TheNewsGuru

Tag: Maroc 22

  • 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.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Morocco 2022: Super Falcons, Banyana clash in group C opener

    Nigeria and South Africa have another day in the sun as the Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana go to war for three points, in the opening game of Group C of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations which began in Morocco on Saturday.

     Nine-time champions and FIFA World Cup ever-present Nigeria have not forgotten how, 10 months ago and on home soil, the youthful Banyana squad ran away spectacular 4-2 winners in the final match of the first edition of Aisha Buhari Women’s Tournament. Venue was the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

     Since then, however, the Falcons have flown with formidable wings, eliminating West African arch-rivals Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in the qualifying series for the WAFCON and coming close to stripping the ‘A’ Women Team of Canada in the second of a two-match tour in that country three months ago.

     Monday’s spectacle will see Coach Randy Waldrum send out his best legs against a team considered Nigeria’s strongest opposition on the African continent at the moment, and Coach Desiree Ellis is expected to do likewise as both teams of titanesses battle for crucial three points at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.

     “Naturally, this is a very big game and we are looking forward to it. It is also a game that should be a good advertisement for African women football. When you have Nigeria playing South Africa at the senior women level, it is a treat.

     “Our objectives and expectations remain the same: to earn a ticket to the World Cup and to win the trophy. We will take it one match at a time. It is interesting to play South Africa first, and we can move ahead from there.”

     Team captain Onome Ebi, who is the oldest player at the competition at 39, has featured in five FIFA World Cup finals, and still looks vibrant enough to feature at the FIFA World Cup in Australia & New Zealand next year: “For me, it is a good thing that we are playing South Africa first. It is a strong team and that will make our team to be strong and to give our best from the very beginning.

     “I have won this trophy several times but I still have the hunger to win it, and also to go to a sixth World Cup. We will look first to pick up the World Cup ticket, and then the trophy.”

     Nigeria will be without first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is suspended for receiving yellow cards in different matches of the qualifying series (against Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire), meaning Israel –based Tochukwu Oluehi could be between the sticks for the Super Falcons against the Banyana on Monday night.

     In Saturday’s opening match, Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses pipped Burkina Faso 1-0 to surge to the top of Group A.

     There are four teams in each of the three groups of the 12-team finals, with the top two teams in each of the groups and two best third-placed teams proceeding to the quarter finals.

     All the four semi-finalists will represent Africa at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, with the fifth-placed team to be eligible for a Playoff Tournament that will hold next year.

     

  • 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.

     

  • Super Falcons set to storm Abidjan after first- leg win against Cote D’Ivoire in Abuja

    Super Falcons set to storm Abidjan after first- leg win against Cote D’Ivoire in Abuja

     

    Nine –time champions Nigeria put one leg into the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals when beating their Ivorian counterparts 2-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

     

    A brace by US –based forward Ifeoma Onumonu took the Falcons above the visitors in the two-match fixture, the winner of which will proceed to the finals in Morocco, at which Africa’s flagbearers at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will emerge.

     

    Petite and impressive winger Koko Ange N’Guessan came close to opening the scores after only three minutes when she came face to face with Chiamaka Nnadozie from a flowing move, but the France –based Nigeria number one thwarted with her right leg.

     

    The lanky Onumonu, winning her first cap for Nigeria, thought she had got the first goal 12 minutes into the game when she scooped past goalkeeper Cynthia Djohore after being set up by Rasheedat Ajibade, but Burkinabe referee Jacqueline Nikiema insisted she had blown for an infringement in favour of the Nigerian playmaker.

     

    Nine minutes later, Onumonu, who plays for Gotham FC in New York, was again in the right place to finish in splendid manner after the ball rolled to her from a goalmouth melee.

     

    N’Guessan, Estelle Nahi, Christine Yeble and Amenah Kacou struck some good tunes in the midfield and attack for the Elephants, but Captain Onome Ebi and the impressive Ashleigh Plumptre, also winning her first cap, foiled their onsluaghts.

     

    In the second half, the Ivorians piled even more pressure on the Nigeria rear, making Plumptre to work extra hard at the left side of the rear, while Ebi and Osinachi Ohale kept things in check at the right side.

     

    In the 56th minute, Onumonu, with a knack for being in the right place at the right time, caught on to a floating ball from Nicole Payne, and cleverly chipped onrushing Djohore for Nigeria’s second goal.

     

    The Super Falcons contingent will fly out of Nigeria on Sunday morning for the reverse leg, scheduled for the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Wednesday, 23rd February.