Category sport-news

Ifeoma Onumonu, the star of the Super Falcons, announced her retirement from the sport, ending a 10-year professional career in France, Nigeria, and France.

Onumonu praised her journey in a heartfelt statement that was posted on Instagram on Saturday, calling her retirement a “natural conclusion” to a lifelong discovery that began at the age of eight.

In her final years with a youth team called Magic in the United States, Onumonu wrote, “I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch with a heart full of gratitude.”

At the nearby fields where I live, we played in white, black, and green jerseys. I can recall how vast the field seemed to be. I can’t recall whether I actually passed the ball or played a particular position.

I simply wanted to run as quickly as I could and win. I simply loved playing, not much about winning or losing.

The 31-year-old said that her lifelong passion for football culminated in unforgettable moments both on national and international platforms.

She continued, “I had the profound pleasure of lifting an NWSL championship trophy, representing Nigeria at the Olympics and a World Cup, and contributing to the African Cup of Nations trophy with the Super Falcons for a historic 10th time.

The American-born forward, who made her Super Falcons senior debut in 2021, was a member of the nation’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad and also represented the Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

She participated in the team’s record-extending 10th continental title, the women’s African Cup of Nations triumph in July 2025.

Although she was only allowed to play for 54 minutes in the group stage’s goalless draw against Algeria, she managed to remain one of the squad’s oldest players along with veterans Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale.

Following Halimatu Ayinde’s resumption due to injury, she was upgraded from the alternates list and made the 2024 Olympic roster for Nigeria.

Before moving to France to play for Montpellier HSC, Onumonu started out playing for the Boston Breakers in the National Women’s Soccer League. She later played for the Portland Thorns, Reign FC, Utah Royals, and NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Before rejoicing allegiance to Nigeria, where she gained respect for her intelligent movement, composure, and work ethic, she was a graduate of the California Golden Bears’ collegiate program and represented the United States at the age of 23.

Read more about Lassa fever: 106 LGAs Affected, 21 States Affected, 906 Cases In Nigeria

Onumonu said in her reflections that retiring from football does not put an end to her involvement.

A new beginning is needed, not a final goodbye to football.

She stated, “I’m excited to use the skills and lessons I learned while playing on it to explore opportunities off the pitch.”

After sustaining a recurring groin injury, Lamine Yamal will not play in Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria this month, according to Barcelona, according to a statement released on Friday.

Following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the 18-year-old winger is expected to miss up to three weeks.

After the game against PSG, Barcelona said on Friday, “The pain reappeared.” “The recovery period is expected to take two to three weeks.”

Yamal was immediately confirmed by Spain and removed from their list after Barcelona made the statement following Yamal’s inclusion in the national squad.

Yamal made his first start since August against PSG after missing four games with a groin injury. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticized him for playing in the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Read more about Suffering’ Djokovic Battles Past Cilic at the Shanghai Opener.

After criticizing the national team’s handling of the teenager, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente earlier on Friday stated that he had no issues with Flick.

“Sports and football always have a risk.” He assumes those risks if he plays for his club. De la Fuente referred to Yamal as “completely normal situations,” adding that.

“Flick and I don’t have a conflict. Because he hascoached the national team and I thought he had that empathy, De la Fuente said after announcing his squad for the upcoming qualifiers.

“We are playing for World Cup (qualification),” you may know from our two crucial matches. They appear to be playing in the background and discussing Flick.

The fact that we are competing in the World Cup is what really matters. The rest is unimportant. Everyone made up their minds, and that is it.

No Morata, Carvajal, or Williams.

Yamal’s ability to play the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26 is also questioned by his most recent injury.

After a slow start to the season at Como, Spain will also be without Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal next week.

Williams, an athletic Bilbao winger, hasn’t played since picking up a groin injury in the 6-0 win over Turkey. His team reportedly requested that his playing time be managed because he was sore.

Novak Djokovic defeated fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7 / 4) 6-4 to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, saying he had to “fire up all engines.”

The 38-year-old Serb is chasing a fifth title that will surpass all previous records in Shanghai, where he was greeted by adoring Chinese fans in cheers as he entered the stadium.

In an ATP Masters 1000 main draw match, Djokovic and Cilic’s combined age, which was 75 years and 139 days, was the oldest between two rivals.

After launching his title bid, Djokovic said, “I did enjoy it, but I also suffered a lot on the court.”

“It was a very close match,” he said. He continued, “He was probably the better player for the first set,” claiming that he needed to “fire up all engines.”

The first set was difficult, with Cilic’s best chance of breaking the 24-time Grand Slam champion coming in the eleventh game.

In the tiebreak, Djokovic appeared to be getting back on his feet, leading 7-2.

In the third game of the second set, the world number five broke the Croat and maintained his composure in the tension-tense 10th game to win with a final ace.

Djokovic claimed that Cilic and him both “performed like we were maybe 15 years younger.”

After playing for the first time since losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semi-finals a month ago, Djokovic said, “We keep challenging each other, as well as the young guys on the tour.”

In the end, “you have to find a way to win,” according to the saying “Age doesn’t matter when you walk out on the court.”

Jannik Sinner, 14 years his junior, defeated Djokovic in the final last year.

On Saturday, Sinner will face German international Daniel Altmaier in a friendly game.

Shelton Out and Fritz Through

Taylor Fritz, the fourth-ranked player, also advanced to the next round but struggled to pass 52nd-ranked Fabian Marozsan 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/1).

In the sixth and eighth games, Fritz was broken by the Hungarian, and the American appeared hungry as he struggled to advance.

Read more about Djokovic’s participation in the Shanghai Masters in October.

In the eleventh game of the second set, he repeatedly hit his racket in frustration before missing his chance to defeat Marozsan.

However, he outperformed Marozsan in both the second and third set tiebreaks, wowing the late-night viewers.

He said, “I just told myself to keep fighting and keep working for it,” and ultimately, “I was just really fired up.”

Compatriot Ben Shelton, who had been defeated by 83rd-ranked David Goffin, became the first top-10 seed to be expelled from the game, not to mention being denied entry.

Shelton, 22, defeated the Belgian underdog 6-2, 6-4, to finish in sixth place in the world.

The US Open shoulder injury has been treated for the American.

However, Goffin has proven to be successful in sacking key players, having defeated Alcaraz in Miami in March.

Teenager learner Tien, who lost to Miomir Kecmanovic in the final of the China Open against Sinner on Wednesday, continued his recent excellent form by defeating the Serbian in the second round.

Alcaraz has withdrawn from Shanghai after defeating Fritz to win the Japan Open.

A 23-man list of players was released by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle on Friday for the October World Cup qualifying games against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

Akor Adams received his first call-up from Sevilla of Spain on Tuesday, with Captain Willian Troost-Ekong leading the list, while Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Olakunle Olusegun all come back after serving on the national team.

With Amas Obasogie and Adebayo Adeleye serving as backups, Stanley Nwabali retains his place as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi, Benjamin Fredrick, and Calvin Bassey make up the defensive line.

Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alhassan Yusuf bring a mix of experience and dynamism to the squad in midfield.

READ MORE: FIFA Sanctions South Africa For Fielding Ineligible Player In World Cup Qualifier

Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Cyriel Dessers, Olakunle Olusegun, Olakunle Olusegun, and debutant Adams are supporting Nigeria’s attack.

In the African qualifiers, the squad list arrives at a crucial stage of Group C.
Nigeria’s hopes of winning the World Cup appeared to be waning after only five draws in eight games until FIFA’s recent sanction against South Africa changed the situation.

South Africa defeated Lesotho 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

In consequence, Nigeria and Rwanda are only slightly behind on the same score, with 14 points now in play. Less than half increase their score by nine points while Zimbabwe are already eliminated and at the bottom.

With a victory over Lesotho on October 10 in Polokwane enough to bring them level with the group leaders before facing Benin in Uyo four days later, the Super Eagles’ hopes for a World Cup are revived by the sanction.

In the event of South Africa’s performance in Durban and Mbombela, back-to-back wins would give Nigeria 17 points, which would put them in the lead.

With a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League, Crystal Palace made their first full UEFA appearance.

Due to the conflict in Ukraine, Colombian wing-back Daniel Munoz’s brilliant towering header in the first half gave Palace a 2-0 lead in Lublin, where Dynamo are playing their home games in Europe this season.

As Palace set a new club record with 19 games unbeaten, Eddie Nketiah grabbed a second just before the hour when they scored from the excellent Yeremy Pino.

However, Borna Sosa quickly conceded two yellow cards as she reached Palace’s final fifteen.

After defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final last year, Palace made it to Europe, but they were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League because they broke UEFA regulations for multi-club ownership.

The Premier League team’s only prior experience in continental competition was a 1998 home-and-away tie in the Intertoto Cup.

In their next game of the league, Palace are expected to face AEK Larnaca of Cyprus on October 23. They are also expected to win the Conference League.

The Eagles will also face Finnish side KuPS, Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, French side Strasbourg, and Irish side Shelbourne.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, stated on Thursday that football “cannot solve geopolitical problems” as he is under increasing pressure to suspend Israel over the Palestinian conflict.

Infantino, the world’s governing body, stated in a statement that Infantino stressed the importance of promoting peace and unity, particularly given the current state of Gaza, at a meeting of the FIFA Council.