Johnson Shumba, the Hwange Lusumbami FC’s goalkeeper, has died after colliding with opponent.

He tragically passed away following severe injuries sustained during a football match.
Shumba, believed to be in his twenties, died at Mpilo Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment after the on-field collision.

The accident occurred during a Division Two League match in Matabeleland North Province between Lusumbami FC and Hwange FC Reserves.

Shumba collided with an opposing player during the game, suffering critical injuries that ultimately claimed his life. Despite medical efforts to save him, Shumba succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Lusumbami FC confirmed the heartbreaking news through a statement on their social media platforms, expressing their grief and offering condolences to Shumba’s family.

The club wrote: “It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of our beloved goalkeeper, Johnson Shumba, this morning at Mpilo Hospital.

Our hearts go out to the Shumba family, the entire football community, and the Lusumbami FC family in this incredibly difficult time.”

Nigeria’s women’s youth team Falconets defeated Venezuela 4-0 in their final group match of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 women’s World Cup at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero on Saturday night.

Three first-half goals scored by Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Flourish Sebastine put Christopher Danjuma’s side in firm control before Joy Igbokwe added more gloss in stoppage time.

Victory saw Falconets march on to the round of 16 stage of the tournament held in Colombia.

In the thrilling encounter, Okwuchukwu set up Bello to slot in the opener on 16 minutes before she scored the second with a header on 28 minutes. Sebastine was on hand to tap in deep into the added time of the first half for the third goal.

The Falconets then netted the fourth in added time after 90 minutes; Igbokwe, on as a substitute, scored a screamer from distance with the last kick of the game.

The victory is the Falconets’ second win from three Group D matches, with Nigeria amassing six points, the same as Germany.

The Falconets however finish in second place due to inferior head-to-head and goals difference to the Germans, and await their knockout opponent.

The Falconets are set to face the top-ranked country in Group E, a slot to be taken by either Japan or Austria.

The tie will take place on September 13.

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen says the team have the quality to adopt any style of play.

Eguavoen opted for a 3-4-3 formation in the Super Eagles 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Benin Republic on Saturday.

The Super Eagles ran out 3-0 winners in the encounter, with Ademola Lookman scoring a brace, while substitute Victor Osimhen was also on target.

The 59-year-old stated that the formation against the Benin Republic was successful.

“The formation is only information. We have players of quality, and we can decide to play with any system.

“There is something we discussed, and I slept over it, and I know that with the calibre of players we have, we can decide to play any formation and be successful,” Eguavoen told reporters.

“The players are always there, and when much is expected by Nigerians, that is when you see them performing. We have been getting a lot of backlash, and the boys didn’t know this.

“And we know we have the calibre and quality to beat any team, but we have to respect teams anyway.

“So anybody can come here and do the same thing. It’s the mindset, and we have the potential, but it is how you check out your opponent and give information [to players], and then they will go out and do the job.”

The Super Eagles will shift attention to their next game against Amavubi of Rwanda.

The encounter will hold at Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Tuesday