South Africa Midfielder Jayden Adams Dies Aged 25

Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams has died aged 25, weeks after making three appearances at the 2026 World Cup.

South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has died at the age of 25, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) confirmed on Saturday.

In its statement, SAFPU said Adams’s death is an “immeasurable loss” to his family, teammates, clubs, and South African football. cricket-info.homes

Jayden Adams had just returned from the 2026 World Cup after helping South Africa reach the knockout stage for the first time.

He made three appearances during the group stage, starting the 2-0 defeat by Mexico and the 1-1 draw with Czechia. He later came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over South Korea, which secured qualification.

The midfielder has previously started both legs of Sundowns’ CAF Champions League semi-final against Al Ahly. The teams drew 0-0 in Pretoria and 1-1 in Cairo, sending Sundowns through on away goals.

Adams then appeared in both legs of the final against Pyramids. He came on during the first leg, which ended 1-1, and started the return match in Cairo, where Pyramids won 2-1 to claim the title 3-2 on aggregate.

Jayden Adams earned nine senior caps for South Africa and scored twice after making his international debut in 2022.

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Rio De Janeiro: Vinicius Junior has spoken of his "overwhelming frustration" after Brazil's World Cup elimination by Norway in the round of 16.

The 25-year-old apologized to fans for Brazil's 2-1 loss to Norway last Sunday, a result that marked its earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

"Almost four years later, I'm once again thinking about what to write after the disappointment of a World Cup," he said, referring to the quarterfinal loss to Croatia in Qatar.

"So many people of all ages supported us and embraced our dream that it would be unfair to remain silent. But I needed a few days to reflect."

Brazil finished top of its World Cup group and beat Japan in the round of 32 before last Sunday's defeat in New Jersey.

Vinicius scored four goals and provided an assist during the tournament, taking his overall World Cup record to five goals and three assists in nine games.

"Wearing the Brazil shirt is the greatest honor of my life, and going out of a World Cup in the round of 16 is a feeling that's hard to explain," he said. "I know how much I prepared, how focused I was and how badly I wanted this, for all of you and for my family."

The Real Madrid forward added "The frustration is overwhelming. We had a group strong enough to achieve more, and we didn't. I'm sorry, and I'll keep fighting for our dream of taking Brazil back to the top of the world."

London: Jannik Sinner hailed Novak Djokovic as a "true inspiration" as the defending Wimbledon champion revealed he had to raise his game to end his rival's title bid on Friday.

Sinner produced one of his best performances this year to rout Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a one-sided Centre Court semi-final.

The world number one will face French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday.

Sinner's dynamic display avenged his Australian Open last-four loss to Djokovic in January.

Djokovic once again fell short in his quest to make history with a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would break his tie with Margaret Court.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion might be in the twilight of his career.

But the 39-year-old showed in his five-hour victory over third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime -- the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history -- that he can still compete with far younger players.

Full of admiration for Djokovic's longevity, Sinner said: "Even when I had this small winning streak from last year, you always feel pressure before playing against Novak.

"This is why I practise. I like challenges. Playing against Novak in Grand Slams, they are very different than playing in Masters events.

"It's so amazing to see him still producing this kind of level. The match he has played with Felix, I was watching. The level was so high.

"It's a true inspiration for all of us and also the younger generation, how much a good mindset can do to your body and mind as well."

Brushing away talk of retirement, Djokovic said after losing to Sinner that he plans to return to Wimbledon at least one more time.

Sinner would welcome Djokovic extending his remarkable career, but for now he hopes his latest victory over the Serb will propel him to a fifth Grand Slam title on Sunday.

"Seeing him around and having the honour to play against him, feeling the pressure against him, these matches, they hopefully can help me and also in the future," he said.

"I think mentally I knew that I need to level up. I've done it today. It helped me, for sure.

"Against Novak, if you want to play even, you need to play your best tennis."

Sinner has won his last nine meetings with Zverev, including the 2025 Australian Open final.

But the German has been in superb form over the last two months, finally winning his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros before sweeping into his maiden Wimbledon final.

The 29-year-old has ditched his tag as the sport's nearly man and Sinner is well aware of the threat he poses to his title defence.

"Whatever happened in the past between me and him, it happened. In between, he won a Grand Slam in Paris, which gave him a lot of confidence. We can see the level he's producing here," Sinner said.

"He tried for so long, and then when you finally achieve it, it's amazing and gives you this confidence boost. We see it again here. It shows that he is playing incredible tennis.

"I'm happy to face him. I try to do the best I can, and then we see how it goes. But it's going to be very tough, very different than all the other matches we have played."

أعلن نادي مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، اليوم، تعاقده مع الجناح الشاب جيريمي مونغا قادما من ليستر سيتي بعقد يمتد لخمسة أعوام.

وأصبح مونغا ثالث لاعب إنجليزي ينضم لمانشستر سيتي هذا الموسم عقب انضمام الحارس بيرس تشارلز وإليوت أندرسون.

ولعب مونغا البالغ 17 عاما في 37 مباراة لفريق ليستر، كما أنه يعد أصغر لاعب يبدأ مباراة للنادي، بعدما كانت مشاركته الأولى في الدوري الإنجليزي لكرة القدم مع فريقه السابق وهو بعمر 15 عاما.

ودون مونغا مشاركته المرة الأولى في الدوري الإنجليزي خلال المباراة التي خسرها ليستر سيتي صفر-3 أمام نيوكاسل في أبريل 2025، وبعدها شارك لأول مرة في كأس الرابطة أمام هيديرسفيلد تاون في أغسطس 2025.

وأصبح لاعب المنتخب الإنجليزي تحت 19 عاما، هو ثالث أصغر لاعب يشارك في الدوري الإنجليزي بعد إيثان نوانيري، وماكس دومان.

London: Manchester City have signed teenage winger Jeremy Monga from Leicester on a five-year deal, the Premier League giants announced Saturday.

Monga made his English top-flight debut for the Foxes aged just 15 and has joined City despite interest from other leading clubs.

The 17-year-old played 37 times for Leicester and was also the youngest player to start a game for the club.

No fee has been disclosed but Monga's move is reported to be worth £10 million ($13 million) with add-ons on a contract which will take him through to 2031.

Monga becomes the third English player to join Manchester City during the current transfer window, as new manager Enzo Maresca looks to refresh the squad, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Pierce Charles and club-record signing Elliot Anderson.

Monga featured for the first time in the top flight as a second-half substitute in Leicester's 3-0 defeat by Newcastle in April 2025 under Ruud van Nistelrooy and made his first start in the League Cup against Huddersfield in August 2025.

The England under-19 international is also the third-youngest player to feature in the Premier League behind Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman.

"When I became aware that Manchester City were interested, I knew instantly this was the right choice for me," Monga told his new club's website.

"For any young footballer, to become part of this amazing club is a dream come true. This has been the best club in England over the past 10 years.

"And it has also handed opportunities to players from the academy like Phil Foden and Nico O'Reilly which shows that the pathway is there.

"It is a privilege to be here and I'm delighted to have joined."