By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | Sports | 28 September 2026

Asante Kotoko have ended their association with South African coach Eric Tinkler, with the club confirming that he has been released from his contract with immediate effect.

The announcement came on Monday, 28 September 2026, one day after Kotoko suffered a 2–0 home defeat to Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 4 fixture.

Tinkler’s Kotoko chapter ends after four league matches

Tinkler leaves after four league matches

Tinkler was appointed Kotoko’s head coach in July 2026 as the club prepared for the 2026/27 campaign. The club’s announcement at the time highlighted his CAF A Licence, more than three decades of elite football experience and previous work with clubs including Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City and Maritzburg United.

His tenure at Kotoko lasted only four league matches. According to 3News, his record consisted of one victory, two draws and one defeat.

His first league victory came against Heart of Lions on 13 September, when Kotoko won 2–1.

Asante Kotoko players at Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Club cites personal reasons

Reports on the club’s statement say Tinkler requested to be released from his duties for personal reasons. The Board of Directors said discussions were held in an attempt to prevent the separation, but both sides ultimately agreed to respect his decision.

The departure therefore follows a relatively short coaching period rather than an announcement that he had been dismissed specifically because of Sunday’s defeat.

The Porcupine Warriors face another coaching transition

What happens next?

Kotoko are now faced with a coaching transition early in the new Ghana Premier League season.

The club has indicated that its technical structure will continue working toward the team’s sporting objectives while plans for the next phase of the coaching setup are developed.

Kotoko’s next league fixture is against Karela United, with the match scheduled for Thursday at Baba Yara Stadium. Tinkler will not be on the touchline for that game.

A short chapter comes to an end

Tinkler arrived in Kumasi with substantial experience in South African and continental football. At the time of his appointment, Kotoko described him as a coach with extensive top-flight experience and a distinguished playing career, while Tinkler said he was looking forward to building a team capable of competing domestically and internationally.

Less than three months later, that project has ended.

The immediate focus for Asante Kotoko will now be maintaining continuity within the team while the club determines its next coaching arrangement.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

UYO, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 2–1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

Madagascar took an early lead, but Nigeria recovered through debutant George Ilenikhena just before half-time before another debutant, Moses Usor, completed the turnaround in the second half.

Madagascar strike first

Nigeria started the match looking to control possession and create early opportunities, but Madagascar produced the opening goal in the 16th minute.

Ehsan Kari headed Madagascar ahead after the visitors worked a short-corner routine and created space inside the Nigerian penalty area. The goal forced the hosts to chase the game in front of their home supporters.

Nigeria appeared to have equalised earlier through Alex Iwobi, but the effort was ruled out after Akor Adams was penalised for a foul on Madagascar goalkeeper Geordan Dupire.

Ilenikhena restores parity

Nigeria eventually found its breakthrough in first-half stoppage time.

George Ilenikhena, making his senior international debut, connected with a pass from Alex Iwobi before finding the net to make it 1–1 at the interval.

The equaliser changed the atmosphere inside the stadium and gave Nigeria a renewed opportunity to take control of the match after a difficult opening period.

Usor completes the comeback

Nigeria continued to apply pressure after the restart and eventually moved in front in the 65th minute.

Moses Usor, another player making his Nigeria debut, received the ball on the right, drove forward and cut inside before firing a low shot into the net.

The goal put Nigeria ahead 2–1 and completed the comeback.

Three points for Chelle’s side

The victory gives Nigeria three points from their opening Group L fixture.

Head coach Éric Chelle subsequently explained that Nigeria had to adjust its approach after Madagascar adopted a compact defensive shape, making it difficult for the Super Eagles to penetrate through the centre.

The result also came with Nigeria missing striker Victor Osimhen, who was unavailable because of injury.

Madagascar’s defeat means Nigeria avoided dropping points at home in the opening match of a qualifying campaign that includes Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in Group L. Guinea-Bissau began its campaign with a 2–0 victory over Tanzania.

Next challenge: Guinea-Bissau

Nigeria’s qualifying campaign continues on Tuesday, September 29, when the Super Eagles travel to face Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau also collected three points in its opening fixture, making the upcoming encounter an important early Group L meeting.

For Nigeria, the comeback in Uyo provides a winning beginning to the road toward AFCON 2027, but the team will now have to carry that momentum into an away fixture against a Guinea-Bissau side that also started its campaign with a victory.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

LONDON — England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that Manchester City’s latest financial-rule verdict may have been discussed by players connected to the club, but he rejected the suggestion that the controversy was a factor in England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley.

The match came only a day after Manchester City were found guilty of breaking the majority of the Premier League financial rules brought against them. The timing immediately raised questions about whether the verdict had affected the concentration of City-linked players in the England squad.

Thomas Tuchel watches from the England touchline during the defeat to Spain

Costly mistakes at Wembley

England produced an attacking performance that at times troubled the European and world champions, but defensive errors proved decisive.

Marc Guehi was dispossessed by Lamine Yamal near the England penalty area, allowing the Spain forward to open the scoring. England recovered through goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane before Spain eventually turned the game around.

Nico O’Reilly, another Manchester City player, subsequently made an error deep inside England’s half that contributed to Spain’s equaliser.

Former City midfielder Rodri, now with Barcelona, was also involved in a crucial incident when his challenge on Jude Bellingham resulted in an England penalty. Kane struck the crossbar from the spot. Spain later completed the comeback.

Nico O’Reilly under pressure during England’s Nations League clash with Spain

What happened with Manchester City?

The Premier League’s long-running case against City concerns more than 100 alleged breaches covering areas including financial reporting, player and manager remuneration, profitability and sustainability rules, and cooperation with the league’s investigation.

An independent panel has now found the club guilty on almost all of the charges, according to reporting by the Guardian and BBC Sport. Manchester City has maintained its position that the process is ongoing and is expected to appeal.

Potential sanctions have yet to be announced. Reported possibilities under the Premier League’s rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the formal process.

Lamine Yamal capitalises on Marc Guehi’s mistake at Wembley

Harry Kane’s missed penalty proves costly for England

The timing makes the story difficult to ignore

There is an obvious coincidence in the sequence of events: the verdict became public on Friday, England played Spain on Saturday, and several players with Manchester City connections were involved in incidents that contributed to the defeat.

That does not, by itself, establish that the legal controversy caused the mistakes.

Guehi, O’Reilly and Rodri were playing an exceptionally high-pressure international match against Spain, while Kane’s missed penalty and Spain’s attacking quality were also significant elements of the result. Tuchel himself pointed to areas England could improve rather than attributing the defeat to the City situation.

The defeat therefore leaves two separate questions: how England respond tactically to Spain’s performance, and how Manchester City’s players deal with the continuing consequences of the club’s financial case.

Thomas Tuchel prepares England for the next Nations League challenge

England players react after Spain’s 3-2 victory at Wembley

Manchester City faces the consequences of the Premier League financial verdict

England turn attention to Nations League campaign

Tuchel now has to prepare England for the next matches in the Nations League. The focus will be on correcting the defensive mistakes that contributed to the Spain defeat while retaining the attacking qualities England displayed at Wembley.

For the Manchester City-linked players, meanwhile, the situation remains complicated by the unresolved consequences of the Premier League verdict.

Whether the financial case affected England’s performance cannot be established from the match alone. What is clear is that the timing of the verdict, the errors made by several players with City connections and England’s defeat created a storyline that will continue to attract scrutiny.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

Ireland’s players raise global awareness amid controversial Israel fixture

DEBRECEN, Hungary — The Republic of Ireland’s 3–0 victory over Israel in the UEFA Nations League has brought renewed international attention to the political and humanitarian debate surrounding the fixture, with Irish manager Heimir Hallgrimsson saying the team’s actions had helped raise awareness of the situation in Gaza.

The match, played on Sunday, September 27, at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, was preceded by days of controversy, protests and internal discussions among the Irish squad about whether the game should go ahead.

Ireland eventually took to the field and produced a decisive victory, with goals from Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan in the opening 25 minutes.

FAI to refund season ticket holders for Ireland v Israel fixture in Serbia – The Irish Times

A football match under intense scrutiny

The fixture had attracted international attention before kick-off because of Ireland’s opposition to Israel’s participation in UEFA competitions amid the war in Gaza.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had previously called for UEFA to suspend Israel from international football. UEFA rejected the request, and the teams were drawn together in Nations League Group B3 alongside Austria and Kosovo.

The FAI subsequently confirmed that the Ireland–Israel home fixture would be played at a neutral venue and behind closed doors, citing operational and security concerns. The match in Debrecen also took place without a conventional crowd atmosphere.

Irish soccer team would ‘miss out’ if Israel matches were boycotted – Harris – The Irish News

Hallgrimsson: Players have raised awareness worldwide

Speaking after the match, Hallgrimsson praised his players for performing under difficult circumstances.

The Ireland manager said the squad had respected the right to protest, but also expressed concern about the impact of the controversy on players and their families.

“They have raised awareness worldwide, not only in Ireland, worldwide on the subject.”

Hallgrimsson said the players had done so through their actions and statements, referring to the wider debate about the situation in Gaza.

The comments followed an unusually tense build-up, during which some Irish players reportedly considered refusing to participate in the fixture.

FBL-WC-2026-EUR-QUALIFIERS-HUN-IRL

Ireland’s fast start settles the contest

The match itself was settled by a remarkable opening spell from the Irish side.

14′ — Troy Parrott

1–0

Parrott opened the scoring for Ireland in the 14th minute.

16′ — Adam Idah

2–0

Idah doubled the lead just two minutes later.

Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) on X

25′ — Jack Moylan

3–0

Moylan completed Ireland’s early scoring burst with a third goal.

Match details: Ireland 3–0 Israel, UEFA Nations League B, Group 3, September 27, 2026.

Ireland’s performance gave the team a clear result on the pitch after a week dominated by off-field questions.

No Prague hangover for Republic of Ireland insists manager Heimir Hallgrimsson – The Irish News

Black armbands and moments of protest

Several Irish players wore black armbands during the match in recognition of lives lost in the conflict in Gaza.

Before the Israeli national anthem, Ireland’s starting players lowered their heads. Defender Dara O’Shea also declined to interact with Israel captain Manor Solomon before and after the coin toss, according to The Irish Times.

The gestures were among several moments that drew attention during the game, as the Irish team attempted to balance sporting responsibilities with the political significance attached to the fixture.

Republic of Ireland v Greece: Group B – UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers

Why the fixture became so controversial

The Ireland–Israel matches have become one of the most politically charged fixtures in European football.

The dispute is rooted in the war in Gaza and Ireland’s longstanding public support for Palestinian rights. In November 2025, the FAI voted to submit a motion to UEFA seeking Israel’s exclusion from European club and international competitions. The proposal cited allegations concerning clubs in occupied Palestinian territories and anti-racism policies.

UEFA did not approve the suspension request. The matches therefore proceeded, despite calls from Irish campaigners and some athletes for a boycott.

The Israeli Football Association strongly criticized Hallgrimsson’s earlier remarks about playing against genocide, while Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the Israeli FA’s response as unacceptable.

Government accused of failing next Troy Parrott by lack of sports funding for inner-city Dublin

What comes next for Ireland

The victory gives Ireland three points from the fixture and adds to the sporting significance of a match that had been overshadowed by political tensions.

The broader debate, however, is likely to continue. Ireland’s football authorities have maintained that the matches should be fulfilled, while critics argue that playing Israel normalizes the country’s conduct during the Gaza conflict. These remain competing positions in an ongoing public controversy.

Hallgrimsson’s comments after the match suggest that, from his perspective, the players’ conduct has drawn attention to the humanitarian issue beyond Ireland.

The next developments will include Ireland’s remaining Nations League fixtures and the continuing discussion over Israel’s participation in European football.

Ireland 2 Hungary 2: Boys in Green come from 2-0 down to draw at the Aviva – As it happened – The Irish Times

Jack Moylan makes history as Ireland, with seven debutants, sink sorry Grenada in the second half | Irish Independent

Sources

• RTÉ Sport —

  Hallgrimsson: ‘In tough times, you find your leaders’

  .

• The Irish Times —

  Ireland keep their heads on surreal night as early burst of goals clinch win over Israel

  .

• Football Association of Ireland —

  FAI statement on neutral venue and closed-door fixture

  .

• Associated Press —

  Protests and fiery comments as Ireland and Israel prepare for soccer doubleheader

  .

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

Germany’s difficult start under new head coach Jürgen Klopp continued on Sunday as Greece secured a historic 1–0 victory in Augsburg, leaving the four-time world champions without a win after Klopp’s first two matches in charge.

Dimitris Kourbelis scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute, his low effort taking a deflection off Germany captain Joshua Kimmich before finding the net. The result gave Greece its first-ever victory over Germany in 11 meetings.

Germany dominate possession but fail to score

Germany controlled large periods of the match, particularly during the opening half, but struggled to convert possession into clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Karim Adeyemi was among Germany’s more dangerous attackers, while Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis made several important interventions to keep the hosts at bay. Germany’s pressure continued after the interval, but the Greek defence remained organised.

The breakthrough instead came at the other end. Greece capitalised after Germany lost possession, and Kourbelis’ deflected effort put the visitors ahead with 16 minutes of normal time remaining. Germany pushed for an equaliser but could not find one.

Klopp’s first two matches bring no victory

The defeat follows Germany’s 1–1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, meaning Klopp has one draw and one defeat from his opening two games as national-team coach. Germany currently have one point from two matches in Nations League Group A2, while Greece have six points after two victories.

Klopp took over in July following Germany’s early elimination from the 2026 World Cup. He has described the current international window as an opportunity to assess a large group of players, with Germany using two squads across their first four Nations League matches.

Greece make history

For Greece, the result was more than three points. It ended a long wait for a victory against Germany and gave the team back-to-back wins in its opening Nations League fixtures.

Greece had previously beaten Serbia 2–1 on Thursday before travelling to Augsburg, and now sit at the top of Group A2 with six points.

Germany face Serbia next

Germany’s immediate opportunity to respond comes against Serbia on Thursday, before Klopp’s side travel to Greece three days later. The fixtures will give the new coach further opportunities to assess his squad and attempt to secure his first victory in the Germany job.

The early results have therefore left Germany with work to do in Group A2, while Greece’s unbeaten start has put them at the top of the section after two rounds.