Kick Off: Morocco reigns in AFCON Group A; Semenyo&City deal finished in 48h

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headlines

Zambia 0-3 Morocco: El Kaabi nets brace & Brahim scores to top the group

Ayoub El Kaabi scored twice and Achraf Hakimi returned from injury as Morocco booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a 3-0 win over Zambia.

Alex Crook: City&Semenyo has verbally agreed player terms; The deal is in 48h

According to reporters Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs, Semenyo's move to Manchester City will be completed in 48 hours.

Match Reports

Roma 3-1 Genoa: Ferguson, Soulé & Koné score to seal 3pts in comfortable win

Daniele De Rossi experienced a disappointing night on his return to the Stadio Olimpico as a first-half blitz saw Roma run out comfortable 3-1 winners over Genoa.

Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa: Bafana Bafana secure qualification in 5-goal thriller

South Africa secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in their Group B encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, keeping their hopes alive of progressing to the knockout stages.

Angola 0-0 Egypt: The Pharaohs finish top of the group with a goalless draw

Mohamed Salah did not feature as Egypt secured top spot in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations by drawing 0-0 with Angola.

Comoros 0-0 Mali: Les Aigles progress after a goalless draw as Haidara sent off

Mali booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a lacklustre goalless encounter with Comoros in Casablanca.

These things happen

Rising stars XI: the biggest market value increases for players in 2025

Here are the top XI players, according to Transfermarket, who have enjoyed their most rises in market values.

Bail for Messi India tour organizers were denied, detention extended 14 days

According to Indian media reports, the organizers of Messi’s India tour have had their detention extended by 14 days, and bail has been denied.

Bayern scored 107 goals in Bundesliga in 2025, the second most in league history

According to the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich official statistics, the team has scored 107 goals in Bundesliga in 2025, making them the second most in the league's history.

Germany international Schuller joins Man Utd from Bayern

Lea Schuller has joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich.

Most devalued footballers of 2025: Which Premier League star claim the top spot?

Phil Foden is thought to have lost almost half of his market value over the course of 2025 according to data gathered by Transfermarkt - despite the Manchester City star being in the thick of a return to form.

Barca Legends will visit Mexico and play a match in Morelia with a local team

According to Barca Official, The Barça Legends will play in Morelia (Mexico) on January 17th, against a team from Morelia, the Leyendas de Morelia.

Ronaldo adamant he will not retire before reaching 1,000 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo will not even consider retiring from professional football until he has scored 1,000 career goals, with the Portugal icon now 44 away from that mark.

Ruben Amorim makes admission over style of play that almost cost him his job

Ruben Amorim claims it would have been ‘the end’ for him as Manchester United’s head coach if he had compromised on his football philosophy during the first year in charge at Old Trafford.

Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri undergoes minor heart procedure

"The manager will resume his duties with the team in the coming days," said the statement.

Crystal Palace step up bid to sign Brennan Johnson frustrated by lack of minutes

Crystal Palace are pushing to get a deal done early for Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson.

What They Say

Paul Pogba:Thank you Cristiano, you have inspired all of us as a football player

The Globe Soccer Awards was hosted on December 28th in Dubai, with Paul Pogba claimed this year's Best Comeback award.

Arteta: Arsenal must actively look for signings in January transfer window

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal must be prepared to act in the January transfer window as they continue to struggle with injury problems.

'He's after my job!' Amorim makes injured captain Bruno joke

Ruben Amorim has joked that Bruno Fernandes may be after his job as he revealed that the injured Manchester United captain is itching to return to training this week.

Guardiola: Man City's resurgence began at Club World Cup

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s revival began at this summer’s Club World Cup, which helped banish the woes of the previous season.

Amorim: 'Great leader' Fernandes already pushing for return from injury

Bruno Fernandes will have to be patient as he bids to return from a rare injury lay-off, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim warned.

Emery: Premier League title talk 'does not make sense' for Aston Villa

Unai Emery has claimed Aston Villa are not in the Premier League title race, insisting such talk "does not make sense".

Lineker picks out Calvert-Lewin as example of where Gyokeres is going wrong

Gary Lineker has pinpointed a key area where Viktor Gyokeres needs to improve to boost his goal return for Arsenal amid his struggles this season.

Lewandowski claims Barcelona asked him not to score to avoid paying Bayern bonus

Robert Lewandowski has claimed the Barcelona hierarchy asked him to stop scoring goals at the tail end of the 2022-23 season, in order to avoid paying a transfer bonus to Bayern Munich.

Slot left frustrated by injuries to Liverpool summer signings

Arne Slot believes Liverpool have been unable to get the full value of their summer signings as a result of numerous injuries sustained during the first half of the season.

Fixtures of the day

AFCON

Tanzania VS Tunisia 2025/12/30 16:00 UTC

Uganda VS Nigeria 2025/12/30 16:00 UTC

Benin VS Senegal 2025/12/30 19:00 UTC

Botswana VS Democratic Republic of the Congo 2025/12/30 19:00 UTC

Saudi PL

Al-Ettifaq FC VS Al Nassr FC 2025/12/30 17:30 UTC

EPL

Burnley VS Newcastle United 2025/12/30 19:30 UTC

Chelsea VS AFC Bournemouth 2025/12/30 19:30 UTC

Nottingham Forest VS Everton 2025/12/30 19:30 UTC

West Ham United VS Brighton & Hove Albion 2025/12/30 19:30 UTC

Arsenal VS Aston Villa 2025/12/30 20:15 UTC

Manchester United VS Wolverhampton Wanderers 2025/12/30 20:15 UTC