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Genk’s teenage sensation Konstantinos Karetsas has rapidly emerged as one of the most coveted young playmakers in European football, with his recent performances sparking widespread interest from some of the game’s biggest clubs.

Sudan head coach Kwesi Appiah admitted his side were second best as they opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Algeria in Rabat, describing the Fennecs as a team with quality across the board.Speaking after the Group E encounter at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, Appiah acknowledged the scale of the challenge his players faced against a resurgent Algerian side that set the tone early and maintained control throughout.We were up against a stronger side. This Algerian team has serious quality in every aspect. We will do everything to bounce back in the next game, Appiah said.Algeria, champions in 2019, took the lead inside two minutes through captain Riyad Mahrez and tightened their grip on the match before half-time when Sudan were reduced to ten men following Salah El-Din Adels dismissal. Vladimir Petkovics men made their numerical advantage count after the break, with Mahrez adding his second goal before substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed the result late on.The defeat leaves Sudan bottom of Group E after the opening round, alongside Equatorial Guinea, while Algeria sit top on three points, level with Burkina Faso.Appiah stressed that his focus has already shifted to recovery and response, insisting Sudan must quickly regroup as they look to revive their qualification hopes in the remaining fixtures against Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Cameroon opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a sense of purpose, edging past Gabon to take an early step toward the knockout stage in Morocco.The Indomitable Lions are under new management for the tournament, with David Pagou taking the reins after the dismissal of coach Marc Brys, and his first competitive appearance delivered both belief and points.Cameroon only needed six minutes to go ahead through Karl Etta Eyong, who slotted home after receiving a pass from Bryan Mbeumo. The goal was first ruled out for offside before VAR stepped in and allowed the celebrations to flow.Samuel Kotto later sent a header off target from Mbeumo’s pinpoint cross, while Denis Bouanga had a close range effort blocked in Gabon’s best moment before the break.Bryan Mbeumo was shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 79th minute.Cameroon suffered a blow when midfielder Carlos Baleba did not return for the second half due to injury, but the five-time champions stayed compact and saw out the win.Cameroon face holders Ivory Coast next on December 28.

Manchester United are looking at alternatives after top target Antoine Semenyo’s decision to go to the blue half of the city. 

Amad Diallo took centre stage in Marrakech, guiding Cote d’Ivoire to a narrow win and earning the Man of the Match award on a tense opening night at the Africa Cup of Nations.His sharp movement, tidy control and calm finish made the difference in a game that demanded patience and discipline from the defending champions.The Elephants kept the ball well but found space hard to come by against a compact Mozambique side backed by a lively crowd at the Marrakech Stadium. Yan Diomande’s penalty appeal was waved away, and Ghislain Konan later miscued after a neat solo run from Diallo on the right.The breakthrough arrived four minutes after the break when Franck Kessie’s header dropped kindly for Diallo, who stayed composed and guided a low effort beyond the goalkeeper.Mozambique’s Ernan Siluane then produced a strong save from Kessie, who soon headed wide from close range. Vakoun Bayo threatened a second late on, yet Yahia Fofana remained largely untested. Cote d’Ivoire face Cameroon on December 28 at the same venue in what promises to be stern test.

Holders Ivory Coast beat Mozambique 1-0 to start their Africa Cup of Nations defence with calm control and quiet authority in Marrakech.Emerse Fae’s side kept the ball, set the tempo and limited danger, turning steady pressure into a lead early in the second half.The breakthrough arrived on 49 minutes when Amad Diallo reacted quickest to Franck Kessie’s knock down and guided a low finish into the bottom left corner. It was a simple moment built from patience and timing, the kind champions rely on.Ivory Coast could have been ahead earlier. Yan Diomande had a penalty appeal waved away, while Ghislain Konan dragged a shot wide after a sharp run from Amad on the right. Kessie was then denied by a scrambling Ernan Siluane before heading another chance off target.Vakoun Bayo later missed with a header and saw a follow up cleared by Guima in heavy rain. Mozambique pushed more men forward but Ivory Coast remained solid at the back.The result lifts Ivory Coast clear in Group F with Cameroon and Gabon waiting next. They face Cameroon on December 28 at the Stade de Marrakech for a tougher test.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Raheem Sterling from Chelsea during the January transfer window.

Joe Rodon has been an important player for Leeds United since joining the club, and he has now opened up on his situation at Tottenham Hotspur in the past.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic is currently on loan at German club HSV Hamburg.

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been linked with a return to Italy in recent months.

Quick take: Match context: momentum and small details could decide this one, especially set-pieces and transitions. Form and fitness will matter; expect managers to rotate carefully around the congested schedule. Continental stakes raise the intensity, where away goals no longer apply but margins still feel razor thin. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official …

Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea remain interested in signing the Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz. 

Sudan's coach Kwesi Appiah faced a tough opening match at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, where his team fell 3-0 to a dominant Algeria.The Ghanaian tactician remained composed post-game, highlighting the clear gap in quality during the Group E clash at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.Appiah's reaction centered on the challenge of competing against superior opposition. "We were up against a stronger side. This Algerian team has serious quality in every aspect. We will do everything to bounce back in the next game," he said, showing respect for the 2019 champions while vowing resilience.Algeria struck early through captain Riyad Mahrez in the second minute, assisted by Hicham Boudaoui. Sudan went down to 10 men before halftime when Salah El-Din Adel earned a second yellow, paving the way for Mahrez's second goal and Ibrahim Maza's late finish. Despite the setback, Kwesi Appiah's Sudan eyes recovery against Equatorial Guinea on December 28th.

Arsenal are interested in signing the AC Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi. 

Asante Kotoko defender Samba O’Neil has charged his teammates to stay focused and continue working hard after their 2-0 triumph over Eleven Wonders.The Congolese centre-back was in action for the Porcupine Warriors on Wednesday when they honoured their Week 15 encounter against Wonders.In the match played at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, goals from Peter Amidu Acquah and Johnson Oppong Owusu secured all three points for Asante Kotoko and deepened the woes of Eleven Wonders.Speaking in his post-match interview after he was named Man of the Match, Samba O’Neil stressed the need for Kotoko to keep pushing to achieve their goal of winning the Ghana Premier League title at the end of the season.“Ghana Premier League is not easy, especially playing here at the Legon Sports Stadium. It’s not easy here, so winning today is important for us.“The league is still young, so we keep working. The fans should come in their numbers, and we are going to fight to give them a win,” Samba O’Neil said.Kotoko’s victory over Eleven Wonders on Wednesday has placed them second in the Ghana Premier League table on 27 points, just one behind league leaders Aduana FC.