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USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe to retire at end of 2023 season

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United States forward Megan Rapinoe announced Saturday that she will retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season.

The 11-year league veteran and U.S. women’s national team standout will play her final regular-season match at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Oct. 6 against the Washington Spirit.

Rapinoe, 38, is preparing to compete with the two-time defending champion USWNT in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 20 in New Zealand and Australia.

Rapinoe also confirmed Saturday that this will be her final World Cup.

“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe said in a statement to U.S. Soccer.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it. To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.”

Megan Rapinoe has won numerous trophies throughout her career. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Rapinoe joined the OL Reign during the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013 and holds the club records for goals (48) and assists (25) in 109 matches.

She has won three NWSL Shields with the Reign and earned one Best XI and two Second XI selections. She is also the league’s all-time leader with 13 penalty kick goals.

Internationally, Rapinoe has earned 199 caps and a 2012 Olympic gold medal along with the World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. In 2019, she was named Best FIFA Women’s Player and won the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Rapinoe has 63 goals and 73 assists with the USWNT while compiling a record of 157-14-28.

“I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years,” Rapinoe added. “Thanks to all my teammates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to U.S. Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially Sue [Bird], for everything.

“I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game, and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the National Team and the Reign.”

“She’s so key for this team on and off the field,” USWNT left back Crystal Dunn said. “I did tell her at the beginning of this year that I have no idea if this is your last one, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to get myself into a place where I can help this team win. And obviously send her off the way that she deserves, which is the queen that she is.”

An outspoken advocate for equal pay in women’s soccer and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, President Joe Biden last year awarded Rapinoe the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“Pino’s always just been a huge advocate for this team. She’s been a backbone of this team. And so whether it’s going through the equal pay fight, going through standing up for marginalized communities and backgrounds, she’s someone who is going to stand up for that when it’s not always a popular opinion,” USWNT captain Alex Morgan said.

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Nigeria Premier League

Lagos FA Ready For Super Falcons, Algeria Friendly

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Lagos State Football Association has reiterated its readiness to host the second leg of the friendly matches between the Super Falcons and the Green Ladies of Algeria.

The match is slated to hold at the prestigious Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. And towards a successful hosting, the Lagos FA, was today represented by Hon. Damilare Orimoloye, the SSA On Sports to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hosted both teams to a reception Monday, at the State House.

Hon. Orimoloye, who is also a board member of the LSFA, speaking on behalf of FA Chairman Hajji Gafar Liameed, who travelled outside the country, enthused that Lagos FA, would as usual, put in its best efforts to ensure a seamless organisation of the international match.

The Super Falcons on Saturday defeated their Algerian counterparts 2-0, courtesy of a brace by Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, in the first leg played at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

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Nigeria Premier League

1472 FC Unveils New Jerseys For 2024/ 2025 Season

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Lagos based NNL side, 1472 Football Club last Saturday at the high-brow HEREL Play, Ikoyi, Lagos, unveiled it’s new sets of playing kits for the 2024/2025 NNL season.

The fast-growing football club owned by UK-based successful businessman and entrepreneur, Dozy Mmobuosi, is set to take the Nigerian football scene by the storm.

The well-attended and glamorous event attracted top football personalities and people from different walks of life that included Hon. Desmond Elliott, Gliffeth Wonuigwe, CEO of GAS Group International and the Secretary of Lagos State Football Association, Akeem Rabiu-Okikiopusu.

Speaking during event, the Chief Executive Officer of the team, Seyi Jones remarked, “If you recall, last season we started on a bright note by winning all our matches. And suddenly, distractions caused us to lose focus. But now, I make bold to say, we are back on our feet much stronger.”

Jones noted that the drive and passion of Dozy Mmobuosi, to use football as a catalyst for social change, is a strong force. Adding that the team aims to develop global football stars. And towards achieving that, the management of the team are working on some synergies that would give the desired results.

The experienced football administrator continued, “My plan is to see our team join the elite clubs in the NPFL and move players to some of our partnered clubs abroad.

On the uniqueness of the team, he said, “We came about the name 1472 FC, because that was the century, Lagos was discovered by the Portuguese explorers. The club belongs to Lagosians.”

He called on well-placed individuals, investors and corporate bodies to come forward to support the team, as it plans to make the state and Nigeria proud.

“1472 FC is your team, especially the Surulere axis where we pitch our tent. Let them take ownership by coming all out to support their darling team,” he added.

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Nigeria Premier League

CHAN 2025: Eguavoen Invites Sadiq, Rabiu, Ogunleye, 32 Others For Ghana

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Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, Four Others To Assist Eguavoen Plot Benin, Rwanda’s Downfall

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called to camp Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Kano Pillars’ forward Zikifilu Rabiu and Enugu Rangers’ attacking midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye among a list of 35 players of Super Eagles B for the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Ghana.

The first leg of the fixture, which is a reminder of the qualification series for the last edition of the competition, which Ghana edged on penalty shootout, is billed for the weekend of 20th – 22nd December, with the return leg a week later.

The winner over two legs will earn a slot at the 8th edition of the competition exclusively reserved for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. The finals will take place across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 1st – 28th February 2025.

Akwa United’s Wisdom Ndom, Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors’ Abba Maigari are also invited to the camp that will open in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th October.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Ohisodumeya Osagie (Rivers United); Henry Ozomena (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United)

Defenders: Wisdom Ndom (Akwa United); Stephen Mayo (Rivers United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers); Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Yusuf Isa (Bayelsa United); Abba Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Kabiru Mohammed (Kwara United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Abbas Usman (El-Kanemi Warriors);

Midfielders: Innocent Godwin (Abia Warriors); Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Musa Zayad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba FC); Aimufua Aisosa (Kwara United); Tochukwu Michael (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Assurance (Lobi Stars); Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers); Seth Mayi (Sunshine Stars); Stanley Oganbor (Lobi Stars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Toyeeb Gidado (Ikorodu City)

Forwards: Samuel Ayorinde (Shooting Stars); Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Abdul Sanusi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United); Rabiu Zikifilu (Kano Pillars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Michael Enaruma (Bendel Insurance)

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