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Tag: Oshoala

  • Oshoala, Ajibade, Ordega to lead super Falcons squad for WAFCON

    Oshoala, Ajibade, Ordega to lead super Falcons squad for WAFCON

    Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has selected Asisat Oshoala, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Francisca Ordega, and 21 others to represent Nigeria at the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to be staged from 5th to 26th July in Morocco.

    A healthy percentage of the squad started training sessions in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Thursday, and will also train on Friday and Saturday, before their departure to the final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday morning.

    Madugu has also picked Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, US-based Michelle Alozie, veteran defender Osinachi Ohale, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini and Christy Ucheibe.

    Home-based goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu, and defenders Sikiratu Isah, and Miracle Usani also make the cut, while midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde makes a return to the fold.

    Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has sealed friendly matches for the team with the senior women national teams of Portugal, and Ghana, to put them in a competitive mood ahead of their group B encounters against Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

    The Falcons go up against their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon on Monday, 23rd June, and will then take on the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on Sunday, 29th June.

    Nigeria will begin their WAFCON campaign with a clash against Tunisia on July 6 before taking on Botswana four days later and then Algeria in their last group match on July 13.

    Super Falcons Squad List For 13th WAFCON Finals:

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

    Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

    Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)

  • Asisat Oshoala leaves Barca, signs for Bay FC

    Asisat Oshoala leaves Barca, signs for Bay FC

    Nigerian International, Asisat Oshoala, has joined Bay FC, a soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.

    Oshoala departs Barcelona after a five-year stint with the Spanish club for an undisclosed transfer fee.

    Following the transfer on Thursday and as stated in Bay FC’s website, the forward was signed to a contract through the 2026 season with an option for the 2026 campaign.

    “We have the opportunity to add a player of Asisat’s quality, experience and winning pedigree to our roster is an exciting and important day for the club and the NWSL,” said Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton.

    “Oshoala brings a top-class mentality to the field combined with pace and technical ability that allows her to lead the line, while also giving those players around her the license to be creative and thrive in space.

    “Asisat is a proven goal scorer at the most elite levels of World football, and she comes here to continue that with Bay FC.”

    Oshoala scored 107 goals in 149 appearances for Barcelona, including a record-setting season in 2022, when she was the joint top scorer in the league with 19 goals.

    The two-time Ballon D’or nominee led the team in scoring three times, helping the club win the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice (2020-21, 2022-23), earn four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups and the Copa de la Reina three times.

    She became the first African woman to the win the UEFA Champions League final in 2021 and the first African woman to score in the Champions League final in 2019.

  • Tinubu reacts to Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie win at CAF Awards

    Tinubu reacts to Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie win at CAF Awards

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award.

    This is contained in a statement of Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The President also celebrated the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year for the sixth time.

    Also, celebrated by the President is Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year.

    The President commended the trio for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.

    ”Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work.

    ”I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.

    ”I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams,” the President said.

  • CAF Award 2023: Oshoala makes preliminary shortlist for women’s categories [Full list]

    CAF Award 2023: Oshoala makes preliminary shortlist for women’s categories [Full list]

    Nigeria and Barcelona FC’s Asisat Oshoala was amongst other preliminary nominees shortlisted by CAF for the various women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2023.

    A statement on the CAF website on Tuesday, said a  panel made up of CAF Technical Experts, Legends, and selected media representatives decided on the nominees.

    It said they took into consideration their performances at all levels from December 2022 to November 2023.

    “Just as in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the first time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers.

    “10 players have been nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

    “In the other categories, 30 players will vie for the prestigious Player of the Year, which Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala claimed for a record fifth time.

    “This was during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco,” it said.

    It added that 10 nominees each had been penciled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

    It explained that the Young Player of the Year award was limited to players not more than 21 years.

    It added that the finalists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Cote d’Ivoire 2023 had each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.

    “The winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel.

    “The panel consists of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches and Captains of Member.

    ” Others are associations and clubs involved at the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

    “The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on 11 December 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco,” it said.

    Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association):

    Player of the Year (Women)

    1.     Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon, Internazionale Milano)

    2.     Evelyn Badu (Ghana, Avaldnes)

    3.     Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain)

    4.     Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, Wuhan Jiangda)

    5.     Anissa Lahmari (Morocco, Levante Las Planas)

    6.     Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

    7.     Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)

    8.     Ibtissam Jraidi (Morocco, AS FAR/Al Ahli)

    9.     Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)

    10.  Zenatha Coleman (Namibia, Fenerbahce)

    11.  Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

    12.  Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

    13.  Christy Ucheibe (Nigeria, Benfica)

    14.  Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria, Alaves/Pachuca)

    15.  Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria, Atletico Madrid)

    16.  Toni Payne (Nigeria, Sevilla)

    17.  Uchenna Kanu (Nigeria, Tigres/Racing Louisville)

    18.  Ndeye Awa Diakhaté (Senegal, Olympique de Marseille)

    19.  Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

    20.  Hilda Magaia (South Africa, Sejong Sportstoto)

    21.  Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa, Juarez/Monterrey)

    22.  Linda Motlhalo (South Africa, Glasgow City)

    23.  Refiloe Jane (South Africa, Sassuolo)

    24.  Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)

    25.  Afi Sabine Woedikou (Togo, Strasbourg/Nantes)

    26.  Sabrina Ellouzi (Tunisia, Excelsior)

    27.  Fazila Ikwaput (Uganda, Kampala Queens)

    28.  Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)

    29.  Grace Chanda (Zambia, Madrid CFF)

    30.  Rachael Kundananji (Zambia, Madrid CFF)

    Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

    1.     Ange Bawou (Cameroon, Bayelsa Queens/ BIIK-Shymkent)

    2.     Dolores Hernandez Masongo (Equatorial Guinea, Huracanes)

    3.     Imane Abdelahad (Morocco, SC Casablanca)

    4.     Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)

    5.     Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

    6.     Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

    7.     Kaylin Swart (South Africa, JVW)

    8.     Najiat Abass Idrisa (Tanzania, JKT Queens)

    9.     Catherine Musonda (Zambia, Tomiris Turan)

    10.  Cynthia Shongwe (Zimbabwe, Harare City)

    Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

    1.     Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)

    2.     N’Guessan Nadege Koffi (Cote d’Ivoire, SC Casablanca)

    3.     Elena Oyana (Equatorial Guinea, Huracanes)

    4.     Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

    5.     Tracy Twum (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

    6.     Oumou Kone (Mali, AS Mande)

    7.     Aziza Rabbah (Morocco, AS FAR)

    8.     Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

    9.     Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)

    10.  Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Young Player of the Year (not more than 21 years)

    1.     Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

    2.     Mary Amponsah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

    3.     Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)

    4.     Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburg Panthers)

    5.     Esther Opeyemi Ajakaye (Nigeria, Delta Queens)

    6.     Oluwatosin Demehin (Nigeria, Stade Reims)

    7.     Hapsatou Malado Diallo (Senegal, USPA/Eibar)

    8.     Thubelihle Shamase (South Africa, University of Johannesburg FC)

    9.     Winifreda Gerald (Tanzania, JKT Queens)

    10.  Fauzia Najjemba (Uganda, Dynamo Moscow)

    Coach of the Year (Women)

    1.     Nana Joe Adarkwa (Ampem Darkoa)

    2.     Lovemore Fazili (Malawi)

    3.     Mehdi El Qaichouri (SC Casablanca)

    4.     Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)

    5.     Reynald Pedros (Morocco)

    6.     Randy Waldrum (Nigeria)

    7.     Mame Moussa Cisse (Senegal)

    8.     Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

    9.     Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns)

    10.  Esther Chabruma (JKT Queens)

    National Team of the Year (Women)

    1.     Burkina Faso

    2.     Burundi

    3.     Ghana

    4.     Malawi

    5.     Morocco

    6.     Nigeria

    7.     Senegal

    8.     South Africa

    9.     Tanzania

    10.  Zambia

    Club of the Year (Women)

    1.     Athletico d’Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)

    2.     Huracanes (Equatorial Guinea)

    3.     Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)

    4.     AS Mande (Mali)

    5.     AS FAR (Morocco)

    6.     SC Casablanca (Morocco)

    7.     Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

    8.     JKT Queens (Tanzania)

  • Oshoala hails Mohbad after team pounded Granada 6-1

    Oshoala hails Mohbad after team pounded Granada 6-1

    Super Falcons star and Barcelona Women’s Team player, Asisat Oshoala, paid tribute to the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka MohBad, on Saturday after her club trashed Granada 6-1.

    Oshoala who scored two goals during the match shared a picture of herself on the pitch, wearing a shirt with MohBad’s face on it.

    She captioned the photo on Instagram, “Double for Imole .” MohBad died on September 12 at the age of 27.

  • Oshoala emerges joint-top scorer as Barcelona win second women’s champions league

    Oshoala emerges joint-top scorer as Barcelona win second women’s champions league

    FC Barcelona Ladies on Saturday won the female UEFA Champions League after coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 at the PSV Stadium, Eindhoven.

    Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala couldn’t feature for Barcelona due to injury.

    It was the second time Barcelona won the title.

    Poland forward, Ewa Pajor opened the scoring for Wolfsburg in the third minute.

    Pajor set up Alexandra Popp for the second goal eight minutes before the break.

    Barcelona took control of the game after the break.

    Patri Guijarro scored two second half goals to make the scoreline even before Fridolina Rolfo then scored the winning goal for the Spanish Iberdrola champions 20 minutes from time.

    Despite missing out in the final of the Female Champions Legue, Oshoala emerged joint-top scorer with her teammate Aitana Bonmati with five goals each.

     

     

     

  • Oshoala wins UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barca

    Oshoala wins UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barca

    Super Falcons’ striker Asisat Oshoala on Sunday won the 2020/2021 UEFA Women’s Champions League with FC Barcelona Ladies.

    The Spanish title-holders defeated their Chelsea counterparts 4-0 in the final of the tournament in Gothernburg, Sweden to lift their first European trophy.

    An own goal by Melanie Leupolz after 30 seconds of play as well as a penalty kick successfully taken by Alexia Putellas 13 minutes later contributed to Chelsea’s early woes.

    Aitana Bonmati, the player of the match, extended FC Barcelona Ladies’ lead in the 21st minute as Caroline Hansen sealed the victory with a goal in the 36th minute.

    The Spanish side have now become the first team to win both the men’s and women’s Champions League title.

  • 7th Nigeria Pitch Awards: IG of Police, Ndidi, Oshoala emerge winners

    7th Nigeria Pitch Awards: IG of Police, Ndidi, Oshoala emerge winners

    The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, was among three prominent Nigerians honoured on Tuesday with a Sportsmanship award at the 7th Nigerian Pitch Awards.

    Also honoured were Wilfred Ndidi and Asisat Oshoala who emerged as the King and Queen of the Pitch respectively.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awards ceremony was held under strict COVID-19 protocols at the Ibis International Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Adamu was honoured for his use of sports advocacy in fighting crime and ensuring a balanced Police-Civilian relationship.

    Shina Philips, the Chairman of Match Makers Consult International, the parent body of the Nigeria Pitch Award, said that he was pushing for more innovations for the awards.

    “I am looking forward to the time when the Nigeria Pitch Awards will add more value not only to the winners but all the nominees so as to boost their profile being a nominee.

    “We are so proud of this awards because of its transparency and being one of the many awards that has its voting college well audited by independent firm.

    “I am so grateful to God for giving me the courage to go on with the awards, regardless of having a sponsor or not. It is a worthy project to continue with,’’ he said.

    For the Goalkeeper of the Year , Daniel Akpeyi ward off competition from fellow teammate Francis Uzoho and the Super Falcon goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.

    The Defender of the Year had William Troost-Ekong of Udinese FC of Italy beat his fellow Super Eagles teammates, Chidozie Awaziem (Club Deportivo, Spain) and Kenneth Omeruo (Leganes, Spain).

    The Club of the Year went to Enyimba International of Aba to beat Lobi Stars of Makurdi and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    The Leicester City of England midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, retained the Midfielder of the Year award for the second time to beat Joe Aribo (Rangers FC, Scotland) and Oghenekaro Etebo (Getafe CF, Spain).

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa bagged the Football Friendly Award to beat Gov. Nyesom Wike and Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

    Also, the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football was won by the 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation ,Seyi Akinwunmi.

    The Corporate Sponsor of Football award had AITEO Group as winner to defeat Zenith Bank and Bet9ja.

    The high point of the award, which was the King of the Pitch, had the Leicester City of England midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi to defeat Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy) and Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).

    The Queen of the Pitch, however, had Barcelona FC goal Poacher, Asisat Oshoala as winners to defeat the 2019 winner, Francesca Ordega (Shanghai Shengi, China) and Rasheedat Ajibade (Alvadsnes IL).

    Full List of winners

    Goalkeeper of the Year – Daniel Akpeyi

    Defender of the Year – William Troost-Ekong

    Midfielder of the Year – Wilfred Ndidi

    Striker of the Year – Victor Osimhen

    King of the Pitch – Wilfred Ndidi

    Queen of the Pitch – Francisca Ordega

    Football Journalist of the Year (Print) – Johnny Edwards of Punch Newspapers

    Football Journalist of the Year (Radio) – Wale Adigun of Top Radio

    Football Journalist of the Year (TV) – Austin Okon-Akpan

    Coach of the Year – Genort Rohr

    Club of the Year – – Enyimba FC

    National Team of the Year Enyimba International FC

    Sam Okwaraji Awards – Seyi Akinwunmi

    State with the Best Grassroots Football Development- Programme, Lagos State

    Football Friendly Gov. of the Year – Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta

     

  • Oshoala scores brace as Barca win Super Copa

    Oshoala scores brace as Barca win Super Copa

    Barcelona Women have won the first Spanish Super Cup in their history after an incredible 1-10 victory over Real Sociedad.

    Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala scored twice in the romp, with her first goal coming after 35 minutes, when she helped home a super cross from the right to make it 4-0 for rampant Barcelona.

    She got her brace in the 51st minute to make it 7-0. The Super Falcons skipper outran the Real Sociedad defence to get on to a through ball before she guided the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

    Barcelona beat main rivals Atletico Madrid 3-2 to reach the cup final with Oshoala again on tafret.

  • CAF crowns Mane, Oshoala Men’s, Women’s Player of the Year [Full list of winners]

    CAF crowns Mane, Oshoala Men’s, Women’s Player of the Year [Full list of winners]

    Liverpool and Senegal star Sadio Mane and Nigeria and FC Barcelona Women forward Asisat Oshoala have picked up the top awards for African Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year.

    Both players were crowned at a star-studded ceremony in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in Egypt on Tuesday.

    Mané won the award for the first time after beating club teammate Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

    Also, Oshoala was named as women’s player of the year for a record fourth time.

    The Senegal forward received his award from four-time winner Samuel Eto’o at the ceremony which was also attended by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, although Salah was not in attendance.

    Having finished as runner-up to the Egypt forward for the last two years, Mané becomes the second Senegalese to win the award, after another Liverpool player, El Hadji-Diouf, in 2001 and 2002.

    Mane was Senegal’s main man at the 2019 AFCON where he netted three goals on the Teranga Lions’ path to the final match where they lost by a solitary goal to Algeria.

    He netted a brace in the 3-0 group phase victory over Kenya and added one more in the round of 16 1-0 win over Uganda.

    He was also a vital part of the team as they beat Benin and Tunisia in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, his influence playing a big role in Senegal’s run to the final.

    “To be honest I will prefer to be playing football than speaking in front of so many people,” said Mané.

    “I’m really happy and really proud at the same time. I will like to thank my family, especially my uncle who is here today.

    “It is a big day for me and I will love to thank all the Senegalese people who have been voting for me. I’m from a very small village called Bambali and I’m sure they are all watching me tonight.”

    Oshoala, who scored in FC Barcelona Women’s Champions League final defeat to Lyon, was also delighted to be recognised.

    “Grateful to be African Women’s Player of the year for the fourth time,” she wrote on Twitter.

    “(I) thank God, my family, friends and fans for the support. Big shoutout to my club, my management, team mates at both national team and club level and of course thanks to @CAF_Online for the opportunity.”

    Algeria were named as men’s team of the year, with Djamel Belmadi picking up the coaches’ award.

    Cameroon, who were beaten by England at the Women’s World Cup last summer, were named women’s team of the year.

    Mané had shared the English Premier League Golden Boot with Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a momentous season for African players in English football.

    The 27-year-old has continued his good form into this season, having already scored 11 league goals in Liverpool’s brilliant start to the campaign.

    The campaign has already seen them leading the table by 13 points from Leicester.

    Mane also helped Liverpool to victory in the UEFA Champions League final in June, scoring 36 goals in total during 2019.

    Full List of CAF Awards 2019 winners:

    African Interclubs Player of the Year: Youcef Belaïli (Algeria & Esperance / Ahli Jeddah)

    African Youth Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmund)

    African Women’s National Team of the Year: Cameroon

    African Men’s National Team of the Year: Algeria

    Best African Goal of the Year: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

    FIFPro Africa’s Best 11: Andre Onana; Serge Aurier, Joel Matip, Kalidou Koulibaly, Achraf Hakimi; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Riyad Mahrez, Hakim Ziyech; Mohamed Salah, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane

    African Women’s Coach of the Year: Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

    African Men’s Coach of the Year: Djamel Belmadi (Algeria)

    Club President of the Year: Moise Katumbi (TP Mazembe)

    African Women’s Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & FC Barcelona Women)

    African Player of the Year: Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool).