Latest news with #U20NationalTeam
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Kristian Fletcher suffers suspected ACL tear, and D.C. United's injury woes get worse
Kristian Fletcher, who rejoined D.C. United this spring from an eight-month loan to Nottingham Forest in England, suffered a suspected torn ACL during the MLS club's break last week, people familiar with the situation said Monday. The 19-year-old forward was hurt last Thursday during an unofficial training session, said two people, who did not want to be identified because they weren't authorized to comment. United officials, who said they did not want to comment, were awaiting results from additional tests, one person said. Fletcher had recently returned from U.S. under-20 national team duty in Egypt, where he started against Norway and came off the bench against Colombia. The Bowie, Maryland, native was on loan in England between September and April, playing for Nottingham Forest's junior squads. The Premier League club declined to exercise an option to purchase his contract. Since returning, Fletcher has appeared in three MLS matches totaling 75 minutes. The Washington Post's All-Met Player of the Year in fall 2021 signed with United late in the 2022 season and juggled coursework at Landon School and training with D.C. until graduating in 2023. In 2022-24, Fletcher played in 25 regular season matches, starting three times and scoring twice. Fletcher's injury comes as United (4-9-6) returns from a two-week gap in the schedule to host Nashville SC on Saturday at Audi Field. Injuries to attacking players have dogged the club of late. Striker Christian Benteke, MLS's scoring champion last year, has not played since May 14 because of an ankle injury. United is hopeful he will return soon. Benteke's back-up, Dominique Badji, missed several weeks with a hamstring injury before returning May 31. Midfielder João Peglow has been sidelined all this month with a hamstring injury. United has scored just 17 goals and been shut out eight times.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
SAFA Sedibeng President in Egypt celebrating Amajita's victory
SEDIBENG.- SAFA Sedibeng president Solly Mkhabela, who was Head of Delegates for the South Africa U20 National Team, was the first to congratulate Amajita for being crowned the African Cup of Nations Champions over the weekend. This youth continental football tournament finished with Amajita crowned the champions after they beat Morocco in an entertaining final in Egypt. The tournament started on April 27. South Africa was in Group A and lost 1-0 to the hosting nation in the opening game. However, they showed a never-die spirit as they went all the way to the final despite this defeat. Amjita was in the same group as Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, after the tournament, Mkhabela said it was a great honour to be part of this competition. Mkhabela said winning the AFCON and also qualifying for FIFA U/20 World Cup was the biggest achievement for South African football. He said they went to Egypt with the mandate to win the tournament, and the boys didn't disappoint. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that his appointment as the Head of Delegates for this continental tournament showed that SAFA had faith in his leadership. Mkhabela was busy in Egypt, updating Sedibeng Ster Sport on how Amajita was playing. In fact, no one gave Amajita a chance to come home with a gold medal. They made history when they beat Nigeria, which is regarded as the biggest rival of South Africa, in the semi-finals. There was a celebration all over the country after Amajita made history, winning the AFCON by beating Morocco. 'This is a great victory for South Africa, and the country must be very proud of what we have achieved. It was long overdue for our country to qualify for the World Cup. This is the best news in a while for our football, especially the junior national team. Congratulations to the boys for their brave performance throughout the tournament. They deserve this because they were brilliant throughout the tournament. It is not about how you started but how you finished,' said Mkhabela. The South Africans can't wait for Amajita's arrival from Egypt to give them a hero's welcome. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
