TheNewsGuru

Tag: AWCON

  • AWCON 2022: CAF suspends Super Falcons goalie Nnadozie

    Super falcons number 1 goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie  has been suspended for today’s AWCON  group C opener against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

    The goalie was suspended after receiving yellow cards in different matches in the qualifiers against Cote d Ivoire and the Ghana.

    Meanwhile, second choice goalie, Israel based Tochukwu Oluehi will man the post for the Super Falcons against their South African counterpart today in Rabat, Morocco.

    Yewande Balogun is the 3rd choice goalie that could be called upon incase there is an emergency.

    Aside South Africa, Super Falcons” other opponents in group C are Botswana and Burundi.

    The Super Falcons hold the record for the most AWCON titles, winning nine of the last eleven Women’s championships.

    Coach of the side Randy Waldrum has expressed optimism that his girls will deliver the 12th title by winning the AWCON title presently holding in Morocco.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum signs 2 years contract extension

    Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum signs 2 years contract extension

    Super Falcons gaffer Randy Waldrum has put pen to paper for a new two-year deal which will expire in 2024.

    Waldrum signed the deal extension with the Nigeria Football Federation’

    He will be leading the female national team to the women African cup of nations to be held in Morocco later this year.

    The contract will see him finish as the longest-serving coach in Super Falcons history by the end of his tenure in 2024,

    He was appointed as coach by the NFF in May 2020 and has recorded seven wins, four defeats and one draw in 12 games in charge of the team.

    In his acceptance speech, the gaffer noted that contract signing is now a forgotten issue, saying he would concentrate fully on his job now

    “I have signed a new contract with the NFF so that is not an issue going forward.

    “I will like to appreciate the support of the NFF and president of the NFF Amaju Pinnick for seeing the vision and having the confidence in me to continue with the team.” He said

    Waldrum led the Super Falcons to AWCON 2020 ticket when they defeated Ivory Coast 2-0 on aggregate for both legs in the final qualifiers.

    He will be leading the team to the 10th African Women Cup of Nations and hopes to reach the podium.

     

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons qualify Nigeria for 2022 AWCON

    BREAKING: Super Falcons qualify Nigeria for 2022 AWCON

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) scheduled to be held in Morocco in July.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons qualified for the 2022 AWCON after beating the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 0:1 on Wednesday.

    The Super Falcons beat Cote d’Ivoire through the lone goal scored by Esther Okoronkwo in the 87th minute of the game that was played at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan.

    In the 44th minute of play, goalkeeper Nnadozie pulled off a stunning save to deny the Ivorians of any chance of scoring a goal in the fixture.

    TNG reports the Super Falcons had won the first leg of the fixture that was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja by two goals to nothing.

  • Nigeria’s Super Falcons player, Plumptre nominated for Barclays player of the month award

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons player, Plumptre nominated for Barclays player of the month award

    After helping the Super Falcons of Nigeria to secure a first-leg win against the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, Ashleigh Plumptre has been nominated for the Barclays player of the month award for the month of February.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Plumptre, who plies her professional football trade with Leicester City in the FA Women’s Super League, was nominated for the Barclays player of the month award alongside Chelsea’s goalie, Ann-Katrin Berger, and defender, Jess Carter.

    Also nominated for the award are fellow Leicester City’s defender, Jemma Purfied, Aston Villa’s forward, Alisha Lehmann, and Tottenham’s defender, Ashleigh Neville.

    In the month of February, Plumptre made two appearances for Leicester City before proceeding to make her official international debut for Nigeria in the first leg clash between the Super Falcons and the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    Scoring one goal, maintaining one clean sheet, winning two matches with no draws for Leicester City, Plumptre mounted a solid defence for Nigeria to ensure the first leg win for the Super Falcons in the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers fixture.

    Currently, Plumptre is in Cote d’Ivoire with the Super Falcons for the reverse fixture of the first leg that was played in the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria.

    The second leg fixture in Cote d’Ivoire would be played at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan as the Super Falcons, nine-time champions of AWCON seek to book a place for 2022 AWCON scheduled to be held in Morocco in July.

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons safely lands in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of 2022 AWCON fixture

    BREAKING: Super Falcons safely lands in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of 2022 AWCON fixture

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have safely landed in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of Wednesday’s 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier clash with the Lady Elephants.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons landed in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday for the reverse leg of the first encounter played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, which the Super Falcons won 2:0.

    The second leg clash is scheduled for the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan as the Super Falcons, nine-time champions of AWCON seek to book a place for 2022 AWCON scheduled to be held in Morocco in July.

    2022 AWCON qualifiers: How we will approach Cote d’Ivoire’s second leg fixture – Super Falcons coach

    Meanwhile, Chief coach, Randy Waldrum had said the Nigerian Super Falcons will approach the second leg fixture of the AWCON qualifier match against the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire differently.

    Waldrum, the Super Falcons chief coach made this known at a press conference on Friday, following the impressive win in the first leg match of their final round fixture in the 2022 AWCON qualifiers.

    In the first leg, the Ivorian ladies showed physical strength, and tried to overpower the Super Falcons. However, the Nigerian ladies showed courage and won the match by two (2) goals from debutant Ifeoma Onumonu in a match that saw Ashleigh Plumptre also debut for her grandparent nation.

    Following the nature of the first leg, Waldrum has said the second leg would be approached differently and that the Super Falcons will go for the win.

    “We understand what they want to do. They want to be physical; they want to be fouled; they want to disrupt the game; they want to roll around; they want to disrupt what we do. We understand that.

    “I think the thing we will do, technically, we will just prepare our players not to let that stuff affect them. We will go to their place on the front foot. We can’t go in there and sit back.

    “We understand if we go there and get a goal, we will make things very difficult for them. We will go after the win in Ivory Coast,” Waldrum said.

  • 2022 AWCON qualifiers: How we will approach Cote d’Ivoire’s second leg fixture – Super Falcons coach

    2022 AWCON qualifiers: How we will approach Cote d’Ivoire’s second leg fixture – Super Falcons coach

    Chief coach, Randy Waldrum has said the Nigerian Super Falcons will approach the second leg fixture of the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier match against the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire differently.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Waldrum, the Super Falcons chief coach made this known at a press conference on Friday, following an impressive win in the first leg match of their final round fixture in the 2022 AWCON qualifiers.

    In the first leg played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the Ivorian ladies showed physical strength, and tried to overpower the Super Falcons.

    However, the Nigerian ladies showed courage and won the match by two (2) goals from debutant Ifeoma Onumonu in a match that saw Ashleigh Plumptre also debut for her grandparent nation.

    Following the nature of the first leg, Waldrum has said the second leg would be approached differently and that the Super Falcons will go for the win.

    “We understand what they want to do. They want to be physical; they want to be fouled; they want to disrupt the game; they want to roll around; they want to disrupt what we do. We understand that.

    “I think the thing we will do, technically, we will just prepare our players not to let that stuff affect them. We will go to their place on the front foot. We can’t go in there and sit back.

    “We understand if we go there and get a goal, we will make things very difficult for them. We will go after the win in Ivory Coast,” Waldrum said.

  • 2022 AWCON qualifiers: Super Falcons coach hails Ashleigh Plumptre

    2022 AWCON qualifiers: Super Falcons coach hails Ashleigh Plumptre

    Super Falcons chief coach, Randy Waldrum has hailed Ashleigh Plumptre’s performance as she debuted for Nigeria against Cote d’Ivoire in the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier match played on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons defeated the Lady Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire 2-0, with debutant Plumptre playing all 90 minutes and showing a star performance.

    “I thought that we had a good control of the game, so I am really proud of the players.

    “Ashleigh gave a good account of herself and it was really a solid performance,” Waldrum said.

    The win over the Lady Elephants was in the first leg match of their final round fixture in the 2022 AWCON qualifiers.

    Ifeoma Onumonu, also a debutant, scored twice to give her team a good head start in the pairing.

    In the match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria’s persistence saw them opening scoring in the 21st minute.

    That was when Esther Okoronkwo set up Onumonu inside the penalty box to fire the Super Falcons in front from close range.

    Seven minutes later, Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was put to the test when Zote Nina sent a shot towards goal but she was quick to save it.

    The Ivorians began to pile huge pressure from the commencement of the second half, in a bid to get an equaliser but the Falcons stood determined to extend the lead.

    Team head coach Randy Waldrum sent in striker Uchenna Kanu for midfielder Amanda Mbadinuji in the 55th minute to bolster their play.

    A minute later, the U.S-based Onumonu, who was making her debut national team appearance, latched on to another debutant’s floated pass.

    Plumtree repulsed an Ivorian attack to float the ball from the left side to the right, and Onumonu only needed to lob over Ivorian goalkeeper Cynthia Djohore.

    Falcons tried to register a more resounding victory with striker Gift Monday coming in for Okoronkwo in the 84th minute but Cote D’Ivoire put up a solid defence.

    The visitors looked to score a consolation goal thereafter, but France-based Nnadozie made impressive saves just as defender Plumtree ensured the hosts maintained a clean sheet.

    After the match, coach Waldrum said he was happy with the team’s performance.

    “We have Nnadozie, making a huge save at the end, keeping a clean sheet and we all know that it’s very important.

    “We are also proud of this lady (Onumonu). This is her first opportunity to come to Nigeria and represent her country and she scored a brace,” Waldrum said.

    The coach also added that he was positive ahead of the return leg in Abidjan on Wednesday.

    For Onumonu, she was excited to be making her debut, adding that she had always desired to play for the country.

    “It’s an honour to play for this team, I have been watching them for years and I dreamt about playing for the Super Falcons and am excited to have scored a brace.

    “I really just want to to make impact in this team,” Onumonu added.

    Winners of the fixture will qualify for the 2022 AWCON in Morocco in July.

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons thrash Cote d’Ivoire as Plumptre debut for Nigeria

    BREAKING: Super Falcons thrash Cote d’Ivoire as Plumptre debut for Nigeria

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Friday thrashed the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in a 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier match.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons beat the Lady Elephants 2:0 in a thrilling encounter that was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    The Super Falcons first put one past the Ivorian ladies at the 13th minute of play but was disallowed by a foul call by the centre referee, giving the Super Falcons a free kick instead.

    However, in the 21st minute of play, Esther Okoronkwo set up Ifeoma Onumonu inside the box to fire the Super Falcons in front from close range.

    Going into the second half, in the 56th minute, Onumonu bagged a brace as she lobbed the ball over the Ivorian goalkeeper to double the lead of the Super Falcons.

    TNG reports former England youth international, Ashleigh Plumptre made her international debut for Nigeria in the encounter.

  • BREAKING: Ashleigh Plumptre makes international debut for Nigeria

    BREAKING: Ashleigh Plumptre makes international debut for Nigeria

    Former England youth international, Ashleigh Plumptre has made her international debut for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Plumptre made her international debut for Nigeria on Friday in the first leg of the 2022 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier match against Cote d’Ivoire.

    Plumptre, born 8 May 1998, and who plies her international trade with Leicester City, started at left full back.

    She had her first call-up for the Nigeria women’s national team in July 2021. Plumptre had represented England at under-15, under-17, under-19 and under-23 level, including at two tournaments: the 2014 and 2015 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship.

    Having earlier expressed an interest in representing Nigeria at senior level in June 2021, Plumptre received her first call-up for an eight-day training camp held in Austria the following month.

    She qualifies to play for Nigeria through her paternal grandfather. She made an unofficial debut on 23 July 2021, starting in a 1–0 friendly win over Slovenian 1. SŽNL club.

    In November 2021, she attended a training camp in Nigeria. In late December 2021, she was officially cleared by FIFA to represent Nigeria.

    TNG reports Plumptre’s debut match for Nigeria was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory (FCT).

    She was involved in the 90 minutes of play as the Super Falcons went on to thrash the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 2:0.

  • AWCON 2018: NFF speaks ahead of Super Falcons’ final tie with South Africa

    Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, General Secretary has spoken up on the Super Falcons’ 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final clash with Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

    The Super Falcons will tackle the Bayana Bayana on Saturday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Sanusi, however, expressed confidence that the Super Falcons will defeat South Africa and retain the trophy.

    Nigeria head to the game after defeating the Lionesses of Cameroon in the semi-final, while South Africa defeated Mali.

    “I have confidence in our girls to carry the day. Though the Bayana Bayana are younger and fitter but experience will help our team to retain the trophy and I know the girls are ready to show their supremacy in Women’s football in Africa,” Sanusi told SportingLife.

    The kick-off time for the match is 5pm.