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Tag: Paris 2024 Qualifiers

  • Paris 2024: Super Falcons to fly to France today

    Paris 2024: Super Falcons to fly to France today

    2004 quarter-finalists Nigeria are scheduled to arrive in the French city of Bordeaux on Thursday night as the countdown begins for their first outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years.

    The nine-time African champions, who must negotiate an interesting gro I’mup that also includes Brazil, Spain and Japan, will depart Spain aboard an Air France flight and arrive in Bordeaux minutes before 11pm.

    The delegation of 18 players, four alternate players and officials is scheduled to arrive at the team’s Hotel Mercure abode minutes before midnight.

    Quarter-finalists at the Athens 2004 Olympics, the Super Falcons last featured at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, when they lost 0-1 to Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 to Germany and 1-3 to eventual silver medallists Brazil.

    Women’s fo³⁴otball began as a demonstration sport at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. The Super Falcons made their entry in 2000 in Australia, where they lost 1-3 each to China, eventual winners Norway and eventual silver medallists USA.

  • Paris 2024: Super Falcons set to sustain record of never losing to Banyana in South Africa

    Paris 2024: Super Falcons set to sustain record of never losing to Banyana in South Africa

    Nigeria will tackle South Africa in a cracker of a match in Pretoria on Tuesday night with the mindset of sustaining a record of never having lost to South Africa in that country in senior women’s football.

    The gap has become much closer since 19th March 1995, when the Super Falcons humiliated the Banyana 7-1 in front of their own fans in Johannesburg in a 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying match. Yet, the fact remains that the Banyana are still looking for a first win over the Falcons in any match played in South Africa.

    In 24 previous encounters (with seven played in South Africa), Nigeria have won 15, with five ending in draws and South Africa winning on four occasions. One of the drawn games was the final match of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations, which Nigeria eventually won 4-3 after a penalty shootout in Accra.

    South Africa’s four wins have been in Bata, Equatorial Guinea (1-0, 2012 Women AFCON); Cape Coast, Ghana (1-0, 2018 Women AFCON); Lagos, Nigeria (4-2, Aisha Buhari Cup) and; Rabat, Morocco (2-1, 2022 Women AFCON).

    Of the seven previous encounters inside South Africa, Nigeria have won five, drawing two. The only times the Banyana have been able to hold the Falcons in South Africa were on 12th March 2004 (Athens Olympics qualifier which ended 2-2) and a friendly match on 3rd June 2012 that ended 1-1.

    The Super Falcons’ delegation for Tuesday’s all-important match arrived in Pretoria on Monday morning, and have settled down in their hotel ahead of their official training at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.

    Tuesday’s match will kick off at 7.30pm South African time (6.30pm Nigeria time).

    Nigeria’s last two goals against the Banyana have been scored by captain Rasheedat Ajibade. She got the consolation goal in the 2-1 defeat by the arch rivals in Rabat on 4th July 2022, and also converted the penalty that accounted for the win over the visitors in Abuja on Friday evening.

  • Paris 2024: Super Falcons set to clash with South African ladies for Olympic slot today

    Paris 2024: Super Falcons set to clash with South African ladies for Olympic slot today

    Spectators who will troop into the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday are guaranteed a game for the vintage memory as nine-time African champions Nigeria and reigning champions South Africa clash in a highly explosive and no-holds-barred encounter with the Olympics ticket at stake.

    Both countries, with stellar talents in the women’s game, are arguably among the best in the world at the moment, and a terrific advertising of the best of women’s football is at hand as from 5pm Nigeria time.

    The Super Falcons were Africa’s best team at last year’s FIFA World Cup, but the Banyana Banyana were not far behind as they also made it to the Round of 16 in Down Under.

    To underscore their seriousness about giving the Super Falcons a good fight for the ticket, the delegation of Banyana Banyana to the encounter arrived in Abuja on Sunday, and have been training for the big match since that day.

    On Monday, the South African High Commission started active mobilization of South Africans living in Nigeria to come and support the reigning African champions.

    On Wednesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi called on residents of Abuja and environs, and even in the neighbouring States, to storm the MKO Abiola Stadium in their thousands to cheer the Falcons to victory.

    The above means that a sizable crowd is guaranteed inside Nigeria’s largest football temple on Friday evening.

    Coach Randy Waldrum is most likely to stick to his tested-and-trusted World Cup rearguard, including goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defenders Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale. In the absence of the injured Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre, Alozie could move to left back to give returnee Chidinma Okeke the space on the right, with youngster Shukurat Oladipo likely to pair Osinachi in the centre.

    Hard-as-nails Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe will spearhead the midfield, with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and the slippery Deborah Abiodun providing the guile and flamboyance. Uchenna Kanu, Esther Okoronkwo, Jennifer Echegini, Rinsola Babajide, Gift Monday, Asisat Oshoala and the returnee Chiwendu Ihezuo are all options in the attack.

    For sure, Coach Desire Ellis also has dependable weapons in her armoury, not least of them the nimble-footed Thembo Kgatlana, as well as Jermain Seoposenwe, both based in Mexico. There’s also the crafty Hildah Magaia, as well as midfielders Linda Motlhalo, Jane Refiloe and Nomvula Kgoale.

    “We want our people to come to the stadium and support us. The Super Falcons do not fear any team. With their support, we will play with total confidence and overcome,” said goalkeeper Nnadozie.

    The return leg will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday evening.

  • Paris 2024: Nigeria’s Falcons, Cameroon’s Lionesses to battle for Olympic ticket today in Abuja

    Paris 2024: Nigeria’s Falcons, Cameroon’s Lionesses to battle for Olympic ticket today in Abuja

    Head Coach Randy Waldrum and Captain Rasheedat Ajibade are confident Nigeria’s Super Falcons will overcome the challenge of Cameroon and reach the final round of the African qualifying series for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.

     

    Waldrum led his ladies to a scoreless draw in the first leg in Douala on Friday, with the Nigerians ruing a disallowed goal by Jennifer Echegini early in the second half. Both squads then joined the same flight from Douala into Abuja on Sunday morning.

     

    “We played a good game in Douala and we are confident of our chances to get the ticket in Abuja. It was never going to be easy having only a few days together with the girls, but we will make the best of the opportunities that we are able to create on home ground on Monday,” said Waldrum.

     

    Ajibade, who scored the lone Nigeria goal that threw Cameroon’s Lionesses out of the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 19 months ago, and also netted two of the goals that eliminated Ethiopia in the second round of these qualifying series, says the Falcons have no fear of whatever the arch rivals can bring to the turf of the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

     

    “Our objective remains getting the Olympics ticket. Personally, I have never played at the Olympics and that is the case with an overwhelming majority of players in this team. We are determined to take this opportunity. We have another 90 minutes to make our claim to the final-round ticket and we are focused on a positive result.”

     

    However, Coach Jean-Baptiste Bisseck is also confident of the ability of his Lionesses to turn the table against the nine-time African champions in Nigeria’s administrative capital.

     

    “We will play on the Abuja field as if we are playing at home. Cameroon will not entertain any fear. The Lionesses are prepared to win and make progress.”

     

    Both teams will compete on a clean slate on Monday evening having battled to a barren ending in Douala, with the winner most likely to be up against reigning African champions South Africa for a place in Paris.

     

    Nigeria’s Falcons featured at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Australia in 2000, Greece in 2004 and China in 2008, but have not qualified since their outing in China 16 years ago. Cameroon’s only previous outing was at the London 2012 Olympics.

     

    Banyana Banyana bounced Tanzania 3-0 in Dar es Salaam and should have a cruise at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

     

    Zambia’s Copper Queens put behind them the harrowing experience of watching a team mate die in camp, to shock Ghana’s Black Queens 1-0 in West Africa, and have the strength, stamina and motivation to hold their own against the visitors in Ndola on Monday.

     

    Tunisia’s senior girls have a mountain to climb in Rabat, when they confront fast-improving and highly-motivated Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses who beat them 2-1 in front of their own fans on Friday. The winner on aggregate will be eligible to square up to the winner between Zambia and Ghana.

     

    Only two tickets are available for Africa in the 16-nation Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

     

    For the Nigeria/Cameroon clash in Abuja, which kicks off at 4pm, CAF has appointed Namibian official Ndemugwanitha Twanyanyukwa as referee, with her compatriots Eveline Augustinus, Olivia Amukuu and Vistoria Shangula in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

     

    Alice Wangari Kimani from Kenya will serve as referee assessor while Christine Ziga from Ghana will be the commissioner.   

  • Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Ethiopia land in Abuja for Tuesday’s reverse fixture against Super Falcons

    Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Ethiopia land in Abuja for Tuesday’s reverse fixture against Super Falcons

    The Lucy of Ethiopia have landed in Abuja ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics second round, second leg qualifying match against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

    The 35-person delegation arrived the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Sunday afternoon aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight.

    Recall that Ethiopians were held to a 1-1 draw by the Super Falcons in the first leg in midweek.

    Both teams will slug it out at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday in the return leg.

    Also in Nigeria’s Federal Capital is the squad of match officials, led by Christine Ziga from Ghana, who will serve as the match commissioner.

    Furthermore,  referee Edoh Kindedji from Togo, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey who will serve as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will be in the role of fourth official.

    FIFA already assigned referee Daloba Oulare from Guinea as the center referee.

     

  • Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Lucy’s delegation, match officials land in Abuja

    Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Lucy’s delegation, match officials land in Abuja

    The delegation of Ethiopia’s senior women national team arrived in Abuja on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s Paris 2024 Olympics second round, second leg qualifying match against the Super Falcons.

     

    The 35-person delegation flew into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport just after noon on Sunday aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight.

     

    Also in Nigeria’s Federal Capital is the squad of match officials, led by Christine Ziga from Ghana, who will serve as the match commissioner. There is also referee Edoh Kindedji from Togo, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey who will serve as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will be in the role of fourth official.

     

    Daloba Oulare from Guinea will be the referee assessor.

  • Paris 2024: Onyenezide replaces Ayinde as Ohale, Otu, Ucheibe to miss Ethiopia clash

    Paris 2024: Onyenezide replaces Ayinde as Ohale, Otu, Ucheibe to miss Ethiopia clash

    Midfielder Esther Onyenezide, who impressed at last year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica as Nigeria reached the quarter-finals, has been drafted to take the place of 2023 FIFA World Cup star Halimatu Ayinde in Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament fixture against Ethiopia’s senior women national team.

    The delegation of home-based players and technical and backroom staff from Nigeria flew into Addis Ababa on Sunday for Wednesday’s opening leg encounter at the Abebe Bekila Stadium, and the foreign-based players have started arriving for the big match as well. The Super Falcons will host the second leg of the second-round fixture at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October 2023.

    Midfielder Regina Otu, who missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, and defender Osinachi Ohale who plays for Pachuca FC of Mexico, have been ruled out of the fixture. Another World Cup star, Christy Ucheibe, of Portuguese club SL Benfica, is also out of the encounter.

    The winner on aggregate will confront the winner of the fixture between Cameroon and Uganda. The Indomitable Lionesses drew a bye, while Uganda overpowered Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate.

    Ethiopia’s senior girls, nicknamed Lucy, turned back the senior women national team of Chad 10-0 in the first round of the series, played in the month of July. The Ethiopians won the first lef 6-0 in Addis Ababa on 13th July, before lashing their hosts 4-0 in N’Djamena five days later.

    The Confederation of African Football has appointed Lamia Atman from Algeria as referee for Wednesday’s encounter, with her compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab, Sara Kemmad and Ghada Mehat as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

    Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda will serve as referee assessor while Tabitha Wambui Njoroge from Kenya will be in the role of match commissioner.

    For Tuesday’s return leg in Abuja, Edoh Kindedji from Togo will be referee, with her compatriots Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Kossiwa Kayigan Awoutey as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. Yacine Samassa from Mauritania will be in the role of fourth official.

    Daloba Oulare from Guinea will be the referee assessor and Christine Ziga from Ghana will serve as match commissioner.

  • Paris 2024 Qualifier: Super Falcons set to depart for Ethiopia on Sunday

    Paris 2024 Qualifier: Super Falcons set to depart for Ethiopia on Sunday

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons is set to depart for Addis Ababa on Sunday ahead of the first leg of their 2024 Olympic qualifying fixture against Ethiopia.

    The four home-based players in the team, Comfort Folorunso, Opeyemi Ajakaye, Jumoke Alani and Monle Oyono, will leave Abuja with officials of the team.

    The remaining foreign based players will team up with the four foreign based players in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia.

    The first leg of the second-round contest will be held in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, October 25.

    The reverse fixture is slated for the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 31.

    The Super Falcons have failed to qualify for the last three editions of the Olympics.

    Paris will hold the 2024 olympic games.