The Gambia national football team's flight to Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to a loss of cabin pressure and oxygen. The incident occurred nine minutes into the flight from Banjul to Yamoussoukro. The plane, operated by Air Cote d’Ivoire, returned safely to Banjul where the team conducted a training session. The Gambia Football Federation confirmed that all passengers were safe and in good health. The team had previously been in Saudi Arabia for pre-tournament preparations and is set to play against Senegal, Guinea, and Cameroon in the upcoming matches.

The 2023 African Cup of Nations features Group B with Egypt, Ghana, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah and managed by Rui Vitoria, has an 88% chance of reaching the last 16. Ghana, under Chris Hughton's management and with captain Andre Ayew, has an 80.9% chance of progressing and hopes to end a 41-year trophy drought. Cape Verde, with captain Ryan Mendes, has a 52.9% chance of reaching the last 16. Mozambique, led by 40-year-old Elias Pelembe, has a 44.5% chance of advancing. Key players from various clubs across Europe are highlighted for each team.

Togbe Afede XIV, Executive Board Chairman of Hearts of Oak, has criticized the National Sports Authority for suspending football activities at the Accra Sports Stadium to accommodate entertainment concerts during the Christmas season. This decision has forced Hearts of Oak, Accra Lions, and Great Olympics to relocate to other venues, with Togbe Afede questioning the logic behind prioritizing concerts over the Ghana Premier League.

The Detroit Pistons are on the brink of matching the NBA's longest single-season losing streak, sitting just one loss away after a 119-111 defeat to the Utah Jazz. This marks their 25th consecutive loss, with the current record held by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers at 26 losses. Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham insists the team is better than their record suggests and is hopeful for a turnaround. The Pistons' last victory was against the Chicago Bulls on October 29, and they currently occupy the bottom position in the Eastern Conference. The team's performance was hindered by 27 points conceded from turnovers, and head coach Monty Williams expressed significant disappointment with the effort in the game.

Jordan Ayew scored a first-half goal for Crystal Palace, leading to a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League at Selhurst Park. Danny Welbeck equalized for Brighton with a header. This marks the fifth consecutive draw with the same scoreline between the two teams at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace's goal, assisted by Michael Olise after a mistake by Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, was their first headed goal of the season.

Ghana Athletics has publicly challenged the government to invest $1 million in Ghanaian athletes, promising that such support would result in an Olympic medal. Despite Ghana's 18 appearances at the Olympic Games, the nation has not secured a medal in track and field events. Osei Asibey, the Vice President of Ghana Athletics, believes that Ghanaian athletes have the potential to excel if given adequate support, citing the success of other countries that have invested in their athletes.

Fluminense defeated Al Ahly 2-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia, with goals from Jhon Arias and John Kennedy. Marcelo played a key role in breaking the deadlock. Al Ahly missed several chances and have now lost in the semi-finals four times. The Copa Libertadores champions, Fluminense, will face the winner of the match between Manchester City and Urawa Red Diamonds in the final.

Bawah Fuseini, President of Ghana Athletics, has announced the organization's goal to win a medal at the Olympics or World Athletics Championships within the next four years. He outlined the performance targets for athletes in various track and field events and emphasized the efficient use of limited financial resources to achieve success at continental and global levels. Ghana Athletics is focusing on the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2027 World Championship in Tokyo to prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixtures for the 2023/24 season have been set following the draw in Switzerland. Notable matchups include Napoli versus Barcelona, a rematch of their 2020 encounter, and Manchester City against Copenhagen, who surpassed Manchester United in their group. Real Madrid, the competition's most successful club with 14 titles, will face RB Leipzig, while last season's runners-up Inter Milan are drawn against Atletico Madrid. Other fixtures include PSG against Real Sociedad, Lazio versus Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven against Borussia Dortmund, and FC Porto versus Arsenal. The first legs are scheduled for mid-February, with the second legs in early March.

Mohammed Kudus scored two goals in ten minutes, leading West Ham United to a victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League. This win was a significant improvement from West Ham's previous 5-0 defeat to Fulham, marking their third win in five matches. Kudus's performance was notable for being the earliest double by a West Ham player in a home Premier League match since April 2011. The victory elevated West Ham to seventh place with 27 points, while Wolves remained in 13th place with 19 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a Milwaukee Bucks franchise record of 64 points in a victory over the Indiana Pacers, surpassing Micheal Redd's 57 points from 2006. Post-game, a controversy arose when Pacers players took the game ball to give to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe for his first career basket, leading to a misunderstanding and a physical altercation in which Bucks' security retrieved the ball. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called the situation 'unfortunate' and clarified that there were two game balls available.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has been indefinitely suspended by the NBA following his third ejection this season after striking Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns. The suspension, which includes conditions for return set by the league and team, reflects Green's history of unsportsmanlike conduct. Green will lose a significant amount of his salary per game during the suspension. Meetings between Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., Green's agent Rich Paul, and the NBA are expected to discuss counseling for Green. Warriors coach Steve Kerr emphasized the team's need for Green and the importance of him maintaining his poise.

Asante Kotoko's assistant coach David Ocloo believes their victory over Hearts of Oak will boost the team's morale to contend for the Ghana Premier League title. Steven Mukwuala's second-half brace led Kotoko to a 3-2 comeback win, marking their fourth victory in the last five league games. Ocloo praised the players' commitment and unity, as well as the fans' support.

Samartex 1996 FC leads the Ghana Premier League after a 2-0 victory over Hearts of Oak Lions, with goals from Emmanuel Mamah and Evans Osei-Wusu. Aduana FC fell to second place following a defeat by Nations FC. Other matches saw wins for Karela United, Legon Cities, Berekum Chelsea, and Bechem United, the latter extending their unbeaten run to five games.

Ghanaian forward Yaw Yeboah scored a crucial goal for Columbus Crew in their 2-1 victory over LAFC, securing their third MLS Cup title. The win followed a successful match against FC Cincinnati, where they claimed the MLS Eastern Conference title. The Crew capitalized on an early handball by LAFC's Diego Palacios, leading to a penalty goal by MVP Hernandez, followed by Yeboah's goal assisted by Malte Amundsen. Yeboah ended the season with 5 goals and 8 assists in 45 appearances.

Medeama's coach Augustine Evans Adotey remains hopeful for the team's qualification to the CAF Champions League knockout round despite a 1-1 draw with Young Africans. Medeama scored first with a penalty by Jonathan Sowah but conceded an equalizer to Peodoh Pacome Zouzoua. The team is currently third in Group D and will face Young Africans in Tanzania next Wednesday.

Bibiani Gold Stars, currently struggling in the Ghana Premier League, have dismissed head coach Michael Osei and named Frimpong Manso as his successor. Osei, who joined the club in August 2021 and achieved a 10th place finish in the 2021/22 season and 5th in the 2022/23 season, was let go following a home defeat to Nsoatreman. Manso, previously sacked from Bofoakwa Tano in November, will lead the team in their upcoming home game against Samartex.

Jude Bellingham, now with Real Madrid, expressed his gratitude for football after receiving the 2023 Golden Boy award in Turin. The 20-year-old has had a successful start at Madrid, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo's record for most goals in the first 15 games. Erling Haaland won the Golden Player Man award for his role in Manchester City's Treble win, scoring a record number of goals in a Premier League season. Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati was recognized as the best women's player, having won the Champions League and the Women's World Cup with Spain.

Black Queens coach Nora Häuptle expresses calmness, focus, and determination as her team prepares for the WAFCON final round 2nd leg qualifier against Namibia in South Africa. With a 3-1 lead from the first leg and a ten-game winning streak, Ghana aims to secure a spot in the tournament for the first time since 2018, alongside South Africa and Algeria who have already qualified.

Medeama SC has signed Diawisie Taylor on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 24-year-old striker, who previously played for Karela United, Future FC in Egypt, and Al Merrikh in Sudan, is known for his impressive performance in the 2020/21 season where he scored 18 goals. Taylor is expected to enhance Medeama's attack as they seek to defend their Premier League title and will likely partner with Jonathan Sowah.