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Tag: Falconets

  • FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets defeat South Korea 1-0

    FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets defeat South Korea 1-0

    Nigeria’s Under-20 National Women’s Football Team (Falconets) defeated  South Korea 1-0 on Sunday in their Group C Match Day Two of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    The Falconets got a vital boost at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto Stadium with the defeat of the South Koreans to reach the knock-out round.

    The Falconets also got off to a winning start on Thursday with a 1-0 win over highly-rated France. However,  the South Koreans shot to the top of the group when they beat Canada 2-0.

    Falconets got on a sound footing with excellent passes to the admiration of few spectators but no goal to show for their display in the first half of the match.

    They started very well, but their Korean opponents grew into the game, and even hit the post from a free kick but the Nigerian girls held on.

    Both teams played almost all their tactics and skills all to no avail in the pursuit of a goal that never came. The Falconets dominated possession with 64 per cent as against the South Koreans’ 36 per cent.

    Both teams continued from where they stopped with the Falconets dominating  in the second half of the game.

    Esther Onyenezide finally scored for the Falconets in the 83rd minute  of the game for the winning goal.

    Nigeria will be up agsinst Canada on Aug.19 in their next match. The victory lifted Falconets to the knockout rounds of the World Cup even before a final group game against Canada.

    The Falconets were paired in Group C along with France, South Korea and Canada.

    Meanwhile, in another match played earlier in Group D, Japan defeated Ghana 2-0.

    The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which started  on Aug. 10, is expected to end on 28 in Costa Rica.

  • Falconets to begin world Cup campaign against France on Thursday

    Falconets to begin world Cup campaign against France on Thursday

    Two-time runners-up and one-time semi-finalists in Nigeria are upbeat about scooping the three points when they go up against one of Europe’s top teams, France in the opening match of Group C of this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in San Jose on Thursday night.

    Head Coach Christopher Danjuma minces no words about his faith in the high-scoring Falconets delivering on Thursday and afterward: “The World Cup stage is about players’ mentality; we have prepared the team very well in that area. You have to go out there, aim to be the best, and work hard to be the best. It is no picnic. I believe that these girls will do Nigeria proud.

    “Playing seven matches in the African qualifying series toughened the team very well, and we have also worked on their psyche. Nigeria has never been an also-ran at this level. Having reached the Final twice and made the semi-finals once, the Falconets have pedigree in this championship. We cannot afford to falter. We will take it one match at a time, beginning with the game against France.”

    Danjuma, who also led the team to the last tournament in France four years ago, where they lost narrowly to Spain (1-2) in the quarter-finals, is banking on the experience of the captain and central defender Oluwatosin Demehin, the lively midfield orchestra of Esther Onyenezide, Deborah Abiodun and Adoo Yina, and the ever-potent forward line of Flourish Sabastine, Mercy Idoko and Joy Jerry.

    First choice Monle Oyono is expected to be in goal against the French side, with wingbacks Omowunmi Oshobukola and Jumoke Alani also favored to retain their places.

    In the African qualifying series, the rampant Falconets hit 11 goals past the hapless Central African Republic in the second round, and spanked the Republic of Congo 4-0 in Brazzaville –with the consequence that the Congolese failed to turn up for the return leg in Nigeria – and then routed Cameroon 3-0 on aggregate in the fourth round. The final qualifying fixture against Senegal was effectively over after Flourish Sabastine hit a hat-trick away in Thies before the home team got a consolation goal from the spot late in the game.

    On Thursday, Danjuma will be goading his girls to summon every sinew of strength, skill, and savvy in them to overpower France and collect three points that will stabilize their campaign and empower their quest to go all the way.

    “It will not be easy but we have what is known as the special ‘Nigeria spirit’ and we will go in there with confidence and belief in what we can do. We will play to our strengths – firm at the back and clinical at the fore.”

    FALCONETS’ GROUP C GAMES

     Vs France – Thursday, 11th August – Estadio Nacional – 12 midnight

     Vs Korea Republic – Sunday, 14th August – Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto – 9 pm

     Vs Canada – Thursday, 18th August – Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto – 3 am      

    ALL THE GROUPS

    GROUP A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain, Brazil

     GROUP B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico

     GROUP C: France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic

     GROUP D: Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, USA

  • FIFA U-20: Danjuma confident as Falconets settle down in San Jose

    FIFA U-20: Danjuma confident as Falconets settle down in San Jose

    Coach Chris Danjuma believes that his Nigeria U20 girls have the strength, the savvy and the right spirit to cause a stir at the 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Costa Rica, 10th – 28th August.

    The Falconets arrived in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose on Saturday morning after travelling through Istanbul (Turkey) and Bogota (Colombia).

    “We are finally here, and we are happy to be here at the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup is always an interesting experience for the coaches and the players, and I am sure it is the same for other professionals who get to be involved.

    “We took a long route to get here, having to play four different teams in the qualifying series. I can tell you that we are prepared to do Nigeria and Africa proud. It is not about being here to make up the number; it is about being here to make an impact.”

    The two-time runners-up are ensconced in the Intercontinental Hotel in San Jose, and already had two training sessions, on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, the Falconets made use of the San Rafael Stadium for one hour, to knock off the jet lag, and then utilized the same facility for two hours on Sunday morning.

    Organizers have scheduled Africa’s top team to train at the Alajuela Stadium on Monday, and at the Stadio Piedades Santa Ana on Tuesday morning.

    The competition starts on Wednesday, with the Falconets set to play their first match against France at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose as from 5pm Costa Rica time (12 midnight Nigeria time) on Thursday.

    Nigeria’s other group phase matches are against Korea Republic, as from 2pm Costa Rica time (9pm Nigeria time) on Sunday, 14th August and against Canada, as from 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday, 17th August (3am Nigeria time on Thursday, 18th August). Both matches will hold at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium.

    Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana are up against Cup holders Japan, The Netherlands and three –time champions United States of America in Group D.

  • Falconets depart for Costa Rica in high spirit as Danjuma unveils final list of 21

    Falconets depart for Costa Rica in high spirit as Danjuma unveils final list of 21

    Ever-present African flagbearers Nigeria departed the shores of the country on Thursday evening for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Costa Rica.

    Coach Chris Danjuma has picked team captain Oluwatosin Demehin and 20 others – an overwhelming majority of whom were involved in the lengthy qualifying series – to wear Nigeria’s colours at the 19 –day championship.

    The Falconets had to scale the hurdles presented by Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Senegal, winning six of seven matches (they only drew with Cameroon in Douala) to be eligible to fly Africa’s flag once more at the finals in central America.

    Nigeria will play France, Canada and Korea Republic in Group C of the 16-natio tournament starting on 10th August, while 2018 runners-up Spain will tango with hosts Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil in Group A. Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana are up against Cup holders Japan, The Netherlands and three –time champions United States of America in Group D.

    Germany, who have also won the competition three times, including 2010 and 2014 when they beat Nigeria in the final, will play Colombia, New Zealand and Mexico in Group B.

    All group phase and quarter final matches will be played at the Alejandro Morera Soto, which is a hybrid of natural and synthetic grass, called stitched grass. The semi final, final and third place matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional.

    Nigeria’s first match of the competition will be against France, which hosted the 2018 edition. At the 2014 championship in Canada, Nigeria topped a group involving Korea Republic, beating the Koreans 2-1 in a group phase match. France finished in third place at the same competition as Nigeria finished as runners-up.

    FALCONETS’ FINAL TEAM FOR FIFA U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

     Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh, Monle Oyono, Peace Obidinma

      Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola, Rofiat Imuran, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem

                                                                                                                                                  

    Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo, Esther Onyenezide, Adoo Yina, Motunrayo Amoo, Chinyere Kalu, Deborah Abiodun

     

    Forwards: Blessing Okpe, Joy Jerry, Mercy Idoko, Flourish Sabastine, Chioma Olise, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

     

    FIFA U2O WOMEN’S WORLD CUP COSTA RICA 2022

     

    GROUP A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain, Brazil

     

    GROUP B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico

     

    GROUP C: France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic

     

    GROUP D: Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, USA

  • Costa Rica 2022: Danjuma invites 30 players to Falconets’ camp

    Head Coach Chris Danjuma has invited 30 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets to kick off preparations for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica.

    Nigeria has never missed a FIFA U20 Women’s Championship since the competition began as an U19 Championship in Canada 20 years ago, and will play France, Canada and Korea Republic in Group C of this year’s tournament scheduled for Costa Rica, 10th – 28th August.

    All invited players are to report at the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Sunday, 26th June.

    The Falconets overcame the challenges of Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Senegal to qualify for the World Cup, at which they have been runners-up twice (2010 and 2014) and reached the semi finals in 2012.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS

     Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh; Monle Oyono; Inyene Etim; Peace Obidinma

    Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin; Omowunmi Oshobukola; Rofiat Imuran; Jumoke Alani; Motunrayo Ezekiel; Rihanat Kasali; Oluwabunmi Oladeji; Oluchi Ohaegbulem

    Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo; Esther Onyenezide; Adoo Yina; Chidinma Ogbuchi; Chinyere Kalu; Amarachi Odoma; Chioma Olise; Favour Emmanuel; Deborah Ajibola

    Forwards: Joy Jerry; Mercy Idoko; Flourish Sebastine; Taiwo Lawal; Precious Vincent; Blessing Okpe; Juliet Adebowale; Joy Omewa; Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

  • Costa Rica 2022: Falconets to face France, Canada and Korea Republic

    Costa Rica 2022: Falconets to face France, Canada and Korea Republic

    Nigeria will play France, Canada and Korea Republic in Group C of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in the month of August, following Thursday’s draw that was held at the Teatro Nacional in San José, capital of of the central American nation.

    Cup holders Spain will tango with hosts Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil in Group A of the competition slated for 10th – 28th August, while Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana are up against Japan, The Netherlands and three –time champions United States of America in Group D.

    Germany, who have also won the competition three times, including 2010 and 2014 when they beat Nigeria in the final, will play Colombia, New Zealand and Mexico in Group B. Mexico were runners-up at the last competition in Uruguay in 2018.

    All group phase and quarter final matches will be played at the Alejandro Morera Soto, which is a hybrid of natural and synthetic grass, called stitched grass. The semi final, final and third place matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional.

    The draw ceremony at the Teatro Nacional in San José was witnessed by the Head Coach of Nigeria’s U20 girls, Christopher Danjuma and the Team Secretary, Patricia Osuji.

    Nigeria’s first match of the competition will be against France, which hosted the 2018 edition. At the 2014 championship in Canada, Nigeria topped a group involving Korea Republic, beating the Koreans 2-1 in a group phase match. France finished in third place at the same competition as Nigeria finished as runners-up.

    GROUP A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain, Brazil

    GROUP B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico

    GROUP C: France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic

    GROUP D: Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, USA

  • Costa Rica 2022: Falconets to know group opponents on Thursday

    Costa Rica 2022: Falconets to know group opponents on Thursday

    Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets will on Thursday know which opponents they would have to deal with in the group stage of this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, as the draw ceremony takes place at the Teatro Nacional (National Theatre) in San José, the capital of Costa Rica.

    All the 16 participating countries at the tournament scheduled for 10th – 28th August are now known, with Nigeria’s Falconets and Ghana’s Black Maidens to fly Africa’s flag.

    Read Also: Costa Rica 2022: Falconets defeat Senegal to grab WorldCup ticket

    Only four countries, namely Germany, Brazil, USA and Nigeria have played in all editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as an U19 championship in Canada 20 years ago. Germany have won the championship thrice (2004, 2010 and 2014); USA have won thrice (2002, 2008 and 2012) while Nigeria have twice reached the Final, losing to Germany in 2010 and 2014.

    Ghana, Africa’s other flagbearers, have reached the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup on five previous occasions, crashing out at group stage each time.

    This year’s finals will be played at the same two venues that hosted the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2014: Estadio Nacional in San José and the Morera Solo Stadium in Alajuera.

    Thursday’s draw ceremony coincides with the 100 Days To Go special event of this year’s championship, which has as slogan Vamos Juntas (Let’s Do It Together).

    Nigeria have been placed in Pot 2 for the purpose of the draw. Spain are the defending champions, after beating Mexico 2-1 in the 2018 final in Montevideo, Uruguay. New Zealand picked the bronze medals.

  • Falconets earn World Cup ticket after trouncing Senegal 7-2 aggregate

    Falconets earn World Cup ticket after trouncing Senegal 7-2 aggregate

    Nigeria’s national under-20 women football team on Saturday in Benin City earned a ticket to the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    The Falconets achieved this after a comfortable 4-1 win over their counterparts from Senegal, for a 7-2 aggregate victory, after having won the first leg tie 3-1 away.

    Flourish Sebastine who scored a hat-trick during the first leg at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies two weeks ago was again the cynosure of all eyes.

    She scored a brace in the eighth and 19th minutes at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    Elegant midfielder Esther Onyenezide made it three on 25 minutes after converting from the penalty kick spot.

    However, just as they did at home in Senegal, the Young Lionesses of Teranga scored from the penalty kick spot as well, after one of their strikers was upended in the Nigerian penalty box.

    In the second half, the Falconets sat comfortably on the game and allowed it run their way, taking things easy and cutting off the few onslaughts of the visitors.

    Just before the final whistle by Eswatini referee Letticia Viana, Joy Jerry made it four for the two-time FIFA World Cup runners-up.

    The result sends the Falconets straight to the World Cup finals holding from Aug. 10 to Aug. 28 in Costa Rica.

  • Costa Rica 2022: Falconets defeat Senegal to grab Worldcup ticket

    Costa Rica 2022: Falconets defeat Senegal to grab Worldcup ticket

    Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets on Saturday in Benin City earned a ticket to the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after a comfortable 4-1 win over their counterparts from Senegal, for a 7-2 aggregate victory.

    First leg heroine, Flourish Sebastine was again the cynosure, scoring a brace, in the 8th and 19th minutes to denude the visitors of any hope of a dramatic comeback at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    Sebastine cruised to a hat-trick at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies two weeks ago and was not to be stopped in the Edo State capital, whipping the ball into the net after only eight minutes to compound the situation for the Senegal girls.

    Read Also :

    Costa Rica 2022: How Falconets Defeated Senegal in Dakar

    Elegant midfielder Esther Onyenezide made it three on 25 minutes after converting from the penalty spot. However, just as they did at home in Senegal, the Young Lionesses of Teranga scored from the spot as well, putting away from six yards after one of their strikers was upended in the Nigerian box.

    In the second half, the Falconets sat comfortably on the game and allowed it run their way, taking things easy and cutting off the few onslaughts of the visitors. Just before the final whistle of Eswatini referee Letticia Antonella Viana, Joy Jerry made it four for the two-time FIFA World Cup runners-up.

    The result sends the Falconets straight to the World Cup holding 10th – 28th August in Costa Rica, and is a positive development just 72 hours before the Super Eagles go big for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket against the Black Stars of Ghana in Abuja.

    The Eagles and the Black Stars ended the first leg encounter 0-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday evening, with the return starting at 6pm inside the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday.

  • Sacked Edo Sports Council workers prevent Falconets from training

    Sacked Edo Sports Council workers prevent Falconets from training

    Sacked workers of the now-defunct Edo Sports Council on Friday prevented the national under-20 female football team from training at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin city.

    Falconets will take on their Senegalese counterparts in an U-20 Women World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.

    Christopher Danjuma, coach of the Nigerian team, told NAN on Thursday that the team would have their training at the Stadium this morning (Friday)

    The aggrieved workers, who barricaded roads leading to the Stadium as well as the Stadium gate, were protesting their sack by the Edo state government on Wednesday.

    The disengaged workers had laid siege at the Stadium since Wednesday when the news of their sack was officially announced to them.

    The Falconets, who arrived in Benin City on Wednesday, had their first training at Best Western Secondary School in Benin City on Thursday.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said that officials of the state government and representatives of the Sacked workers were in a meeting to address the matter.

    Meanwhile, the Senegalese under-20 female football team arrived at Benin Airport Friday morning for the second leg match of the qualifiers.

    The team who lost to the Falconets 3-1 in Senegal, landed at the airport, at 8 a.m. via an Air Peace flight en route Abuja.

    The Senegalese contingent was received at the airport by the Permanent Secretary, Edo Sports Commission, Sabina Chikere.