The 22-year-old centre-back completed the switch from Swiss side FC Basel on transfer deadline day, signing a long-term contract that will keep him at the club until 2030.

Adjetey described the move as a major step in his career, expressing his determination to make an immediate impact at the German club.

“It means a lot to me to be in the Bundesliga now and take this step with VfL Wolfsburg,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting started immediately and will give everything every day to help us achieve the results we need,” Adjetey added.

The transfer comes at a crucial stage in Adjetey’s international career. The defender has already featured for Ghana in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and will be keen to secure regular playing time in Germany as he pushes for a place in the Black Stars squad ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The centre-back has put pen to paper on a long-term deal that will keep him at the Volkswagen Arena until 2030, marking a significant step forward in his club career.

Wolfsburg sporting director Pirmin Schwegler hailed the signing, highlighting Adjetey’s physical presence and defensive qualities.

“Jonas is a physically strong player, quick and dominant in duels. He brings exactly the qualities we need in our defence,” he said.

“Over the past three and a half years at FC Basel, he proved himself both in the league and internationally. We have high expectations for Jonas and are convinced he will immediately strengthen our team,” he added. 

The transfer is believed to be worth around €10 million.

Adjetey arrives from Swiss side FC Basel, where he made 15 appearances across all competitions this season and established himself as a key figure in defence.

The 24-year-old, who has featured for Ghana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will be eager for regular playing time in Germany as he pushes to secure a place in the Black Stars squad ahead of the World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 24-year-old had been linked with moves to Napoli and AS Roma during the winter transfer window, largely due to limited playing time. This season, Sulemana has featured in just 22 matches across all competitions, scoring two goals.

Atalanta’s resolve to keep him strengthened following Nigeria international Ademola Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid. Despite reported interest from multiple clubs, the Serie A side is intent on holding on to their winger.

Insider Alessandro Giovanni Pagliarini revealed that Napoli secured a loan deal for Brazilian Alisson Santos from Sporting Lisbon, while AS Roma agreed terms to sign Bryan Zaragoza from Celta Vigo. These new signings appear to reduce the likelihood of Sulemana leaving before the winter window closes tonight.

Sulemana joined Atalanta from Southampton on a five-year contract worth up to £18 million. He will now focus on his club performances as he aims to earn a spot in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

City were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham Hotspur in North London on Sunday, surrendering a two-goal lead in the process. First-half strikes from Rayan Cherki and Semenyo had put City in control, but a second-half brace from Dominic Solanke inspired Spurs’ comeback, forcing the visitors to settle for a share of the spoils.

The draw leaves City second in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal. Despite the gap, Semenyo is confident the title race is far from over.

“We’ve got 14 games to go. We are six points behind, it’s not the end. We have to keep going,” the Ghana international said after the match. “Anything can happen. They might lose a couple of games, we might win. The dynamic changes, and we have to see what happens. Everyone is visibly frustrated, and we go again.”

Semenyo praised City’s first-half display as near-perfect but admitted the team struggled after the break.

“First-half we played really well, keeping the ball and drawing them out. We did that really well and had a few chances. The mentality was to do the same things again. Second-half that didn’t happen, and they dominated,” he said. “Couldn’t tell you why if I’m honest. They started picking up momentum and had a couple of chances. Getting the crowd into it helped—they were behind them, and it definitely helps.”

Since joining City from Bournemouth, the 26-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist, failing to score in only one league match—against Manchester United.

Semenyo will look to maintain his form when City host Newcastle United in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final before turning their attention to a challenging league trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Pooley was fatally stabbed by an unidentified fan during Kotoko’s match against the now-defunct Nsoatreman FC in Nsoatre on February 2, 2025. He was discovered at the stadium entrance with severe injuries, bleeding from his stomach.

In a statement on Monday, February 2, the club remembered Pooley as a devoted fan whose life was senselessly cut short.

“We stand together to remember a fallen supporter whose life was cut short by mindless hooliganism—a tragedy that should never happen again,” Kotoko said.

“The pain of his absence is still felt every day. Pooley lived for the beautiful game, and while some hooligans took his life, they can never take away his memories, the joy, and the love he brought to the stands.”

No convictions have been made, as the case remains in court with eight individuals currently on trial.

“Today, we call for continued justice and recommit ourselves to ensuring our game centres remain places of safety and unity, free from violence,” the club added.

Full Statement:

The incident cast a shadow over last season’s Premier League, prompting a month-long suspension of matches to allow stakeholder consultations and the introduction of stricter safety measures.

Following the events, Nsoatreman FC withdrew from the competition.

On Sunday, February 1, Deputy Sports Minister Peace Mabe had announced that South Africa would host the competition. However, the Ministry later clarified that no official decision or communication has been made regarding a change in hosting rights.

In a press release, Minister Gayton McKenzie stressed that comments by the deputy minister should not be taken as confirmation. Morocco remains the official host of the 16-team tournament, scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

The statement noted, however, that South Africa could step in as an alternative host if the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were to request it.

South Africa has previously hosted WAFCON three times: in 2000, 2004, and most recently in 2010.

The Phobians hosted the Hunters at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday in their Matchday 21 Ghana Premier League fixture.

Despite enjoying large spells of possession and controlling much of the game, Hearts of Oak failed to break down Bechem United’s defence, settling for a 0-0 stalemate.

Reflecting on the result, Dramani admitted his frustration, noting that the visitors appeared content to play on the counter.

“For them, they will say it’s a fair result because right from the onset, we could see that is what they wanted to do — to sit back and go on the break,” he said.

“We could have also lost the game because in such situations it’s really tough. I think we were disappointing,” Dramani added.

The draw leaves Hearts of Oak fourth on the Ghana Premier League table with 36 points. The Phobians will look to bounce back when they face rivals Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors were beaten 3-1 by Heart of Lions at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Saturday in their Matchday 21 encounter, a result that came after Medeama’s 2-1 loss to Nations FC at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.

Kotoko went into the game hoping to capitalise on Medeama’s slip-up and strengthen their title push, but Zito conceded after the match that his team failed to seize the moment.

“Medeama lost yesterday, and today was our chance to close the gap. Honestly, I feel we missed that opportunity,” he said.

“That is why I was not expecting this result, because in terms of preparation, we worked very hard. We prepared extremely well,” Zito added.

The Kotoko boss also acknowledged the challenges of playing in Kpando, a venue he noted has never been easy for his side, but stressed that it was not an excuse for the defeat.

“Kpando is always a very difficult place for Kotoko to come and play. But putting that aside, I had a plan to at least win this game. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way I wanted it to,” he stated.

The loss leaves Asante Kotoko fifth on the Ghana Premier League table with 35 points. They will now shift focus to a high-profile Matchday 22 clash against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium this weekend.

Kotoko were beaten at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Saturday in their Matchday 21 fixture, as the hosts put up an impressive display to claim all three points.

Goals from Asante Seedorf Afful, Fawzi Ali and Michael Ephson secured a commanding victory for Heart of Lions, with Samba O’Neil grabbing a late consolation for the Kumasi-based side.

Speaking after the match, Zito admitted the result came as a shock, despite thorough preparations ahead of the encounter.

“This is football. I honestly was not expecting this scoreline because we prepared very well for the game,” Zito said.

The Kotoko coach attributed the defeat to lapses in defending set-pieces, even though his side had worked extensively on them in training.

“Most of the goals we conceded came from set-pieces. We worked a lot on defending and attacking set-pieces in training, so maybe today was just one of those days,” he added.

The loss leaves Asante Kotoko fifth on the league table with 35 points. They will aim to bounce back in Matchday 22 when they host rivals Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

Subject to a medical, the 20-year-old will move to the Reds in the summer after the clubs reached agreement on a £55m fee plus £5m in add-ons.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue with the France Under-21 international.

Chelsea are known to have held talks with Jacquet during the winter window, but it is understood they will not match Liverpool’s bid.

Liverpool are looking to bolster their centre-back options, with France defender Ibrahima Konate’s current contract set to expire at the end of this season.

Arne Slot’s side missed out on Marc Guehi last summer, with the England centre-half then opting to join Manchester City in January.

Jacquet came through the Rennes academy and has played for the club 18 times this season, with a string of standout performances making him a target for some of Europe’s elite sides – and Liverpool see him as a long-term investment.

A lot of words have been spoken since the sacking of Ruben Amorim about a reconnection with Manchester United’s DNA.

There are plenty who question whether it even exists.

If there is such a thing, this is it. United snatching a winner, deep into stoppage-time, just as it seemed victory would prove elusive. Michael Carrick’s post-match assessment summed up the view of many.

Benjamin Sesko is entitled to the headlines after delivering the dramatic ending.

But when the dust settles on the 3-2 win over Fulham, United fans may start to look back further to Ruben Amorim’s ill-fated 14 months in charge and wonder whether their club effectively wasted a year.

Amorim presided over victories like this.

The 5-4 epic against Lyon in the Europa League last April was even more dramatic given it involved two goals in the final minute of extra time.

Go back further and Carrick played in them. He was an injury-time substitute before Michael Owen scored his famous Manchester derby winner at Old Trafford in 2009.

The feeling doesn’t change.

“It’s the best feeling,” said Carrick.

“Some of the best moments here I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of, when you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.

“There’s no better place, in front of the Stretford End – and it ends up meaning a bit more.

“People leave here with more than just a United win. It puts layers on top of that through the connection and the emotion. It’s why we all love it so much.

“That excitement is part of this club. It’s not always the easiest way. We’d like to win games a little bit more comfortably than that.

“But certainly, when they come along, it’s pretty special.”

Rebuilding after Amorim’s ill-fated tenure

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is mobbed by ecstatic team-mates after his injury-time winner against Fulham

Let’s get a few facts out there.

Manchester United were winning their third Premier League game in a row, in the third game of Carrick’s second spell in charge. It took Amorim 36 to do that and only the once did he manage three-in-a-row – or even successive wins – in his entire 14 months at Old Trafford.

In responding to victories for Chelsea and Liverpool the previous day, United returned to fourth spot in the table. Amorim never had them placed so highly at the end of a match round.

Including his first spell in 2021, Carrick has now won four of his five league games in charge.

He is the third United manager to achieve that, following Sir Matt Busby in 1946 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019. It took Amorim 12 league games to win four – and he won one out of the next 10. Amorim’s record of 1.23 points per game in the Premier League is the lowest of all United managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

Then there is the formation – and personnel.

Evidently, United have not resolved their defensive frailties, but the switch to four at the back from three has not made them worse.

That fundamental tactical switch from Amorim’s regime has been key in creating the space for Kobbie Mainoo’s return. Mainoo failed to start a single league game under Amorim this season after he was pitched in direct competition with skipper Bruno Fernandes for a starting spot.

Mainoo cruised through the Fulham game. Defensively, supposedly his weakness, he was solid. Going forward his passing and ability to find space was invaluable as Carrick’s side sought ways through the opposition defences.

“Kobbie’s performance was very good today in so many ways,” said Carrick.

“There was a lot of work for Kobbie and Casemiro to do in the middle of the pitch. That was without the ball, and I thought he was terrific in that.

“With the ball, and I’ve spoken about it before, he’s not fazed.

“He understands what’s needed and he comes up with moments of quality.

“It’s what we have come to expect from him but you forget how young he is.

“He’s still got loads to come but seeing him today, playing with that kind of confidence in their belief, is a real joy.”

Next up for United, they entertain Tottenham in a rematch of last season’s Europa League final.

In that fixture in Bilbao, Amorim failed to come up with a gameplan to beat a Tottenham side that were awful last season and have not improved much domestically in the current campaign.

The visitors will though be encouraged by their own weekend result, coming from two down to draw with Manchester City and relieve some pressure on Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou after he had beaten United in Bilbao.

Defeat in that win or bust encounter for a place in this season’s Champions League cost United massively, in both prestige and finance. Amorim could have been sacked then.

Instead, the club kept faith. But after the 1-1 draw with Leeds at the beginning of last month, United’s powerbrokers were not willing to risk missing out on Europe for a second season in a row.

In the space of three games, Carrick has put the club into a Champions League position, and built a five-point buffer on seventh-placed Brentford, knowing sixth would open up entry to the Europa League, which was United’s stated aim for the season as a whole.

Debate will continue about whether Carrick should get the job.

But there is little argument now on whether Amorim should have been dismissed, only if he should have been there in the first place.

As one critic who knows United well observed many months ago, “apart from his press conferences, what is he actually any good at?”

“Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg,” said Los Blancos in a statement, without specifying the length of his expected absence.

Spanish media reported the 22-year-old England international could miss around a month after he went off hurt in the opening stages of the 2-1 LaLiga win over Rayo Vallecano.

As well as the play-off games against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on February 17 and 25, Bellingham is likely to miss league matches against Valencia, Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said a potential Bellingham absence would be a “big absence” but that he has an “extraordinary squad” to help fill in for the midfielder.

City were in total control at half-time as goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo emphasised their domination, with Thomas Frank’s team enduring another hostile reaction from their own fans.

Solanke gave Spurs hope by pulling one back before he showed superb presence of mind to divert Conor Gallagher’s cross, which was behind him, over City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It capped a comeback which seemed unthinkable at half-time, with City outclassing Spurs with embarrassing ease.

City had already threatened before Cherki put them ahead, the Spurs defence allowing him to advance unchecked to send a low shot beyond the reach of keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Cherki almost added a second after a superb run and cross-shot that was diverted wide by a vital touch from Vicario.

City’s second seemed inevitable, eventually arriving moments before half-time when Spurs defender Radu Dragusin’s poor clearance was collected by Rodri. He found Bernardo Silva, who slipped in Semenyo for a cool finish.

Spurs, as so often in recent times, were jeered off at half-time but finally roused themselves after the break to at least put City under pressure.

The previously unemployed Donnarumma saved superbly from Destiny Udogie before Spurs offered some hope when Solanke bundled home, although City were furious, believing he had fouled Marc Guehi.

Solanke then produced a moment to live long in the memory as Spurs drew level, delivering a so-called “scorpion kick” to turn Gallagher’s cross beyond Donnarumma’s reach.

The result left City six points behind leaders Arsenal, while Spurs, who have suffered so much misery at home this season, deserve huge credit for such a show of spirit when all seemed lost.

The round of fixtures, played from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, delivered several eye-catching scorelines, headlined by the end of Medeama SC’s long unbeaten run.

At the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, Nations FC halted Medeama’s 17-match unbeaten streak with a spirited 2–1 victory. Kingsley Braye opened the scoring for the Yellow and Mauve side, but a brace from Nations FC captain Razak Simpson turned the contest on its head to hand the hosts all three points.

Saturday’s action saw Heart of Lions claim a famous 3–1 win over Asante Kotoko at the Kpando Sports Stadium. Goals from Asante Seedorf Afful, Fawzi Ali and Michael Ephson put the home side firmly in control, with Samba O’Neil pulling one back for Kotoko from the penalty spot.

At the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema Newtown, Vision FC were held to a 2–2 draw by Dreams FC. Dreams raced into an early lead through a John Antwi brace before Nana Kwesi Amoah and Mohammed Iddrisu responded to earn a point for the hosts.

Sunday’s fixtures were dominated by tightly contested encounters. Hearts of Oak and Bechem United played out a goalless draw at the University of Ghana Stadium, while Aduana FC and FC Samartex also shared the spoils in a 0–0 stalemate at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park in Dormaa.

Basake Holy Stars continued their fine home form with a 2–0 win over Berekum Chelsea at the AAK Park. Prince Opoku opened the scoring before an own goal from Michael Mensah Awuah sealed the victory.

Defending champions Bibiani GoldStars edged Swedru All Blacks 1–0 at DUN’s Park, with Kelvin Oppong netting a decisive late winner. Karela United also claimed a narrow 1–0 victory at the Aliu Mahama Stadium, courtesy of a late strike from Solomon Aboagye.

At the Wenchi Sports Stadium, Young Apostles recorded a convincing 3–0 win over relegation-threatened Eleven Wonders, with Issah Huseine scoring twice and Agyemang Kingsford adding a third.

Following the conclusion of Matchday 21, Medeama SC, Aduana FC, Hearts of Oak and Bibiani GoldStars occupy the league’s top four positions, while Berekum Chelsea, Hohoe United and Eleven Wonders remain in the relegation zone.

Full Time Results

Nations FC 2-1 Medeama SC

Heart of Lions 3-1 Asante Kotoko

Vision FC 2-2 Dreams FC

Hearts of Oak 0-0 Bechem United 

Aduana FC 0-0 FC Samartex

Basake Holy Stars 2-0 Berekum Chelsea

Bibiani GoldStars 1-0 Swedru All Blacks

Karela United 1-0 Hohoe United

Young Apostles 3-0 Eleven Wonders

United seemed to be cruising to victory as Brazilian duo Casemiro and Matheus Cunha put them two up with goals either side of half-time.

But after Raul Jimenez pulled one back five minutes from time with a brilliant penalty into the roof of the home net, Kevin looked to have snatched a point with a thunderous strike to the top corner.

However, in nine minutes of time added on mainly due to two lengthy VAR checks that resulted in United having a penalty overturned and Fulham a goal disallowed, Sesko turned on to a Bruno Fernandes pass and drilled a shot into the top corner.

It took Ruben Amorim 36 Premier League games to win three in a row as United chief, his only sequence of successive victories.

Carrick has taken just three and was serenaded by the home supporters as his side went back into the Premier League’s top four.

Following their disappointing Champions League outing in midweek, during which Anatoliy Trubin’s last-gasp goal for Benfica left Los Blancos facing a playoff clash against the same opponents, Real will have been desperate to start on the front foot here.

Their efforts at building momentum, though, suffered a setback when Jude Bellingham was in tears as he was forced off with a hamstring injury in the opening stages.

Still, while the visitors had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead inside the opening five minutes when Ilias Akhomach wriggled into some space inside the area before dragging his shot wide, Alvaro Arbeloa’s team were in front by the quarter-hour mark. Vinicius Junior had not scored in LaLiga since October 4th 2025, but he broke his drought in some style here, curling into the top corner from just inside the box.

The rest of the half passed by with limited opportunities, the best of which came from Arda Guler as he forced Augusto Batalla into an important stop from a tight angle. As HT approached, Rayo improved and grew into the game, but their difficulties in front of goal this term – only two sides in the Spanish top flight had scored fewer than their 17 goals prior to kick-off – were underlined by the fact they failed to work Thibaut Courtois before the interval.

Within five minutes of the restart, though, they were back on level terms. A searching ball towards the back post was headed back into the danger area by Alvaro Garcia, and Jorge de Frutos was on hand to sweep past Courtois.

Both sides then had a gilt-edged opportunity apiece to take the lead; first, Real’s goalkeeper produced a crucial one-on-one stop to deny Andrei Rațiu when the visiting right-back led a counter-attack, before Mbappe hit the bar with the goal at his mercy after Batalla was found in no man’s land trying to intercept the pass into the France international.

Real received a significant boost when Pathe Ciss was sent off for a high challenge on Dani Ceballos, who was next to go close when he placed a shot narrowly wide of the post as the match approached its climax.

Eduardo Camavinga then hit the upright with a header, but Real had a golden chance in the 10th minute of stoppage time when a penalty was awarded after Nobel Mendy felled Brahim Diaz. From the spot, Mbappe made no mistake, sending Batalla the wrong way to secure the points.

It was a huge win for Real, who are now back to within one point of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, but to lose in such fashion is a crushing blow for Rayo, who received another red card when Pep Chavarria received a second yellow card for a push on Rodrygo. They are now just one point above the relegation zone and have won only one of their past 12 league games.

Lijnders, 43, replaced Juanma Lillo as Guardiola’s number two last summer following six successful years as Klopp’s assistant at Anfield and a short spell as Red Bull Salzburg boss.

The Dutchman left the Reds when German Klopp departed at the end of the 2023-24 season, having helped the side win major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.

Despite the recent rivalry between the two sides – City beat Liverpool to the league title twice by one point in 2018-19 and 2021-22 – Lijnders said Klopp was enthusiastic about the opportunity for him to work under Guardiola.

“When I spoke with Jurgen he was so clear – ‘if you don’t do it, I will take the assistant job’,” he joked.

“You cannot put away 10 years of Liverpool that easily, but I’m really proud to come to a club of this magnitude, so successful over the last 10 years and with a manager that defined football.”

Lijnders initially arrived at Liverpool as a development coach under former boss Brendan Rodgers in 2014, but left in 2018 to manage Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie.

However, he was dismissed at the end of the season so returned to Anfield to become Klopp’s assistant in 2019 following the departure of Zeljko Buvac.

His tenure at Austrian club Salzburg lasted only 29 games, and while his switch to City raised some eyebrows, Lijnders said Guardiola’s offer was too good to turn down.

“Pep’s brilliant, of course. He has a passion and a game-understanding from a different planet, in my opinion,” said Lijnders.

“The moment Pep called, the feeling was straight away really good. It was not a difficult decision.”

City are second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (16:30 GMT)

Lijnders then returns to Anfield next weekend as City take on defending champions Liverpool, where he said he will remain professional but his “mindset is to win and to try to beat them”.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: In November, Pep Guardiola (left) said “it is such a pleasure” to work with Lijnders

Guardiola has won 18 trophies since becoming City manager in 2016, and in May 2024 the 55-year-old celebrated guiding the club to a record fourth consecutive top-flight title. Lijnders said the Spaniard’s drive and pursuit of excellence is inspiring.

“The best ones are like that – Tiger Woods, all these guys. They push themselves to limits,” he said.

“He’s constantly searching for that – very professional, very ambitious, wants to make impact every day.

“But I always say his biggest strength is the passion he has for his team, the passion he has for us, his love for his backroom staff, how he treats everyone and that family feeling inside this club.”

Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike in three transfer windows over the course of three and a half years, and how the visitors rued losing out to Liverpool in the race to recruit the lethal striker from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

After scoring in the reverse fixture in August, the Frenchman came back to haunt Eddie Howe’s side once again at a buoyant Anfield with two goals in two minutes before half-time.

Anthony Gordon had initially opened the scoring for Newcastle with a fine finish, but Liverpool quickly showed their powers of recovery to go on and win the game comfortably thanks to a devastating double from Ekitike, a well-taken goal from Florian Wirtz and a close-range finish from an emotional Ibrahima Konate.

It was Wirtz who was the architect behind the first as he danced through a crowd of black and white shirts before cutting the ball across to Ekitike to finish clinically first time at the near post.

Ekitike was not finished yet and he latched on to Milos Kerkez’s pass down the left channel a couple of minutes later before driving into the box and firing past Nick Pope into the bottom corner to put his side in front.

Newcastle, who have not won a league game at Anfield since 1994, understandably looked a little shell-shocked as the players trudged off at half-time – but it soon got worse for the visitors after the break.

Although Alisson had to be alert to parry a powerful effort from Harvey Barnes, who had struck a post when the score was goalless in the first half, it was Liverpool who went on to land the final blows.

Mohamed Salah knocked the ball into Wirtz’s path with a deft lay-off and the German forward swept the ball into the net from inside the box.

A tearful Konate, in his first game since returning from compassionate leave following the death of his father, added a fourth following an error from Pope.

Liverpool ended a five-game winless run in the league as Newcastle slipped to 10th in the table.

The Porcupine Warriors struggled to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges, allowing the home side to seize control. Asante Seedorf Afful opened the scoring in the 35th minute, and Fawzi Ali doubled Heart of Lions’ lead just before halftime, leaving Kotoko trailing 2-0 at the break.

Kotoko improved after the interval, with Ndongani Samba Gilbani converting a penalty in the 58th minute to pull one back. However, Michael Ephson restored the two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute, securing a well-deserved victory for Heart of Lions.

The win ends a poor run of results for the Lions and lifts them to seventh place on 30 points. Asante Kotoko remain third with 35 points and will look to regroup ahead of their Super Clash showdown with Hearts of Oak. Heart of Lions now turn their attention to next week’s encounter with Berekum Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Vision FC and Dreams FC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex. Dreams’ John Antwi struck twice to give the visitors an early advantage, but Nana Kwesi Amoah pulled one back for Vision just before halftime. Mohammed Iddrisu then secured a late equalizer for Vision in the 90th minute.

The result leaves Vision FC 13th on 24 points, while Dreams FC sit ninth with 26 points. Vision will travel to face Eleven Wonders in Matchday 22, and Dreams host Karela United.

Enzo Fernandez’s 92nd-minute winner sparked wild scenes at Stamford Bridge to snatch victory having been 2-0 down through goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.

New manager Liam Rosenior’s substitutes had hauled Chelsea back into the game as half-time introductions Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella both scored to level the match.

It was a blow for West Ham who dominated the first half. Bowen’s in‑swinging cross beat Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was unable to claim the ball as Pablo threatened to get a touch on its way through to open the scoring.

That seventh‑minute strike came either side of two shots on target from new striker Taty Castellanos, while Summerville curled home a second goal from inside the box after a move down the right involving Bowen and Aaron Wan‑Bissaka.

Cole Palmer’s 30-yard free-kick was Chelsea’s only shot on target in a dismal first half.

The hosts were booed off at half-time and Rosenior made three changes. He removed the struggling left‑side trio of Jorrel Hato, Benoit Badiashile and Alejandro Garnacho – at fault for both first-half goals – bringing on Joao Pedro, Cucurella and Wesley Fofana.

After West Ham efforts from Matheus Fernandes and Bowen were saved early in the second half, Chelsea began to dominate.

Pressure built as Liam Delap went close and a long‑range Moises Caicedo long-range strike was pushed away, before Fofana’s deep cross was headed in by Joao Pedro to pull a goal back in the 57th minute.

Thirteen minutes later, Cucurella – one of Rosenior’s changes – produced a diving header to equalise after Malo Gusto’s header across goal caused a goalmouth scramble.

With the crowd now behind them Chelsea pushed for a third, and while West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo hit the post in the 86th minute, Fernandez pounced to finish Joao Pedro’s cross from close range for the winner.

Todibo was sent off for grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck in a melee at the end of the match after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check, as emotional scenes boiled over.

The result lifts Chelsea above Manchester United into fourth place in the Premier League, while West Ham remain five points below Nottingham Forest. United and Forest play tomorrow and both have a game in hand.

Madueke was not meant to start the game and was a late replacement for winger Bukayo Saka, who limped out of the warm-up with a hip problem.

And Madueke, who has had to play the role of back-up for most of this season, took his chance to impress as he curled in an excellent cross for Martin Zubimendi to nod Arsenal in front.

The home side had started the game well but Arsenal pinned Leeds back for large parts of the first half, winning a number of corners and throw-ins to increase pressure on the Leeds defence.

It was from one of these corners that Arsenal doubled the lead when Madueke’s curling delivery caught out goalkeeper Karl Darlow and he could only punch the ball into his own net.

Viktor Gyokeres then made sure it was a comfortable end to the game when he fought to get on the end of Gabriel Martinelli’s inviting cross to make it 3-0 before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth late on.

The expectation was on Arsenal to deliver a result coming into this game after their recent form, but they recorded an important victory to put pressure on their title rivals, Manchester City and Aston Villa, who are not in action until Sunday.

Ghana, four-time African champions, will compete in the summer tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars have been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

Speaking in an interview, Agyemang-Badu said, “Ghana’s primary target at the World Cup is to advance from the group stage. Anything beyond that would be a bonus for me.”

The former U-20 World Cup winner emphasized the importance of the opening match against Panama, cautioning the team against looking too far ahead to encounters with England or Croatia.

“The Panama match will be challenging, and that’s where our full concentration should be, not on England or Croatia,” he added.

Agyemang-Badu also highlighted the need for a fully fit squad, warning that even minor injuries could compromise Ghana’s chances.

“Ghana cannot afford to just add up numbers, so any player carrying even a minor injury should be dropped. We need a squad of fully fit players.” 

Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston. The group stage will conclude with a match against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

Having exited at the group stage in both Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, the Black Stars are determined to make a stronger impact at football’s biggest stage in 2026.

Ahead of the tournament, the team will regroup in March for two international friendlies against Austria and Germany as part of their final preparations.

Semenyo, who completed a £65 million transfer from AFC Bournemouth to City, had been heavily linked with a switch to North London during the transfer window.

Speaking to the media on Friday ahead of Spurs’ Super Sunday showdown against Manchester City, Frank admitted the club were keen on the 26-year-old and pushed hard to bring him in.

“The club work relentlessly to try to do the best they can to try to improve the squad. I will go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there’s no doubt it was clear that the club wanted to sign [Antoine] Semenyo,” he said.

“That’s the quality of players we’re looking for to improve the squad. They did everything – I think that’s a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed,” Frank added. 

Semenyo has made an impressive start to life at the Etihad Stadium, recording four goal contributions in his first four appearances across all competitions.

According to Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Patricia Adams Mensah, 455 seats were broken in a day after Kumasi Senior High School clashed with Kumasi Senior High Technical School (KSTS) and Simms Senior High School, respectively, during the inter-schools and colleges football competition.

On Monday and Tuesday, chaos erupted again between students during the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) athletics event.

“For the TVET, we invited them and informed them. They were aware when the seats were broken; we have 3,955 seats broken,” she told Luv FM.

Patricia also said the Ghana Education Service, the main organisers of the football event, contracted a third party to fix the seats, but payment will come from the schools involved.

“In the previous years, we would have been on them to fix it. But according to them (GES), they are saying they won’t pay physical cash. They have contracted someone to come and fix them. They are waiting for the schools to make the payment. 

“They’ve written to the schools involved, and the headmasters have admitted that they will do the payment for them to do the needful,” she said.

When asked about the presence of security men during these competitions, Patricia said the police are always involved, but sometimes they are not enough to control the situation.

“You have to bring the medical team and then together with the security because we have to protect life and property, so we had a meeting with them, discuss it thoroughly. 

“According to them, they’ve written to the police, and the police have been coming, but sometimes there are not enough. These children are not afraid of these security men.”

The Baba Yara Stadium is currently hosting the 2026 Ashanti Regional Inter School Athletics Competition as authorities race against time to repair the broken seats and prepare the stadium for the Super clash between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak on 15 February.

Former United head coach Ruben Amorim said last month he expected to bring someone in during the window.

However, the club’s refusal to divert the £65m they had been willing to spend on long-term target Antoine Semenyo – who opted to join Manchester City from Bournemouth – was a source of frustration for the Portuguese.

United have been linked with a number of central midfield players, including former Wolves skipper Ruben Neves who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal.

After Carrick confirmed left-sided utility man Patrick Dorgu would be out for “a number of weeks” through injury, there have been suggestions the club might look to cover the Denmark international’s absence.

Interim head coach Carrick was coy when asked specifically about the club’s position as he spoke in a news conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham.

But he did leave the door open for business being done.

“Never say never,” Carrick said. “A lot can happen and situations can be thrown up.

“Sometimes it is in our control, sometimes not. I am pretty calm. We have shown what we are capable of as a team.”

Joshua Zirkzee remains at the centre of interest as it remains to be seen if he returns to Italy, with Juventus considering whether to make a move for the former Bologna forward who cost United £36.5m 18 months ago.

Zirkzee has recovered from a minor injury and is available for the Fulham game.

“Josh has just been trying to work to get fit,” said Carrick. “It was great to have him training with the group the first time and I am just looking forward to working with him.”

Carrick accepts the issue of Bruno Fernandes’ future is “on the agenda a little bit”, with the United captain due to assess his plans at the end of the season.

However, Carrick said that situation would be dealt with “further down the line”.

Don’t underestimate Fulham – Carrick

Carrick has started his 17-match stint in charge until the end of the season in the best manner possible.

Victories against the Premier League’s top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, have catapulted United into the top four for the first time this season.

However, sceptics argue they have beaten title contenders before and it is against the top flight’s lesser lights that they tend to struggle.

Since late November, United have failed to beat Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves at Old Trafford in league games. Three of those sides are in the bottom eight, while Everton had a man sent off after 13 minutes.

Marco Silva’s in-form Fulham had the better of a 1-1 draw against United at Craven Cottage in August.

Fulham have also taken 17 points from their past eight games, only one of which has ended in defeat, and they would close to just one point back from United if they were to win this weekend.

Little wonder Carrick is taking nothing for granted.

“Marco has made Fulham into a really good team,” he said.

“Just because we are at home, taking anything for granted is bang out of order.”

Currently, the Premier League allows clubs to name nine substitutes, with managers able to introduce five of those into a game.

A further substitution is allowed to replace a player with a suspected head injury.

Arteta spoke about the issue of a bigger bench as he addressed the difficulty of leaving summer signing Christian Norgaard out of his match squads.

He hopes the Premier League will agree to follow the example of the Champions League, where a squad of 23, including substitute goalkeepers, is allowed.

“At the moment there are two or three players who have to be out of the squad. That’s a reality and I cannot change that.” Arteta said.

“These are the rules. Hopefully the Premier League next season instead of 18 outfield players they will do 20.

“I beg them from here, [have it] like it is in the Champions League, because it’s much better to manage the squad, to maintain the value of the players, to maintain the mental health of the players as nobody wants to get out of the squad.

“I beg them to help us with that. We can deal with hotels, travel and all of that. That would be very, very helpful for all of us. The worst thing is to leave somebody.”

Arteta was asked to clarify how leaving a player out of a squad on a matchday can have a detrimental affect.

“Because we have a really unique job, which is we have the ability to transform somebody’s life, career, which is great,” he said.

“But as well, every week we have to tell somebody, tomorrow you don’t do the job. You’re not even allowed to travel with the team.

“So tell me a job that you do that. I cannot go to the kitchen tomorrow and say to two of the chefs, today you don’t cook, just go there and see how they cook or go home. It’s really tough.

“So someone that wants to feel part of that, he needs to be there. He needs to travel, he needs to be there and he has to have the feeling that he has a chance.

“When you take that chance away, you have to leave that player because he feels that he’s not good enough.

“Because at the end, your decision is clear. I choose another 20 players in front of you. And I think this is something I worry about.”

Premier League leaders Arsenal have played 36 games this season and are competing for trophies across four competitions. They face Leeds United at Elland Road in the league on Saturday.

Arteta says large squads are needed as “demands on games are bigger”.

“So it doesn’t make a lot of sense to restrict that, in my opinion,” Arteta said.

“I think we need to expand that and give the possibility to allow everybody to be part of that. And then we can make the right choice in relation to the game.

“And then we can manage better the minutes, the psychological and emotional moment, and then how we want to change the game. And I think it’s better for absolutely everybody.”

The City boss was scheduled to hold a lunchtime news conference to preview Sunday’s game but the club later confirmed assistant boss Pep Lijnders would take his place.

On Thursday, Guardiola was dressed in a black and white keffiyeh to give a speech in support of Palestinian children at a charity concert in his home city of Barcelona.

Asked about Guardiola’s absence, Lijnders said: “The manager is good as always, full of ambition and passion but he has a personal matter. He will arrive back in Manchester today.”

City players were not at the training ground on Friday as they were given a day off, while Guardiola is scheduled to take training on Saturday, before travelling to London to face Spurs.

It is the third time this season Guardiola has missed pre or post-match duties.

Assistant Kolo Toure sat in to preview the Premier League game at Crystal Palace on 12 December as Guardiola attended a personal matter.

Lijnders faced the cameras after the 10-1 trouncing of Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on 10 January, with Guardiola serving a touchline ban for the game.

Guardiola spoke on stage in Barcelona about Palestinian children, saying “we have left them alone” and “abandoned”.

Last June, Guardiola said he was “so scared” by the “painful” war in Gaza during an emotional speech when receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester.

In 2018, Guardiola was fined £20,000 for wearing a yellow ribbon on the touchline during an FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Wigan.

Guardiola said he wore the ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia and the Spaniard accepted the Football Association charge for “wearing a political message”.

The Matchday 21 encounter saw the league leaders take an early lead when in-form striker Kingsley Braye powered home a fine header in the 8th minute, connecting perfectly with Fatawu Sulemana’s well-delivered corner to put the Mauve and Yellow ahead.

Nations FC, however, responded with determination, led by an inspired performance from captain Razak Simpson. The centre-back restored parity in the 19th minute, rising above his markers to head home from a corner and beat goalkeeper Felix Kyei.

Just before the interval, Simpson completed a remarkable brace. Nations were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute, and the skipper kept his composure to slot the spot kick into the bottom corner, turning the game around and sending the hosts into the break with a 2-1 advantage.

Medeama pressed hard for an equaliser after the restart, piling sustained pressure on the Nations defence, but the home side stood firm to protect their lead until the final whistle.

The defeat represents only Medeama SC’s second loss of the season and ends an unbeaten run that stretched back to September 2025. Despite the setback, Medeama remain top of the league standings with 43 points, while Nations FC climb to eighth place on 27 points.

Nations FC will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Hohoe United, while Medeama SC host Aduana FC at the TNA Park in the Matchday 22 fixtures scheduled for next weekend.

The 26-year-old received the sanction following Coventry City’s Championship clash with Norwich City on Monday, 26 January. Although he was not shown a red card during the match, a post-game review led the FA to charge him.

Thomas-Asante has accepted the charge and will serve the suspension, causing him to miss Coventry’s upcoming fixtures: an away trip to Queens Park Rangers and consecutive home games against Oxford United and Middlesbrough.

This season, the striker has featured in 20 matches across all competitions, contributing 10 goals and four assists.

The committee’s statement confirmed that the Porcupine Warriors’ fans displayed inappropriate behaviour during the Ghana Premier League clash against Dreams FC at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Kotoko have been given 14 days to settle the fine, with the DC warning that any future incidents of fan misbehaviour could result in harsher penalties.

According to him, discussions are already underway to bring in additional technical personnel following recommendations made by head coach Otto Addo immediately after Ghana secured qualification for the tournament.

“There are plans to strengthen the technical team. It is well known and one of the key recommendations the coach made right after qualification, and those discussions are ongoing,” he told Luv FM.

Mr Asante Twum revealed that the GFA will soon announce new members who will join the Black Stars’ backroom staff as part of broader efforts to ensure the team is fully prepared for the global showpiece.

“Very soon, we shall announce new hands who will be joining us for the World Cup. A lot of work is being done, but in football, what happens behind the scenes is often not recognised until the team steps onto the pitch,” he said.

Ghana will open their World Cup campaign on June 17 with a Group match against Panama in Toronto.

Asante Twum said preparations will continue steadily between now and the opener to ensure the team reaches peak condition.

“From now until June 17, when we line up for our first match in Toronto against Panama, we will continue working to make the team better,” he added.

The Black Stars are also scheduled to play international friendly matches against Austria and Germany in March as part of their build-up to the tournament, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Magpies drew 1-1 with defending champions Paris St-Germain on Wednesday in the league phase to seal 12th place.

PSG, who finished 11th, will face Monaco while 15-time European champions Real Madrid will again face former manager Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute goal earned Benfica a 4-2 win against the Spanish giants on Wednesday.

The play-offs are for teams who finished between 9th and 24th in the league phase.

The first legs will take place on 17-18 February, with the second legs one week later.

The Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary will host the 2025-26 final on 30 May.

Qarabag finished 22nd in the league phase after winning three, drawing one and losing four of their matches.

They were defeated 6-0 against Liverpool at Anfield in their final outing and have not beaten a Premier League team in nine previous attempts.

The Azerbaijan champions avoided defeat for the first time against an English club when drawing 2-2 with Chelsea in November.

Champions League play-offs draw in full

Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan

Benfica v Real Madrid

Monaco v Paris St-Germain

Qarabag v Newcastle

Galatasaray v Juventus

Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid

Borussia Dortmund v Atalanta

Olympiacos v Bayer Leverkusen

Bobb, 22, has agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Craven Cottage and will wear the number 14 shirt.

“It feels great to be here. I had a great day meeting everyone and I’m very excited,” Bobb said.

He added that he consulted Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, his Norway team-mate, before agreeing to the move.

“I spoke to Sander, my good friend, and I spoke to the manager, and he explained what the system’s like, and how the lads are, and how the club is,” Bobb said.

“He seemed lovely, so it was an easy decision basically.”

Bobb is a graduate of Manchester City’s academy and made 61 appearances for the senior side, scoring 13 and assisting 27 across all competitions.

Sources say City will retain a 20% sell-on clause, as well as matching rights for any future bids received by the Cottagers.

An example of this being exercised by City came in the summer when they re-signed goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley after they also accepted a bid from Newcastle.

Bobb has fallen down the pecking order at City after the January arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

“I know there are rumours, I know there are talks,” manager Pep Guardiola said on Saturday after City’s win over Wolves.

Asked if Bobb wants to leave the club, Guardiola replied: “I think so.”

Bobb, who has also had interest from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, has featured 15 times for City this season without scoring.

He last played on 17 December against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, when he hobbled off injured inside the opening 20 minutes.

Fulham have lost only one of their last seven Premier League games under Silva and sit seventh in the table following their 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday.

Bobb has featured six times for Norway this year, helping them qualify for this summer’s World Cup, and would unite with compatriot Sander Berge at Craven Cottage.

He missed almost the whole of last season after fracturing a bone in his leg during training in August 2024.

The Porcupine Warriors currently sit second on the league table after 20 matches, eight points behind leaders Medeama SC, with the top spot still very much within reach.

“It’s a marathon race. Some teams can start well, but there may be moments when the gap widens, and people want to give up. But for me, I don’t give up until it ends. We are still fighting for the title,” Zito said.

Drawing a parallel between football and life, the Kotoko coach stressed the importance of resilience and belief.

“Football is about moments. There are times when things go well and times when they don’t. Just like in life, when things are not going well, you don’t sit down and cry. You fight hard to achieve your target. We are not giving up—we are still fighting,” he added.

Asante Kotoko will aim to maintain their momentum when they face Heart of Lions in Matchday 21 at the Kpando Sports Stadium on Saturday, January 31.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30 GMT.

The Porcupine Warriors sit second in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League standings, eight points behind leaders Medeama SC, who have 43 points.

Kotoko head into Saturday’s clash with Heart of Lions at Kpando Sports Stadium on the back of a commanding 3-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars.

Speaking ahead of the match, Zito expressed unwavering confidence in his players, describing his team as the best in the country and stressing that a change in mentality could unlock their full potential.

“I see that we have the best players in Ghana. What we need is to build the team and change the mentality, and you will see the best out of them,” the veteran coach said.

Kick-off at Kpando Sports Stadium is scheduled for 15:30 GMT.

The Ghana midfielder moved to Villarreal on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal last summer. However, his time at the club has been marked by limited playing opportunities, with Partey featuring in 21 matches across all competitions but completing only five full games, amid ongoing concerns about his fitness and form.

Partey was part of the squad that suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League midweek, a game that came after Villarreal had already been eliminated from the tournament.

Following the loss, Marcelino did not hold back in his assessment of the 32-year-old.

“Thomas [Partey], I think there’s a world of difference between the Thomas we know at Arsenal and this one. A world of difference. It’s very difficult to play at this pace in today’s football,” he said.

“So, I think it’s been six months now, and that’s enough time for this player to show us what he was capable of, or what he’s showing us now,” Marcelino added.

Partey, who has been linked with a potential exit at the end of the season, is expected to feature when Villarreal face Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.

The meeting took place in Spain on Wednesday, just hours before Villarreal’s UEFA Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

Partey’s engagement with Addo forms part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening cohesion and reinforcing shared commitment within the national team.

Addo has been touring Europe to observe Ghanaian players at close range and engage with them directly as he prepares the Black Stars for the World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

In recent weeks, the coach has also met with several key squad members, including Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Mohamed Salisu, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Mumin, and Mohammed Kudus.

Partey, who is expected to leave Villarreal at the end of the season, later featured in the Champions League encounter, coming on at the start of the second half as his side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L of the 2026 World Cup alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

The Porcupine Warriors travel to the Kpando Sports Stadium on Saturday, January 31, to face Heart of Lions in Matchday 21 of the season.

Kotoko will be looking to build on momentum from their previous outing — a convincing 3-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars — which snapped a run of two draws and one defeat.

“We are going in with the present situation to go and win,” Zito said.

Kotoko currently sit third on the league table with 45 points, eight points behind leaders Medeama SC.

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30 GMT.

The 23-year-old joined Atalanta in July 2025 on a contract running until 2029. He has made 15 Serie A appearances this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Both Napoli and Roma are reported to have contacted Atalanta to inquire about the conditions under which the club would be willing to part ways with the player.

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has indicated that the club is open to considering attractive offers for players who have seen limited playing time, citing the size and depth of the squad.

On the international scene, Sulemana has earned 25 caps for Ghana, scoring once. His current market value is estimated at €18 million.

Atalanta are believed to have signed the winger for around €17.5 million, following his move from Southampton in January 2023, which reportedly cost approximately €25 million.

The action begins on Friday at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, where league leaders Medeama SC travel to face Nations FC in a 15:30 GMT encounter.

At the same time, Heart of Lions will be hoping to revive their campaign when they take on Asante Kotoko at the Kpando Sports Stadium. Elsewhere, Vision FC square off against Dreams FC at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex, with kick-off set for 15:00 GMT.

Sunday’s schedule features several crucial clashes. Hearts of Oak will aim to extend their winning run when they host Bechem United at the University of Ghana Stadium, while Karela United welcome Hohoe United to the Aliu Mahama Stadium.

Defending champions Bibiani GoldStars come up against Swedru All Blacks, Aduana FC host FC Samartex at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, and Basake Holy Stars entertain Berekum Chelsea at the AAK II Park. Young Apostles will also look to move up the table when they face bottom-placed Eleven Wonders.

All Sunday fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT.

The weekend promises a compelling mix of title-chasing encounters and relegation battles, as clubs fight for vital points in the race for glory and survival.

Full Fixtures:

Proceedings start in Switzerland at 11:00 GMT and will involve the teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the table.

The top eight sides in the league phase have automatically qualified for the last 16 to avoid a potential fixture pile-up in February.

Friday’s draw will also determine which pathway (silver or blue) teams will be in.

The first legs of the play-offs take place on either 17 or 18 February and the second legs are one week later.

How does the play-off draw work?

The process is fairly simple.

Clubs are paired together based on where they finished at the end of the league phase to form seeded and unseeded pairs.

The teams that finished ninth to 16th will be in the seeded pairs, while 17th to 24th will be in unseeded pairs.

The seeded teams are drawn against unseeded teams. For example, 15th and 16th will face 17th and 18th.

The seeded teams will play the second legs at home.

As Newcastle finished in 11th position, they will be paired with 12th-placed Paris St-Germain as a seeded pair.

They are guaranteed to face either Monaco or Qarabag in the play-offs as they ended the league phase in 21st and 22nd respectively.

Image source: Uefa Champions League

Image caption: Teams will discover who they will face in their bracket in Friday’s draw

What comes after the play-offs?

Once the eight winners of the play-offs have been determined they can progress to the last 16, where they will meet the top eight finishers from the league phase.

From this point onward the competition adopts a knockout format, with each fixture other than the final contested over two legs.

As with the play-offs, teams’ final ranking in the league phase will influence seeding in the last 16, with seeded sides – those that finished in the top eight of the league – being given the advantage of playing their second fixture at home.

This is the first season that the position in which teams have placed in the league phase will also influence seeding for the quarter-final and semi-finals.

Teams finishing first to fourth at the end of the league phase will be seeded for the quarter-finals, and therefore given the second leg home advantage for their potential quarter-final tie.

The two sides who finish top and runner-up in the league will also be seeded for the semi-finals, earning them the benefit of playing the second leg of their semi-final tie at home should they reach that stage.

If a seeded team does not progress to the quarter or semi-finals, the team that knocked them out inherits their seeding position.

Knockout phase draw and fixture dates

The draw that will determine the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place on 27 February.

The dates for the knockout phase are as follows:

Last 16: 10-11 and 17-18 March

Quarter-finals: 7-8 and 14-15 April

Semi-finals: 28-29 April and 5-6 May

Final: 30 May

Europe’s domestic leagues move into a decisive stretch, where context matters as much as quality and every fixture starts to feel like a referendum on ambition. Across France, England, Italy and Spain, this round offers pressure, narrative and no shortage of edge.

In Ligue 1, Strasbourg v PSG looks straightforward on paper but rarely behaves that way on grass. PSG travel as the benchmark, packed with stars and expectation, yet Strasbourg at home bring intensity, organisation and belief. These are the matches that test champions-in-waiting: not the glamour nights, but the ones that demand focus, patience and authority away from the spotlight.

The Premier League serves up heavyweight tension. Leeds United hosting leaders Arsenal is a study in contrast. Leeds will press, harry and turn the game into a physical and emotional contest, while Arsenal arrive knowing control is their greatest weapon. Later, Liverpool v Newcastle promises pace, noise and high stakes. Both sides expect Champions League places and neither does subtle when momentum is on the line.

Tottenham v Manchester City carries an entirely different energy. Spurs’ season has stuttered, their home form offering little comfort, and yet City arrive knowing this fixture has a habit of punishing complacency. It’s pressure from both ends: Spurs needing a response, City demanding precision.

Serie A brings its own layered drama. Reigning champions Napoli face Fiorentina in a match that balances flair with fight, where Napoli’s authority is constantly questioned by a league that never stands still. Cremonese v Inter Milan looks like a mismatch on paper, but for title favourites Inter these are the fixtures that define championships – win efficiently or invite doubt. Parma v Juventus, meanwhile, is rich in history and expectation, a reminder that Juve are never judged by performance alone, only by results.

In La Liga, the spotlight spreads wide. Levante v Atletico Madrid promises intensity and edge, while Elche v Barcelona tests Barça’s consistency away from home. Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano delivers derby tension and unpredictability in equal measure.

Yet the weekend’s emotional centre in Spain is the Basque derby: Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad. Pride, identity and regional supremacy fuel a rivalry where form is irrelevant and passion is everything. These matches don’t just shape tables – they define seasons.

This is a weekend where narratives sharpen, margins tighten and Europe’s biggest leagues remind us that there are no quiet rounds anymore.

Ligue 1

Friday 30 January

• 21:45: Lens v Le Havre – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Saturday 31 January

• 18:00: Paris FC v Marseille – LIVE on SuperSport Events and SuperSport Africa

Sunday 1 February

• 21:45: Strasbourg v PSG – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport GOtv Football

Premier League, Matchday 24

Saturday 31 January

• 17:00: Leeds United v Arsenal – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 17:00: Wolves v Bournemouth – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport OTT3

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

• 19:30: Chelsea v West Ham – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 22:00: Liverpool v Newcastle – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 1 February

• 16:00: Aston Villa v Brentford – LIVE on SuperSport Variety, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 1

• 16:00: Manchester United v Fulham – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

• 16:00: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SuperSport Variety and SuperSport OTT2

• 18:30: Tottenham v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Monday 2 February

• 22:00: Sunderland v Burnley – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 2

Serie A, Matchday 23

Friday 30 January

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

Saturday 31 January

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

• 19:00: Napoli v Fiorentina – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 1

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

Sunday 1 February

• 13:30: Torino v Lecce – LIVE on SuperSport OTT7 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 16:00: Como v Atalanta – LIVE on SuperSport OTT7 and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 19:00: Cremonese v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

• 21:45: Parma v Juventus – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 2 February

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

La Liga, Matchday 22

Friday 30 January

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

Saturday 31 January

• 15:00: Real Oviedo v Girona – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 17:15: Osasuna v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

• 19:30: Levante v Atletico Madrid – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

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

Sunday 1 February

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

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

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

• 22:00: Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Monday 2 February

• 22:00: Mallorca v Sevilla – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Ashimeru arrives on loan from RSC Anderlecht, where he had fallen out of favour with the first team.

In an official statement, RAAL confirmed the signing of the 28-year-old WAFA SC academy graduate: “RAAL has secured its fourth winter signing! Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru (28 years old) joins us on loan for the next six months.

”The 28-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, who was trained at Red Bull Salzburg, has been playing for Anderlecht since 2021 after stints in Austria and at FC Sankt-Gallen.

”Wearing the purple and white jersey, he has made 129 first-team appearances, scoring 9 goals and providing 6 assists.
Majeed has also been called up 12 times to the Ghanaian national team. Welcome to the Easi Arena, Majeed!”

The move gives RAAL an experienced and technically gifted player to aid their push for league survival.

For Ashimeru, it provides a timely chance to regain form, sharpen his skills, and stake his claim for a place in Ghana’s midfield ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With the global tournament on the horizon, the 12-time Ghana international will be looking to impress at his new club and boost his prospects on the international stage.

Mamudu recently completed a transfer to Sudanese side Al Hilal during the winter window, signing a long-term deal with the side.

“Kamaradini is a really fantastic guy, not only on the pitch and outside the pitch, but he’s also very disciplined,” Tanko said. 

“It’s very painful that we are going to miss him, but I think life must go on. He also has to look for somewhere else and to try to continue his career.

“I wish him very well. I hope that he will go there and then, as he did here. Definitely, we are going to miss him, but I think we still have three right backs, and that can also step on his feet.

Mamudu leaves Medeama SC while the club leads the Ghana Premier League, eight points ahead in their bid for a second league title.

He now joins Al Hilal, who top the Rwandan Premier League with 35 points despite the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The 25-year-old rejoined the Ghana Premier League side on loan from Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi until the end of the season. Amoah made an instant impact over the weekend, scoring in Kotoko’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Bibiani Gold Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium.

However, Zito insists that selection will be based strictly on performance in training and team cohesion, not reputation or past displays.

“I cannot say he will get an automatic place. Training will decide everything. That is why we train,” the Kotoko coach said.

“I don’t have a say now—what happens on the training ground will show us what to do. It’s about understanding and combinations. The players you pair who give you results are the best,” he added.

Amoah will hope to build on his fine start when Kotoko take on Heart of Lions in their Matchday 21 fixture at the Kpando Sports Stadium.

For the first time in over two decades, Ghana missed out on the tournament in Morocco after finishing last in their qualifying group.

In an interview with Metro TV, Okraku admitted that missing AFCON was a tough pill to swallow.

“AFCON, for me, is a given. We have to be there,” he said. “If we are not there, that is the low side of our sport.”

Despite the setback, he praised the national team for bouncing back by securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“In 2025, the Black Stars did not lose a single competitive game. That gladdens my heart,” Okraku said.

At the 2026 World Cup, Ghana will face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L.

In his new role, Agyemang-Badu will help establish structures to enhance player development and exposure, while leveraging his network to build strategic partnerships for the club.

The appointment was officially confirmed on Wednesday, January 28, during a training session with the team.

Addressing management, technical staff, and players, Agyemang-Badu expressed gratitude to the club’s owner, Nana Agyemang Badu II, and outlined his vision for Aduana FC’s future.

“First, I thank Nana Agyemang Badu II, the management, CEO Atta Poku, and the technical team. I was able to monitor your last game. I am here to help the club succeed. What I know about football is that when someone invests in the game, they have to benefit from it,” he said.

He emphasized the need for strong structures and marketable quality, noting that the club must position itself to attract opportunities beyond local support.

“It is not always that CEO Atta Poku will go to Nana for support; we have to be able to deliver quality, and that quality could sell itself. I have to create links out there. Although I have links already, we need to create new ones as well. We need to sell the name Aduana,” he added.

Aduana FC will hope that Agyemang-Badu’s addition to the management team helps guide the club toward sustained growth on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, the two-time Ghana Premier League champions will face FC Samartex in their Matchday 21 fixture at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park.

The 24-year-old arrives in Greece following an impressive stint in Georgia, where he played a pivotal role in Iberia 1999’s domestic dominance.

Agyakwa began his football education in the Netherlands with FC Twente’s youth academy before relocating to England in January 2020 to join Premier League outfit Watford. He made his senior debut for the Hornets later that year, featuring in an EFL Cup win over Oxford United, and went on to gain valuable international experience during a loan spell with Italian club Como.

After departing Watford, the defender continued his development in English football, turning out for Port Vale and enjoying a brief loan spell at Chorley, where he earned regular first-team minutes.

His career trajectory took a significant upswing in February 2024 with a move to Georgian side Iberia 1999. Agyakwa quickly established himself as a key figure, helping the club secure back-to-back Erovnuli Liga titles in 2024 and 2025.

Across all competitions, he made 72 appearances during his time in Georgia and capped his spell by scoring in the 2025 Georgian Cup final, further highlighting his growing influence.

The switch to Volos offers Agyakwa the chance to test himself at a higher level in one of Europe’s competitive top-flight leagues. He is expected to provide depth, versatility and valuable continental experience as Volos look to bolster their squad for the Greek Super League campaign.

Under President Xi Jinping, an anti-corruption crackdown has swept through Chinese football in recent years, exposing the rotten state of the professional game.

Several top officials in the Chinese Football Association (CFA) have been brought down, while dozens of players have been banned for match-fixing and gambling.

Thursday’s statement did not specify when the most recently announced match-fixing took place, or how it worked.

The punishments were made after a “systematic review” and were needed “to enforce industry discipline, purify the football environment, and maintain fair competition”, the CFA wrote on its official social media account Thursday.

Li, a former Everton player who led the national team from 2019 to 2021, is already serving a 20-year prison sentence for bribery, after being sentenced in December 2024.

He is now banned from all football activities for life, alongside 72 others, the CFA statement said. Among them is Chen Xuyuan, former chairman of the CFA, who is already serving life in prison for accepting bribes worth $11 million.

Negative start to season

The football clubs that will be punished are similarly high-profile. Of the 16 clubs that competed in the 2025 season in the country’s top Chinese Super League (CSL), 11 will have points docked and be fined.

After relegations, this means that when the 2026 CSL season starts in March, nine teams will start with negative points totals.

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and last season’s runners-up Shanghai Shenhua face the stiffest sanctions, with 10-point reductions and one-million-yuan ($144,000) fines.

Shanghai Port, champions for the last three seasons, will face a five-point reduction and a 400,000-yuan fine, the same punishment given to Beijing Guoan.

The CFA did not detail the club’s specific infractions, saying only that they related to “match-fixing, gambling, and bribery”, with their punishments “based on the amount, circumstances, nature, and social impact of the improper transactions involved”.

“We will always maintain a zero-tolerance deterrent and high-pressure punitive force, and investigate and deal with any violation of discipline or regulations in football as soon as they are discovered, without any leniency or tolerance,” the CFA said.

Many of China’s professional teams are already in financial trouble. Guangzhou FC, the most successful club in the CSL’s history, folded in 2025 after it failed to settle its debts in time for the new season.

President Xi is a football fan who has said he dreams of China hosting and winning the World Cup one day. China didn’t qualify for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) issued Thiaw with a $100,000 (£72,000) fine, saying he was guilty of “unsporting conduct” and “bringing the game into disrepute”.

The final in Rabat, which Senegal went on to win 1-0, descended into disarray when Senegal’s players left the field after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.

Thiaw, still incensed by the referee’s decision to blow for a foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi before Ismaila Sarr headed in three minutes earlier, instructed his players to leave the field.

The match was delayed by about 17 minutes before Senegal forward Sadio Mane convinced his team-mates to return to the pitch.

Brahim Diaz’s ‘Panenka’ penalty was saved by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, then referee Jean-Jacques Ndala immediately blew the whistle for full-time.

Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to seal a second Afcon triumph in five years for Senegal.

Senegal forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Sarr received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”, while the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was fined $615,000 (£444,000).

Morocco forward Ismael Saibari was given a three-match ban and fined $100,000 (£72,000), while defender Hakimi was handed a two-match ban, with one game suspended for 12 months.

The bans for Thiaw and the four players relate to Caf matches only and will not impact preparation for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.