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Tag: Super Falcons

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons slip again to United States

    Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons slip again to United States

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons lost their second international friendly by 2-1 to the American senior female national team.

    The match which was played in Washington DC saw the Nigerian ladies put up a spirited performance but still fell to the superior firepower of the American ladies.

    After containing their hosts in the early part of the game, the Falcons’ defense was eventually breached in 24 minutes as Blessing Demehin put the ball into her own net due to pressure from the attack of the Americans.

    Uchenna Kanu equalized for Nigeria in the 50th minute with a fine strike but the American ladies fought back and restored the lead in the 65th minute through Rosemary Lavelle who headed in a cross from  Megan Rapinoe.

    It was a much-improved display from the Falcons who were hammered 4-0 by the US in their first meeting on Saturday.

    It was the 8th time both teams have met at the senior level and America has come out tops in all of them.

    Coach Randy Waldrum-led hasn’t registered a win in their last four games.

    Super Falcons will play another World Cup-bound country Japan in Kobe in October.

    The international friendly is expected to put the team in shape ahead of the FIFA senior female world Cup holding in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

    The Falcons will play another friendly this time against former world champions Japan in Kobe on 6th of  October 2022.

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons confront world champions USA again

    Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons confront world champions USA again

    Nigeria and USA women National Senior Teams clash in Washington DC on Tuesday in the second of a two-match tour of the United States by the nine-time African champions.

     

    Three-time world champions USA trounced the Falcons 4-0 in the two teams’ first encounter at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, with a brace from Sophia Smith and one each by Lindsay Horan and Alex Morgan.

     

    Both USA and Nigeria have qualified to participate at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals to be staged by Australia and New Zealand in the summer of next year.

     

    Tuesday’s encounter will take place at the Audi Field in Washington. Audi Field is utilized by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United and though the USWNT have played 10 times previously in Washington (all at the RFK Stadium), it is their first run-out at the Audi Field.

     

    The game will commence at 11pm Nigeria time (6pm in Washington DC).

     

    Meanwhile, prior to their clash with USWNT in Kansas City, the Super Falcons took time to have a ‘Meet and Greet’ session with some prominent Nigerians based in the State of Missouri, including Adeola Ajayi (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Chioma Atanmo (Community Manager, Sporting KC), Olofu Agbaji (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Tijani Idris (ex-Nigeria basketball team player) and David Ehindero (a U.S –based Nigerian businessman).

     

    Also at the simple but lively session were John Allagh (ex-Nigeria basketball team player), Prince Tega (a player with NFL football team, Kansas City Chiefs), Ochai Agbaji (ex-Nigeria basketball team player) and Victor Ejelonu.

     

  • International Friendly: USA thrash Super Falcons 4-0 in Kansas City

    International Friendly: USA thrash Super Falcons 4-0 in Kansas City

    World champions USA got the better of an under-strength Nigeria in an international friendly at the Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday.

     The nine-time African champions had in their ranks four members of the U20 girls who reached the quarter finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica last month, and missed the services of midfield Trojans Ngozi Okobi-Okoeghene and Halimatu Ayinde. Defender and captain Onome Ebi, who got injured during the Women AFCON finals in Morocco, is still on the sidelines.

    Sophia Smith put the home team ahead in the 14th minute, and Lindsay Horan made it two after 25 minutes. With the first half winding down, Smith made it three from a simple tap-in just into time-added-on, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie at sea.

    Seven minutes into the second period, Alex Morgan made it four for the Americans from the penalty spot.

     Both teams will clash again in the second of a two-match tour at the Audi Field in Washington D. C on Tuesday.

  • Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum releases team list for USA friendly games

    Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum releases team list for USA friendly games

     Super Falcons of Nigeria, has arrived safely in Kansas City in America on a two-match tour with the country’s women national team

     The first of the two matches holds at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on September 3.

    The second encounter holds three days after at the Audi Field in Washington D. C. on September 6.

    The two friendly games against the American team is to prepare the Nigerian ladies ahead of the FIFA world Cup holding in  Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

    Coach Randy Waldrum has picked four members of Nigeria’s girls that reached the quarterfinals at the just-concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. They are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders, Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun.

    See Team List Below:

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens)

    Defenders: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)

    Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

    Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens)

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons, USA clash in Kansas City on Sept 3

    Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons, USA clash in Kansas City on Sept 3

    Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria are in the United States of America on a two-match tour with the United States Women’s National Team, with the first of the two matches taking place at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday, 3rd September.

    Both teams, who have qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, will have a go at each other’s jugular once more at the Audi Field in Washington, D. C. on Tuesday, 6th September.

    Coach Randy Waldrum has picked four members of Nigeria’s U20 girls that reached the quarter finals at the just-concluded FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, namely defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun.

    Home-based professionals Christy Ohiaeriaku, Akudo Ogbonna and Gift Monday are also in the dele

    First-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Toni Payne and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu will provide the spine for an interesting Nigeria selection.

     

    The USWNT is the most successful team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, having won half (4) of all eight championships competed for so far. The Stars & Stripes were champions of the very first edition in China in 1991, and then won on home soil in 1999, in Canada in 2015 and in France three years ago. The team has also won four Olympic women’s football gold medals and eight CONCACAF titles.

    The Super Falcons have won the Women Africa Cup of Nations nine times, played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and also played at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic women’s football tournament. They remain the most successful women’s team on the African continent.

    The Children’s Mercy Park is home to Kansas City in the US National Women’s Soccer League and Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer, while Audi Field is utilized by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United.

    The match in Kansas City will see Vlatko Andonovski, appointed Coach of USWNT at the end of 2019, return to his home area for the second time. It is the sixth time that the USWNT will be playing at the Children’s Mercy Park but it is their first time at the Audi Field, though they have played 10 times previously in Washington – all at the RFK Stadium.

    Andonovski says he’s excited to send out his girls against the Super Falcons: “First, I’m just excited to play two matches against Nigeria. They have some very talented players who will present a lot of different problems for us to solve on both sides of the ball.”

     

    SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLIES WITH USA:

     

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens)

     

    Defenders: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)

     

    Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

     

    Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens)

  • Falconets stranded, sleep on floor at Turkey airport [Photos]

    Falconets stranded, sleep on floor at Turkey airport [Photos]

    Nigeria’s Falconets have been pictured in viral photos sleeping on chairs and the floors at Istanbul airport, Turkey, while on their way back home from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

    This comes barely 48 hours after they crashed out of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    The two times FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finalists left Costa Rica on Monday, August, 22, at 6:30am (Nigerian Time).

    Following their arrival in Turkey, the squad were left stranded at the Istanbul Airport for 24 hours.

    ALSO READ || Why Falconets overstayed at Istanbul airport – NFF

    Veteran sports journalist, Collins Udoh, who shared the photos on Instagram, wrote: “Nigeria’s #Falconets have been traveling from Costa Rica since 6:30am on Monday. They’re now in Istanbul on a 24-hour layover and sleeping on the airport chairs and floor, or wherever they can find.”

    See photos:

     

     

     

  • Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for female category of Ballon d’Or

    Nigeria’s Oshoala nominated for female category of Ballon d’Or

    Super Falcons and Barcelona Women FC striker, Asisat Oshoala has been nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or player of the year award.

    She was nominated for the award based on her exploits with Barcelona Feminine during the just concluded 2021/22 football season.

    Oshoala emerged as the league’s highest goalscorer at the end of last season after scoring 18 goals.

    Oshoala was recently named CAF Women’s player of the year for a record-breaking time. She is the first person to win the CAF award five times. If she wins the award she will become the first Nigerian to be crowned a Ballon d’Or winner

    The other nominees for the 2022 Women’s Ballon d’Or are Selma Bacha, Fridolina Rolfo, Vivianne Miedema, Lucy Bronze, Sam Kerr, Christiane Endler, Lena Oberdorf, Kadidiatou Diani, Catarina Macario, Alexia Putellas, Alexandra Popp, Aitana Bonmatí, Wendie Renard, Alex Morgan, Beth Mead, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Millie Bright, Trinity Rodman, and Ada Hegerberg.

  • Super Falcons defender, Glory Ogbonna joins Turkish Club

    Super Falcons defender, Glory Ogbonna joins Turkish Club

    Glory Ogbonna, an ace defender of the Super Falcons has signed a one year contract with the Turkish women league champions, ALG Spor Kulubu.

    Ogbonna disclosed this in a telephone interview on Thursday in Calabar, saying that the contract signed on Wednesday, would see her play the women version of the champions league with the club this season.

    The former Edo Queens player said that the desire to play in the champions league was what motivated her to sign for the Turkish champions.

    Ogbonna said she turned down offer to renew her contract with her last club, Santa Teresa in Spain and other offers before her decision to put pen on paper for the Turkish side.

    “I have always been desirous to play in the champions league as such, I couldn’t resist the offer from ALG after rejecting several others across Europe.

    “I want to make history with this club and I am happy to be here. I am feeling at home already with the warm reception I got when I came in.

    “Santa Teresa was good for me but I needed a fresh start so, I had to reject their offer,“he said.

    The defender featured for the Super Falcons in the just concluded Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    ALG Spor Kulűbű based in Gaziantep, South Eastern Turkey, was founded in 1998 with Batur stadium as their home ground.

  • Super Falcons slip by 7 spots in latest FIFA ranking

    Super Falcons slip by 7 spots in latest FIFA ranking

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have dropped by seven spots in the July FIFA Ranking, to be placed 46th, after ending 4th at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Friday, Nigeria garnered 1535.09 points in the month under review and lost 69.33 points, which is the biggest decline in terms of points.

    Recall that the former African champions surprisingly went down 1-0 to the She-polopolo of Zambia in the match for the third place match of 2022 WAFCON.

    At the continental level, the drop in spot however did not displace the Falcons as the 1st placed team in Africa with the current WAFCON winner, South Africa placed 2nd.

    Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast are the 3rd, 4th and 5th placed teams, respectively.

    South Africa (54th, plus 4) moved up four places on the back of their title triumph at the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    Semi-finalists at that tournament, Zambia (80th, plus 23) are this edition’s most-improved side after surging 23 places.

    At the global scene, July 2022 was a busy month for women’s football, with five major tournaments taking place across the globe.

    In addition to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, continental championships were held in Africa, South America, North America and Oceania, all serving as qualifying events for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

    Since 17 June 2022, when the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking was last published, no fewer than 221 matches have been played, generating considerable movement in the standings.

    And while USA (1st), recent winners of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, remain the team to catch, the Stars and Stripes have a new pursuer in the shape of Germany (2nd, plus 3).

    The EURO 2022 runners-up move ahead of Sweden (3rd, minus 1), whose own European title ambitions came to an end in the semi-finals.

    Freshly crowned continental champions, England (4th, plus 4) moved up four places ahead of France (5th, minus 2).

    Drops for the Netherlands (6th, minus 2), Canada (7th, minus 1), and Spain (8th, minus 1) are the other significant changes in this edition’s Top 10.

    Another notable improver in this edition is Jamaica, who achieved their highest-ever placing (42nd, plus 9), following their third-place at the Concacaf Championship.

    Also enjoying all-time highs are Iceland (14th, plus 3), the Republic of Ireland (26th, plus 1), Portugal (27th, plus 3) and Zambia.

    Four new teams have joined the Ranking since June 2022 namely Cambodia (120th), Turkmenistan (137th) Timor-Leste (152nd) and Guinea-Bissau (169th), giving the August 2022 edition a record-breaking 185 FIFA member associations.

  • What Ashleigh Plumptre said after playing first major competition for Nigeria

    What Ashleigh Plumptre said after playing first major competition for Nigeria

    After participating in the 2022 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Nigeria’s senior women team, the Super Falcons, former England youth international, Ashleigh Plumptre has said she was proud to play in the competition.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Plumptre started for Nigeria for the first time on Friday, February 18, against the Côte d’Ivoire women’s national team at the MKO Stadium in Abuja after switching her interest to represent Nigeria.

    Born in Leicester, England on May 8, 1998, to English parents, Plumptre traces her Nigerian roots to her grandfather, a Yoruba man. She had played for England’s U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-23 teams but publicly declared her interest in playing for Nigeria in 2021.

    The 2022 WAFCON is the first major competition Plumptre will play for Nigeria, an experience she has said there were lessons learnt.

    “Proud to have batted alongside a resilient and determined group of women for 5 weeks at my first senior major tournament. Thank you for the lessons learnt, experiences had and the opportunity to represent way more than just myself. Morocco, thank you,” she tweeted after the 2022 WAFCON.