Match

The 33-year-old has not found the going easy since leaving for the Middle East as a free agent after being released by the Glamour Boys after struggling for goals over two seasons at the club. The striker had made his name while with Marumo Gallants where he scored 17 goals in 30 appearances in his final year with them.

Erling Haaland issued a cheeky two-word jibe in the direction of Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager warned his players not to overindulge on Christmas Day. The Norway international’s playful response comes after the City head coach delivered his stern ultimatum ahead of the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Diogo Jota’s two sons will accompany the matchday mascots when the late striker’s former clubs Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet at Anfield on Saturday. The Premier League fixture is the first time the two teams have met since the Portugal international died - alongside his brother Andre Silva - in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July.

The Buccaneers are revamping their squad as the PSL transfer window looms, with two players having left the club. The PSL log leaders are also set to bring in a new attacker to reinforce a squad bidding to complete a quadruple this season, after their MTN8 and Carling Knockout success. A rapid attacker was not short of admirers after becoming a free agent following his Bucs exit and GOAL has been exclusively been informed that he has signed a long-term deal at a PSL rival.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has been charged by the Football Association (FA) following his red card in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool. The Argentina international received his marching orders after picking up a second caution for kicking out at Reds defender Ibrahima Konate in a Premier League match that was full of contentious moments.

Coventry City and Southampton have both been charged by the Football Association (FA) following the unsavoury scenes at the end of their 1-1 draw in the Championship on Saturday afternoon. An ugly melee broke out between both sets of players and club staff, with Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard later apologising for his part in the scuffle at St. Mary’s.

Al-Nassr thrashed Iraqi side Al-Zawraa 5-1 to end the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two with a 100 per cent record. After skipping the first five group games, Cristiano Ronaldo finally played a continental match as he provided an assist in the game. However, it was Kingsley Coman who stole the limelight as his brace helped Al-Nassr bulldoze past their opponents.

AC Milan's clash with Como will no longer be played in Australia in February, Serie A have confirmed. The ambitious proposal by Lega Serie A to stage a historic league fixture between Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, in 2026 has now been called off due to unacceptable terms and conditions laid down by the Asian Football Confederation and the Australian FA.

The current Egyptian squad has been analysed, and their areas of weakness have been pointed out, meaning South Africa can exploit them to their advantage. The Pharaohs have already played a game and won against Zimbabwe, but their overall performance has been termed unconvincing. Up next for the record AFCON champions is a game against South Africa.

In what could sound like good news for South Africa, it is reported that the Egypt head coach has decided to drop one of the Pharaohs' stars. The attacking midfielder featured against Zimbabwe in their opening game, and it has emerged that his coach has decided to bench him on Friday. South Africa and Egypt, tied on points, will meet in a showdown that is considered tough at this stage of the competition.

Inspired by their 26-year-old star, the Carthage Eagles managed a convincing victory over the Uganda Cranes as their AFCON campaign started as they wished. The East Africans struck late in the second half to deny the North Africans a clean sheet. The 2004 AFCON champions now top their group ahead of Nigeria, who also won their opening game.

Sergio Canales put speculation to rest during an emotional tribute from Real Betis, making it clear he is fully committed to Monterrey. The Spanish midfielder addressed recent rumors linking him to a return to Spain after being seen with Racing Santander officials, stressing that he remains under contract and settled in Liga MX.

Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson is being backed to win the Golden Boot award at AFCON 2025 after kicking off his campaign with a brace in a 3-0 win over Botswana in Group D on Tuesday. The Chelsea forward, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, was the star of the show as the Lions of Teranga made a victorious start to the tournament in Morocco.

Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland has sent a message to Mohamed Salah after seeing the Liverpool ace score a late winner for Egypt in their AFCON win over Zimbabwe. The Liverpool forward took to social media after the game and posed with fellow goalscorer and Haaland's Manchester City team-mate Omar Marmoush, bringing a swift response from the striker.

The coach is in Morocco, where the Mzansi star has established chemistry with a huge section of the fans who support Wydad Casablanca. Despite the forward's impressive outing with the Moroccan heavyweights, he was snubbed for the AFCON finals. Many believe the 32-year-old is still a national asset, but Broos does not think that is the right position.

As the Africa Cup of Nations finals gather momentum, fans now wait for a highly anticipated clash that may end up defining the fates of teams regarded as the tournament's favourites. One such game is the South Africa showdown against Egypt. Both registered wins in their opening games and will meet for their second match in Group B, a tricky clash given the result of their opening games.

GOAL reviews the standout performances of El Tri players in a year-end stretch marked by injuries for Mexican footballers abroad.

Mohamed Salah shrugged off his recent problems at Liverpool to play a starring role for Egypt in their AFCON opener. The forward popped up in stoppage time to score the winner for Egypt in a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe. The Warriors had shocked Egypt by going ahead in the match but were pegged back when Omar Marmoush equalised. Salah then delivered the killer blow late on to secure victory for The Pharoahs.

There have been changes in several Premier Soccer League matches, especially on coaching department, where those who are seemingly not delivering have been replaced by tacticians who might be having what is needed. With the league set to resume in mid-January after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break, some teams will have new faces on the touchline.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has jumped to the defence of Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven following his challenge on Alexander Isak during Saturday's Premier League clash at Anfield. Isak could not continue after being injured by the tackle and there are now concerns he has suffered a leg fracture and will be out of action for several months.

Two years after their semi-final run in Ivory Coast, South Africa reignited their pursuit of continental glory in Morocco. Hugo Broos marked his 50th game at the helm as the national team faced the Palancas Negras in their Group B opener on Monday, December 22, at Stade de Marrakech, determined to turn progress into results.

The Glamour Boys are expected to have minimal movement in the forthcoming short window after the massive signings made prior to the beginning of the 2025/26 season, when they brought in 11 players to bolster their squad. While nine have made their debut, Nkanyiso Shinga and Ethan Chislett are waiting to get their chance.

Bucs' key players dominate the Bafana squad that is in Morocco chasing the Africa Cup of Nations glory. Back home, the two Premier Soccer League giants have shown real intent of winning the league title at the halfway mark. The PSL title race is already taking shape, and when the competition resumes, no one will want to sleep and cede ground.

Bafana are in Morocco hoping to have a successful campaign after getting so close in the last edition. As they carry the country's aspirations, the fans are behind them, but the supporters have been cautioned against putting the team under too much pressure. South Africa begin their campaign against Angola, a match that Hugo Broos has stressed his players must win.

Both COSAFA nations hope to start the competition on a positive note and place themselves in better positions to advance into the knockout phase. However, Bafana carry more pressure, as they have been categorised as among the tournament's favourites given their past performance. Although on paper South Africa look stronger, Angola's tactician has dismissed that notion, declaring that reality will be felt on the pitch.

Morocco kicked off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday with a 2-0 win against Comoros, with Ayoub El Kaabi's overhead kick to clinch the victory likely to be remembered as one of the goals of the tournament. The Atlas Lions are tournament hosts and hoping to become the kings of the continent for the first time in their history having never won AFCON before.

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a second-half goal after surviving a horror challenge from Renato Veiga as the defending champions comfortably beat Villarreal 2-0 to restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Raphinha had handed the visitors the lead from the penalty spot before Yamal scored the clincher.

Given their performance in Ivory Coast in the last AFCON edition, Bafana go into the upcoming finals as pre-tournament favourites. The North Africans, on the other hand, are the record champions and, in addition to the kind of players they have, are automatically tipped as favourites too. Coincidentally, both are in Group B, and football fans will be treated to a high-stakes encounter at the preliminary stage.

Kobbie Mainoo has been left out of Manchester United's matchday squad to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. The midfielder was expected to at least be among the substitutes but was a surprise omission from the Red Devils' travelling party. A reason has now been given for his absence as United look to kick off the festive period with a win on the road.