to UAE side Al Ain on September 10, 2011, a move that was later made permanent the following season.

During her visit, the Vice President received updates on current initiatives and progress within the ministry, reaffirming her commitment to fostering a thriving sports ecosystem in the country.

The sector Minister, Kofi Iddie Adams highlighted Ghana’s progress in sports safety, governance, and funding.

The Ministry responded to a supporter’s death by suspending the Premier League, conducting safety audits, and creating a Sports Police Unit.

Following boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju’s death, they overhauled boxing regulations and introduced national medical protocols.

The Ministry cleared over USD 904,000 in overdue salaries for Black Stars staff, and Parliament passed the Ghana Sports Fund Bill to finance sports infrastructure and development.

The Vice President commended Mr. Adams for his excellent leadership over the past year and emphasized that service to humanity remains the core calling of public servants.

She highlighted the importance of a proactive approach to addressing the needs of Ghanaians and pledged her support, particularly in ensuring the timely release of logistics and resources to facilitate the ministry’s work.
She also celebrated the contribution of sports and recreation to Ghana’s economy, noting that the sector plays a significant role in national development.

Her positive remarks inspired confidence in the future of Ghana’s sports industry and its potential to contribute to social cohesion and economic growth.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Wilhelmina Asamoah, expressed gratitude for the Vice President’s thoughtful visit, describing it as a motivation for management and staff to continue their hard work and dedication.

This visit underscores the government’s commitment to developing a robust sports sector, with leaders working collaboratively to ensure Ghana’s sporting talents are nurtured and celebrated on the global stage.

ALSO READ:

• Sports Minister Kofi Adams inaugurates National Sports Authority Governing Board to drive sector reforms

• Veep commends outgoing Chinese Ambassador on Ghana–China relations

The match is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, with kickoff set for 17:00 GMT.

Following the Austria encounter, Ghana will face Germany in a second friendly in Stuttgart on Monday, March 30.

Both Ghana and Austria have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group I alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, while Austria will compete in Group J with reigning world champions Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan.

Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto. They will then face England in Boston on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Following Ghana’s qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, there have been calls for a quota to ensure Ghana Premier League players are included.

Advocates argued that featuring more home-based players could also benefit local clubs through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme (CBP).

However, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum dismissed such demands, stating that squad selection will be strictly merit-based.

“No quota has been set for local players. Black Stars selections have always been based on merit, not on whether a player is local or abroad,” he told Akoma FM.

He added that recent call-ups for local players were earned purely on performance, not through pressure or lobbying.

“Players like Afriyie Barnieh, Danlad Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey, and most recently Benjamin Asare earned their call-ups purely through performance—no one begged for them. The same principle applies to every player: wherever you are, if your performance warrants it, you will be called up,” Asante Twum added.

Ghana, placed in Group L, will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto. The Black Stars will then face England in Boston before concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Defender Rafik Belghali was also sanctioned with a four-match ban, two of which are suspended, to be applied during the same qualifiers.

CAF further fined the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) $5,000 after Algerian players accumulated five yellow cards in a single match, a violation of Article 130(a) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

An additional $25,000 fine was imposed for misconduct by players and officials following the final whistle, actions deemed detrimental to the integrity of the game under Articles 82 and 83 of the Code.

Supporter-related violations also drew penalties. The FAF was fined $5,000 each for the use of smoke bombs and for the throwing of objects, and $10,000 for security breaches after fans attempted to force entry through stadium barriers. A further $50,000 fine was issued for offensive gestures by supporters toward match officials, including the display of banknotes.

In response, the FAF confirmed it would immediately launch an appeal in line with CAF regulations and pledged to closely monitor the process, emphasizing its commitment to defending Algerian football while adhering to all official procedures.

The 22-year-old, who is under contract with Bologna, completed the move on Wednesday during the winter transfer window.

Sulemana struggled for playing time following his permanent move from Atalanta last summer, making just four appearances this season. Several Serie A clubs, including Genoa and Sassuolo, had expressed interest, but the midfielder opted for a return to Sardinia, where he previously enjoyed a productive spell.

During the 2023/24 season, he featured in 24 matches for Cagliari, scoring twice, before moving to Atalanta in 2024.

The loan move is seen as an opportunity for Sulemana to rediscover form and boost his chances of earning a place in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He could make his return this weekend when Cagliari face Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

The side currently sit 15th on the league table with 22 points from 19 matches, a position that has raised concerns about their relegation prospects. However, Domfeh insists the club will avoid the drop despite a patchy run of form.

“We will survive relegation,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show. “From the games we have played, we can do better, and we will give Dreams FC a good game this weekend, so relegation is out of the conversation.”

Young Apostles will be aiming to bounce back after a 2-2 home draw against Hohoe United. They travel to the Tuba AstroTurf this weekend to face Dreams FC in their Matchday 20 fixture.

The club had earlier threatened to boycott the league but has since reversed that decision and confirmed its commitment to continue competing in the Ghana Premier League.

There were chaotic scenes at the end of regulation time in the final, when the award of a penalty to Morocco sparked a walk-off from Senegal and led to a delay of over 16 minutes before Brahim Diaz had his Panenka attempt saved.

Atlas Lions boss Walid Regragui decried the incident as “shameful”, and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) is yet to announce the sanctions.

But there was more to the tournament.

The fallout from Senegal’s eventual victory in Rabat should not detract from what has been a largely well-organised finals where a record 121 goals were scored.

BBC Sport Africa explores what else we learned from just under a month of competition in Morocco.

World-class infrastructure

There is no doubt that Morocco has delivered outstanding infrastructure, facilities and stadiums, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital the stand-out example.

Staging the tournament was partly in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

The North African country has benefitted from vast investment over recent years backed by King Mohammed VI, who said the country’s infrastructure had demonstrated “resilience and a world-class level of readiness”.

Things will only improve, with the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca and stadiums in Fes, Marrakesh and Agadir set for renovations – while work on a 115,000-seater stadium near Benslimane continues.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and the colourful displays on its LED screens on its exterior, became a symbol of the Afcon in Morocco

Pitches held up strongly, even in persistent rain, which has long been a challenge for Afcon hosts.

“We are tremendously happy with our technology,” Omar Khyari from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation told BBC Sport Africa.

“We are very happy also because it shows the world that sometimes Africa can do it better than other countries. Maybe more importantly, all this technology is from Moroccan companies.”

Media colleagues from East Africa marvelled at what they saw, but it is unlikely that future co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be able to deliver anything on the same scale.

Kenyan football federation president Hussein Mohammed accepted that Morocco has set “a new standard” for hosting but that “key steps” are being taken to improve existing infrastructure ahead of 2027.

The dates of those finals are still yet to be announced by Caf.

An improved balance sheet

Image source: Reuters

Image caption: Caf president Patrice Motsepe (left) has helped significantly improve profits from Afcon but Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino (right) criticised “ugly scenes” at the end of the final

Caf says revenues generated by Afcon have grown by 90%, with ticket revenue increasing significantly from $11m at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast to $55m in Morocco.

It has also increased the number of sponsors and major partners to 23, while the profile of the finals has been boosted by improved social media coverage.

Last year Caf forecast a net profit of more than $114m from the finals, up from a profit of $75m two years ago.

With such figures and an increased profile, people will wonder why Caf has decided to switch to quadrennial rather than biennial hosting of Afcon from 2028 – and whether it is possible to generate similar value outside of Morocco, which as well as hosting Afcon is about host its third Women’s Nations Cups in a row.

Asisat Oshoala, one of the stars of Nigeria’s women’s team, recently branded Morocco the “new headquarters” of African football, saying it was “getting boring” returning there so often.

The question is, can Caf afford not to?

Officiating criticised

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Jean-Jacques Ndala’s decision to award Morocco a penalty after consulting his pitch-side monitor let to chaotic scenes in Rabat as Senegal contested the call

On the downside, standards of officiating were regularly called into question.

Before their semi-final against Nigeria, Morocco boss Regragui went as far as pouring cold water on conspiracy theorists who suggested referees had been favouring the hosts.

“I watch a lot of matches and the controversies are the same everywhere, in Africa or in Europe,” he said.

A major case in point came in the final, a match Jean-Jacques Ndala marshalled well until second-half stoppage time when it all quickly unravelled.

The Congolese’s decision to blow up for a challenge by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi before Senegal put the ball into the Morocco net in the second of what was due to be eight added minutes contributed to a sense of injustice which culminated in their walk-off after Morocco were awarded a penalty six minutes later.

The use of video assistant referee reviews has definitely taken a backwards step following a near faultless application at the 2023 edition.

There were long delays for several reviews and a couple of questionable handball and penalty calls, while for all of Morocco’s investment there was no semi-automated offside in operation.

Security and crowd control

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Senegal fans clashed with security personnel after Morocco were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time

Meanwhile, Senegal’s football federation (FSF) raised legitimate concerns over the lack of security when their squad arrived by train in Rabat ahead of the final, leading to players being mobbed at the station.

Then came the unsavoury scenes inside the stadium as Teranga Lions fans clashed with security after Morocco’s controversial penalty award.

BBC Sport Africa witnessed other incidents of fans outside stadiums being caught up in crushes or penned into tight spaces.

Crowd control is a serious issue but not limited to African football, as demonstrated by incidents at the Euro 2020 and 2022 Uefa Champions League finals.

Before the match, the FSF also complained about the fact it received fewer than 4,000 tickets for a final which took place in a 69,500-capacity stadium.

It will also be interesting to see whether Caf acts on any of the gamesmanship on display on Sunday, where Moroccan ballboys attempted to wrestle Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel away from one of his understudies behind the goal.

Videos circulating on social media had showed Moroccan fans celebrating as the towel of Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali was stolen twice during their semi-final against the host nation.

Change in regulations needed

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: A harsh yellow card in the semi-finals meant Nigeria centre-back Calvin Bassey (left) would have missed the final had the Super Eagles made it through

Caf must surely look at changing its rules regarding bookings in knockout games, having wiped all yellow cards after the group stage.

A total of 20 players were walking a tightrope in the semi-finals, knowing that a second caution in the space of three matches would rule them out of the final.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra ultimately missed out, while the same fate would have befallen Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey and Egypt’s Hossam Abdelmaguid had their sides progressed.

While discipline is important, coaches, players, supporters and media all want to see the strongest XIs possible take the field in the biggest games.

Meanwhile, the requirement to draw lots to separate sides with identical records in the group stage almost occurred on three occasions.

It last happened at an Afcon in 2015, with Guinea progressing ahead of Mali, and at one point would have been needed to decide which side finished as the last of four third-placed finishers.

Though perhaps a drawing of lots would offer a moment of drama to a neutral, fair play records or an attacking metric would likely be preferable to the teams involved.

The Serb great is bidding for a 25th Grand Slam title to take him one clear of Margaret Court’s all-time singles record.

The 38-year-old has spoken about needing to protect his body for the latter stages of the majors, having been hampered by injury in three of his four Slam semi-finals last year.

A leg injury caused an early end to Djokovic’s Australian Open semi-final last year, while he was hampered by a hip injury at Wimbledon and fatigue at the US Open.

Spending as little time on court in the first few rounds is key – and Djokovic has made a strong start.

He dropped only seven games in a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the second round on a warm Melbourne afternoon.

Djokovic beat Spain’s Pedro Martinez by the same scoreline on Monday, marking the first time he has not dropped a set in the first two rounds at Melbourne Park since 2023.

“I didn’t know much about him until a few days ago – it happens more often than not these days,” Djokovic said of world number 141 Maestrelli.

“The respect is always there and I didn’t underestimate him. He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience.

“He’s got the game to go far and high in the world rankings and I wish him that.”

Djokovic has never lost a Grand Slam match to a qualifier or a lucky loser, and his 37-0 record against them is the best of any man in the Open era.

While his serve was not quite as potent as in the first round, Djokovic still won 86% of points behind his first serve, as well as saving four of the five break points he faced.

Victory over Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round on Saturday would be his 400th Grand Slam singles win. No other player has achieved that feat.

Djokovic cannot meet world number one Carlos Alcaraz before the final, but he could face two-time defending champion and second seed Jannik Sinner in the semis.

The Fifa Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System – or Fifa Pass – announced by US President Donald Trump in November, went live on Tuesday.

It was introduced in part because citizens of some countries whose teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup may not otherwise receive visa appointments in time for the tournament.

But the US State Department has stressed that a Fifa Pass appointment does not guarantee a visa will be approved, with all ticket holders having to “undergo thorough security screening and vetting”.

Most citizens of countries under the US visa waiver programme, which covers much of Europe, including the UK, along with Japan, Australia and others, can ordinarily travel visa-free for up to 90 days, so do not need to use the Fifa Pass. Travellers from those countries would need to apply instead for an Esta – an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

A senior State Department official said the new Fifa Pass system will cut wait times – with applicants in “over 80%” of countries now able to schedule a visa appointment in “less that 60 days”.

It added: “At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament. America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”

What about countries affected by immigrant visa suspension?

Football fans in countries affected by the US suspending the processing of immigrant visas will still be able to apply to travel to the country for this year’s World Cup.

The US said last Wednesday it will pause processing immigrant visas from 75 countries, 15 of which have qualified for the World Cup, including five-time winners Brazil.

A further seven nations on the list are still in contention to qualify for this year’s tournament, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

The State Department confirmed on Tuesday the pause “applies to the issuance of immigrant visas only” and “does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, athletes and their families, and media professionals”.

Qualified nations on the list of 75 countries: Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay, Uzbekistan

Nations still in qualification contention on the list: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Kosovo, North Macedonia

What about countries on travel ban list?

The order to indefinitely pause the processing of immigrant visa applications from those 75 countries will take effect on Wednesday, 21 January.

Prior to this move, Trump expanded a travel ban that came into force on 1 January, which bars nationals of countries on that list from entering the US.

Haiti and Iran, who have both qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are on the list of countries with full restrictions.

Ivory Coast and Senegal, who have also qualified, are on the list of countries with partial restrictions.

The State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment does not allow people “who are otherwise not eligible” to be issued a visa, meaning fans from those four countries appear unlikely to be able to travel to the US for this summer’s tournament.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives” to the travel ban for the World Cup.

However, it added “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”. They can still submit visa applications but “they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States”.

The US will host 78 of the 104 total matches at the World Cup, across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

From the historic goal-scoring feats of the group stages to the enthralling crowning of Senegal as champions, every heartbeat of the continent’s greatest spectacle was brought to life by an elite team of legendary analysts and broadcasters.

From the electric tension of the opening group stage fixtures to the breathtaking extra-time drama that unfolded in Rabat on Sunday night, SuperSport stood as the definitive heartbeat of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

By positioning itself at the very epicentre of the action, Your World of Champions translated the raw emotion, cultural prestige, and technical brilliance of the tournament into an immersive experience for millions of viewers across the continent.

As Senegal stood tall as the newly crowned Kings of Africa Sunday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the broadcast delivery proved once again that SuperSport is more than just a broadcaster; it is the bridge between the beautiful game and the fans who live for it, ensuring that Africa’s greatest sporting narrative was told with the world-class authority it deserves.

Senegal fans supporting their team during the Africa Cup Of Nations Final match between Senegal and Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Bringing the African Football Family Together

The coverage was anchored by a formidable assembly of footballing minds, ensuring that the technical quality on the screen matched the historic brilliance on the pitch.

Icons such as UEFA Champions League and AFCON winner Salomon Kalou and 2019  AFCON Golden Boot winner Odion Ighalo provided deep analytical insights, supported by the veteran voices of Daniel Akpeyi and Olisa Ndah.

The tactical narratives were woven together by South African legends Shaun Bartlett, Bongani Khumalo, Stanton Fredericks, Teko Modise, Phumudzo Manenzhe, and Simphiwe Dludlu.

International flair was further bolstered by Gabadinho Mhango and Inacio Miguel, while the SS Máximo team—including Rui Almeida, Óscar Paul, and José (Zéca) Marques—ensured a sophisticated Lusophone perspective for fans across every region of the continent.

CAF Broadcast Productions also appointed a specialised elite talent squad featuring legendary football historian Mark Gleeson, trailblazing commentator and former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini, and veteran broadcaster Thabiso Tema, who provided expert coverage of all 52 matches live from Morocco.

The awards are presented to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz (L) the tournament’s top scorer, Senegal’s Sadio Mane (C) the tournament’s best player, and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou (R) the tournament’s best goalkeeper as Senegal wins the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) final match against Morocco. (Photo by Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Through it all, SuperSport ensured that every decision and every celebration was beamed to millions with crystal-clear precision.

Rendani Ramovha, CANAL+ Director: Content, Sport (English & Portuguese-speaking Africa), commented: “This AFCON has been a landmark moment for African sport, and SuperSport is honoured to have been the bridge between the action in Morocco and millions of fans across the continent.”

“From the record-breaking goals to the unbelievable drama of the final in Rabat, our goal was to provide world-class coverage that reflected the scale of this tournament and to bring the family together through a celebration of African cultures and flavours.

“Through our dedicated channels, our magazine shows, digital content, fan engagement and legendary panel of experts, we have set a new standard for sports broadcasting in Africa.”

Large crowds gather at Obelisque Square in Dakar on January 14, 2026, to celebrate Senegalâs qualification for the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.  (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The tournament itself was a triumph of attacking intent, reaching a historic milestone with 121 goals scored in total.

This prolific haul officially beat the previous record of 119 goals set during the last edition in Côte d’Ivoire, cementing the 2025 tournament as the most clinical in AFCON history.

SuperSport’s dedicated channels captured every iconic moment, from Nigeria’s symphonic 4-0 thrashing of Mozambique—where Victor Osimhen’s brilliance was briefly overshadowed by a dramatic second-half substitution—to Mohamed Salah’s emotional 124th-minute winner that secured Egypt’s quarterfinal berth.

Fans also witnessed the rise of new stars, such as Algeria’s 22-year-old Adil Boulbina, who settled a gruelling quarterfinal against Congo with a composed, curling finish in the dying seconds.

The tournament also delivered a high-stakes third-place playoff where Stanley Nwabali denied Mohamed Salah from the spot to secure the bronze medal for Nigeria, while Bafana Bafana provided their own sparks of brilliance throughout their campaign, including a spirited victory against Angola.

The spectacle reached its boiling point in a finale defined by unprecedented chaos and ultimate glory.

After a month of tactical excellence, the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco erupted into bedlam during injury time when a controversial VAR decision led to a brief walk-off by the Senegal squad.

In a moment of pure agony for the home crowd, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz saw his winning penalty attempt drift over the bar following a duffed Panenka.

Reinvigorated by the reprieve, Senegal seized the moment in extra time as Pape Gueye silenced the stadium with a brilliant winner, capping off the most exhilarating finale in AFCON history.

Senegalese players raise the trophy after winning the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) final. (Photo by Samah Zidan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Embassy’s Press Attaché, Matthew Asada, confirmed that the initiative, known as the “FIFA Pass”, is in its final stages and will be formally launched soon.

“Specifically for the World Cup, I also want to highlight something that is not yet finalized, but it will be coming here shortly, and we will have more information about that soon,” Asada stated in an interview with Citi Eyewitness News on Wednesday, January 21.

He explained that the FIFA Pass, which stands for the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, will guarantee timely visa appointments for ticket holders.

“This will ensure that any non-immigrant visa applicant with a valid FIFA 2026 World Cup ticket is able to get an appointment before the World Cup itself,” Asada added.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Embassy in Accra continues to increase non-immigrant visa appointment availability, releasing thousands of extra slots in response to growing demand.

Embassy officials have strongly advised prospective travelers to begin their visa application process early to avoid delays.

Applicants are also reminded to use only the Embassy’s official scheduling channels to prevent fraud and unauthorized third-party interference.

Further details regarding the FIFA Pass system will be communicated once the rollout is finalised.

The 25-year-old left the Ghana Premier League giants to join Libyan outfit Al Ahly Benghazi following Kotoko’s disappointing exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.

The club were eliminated after a heavy defeat to Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club in the second preliminary round.

Amoah has since returned to Kotoko on loan for the remainder of the season, and he has admitted that his departure was emotionally difficult.

“It was difficult leaving, especially because of how it ended in Morocco. I didn’t even know how to respond to messages,” he said.

Knowing that so many fans are counting on me has given me a huge boost, and I hope to repay their faith,” Amoah added. 

Amoah is expected to feature when Asante Kotoko host Basake Holy Stars in their Matchday 20 clash at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The 25-year-old has rejoined the Porcupine Warriors on loan from Libyan outfit Al Ahly Benghazi, marking a swift return to the Ghana Premier League.

Amoah left Kotoko for Al Ahly Benghazi earlier in the season but made his way back following the Libyan side’s exit from the CAF Confederation Cup, where they suffered a heavy defeat to Wydad Athletic Club.

Speaking to Kotoko’s official media channels, the striker said his desire to achieve success with the Kumasi-based giants played a key role in his move, stressing his determination to make an immediate impact as the club targets a strong finish to the campaign.

“I decided to return to Asante Kotoko to finish what I started. I’ve never won the Ghana Premier League before, and that is one of the main reasons I came back,” he said.

He added that the title race remains wide open and believes the team can still mount a serious challenge.

“When you look at the league table, it’s far from over. There are still many matches to play, and we will work together as a team to make sure we win it,” Amoah added.

Amoah could make his return debut this weekend when Asante Kotoko host Basake Holy Stars in their Matchday 20 fixture at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

Waterman was instrumental in securing Panama’s place in the tournament, scoring twice in their decisive 3-2 victory over Guatemala during the qualifiers.

The win ensured the Central American nation’s return to football’s biggest stage.

Panama have been drawn in Group L alongside Ghana, Croatia, and England — a tough group on paper, but one Waterman believes his team can challenge.

Speaking to FIFA, Waterman said the gap between teams has narrowed and highlighted Costa Rica’s World Cup performances as proof that smaller nations can compete with the best.

“They are opponents with great stature, but in every sense I think the gap has closed,” he said.

“I think we can use Costa Rica as an example of when they have gone to World Cups.

“They have competed, and so now we have to continue that and go to the World Cup and compete and make things hard on teams. And who said we can’t take the three points in a game? I’m convinced we can because it’s football; anything can happen,” Waterman concluded.

Panama will begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana at Toronto Stadium on June 18.

The badges were officially presented at a ceremony held at the GFA headquarters on Tuesday, January 20.

Mr. Addo congratulated the officials on their achievement and challenged them to uphold the responsibilities that come with FIFA recognition.

“I want to congratulate all of you for how far you’ve come and urge you to keep your heads high. There is a lot of expectation on you, and you must continue to work hard to maintain the standards required,” he said.

He also encouraged the referees to pursue excellence beyond domestic competitions, highlighting the importance of professionalism, integrity, and perception on the international stage.

“Aspire for greatness and aim to become world-class referees. How you are perceived when your name comes up matters. Impartiality, fairness, and top-class performance must always guide your work.

“The Football Association will continue to invest in your craft and provide the necessary support to help you perform at the highest level. You are the soul and heart of the game,” he added.

The selected officials will represent Ghana internationally throughout 2026, with continued FIFA recognition dependent on their performance and adherence to global standards.

Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

After missing the 2018 edition in Russia, the Black Stars returned to the global stage in Qatar in 2022 but were eliminated in the group stage. Despite that setback, Asante Twum remains optimistic about the team’s prospects this time.

Speaking in an interview, he said the objective is to advance beyond the group phase and make a deep run in the competition.

“Our target for the World Cup is to qualify from the group stage and be competitive. We want to fight; we have the quality, and we believe we can match our quarter-final appearance—and possibly go even further,” he told Akoma FM.

He added that the technical team has been strengthened following the Qatar campaign and will be further reinforced ahead of the tournament.

“Following the Qatar 2022 World Cup, we strengthened the technical team. The coach has requested some new additions, and the FA is currently working on them. However, the individuals involved are under contract with their respective employers, making it difficult to disclose names at this time.”

Details regarding the Black Stars’ training base and logistics are expected to be released in the first week of February. The provisional squad will be announced in April, with the final roster set for June 1.

“Details of the Black Stars’ camping base and logistical arrangements will be announced in the first week of February. The provisional squad is expected in April, with the final squad to be named on June 1,” he added.

Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.