Ex-Wales Goalkeeper Hennessey Confirms Retirement
An outstanding professional, Hennessey developed through the Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers youth academies, before turning professional with Wolves in 2006.
The goalkeeper confirmed his decision on social media: 'I have decided to bring my playing career to an end,' he said. 'I am grateful for what I have achieved in the past, I'm optimistic about the future, and taking the next steps in my football journey.
'From my early days in North Wales, I dreamed of reaching the highest level in football. Achieving that by playing in the Premier League and representing my country more than 100 times has been a great honour.'
The player is stepping back after 109 appearances for Cymru and Wales. He put on impressive performances at the 2016 Euro, leading a remarkable Welsh team to the semi-finals. And he was a solid performer in the team's three games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The former goalkeeper is now set to begin a new chapter in football as he prepares to transition into a coaching role. Tags: African footballAmerican football
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
14 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Links 2025 AFCON Investments to 2030 World Cup Preparation
Rabat — Morocco's minister in charge of the budget Fouzi Lekjaa has said that the country's infrastructure projects for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will directly support the country's preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at a ministerial conference titled '2030 World Cup: Financial, Institutional and Strategic Challenges' at the National School of Public Administration (ENSA), he explained that the government designed the AFCON investments as part of a continuous strategy to prepare for hosting the World Cup five years later. 'The infrastructures, investments and constructions linked to AFCON 2025 integrate into a coherent and progressive approach to prepare for the 2030 World Cup, guaranteeing a lasting legacy and optimized development of Morocco's sports, economic and territorial spheres,' Lekjaa said. Massive investment program underway The government has committed approximately MAD 150 billion ($15 billion) to infrastructure projects across multiple sectors. The program includes construction of a water treatment plant with a capacity of 2 billion cubic meters to meet industrial and domestic needs. Morocco will finance transportation infrastructure through public-private partnerships, with the state providing annual support of about MAD 1.6 billion ($ million) until 2030, ensuring project continuity and financial viability, according to Lekjaa. The minister detailed that mobility between host cities remains a central challenge. Morocco has already started developing high-speed rail lines and regional express networks to connect Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger, and the southern provinces. These projects will promote territorial and economic integration across the country. Financial structure protects state budget Lekjaa stressed that officials designed the financial structure to avoid burdening the general state budget. Morocco created an innovative financing and operation scheme in partnership with the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) and the National Company for the Realization and Management of Sports Equipment (SONARGES). This partnership allows for 20-year amortization, guaranteeing investment viability while protecting public finances. Stadium construction on schedule The minister announced that construction work on two stadiums for AFCON 2025 will meet precise deadlines. The Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat will complete construction by July 31, while the Grand Stadium of Tanger will finish by August 15. Lekjaa positioned this organization within a broader vision that includes other international women's and continental competitions. The events will strengthen Morocco's organizational capabilities while consolidating its long-term sports and economic influence. Royal vision guides strategy Lekjaa concluded by reiterating that the 2030 World Cup fits into a comprehensive strategic vision carried by King Mohammed VI. The goal extends beyond organizing a major sporting event to driving lasting economic, institutional and territorial transformation for Morocco. The ministerial conference featured Morocco's commitment to leveraging sports infrastructure investments for long-term national development while establishing the country as a regional leader in hosting international events. Tags: 2025 afconFIFA 2030
Ya Biladi
18 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco boosts infrastructure for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030 preparation
The ambitious infrastructure, investment, and construction initiatives launched for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are key components of a broader strategy to lay a robust foundation for the 2030 World Cup. This was emphasized by Fouzi Lekjaa, Deputy Minister in charge of the Budget, during a session in Rabat on Friday. «The projects tied to AFCON 2025 are seamlessly woven into a strategic framework aimed at gearing up for the 2030 World Cup. This approach not only ensures a lasting legacy but also maximizes the development of Morocco's sports, economic, and territorial sectors», stated Lekjaa at a ministerial conference focused on the theme «World Cup 2030: Financial, Institutional, and Strategic Challenges», held at the National School of Administration (ENSA). He revealed that an investment of approximately 150 billion dirhams (MMDH) is being funneled into key sectors, including the construction of a drinking water treatment plant with a capacity of 2 billion cubic meters, designed to meet both industrial and domestic demands. Continuing in this vein, Lekjaa highlighted that the financing of transport infrastructure is anchored in public-private partnerships (PPPs), complemented by an annual state subsidy of about 1.6 MMDH until 2030, ensuring the projects' continuity and financial sustainability. He underscored the significance of mobility between host cities, noting, «The development of the high-speed rail line (LGV) and the regional express network (RER) is actively progressing, particularly to link Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and the southern provinces, fostering the Kingdom's territorial and economic integration». Addressing the financial framework, he assured that it is crafted to avoid burdening the general state budget. He elaborated, «An innovative financing and operational model, in collaboration with the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) and the National Company for the Realization and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), facilitates a 20-year amortization, ensuring the sustainability of investments». Furthermore, Fouzi Lekjaa announced that the construction of the two stadiums designated for AFCON 2025 will adhere to a strict timeline, with the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat slated for completion by July 31 and the Grand Stadium in Tangier by August 15.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco boosts infrastructure for AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030 preparation
The ambitious infrastructure, investment, and construction initiatives launched for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are key components of a broader strategy to lay a robust foundation for the 2030 World Cup. This was emphasized by Fouzi Lekjaa, Deputy Minister in charge of the Budget, during a session in Rabat on Friday. «The projects tied to AFCON 2025 are seamlessly woven into a strategic framework aimed at gearing up for the 2030 World Cup. This approach not only ensures a lasting legacy but also maximizes the development of Morocco's sports, economic, and territorial sectors», stated Lekjaa at a ministerial conference focused on the theme «World Cup 2030: Financial, Institutional, and Strategic Challenges», held at the National School of Administration (ENSA). He revealed that an investment of approximately 150 billion dirhams (MMDH) is being funneled into key sectors, including the construction of a drinking water treatment plant with a capacity of 2 billion cubic meters, designed to meet both industrial and domestic demands. Continuing in this vein, Lekjaa highlighted that the financing of transport infrastructure is anchored in public-private partnerships (PPPs), complemented by an annual state subsidy of about 1.6 MMDH until 2030, ensuring the projects' continuity and financial sustainability. He underscored the significance of mobility between host cities, noting, «The development of the high-speed rail line (LGV) and the regional express network (RER) is actively progressing, particularly to link Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and the southern provinces, fostering the Kingdom's territorial and economic integration». Addressing the financial framework, he assured that it is crafted to avoid burdening the general state budget. He elaborated, «An innovative financing and operational model, in collaboration with the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG) and the National Company for the Realization and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), facilitates a 20-year amortization, ensuring the sustainability of investments». Furthermore, Fouzi Lekjaa announced that the construction of the two stadiums designated for AFCON 2025 will adhere to a strict timeline, with the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat slated for completion by July 31 and the Grand Stadium in Tangier by August 15.
