Tag: Super Falcons

BREAKING: Canada crash out as Nigeria progress in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Canada crashed out on Monday while the Super Falcons of Nigeria pulled a brilliant performance to make progress in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons of Nigeria drew 0:0 against the Republic of Ireland to emerge in second position in Group B.

In the second match of Group B, played at the same time as the Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria encounter, co-hosts Australia thrashed Canada by four goals to eliminate the North Americans.

The Super Falcons thus have confirmed their place in the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria, therefore, ended the Group phase with five points, while Australia topped the Group with six points. Canada crashed out with four points while Ireland were only able to secure one point.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and Australia will have to wait for their opponents in the Round of 16.

July 31, 2023
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Falcons draw Ireland 0-0, progress to round of 16

The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Monday made it through to the second round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after playing out a goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland Women’s football team.

Both teams played counter-pressing football but all efforts to score a goal in the encounter didn’t yield much result.

Asisat Oshoala could have given Nigeria the lead in the first half of the encounter but her shot went past the goal post by inches wide.

Ireland had a glorious opportunity too but the shot was saved by goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Super Falcons finished second in group B behind co-hosts Australia who mauled Canada by 4-0 in the other group B encounter.

Both matches were played simultaneously across two stadia in Australia.

Nigeria will play the leader of Group as any of England, China or Denmark can still top the group.

July 31, 2023
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons team list released for Ireland cracker

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has released the team list to square up with the Republic of Ireland today in the last game of Group B in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Falcons of Nigeria will take on the girls in green from Ireland, at 11 am (WAT), in a tricky final Group B match in Brisbane.

The fearless Super Falcons produced the first major shock of the tournament after stunning co-hosts Australia 3-2, to shoot to the top of the group, level with Canada on four points.

They had opened their campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Olympic champions Canada.

The starting eleven sighted by TNG has Nnadozie, Alozie, Plumptre, Ohale, Demehin, Payne, Avinde, Ucheibe, Ajibade, Oshoala and Kanu.

On the bench are Oluehi, Ogbonna, Ebi, Oparanozie, Monday, Ordega, Echegini, Imuran, OKoronkwo, Balogun and Onumonu.

TNG reports the Nigerian girls will have to avoid complacency and what has been termed the Irish banana peel, if they are to seal passage to the round of 16.

Already eliminated Ireland who narrowly lost their first two matches in the group will be seeking redemption against the Super Falcons in a bid to get their first World Cup win.

Nigeria are ranked 40th while Ireland is 22nd in the latest FIFA world ranking, but the Super Falcons have re-emphasised the fact that rankings don’t count much when the chips are down.

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum on Sunday, ahead of the match said his team will continue to show that they are better than their current ranking.

“We have shown we are a better team than number 40 (ranking) in the world. I would say that we were underestimated and underappreciated.

“Hopefully we’ve proven that to the world right now that we belong in a higher place (than 40th).” he said.

The coach said the team would approach the ‘very difficult’ Ireland match with all the seriousness it deserves, to avoid any slips

“It is going to be a very difficult game. People may think I am crazy for saying this, but I think it could be our hardest match.

“Ireland have been a bit unlucky in the first two matches and could have got a result.

“We are not expecting them to lay down because they are going home already, I am expecting to get the best from them and have been very impressed with their team and their organisation.” he said.

Analysts have stressed the need for the Super Falcons to go for an outright win, so as to top the group, regardless of the result from the dicey Australia vs Canada match.

Nigeria should advance to the last-16 if they avoid a defeat against the hungry Irish, while a loss would leave them scrambling for a favourable result from the other group game between Canada and Australia.

Only the top two teams from each group will qualify for the round of 16.

July 31, 2023
2023 FIFA World Cup: The match against Ireland today will be our toughest – Falcons goalie, Nnadozie

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has predicted that the last group match against Ireland at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup,will be the toughest game for them.

The West African ladies having gotten four points in two games needs to avoid defeat to make it to the next round of the competition in Australia.

While Ireland are out of the competition after losing two matches, the goalkeeper says the Europeans won’t be a walkover.

“Well, I think this would be the toughest game because Ireland, they’ve lost two games, so our game against them will be their last game. So they would want to come out strong,” she told Channels Television ahead of Monday’s Group B clash.

“They would want to play, play out everything. They would want to get a win before going. And to us, this is a game we really need to qualify [for the next stage]. We either need a draw or a win. So I think we just have to keep the mental cool.

“We don’t need to rush anything. We just have to take our time and do what we know how to do best. And I think we have to work harder, you know, to get a win in this game.”

The Super Falcons went into the tournament with squabbles about bonuses overshadowing their preparations. Ranked lowest in Group B, many fans and pundits did not fancy Nigeria’s chances in the competition.

But with four points from two games – including the win against co-hosts Australia – shooting them up to the zenith of the Group B standings, the goaltender has partly pinned the performances to the unity in the team.

“For the past few months, we’ve been going for international friendlies. Sometimes when you know there is a victory ahead of you, you have to prepare ahead. So, there is one love in the team,” the Paris FC player added.

“The spirit is high, the morale is high. There is unity. We’ve been working on this for so many months, you know, and I think if we are not able to put it through, it means that we’ve not been doing something. So, it shows we’ve been working and this team is a really good team.”

July 31, 2023
Our girls have given us huge bragging rights – Nigeria’s High commisioner to Australia, Madubike

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency Anderson Madubike on Saturday reiterated that the Super Falcons have provided himself, officials of the Nigeria High Commission and indeed all members of the Nigerian community in Australia huge bragging rights with their win over the Matildas on Thursday evening.

“I can tell you that we are very happy. Now, we walk with a fresh spring in our steps anywhere we go in the whole of Australia. The Super Falcons have done us proud and we want them to continue winning,” Madubike said in Brisbane.

The seasoned diplomat, who alongside his mission staff have worked assiduously to mobilize Nigerians across the huge territory that is Australia to support and encourage the Super Falcons since they arrived here, spoke as he hosted some board members and Management staff of the NFF at a place nicknamed Little Lagos in Brisbane.

“What we have been doing for the team is nothing special; these are the things that any mission should do for a Nigerian team wherever they find themselves. However, we are overjoyed that our little efforts have not gone in vain. The Falcons are making us happy and we believe they can go all the way,” said Madubike, who previously served in South Africa and China.

In his response, NFF’s 1^st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu thanked the High Commissioner and his officials for being at the disposal of the team and going to lengths to support and encourage Nigeria’s campaign at the finals.

Also at the occasion were Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Alhaji Babagana Kalli (NFF Exco members); Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary); Mrs Mercy Clement (Deputy High Commissioner); Ademola Olajire (NFF Director of Communications); Dayo Enebi Achor (Deputy Director, Competitions) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

July 30, 2023
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons captain says team positive ahead of Ireland clash

History-making captain Onome Ebi says the Super Falcons are gingered and in a super positive mood ahead of Monday evening’s Group B cracker against the Republic of Ireland at Brisbane’s Lang Park.

The 40-year-old became one of the oldest women to have featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was introduced into the game against co-hosts Australia at the same venue on Thursday.

She’s also one of the few women, and the only one from the African continent, to have played in six finals, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.

“We are very positive and looking forward to the match. The mood in camp is great and everyone is in high spirits. The win against Australia has given us the belief and the confidence to face any team. We will play for a win.

“We want Nigerians all over the world to continue to support us and believe in the team. That alone gives us great motivation. We have won one match and drawn one. We want to set the record of not losing any match in the group phase and topping our group.”

When the Falcons reached the knock-out rounds in the USA in 1999, the team lost to hosts USA before defeating North Korea and Denmark to make the quarter-finals. Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike scored in the 2-1 win over North Korea, while Akide and Nkiru Okosieme scored in the 2-0 win over Denmark.

In 2019, when they reached the Round of 16, the nine-time African champions lost 0-3 to Norway and 0-1 to hosts France, on either side of a 2-0 defeat of South Korea, with Asisat Oshoala scoring after an own goal by the Koreans.

“We know we still have a job to do; we are not deterred. We simply go in there and play for a win,” Ebi added.

The Falcons, top of the pool with four points, take on the ‘Girls in Green” on Monday night starting from 8pm Australia time (11am Nigeria time) with the Irish already eliminated from the tournament.

Co-hosts Australia tackle Canada in the other match of the group that will be played simultaneously. The Canadians are also on four points, with the Matildas on three.

With a win in mind, Nigeria could start with a forward-line of record-breaker Asisat Oshoala, and Uchenna Kanu (who scored the first goal against Australia), with Rasheedat Ajibade and Ifeoma Onumonu operating from the wings.

July 30, 2023
Fabulous Falcons march majestically on six-match unbeaten streak

Ahead of their clash with home girls, Matildas of co-host nation Australia on Thursday, team captain Onome Ebi had told thenff.com that a five-match unbeaten streak and winning mentality would be one of the key factors to stand the girls from Nigeria in good stead.

Come the day, the Super Falcons dazzled and eventually edged their opponents 3-2 at the Lang Park, to put a firm foot in the knockout rounds.

Now, the only African team to have played in all previous editions of the competition is on a six-match unbeaten streak, going back to their 1-0 defeat of Costa Rica in the Revelation Cup Tournament in Mexico five months ago.

After defeating the Costa Ricans, the nine-time African champions edged Haiti 2-1 in a friendly in Antalya, Turkey in April, and a few days later, spanked World Cup co-hosts New Zealand 3-0 also in Antalya.

In the course of their final training camp in Gold Coast, just before the World Cup, the Falcons whipped Lions FC 8-1.

At the World Cup, Nigeria drew 0-0 with Canada in Melbourne and defeated Australia 3-2 in Brisbane.

July 29, 2023
#FIFAWWC: FG reacts over Super Falcons performance

The Federal Government has charged the Super Falcons to continue to raise the country’s flag high at
the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, New Zealand.

Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja in a statement by Mohammed Manga, Director Press in the ministry.

Abubakar congratulated the team for putting up a superlative performance to defeat co-hosts Australia 3-2 in Brisbane at the ongoing mundial.

He stated that Nigerians have been following the games with keen interest and delighted at their display of skill and team work since the beginning of the Competition.

“We have followed your games and want to thank you for doing the nation proud, thus putting a smile on the faces of Nigerians.

“We commend you, your coaches and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for the good job done so far,” he said.

The permanent secretary urged the team to take their last group game even more seriously to ensure qualification for the knock out stage.

“You cannot afford to rest on your oars, take the next game against the Republic of Ireland with full determination to succeed as you took your first two games.

“Give it your very best, which is your 100 per cent assurance to win. We are solidly behind you,” he said.

Abubakar assured that the ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for sports development in the country so as to enable its athletes excel at the international stage.

The Super Falcons on Thursday shocked co-hosts Australia 3-2 in an highly entertaining match, in their second Group B game.

July 28, 2023
Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi is Africa’s most capped player at the World Cup

Super Falcons captain Enome Ebi set African record for the player with the most appearance at the World Cup after appearing 6 times.

Ebi was thrown into the fray in the 86th minute when she replaced hard fighting Alozie.

As she extends her African record, Ebi remains as important to the team as she ever has been.

A rock at the back and an immeasurable influence on those around her, she has also developed into an attacking threat from set-pieces.

“I love this game and I always wanted to give my best and continue for as long as possible,” she said.

“I have managed to stay relevant in the team through sheer hard work.”

The much-travelled Ebi joined Spanish top-flight side Levante Las Planas last September, her 10th professional club.

A combined seven-year spell with Omidiran and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria was followed by time with Swedish clubs Pitea and Djurgarden.

Successful stints in Turkey followed from 2011 to 2013 before she returned to Sweden to play for Sunnana SK.

Three years with Chinese club Henan Jianye between 2017 and 2020 came in between two successful spells at Belarusian club FC Minsk, where she won four domestic titles before leaving in November 2021.

Ebi was full of praises for the Super Falcons as she led the closing prayer after their win over Australia on Thursday afternoon.

July 27, 2023
Our tactical approach helped us defeat Australia – Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has said that the tactical approach to the game by his girls worked for them in their win over co-host Australia.

According to Waldrum, how the girls responded after conceding first and trying to be effective more in the Midfield helped the team regain confidence and made them push forward for goals.

The coach also praised his team for exhibiting a lot of confidence in the game.

He said “I think two things happened. One is, after giving up the first goal before halftime, we were able to respond and get it back. I think that was huge from a confidence standpoint. We tried sort out a little bit of a problem that Van Egmont was causing for us in midfield, finding a lot of pockets of space. And then it was just a matter of telling the players, you know, go for it. Don’t be afraid to go out. I think the changes that we made worked out, the subs that we put in changed the game as well.

“I think they’re still singing and dancing right now, I can’t get into the change room and get a word in edgewise. Obviously an amazing feeling. And I’m so proud of these players, because so many people didn’t believe, so many didn’t believe in me, didn’t believe in the team. And the one thing that we’ve done is we’ve talked about believing in each other, and the strength of our success has got to be in the unity of the team. And to think that we’ve come in here and gotten two results against two top, top teams in the world says a lot, not only our ability but to just the heart and the competitive desire that the team has”

”I told them after the match, ‘keep believing, right? Keep believing in yourself. Because great things can happen for teams, when you really fightfor each other’. It’s not always the best talent that wins. You know, sometimes it’s the best team, the team that works best together and we’re enjoying the journey. We know there’s still work to do. So we’ll enjoy it tonight and get our recovery going tomorrow because it was a very, very taxing game on us physically. And then we’ll do our best to get ready for another very good opponent with Ireland.”

“We’ve tried to, in the amount of time we’ve had the team, organise them collectively as a team in the way we want to defend. I know the Nigerian fans want to see flair and attacking football all the time. And we love that quality of our players. I think you saw that in some of the individual goals we scored tonight. But at this level, when you’re playing this kind of competition, you have to be collectively good defensively. We cleared a lot of balls out and that’s the key is trying to keep teams out of the most dangerous areas, and we dodged a couple of bullets as well, to be fair, but you know, I think that is part of the way we know we have to play to get results out of this group. So, I am again just amazed at how well they have taken to task, the way we tactically are wanting them to play right now, because we haven’t had the time that a lot of other teams have had together.”

Asked why she used Asisat Oshoala as a substitute, Waldrum said she is only recovering from injury.

“We’ve tried to be careful and manage her time. She’s come to the World Cup off of a long injury.

And so when she got here, we knew we had to use her in a way that, you know, we keep her in, don’t get her out for the entire tournament. And we played her longer than we probably wanted to against Canada. So we had to manage her minutes today. But I thought she did a great job when she came on. She’s such a force physically, she’s a handful. You saw every long ball, even when she’s isolated by herself, she can create problems. And the third goal was massive. She’s like any other player, she wants to be on all the time and I know she was disappointed. But when we explained the reasoning behind it. Today, I told her before the match, ‘be ready for the last 30 minutes and come on and make a difference. I just have a good feeling’. And fortunately, that worked out.”

July 27, 2023