Today's Voice Africa

Liverpool faces a key Premier League match against Aston Villa aiming to extend their lead over Arsenal. With injuries on both sides, including Liverpool's Gakpo and Villa's Cash, the match promises tension. Mohamed Salah is on the brink of climbing Liverpool's all-time scoring chart, as the Reds look to capitalize on Villa's defensive struggles.

Brendan Rodgers, Celtic's manager, is excited about the 'supercharged' atmosphere expected at Celtic Park for the Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich. The match holds historic significance, marking Celtic's first knockout-stage appearance since 2017-18. Both teams are eager to progress, with Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, acknowledging the stadium's formidable noise levels.

Brazilian winger Antony scored his first goal for Real Betis in only his second appearance on February 8, 2025, highlighting his promising start with the LaLiga club. Joining on loan from Manchester United, Antony looks to refresh his career after struggling to justify his hefty transfer fee in the Premier League.

In an exhilarating match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India triumphed over England by 15 runs in the fourth T20I, securing a 3-1 series win. Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya were instrumental in India's innings, while spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy, along with newcomer Harshit Rana, were key in restricting England's chase. England captain Jos Buttler rued missed opportunities, as India proudly celebrated yet another home series win.

The 2025 Six Nations Championship kicked off with an exciting and highly anticipated clash between France and Wales at the iconic Stade de France. The French team, under the leadership of Antoine Dupont, demonstrated their prowess by dominating the game from the onset. Despite Wales' hopes to reverse a 12-match losing streak under Warren Gatland, France maintained pressure throughout, ultimately securing a decisive victory.

Arsenal wraps up their Champions League group phase with an away game against Girona on Matchday 8. Clinching five wins out of seven games, Arsenal is poised to advance to the round of 16 after a decisive 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb. With Girona out of the competition, Arteta might prioritize the upcoming Premier League face-off with Manchester City. Viewers can catch the game live on TNT Sports 4 in the UK or via VPN abroad.

FC Barcelona faced off against Benfica in a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash on January 21, 2025, achieving a remarkable comeback victory. Despite swirling transfer speculations linking forward Ferran Torres to AC Milan, he affirmed his commitment to Barcelona. The dramatic 5-4 match highlighted Barcelona's attacking capabilities and the strategic mastery of coach Hansi Flick, revealing both resilience and vulnerabilities within the team.

Nicholas Musonye, Chairman of the CHAN Local Organizing Committee, urges the Football Kenya Federation to focus on enhancing Harambee Stars' performance to ensure success in the upcoming African Nations Championship. As Kenya prepares to co-host the event in 2025, Musonye emphasizes the importance of hiring a skilled coach and assembling a powerful team to capitalize on increased prize money and fan support.

New Year's Day brings a mix of openings and closures across retail and dining venues. While many popular chains like Starbucks will operate, hours can differ greatly by location. Notably, Costco will remain closed, and Chick-fil-A will close early. The pandemic has caused deviations in standard operating hours, underscoring the importance of checking specific hours before venturing out.

During their Winter Meeting in Maynooth, the Irish Bishops have unanimously decided to sign an open letter titled 'Embracing our Faith: A Call to Speak out on the Holy Land' to express solidarity with the suffering people in the region. This decision highlights the bishops' advocacy for humanitarian efforts and their call for the international community to address the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land.

Before facing Liverpool in a crucial Europa League encounter, Atalanta will play against Cagliari in Serie A with nearly their strongest line-up, showing minimal rotation. Despite injuries to key players like Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta aims to maintain their push for a Champions League spot. On the other hand, Cagliari, led by Claudio Ranieri, will strive for a strong showing at home. This match is vital for both teams' ambitions this season.

Claudio Ranieri has led Roma to a resounding victory against Lecce, marking his first triumph since taking over as head coach in mid-November. The match, held at the Olympic Stadium, saw a tight first half with goals from both teams. However, Roma dominated the second half, securing their first win since late October and easing relegation fears from their fans.