Sofyan Amrabat (Credit: Royal Federation Of Moroccan Football/WikiCommons)
Football
Transfer news
Premiership: Jürgen Klopp reportedly attended a meeting with Sofyan Amrabat’s representatives in a bid to convince the Fiorentina midfielder to move to Liverpool this month. Amrabat was a standout performer for Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar, playing every minute of his side’s campaign as they created history by becoming the first African nation ever to make the semi-finals. His performances caught the eye of Liverpool, and he has been linked with a move to Anfield.
Unai Emery is reportedly keen on bringing Mohamed Elneny to Aston Villa as his contract with Arsenal expires in six months. If he does leave, the 30-year-old could still play in the Premier League, according to The Mirror, which claims Emery wants to reunite with Elneny at Villa Park. Elneny was managed by Emery during his brief tenure at Arsenal, though he did not play him frequently during the (2018-19) season and even loaned him out to Turkey’s Beşiktaş at the start of the following season.
Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has confirmed that the Championship club is not interested in loaning Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal at the moment According to the Manchester Evening News, Iqbal wants to leave Old Trafford on a temporary basis before the end of this month’s transfer window in order to secure regular first-team football. Despite impressing on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, as well as during the short trip to Spain during the World Cup break, the 19-year-old has yet to make a single appearance for United this season.
English Football League: Burnley have signed defender Ameen Al-Dakhil on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Belgian side Sint-Truidense V for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old began his career with Standard Liege after coming through Anderlecht’s academy. Al-Dakhil has represented Belgium at under-17 and under-21 levels and is Burnley’s first January signing.
Cricket
England named Haseeb Hameed captain of the Lions on January 12 and backed him to play the expansive game he will need to force his way back into Test contention. Hameed will lead the second string in two “Tests” against Sri Lanka next month, with England convinced he still has a future at the highest level despite struggling on two returns to the side since a serious finger injury ended the dream start to his international career.
Afghan star cricketer Naveen ul haq Murid has threatened to boycott the Big Bash League following Cricket Australia’s decision to cancel a tour of his homeland in March. It follows teammate and captain Rashid Khan, a cult hero in the competition with the Adelaide Strikers dating back to 2017, also voicing his disappointment at the tour cancellation.
ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa, Jan 14–29
A quick-fire half-century by opener Eyman Fatima carried Pakistan into the Super-Six Stage of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup on January 19. Eyman scored 62 not out off 35 balls with 10 fours and two sixes to help Pakistan overhaul Zimbabwe’s 97 for six without any loss in 10.5 overs.
Eyman had scored 65 not out in Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory over Rwanda on January 15, however, her early departure in January 17 match against England left Pakistan 53 runs short of the target. In an unbroken first wicket partnership, Shawaal Zulfiqar contributed 32 not out after scoring one and 25 in the previous two matches.
Her 30-ball inning included six fours. By virtue of their second win in three matches, Pakistan has qualified for Super-Six Group 2 along with England, Rwanda, New Zealand, the West Indies, and Ireland. In Super Six Group 2, Pakistan will play back-to-back matches against Ireland and New Zealand on January 23 and 24, respectively.
Earlier, Zimbabwe’s 97 for six revolved around Kelis Ndhlovu’s 42, while for Pakistan Anoosha Nasir took two wickets for 21 runs. Laiba Nasir and Areesha Noor bagged one wicket apiece.
Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 286, LONDON
A bout between Leon Edwards and Nigerian American Kamaru Usman will headline the UFC 286 event in London on March 18, the promotion has confirmed. Edwards became just the second-ever British UFC champion when he dethroned Usman in spectacular fashion back in August, after entering the fifth and final round down on all three judges’ scorecards.
Since then, neither man has returned to the Octagon, with fans fearing the trilogy bout would not come to fruition at the London card after Usman was spotted at a regional MMA event just weeks ago donning a cast on his left hand. However, Dana White confirmed that the bout will go ahead as planned as the headline attraction at the O2 Arena.
UFC Vegas 67, Jan 14
Bantamweight: Russia’s Umar Nurmagomedov remained undefeated by delivering an absolutely brutal first-round knockout over Raoni Barcelos.Best known for his grappling dominance, Nurmagomedov looked ready to trade strikes, but a kick to the body followed by a short left hook was all he needed to knock the Brazilian out. Barcelos fell backwards in a heap as Nurmagomedov followed him to the ground, with the referee quickly rushing in to stop the contest.
Middleweight: Abdul Razak Alhassan kept his 100 percent finish rate intact, when he knocked out Claudio Ribeiro in round 2, spoiling the Brazilian’s UFC debut. Alhassan is back in the win column after suffering a split-decision loss in his only fight of 2022. The end came at 4:40 in the first round.
UFC Fight Night 217, Jan 16
Light Heavyweight: Sean Strickland (USA), Def. Nassourdine Imavov (FRA), Decision R5.
Bantamweight: Javid Basharat (AFG) Def Mateus Mendonca (BRA), Decision R3
Tennis
Australian Open 2023, Melbourne Park, Jan 16–29
Ons Jabeur became the latest seeded player to be handed an early exit from the Australian Open in a humbling defeat by Marketa Vondrousova on January 19. The Tunisian second seed collapsed to the floor in tears backstage after she was beaten 6-1, 5-7, 6-1. The 28-year-old came to Melbourne having reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals at the end of 2022, but still awaits a maiden major title. Jabeur was one of five seeds to fall in the second round on day four.
