Joe Aribo

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE HAWTHORNS: Russell Martin heads into Friday's play-off decider against West Bromwich Albion knowing that defeat could hasten the end of his time as Southampton manager. Saints will believe they can finish the job in front of their own fans and seal their place in the final at Wembley - where the winner will claim not just promotion to the Premier League but an estimated £200million windfall for a campaign in the top flight. Yet if West Brom prevail in the second leg at St Mary's, Martin will have failed in his most important task - to return Southampton instantly to the elite level. Clubs who benefit from parachute payments - designed to ease the pain of relegation - are under greater pressure to deliver and if their managers do not handle it, their position becomes immediately more shaky.

The tie went to extra time, but it seemed to be all-but-done in the 90th minute of normal time, when Nigeria thought they had scored their second goal to go 2-0 up, but VAR intervened. Victor Osimhen came close and wheeled away in jubilation after he thought he had contributed to William Troost-Ekong's penalty earlier in the game to put a gap between the two teams. However, the VAR found that Joe Aribo fouled Teboho Mokoena in the penalty box at the other end of the pitch. Mokoena stepped up to score the kick and bring the game to a longer length.

AFCON is finally here, following months of rumors over which players will be ruled out of club action for up to four weeks. Following the most recent round of play, the continental tournament will take place from January 13 to February 11, with players having to join their national teams. This year's edition of the Ivory Coast will be held in Senegal, with Senegal as the reigning champions after defeating Egypt on penalties in the 2021 tournament (which took place in 2002).