The Argentine defender’s speculative 25-yard effort took a wicked nick off Sasa Lukic that looped over Bernd Leno 12 minutes from time.

It was the visitors’ only shot on target in a match of few opportunities and lifts The Red Devils – who see boss Amorim turn 40 on Monday – up to 12th spot in the Premier League standings.

Fulham had the better of the first half and went close through Alex Iwobi, but struggled to create much of note following the interval.

The home side had hoped to extend a six-match unbeaten run on home turf, but were thwarted late on as United substitute Toby Collyer cleared Joachim Andersen’s header off the line.

It means Fulham sit in 10th place, eight points adrift of the top five. Improving United are four points further back.

The Foxes, trailing 1-0 at half-time, scored twice in four minutes after the break through Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannouss to end a run of seven consecutive defeats in the Premier League.

Brazil striker Richarlison had opened the scoring for Spurs just after the half-hour mark, heading in a brilliant cross from defender Pedro Porro.

Leicester captain Vardy equalised from close range a minute into the second half when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky failed to deal with Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s cross.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side were ahead four minutes later when midfielder El Khannouss curled in a fantastic effort from 25 yards into the bottom corner.

Spurs poured forward in search of an equaliser but their failure to find one means Ange Postecoglou’s side have won just one of their past 11 matches in the Premier League, leaving them in 15th.

Leicester’s win lifts the Foxes into 17th, one point above Wolves – who drop into the bottom three as a result.

Spurs fans turn on chairman Levy

The anger inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was palpable before Leicester’s comeback.

Thursday’s 3-2 win against Hoffenheim in the Europa League had done little to alleviate the pressure on chairman Daniel Levy.

There were chants against Levy from the travelling support in Germany but the animosity towards him reached new levels in north London, as the home fans made their feelings known about the club’s progress – or lack of – under his stewardship.

As results have worsened over the past few weeks, the pressure has also increased on Postecoglou.

But it is clear, from the view of supporters at least, that they feel the problems at the club run far deeper.

If the chants were audible when Spurs were winning, they ramped up a notch or two as Leicester took a grip on the game.

The Foxes were in freefall before arriving in north London, with manager Van Nistelrooy said to be clinging on to his job.

That their victory appeared so comfortable is an indictment not only of Postecoglou, but of the team built by Levy.

While Postecoglou may be running out of credit – Spurs are 15th and have collected five points from the past 33 available – it was Levy who bore the brunt of supporters’ anger within the ground.

While results are the main reason for supporter fury, the inactivity of the club in the transfer window is only making things worse.

Czech goalkeeper Kinsky remains Spurs’ only signing of the January transfer window.

Postecoglou urged the club to show “urgency” in the market after the defeat by Everton last weekend.

With eight days left in the transfer window, both Postecoglou and Levy are in need of help.

Van Nistelrooy gets response – and result – he needed

If Postecoglou has been feeling the heat, spare a thought for Van Nistelrooy.

The Dutchman had guided Leicester to just one league victory in nine matches since taking the hot seat at King Power Stadium.

His Leicester side had lost seven league games on the bounce, and defeat in north London would have seen them match a club record of eight consecutive defeats, which was set in 2001.

Reports in the week claimed the former Manchester United forward had a bust-up with midfielder Facundo Buonanotte after the Foxes’ defeat by Fulham last week.

Put simply, the pressure was building.

Even with Spurs in the form they are in, few expected Leicester to leave the capital with three points.

But Van Nistelrooy got the performance – and consequently the result – he has been craving from his players.

The former PSV Eindhoven boss has been frustrated with individual errors and lapses in concentration in previous games, which he feels have undermined results.

But their display here was the full package for 97 minutes.

Vardy, 38, was a constant threat in behind and didn’t allow Spurs’ defence to build from the back when Leicester were out of possession.

He got his eighth goal of the season by gambling – as he always does – with a run into the six-yard box.

The former England striker celebrated like he did when he scored against Spurs in the reverse fixture earlier this season – pointing to the Premier League badge on his arm to remind supporters that he won the league title in 2016.

In goal, Jakub Stolarczyk made a number of saves in the first half to keep Leicester within striking distance.

It was notable that Van Nistelrooy made a beeline for the Polish goalkeeper on the pitch afterwards.

In truth, though, Spurs did not threaten the Leicester goal too much after the Foxes took the lead. Leicester dropped deeper and Spurs applied pressure, but at no point did it feel like an equaliser was inevitable.

Van Nistelrooy’s delight was clear. Not only had he managed to get a tune out of his players, but the result takes the Foxes out of the bottom three.

The new logo, a modern and iconic symbol for African football, celebrates the heritage and unity of the African continent.

The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals, between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026 in Morocco, will be the latest chapter in the rich history of Africa’s greatest show and the logo for the tournament bridges the world of sport and art, and tells a story of pride, resilience and hope.

Inspired by Moroccan ‘’zellij’’, a timeless mosaic art form, the tournament logo redefines football as a canvas where creativity, precision and passion collide.

The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 logo reflects the synergy between tradition and modernity. Each pattern and shape symbolizes the unity of nations, players and fans, echoing how football and art come together to create something extraordinary.

Just as zellij pieces are meticulously crafted and assembled to form breathtaking designs, every moment in football builds toward a masterpiece of skill, teamwork and triumph.

The vibrant colors; gold for achievement, green for unity, red for resilience and blue for boundless potential, go beyond mere aesthetics. They embody the spirit of African football, representing the energy of the game, the strength of the players and the passion of the fans.

Merging the geometry of football with the intricate artistry of zellij, it captures the precision and movement of the game while honouring Africa’s cultural legacy. It is a celebration of African craftsmanship and the beauty of football’s dynamism.

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 will be a living gallery of African football, where every pass, goal and cheer from the fans contributes to the art of the game. It is more than a tournament, it is a stage where creativity, culture and sport come together to showcase Africa’s soul to the world.

Italian top seed Sinner delivered in the decisive moments to secure a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win over second seed Zverev.

Despite an ongoing doping case hanging over him, Sinner has been able to block out the noise to claim a third Grand Slam title.

After sealing victory with a composed cross-court winner on his first championship point, the 23-year-old calmly raised his hands into the air before walking over to celebrate with his team.

The straight-set win was a demonstration of Sinner’s relentless baseline game, physical power and mental steeliness.

Zverev did not have the tools to break him down and became increasingly frustrated as a result.

The 27-year-old German becomes the sixth man in the Open era to lose his first three Grand Slam finals, having also been beaten at the 2020 US Open and 2024 French Open.

After slumping forlornly into his chair, a visibly upset Zverev hunched forward and covered his face with a towel.

“It sucks standing next to this trophy,” said Zverev as he collected his runners-up prize.

“I was hoping to be more competitive but Jannik was just too good – as simple as that.”

Backing up the finest season of your career – and one of the most dominant in recent memory – is the challenge facing Sinner this year.

The manner in which he has swept to the Australian Open suggests he is more than capable of reaching the same heights which led to two major trophies, six more ATP titles, a Davis Cup triumph with Italy and an overall record of 73 wins from 79 matches.

What makes his achievements even more extraordinary is the unsettling situation surrounding his ongoing doping case.

It was announced in August that Sinner had tested positive for the banned substance clostebol, sending shockwaves around the sport.

In a difficult time, the tennis court has become his sanctuary.

Mental steeliness has been one of Sinner’s key strengths in his ascent to becoming the ATP Tour’s most dominant player and his ability to block out the noise has been useful.

Sinner’s coping mechanism has been to try and “isolate” himself but his coach Darren Cahill provided a telling insight when he said nobody is “bulletproof”.

However, Sinner has been as close to fully-armoured as he could have been in the circumstances.

He has swatted his way through the draw with relative ease, with perhaps the hot and humid conditions in his fourth-round match against Denmark’s Holger Rune being his toughest opponent.

The way in which he ruthlessly dismantled Zverev was a stark contrast to the fight he needed to recover from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev last year.

Sinner did not face a single break point against Zverev and the way he secured his first championship point – calmly luring his opponent forward with a drop-shot before drilling a backhand past him – illustrated the ease he felt.

Beaten 140-110 by the Spurs on Thursday in the first of two regular-season NBA games in the French capital, the Pacers ran out comfortable winners at Accor Arena.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 28 points and Pascal Siakam 23 for the Pacers.

Wembanyama, who played for Paris-based Metropolitans 92 before being selected by the Spurs as the number one pick in the NBA Draft in 2023, managed 20 points and 12 rebounds. Team-mate Harrison Barnes scored 25 points.

This is the fourth year that the NBA has staged regular-season matches in Paris.

“It’s been really fun to be here,” said Haliburton. “It’s helping grow the game.

“We just wanted to leave the city on a good note. It was a really good showing from us tonight and [we] just want to carry this momentum going forward.”

Wembanyama, who was part of the France side beaten by the USA in the Olympic final last summer, scored 30 points in Thursday’s win over the Pacers.

The Pacers are fifth in the Eastern Conference and the Spurs fourth bottom of the West.

Celtics beat Mavericks in Finals rematch

Defending champions the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 in a repeat of last season’s NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White 23 and Jaylen Brown 22 in Dallas as the Celtics recovered from their 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

The Houston Rockets won 135-131 at Eastern Conference leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers despite letting slip a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Cleveland drew level with one minute 51 seconds remaining before Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson scored for Houston.

The Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 118-108 in San Francisco thanks to 36 points and 13 rebounds from Anthony Davis.​​​​​​​

Image source: Reuters

Image caption: Antoine Dupont, captain of France’s rugby union team, watched from courtside in Paris

Image source: Reuters

Image caption: NFL players Odell Beckham Jr and Duke Riley were also in the crowd

Despite the Black Stars’ four AFCON titles, this will be the first time in two decades that Ghana will not participate in the tournament, which will be hosted in Morocco later this year.

After six qualifying matches, Ghana ended up at the bottom of Group F with just three points from three draws and three losses.

Kwakye Ofosu pointed out that the sharp decline in the national football scene has caused many Ghanaians to lose interest in sports.

“In the sporting arena, these days there is little to be enthused about as a Ghanaian sports fan. I support the Black Stars, but we failed to qualify for the AFCON tournament, and many Ghanaians have lost interest in what the national teams do,” he said on TV3.

He also shared that he feels disconnected from local clubs, stating, “These days, I claim I support Hearts of Oak, but I don’t even know one player of the club, nor do I know one player of Asante Kotoko because sports are essentially dead in this country. So even rekindling the public interest in sports to support national teams is a difficult task.”

The Black Stars are set to return to international competition in March when they face Chad and Madagascar in the final two World Cup qualifiers for 2026.

Balmer, who has been capped by Northern Ireland up to under-21 level, was reportedly named after former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

While the name Kofi is traditionally given to boys born on a Friday in Ghana, Balmer has no Ghanaian roots and was, amusingly, born on a Tuesday.

After joining Motherwell from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, Balmer finally made his Premiership debut in January 2025. Coming off the bench in a 2-1 win over St Mirren after Dan Casey’s red card, Balmer hopes to capitalise on the opportunity.

“You always have to be ready because you never know when you’re going to get your opportunity,” he said. “For me, it was not to lose my head, not to sort of throw the toys out of the pram. I just had to be patient.”

Reflecting on his long-awaited chance, Balmer added: “Saturday probably came quicker than I expected, but at the same time, I’d done all my preparations, and I was ready to come on and do the job that I had to do. It was good. It was long-awaited. I had to be patient for it, and thankfully it happened.”

Balmer is now determined to make the most of his opportunities: “Now it’s just up to me to perform and do well in training to get a certain spot and hopefully keep it. When you get the shirt, you’re always fighting for a position, and the gaffer says if you get the shirt, you have to play well to keep it. That’s all on me. I have to keep concentration and try to perform the best I can.”

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has expressed confidence in Balmer’s abilities and potential. “I had a conversation with Kofi a couple of weeks ago. It’s always important to acknowledge how well people are performing around training sessions when they are not necessarily getting on the pitch. And he has been training really well.

“We knew we were bringing in a good player anyway. He came with a good pedigree and decent match experience for his age, and he has always been one we feel can grow and flourish here.”

Balmer’s career began at Ballymena United, where he debuted in the NIFL Premiership at just 16 years old. Over four seasons, he gained valuable experience, winning the Ulster Young Footballer of the Year for the 2018–19 season before moving to Larne in 2021.

After turning professional, he won the County Antrim Shield in 2022, earning a move to Crystal Palace. Loan spells at Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon followed before he joined Motherwell in 2024.

As he continues to establish himself at Motherwell, Balmer’s story remains as intriguing off the pitch as it is on it, thanks to his unique name and the promise he brings to the footballing world.

GoldStars wrapped up the first half of the season in commanding style, leading the league table with 33 points. Their impressive performance included nine wins, six draws, and only two losses.

As the league resumes this weekend, Manso shared his optimism during a pre-match press conference ahead of their Matchday 18 clash against Legon Cities at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The experienced coach, formerly in charge of Kotoko, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to achieve the ultimate prize.

“It is possible we can win the Premier League title. We are not scared of any opposition,” Manso said.

He further assured fans of the team’s determination, emphasizing their strong form in the first half of the season.

“We will go all out against any side, and with our performance in the first half, nobody can rule us out of winning the title,” he added.

The former Ghana international further urged his players to step up their performance in the second round of the season.

“At the end of the first round, we amassed 33 points, which is good for us,” he said.

“It means we have done well, but it also means that we cannot go into the second half of the season with the same level of performance.

“We need to step up and improve,” he added.

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

Despite ongoing civil unrest in the country, Sudan’s national team, the Falcons of Jediane, has secured a spot in the prestigious competition, set to take place in Morocco later this year.

Appiah, who masterminded Sudan’s qualification at the expense of his home country, Ghana, remains optimistic ahead of the tournament.

Speaking to CAF ahead of the group stage draw on January 27, he said: “Once you’ve qualified for AFCON, as a coach, I don’t think you should have any preferences regarding who you’re drawn against.

“We must be ready to face anyone. If you fear any team, then you shouldn’t participate in the competition at all. The key is preparation and confidence.”

Under Appiah’s leadership, the Falcons of Jediane finished second in Group F with 8 points. They now aim to make a significant impact in Morocco, inspired by their coach’s unwavering determination and strategic mindset.

Sanchez was caught badly out of position as he came out, then tried to scurry back as Haaland tussled with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to reach Ederson’s long punt forward.

When Haaland won the physical duel, he deliberately moved the ball on to his left foot before chipping Sanchez for his 18th league goal of the season and his sixth in his last six games in all competitions.

Phil Foden wrapped up victory three minutes from time when he ran on to Haaland’s lay-off to score his fifth goal in four games.

The win extended City’s unbeaten league run to six, gave Ederson the notable achievement of becoming the first goalkeeper to claim two assists in a single season in 16 years and, more importantly, spared the blushes of £33.6m debutant Abdukodir Khusanov, who had been at fault for Chelsea’s third-minute opener – when he headed the ball into Nicolas Jackson’s path deep into the City half. Jackson’s square pass to Noni Madueke gave the forward a tap-in.

Foden struck a post and City’s other new signing Omar Marmoush had a goal disallowed before Josko Gvardiol equalised as he reacted quickest to finish the rebound after Sanchez had denied Matheus Nunes.

After a bright start, during which they failed to take a golden chance to double their lead when Cole Palmer squared a pass too far in front of Jackson, who would have had an open goal to aim at, Chelsea faded and are now without a win in 11 meetings with City.

Despite rotating his stellar roster of international attacking players, Enzo Maresca’s side did not really threaten to force their way back into the contest once Haaland had struck.

Juventus, unbeaten in their first 21 league matches under new head coach Thiago Motta, took the lead through debutant Randal Kolo Muani.

League leaders Napoli equalised through Frank Anguissa, who headed in his 10th goal for the club in 140 appearances.

Napoli were awarded a penalty 20 minutes from time when Juventus defender Manuel Locatelli brought down former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Lukaku, who saw a move to Juventus fall through in 2023, slotted his penalty past Michele di Gregorio for his ninth goal of the season.

The victory extends Napoli’s lead over second-placed Inter Milan to six points, though they have played two games more than Simone Inzaghi’s side.

Juventus’ defeat leaves the club in fifth, 16 points behind Napoli and two points behind Lazio, who occupy the final Champions League spot.

The 24-year-old Brazilian signed for United from Ajax in August 2022 for £81.3m – the second most expensive player in the club’s history behind Paul Pogba.

He has scored 12 goals in 96 appearances for United but has only scored once in the Premier League since April 2023.

United sources say the deal is covering a minimum of 84% of Antony’s salary, which is over £100,000 per week.

He remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2027.

“Everybody at United would like to wish Antony the best of luck for his spell in Seville,” said the Old Trafford club.

Antony started brightly under former United manager Erik ten Hag – also his previous boss at Ajax – by scoring three goals in his opening three league games.

However, after failing to live up to his transfer fee, Antony has struggled for first-team opportunities and this season has featured in just 13 of United’s 33 games in all competitions.

The Cherries came in off the back of a stunning 4-1 win at Newcastle United, while Forest had been the league’s surprise package as they rose to third place in the table.

It was Bournemouth who continued a brilliant sequence of form under manager Andoni Iraola, led by Dango Outarra’s hat-trick, with a performance of the highest quality to take Forest’s usually miserly rearguard apart.

Justin Kluivert’s 11th league goal of the campaign – and only his second at home – gave Bournemouth the lead after nine minutes when he took advantages of four Forest defenders standing off him to beat keeper Matz Sels from 25 yards.

Forest’s hopes of a recovery were extinguished early in the second half when Bournemouth hit top gear, Dango Outtara heading home Kluivert’s cross after 55 minutes then driving home the third six minutes later.

As Forest fell apart under Bournemouth’s barrage, the usual reliable Sels fumbled Marcus Tavernier’s shot to gift Outtara his third, then Antoine Semenyo finished off a solo run for the fifth in stoppage time.

Referee Michael Oliver’s first-half decision to send off Lewis-Skelly – after he fouled Matt Doherty 30 yards from the hosts’ goal to stop the Wolves defender breaking from a corner – stunned the Gunners.

At 18 years and 121 days, Lewis-Skelly became the third youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League, behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Joao Gomes’ dismissal, for a second yellow card after a foul on Jurrien Timber with 20 minutes left, was more routine but it will be no more than a footnote.

Lewis-Skelly’s red could have had an immediate impact on the title race if the second-placed Gunners dropped points to fall further behind leaders Liverpool, who beat Ipswich 4-1.

But they showed resilience to snatch the victory thanks to Calafiori, on as a substitute following a half-time reshuffle.

The defender’s fine low finish with 16 minutes left kept the Gunners six points adrift of Liverpool.

Myles-Skelly’s 43rd-minute red ignited what had been a forgettable game, with the only early talking point Wolves fans’ chants against owners Fosun, calling on them to “back the team or sell the club” with their side 17th in the table.

Pablo Sarabia volleyed over and Kai Havertz nodded wide before he was denied by Jose Sa.

Havertz again went close after the break with Matheus Cunha threatening twice before Calafiori pounced.

The Reds scored three goals in the first half to effectively end the game as a contest, and even looked like going eight clear with a game in hand until 10-man Arsenal beat Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Nevertheless Liverpool did what they had to do to stay on course for a second league title in six years, with Gakpo scoring in either half, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah also netted.

Ipswich were thrashed 6-0 at home by reigning champions Manchester City in their last outing and arrived at Anfield clearly determined to avoid a similar scoreline.

They barely offered any attacking threat as they sat deep to try to frustrate Liverpool, but their resistance lasted just 11 minutes as an incisive attack by the Reds opened them up, Ibrahima Konate threading a ball through to Szoboszlai, who drove a shot in at the near post.

Salah has accounted for the majority of Liverpool’s goals at Anfield, so it was no surprise when he got on the scoresheet 10 minutes before the break, firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

A third duly arrived just before the break when Szoboszlai’s shot was parried and Gakpo was on hand to turn in the loose ball.

The second half was largely a non-event with the damage already done, but Gakpo added a fourth when he powered in a header.

The travelling fans were given something to celebrate in stoppage time when Jacob Greaves headed home a consolation from a corner.

With five minutes of a largely uneventful first half remaining, Brighton defender Joel Veltman appeared to deliberately shepherd the ball out of play with his hand while under pressure from Beto inside the penalty area.

After being invited by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult his pitchside monitor, on-field official Tim Robinson pointed to the spot and Ndiaye sent a low effort into the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.

Brighton created little in the first half but emerged for the second period with greater purpose, Kaoru Mitoma curling a shot wide of the far post before Orel Mangala and Jordan Pickford combined to clear Joao Pedro’s close-range effort behind for a corner.

Half-time substitute Georginio Rutter flashed a shot narrowly wide after shrugging off Jarrad Branthwaite on the edge of the box but there was no way through for the Seagulls as their unbeaten start to 2025 came to an end.

Everton’s second away win of the season lifts them seven points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand, while Brighton remain ninth.

The 23-year-old claimed top prizes at the event, winning both the Female Athlete of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year titles.

On the same night, Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah took home the Prospect of the Year and Male Footballer of the Year awards.

The 49th SWAG Awards was held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The awards scheme, which is the longest-running event in the country, was held to recognize sportsmen and women who contributed immensely and brought honor to the country in 2024.

Here is the list of all award winners from the 49th edition of the SWAG Awards gala:

Sports Personality of the Year
Rose Yeboah Amoanimaa

Footballer of the Year (Male)
Abdul Aziz Issah

Home-based Footballer of the Year (Female)
Mukarama Abdulai

Foreign-based Footballer of the Year (Female)
Thelma Baffoe Atuah

Footballer of the Year (Home-based)
Jonathan Sowah – Medeama

Footballer of the Year (Female, Home-based)
Comfort Yeboah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies

Athlete of the Year (Male)
Edwin Gadayi

Athlete of the Year (Female)
Rose Yeboah Amoanimaa

Club of the Year
FC Samartex

National Team of the Year
Ghana’s Athletics Relay Team

Coach of the Year
Desmond Ofei – Black Satellites

Boxer of the Year
Amadu Mohammed

Beach Soccer Player of the Year
Alexander Adjei

Administrator of the Year
Bawah Fuseini – Ghana Athletics

Posthumous Award
Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah

Discovery of the Year
Ayisha Aminu

Prospect of the Year
Abdul Aziz Issah

Table Tennis Player of the Year
Israel Aklie

Volleyball Player of the Year
Rashaka Katadat – Ghana Army

Swimmer of the Year
Abeku Jackson

Male Hockey Player of the Year
Benjamin Acquah

Female Club of the Year
Royal Ladies Hockey Club

Student Athlete of the Year
Mariam Yussif

Hockey Player of the Year (Female)
Elizabeth Opoku of GRA Ladies

Referee of the Year
Nii Otoo Larkyne

Cyclist of the Year
Emmanuel Sesi

Taekwondo Athlete of the Year
Kelvin Amuzu

Weightlifter of the Year
Winifred Ntumi

Male Puller of the Year
Edward Yamoah Asamoah

Female Puller of the Year
Grace Minta

SWAG President’s Award
James Kwasi Appiah

SWAG Journalist of the Year
Bright Kankam Boadu

Keys, playing her second major final and first for more than seven years, overcame the world number one 6-3 2-6 7-5.

Only three other women have been older than the 29-year-old Keys when winning their first Grand Slam title.

Keys, seeded 19th in Melbourne, clasped her head in amazement before sharing an emotional hug with husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo.

“I have wanted this for so long. I never knew if I’d be in this position again,” said Keys.

Belarus’ Sabalenka, 25, had been attempting to claim a rare third successive victory at the opening major of the season.

After Keys secured victory, Sabalenka warmly hugged her opponent at the net before her mood quickly soured.

She smashed a racquet then covered her head with a towel before walking off court.

When she returned a few minutes later she received a warm ovation from the 15,000 fans on Rod Laver Arena.

“Madison was incredible and I couldn’t do anything,” said Sabalenka.

“Next time I play Madison I will bring better tennis.”

Keys caps incredible run

Patience can be a precious commodity in sport and even Keys thought her chance of winning one of tennis’ greatest prizes had slipped by.

The seven-and-a-bit years between her first and second major finals is the longest gap in the Open era on the women’s side.

After reaching the French Open and US Open semi-finals in 2018, Keys dropped outside of the world’s top 50 after struggling with injuries.

She returned to the top 10 in early 2022 after making the Australian Open semi-finals and also had a run to the last four at the 2023 US Open.

Keys was denied a place in the final of her home Grand Slam by Sabalenka – a crushing defeat in which she regretted playing “too safe”.

“I’m glad I’ve got you back,” Keys joked afterwards.

After another injury-hit season last year, which forced her to miss the Australian Open, Keys was unsure if she would “be able to do it all again”.

A bold move to change racquet manufacturer in the off-season has paid dividends, with Keys keeping her explosive power while playing with a level of confidence she previously lacked.

Beating Sabalenka was the pinnacle of a title run where has beaten a host of star names.

Keys also beat second seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, becoming the first player to beat the top two Australian Open seeds since Serena Williams in 2005.

That came on the back of previous victories over former Melbourne finalists Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina, plus 2023 Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Madison Keys is the first woman to beat the top two seeds at a major since Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2009 French Open

How Keys unlocked Sabalenka in gripping final

Sabalenka was the pre-match favourite, having won 33 of her previous 34 matches on the Australian hard courts.

But Keys, a powerful baseliner, is one of the few players on the WTA Tour who has the weapons to damage Sabalenka.

The explosive match-up led to a gripping final where Keys won only one more point overall.

A stunning opening set, where she whacked 11 winners and had a rock-solid first serve, set the platform.

Keys was also helped by a nervy start from Sabalenka, whose once-unstable second serve returned to trouble her.

Two double faults in the opening game allowed Keys to break, while another set up a second break point in the fifth game which Sabalenka handed over with a sliced forehand into the net.

Keys continued to play lights out, thumping clean winners from the back of the court and also showing deft touches.

A bemused Sabalenka could only smile when Keys pulled out an ice-cold drop-shot on the way to holding for 5-1.

However, Sabalenka was furious with herself after a fourth double fault handed over another set point, which Keys took with a backhand winner.

“She played super aggressive. It seemed like everything was going her way,” said Sabalenka.

“I was just trying to put the ball back. I couldn’t really play my aggressive tennis and didn’t feel my serve that well.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Sabalenka was aiming to follow in the footsteps of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis by claiming a Melbourne ‘three-peat’

An exasperated Sabalenka felt the need to go off court after a 35-minute first set and, having tried to clear her head, was able to shift momentum.

Keys was unable to sustain her previous level, with her winners deteriorating and her first serve lacking precision.

While Sabalenka was still lacking fluency – illustrated by a long forehand that left her dropping her racquet in exasperation – she improved enough to dominate the second set.

A tight and tense decider did not produce a break point until the pivotal 12th game.

Keys upped the ante with some deep returning that Sabalenka could not handle, before sealing victory with a wonderful cross-court forehand winner.

“She played incredible,” said Sabalenka.

“I was trying my best. Obviously it didn’t work well.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Madison Keys has been coached by her husband Bjorn Fratangelo, who was a top-100 ATP player, since 2023

More than 3,500 Rangers fans were in the away end for Thursday’s Europa League game between the sides but television footage showed dozens more celebrating an 88th-minute equaliser in a game they lost 2-1.

United say they took a number of “strict” preventative measures to block away fans securing tickets in the home end and the club insists tickets were only allocated to supporters on the club’s database.

But the club acknowledged that, given the “unauthorised touting of tickets”, they could not “completely eliminate” the possibility of away fans sitting in the home end.

United will launch a full investigation into how tickets for home areas reached Rangers fans and say they will impose the “strongest possible sanctions” against registered ticket holders found to be in breach of regulations.

Following the match, Greater Manchester Police said they made 39 arrests across the night – 26 of which came following disorder in the city centre.

The club apologised to supporters in 2023 after more than 2000 Galatasaray fans were allowed to access the home section for a Champions League match at Old Trafford.

The Turkish club were fined £44,420 for the behaviour of their supporters at the stadium.

Guardiola did not quite say City, who face Chelsea at home on Saturday, had completely lost their ‘fear factor’.

However, as he assessed a torrid season he zeroed in on a change in approach that indicates opponents are not intimidated the way they once were, with teams pressing his side more.

“Everyone came to the Etihad and stayed back,” he said. “The first team I saw man-marking was Neil Warnock at Cardiff. Now everyone does it. Everyone comes here, it doesn’t matter, man to man.

“They just jump to Ederson or Stefan [Ortega]. You have to adapt, do it better with the ball, otherwise you are not qualifying for the Champions League.”

City are currently fifth in the Premier League – 12 points off leaders Liverpool. Towards the end of 2024 they won only one game out of 13 and now find themselves having to beat Club Brugge on Wednesday just to claim a Champions League play-off place following this week’s defeat by Paris St-Germain.

Although City have £123m-worth of new talent available for the Premier League encounter with Chelsea, Guardiola does not believe that alone will solve his problems.

He dismissed those who focus on running statistics as evidence of whether a team is performing to its maximum or not, instead pointing out his side have not used the ball well enough.

“Speed is important but against PSG we ran more than them,” he said. “Our problem is with the ball. This season it is what we have missed.

“If you have the ball and don’t pass properly to your mate, everything is so difficult.”

When City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the season, few would have predicted by the time the return meeting came around that Chelsea would be higher in the table and Guardiola’s team would be just a point in front of Bournemouth.

Guardiola believes qualification for next season’s Champions League would be like winning a trophy, given the injuries that cost him the services of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and leave him with one fit central defender this weekend, excluding new additions Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.

He also said there was merit in Jose Mourinho’s famous claim that finishing second behind City with Manchester United in 2017-18 was one of the greatest achievements of his career.

“There are seasons when there are a lot of difficulties,” Guardiola said. “How do you stand up? How do you stay there?

“I remember Jose. I don’t know the reality of United but he said many times finishing second in that season was his biggest success. I understand completely.”

Multiple reports state that the deal includes the option for the Serie A giants to sign the 34-year-old permanently in the summer.

Walker has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Champions League since joining City from Tottenham in 2017.

The England international said that it was a dream come true to have played for the club in a farewell post on social media.

“Manchester City… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true,” he said on Instagram.

“Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.

“To play alongside so many top players has pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had at the Etihad.

“A huge thank you to so many people, the coaching staff, the kit men and all the backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

“You make every day enjoyable and provide the platform for us to perform at our best.

“To my team-mates, from the moment I walked through the door I felt at home. Thank you for the great memories and for all the success we have shared together. You are friends, but also family for life.

“To Pep Guardiola, thank you for believing in me and working so hard to bring me here in 2017. Together, we’ve celebrated 17 trophies, and your guidance has helped shape me into the player I am today. I’ll be forever grateful.

“To Annie, our children and all my family who have been there and supported me on this journey thank you.

“Most importantly, to the fans – thank you for embracing me as one of your own from day one. Your unwavering support, week in, week out, home and away, will never be forgotten. I wish you all constant success going forward. Thank you.”

Guardiola revealed earlier in January that Walker had asked to leave the club in pursuit of a move abroad.

The defender has endured a tumultuous first half of the campaign but will strengthen The Rossoneri’s options at right back.

Milan boss Sergio Conceicao has struggled with options in that role with both Emerson Royal and Davide Calabria struggling for form.

Walker joined City from Tottenham in 2017 for a reported £50 million and went on to win 17 trophies in his time at The Etihad.

He helped the club win a historic treble and played in the 2023 Champions League triumph over Milan’s city rivals Inter.

For the first time in two decades, Ghana, a four-time African champion, failed to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament, finishing at the bottom of Group F.

The Black Stars ended their qualifying campaign with three draws and three losses from six matches.

While many fans and pundits have pointed fingers at head coach Otto Addo for the team’s disappointing performance, Abdul Salam insists that the real fault lies with the GFA.

According to him, the association’s leadership has caused discontent within the football community, leading to the poor form of the national team.

“To me, Pep Guardiola is the best coach in the world, but he cannot handle the Black Stars. Otto Addo has done nothing wrong as coach of the national team,” he told Kessben FM.

He further criticized the state of Ghanaian football, pointing to deeper issues beyond the coaching staff.

“For our coach to celebrate an equalizing goal tells you our football has collapsed.

“Semenyo, Inaki, Kudus, and others are mature players. Otto Addo has nothing to teach them. Anyone can coach the Black Stars.”

He accused the GFA of fostering a toxic environment within Ghanaian football, claiming their actions have had a negative impact on the team’s performance.

“Otto Addo can’t be blamed for Black Stars AFCON qualification failure. We didn’t qualify because of evil leaders. They’ve really hurt people within the football fraternity. Their evil deeds are paying off,” he added.

Despite the disappointment, the Black Stars will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in March when they face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Swiss coach officially assumed the role on a three-year contract after opting not to renew her position with Ghana’s Black Queens.

Häuptle was introduced as the new coach on Friday at Lusaka’s Pamodzi Hotel.

Speaking at the unveiling, Häuptle expressed her enthusiasm for taking on the role, revealing that coaching the Copper Queens had long been a dream of hers.

“It was always a wish for me to take over this team because there are so many fantastic players, there is so much potential I see in this team and of course, I know that the expectations are very high,” she said.

Häuptle praised the team’s previous achievements, particularly their bronze medal at the 2022 WAFCON, and emphasized her ambitions.

“The team already got bronze (at the WAFCON 2022) and it’s our objective to go and top this result.”

Her long-term vision includes leading the team to qualification for major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympics, with a focus on advancing past the group stage.

She stressed the importance of development, stating, “Furthermore, we want to qualify for the big tournaments, be back at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Olympics and pass the group stage. We also need to ensure that we do the right development steps, and results don’t just fall from the sky.

“We must have a lot of preparatory games that we invest in our youth teams with U17 World Cup, so I am very curious to take over the work and I will ensure that I give my all,” she added.

Häuptle succeeds Bruce Mwape as head coach, with reports suggesting her monthly salary will be $8,000.

The announcement was made on Friday at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel, where the Swiss coach signed a three-year contract to lead Zambia’s national women’s team. Häuptle replaces Bruce Mwape, who previously held the position.

Nora chose not to renew her contract with Ghana after her two-year deal expired, leading to her departure.

Now, she will focus on guiding Zambia in its preparations for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for July.

Her immediate task will be to get the team ready for the tournament, including organizing a series of friendly matches.

Zambia had previously eliminated Nora’s Black Queens from the qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in a two-legged tie.

Following Häuptle’s exit, the Ghana Football Association appointed Kim Lars Bjorkegren as the new head coach of the Black Queens.

At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Accra Lions, currently at the bottom of the table, will face Medeama SC, with the match starting at 15:00 GMT.

On Sunday, Berekum Chelsea will host Vision FC at the Golden City Park, while Young Apostles will take on Nsoatreman FC at the Wenchi Sports Stadium.

Defending champions FC Samartex will battle Dreams FC at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, and Bechem United will play Nations FC at Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park.

At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon Cities will welcome league leaders Bibiani GoldStars, while Heart of Lions will meet Aduana Stars at the Kpando Sports Stadium.

At the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena, Basake Holy Stars will face Hearts of Oak, while Asante Kotoko will host Karela United at Baba Yara Stadium.

All Sunday matches are set to kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Full Fixtures:

• Accra Lions v Medeama SC
• Berekum Chelsea v Vision FC
• Young Apostles v Nsoatreman FC
• FC Samartex v Dreams FC
• Bechem United v Nations FC
• Legon Cities v Bibiani GoldStars
• Heart of Lions v Aduana Stars
• Basake Holy Stars v Hearts of Oak
• Asante Kotoko v Karela United

World number one Sinner recorded a 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 victory over American Shelton on Rod Laver Arena – the stage where he claimed his first major title 12 months ago.

Earlier on Friday, an injured Novak Djokovic was forced to retire after losing the first set against world number two Zverev.

Zverev, still bidding for a first major title after losing his previous two finals, now faces a daunting task against the in-form Sinner in Sunday’s final.

“We’ve had some tough matches in the past. Anything can happen,” said Sinner, who has lost four of his six meetings with Zverev.

The women’s final between two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys takes place on Saturday.

Reigning US Open champion Sinner is the youngest man to reach multiple Australian Open finals since Jim Courier in 1993.

Italy’s Sinner has been near-unbeatable in the past 12 months and will go into the final on a 20-match winning streak, having not lost a match since 2 October last year.

Shelton, bidding to reach his first major final, made a confident start by breaking Sinner in the first game of the match – but that was an advantage the 21st seed surrendered three games later after a series of unforced errors.

Shelton, 22, broke again for a 6-5 lead and served for the set but squandered two set points as Sinner dug in to force a tie-break.

Sinner took control from then on, reeling off five straight points to close out the breaker before quickly going up a double break of serve in the second.

The daunting prospect of needing to come back from two sets down against the top seed did not discourage Shelton from entertaining and engaging the crowd.

The American reset admirably to force three break points early in the third set. But, after they went untaken, Sinner struck what proved to be the decisive blow in game five to extinguish Shelton’s hopes of an unlikely fightback.

Despite appearing to limp following an awkward landing, Sinner closed out five straight games to secure victory in two hours 36 minutes.

“There was a lot of tension and I had some slight cramps,” Sinner said afterwards.

“These matches can go very long. Three sets in two-and-a-half hours is quite some time, so I’m happy to finish it in three.”

Sinner’s Australian Open title defence comes against the backdrop of his ongoing doping case, which will be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport from 16 April, with the World Anti-Doping Agency seeking a ban of between one and two years.

Arsenal have been short of attacking options after losing Bukayo Saka to a long-term hamstring injury and striker Gabriel Jesus with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Gunners are challenging for the Premier League title for the third season in a row but a number of injuries to key players and inconsistent results has seen them slip to six points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

Arsenal have also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and are trailing Newcastle 2-0 after the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. In both of those matches the Gunners missed a host of goalscoring opportunities.

“My opinion is clear that we lost two very very important players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. So we lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the frontline, it’s clear,” Arteta said.

“It is clear that in the period that we lost them, ideally we need some help. We were short already and now we are even shorter. The team still copes with that.”

However, he said he would only do “what is right for the club” and is “actively looking” to “get the right player”.

“Any player, no,” he added. “[It has to be] someone that makes us better and has an impact in the team.”

Arsenal have been linked with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and also Wolves forward Matheus Cunha but Arteta, who did not comment on either player in his pre-match news conference said it’s not a certainty that Arsenal will be able to complete a deal for a forward.

“It doesn’t just depend on Arsenal, on Mikel or our will. It depends on the market and a lot of different factors.” Arteta added.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said after the win over north London rivals Tottenham that he would not be “surprised” if Arsenal do try to sign a striker in this window, but Arteta said his players haven’t said to him that they feel like they need someone to come in.

“We have all been there, we all look at each other.” Arteta said.

“We have very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do.”

However, the Arsenal boss did say that he does sometimes speak to his players about potential signings, especially if they have played together before, to get an insight into their characters.

“That’s getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying and it is real,” said the Spaniard.

“I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn’t scored for six or seven games?

“This is what I am interested in. Watch an interview with a player who hasn’t scored for six games, and then what kind of goals does he score?

“Against which teams in which context? Is it first half or second half? Is it only with his right foot, only headers, only in open spaces? Does he like the physical contact of this league?

“There are a lot of things. So when you have a player that has spent a lot of days with him, that is really valuable information to have.”

Ghana hosted the 13th edition of the African Games in 2024, but the government’s financial outlay for the event sparked significant controversy.

Former Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif faced public backlash over the reported $245 million spent, which included $195 million on infrastructure, $15 million on feeding athletes during the 15-day event, and $48 million on operational costs.

The Local Organising Committee defended the expenditures, citing their necessity for the event’s success.

Addressing the media at the Accra Sports Stadium, Adams confirmed that the probe would follow due process to ensure accountability.

“I remember in Parliament, issues were raised about it. The only unfortunate thing is that we couldn’t take the report of the committee that looked into areas of sports before the 8th Parliament was dissolved.

“But the 9th Parliament is back, and we can see what we can do about that report—whether it will be retabled or the issues will be referred to the committee again for review and resubmission for consideration.

“So, we are not ruling out anything. But let’s go through the processes first, and then we’ll see what they look into and what will come out of it,” Adams said.

Kofi Adams is awaiting parliamentary approval of his nomination after undergoing vetting. Once confirmed, he will officially assume the role and oversee efforts to ensure transparency in the nation’s sports administration.

Ansah, the former Vice Chairman of GHALCA, received 95 votes, decisively defeating his rival, Isaac Wilberforce Koomson, who managed 35 votes.

This victory marks the end of Kudjoe Fianoo’s lengthy tenure as chairman, as he steps aside to make way for Ansah’s leadership.

In the Vice Chairmanship race, Phyllis Marku successfully defended her position by defeating Nana Amankwaa Kwakye.

Ansah, with three terms of experience as a GHALCA executive member, is poised to lead the association with a vision centered on ethical governance and unity.

He pledged to drive GHALCA toward greater success while fostering collaboration among its members.

A total of 134 members participated in the elections, representing various sectors of Ghanaian football: 36 from the Premier League, 48 from Division One, 30 from Regional Football Associations (RFAs), and 20 from the Women’s Premier League.

Koomson’s bid for the chairmanship marked his third attempt, following unsuccessful campaigns against Fianoo in 2016 and 2020.

Other Election Highlights:

• Premier League Representative: Fred Tinda (Gold Stars) triumphed over Joseph Nkoo (Asante Kotoko) and Abdul Rahman Yakubu (Vision FC).

Unopposed Positions:

• Treasurer: Patrick Martey Boye retained his role for a second term.
• Division One League Representative: Eric Opoku.
• Regional Clubs Representative: Gabriel Godwin Kwao.
• Women’s Premier League Representative: ASP Naomi F. Abdulai, CEO of Prisons Ladies.

With the elections concluded, Ansah and his team are set to steer GHALCA into a new era of progress and innovation.

Elections were held on Thursday, January 23, at the Accra Sports Stadium, ushering in a new leadership team for the organization.

John Ansah, formerly the Vice Chairman of GHALCA, emerged as the new Chairman after defeating Isaac Wilberforce Koomson.

Ansah secured 96 out of 132 votes, while Koomson received 35 votes. Phylis Marku Moncar made history by being elected as the first female Vice Chairperson and will support Ansah in steering the association forward.

In a statement, Mr. Okraku praised the newly elected leaders for their accomplishments:

“It is with great humility that I extend warm-hearted congratulations to Mr. John Ansah on his election as the new Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) for the next four years. I also wish to congratulate the first female Vice Chairperson, Ms. Phylis Marku Moncar, and the elected Executive Council members for this momentous feat.”

He commended their dedication and leadership, noting the trust their colleagues have placed in them. Mr. Okraku expressed optimism about the future under their leadership:

“This new chapter signifies an exciting journey ahead, and I have no doubt that the new leadership will continue to inspire and guide the club’s welfare body.”

The GFA President also urged the new GHALCA executives to prioritize integrity and innovation while driving the development of football in Ghana:

“As you step into these new roles, may you lead with integrity and vision, fostering innovation and growth in the forward march of GHALCA and Ghana football. I am confident GHALCA will work closely with the Ghana Football Association in unity, combining diverse talents, perspectives, and ideas into a shared vision.”

He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two organizations to achieve sustainable progress:

“Together, we have the power to create positive change and foster a culture of inclusiveness, innovation, and progress. By standing shoulder to shoulder, GHALCA and the GFA will pave the way for success and make a lasting impact.”

The election results mark a new chapter for GHALCA as its leadership commits to guiding the association to greater heights in the years to come.

In a statement made on Tuesday, the organization pointed to Morocco’s strong track record in hosting some of the continent’s major football events.

CAF said Morocco was not a surprise choice as host, referring to their past hosting of the 2018 African Nations Championship, the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

Morocco hosted its first AFCON in 1988, a tournament in which only eight countries participated.

With 24 nations participating in 2025, the event reflects the strides African football has made over three decades.

Morocco will have several world-class facilities to host the tournament. The soon-to-be-announced official venues may include the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, and major stadiums in Tangier, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez.

Many of these venues are being renovated to meet and exceed competition standards.

CAF commends Morocco’s modern infrastructure, enthusiastic football fans, and proven experience in hosting major sporting events. This is what CAF believes will make Morocco a good candidate for organizing an AFCON that sets a new standard.

The competition is to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The tournament’s group stage draw is scheduled for next Monday at 7 p.m at Mohammed V Theatre.

Morocco, as the host nation, qualified automatically, while 23 other teams earned their places through qualifying rounds held between September and November 2024.

The lineup includes strong teams such as Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, and Algeria. Other nations, like Ghana and Guinea, failed to qualify.

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City have certainly endured a disappointing season by their very high standards, with the prospect of winning a fifth straight title now seemingly off the table, while Chelsea have shown impressive growth this term, but have gone through a ‘wobble’ in recent weeks.

When the teams met earlier this season at Stamford Bridge, the Citizens claimed a 2-0 away win thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic, and the Blues will be keen to secure some revenge at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

“In football you need to be clinical, otherwise the game is always open,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who wants to see his team be more ruthless in attack. “I always said that the important thing is to create chances, because if you create chances it means that you are doing the right things.

“Sometimes you create and you score. Sometimes you create one chance and you score one. And sometimes you need to create 10 to score two.”

The round opens on Saturday afternoon with five matches, headlined by title favourites Liverpool hosting Ipswich Town at Anfield, while Arsenal will face a potential banana skin away to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.

Sunday’s action features a London battle between Crystal Palace and Brentford; Tottenham Hotspur will host Leicester City; Aston Villa and West Ham United will have their ‘claret and blue’ derby; and Fulham will welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage.

Fulham have been one of the teams punching above their weight this season, with manager Marco Silva recently praising the impact of Mexican striker Raul Jimenez: “He’s been doing that all his career. He’s our best penalty taker. He showed he is very good. The way he fought and made it hard for the defenders. He is in a really good moment.”

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Broadcast details

Saturday 25 January

17:00: AFC Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1 and SuperSport OTT2

17:00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton – LIVE on SuperSport OTT3

17:00: Liverpool v Ipswich Town – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

17:00: Southampton v Newcastle United – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2

17:00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Blitz

19:30: Manchester City v Chelsea – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 26 January

16:00: Crystal Palace v Brentford – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3

16:00: Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

18:30: Aston Villa v West Ham United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

21:00: Fulham v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

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The first title challenger in action on the weekend is Atletico Madrid, who will welcome Villarreal to the Metropolitano Stadium. The teams played out a thrilling 2-2 draw when they met earlier this season, but Los Rojiblancos will be determined to claim all three points this time around.

“We need to keep improving; we are working as a team, including those who come on as substitutes. This is not a coincidence – the team is evolving and believes in what it does,” said Atletico manager Diego Simeone.

Champions Real Madrid will have the chance to respond on Saturday night when they head to the Jose Zorrilla Municipal Stadium to face Real Valladolid. The Pucelanos have lost six straight matches against Real (failing to even score a goal in the sequence) but midfielder Kike Perez is hopeful that they will break their drought.

“It has been a long time since Valladolid beat Real Madrid, this is true,” said the 27-year-old. “But we will be at home and have the support of our fans. Anything is possible if we believe and play to our potential.”

Barcelona will have to wait until Sunday night for their clash with Valencia at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. While the Blaugrana are looking to keep themselves in the race for the championship, Los Che are fighting for their La Liga lives – with coach Carlos Corberan hoping that the team and the supporters can go on a journey together.

“The fans respond when they see the team’s dedication, when they see the commitment, attitude… it is a fanbase that understands, appreciates and responds,” said Corberan.

“Rather than asking them for anything, it is about giving them everything. That is the commitment that I have had since my first day and that I share with my players.”

The round also features a Friday night battle between Las Palmas and Osasuna; Sevilla welcome Espanyol to Andalusia on Saturday; and a Monday night treat pits Alaves against Celta Vigo at the Mendizorroza Stadium.

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Broadcast details

Friday 24 January

22:00: Las Palmas v Osasuna – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

Saturday 25 January

15:00: Mallorca v Real Betis – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

17:15: Atletico Madrid v Villarreal – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

19:30: Sevilla v Espanyol – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

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

Sunday 26 January

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

17:15: Real Sociedad v Getafe – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

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

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

Monday 27 January

22:00: Alaves v Celta Vigo – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3

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Napoli will welcome Juve to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium early on Saturday evening, with the Partenopei seeking to claim three points and keep up their push to win a second championship in the space of three seasons.

As for the Bianconeri, this season has been a struggle under manager Thiago Motta, with the team struggling to convert draws into wins. Club legend Franco Causio has urged Motta to restore a winning mentality to the team in black and white.

“You can’t buy a team’s character at the supermarket, the coach has to bring it to the group, especially if it’s a young team like Juventus,” said Causio. “Motta needs to do some soul-searching, he’s good and deserves time, but everyone makes mistakes and he still has to grow as a coach.”

One of Napoli’s Scudetto rivals, Atalanta, will be in action earlier on Saturday when they face Como at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium while reigning champions Inter Milan will be in action on Sunday afternoon when they visit Lecce at the Ettore Giardiniera Stadium.

Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi recently praised his team for their efforts in the Italian Super Cup, and believes they will set a fearsome pace in Serie A until the end of the campaign: “I feel great pride,” he exclaimed.

“These guys are giving me everything they can over the last three and a half years. With all the matches we have to play, it’s commendable. We have to keep going like this.”

Other matches to watch in this round include AC Milan at home to Parma and a potential thriller between Lazio and Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday night, while Monday night offers up a double delight, as Venezia and Genoa host Verona and Monza respectively – in clashes which will have a huge effect on the relegation battle.

You are entitled to the best football… After all, you’re a DStv subscriber! Get and stay connected to DStv and ensure you don’t miss a single game!

To upgrade or manage your subscription download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com.

You can also catch all the action while on the move. Stream all matches on the DStv Stream app by downloading it from the app store today!

Broadcast details

Friday 24 January

21:45: Torino v Cagliari – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

Saturday 25 January

16:00: Como v Atalanta – LIVE on SuperSport Football

19:00: Napoli v Juventus – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Empoli v Bologna – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

Sunday 26 January

13:30: AC Milan v Parma – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

16:00: Udinese v Roma – LIVE on SuperSport Football

19:00: Lecce v Inter Milan – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Lazio v Fiorentina – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

Monday 27 January

19:30: Venezia v Verona – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

21:45: Genoa v Monza – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

In a letter to fan groups, United said they must “act now”.

Under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), clubs can lose up to £105m over three years.

“If we do not act now, we are in danger of falling to comply with PSR/FFP requirements,” the club said in the letter.

“We are currently making a significant loss each year – totalling over £300m in the past three years. This is not sustainable.

“We will have to make some difficult choices. That has included a significant reduction to our workforce as well as cuts across many areas of spend across our club.

“We do not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall – but we do need to look at our ticketing strategy to ensure we are charging the right amount, and offering the right discounts, across our products for our fans.”

The club letter was in response to a letter from fans groups The 1958 and Fan Coalition 58 urging United to “consider the long-term implications of ticket price increases”.

In September, United reported a net loss of £113.2m in the year to 30 June.

It followed losses of £28.7m in 2022-23 and £115.5m in 2021-22, and took total losses over the past five years to over £370m.

United were accused of exploiting fans after taking the mid-season decision to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners.

The ticket pricing announcement came after the club confirmed the cost of paying off former boss Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4m, while the cost of paying a release clause to bring in his replacement Ruben Amorim was £11m.

In November, United revealed they had spent £8.6m as part of a redundancy programme that had led to about 250 employees losing their jobs.

Last season Everton had a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal in February for breaching PSR for the three-year period to 2021-22.

Nottingham Forest were also charged with PSR breaches last season and were docked four points in March.

The 37-year-old Serb, aiming for a record-extending 11th men’s singles title, retired injured from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday.

He raised both thumbs in the air towards the 15,000 fans as he left Rod Laver Arena – which he has often described as his “second home”.

Asked if it might be his final appearance at Melbourne Park, Djokovic said. “I don’t know. There is a chance. Who knows? I’ll just have to see how the season goes.

“I want to keep going. But whether I’m going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I’m not sure.”

It is the second successive year that Djokovic has lost in the Melbourne semi-finals.

Djokovic has stripped back his schedule in recent seasons and prioritised being ready for the biggest tournaments – namely the four Grand Slams.

The former world number one continues to seek a 25th Slam to move clear of Australia’s Margaret Court, who won 24 women’s singles titles between 1960 and 1973.

The Australian Open is where Djokovic has enjoyed most of Grand Slam success followed by Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles.

He has also won three French Open and four US Open titles.

“I normally like to come to Australia to play,” seventh seed Djokovic added.

“I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. So if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come.

“But there’s always a chance [it is the last time].”

What has Djokovic got left in the tank?

Coming into the first Grand Slam of the season, there was a feeling Djokovic cannot outlast the very best of his younger opponents over five sets like he used to.

Last year was the first since 2017 – and only the second since 2011 – that Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam.

Jannik Sinner’s comfortable victory in last year’s semi-final – ending Djokovic’s 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park – damaged his aura of invincibility.

Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 21 splitting the four major titles last year was further evidence that the changing of the guard was finally happening.

Djokovic proved he could still hang tough with the next generation over five sets when he recovered to beat Alcaraz on Tuesday.

It came at a cost, though.

For the second time in seven months, Djokovic battled through injury for a memorable win – only to suffer the consequences in the next round.

Djokovic tore cartilage in his right knee during his French Open fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo, forcing him to withdraw from the quarter-final against Casper Ruud two days later.

“It’s not like I’m approaching every Grand Slam now and worrying whether I’m going to get injured or not,” said Djokovic, who was aiming to become the oldest man to win a major in the Open era.

“But statistics are against me in a way in the last couple of years.

“I don’t know what exactly is the reason for [the injuries]. But I’ll keep going.

“I’ll keep striving to win more slams. And as long as I feel that I want to put up with all of this, I’ll be around.”

Djokovic will ‘chat’ to Murray about future

Djokovic has been coached by long-time playing rival Andy Murray in Melbourne and says he does not yet know if the trial partnership will continue.

Murray, also 37, retired in August last year and joined Djokovic’s team in November.

“We are both disappointed with what just happened, so we didn’t talk about the future,” Djokovic said.

“I’ll definitely have a chat with Andy and thank him for being here with me.

“I’ll give him my feedback, which is positive, and see how he feels and we will make the next step.”

Djokovic, who was bidding for a record-extending 11th title, quit after losing the first set 7-6 (7-5) in 80 minutes.

The 37-year-old Serb had his upper left leg heavily taped after injuring it in Tuesday’s quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz.

“I did everything I possibly could do to manage the muscle tear that I had,” said Djokovic, who was also aiming for an all-time standalone record of 25 major titles.

“Towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain.

“It was too much to handle for me.”

After he slapped a volley into the net on set point, seventh seed Djokovic immediately approached Zverev and shook his hand.

He waved to the crowd and gave them a double thumbs up, despite audible boos from some sections inside Rod Laver Arena.

“I knew even if I won the first set, that it’s going to be a huge uphill battle for me to stay physically fit enough to stay with him in the rallies for two, three, four hours,” added Djokovic.

“I don’t think I had that today in the tank.”

German second seed Zverev is still bidding for his first Grand Slam title after twice losing in major finals.

He will face either Italian top seed Jannik Sinner or American 21st seed Ben Shelton in Sunday’s final.

‘Don’t boo a player when they are injured’

From the moment Djokovic lunged for a drop-shot towards the end of the first set against Alcaraz and immediately grimaced to his box, there have been questions over his fitness.

Djokovic, as he has on countless occasions in his stellar career, somehow managed to defy the injury to earn a remarkable win against the 21-year-old.

But doubts remained how equipped he would be to play Zverev.

Djokovic had not practised at Melbourne Park since Tuesday night’s victory, cancelling a planned hit on Thursday before spending an hour warming up on court shortly before the semi-final.

Djokovic did not practise between matches during his 2023 title run and later revealed he had a three centimetre tear in his hamstring.

He also won the 2021 title despite tearing an abdominal muscle in the third round.

“The very first thing I want to say is, please guys, don’t boo when a player is injured,” said Zverev, addressing the crowd in his on-court interview.

“I know everyone paid for tickets and wants to see a five-set match but you have to understand Novak Djokovic is someone who has given absolutely everything to tennis.

“He has won this title with an abdominal tear, he has won this title with a hamstring tear.

“If he cannot continue this match, it means he really cannot continue.”

The signs that showed Djokovic’s struggles

Djokovic looked way below his best from the start of the semi-final.

The former world number one was fortunate not to be punished more by Zverev as he struggled badly with his first serve.

Zverev, playing passively behind the baseline, produced poor errors on the four break points he created in the third game of the match.

Two forehands and a backhand were meekly dumped into the net before he framed a forehand into the front rows of the stand on the fourth.

After three slogs of games spanning 23 minutes, Djokovic had three break points himself at 2-1 but could not take his chances.

Djokovic’s service games improved but he had to save another break point at 4-4, and the laboured walks to the chair and anguished facial expressions became more pronounced.

Nevertheless, ending the match early came as a shock to most of the 15,000 crowd on Rod Laver Arena – and Zverev himself.

Asked if he had any indication Djokovic was struggling, Zverev laughed: “No, I actually thought it was a high-level set.

“Of course there were some difficulties and the longer you continue maybe the worse it gets.

“Maybe in the tie-break he was not moving as well, but I thought we had extremely long, physical rallies.”

The 25-year-old top scored for the Nuggets with 35 points, 22 rebounds and a season-high 17 assists.

Jokic has joined Philadelphia 76ers legend Wilt Chamberlain – a four-time Most Valuable Player – as the second player in NBA history to record 35 points, 20 rebounds and 15 assists in a single game.

But it was Jokic’s three-pointer at the end of the third quarter that will be remembered longest.

With 1.7 seconds left on the clock and his side 110-85 ahead, Jokic took possession and let fly from 66ft. He barely celebrated as his team-mates mobbed him when the ball found the bucket.

“When you play, you want to make every shot,” said Jokic.

“I took it to make it and I did make it. It’s a lucky shot, not really a high-percentage shot, but I took it to make it. It’s three points. It’s going to help us.”

Lakers too good for Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated defending champions the Boston Celtics in an emphatic 117-96 win.

Anthony Davis top scored for the Lakers with 24 points while LeBron James finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

The Lakers had a 28-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter but despite easing off, they restricted Jayson Tatum to 16 points.

Mavericks upset Thunder

The Oklahoma Thunder lost for just the third time this season as the Dallas Mavericks caused a 121-115 upset.

The Thunder, who lead the Western Conference, were below their best as Spencer Dinwiddie hit 28 points and Kyrie Irving scored 24.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who hit a career-best 54 points against the Jazz on Thursday, came up with 31 points for the Thunder.

NBA results

Denver Nuggets 132-123 Sacramento Kings

LA Lakers 117-96 Boston Celtics

Toronto Raptors 122-119 Atlanta Hawks

Dallas Mavericks 121-115 Oklahoma Thunder

Miami Heat 96-125 Milwaukee Bucks

Chicago Bulls 106-131 Golden State Warriors

Washington Wizards 93-110 La Clippers

San Antonio Spurs 140-110 Pacers

Portland Trail Blazers 101-79 Orlando Magic

Rangers’ fans were still celebrating what they thought was a famous draw after Cyriel Dessers had brilliantly levelled United’s opener with an 88th-minute drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

But Fernandes cut those celebrations short when he got on the end of Lisandro Martinez’s angled cross to the far post and drove a first-time shot through Jack Butland’s legs.

From his seat in the directors’ box, legendary United boss and former Rangers striker Sir Alex Ferguson could only shake his head in wonderment at the drama of it all.

At least the ending meant the game was not known purely for Butland’s terrible own goal, when he came to clear Christian Eriksen’s 52nd-minute corner and succeeded only in punching the ball into his own net.

United’s character shone through just four days after head coach Ruben Amorim had stated his side were “maybe the worst team in Manchester United history”.

For Rangers, it was a cruel way to extend a run in which Philippe Clement’s side have not won away from Ibrox since 8 December.

They drop into the play-off places in 13th and need to beat Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on home soil next week and hope other results go their way to gain automatic passage into the last 16.

They have, however, guaranteed a place in the knock-out round.

United, now fourth, will definitely make it into the last 16 if they win away at Romanians FCSB.

This resounding victory propelled them back into the top four, halting a concerning slump in form. The question now is: has Pep Guardiola rediscovered his winning touch?

City will face a true test of their resurgence this weekend against Chelsea. A strong performance against the Blues will be crucial in demonstrating their return to top form and reigniting their title chase against league leaders Liverpool.

Ahead of the game, Showmax caught up with Chelsea attacker Pedro Neto, as well as Man City’s new Egyptian signing Omar Marmoush.

They chat about the game ahead, while Marmoush chats about his excitement at joining of the biggest football clubs in the world.

Pedro Neto previews the Man City v Chelsea game:

You had a good result against Wolves. Do you think your win against Wolves will help kickstart Chelsea’s year?

We came from a bad moment where we couldn’t win games, so the Wolves game was an important one to get back to winning ways. Now we are confident we can win the next one and already hard at work.

Next up is Man City. What is the mood in the camp like ahead of a mammoth fixture like this?

The mood is the same. We always look forward to playing no matter who the opponent is. The team is happy, and we are thrilled the way things are going. We want to fight and work hard to win the next game.

Man City are always a tough fixture. But they too are going through their own struggles.  What kind of game do you expect?

They have been going through a bad moment, but they are one of the best teams in the world, if not the best. They also have some of the best players in the world, so we expect a difficult game.  No doubt we will face the best Man City team, but we want to go there and win the game.

What has it been like working under Enzo Maresca?

It’s good to have a manager that has the mentality that he has, which is to work hard every day if you want to play. That is the mentality that every player needs. The team needs to work together so we can reach the top level like Arsenal and Liverpool. City too have been phenomenal over the years. It’s all about consistency and hard work.

City’s new Egyptian signing Omar Marmoush:

How excited are you to have joined Man City?

I’m excited and can’t wait to get on the pitch with my teammates and start my journey with the club.

You made a great impact with your previous club. What was it about City that made you want to join the club?

City is one of the biggest clubs in the world over the past ten years. I am honoured that they have shown interest in me and now I am here. The last two seasons were great for me, but that was just the beginning. I am so happy to be here. City is one of the biggest clubs in the world so there was no question.

Describe your style of play and your strengths as a footballer?

My main strength is that I always want to win. That is from a character point of view. On the pitch, I am fast, and good on the ball. I try to see where the spaces are and exploit them. I’m dangerous.

You can play several different positions. But which position do you feel most comfortable in?

I can play in many positions. For the national team, I am a left winger. At my former club I was playing number nine, sometimes ten and sometimes eight. I can play all positions, but I feel most comfortable under the striker in a ten position. I am happy to play in any position and will give my everything.

You’ve had a few hours to check out the City Academy. What did you make of the facilities?

The facilities are amazing. I didn’t get to see a lot. I just finished the medical, and met the staff who were nice. The facilities are good, just how they should be for one of the best clubs in the world.

Signing for City must be a special moment for your family, right?

It is crazy to be honest. My whole journey I made coming from Egypt to Germany, I always dreamt of being at a club like this. I worked hard and had many setbacks, but I continued to push. It is an honour for me and my family to be here representing Egypt at one of the biggest clubs in the world. It makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality.

Pep Guardiola is a world-class manager. Was he a big factor when you considered joining City?

This was one of the big aspects. Pep is a coach that develops players. I always find that each player can become better. I want to learn from Pep and take all his knowledge. He is one of the best coaches in history, so it’s an honour that he showed in interest in me. I can’t wait to show off my quality.

How much are you looking forward to linking up with Erling Haaland?

I am very excited. Erling is a goal machine. I am very excited to see him, learn from him, play with him on the pitch, assist him. I am hoping we have a great relationship at City.

The Premier League is recognized as the strongest, most competitive league in the world. What does it mean to you to be able to experience this league?

Since I was young it was my dream to play in the Premier League. It’s a very intense league and fits the style of play I have. I am happy to be here in the league. It is another huge test for me, and it’s just the beginning. My journey starts with City, and hopefully, we will win a lot of trophies and have many great seasons together.

You are the first Egyptian to play for Man City. How proud are you?

It’s a big, big honour. I’m happy to be the first Egyptian player to play for City, representing my country at a big club here.  My dreams are becoming a reality, and I hope I will prove to everyone that I can keep up at this high level.

Back in Egypt, how much of interest is there in the Premier League?

In Egypt, the Premier League is the most followed league. We have many great players that have played in the Premier League and that still play in the league, like Mo Salah. As kids, we grew up dreaming of playing in the Premier League, that’s why it makes me so happy to be here.

How can fans get Showmax Premier League on their phones? 

Sign up for the Showmax Premier League mobile plan for R69 p/m at www.showmax.com  for all the Premier League action.

The 20-year-old has signed a contract with the club until 2028 and will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Spanish third-tier side CD Lugo.

Afriyie has been one of Ghana’s brightest young talents over the past year, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s gold medal victory at the African Games.

He scored the decisive goal in the final against Uganda, further cementing his reputation as a rising star.

In 2024, he gained significant recognition after being named Best Player at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo, where Ghana finished as runners-up to Nigeria.

Afriyie also secured the tournament’s Golden Boot, scoring five goals in as many matches.

In a historic milestone, Afriyie became the first player from Ghana’s third-tier league to earn a call-up to the senior national team.

He debuted for the Black Stars during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in November 2024, marking the occasion with a goal in a narrow 2-1 loss to Niger.

The striker’s exceptional performances caught the attention of several clubs, but he ultimately chose Al Qadsiya, who currently sit third in the Saudi Professional League standings.

Afriyie’s loan spell at CD Lugo is expected to provide valuable international experience, preparing him for his debut with Al Qadsiya next season.

The 29-year-old, who previously featured for Liberty Professionals and Medeama SC, has signed an 18-month contract with the Porcupine Warriors.

“Signing for Kotoko is a proud moment for me. This is a club with such a rich history and a massive following, and I feel honored to wear this jersey,” he said after signing the deal.

Sefah is set to compete for a spot in the starting lineup alongside established defenders James Ablorh, Samba O’Neil, and Henry Ansu.

“I know there’s strong competition for places, with the likes of Ablorh, Samba, and Ansu already here, but I welcome that challenge. Competing with such quality players will only push me to work harder and be at my best,” he stated.

Sefah is determined to contribute to the team’s success.

“I’m ready to give my all on the pitch and contribute to the team’s success. The fans deserve nothing less than our best effort, and I’m here to deliver,” the 29-year-old added.

Having completed his move on transfer deadline day, Sefah could make his debut on Sunday when Asante Kotoko faces Karela United.

The 29-year-old joined the Porcupine Warriors from lower-division side Port City FC on transfer deadline day.

The centre-back, who can also operate as a defensive midfielder, has previously played for Liberty Professionals and Medeama Sporting Club, where he gained valuable top-flight experience.

Asante Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the defender.

“Michael is a fantastic addition to our team. His ability to play both as a centre-back and in defensive midfield gives us great tactical flexibility,” he told the club’s media.

“He completes our centre-back options, as we previously had only three senior ones in Ablorh, Samba, and Ansu.

“Michael’s arrival not only strengthens our defense but also provides leadership and stability, which will be crucial as we compete on multiple fronts,” he added.

Sefah is known for his composure, strength, and ability to read the game, making him a solid addition to the Kotoko squad.

The Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency was part of the third batch of Ministerial appointments submitted for parliamentary approval.

Adams, who will undergo vetting before officially assuming office, is set to replace Mustafa Ussif, who served as Sports Minister under the previous administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

“I support Asante Kotoko,” he said during an interview on Happy FM.

Adams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with a focus on the Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases. He brings extensive experience in education and politics to the role.

As Minister, Adams is expected to tackle critical issues in the sports sector, including improving sports infrastructure, securing better funding for national teams, and enhancing Ghana’s performance in major tournaments.

For the first time in 20 years, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is scheduled to take place in Morocco later this year.

Led by head coach Otto Addo, the team endured a disappointing campaign, finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points from six games, following three draws and three losses.

Adding to the nation’s woes, the Black Galaxies, under coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, also missed out on the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Despite a goalless draw in the first leg against Nigeria’s Super Eagles B at the Accra Sports Stadium, the team succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in the return leg.

Speaking to Citi Sports, George Afriyie described these setbacks as deeply troubling, particularly Ghana’s absence from the 24-team AFCON tournament.

“We have the talent in this country; what we lack is identifying them, offering proper training and grooming, and creating opportunities. When you mention Ghana in global football, everyone recognizes us. We’ve been to the World Cup four times, and that alone is proof that Ghana is one of Africa’s football powerhouses,” he stated.

Afriyie expressed his disappointment over Ghana’s exclusion from Africa’s premier football competitions, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms.

“If 24 countries are participating in AFCON, and Ghana isn’t one of them, it’s a serious issue. If CHAN is happening, and Ghana isn’t competing among the best, it’s worrying. The same applies to the U-17 African Championships and the African Women’s Championships—we cannot ignore this downward trend.

“We must admit that something is wrong. Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward finding solutions. Unfortunately, those entrusted with managing football in this country don’t seem to view it this way, and that is deeply concerning,” Afriyie added.

The Black Stars will regroup in March to face Chad and Madagascar in two crucial qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency has been nominated for the sector.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Ampofo Ankrah said, “Kofi Adams has shown great leadership and dedication in his previous roles.

His appointment is a testament to his competence and the trust placed in him.”

“The sports sector in Ghana needs someone who understands the challenges and opportunities. Given his experience and vision, Kofi Adams is a perfect fit for this role.”

The renowned sports broadcaster also urged the sports community to rally behind the new minister. “This is a time for unity and support. We must come together to ensure that the sports sector thrives under his leadership.”

Ampofo Ankrah expressed optimism about the future of Ghanaian sports under Kofi Adams, emphasizing the need for strategic investments and reforms. “I believe Kofi Adams will deliver.

He has the passion, knowledge, and capacity to make a difference in sports and recreation in Ghana.”

READ ALSO

• Black Stars will rise again – Kofi Adams
• Sports is not only about football and the Black Stars – Kofi Adams

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, who previously described Badosa as her “soulmate”, recovered from an early setback to win 6-4 6-2.

Badosa, contesting her first major semi-final, quickly went 2-0 up but the Spanish 11th seed would win just four of the next 16 games.

Sabalenka will face Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the final, where she will aim to emulate Martina Hingis’ three straight titles between 1997-99.

“Just saying that, I have goosebumps. I am so proud of myself and my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said.

“It’s a privilege and if I will be able to put my name in the history [books] it’s going to mean the world to me.

“At first I was dreaming to win at least one Grand Slam and now I have this opportunity and it’s incredible.”

It was a 20th straight victory at the Australian Open for two-time defending champion Sabalenka.

Sabalenka will keep her world number one ranking if Swiatek loses in the semi-finals – and if the Pole advances, the winner of Saturday’s championship match will take the top spot.

Should Swiatek join Sabalenka in the final, it would be the first time since 2018 that the Australian Open women’s final has featured the top two seeds.

Badosa, having stunned American third seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals, benefitted in the early stages as a tense Sabalenka conceded an immediate break of serve with four unforced errors.

Badosa was within a point of taking a 3-0 lead before Sabalenka switched up a gear.

The three-time major winner then took charge, reeling off four games in a row and was unrelenting from there.

Despite their off-court relationship, both players gave little away, barely exchanging a glance as they stayed focused on their respective tasks.

But, in a rare glimpse into their friendship, they shared relieved smiles after Badosa fell at the start of the second set before raising a reassuring thumb as she lay on the court.

What started as a fiercely-contested match began to drift away from Badosa when she gifted Sabalenka control of set two, conceding a break of serve with back-to-back double faults

Another double fault in the fifth game gave Sabalenka a chance for a second break, which she grabbed with one of her 32 winners before serving out victory in one hour and 26 minutes.

Sabalenka, who was later seen consoling Badosa in the players’ area, said: “It was a super tough match against a friend, I’m super happy to see her at her highest level.

“After a couple of battles against each other we have spoken and decided to put it aside, and here we both wanted it badly.”

The 25-year-old has agreed a contract until June 2029, with add-ons rising to £4m.

Marmoush has scored 15 goals in 17 Bundesliga games this season, second only to England captain Harry Kane’s 16 for Bayern Munich.

“Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world over the past 10 years, so it was not a question,” Marmoush said.

“It’s a pleasure and an honour for me and my family to be representing Manchester City. It makes them happy; it makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality.

“The last two seasons have been great, but it is just the beginning for me.”

City have also signed 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30m and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £34m in the January transfer window.

Marmoush, who has played as a striker, a number 10 and a winger, said: “On the pitch I am fast, good on the ball, I try to see where the spaces are and exploit the spaces – and I’m dangerous.

“My main strength I would say is that I always want to win – that is from a character point of view.”

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said Marmoush has “outstanding pace and awareness” and that his versatility is a “really valuable asset”.

Marmoush began his career with Wadi Degla in the Egyptian Premier League, before signing for VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.

He had loan spells at FC St Pauli and VfB Stuttgart before his 2023 move to Frankfurt, for whom he scored 37 goals and made 20 assists in 67 games.