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Tag: colombia

  • Colombia 2024: Falconets prepare to fly over Australia in friendly

    Colombia 2024: Falconets prepare to fly over Australia in friendly

    Coach Chris Danjuma and his crew, which now includes fitness trainer Chima Michael, have been taking the Falconets on drills since Monday, in preparation for the clash with the Aussies on Friday in particular, and for the World Cup finals generally.

    The clash with the girls from Down Under has been scheduled for 10am Colombia time (4pm Nigeria time) on Friday, at the Club Banco de la República in Bogota. NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon has assured thenff.com that all arrangements have been concluded for the encounter.

    Danjuma’s squad from the qualifiers is now boosted by the presence of a number of players who have seen action with the Nigeria senior team, Super Falcons, including defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, Comfort Folorunsho and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Flourish Sabastine.

    Folorunsho and Ajakaye were in the Nigeria U17 squad that finished in third place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago. Other members of that squad also with the Falconets in Colombia are goalkeeper Faith Omilana and forward Aminat Omowunmi Bello.

    While the above-named players constitute the spine of the team, exciting talents like defender Shukurat Oladipo, Chioma Olise, captain Oluchi Ohaegbulam and forward Juliet Akekoromowei provide the basis for high expectations.

    The Falconets will tackle Mexico in another friendly match at the same venue on Monday.

    NIGERIA’S SQUAD FOR FIFA U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP COLOMBIA 2024:

    Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels); Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons)

     

    Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Unattached); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels)

     

    Midfielders: Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Olushola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Joy Igbokwe (Naija Ratels); Shakirat Oyinlola (La Liga Academy, Spain)

     

    Forwards: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens); Chiamaka Osigwe (Edo Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Oshoala Academy); Flourish Sabastine (Stade de Reims, France); Aminat Bello (Otero College, USA); Opeyemi Ajakaye (Madrid CFF, Spain)

  • Colombia 2024: Falconets off to Bogota for two-week final camping ahead World Cup finals

    Colombia 2024: Falconets off to Bogota for two-week final camping ahead World Cup finals

    Two-time finalists Nigeria will set up camp in the Colombian capital, Bogota as from Sunday, for a two-week final camping programme leading to the commencement of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals which begin in that country on the last day of this month.

    The ever-present Falconets, who also reached the semi-finals in Japan 12 years ago and have been in the quarter-finals in 2006, 2018 and 2022, grabbed one of Africa’s tickets to this year’s final tournament after aggregate-score defeats of Tanzania and Burundi.

    The Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma-led maidens spent four weeks in the first phase of their final camping in Abuja, during which they won a series of friendly games, losing only once.

    “I want to thank the NFF for arranging the two-week camping in Colombia. This will go a long way to help the team, as the players will acclimatize very well and get familiar with their surroundings before the championship begins. I assure you that we will make the best use of this opportunity,” Danjuma told thenff.com on Saturday, hours before the team was due to fly out of the country to Istanbul aboard a Turkish Airline flight, en route Bogota.

    On Friday, Sports Minister John Owan Enoh met with the squad, and charged them to go for the ultimate prize having won the silver medals previously and being in the semi-finals once.

    “Your predecessors have done well reaching the final of the competition on two occasions and making the semi-finals once. It is now time for you to take our country further by winning the trophy. I commend the NFF for arranging the two-week final camping for you in Colombia that will enable you to acclimatize very well before the tournament.

    “The Government and the people of this great country are with you, and I am confident that you will not disappoint.”

    Present in Canada in 2002 when the tournament was launched as an U19 Championship, the Falconets have participated in Thailand 2004, Russia 2006, Chile 2008, Germany 2010, Japan 2012, Canada 2014, Papua New Guinea 2016, France 2018 and Costa Rica 2022. The global coronavirus pandemic made any tournament impossible in 2020.

    Already drawn to play Korea Republic, Germany and Venezuela in that order in the group phase, the Falconets know they must start fighting hard from the first blast of the whistle in Bogota to have any chance of making the Round of 16, as the competition welcomes 24 teams for the very first time.

    With the field expanded to 24, Africa now has four flag-bearers (Nigeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Ghana this time) Matches will take place in four venues in three different cities (Bogotá, Medellín and Cali). There will be two venues in Bogotá – Estadio El Campín and Estadio Metropolitano de Techo. The Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín and the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali are the other venues.

    Nigeria’s first match of the tournament against Korea Republic holds inside the 10,000 -capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota on 1st September – the same venue where they confront Germany three days later. Their final match of the group phase is against Venezuela at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali on 7th September.

  • How Lionel Messi ended Copa America with complex injury

    How Lionel Messi ended Copa America with complex injury

    Lionel Messi was forced off with an apparent right ankle injury in the second half of Argentina’s 1-0 Copa América final win over Colombia at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

     

    Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal for Argentina in extra time, securing Argentina’s record 16th Copa crown and their third consecutive major tournament title following their Copa win in 2021 and World Cup victory in 2022.

     

    Messi collapsed to the field in the 64th minute and immediately signaled his concern to the Argentina bench. He remained down for several minutes as trainers attended to him before being helped to his feet and immediately taking off his right shoe.

     

    As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner removed his captain’s armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing on the bench, while TV cameras revealed his severely swollen right ankle.

     

    He was replaced by Nicolas Gonzalez.

     

    Messi had earlier gone down holding his right ankle after a strong challenge in the first half. The Inter Miami player chased the ball and attempted to kick it before it went out of bounds, planting his right leg awkwardly and appearing to take contact from Colombia’s Santiago Arias.

     

    The 37-year-old writhed in pain and rolled over several times, clutching his lower right leg. Trainers worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked slowly toward the sideline before reentering the game.

     

    Messi had been dealing with a leg injury and discomfort throughout much of the tournament and missed Argentina’s group stage finale. He had one shot attempt in the first half on Sunday.

     

    The final was tied 0-0 when Messi exited, but he watched from the sidelines as his team battled to a hard-fought victory over a tough and talented Colombia team that had gone unbeaten in 28 straight games.

  • Argentina beat Colombia to win 16th Copa America

    Argentina beat Colombia to win 16th Copa America

    Argentina beat Colombia to win a record 16th Copa America but the game was marred by the kick-off being delayed by 80 minutes because of trouble outside the ground in Miami.

    Lautaro Martinez struck in the second half of extra time from Giovani lo Celso’s through ball to secure the win.

    Captain Lionel Messi was left in tears when he had to be replaced midway through the second half after injuring himself while chasing for the ball – but was celebrating his country’s third successive major tournament at the final whistle.

    Kick-off was delayed because of chaos outside the Hard Rock Stadium.

    Organisers said ticketless fans tried to get into the ground, leaving some fans waiting for hours in the Miami heat for the gates to open.

    Fans and police officers and security clashed with several arrests made. Several supporters needed treatment from paramedics.

    On top of that the half-time break lasted for 25 minutes because of a concert by Colombian popstar Shakira on the pitch, a move that was criticised by Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo beforehand.

    It was a game of few clear chances in hot, humid conditions, with Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba hitting the woodwork in the first half.

    Argentina thought they had taken the lead with 15 minutes to go but Nicolas Tagliafico’s effort was ruled out for offside.

    Martinez would end up as the hero – and win the Golden Boot with five goals.

    BBC

  • Copa America: 10 – man Colombia pip Uruguay 1-0 to set up final with Argentina

    Copa America: 10 – man Colombia pip Uruguay 1-0 to set up final with Argentina

    James Rodriguez provided his sixth assist of the tournament, leading 10-man Colombia to a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. This win sets up a Copa América final against Argentina, though the night ended in chaos as players clashed with fans.

     

    Argentina had secured their place in Sunday’s final in Miami Gardens, Florida, by defeating Canada 2-0 in the first semifinal on Tuesday.

     

    Colombia’s victory extended their unbeaten streak to a team-record 28 games, dating back to a loss to Argentina in February 2022.

     

    The contentious match saw seven yellow cards and one red card issued. At the final whistle, players from both teams were involved in a scuffle on the field. Darwin Núñez and about a dozen Uruguay teammates then entered the stands as fans brawled, with a video capturing Núñez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors.

     

    Jefferson Lerma scored the decisive goal in front of a fervent, overwhelmingly pro-Colombia crowd of 70,644 at Bank of America Stadium, heading in a deep corner from James in the 39th minute.

     

    James becomes the first South American player to record six assists in a single major tournament since Pelé did so for Brazil at the 1970 World Cup.

  • Copa America: Colombia beat Uruguay to face Argentina in final

    Copa America: Colombia beat Uruguay to face Argentina in final

    Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0 in their Copa America semi-final match on Wednesday in spite of playing the second half with only 10 men.

    Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina helped to set up a title decider against defending champions Argentina on Sunday.
    Colombia’s Daniel Munoz was sent off at the end of the first half and, while Uruguay dominated possession, they could not make the man-advantage count.

    This was as Darwin Nunez missed three good opportunities to score early on.

    The Liverpool forward had a great chance in the penalty box in the 17th minute, but hecurled his effort inches wide before a scuffed shot.

    Another curling strike failed to find the target as he sat on his haunches wondering how he had missed.

    Uruguay were made to pay for those missed chances when Lerma rose above the defence at a corner-kick and squeezed his header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.

    It helped James Rodriguez to claim his sixth assist of the tournament.

    Colombia were then reduced to 10 men when right-back Munoz received a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the chest when play was stopped.

    With Uruguay dominating possession in the second half, Bielsa threw on Luis Suarez in the 67th minute.

    The veteran striker nearly scored moments later, with the 37-year-old’s shot hitting the post as he sank to his knees in frustration.

    Colombia had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the 88th minute when they won the ball back in Uruguay’s penalty box, but Mateus Uribe sent his low shot wide.

    He saw another one deflect off the goalkeeper and cannon off the crossbar in added time.

    Colombia, who extended their unbeaten run to 28 games, held on for a famous win and will face Argentina in Sunday’s final match.

    Uruguay will take on Canada a day earlier in the third-place playoff.

  • Colombia 2024 Race: Falconets set to overcome Tanzania’s U20 girls in Abuja

    Colombia 2024 Race: Falconets set to overcome Tanzania’s U20 girls in Abuja

    Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets will go up against their Tanzanian counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying series second round, second leg encounter at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Sunday.

    Both teams battled to a one-goal draw in the first leg match played at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania’s commercial and industrial capital, Dar es Salaam on Sunday last week, with substitute Chioma Olise putting Nigeria in front in the 57th minute.

    The home girls found parity 13 minutes later when Asnath Ubamba fired home from a free kick, making Sunday’s encounter in Nigeria’s capital delicately poised for two ambitious squads.

    Head Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma will again bank on Olise, as well as FIFA U17 World Cup bronze medallist Opeyemi Ajakaye to get the goals that will take the 2022 quarter-finalists closer to another appearance at the global finals, this time in Colombia. Nigeria has been an ever-present at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada 21 years ago.

    Goalkeeper Anderlin Mgbechi, who was between the sticks in Dar es Salaam, is again set to start, with another U17 World Cup bronze medallist Comfort Folorunsho part of a rearguard led by captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, and which includes Jumoke Alani and Shukurat Oladipo.

    Petite but creative Taiwo Afolabi, yet another U17 World Cup bronze medallist from India last year, will lead the midfield that could also have Adoo Yina and Shola Shobowale.

    The Confederation of African Football has appointed Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo to be referee for Sunday’s decisive encounter in Nigeria, with Ngarassoum Victorine from Chad as assistant referee 1. Rachel’s compatriots Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.

  • Vinicius Jr speaks after injury blow in Brazil defeat

    Vinicius Jr speaks after injury blow in Brazil defeat

    Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr is hopeful his injury isn’t serious suffered earlier today with Brazil.

    Vinicius was forced off in the first-half of Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Colombia, with the hosts winning through a brace from Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz.

    With his left thigh bandaged, Vinicius was replaced by Brighton striker Joao Pedro and sat on the bench, but didn’t reappear after halftime.

    After the match, Vinicius said: “I think it’s the same as the last time. I took a hit there and it hurt a little later.

    “Tomorrow we will do tests to see how I go.”

    On the prospect of making the next tie against Argentina, he added: “It is difficult to get there… the doctors have told me that it is difficult. But everything will be tried.”

  • Liverpool Star, Luis Diaz’s father released in Colombia after two weeks of abduction

    Liverpool Star, Luis Diaz’s father released in Colombia after two weeks of abduction

    Liverpool star, Luiz Díaz’s father has been freed almost two weeks of being abducted  by Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group according to live TV footage from the South American country.

    After being handed over by the rebels to a humanitarian mission, Luis Manuel Diaz arrived by helicopter in the northeastern city of Valledupar, some 90 kilometers (56 miles) from his hometown of Barrancas where he was abducted with his wife on October 28. She was rescued the same day.

    “Long live Freedom and Peace,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the release.

    The Bishops Conference of Colombia, involved in negotiating the handover, released a photograph of Diaz in a wooded area with a woman taking his vital signs.

    Diaz’s father and mother Cilenis Marulanda were abducted by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in their hometown.

    Recall that Marulanda was rescued hours later and a massive search operation by ground and air was launched for her husband, with more than 250 soldiers involved.

    The ELN, which is in peace negotiations with Petro’s government, later acknowledged one of its units was behind the kidnapping, which it described as a “mistake.”

    On Sunday, Diaz begged the ELN to free his father.

    “I ask the ELN for the prompt release of my father, and I ask international organizations to intercede for his freedom,” Diaz said on X.

    “Every second, every minute our anguish grows,” the young footballer added.

  • Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz’s parents kidnapped in Colombia

    Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz’s parents kidnapped in Colombia

    Liverpool forward, Luiz Diaz faced a personal crisis after his parent were kidnapped  in an incident that has shocked fans and authorities in the South American country.

    It was gathered that the his parents were reportedly abducted in the city of Barrancas, situated in the northern department of La Guajira, Colombia.

    Cilenis Marulanda, Diaz’s mother, was later rescued by the police. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, confirmed her rescue.

    However, Diaz’s father remains missing, prompting an intensive search by the country’s police.
    The details of the abduction indicate that the parents were taken while driving to their home. Armed assailants on motorbikes intercepted their vehicle and subsequently drove them away from the scene.
    Colombia’s soccer federation expressed its regret over the incident and called on the authorities to do everything in their power to rescue Diaz’s father.

    Luis Diaz, the 26-year-old Liverpool forward, has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident. The news of his parents’ kidnapping has understandably raised concerns and sympathy from fans and fellow athletes around the world.
    The incident is a stark reminder of the security challenges faced by individuals and families in certain regions of Colombia. Diaz’s family remains in the thoughts of many as the search for his father continues.