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Tag: Super Falcons

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Watch moment Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu celebrated Falcons historic win against Australia [VIDEO]

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Watch moment Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu celebrated Falcons historic win against Australia [VIDEO]

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu was in a jubilant mood after watching the Super Falcons of Nigeria secure their first win in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    Nigeria won its second game of the World Cup by defeating the Matildas of Australia by 3-2 courtesy of goals by Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala.

    Although, the Matildas were able to score two goals but they were not enough as they lost all three points in the encounter.

    However, Tinubu was seen in a viral video alongside another woman jubilating after the final whistle was sounded by the center referee.

    The First Lady who watched the game at her Abuja home said the team made Nigeria proud and charged them to go all the way and win the cup for Africa.

    She said doing so would be a source of pride for Nigeria.

    “I am so delighted and I pray, by the grace of God, for them to bring the cup home.

    “I am proud of them and like I promised the, I will be waiting to receive them“, Tinubu said.

    Recall the First Lady had on July 1 through Dr Betta Edu, Minister nominee, hosted the girls before their departure for Australia.

    Earlier, her husband the president, Bola Tinubu had expressed confidence that the ladies would win their game against Australia.

    Nigeria will face Republic of Ireland in the last group B match on Monday  in Brisbane and will be needing just 1 point to secure passage  into the second round of the competition.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons and FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has reacted after making an impressive performance against the Matildas of Australia on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons stunned co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium.

    Oshoala set a record as the first Nigerian player to score in three World Cups. She represented Nigeria at the 2015, 2019  World Cups and scored in all before Thursday’s goal against Australia in 2023.

    Speaking after the game, Oshoala said she is very excited to have scored against the co-host and also willing to score plenty of goals at the competition.

    Asked what she feels by not starting, the prolific scorer said that she felt sick and only managed to feature for Nigeria in the game.

    “This tournament, I am going to make sure I give everything. Nigeria is the best country in the world,” Oshoala said.

    In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.

    The victory is the first Super Falcons win at the 2023 edition of the tournament after their opener against Canada ended in a barren draw.

    Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.

    Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area.

    But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.

    This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.

    Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.

    The FC Barcelona’s forward presence unsettled Australia again on 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.

    Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win  against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.

    Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Australia’s captain, who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities, expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons  took their chances and deserved to win.

    “Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.

    “It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.

    “If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances,” she said.

    TNG reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons play the Republic of Ireland next.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons forward, Oshoala set new record

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons forward, Oshoala set new record

    Barcelona femine forward and current African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala on Thursday set another record as the first Nigerian player to score in three World Cups.

    Oshoala represented Nigeria at the 2015, 2019  World Cups and scored in all before Thursday’s goal against Australia in 2023.

    Oshoala also becomes the first Nigerian substitute to score a goal at the Women’s world Cup

    Speaking after the game, Oshoala said that She’s very excited to have scored against the co-host and also willing to score plenty goals at the competition.

    Asked what she feels by not starting, the prolific scorer said that she felt sick and only managed to feature for Nigeria in the game.

    Nigeria defeated Australia by 3-2 with Oshoala scoring one of the goals.

     

  • [BREAKING] W/World Cup: Oshoala scores as Super Falcons defeat Australia

    [BREAKING] W/World Cup: Oshoala scores as Super Falcons defeat Australia

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have defeated co-host Australia 3-2 in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    Australia took the lead in the first minute of the added five minutes after the regular first 45 minutes through Van Egmood.

    The Super Falcons responded swiftly to Australia’s goal with the equalizer through Uchenna Kanu in the last minute of the added time.

    The Falcons have since overturned the game on its head and already leading 3-1 with Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala getting two extra goals for the Africans.

    The Barcelona striker receives a yellow card after pulling her shirt to celebrate her goal.

    The referee added extra 11 minutes in the second half and Australia’s pressure pays off as Kennedy reduces the deficit.

  • Australia suffer another injury blow ahead Super Falcons match on Thursday

    Australia suffer another injury blow ahead Super Falcons match on Thursday

    Super Falcons’ opponent in Thursday’s match, the Matilda of Australia has suffered another injury blow as striker Mary Fowler, who replaced the missing Sam Kerr in their opening match, has been ruled out due to injury.

    Fowler suffered from concussion in training and she will most likely miss Thursday’s game against African opponent, Nigeria.

    This comes after Chelsea superstar Kerr was already ruled out due to a calf injury that kept her from playing in the co-hosts’ first match, a 1-0 victory over Ireland.

    She will not be available for the match against the West Africans but will be back on time to face Canada in the final group B encounter on next week Monday.

    “Forward Mary Fowler and defender Aivi Luik will be unavailable for Thursday night’s clash with Nigeria,” Team Australia said in a statement. “Both players have been ruled out after sustaining mild concussions in separate incidents at training on Tuesday.”

    The absence of Kerr and Fowler leaves the Matildas with Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord as their only recognized striker. Additionally, defender Aivi Luik, who was a substitute against Ireland, will also be unavailable for the Nigeria game due to injury.

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons could capitalize on the Australia’s injury woes to grab their first win of the tournament.

     

     

  • Gusau spurs Super Falcons to ‘keep Africa’s hope alive’

    Gusau spurs Super Falcons to ‘keep Africa’s hope alive’

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has charged the Super Falcons to “keep Africa’s hope alive” when they take on co-hosts Australia in their second match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals on Thursday.

    With the first round of matches over on Tuesday, Nigeria is the only African flag-bearer yet to taste defeat.

    “As nine-time champions of Africa, and one of only seven countries to have played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria is the real giant and hope of the African continent in Australia. While we expect Morocco, Zambia and South Africa to turn things around in their next matches, my message is that the Super Falcons must focus hard on the ball against the Australians in order to keep Africa’s song going.

    “We had an impressive game against Canada, but I want the girls to put that feat out of their minds and focus on the three points against Australia. It can be done,” Gusau said.

    Zambia lost 0-5 to Japan while South Africa were edged 1-2 by Sweden, and Morocco fell 0-6 to Germany in the first round of matches.

    “I am charging the girls to go all out. This is a match in which we need to score goals.”

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: Falcons bank on winning mentality to overwhelm Matildas

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: Falcons bank on winning mentality to overwhelm Matildas

    Nigeria and Australia will set alight the Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Thursday night in what is one of the most-anticipated clashes of the group stage at this ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    With the maximum three points from their opening match against Republic of Ireland in Sydney on 20 July, the Matildas know they have a fight on their hands against nine-time African champions, Super Falcons, who refused to bow to Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne the following day.

    The Super Falcons know only a win will be good enough to stand them in good stead for a place in the Round of 16, as only the two top-placed teams in each of the eight groups will make progress in a tournament that has welcomed 32 teams for the first time ever.

    “Of course, it is the World Cup. You have to accept the fact that you are going to play the best teams in the world and you have to be alive to that responsibility and face it with your full chest,” team captain Onome Ebi told thenff.com after the tournament draw that was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2022.

    On Tuesday, Ebi reiterated the position of the Super Falcons: “We will go in there and play to win. There are no two ways about it. Only three points will be good enough for us.”

    Ebi says their five-match unbeaten streak is one of the callipers that will keep the girls going strong on a turf much more familiar to their opponents and in front of dozens of thousands of a partisan crowd at the Lang Park.

    Before the draw with Canada, the Super Falcons had pipped Costa Rica 1-0, edged Haiti 2-1, trounced New Zealand 3-0 and slayed Lions Women’s Football Club 8-1 before the World Cup.

    Nigeria is one of only seven countries (the others being USA, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Japan and Norway) to have featured in every single edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the competition was launched in 1991. Australia missed the inaugural edition in China, but have been at every other final tournament since then.

    Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has returned to training after being excused for one day following the MVP-winning performance against Canada in Melbourne, and consistency is expected in the selection of the rearguard, with Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre on the wings, and veteran Osinachi Ohale and youthful Oluwatosin Demehin at central.

    The co-hosts will have to do without their talismanic captain Sam Kerr, who has been the face on most advertisements pertaining to the tournament here.

    Antithetically, Nigeria has gained with the return of the fabulous Rasheedat Ajibade – whose goal against Cameroon in the Women Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter-finals secured Nigeria’s passage to these finals – and midfield battering ram Halimatu Ayinde from suspension.

    Asisat Oshoala, who suffered a knock against the Canadians, could be excused, with Nigeria sufficiently blessed in Desire Oparanozie, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday and Uchenna Kanu.

  • FIFA Women WC: Oparanozie close to full fitness as Aussie captain Kerr still uncertain

    FIFA Women WC: Oparanozie close to full fitness as Aussie captain Kerr still uncertain

    Nigeria’s power forward Desire Oparanozie could play some part in Thursday’s cracker with the co-hosts at the Lang Park, as she appears to have substantially recovered from the injury she copped on the last day of the final training camp in Gold Coast, days to the FIFA World Cup.

    She trained on her own, kicking the ball on the side of the pitch as the other 21 players were drilled by Waldrum and his assistants. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who saved a penalty taken by non-pareil Christine Sinclair and won the MVP award on the day, was allowed off perhaps to relax her nerves.

    The China-based star could play some part in Thursday’s game, with the need to get goals and the knock to Asisat Oshoala.

    The technical crew also have the versatile Jennifer Echegini on the roster, as well as Uchenna Kanu.

    Meanwhile, Australia captain Sam Kerr is still doubtful for the clash as she continues to nurse the injury that ruled her out of the first game against the Irish.

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Nigeria, Australia clash assumes huge importance

    FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Nigeria, Australia clash assumes huge importance

    Thursday’s encounter between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Matildas of Australia has assumed high importance for both teams following the declaration of Matildas’ defender Charlie Grant that the Aussies have a good idea of how to cage the Super Falcons.

    Grant said on Monday that the Republic of Ireland sat deep in the two teams’ clash at Stadium Australia on the opening day of the tournament, but that she would expect the Super Falcons to play more adventurously at the Lang Park on Thursday evening.

    Nigeria captain Onome Ebi said the nine-time African champions have no reason to reveal their strategy for the game, but they would certainly surprise the Matildas.

    “It is interesting that they have an idea of how to play us. We also have our own idea of how to play them. It is a very crucial game for us and we will throw everything we have into it.”

    Australia, with three points, top Group B after the first round of matches, with Nigeria and Canada joint second with one point each.

    “It is very important to us to collect the three points on Thursday. That will put us in a great position before we play the Irish.”

    For the Matildas, victory will take them to six points and all but guarantee a place in the Round of 16, ahead of their much-anticipated clash with Olympic champions Canada.

    With the championship hosting 32 teams, it means only two top-placed teams in each will make progress to the knock-out rounds, where more cash is available for the players. Ebi said the Falcons also want to earn more money in the tournament, with the sum of $60,000 to go to each player whose team attains the Round of 16, and $90,000 for any team that gets to the quarter finals. Players of teams that exit the group stage will only earn $30,000 each.

    “Much more than money, it is a matter of pride. Of course, we will like the money. However, Nigeria comes first. We were in the quarter-finals in 1999 and that is a long time ago; we want to work to go far in this tournament. Last time, in France, we got to the Round of 16. We are looking beyond the group stage here,” said the veteran who is attending her sixth World Cup finals and could play her 15th match of the finals on Thursday.

    Ever-present Nigeria is the only African team to have earned a point here after their first round of matches, with other flagbearers Zambia, South Africa and Morocco having been denied of any point by their respective opponents.

    The Falcons returned to training on Sunday evening after having Saturday off, following Friday’s draw with Canada in Melbourne, and also trained on Monday evening at the match time (8pm).

    With midfield powerhouses Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde back from suspension, Coach Randy Waldrum is most likely to juggle the starting line-up, with Ayinde possibly the clear replacement for the impressive Deborah Abiodun who got a red card against the Canadians.

    The lithe and lethal Ajibade, being ambipedal, could be deployed on either wing, meaning either Francisca Ordega or Ifeoma Onumonu could start from the bench.

    Ajibade told thenff.com: “Personally, I’m fine. Really pumped up for the game. It’s going to be a difficult game because we’re playing the host team in front of their own fans and at their own stadium with so much crowd. A lot of factors.

    “However, I think we’ve got this. I trust the team. We have the capacity; we have the talent and we have the energy. We just have to bring our ‘A’ game to the party and we can do it.”

  • 2023 FIFA World Cup: Australia will be tough for us – Super Falcons coach, Waldrum

    2023 FIFA World Cup: Australia will be tough for us – Super Falcons coach, Waldrum

    Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has issued out warnings to his players to put up their best against Australia when both sides meet next week.

    The former African champions will face the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts in their second Group B on Thursday, July 27.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Super Falcons played out  0-0 draw against Canada on Friday at Brisbane airport.

    Australia on the other hand laboured to a 1-0 victory against debutants Republic of Ireland.

    The Matildas will be without their talismanic captain, Sam Kerr in the game.

    Kerr, who plays for Chelsea, sustained a calf injury in training and also missed the win against Ireland.

    Waldrum labelled the Australians a dangerous opponent and insisted the Super Falcons can’t afford to underrate them.

    “I watched their performance against Ireland; they’re dangerous with so many different weapons,” the American said.

    “We can’t go into it thinking the game is already won because they don’t have a star player. Our players understand that.”