A body found in the Rhine river on New Year's Eve was identified last Saturday as that of former Cote d’Ivoire footballer Steve Gohouri.

Duesseldorf police spokesman Marcel Fiebig told The Associated Press there were no indications that a third party was involved in Gohouri's death. The body was found in the city of Krefeld, to the northwest of Duesseldorf. The 34-year-old Gohouri had been reported missing on December 12.

Gohouri, a defender who played for the Cote d’Ivoire between 2006 and 2009, scored two goals in 42 games for Borussia Moenchengladbach between 2007 and 2009, helping the side to Bundesliga promotion in 2008. He also played for Wigan in England and Young Boys in Switzerland.

Australian Nick Kyrgios warmed up for a meeting with Andy Murray by recording an opening-day win in the Hopman Cup.

Kyrgios, fined £16,200 for remarks about Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend in August, beat German Alexander Zverev in the mixed teams event in Perth.

The 20-year-old faces world number two Murray when Australia Green, one of two teams representing the host nation, play Great Britain on Wednesday.

Last Saturday's 2-1 win over Swansea could be a "fantastic starting point" for Manchester United to build on in 2016, according to manager, Louis van Gaal.

United had not won in their previous eight matches, their worst run since January 1990, prompting speculation over the Dutchman's future.

Last Saturday's Premier League win takes United to two points off the top four.

Lleyton Hewitt lost just weeks away from his retirement as Czech Republic beat the Australia Gold team at the Hopman Cup mixed teams event yesterday.

Jiri Vesely defeated Hewitt, who will retire after the Australian Open, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-4 before Karolina Pliskova came from 3-1 down in the second set to beat Jarmila Wolfe Gajdosova 7-5, 6-3 at Perth, Western Australia.

Chelsea secured their first victory in Guus Hiddink's second spell as boss to move six points clear of relegation with a deserved win at Crystal Palace.

Oscar put the Blues ahead against the run of play, tapping home after being put through by Diego Costa.

Once they scored Chelsea dominated, deservedly doubling their advantage with a spectacular Willian strike.

Barcelona dropped points for the third time in four league games as they were held 0-0 by local rivals Espanyol in a heated Catalan derby last Saturday.

Atletico Madrid moved two points clear of Barca at the top of the table, having played a game more, thanks to substitute Thomas Partey's late winner to edge past Levante 1-0.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hit the woodwork for Barcelona either side of half-time, but Espanyol's physical approach was rewarded with a first point against Barca in eight matches.

For the first time in the history of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN), the local Black Stars would conspicuously be missing in the 2016 edition to be hosted by Rwanda after a disappointing campaign saw a more prepared Ivorian side snatch the slot from the claws of Ghana.

Indeed, 2015 should be a year Coach Maxwell Konadu and his charges must quickly consign to history, having previously established themselves among the superpowers of the CHAN competition.

Ghana’s record in the competition remains enviable to many nations following their sterling performance that earned them silver in the maiden edition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire and bronze two years ago in South Africa.

The president of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has eulogised the outgoing General Secretary of the association, Emmanuel Gyimah, for his immense contribution to the success of the FA.

Gyimah is taking a bow after over two decades of service at the GFA.

At a colourful send-off ceremony in honour of the outgoing head of secretariat of the GFA, Nyantakyi lauded his key qualities as a successful football administrator.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, has handed over a GH¢100, 000 football field she rehabilitated to the people in the constituency and the schools around.

The park, which has now been named after the MP, as Mama Pat Football Field, is located at Asokwa and has a standby pipe that would be used to constantly water the grass.

 A sense of optimism and rejuvenation is the impression Kumasi Asante Kotoko hope to leave on the minds of their fans as they host Serbian club, FC Jagodina, in a friendly game at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

This is to help them announce their determination to conquer the local scene once again following a shambolic performance last season that saw them end each game in a confrontation with the fans.

Emotions took the better side of Ghana’s bulky cruiser-weight champion, Brimah Kamoko (Bukom Banku), when moments after stopping Michael Ayitey Powers in a six-round technical knockout last Sunday morning the broke down in tears.

The otherwise manly Banku exposed his ‘softer’ side of life as tears of joy rolled down his cheeks in an ecstatic win in the ‘repeat or revenge’ 10-round contest.

Fudbalski Klub Jagodina of Serbia, opponents of Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s 80th anniversay game, arrive on Friday ahead of Sunday’s game, according to the organisers, Pacific Football Ghana Limited.

The Serbian side became the substitute following the failure of Greece side, Veria FC, to confirm their participation.

Michael Ayittey Powers Okine says he owes spiritual leader, Temitope Balogun (T.B.) Joshua, an apology after going ahead to lose to Bukom Banku in their second encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Boxing Day.

 “Before this second fight, I went to T.B. Joshua and he told me not to fight but I went ahead and fought and lost. I want to apologise to him,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview after the defeat.

Hasaacas Ladies have won the National Women's League (NWL) for a historic third time after beating Ampem Darkoa Ladies by a lone goal in the championship play-off at the Tema Stadium last Sunday.

Hasaacas Ladies, who emerged champions in the Southern Zone, were given a tough challenge by Ampem Darkoa Ladies who won the Northern Zone.

The second edition of the annual Sports Excellence Awards was honoured at the Fiesta Royal Hotel last Saturday with deserving sport personalities and journalist being presented with awards.