TheNewsGuru

Tag: Asisat Oshoala

  • Madugu picks replacements as Oshoala, Echegini opt out of final AFCON qualifying fixture

    Madugu picks replacements as Oshoala, Echegini opt out of final AFCON qualifying fixture

    Coach Justin Madugu has been compelled to pick replacements for forward Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Jennifer Echegini after the duo voluntarily opted out of the Super Falcons’ squad that is due to contest a 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Cape Verde, with the first leg in Abuja in four days.

     

    NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf, said the two players had been sent their flight tickets to travel to Nigeria a whole week before they announced on Saturday that they would be unable to join the squad.

     

    “We were surprised that they had the flight tickets for so long and did not say anything, only for them to send different messages on Saturday that they would be unable to make the trip. However, Coach Madugu has moved swiftly to call up replacements for them,” disclosed Yusuf.

     

    Midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying fixture against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and forward Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out, saying she is nursing an injury. Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator that she will be undergoing a surgery.

     

    Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih to once again fill the space vacated by Ayinde, while Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel will take the place of Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal.

     

    Nigeria U20 Girls’ ace forward Chioma Olise will take the place of US-based Echegini while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to take Oshoala’s place.

     

    The Super Falcons will host the first leg of the fixture against their counterparts from Cape Verde at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30th November, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago-Estadio Nacional Blue Shark in Praia on Tuesday, 5th December.

     

    NEW LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)

     

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France) 

     

    Midfielders: Motunrayo Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens) 

     

    Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiamaka Chukwu (Rivers Angels); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)

  • Asisat Oshoala issues out strong warning to people who beg from her on social media

    Asisat Oshoala issues out strong warning to people who beg from her on social media

    Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala has issued out strong warnings to people who flood her DMs to beg for money from her.

    Oshoala noted that she receives barrage of messages from people especially those who always message her with excuses like their wives just gave birth or wedding expenses.

    Speaking on how much she has been of help to people, Oshoala urged netizens to make use of their common sense and set their priorities right.

    “While I enjoy having fun here, there are certain things that should be common sense.

    “I help a lot of people here, but there are situations I won’t condone or support, such as ‘My Wife Just Gave Birth,’ ‘I Want To Have a Wedding,’ and so on. Use your common sense. Set your priorities right,” she wrote.

  • Women UCL: Oshoala’s bicycle-kick voted goal of the week

    Women UCL: Oshoala’s bicycle-kick voted goal of the week

    Super Falcons and Barcelona of Spain forward, Asisat Oshoala has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League Goal of the Week award.

    Oshola’s superb bicycle-kick goal against Benfica of Portugal  beat all other goals scored in same week of the female UEFA champions League.

    Barcelona Femeni won the matchday one fixture  by 5-0.

    Oshoala was introduced in the 60th minute of the encounter and her first touch of the game led to a goal.

    The 29-year-old also won the same award on matchday one last season.

    Barcelona Femeni  are defending the Champions League crown they won for the second time last season.

  • Oshoala joins Osimhen in Ballon d’Or history book

    Oshoala joins Osimhen in Ballon d’Or history book

    Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala both made history for Nigeria and Africa as they finished in an impressive 8th and 20th positions in the 2023 Men and Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world on Monday in Paris, France.

    Messi beat Norway’s UEFA player of the year,  and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize.

    France and Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe completed the list of the top three best players in the world.

    A message on Super Falcons’ official X handle congratulated Oshoala for the historic achievement both for Nigeria.

    “Asisat Oshoala’s 20th place ranking in the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or is a historic and significant achievement for Africa.

    “She’s a talented footballer and deserves the recognition. “Congratulations @AsisatOshoala,” it said.

    Inter Miami’s Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years in Qatar last season.

    Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time, fending off competition from  Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after leading Argentina to the World Cup last year.

    Messi, 36, becomes the first MLS-based player to claim the coveted prize, although the triumph comes largely on the back of his exploits with his country in Qatar.

    Former Manchester United player and Inter Miami co-owner,  David Beckham handed his prize-signing Messi the award in Paris.

    Haaland, who scored 52 goals last season as City won the Treble in 2022-23, finished second in the voting and won the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the best striker of the year.

    “I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved,” Messi said after getting his award.

    “The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies.

    “To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing. All of them [Ballon d’Or awards] are special for different reasons.”

    Prior to Messi receiving his award, Barcelona and Spain midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after a record-breaking year with club and country.

    She helped Barça win Liga F and the Champions League last season, before leading Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.

    In other awards handed out on Monday, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.

    England and Real Madrid midfielder,  Jude Bellingham was handed the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.

    During his acceptance speech, Messi made a point of wishing Argentina countryman Diego Maradona happy birthday.

    The 1986 World Cup winner, who died on Nov. 22, 2020, would have been 63 on Monday.

    “My last mention is for Diego [Maradona],” Messi said. “Today is his birthday.

    “So I would like to remember him from here, surrounded by the best players, coaches and people who love football like he did.

    “Wherever you are, Diego, happy birthday. This goes also to you.”

    Prior to Monday’s ceremony in Paris, no player had won the Ballon d’Or more times than Messi, who first won it in 2009 and then again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

    Cristiano Ronaldo has won it five times, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are all three-time winners.

    Messi scored 21 goals in 41 appearances last season as Paris Saint-Germain retained the Ligue 1 title before moving to Inter Miami earlier this year.

    Since moving to the U.S., he has scored 11 goals in 14 games for Miami, helping the franchise win its first-ever piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup.

    However, he missed several matches through injury at the end of the regular MLS season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side came up short in their late push for a playoff spot.

    It is Messi’s performances at the World Cup at the end of 2022 which have earned him an eighth Ballon d’Or as  Argentina ended a 36-year wait to be crowned world champions for the third time.

    Messi, as captain, was instrumental to Argentina’s success in Qatar, scoring seven goals and assisting three more as he was named as the Player of the Tournament.

    He scored twice in the final and again in the penalty shootout against France.

    Lionel Scaloni’s team edged one of the most memorable showpieces in the competition’s history.

    Having come up short with Argentina at four previous World Cups, including losing the 2014 final to Germany, it was deemed by many to be his last chance to get his hands on football’s biggest prize.

    At 36 years and four months old, he also becomes the second oldest player to ever win the Ballon d’Or.

    He replaces 2022  winner Karim Benzema.

    Only the inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews in 1956, was older when he won it aged 41.

    Messi’s first six Ballons d’Or were won while he played for Barcelona, where he is the club’s record goalscorer and appearance holder.

    He won it for a seventh time shortly after joining PSG in 2021 following Copa America success with Argentina.

  • Video: Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala addresses Barcelona fans in Spanish

    Video: Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala addresses Barcelona fans in Spanish

    Super Falcons and Barcelona Femeni striker, Asisat Oshoala was seen  in a video addressing club fans in Spanish.

    Recall that Oshoala has been nominated for the prestigious 2023 Ballon d’Or Award in the Women’s Player of the Year category.

    Her nomination follows a remarkable season in which she showcased her exceptional talent, scoring 29 goals and providing 7 assists in 46 matches.

    Oshoala’s outstanding performances also played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s triumphant campaign, securing titles such as the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup.

    Oshoala finds herself in the esteemed company of fellow Barcelona Femeni stars, Mapi Leon, Aitana Bonmati, and Fridolina Rolfo, along with other standout talents from the women’s football world, including French stalwart Wendie Renard, England’s Mary Earps, prolific 26-year-old Jamaican and Manchester City Forward, Khadija Shaw, VFL Wolfsburg forward Alexandra Popp, Japanese midfielder Yui Hasegawa, Dutch midfielder Jill Roord, and England’s Rachael Daly.

    See video below:

  • NFF congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala on nomination for Ballon d’Or

    NFF congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala on nomination for Ballon d’Or

    The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Super Eagles’ top striker Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala on their nominations for this year’s Ballon d’Or honours.

     

    Osimhen, who scored 26 goals in the Italian Serie A last season to steer Napoli FC to their first Italian league title in 33 years, also scored five goals in the UEFA Champions League in which Napoli made it to the semi finals.

     

    He is also the leading scorer in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with seven goals.

     

    “We are indeed very proud of the nominations of our players Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for the Ballon d’Or. It is the first time that players from the same country are nominated for both male and female categories, and this makes us proud. It also underscores the stellar careers that both players have at the moment, and we pray that God will continue to take them from glory to glory.

     

    “These nominations will also, no doubt, encourage other Nigerian players everywhere to be pivotal for their Clubs and also for the National Team anytime they are on the international road,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said.

     

    Oshoala has been pivotal for Spanish Club, Barcelona Feminine in the past two seasons, scoring a lot of goals as well as assists, and also scored a crucial goal for Nigeria against co-host nation Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under. 

  • Ligue 1: Neymar set to exit PSG, next destination revealed

    Ligue 1: Neymar set to exit PSG, next destination revealed

    Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar could be on his way to Saudi Pro league, Al-Hilal this summer.

    PSG have reached an agreement with  Al-Hilal and the Brazillian   is OK in principle to join the Saudi Pro League club.

    According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal have presented an important ‘huge bid’ proposal to Neymar in recent hours.

    Negotiations are underway to reach full agreement and Neymar is said to be tempted by this possibility, as work is already in progress for the Brazilian international to part ways with PSG soon.

    Neymar and Al Hilal are also in advanced talks, with official documents already sent to the player’s side to be checked.

    Neymar has since expressed his desire to leave PSG this summer.

    The former Barcelona star was left out of the PSG squad that drew goalless against Lorient in their French Ligue 1 opener on Saturday.

  • I initially wanted to study law – Super Falcons forward, Oshoala

    I initially wanted to study law – Super Falcons forward, Oshoala

    Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has revealed she initially wanted to end up as a legal practitioner in life, saying that she was just playing football as leisure.

    She said her dream was to become a lawyer and she still exhibit traits of lawyers.

    She disclosed this in a chat with Karen Carney’s Leaders Of The Pack podcast.

    Oshoala said, “I never wanted to play football professionally. It was never in my plan.”

    Karen asked: “Well, what was your plan then?”

    Oshoala replied: “So I wanted to be a lawyer, for real. That was my dream. I wanted to be a lawyer. You know, I love to make research. I love to question people. I love to make excuses for people. And all of that, you know.

    “So even though when you are wrong, I still, kind of like, back my friends up. I kind of like give excuses.”

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons and FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has reacted after making an impressive performance against the Matildas of Australia on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons stunned co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium.

    Oshoala set a record as the first Nigerian player to score in three World Cups. She represented Nigeria at the 2015, 2019  World Cups and scored in all before Thursday’s goal against Australia in 2023.

    Speaking after the game, Oshoala said she is very excited to have scored against the co-host and also willing to score plenty of goals at the competition.

    Asked what she feels by not starting, the prolific scorer said that she felt sick and only managed to feature for Nigeria in the game.

    “This tournament, I am going to make sure I give everything. Nigeria is the best country in the world,” Oshoala said.

    In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.

    The victory is the first Super Falcons win at the 2023 edition of the tournament after their opener against Canada ended in a barren draw.

    Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.

    Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area.

    But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.

    This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.

    Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.

    The FC Barcelona’s forward presence unsettled Australia again on 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.

    Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win  against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.

    Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Australia’s captain, who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities, expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons  took their chances and deserved to win.

    “Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.

    “It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.

    “If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances,” she said.

    TNG reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons play the Republic of Ireland next.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons forward, Oshoala set new record

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons forward, Oshoala set new record

    Barcelona femine forward and current African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala on Thursday set another record as the first Nigerian player to score in three World Cups.

    Oshoala represented Nigeria at the 2015, 2019  World Cups and scored in all before Thursday’s goal against Australia in 2023.

    Oshoala also becomes the first Nigerian substitute to score a goal at the Women’s world Cup

    Speaking after the game, Oshoala said that She’s very excited to have scored against the co-host and also willing to score plenty goals at the competition.

    Asked what she feels by not starting, the prolific scorer said that she felt sick and only managed to feature for Nigeria in the game.

    Nigeria defeated Australia by 3-2 with Oshoala scoring one of the goals.