Sports
‘Arsenal Game Is War, Not a Friendly’ – Spurs Coach Fires Warning
Newly appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager, Thomas Frank, has described the upcoming North London derby against Arsenal as his first major test since taking charge of the club, emphasizing that the highly anticipated pre-season clash is “more than a friendly.”
The fixture, scheduled for Thursday at the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, marks the first-ever North London derby played outside the United Kingdom — and it’s already sold out.
“It’s a great challenge,” said Frank during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “Besides being our big rivals, and the first North London derby outside the UK, they are also, right now, one of the best teams I must say unfortunately in the world,” he added with a smile.
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Frank, who took over the reins from Ange Postecoglou following the Australian’s controversial exit despite Europa League success, made it clear that the clash would be treated with full competitive intensity.
“Against Arsenal, it’s not only a friendly, and we’ll do everything we can to win,” he asserted.
Since assuming his role, Frank has already overseen the high-profile signing of Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for $74 million.
However, the club’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has so far proven unsuccessful.
When asked about further transfer plans, the former Brentford boss remained tight-lipped. “We’re constantly talking about transfers,” he said. “That is something I would like to keep private. In general, I’m happy with the squad. We’re aware of where we may want to strengthen.”
Van de Ven Fit and Ready
Tottenham’s injury woes last season contributed to their disappointing 17th-place finish in the Premier League.
A key figure among the long list of sidelined players was Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, who now says he feels stronger and more prepared after a full summer of training.
“I haven’t had a pre-season at Tottenham before,” said Van de Ven. “It’s more time to work on my body and to prepare for the Premier League, the Champions League, and all other games. So I’d say that’s a positive thing.”
Coach Frank acknowledged that fitness will play a crucial role in the club’s performance this season.
“Availability is key. It’s difficult because there are more games now and the intensity is going up,” he said. “The good thing is we have a good and long pre-season, which allows us to push and pull the players.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has ushered in the end of an era for several established football stars, with a number of prominent players bringing their international careers to a close following the tournament.
The departures include legendary names who have played major roles for their countries over the years, as well as players who captained their national teams and featured at multiple major tournaments.
From Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar to Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Džeko, the list reflects a significant generational change in international football.
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Here are 10 notable players who have ended or announced the end of their international careers:
Lionel Messi — Argentina
Argentina captain Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after the 2026 World Cup, where his side reached the final.
The 39-year-old remains Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, with 207 caps and 125 goals.
FIFA reported that Messi is expected to make a farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6.
Neymar — Brazil
Brazilian superstar Neymar also brought his international career to an end after the 2026 World Cup.
The forward made his Brazil debut in 2010 and represented the country at four World Cups.
Following Brazil’s elimination, Neymar confirmed that his international journey had come to an end.
James Rodríguez — Colombia
Colombia captain James Rodríguez announced his international retirement on September 15, 2026.
The 35-year-old played at three World Cups and leaves the national team as Colombia’s all-time leader in appearances, with 131 caps, and assists, with 43.
Rodríguez is also Colombia’s leading goalscorer at the World Cup, having scored six goals in the competition.
Manuel Neuer — Germany
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer ended his international career after the 2026 World Cup.
The 40-year-old had previously retired from international football after Euro 2024 but returned to the national team for the World Cup.
Neuer’s international career included Germany’s historic 2014 World Cup triumph.
Guillermo Ochoa — Mexico
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa also ended his international career following the tournament.
Ochoa became one of Mexico’s most recognisable footballers during a career that included multiple World Cup appearances.
He made a brief appearance during Mexico’s 2026 campaign before receiving a farewell from teammates and supporters.
Riyad Mahrez — Algeria
Former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez retired from international football after Algeria’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Mahrez made his World Cup debut in 2014 and scored twice at the 2026 tournament before Algeria were eliminated by Switzerland.
He leaves international football having been one of Algeria’s most prominent players of his generation.
Édouard Mendy — Senegal
Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy announced his international retirement in September.
The 34-year-old finished his Senegal career with 59 appearances and was part of the team that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
His departure adds another experienced figure to the list of African players leaving the international stage.
Iñaki Williams — Ghana
Ghana forward Iñaki Williams announced his international retirement after Ghana’s defeat by Colombia in the Round of 32.
Williams ended his four-year international career with 28 appearances for the Black Stars.
His decision comes as Ghana prepares for a new generation of players to take greater responsibility at international level.
Edin Džeko — Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Džeko announced on September 3, 2026, that he would retire from international football.
The 40-year-old is scheduled to play his final match for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Sweden on October 2 in the UEFA Nations League.
Džeko is the country’s record goalscorer and appearance-maker and has been one of the most influential players in its history.
Seko Fofana — Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire midfielder Seko Fofana announced his retirement from international football on September 14, 2026, at the age of 31.
Fofana made 34 appearances and scored seven goals for the Elephants.
He was also part of the Côte d’Ivoire squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024.
Edo Queens have made history by winning the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League title and securing a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
The Nigerian champions defeated Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies 4-1 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw in regulation time in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Edo Queens had to come from behind twice before eventually prevailing in the decisive shootout, underlining the resilience that has defined their impressive campaign.
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Ampem Darkoa made a blistering start when Beline Nyarkoh opened the scoring just two minutes into the match.
The Nigerian champions responded almost immediately, with Doosuur Atume restoring parity two minutes later.
The Ghanaian champions regained the lead in the 74th minute, with Nyarkoh completing her brace and putting Ampem Darkoa within touching distance of the trophy.
However, Edo Queens refused to surrender.
In the 94th minute, Oluebube Umejiaku produced a dramatic late equaliser to force the encounter into a penalty shootout.
Edo Queens then held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties, while Ampem Darkoa scored just once to hand the Nigerian side a 4-1 shootout victory.
The continental triumph caps a remarkable season for Edo Queens, who had earlier won the 2025/26 Nigeria Women’s Football League title.
The Benin-based club finished top of the league with nine points, ahead of Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons, who both finished with eight points.
The NWFL triumph was Edo Queens’ second league title in three years, having won their maiden championship in 2024.
The club also celebrated individual success, with forward Atume Doorsuur sharing the league’s Golden Boot after scoring 13 goals, the same number recorded by Rivers Angels striker Abasiofoh Uwah.
Following their WAFU-B triumph, Edo Queens received a ₦50 million reward from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The governor presented the team with the NWFL and WAFU-B trophies at the Government House in Benin City and praised the players for their determination, resilience and doggedness.
With the regional crown now secured, Edo Queens will turn their attention to the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
The crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken a fresh turn, with world football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) moving to halt the ongoing electoral process and announcing plans for a joint assessment mission to Abuja.
The development follows reports that FIFA, CAF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) delegation had reached an agreement on proposed reforms in Nigerian football.
However, FIFA has clarified that no decision has been reached on the reforms or the next steps to be taken regarding the crisis.
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In an email dated September 7 and addressed to Barrister Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, said FIFA and CAF were still assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the situation within the NFF.
The football governing body said the assessment would require a review of the relevant facts, the applicable NFF regulatory framework and the positions communicated by various stakeholders.
FIFA stressed that “no conclusions” had been reached at the stage and that no determination had been made regarding possible next steps.
As part of the latest intervention, FIFA requested that the ongoing NFF electoral process be suspended, directing that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection with the process until further notice.
According to FIFA, the move is intended to preserve the status quo while it and CAF complete their assessment and engage with relevant stakeholders.
The organisation also clarified that the suspension should not be interpreted as a determination on the validity of any decisions, actions or positions taken by any of the parties involved.
FIFA and CAF are expected to send a joint delegation to Abuja at the earliest possible opportunity to gather information and engage stakeholders involved in the dispute.
The delegation is expected to meet with representatives of the NFF administration, NFF members, electoral bodies and the Federal Government, including the National Sports Commission.
FIFA also requested that Ikpeme, whom it recognises as Deputy General Secretary and not Acting General Secretary, remain the primary point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF until further notice.
The international football bodies said the assessment mission would help them gain a clearer understanding of recent developments within the NFF and identify issues requiring further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.
At the conclusion of the assessment, FIFA and CAF said they would determine whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to their respective decision-making bodies.
The governing body, however, warned stakeholders against making assumptions about the outcome, stressing that the assessment remains ongoing and that the eventual action by FIFA and CAF is yet to be determined.
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