Latest news with #Women'sFootballeroftheYear
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
African champions Banyana Banyana name provisional squad for TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON title defence
TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holders Banyana Banyana have taken another decisive step in their quest to defend their continental crown, with head coach Dr Desiree Ellis cutting her preliminary squad down to 28 players ahead of next month's showpiece in Morocco. The reigning African champions, who lifted the title in 2022 under Ellis' guidance are looking to cement their dominance on the continent once more. This time, they return to Morocco – the very country where they were crowned – with history and expectation riding on their shoulders. Africa will be watching closely as Banyana begin their final preparations. The trimmed squad will assemble in Johannesburg on 19 June, where 24 players will begin an intensive training camp. They'll be joined later by four overseas-based players still tied to club commitments. Notably absent from the upcoming camp is former CAF Women's Footballer of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana. Hildah Magaia, another key figure in Banyana's historic 2022 run, is still undergoing medical checks and will report to camp once cleared. The final 23-player squad will be announced on 23 June before the team jets off to Oujda, their base during the group stage. South Africa open their Group C campaign against Ghana on 7 July, followed by clashes with Tanzania (11 July) and Mali (14 July). The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024 kicks off on 5 July in Rabat with hosts Morocco facing Zambia in the opener. South Africa Provisional TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2024 Provisional Squad: GOALKEEPERS: Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini, Dineo Magagula, Casey Gordon DEFENDERS: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Shakira O'Malley, Gabriela Salgado, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede, MIDFIELDERS Sibulele Holweni, Linda Mothlalo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Regina Mogolola, Noxolo Cesane, Michelle Sampson, Adrielle Mibe, Kgalebane Mohlakoana FORWARDS: Hildah Magaia, Jermaine Seopesenwe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Bonolo Mokoma, Ronnel Donnely
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Kirby retires from international football with England Women
BARCELONA: England Women's playmaker Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football after learning she was unlikely to be selected for Sarina Wiegman's squad for next month's Euros. The 31-year-old, who earned 77 caps for the Lionesses, was one of England's key players during their victorious Euro 2022 campaign on home soil. Kirby, who now plays for Brighton, enjoyed the most successful years of her career at Chelsea, where she won seven Women's Super League titles, five Women's FA Cups, and was twice named the PFA Women's Footballer of the Year. "The plan was to retire after the Euros, but after speaking to Sarina, I'm not going to make the squad," Kirby told the BBC. "It was like a dagger to my heart, but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us, but we both respected what each person was saying." Kirby had been part of the England squad for the Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain, and informed her team-mates of her decision after a 2–1 defeat to Spain on Tuesday. Regarded from early in her career as one of the most talented English players of her generation, Kirby repeatedly battled back from serious injuries and spoke openly about her mental health struggles. "Incredible footballer," said Wiegman. "Her touch, vision, positioning, game understanding, connections – but as a person, what she's had to face and how she's come back each time has been incredible too. "She's been an inspiration to many and an exceptional role model." The news comes just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also announced her shock retirement from international football, only weeks before England begin their Euros title defence in Switzerland.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kirby retires from international football with England women
England women's playmaker Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football after learning she was unlikely to make Sarina Wiegman's squad for next month's Euros. The 31-year-old, who won 77 caps with the Lionesses, was one of England's heroes as they won Euro 2022 on home soil. Advertisement Kirby, who now plays for Brighton, enjoyed the best years of her career at Chelsea where she won seven Women's Super League titles, five Women's FA Cups and was twice crowned the PFA Women's Footballer of the Year. "The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina I'm not going to make the squad," Kirby told the BBC. "It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying." Kirby had been a part of the England squad for Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain and told her team-mates after a 2-1 defeat to the Spanish on Tuesday. Advertisement Regarded from early in her career as one of the most talented English players of her generation, Kirby had continually battled back from major injuries and openly spoke about her mental health struggles. "Incredible footballer," said Wiegman. "(Her) touch, vision, positioning, game understanding, connections, but as a person, what she's had in front of her and coming back every time has been incredible too. "She's been an inspiration for a lot of people and an incredible example." The news comes just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also announced her shock retirement from international football just weeks before England attempt to defend their Euros title in Switzerland. rbs-kca/lp
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alessia Russo exclusive: Winning the Champions League alongside Arsenal 'sisters' would mean so much
Sat in the sunshine at Arsenal's training ground, Alessia Russo has a beaming smile on her face and that is no surprise given the season she has enjoyed. Russo was the top scorer in the Women's Super League, winning the Golden Boot for the first time in her career, and has also picked up the Football Writers' Association award for Women's Footballer of the Year. 'I will always want more, though,' Russo tells Standard Sport. 'I want to score more, create more, help the team in as many ways as possible. This is a good start, but I want to keep progressing.' Personal accolades are one thing, but Russo's biggest desire is to win trophies and Saturday provides her with the perfect opportunity to do so. Arsenal take on Barcelona in the final of the Women's Champions League and Renee Slegers' side are out to make history. Only once before have the Gunners won the competition and that was all the way back in 2007, when Russo was just eight years old. 'I don't think anything tops winning a trophy as a team,' says Russo. 'When you go through a long journey with your team-mates, who feel like sisters, winning a trophy means so much. 'We know what we are coming up against, probably the best team in the world - but this is where we want to be. 'As Arsenal, we want to take this club back to finals, back to where it belongs, and we really want to go out there and compete. It's a final, anything can happen.' Arsenal have defied the odds repeatedly during their Champions League run. In the quarter-finals, they knocked out Real Madrid despite losing the first leg in Spain 2-0. They produced another comeback in the semi-finals, beating Lyon 4-1 away from home after losing 2-1 at Emirates Stadium the week before. Holders Barcelona in the final will be their toughest task, though, given the Spanish side are the holders and have won the Champions League in three of the past four seasons. In the semi-finals this season, Barca dismantled domestic treble-winners Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate. 'Their history speaks for itself, what they have won, the players they have got,' says Russo. 'But we have performed at a really high level this year as well. 'The journey we have been on in this European run has been really exciting and everyone has performed in big moments. We are just locked in on this mission.' Russo will have a key role to play if Arsenal are to pull off a shock. The striker believes this season is the best of her career and the 26-year-old puts it down to the way she has developed her game. Legendary striker Kelly Smith, part of the Arsenal squad that won the Champions League in 2007, has helped as a member of the coaching staff. With 130 goals in 156 games for Arsenal - and more than 100 England caps, too - there are few better people for Russo to learn from. 'Kelly doesn't say a lot, but when she does you really listen,' says Russo. 'Before, I was a little bit more naive and wanted to get out of position to get on the ball, maybe drifting wide and too deep. 'I understand the importance of staying away more now, staying central, between the goalposts, being a problem for the centre-halves and just making sure I am there when I need to be. 'I am happy to have scored a lot more this season, but I want to keep pushing. I don't think as a striker you are ever satisfied with how many goals you score.' Russo has shone in attack alongside Mariona Caldentey, who has been a revelation since joining Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer. Caldentey was named Player of the Season in the WSL this month and, like Russo, she has scored seven goals during Arsenal's run to the Champions League final. 'She is world class,' says Russo. 'From the first training session, I knew how good she was. She's a special player. She is super technical, wants the ball everywhere and can create things out of nothing. When you play with her, you want to get her on the ball. She delivers every week, her performances this year have been incredible.' Russo admits the Arsenal squad have been picking Caldentey's brain this week as they prepare to face her old club. Laia Codina, who left Barcelona for Arsenal two summers ago, has also been tapped up. 'It's important to have a player's input. They both know a lot of those players inside out,' says Russo. 'It will definitely help us.'
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mohamed Salah named FWA Footballer of the Year with staggering number of votes
Mohamed Salah has become just the second player to be named the FWA Footballer of the Year three times, after firing Liverpool to their second Premier League title in five years Mo Salah has been crowned the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. Incredibly, Liverpool striker Salah won by the biggest margin THIS CENTURY, landing nearly 90 per cent of the votes cast. Salah, 32, is also only the SECOND player to win the award three times, matching Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Arsenal striker Alessia Russo has also been crowned the Women's Footballer of the Year in a tighter race but she was a clear winner in the end. Salah, 32, has played a huge part in Liverpool's Premier League title-winning campaign and has enjoyed another unforgettable individual season. The Egyptian king, who has just signed a new contract to stay at Liverpool for at least another two years, has scored 33 goals across all competitions which includes 28 in the Premier League. Salah has written his name into folklore at Anfield and also as one of the all-time greats of the Premier League era. His Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk was his closest challenger as the majestic Dutch defender finished second in the voting. Again, van Dijk has played a key role in Liverpool's title success to help Arne Slot join a select band of managers to win the Premier League in their first season in English football. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth in the voting. Isak helped Newcastle win their first trophy in 56 years by lifting the Carabao Cup. Rice was instrumental in Arsenal's Champions League campaign, his two free kicks against Real Madrid at the Emirates will live long in the memory. Outside the top four places, 15 other players received votes with 918 members eligible to vote. The race for the women's award was much closer and, remarkably, 36 players received a vote which reflects the growth and interest in the game generally. But Russo was a clear and deserved winner as she has played a huge role in Arsenal reaching the Champions League final later this month. Her performances in memorable games swung the vote in her favour. Arsenal overcame the odds and first leg defeats to beat Real Madrid and Lyon to reach the final in Lisbon on May 25. Last year's winner Khadija Shaw, the Manchester City striker, was runner-up while Mariona Caldentey and Millie Bright were third and fourth respectively. Russo becomes the second Arsenal player to win the award after Vivianne Miedema in 2020. Both players are due to attend the Football Writers' Association dinner on Thursday May 22 to collect their awards.
