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Tag: Super Falcons

  • Super Falcons duo, Ajibade, Ohale make WAFCON best 11 players

    Super Falcons duo, Ajibade, Ohale make WAFCON best 11 players

    The Confederation of African Football has released the best 11 players at the just concluded 12th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and Nigeria’s duo of Rasheedat Ajibade and Osinachi Ohale made the cut.

    Atletico Madrid’s feminine forward Ajibade and Deportivo Alaves defender Ohale, according to CAF, were two of Nigeria’s most prominent stars in Morocco.

    Ajibade ended the tournament as the joint-top scorer with three goals and three assists despite missing a larger part of the semi-final against host Morocco and the entire final due to suspension as a result of the red card she bagged in the semi-final.

    The 22-year-old scored in the Falcons’ 2-1 defeat to South Africa, before further goals against Burundi and Cameroon.

    While Ajibade was excellent in the attack, veteran defender and four-time WAFCON winner, Ohale put up a solid performance defensively for the Falcons, helping the team keep three clean sheets at the tournament.

    The 30-year-old even picked up a Woman-of-The-Match award for her brilliance in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

    Ajibade and Ohale had also made a team of the week during the competition.

    Both players join nine other stars from three other semi-finalists to make up CAF’s best XI for the 2022 Championship.

    Ajibade was named on the right side, Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout took the left position while Banyana’s Jermaine Seoposenwe was deployed to lead the line upfront.

    In total, Banyana, who defeated Morocco in the final, produced four players, custodian Andile Dlamini, who kept three clean sheets in the six games, Mbane in the defensive role, Jane Refiloe in midfield, and Seoposenwe in the attacking role.

    Runners-up Morocco has three representatives, while bronze medallists Zambia have two players among Africa’s best XI.

    South Africa defeated host Morocco by 2-1 to emerge champions of the 2022 WAFCON tournament.

  • Super Falcons too old for modern women football – South/A legend, Modise

    Super Falcons too old for modern women football – South/A legend, Modise

     

    South African legend, Portia Modise, has blamed the defeat of Nigeria’s Super Falcons squarely on the refusal of the Nigeria Football Federation to hand opportunities to younger players rather than heavily relying on aged players. Modise opined that the nine-time Africa champions have lost their winning edge because they keep fielding many aged players that ought to have retired instead of giving opportunities to younger players from their Under 20s.

    Super Falcons have over five first team players aged 30 and above including captain Onome Ebi (39) who played all the four matches, midfielder Rita Chikwelu (34) and goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi (35). Modise who scored 101 goals for Banyana Banyana said: “One thing that I see in the Nigerian team is that they don’t want to let go of the senior players.

  • WAFCON: Zambia’s copper queens defeat Super Falcons to win bronze

    WAFCON: Zambia’s copper queens defeat Super Falcons to win bronze

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons finished fourth overall after being beaten 1-0 by Zambia’s copper queens in a thrilling third-place encounter.

    The result meant that the 9th-time champions recorded their worst performance in WAFCON history.

    Zambia has finished 3rd at the WAFCON first time in the nation’s women’s football history and has also qualified for the senior FIFA Women Worldcup to be hosted by Australia in 2023.

    However, the Super Falcons also qualified to represent Africa at the FIFA WorldCup after defeating Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the competition.

    The two finalists, Morocco and South Africa are the remaining representatives from Africa to the Mundial in Australia.

     

     

  • CAF awards: What Oshoala said after winning historic Player of the Year award

    CAF awards: What Oshoala said after winning historic Player of the Year award

    Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala on Thursday night became the first player to win the African Women’s Player of the Year award at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards five (5) times.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshoala had been tied at four titles with countrywoman Perpetua Nkwocha in the running for the record fifth crown.

    She warded off competition from Cameroonian Ajara Nchout Njoya and Zambia’s Grace Chanda to clinch her fifth title at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday.

    This means the Barcelona FC Women forward has surpassed compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha in the women’s category and Cameroonian Samuel Eto in the men’s category, who have won the awards four times each.

    An emotional Oshoala said it was a historic night for her as she dedicated the award to Nigeria women’s national team, the Super Falcons.

    “It’s a historic night for me and I want to thank everyone who has helped me in my career. The 2021/2022 season was really tough for me as an individual.

    “This year made me realise that if you don’t fall, you don’t know the power of comeback.

    “Thanks to my teammates at Barcelona FC and my national team, the Super Falcons, for showing Africa how resilient you can be during the semi-finals against Morocco on Monday.

    “I dedicate this award to the Super Falcons,” Oshoala said.

    Oshoala has been out of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco due to an injury.

    She got injured during Nigeria’s first game against South Africa.

    Following the team’s loss to Morocco on penalty kicks in the competition’s second semi-final game, the Super Falcons will now face Zambia in the third-place match on Friday.

    Meanwhile, Senegal’s Sadio Mane also won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, winning it for the second time.

  • BREAKING: Oshoala wins CAF women’s player of the year award

    BREAKING: Oshoala wins CAF women’s player of the year award

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons and FC Barcelona player, Asisat Oshoala has won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) women’s player of the year award for 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshoala beat Cameroonian Ajara Nchout Njoya and new entrant Grace Chanda of Zambia to the award.

    The Super Falcons striker was presented with the award on Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, winning her 5th women’s player of the year award in the process.

    In a swift reaction, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) congratulated Oshoala, describing the award as a record-breaking feat.

    TNG reports Oshoala is the first player in history to win five (5) African player of the year awards.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons face Zambia’s Copper Queens in battle of Bronze

    WAFCON: Super Falcons face Zambia’s Copper Queens in battle of Bronze

    Nigeria and Zambia will battle for the bronze medals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations as from 9pm on Friday at the Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca – Morocco’s economic and industrial capital.

    Head Coach of Copper Queens, Bruce Mwape said on Thursday that his girls have put behind them the controversial defeat to South Africa – through an added-time penalty that is still a talking point at these finals.

    “We gave our all and created chances but we failed to take them and that was a mistake that we paid dearly for in the end. We have put that behind us and now, we want to win the bronze medals for our people.”

    On his part, Coach Randy Waldrum is optimistic that the Super Falcons will give their all despite a rash of injuries and suspensions in the camp of the nine-time champions.

    “We have two players suspended as a result of red cards in the last game, and we also have some players down with an injury. So, there will be changes but we will go for the best legs that would give us victory on Friday.”

    Captain Onome Ebi has been knocked out by a hamstring injury (biceps femoris muscle tear – Grade 2) and could require between six weeks to two months to recover. She suffered the injury in the grueling semi-final battle against Morocco on Monday that the Falcons lost in a penalty shootout in Rabat.

    Forward Rasheedat Ajibade, who has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s campaign with some mesmerizing moves, measured pull-outs, and three goals to the kitty, picked up the Woman of the Match award in the quarter-final defeat of Cameroon. However, she is out of Friday’s encounter alongside tenacious midfielder Halimatu Ayinde. Both were sent out in the match against the host nation.

    “We have a mountain to surmount, surely, but we are ready and will approach the game like the Final match,” defender Ashleigh Plumptre said at Thursday’s pre-match conference.

    Mwape will bank on team captain Grace Chanda to inspire the Copper Queens against the Super Falcons. Chanda has been the rallying point of the southern African nation since the beginning of the tournament, in the absence of the talismanic Barbara Banda.

    While goalkeeper Hazel Nali (injured against South Africa) is doubtful for Friday’s encounter, Nigeria would again rely on the agility and awareness of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, whose string of saves kept the Falcons in the game against Morocco until the penalty shootout. She was highly deserving of her Woman of the Match award in that tie.

    With Ebi out, Waldrum could start with the US-based Payne sisters (Toni and Nicole) on either side of the rear wings, with Osinachi Whale and Plumptre at centreback. Peace Efih, who scored one of the goals in the 4-0 defeat of Burundi in the group stage, could start in the absence of Ayinde, with the effervescent Gift Monday a probable to start in place of the suspended Ajibade at the fore.

    The Copper Queens drew 0-0 with Cameroon in their opening match, before 1-0 and 4-1 wins over Tunisia and Togo respectively shot them to the quarter-finals, where they edged Senegal 4-2 after a penalty shootout.

    The Falcons lost 1-2 to South Africa in their opening game before beating Botswana and Burundi 2-0 and 4-0 respectively, and Cameroon 1-0 in the last eight.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons ignore training, protest unpaid wages

    WAFCON: Super Falcons ignore training, protest unpaid wages

    Facts have emerged that the Super Falcons of Nigeria refused to train on Thursday as they embarked on a protest over unpaid allowances and match bonuses before and during 2022 WAFCON.

    Randy Waldrum’s side is also yet to receive their bonuses at the ongoing 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    The team put the loss to Morocco behind them as they were seen swimming and having fun at their hotel in Casablanca, Morocco the venue of their third place match against the Zambia senior female national team.

    The encounter will take place at Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.

    Recall that the Super Falcons have staged a protest of this magnitude in times past.

    The players protested over unpaid bonuses after their exit from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

    They refused to leave their hotel demanding that their unpaid bonuses from 2016 be settled.

    The Super Falcon’s hope of winning the 10th WAFCON was dashed when they lost to Morocco by 5-4 on Penalties to book a place with the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the third place.

    However, Nigeria has already qualified for the Women FIFA WorldCup billed to hold in Australia in 2023.

  • WAFCON 2022: Fans react to Super Falcons’ loss to host Morocco

    WAFCON 2022: Fans react to Super Falcons’ loss to host Morocco

    Nigeria had played the greater part of the thrilling encounter plus extra-time with nine players, after Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were red carded in the 48th and 70th minutes, respectively.

    Nigerian football fans have taken to social media to commend Nigeria’s gallant fight, and spirited performance insisting the Super Falcons “were robbed by the referee” and deserved to reach the final.

    Ayomide Ojo wrote: “The girls gave their all,” adding: “If this Moroccan team were any good, they should have won playing against nine for 50 minutes.

    SadeAdio  “Final or no final, the Super Falcons are the best team in African women’s football.”

    “It was an incredible run from the Super Falcons,” said Temi Dayo accompanying his comment with the fire emojis. “They are wonderful, they are massive, they are passionate, they are the best in Africa.”

    Meanwhile, another set of supporters blamed Nigeria’s defeat on poor officiating and “biased officiating” from the African body CAF towards the host nation.

    “It explains why Africans hardly go far in world tournaments,” stated Cartier Ishaya Paul, adding: “You always see some favours given to the host team for the huge amount they spend to host the competition but it’s a disgrace to see it become so obvious in the field of play… truthfully Nigeria was a better team tonight.”

    Udeme Sato wrote: “For what just happened to the Nigeria team tonight [Monday], it’s obvious that African football will never get better till God comes”.

    “This is painful… God punish Caf officials and that referee,” wrote Darius Dunamis, while Ejikeme Igwe opined: “Nigeria robbed! Zambia robbed! Caf is fixing her competitions.”

    Akintade Ayobams praised the Super Falcons and compared them to their men’s team – the Super Eagles: “We were down to nine women,” started Ayobams adding: “In fact, these Nigerian girls should be called the Super Eagles while the boys should be called Falcons.”

    He went further to explain his thinking behind the name change: “If the Super Eagles are down to 10 men, they start giving up.”

    Ayatollah Ruhullah Muhammad Ali said: “Nigeria tried, despite all odds and managed to reach that level. Moroccans were bad players they were lucky,” while T Daniel Flames opined: “Nigeria women holding on with two players down is something rare you will see… they deserve to win but penalties cannot be predicted.”

    Augustine Kapembwa wrapped up the debate: “African football is a disgrace, it’s like these matches are decided by Caf and referees, from the inception they know whom they want to win the competition, poor officiating and that’s why these teams won’t perform well at World Cup because everything is compromised.”

    Super Falcons will face the Shepolopolo of Zambia in the third place match whilst the Atlas Lionesses will tackle South Africa in the final of the 2022 WAFCON.

  • Pinnick hails ‘fabulous’ Falcons, says NFF will prepare team adequately for World Cup

    Pinnick hails ‘fabulous’ Falcons, says NFF will prepare team adequately for World Cup

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has showered encomiums on nine-time African champions, Super Falcons for a valiant display despite several odds and obstacles in their“Of course, we would have been happy to be in the Final and chase a 10th title. But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation. semi final encounter against host nation Morocco in Rabat on Monday night.

    “Of course, we would have been happy to be in the Final and chase a 10th title. But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation.

    “To play 50 minutes of a game with only nine players is not an easy task. The Super Falcons gave their all and were truly fabulous. They had the ‘Nigeria spirit’ in them and showed a sense of patriotism, were dogged and refused to give up. Penalties are forever a lottery, so it could have gone either way. I commend the team for the outing.”

    The explusion of midfielder Halimat Ayinde in the 49th minute reduced Nigeria to 10 players, before referee Maria Rivet from Mauritius handed forward Rasheedat Ajibade a red card in the 70th minute, which cut Nigeria’s playing strength by two for the remaining 50 minutes (20 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time) of the thrilling encounter,

    Uchenna Kanu had a touch on Nigeria’s goal in the 62nd minute though it was recorded as an own goal by Yasmin Mrabet, and Nigeria could have put the match in the bag when substitute Gift Monday rocked the crossbar with a well-taken shot from outside the box 11 minutes into extra time.

    “Our girls did a massive job on a night they were not only depleted but challenged by laser lights trained on their eyes by the crowd. I am enamoured by their resilience and tenacity. The next step now is for the Federation to do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for the FIFA World Cup finals coming up next year.”

    Pinnick added that he is delighted with the strong pipeline at the moment, with the U20 girls and U17 girls having also qualified for their respective FIFA World Cup tournaments and boasting interesting prospects who can easily fit into the senior team.

    “The supply line looks strong enough to continue to present us with good and ambitious players for the coming years. We will have a delightful combination of experienced and youthful players for the World Cup finals.”

    Already, the NFF has secured a total of four friendly matches for the Falcons in the Fall, with the team scheduled to play the United States Women’s National Team in Kansas City and Washington D. C in September, and also to fly to Japan to take on that country’s women’s squad in Kobe in October. Both opponents offer diversity in style and approach.

    Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa and Zambia have qualified automatically for the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup fiesta to be staged in five Australian cities and four New Zealand cities 20th July – 20th August 2023. Cameroon and Senegal will battle for slots at a 10-team Playoff Tournament in New Zealand early next year.

    The Super Falcons have arrived in Casablanca on Tuesday for Friday’s third place match against Zambia at the Complexe Mohamed V.

  • Morocco defeat nine-woman Super Falcons on penalties in Rabat

    Morocco defeat nine-woman Super Falcons on penalties in Rabat

    Nigeria withstood several adversities before narrowly losing to host nation Morocco after a penalty shoot-out, in a supercharged 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match in Rabat on Monday.

    A total of 45,562 spectators turned the Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah into a boiling cauldron, and only their experience, guts, grit, and determination kept the nine-time African champions firmly in the game as their every move was booed while the Lionesses were roared on the moment they had the ball.

    The Lionesses, who last played at the Women AFCON 22 years ago, before the current finals that they are hosting, started like a house on fire and pegged the Falcons to the rear in the early minutes. But gangling Ifeoma Onumonu should have given Nigeria the lead in the 13th minute when she was brilliantly set up by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.

    Three minutes later, Okobi again showed good anticipation to truncate the Moroccan surge and set up Onumonu, but the forward again failed to make hay.

    In the 34th minute, Okobi deftly intercepted again at the edge of the box, but her effort screamed away from the goal.

    Admittedly, the Lionesses were comfortable on the ball with excellent control and crisp passes, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak, Sanaa Mssoudy, and the precocious Fatima Tagnaout threatening the Nigeria goal now and again as they weaved swiftly about the pitch.

    Three minutes into the second half, Mauritian referee Maria Rivet stopped play for a VAR check, only to return and hand a red card to midfielder Halimat Ayinde. The decision shocked the Super Falcons, who had been challenged by lasers focused on their eyes by spectators, but they refused to cave into onslaught after an onslaught by Mssoudy, Tagnaout, Yasmin Mrabet, and Rosella Ayane.

    In the 52nd minute, captain Onome Ebi saved on the line with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stranded, and it was the turn of Ashleigh Plumptre to do the same two minutes later as Ebi crashed into Nnadozie in yet another invasion by the Lionesses.

    In the 55th minute, Rasheedat Ajibade’s pull-out was plucked by goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, but seven minutes later, Nigeria were ahead after Ajibade twisted, turned, and crossed for Ifeaoma Onumonu to powerfully head against the upright. The melee saw Yasmin Mrabet flick the ball into her net.

    Morocco were level only four minutes after when Nnadozie failed to deal with a cross by the ubiquitous Tagnaout and Mssoudy gratefully slammed into the net.

    In the 71st minute, Rivet again stopped play for a VAR check, and this time handed Rasheedat Ajibade a red card, reducing the Falcons to nine women.

    Nnadozie made a dozen saves towards the end and in the ensuing extra time, with the Lionesses all over the place, but Nigeria could have won it when Gift Monday beat the hosts’ defense on the counter and crashed a well-measured shot against the crossbar, only for the ball to roll out.

    In the penalty shootout, forward Ifeoma Onumonu missed for Nigeria as Rita Chikwelu, Regina Otu, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Gift Monday scored. Morocco scored all their kicks, through Yasmin Mrabet, Ghizlane Chebbak, Zineb Redouane, Nesryne El Chad, and Rosella Ayane.

    Morocco will take on South Africa (1-0 winners over Zambia in the first semi-final) in Saturday’s final in Rabat, while the Super Falcons tango with the Copper Queens of Zambia for the bronze medals in Casablanca on Friday.