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Tag: Super Falcons

  • Morocco 2022: Super Falcons promise three points against Botswana

    Morocco 2022: Super Falcons promise three points against Botswana

    It is another day in the hunt for points and Nigeria’s Super Falcons say they are ready to rekindle their campaign for FIFA World Cup ticket and the tournament trophy when they clash with their counterparts from Botswana on Thursday.

     The Cup holders suffered a 1-2 defeat to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the opening match of Group C on Monday and know their work is cut out against table-toppers Botswana, who turned back Burundi 4-2 on Monday night.

     “We feel bad to have lost the opening match, and against South Africa for that matter, but we have been able to put that behind us. We resolved immediately after the match that we will give what it takes to win all remaining games.

     “There is no need for too many words. All we want to do is get the win against Botswana to restore our confidence, and then we can take things from there,” Captain Onome Ebi said on Wednesday.

     First choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie returns against the Botswanans after missing the first match due to suspension, and the forced departure of Asisat Oshoala means the vibrant Gift Monday or Mexico-based Uchenna Kanu will start in the fore for the nine-time champions.

     Midfield ace Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored the goal against the South Africans, is expected to again be the pivot as the Falcons search for early goals as from 9pm at the Prince Moulay Al-Hassan Stadium.

     Coach Randy Waldrum could ring changes in some departments, with Glory Ogbonna likely to take her place at left back to allow the energetic Ashleigh Plumptre return to her accustomed role at centre-back alongside Captain Ebi, while Osinachi Ohale moves to right back.

     Victory on Thursday will calm Nigerian nerves and allow the Falcons to look forward to Sunday’s encounter against Burundi with much confidence.

     The team’s medical crew declared on Wednesday that Oshoala sustained a Grade 2 Medial Ligament strain in the 6th minute of the encounter with the Banyana on Monday, and would be out of action for between two and three weeks, with another one or two weeks period for recovery.

     She is due to fly out of Morocco on Thursday after medics at her club, FC Barcelona Feminine, advised that she return to Spain.

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala out of 2022 WAFCON

    BREAKING: Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala out of 2022 WAFCON

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons striker and FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has dropped out of the ongoing 2022 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshoala dropped out of the 2022 WAFCON following a Grade 2 Medial Collateral Ligament strain.

    The Super Falcons striker and FC Barcelona forward sustained the injury in the game against South Africa, and is due back in Spain on Thursday.

    She sustained the injury in the eighth minute of play, received treatment and returned to the field until she was substituted in the 82nd minute by Francesca Ordega.

    Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum declined to comment on her absence as the nine-time record African champions prepare to take on Botswana in their second tie at the tournament tomorrow.

    The American tactician, however, revealed that, “We are definitely going to make some changes from our first game. The atmosphere in camp is good and we have regrouped. We want to win our next game.”

    The Super Falcons began their title defence on a faltering note on Monday at the 12th WAFCON in Rabat, Morocco by losing again (1-2)  to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

    Nigeria currently sit third in Group C behind table leaders Botswana and second-placed South Africa who both won their opening games.

  • WAFCON: We can beat Super Falcons of Nigeria – BFA president

    WAFCON: We can beat Super Falcons of Nigeria – BFA president

    The President of the Botswana Football Association MacLean Letshwiti has said that the country’s women’s national team, The Mares, can defeat the Super Falcons in Thursday’s Group C encounter

    Debutants Botswana presently top Group C after their impressive  4-2 win against Burundi in Group C and Falcons lost 2-1 to South Africa.

    A win for Botswana against the Falcons, who were lackluster against South Africa, would guarantee qualification into the quarter-finals.

    And looking ahead to the match, Letshwiti called on his compatriots to rally behind the team believing they can achieve the impossible.

    Let me congratulate The Mares for putting an excellent shift at work, defeating Burundi by a convincing 4 – 2 score line at the ongoing Wafcon Tournament here in Morocco,” Letshwiti said in a post published in Botswana FA’s Facebook page.

    “The Ladies’ thrilling performances (against Burundi) demonstrated beyond doubt that together we can achieve. I therefore humbly urge the Ladies to continue to show their mettle against the best in Africa.

    “Further, I wish to also thank the people of Botswana back home for their well wishes and their patriotic spirit, rallying behind this exciting team.We are more than excited about your collective support. Let’s rally more and more behind The Mares especially in the second match which is a critical encounter in the tournament with its associated pressure and international focus now squarely on The Mares.

    Group C second placed team South Africa also face Bottom place Burundi in the second match of the group on Thursday in Rabat.

  • Super Falcons unfazed with loss to South Africa – Coach Waldrum

    The coach of the Super Falcons  of Nigeria Randy Waldrum has  posited that his team is not really bothered about the 1-2 loss to the Bayana Bayana of South Africa at the 2022 Women AFCON presently ongoing in Morocco.

    Waldrum made this statement after the loss to South Africa in Morocco.

    The Super Falcons came into the game against South Africa as favorites, having won the competition more than any other nation on the continent.

    Banyana Banyana however scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilize their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

    The Super Falcons eventually found a goal in the first minute of added time, thanks to an incredible finish by Rasheedat Ajibade, but it was too late as South Africa reorganized themselves and bagged the three points.

    Waldrum told newsmen during his post-match conference that his team was in good spirit, inspite of the loss, adding that they intend to go back to the drawing board and work on all their mistakes.

    “Inspite of the loss, we are still positive in camp. It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.

    “We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.

    “We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going,” Waldrum said.

    Botswana now top Group C with three points and a superior goal difference of +3 after thrashing Burundi 4-1 in their opening game.

    South Africa are second also with three points and a goal difference of +1 ahead of their next game against bottom-placed side Burundi on Thursday.

    While Nigeria currently in third take on Botswana on the same day at 8 p.m.

  • 2022 WAFCON: South Africa’s coach gloats over Nigeria’s loss

    Coach Desiree Ellis of South Africa has said Bayana Bayana’s win over the Super Falcons of Nigeria has set the tone for her team as they seek to win the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

    South Africa got off to a flying start following a 2-1 victory over nine-time record African champions Nigeria in their first Group C encounter at the ongoing 2022 WAFCON in Morocco.

    Desiree Ellis’ outfit scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilise their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

    Ellis said in a post-match press conference that the goal of her team was to win the tournament, adding that the win against Nigeria was the first step towards achieving their goal. .

    “This is a very big win for us as a team. We needed to get this result because it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.

    “We held a meeting on our goals and ambitions before training.  We want to qualify for the World Cup and win the title here.”

    “We know what happened in 2018, but we have matured over the past four years and there are changes in our team.

    “Jermaine played about four positions today. That is the versatility we have now as a team.”

    “This victory is for everyone back home and for all the coaches. This is for everyone connected to women’s football back home,” a content Ellis added.

    The victory was South Africa’s second win over Nigeria in the past 10 months, having stunned the defending champions 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup in Lagos in 2021.

    Super Falcons unfazed despite loss – Coach Waldrum

    However, Randy Waldrum, Head Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria has said his team remains unfazed despite the loss, a bad day at the office for the nine-time champions.

    TNG reports the Super Falcons came into the game against South Africa as favourites, having won the competition more than any other nation on the continent.

    Banyana Banyana however scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilize their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

    The Super Falcons eventually found a goal in the first minute of added time, thanks to an incredible finish by Rasheedat Ajibade, but it was too late as South Africa reorganized themselves and bagged the three points.

    Waldrum told newsmen during his post-match conference that his team was in good spirit, inspite of the loss, adding that they intend to go back to the drawing board and work on all their mistakes.

    “Inspite of the loss, we are still positive in camp. It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.

    “We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.

    “We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going,” Waldrum said.

    Botswana now top Group C with three points and a superior goal difference of +3 after thrashing Burundi 4-1 in their opening game.

    South Africa are second also with three points and a goal difference of +1 ahead of their next game against bottom-placed side Burundi on Thursday.

    While Nigeria, currently in third, take on Botswana on the same day at 8 p.m.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons lose to Banyana Banyana

    WAFCON: Super Falcons lose to Banyana Banyana

    South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Monday stunned champions Super Falcons of Nigeria 2-1 in the Group C opening match at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

    The result was similar to that of 2018 WAFCON where Banyana Banyana pipped the Super Falcons 1-0 in their opening game.

    The result also meant that the South Africans have now recorded back-to-back wins against Nigeria after they defeated the Super Falcons 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Cup Invitational in 2021.

    On Monday, after a goalless first half, South Africa netted two quick goals through Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia.

    The nine-time champions however managed to pull a goal back late in the game through Rasheedat Ajibade.

    South Africa bossed the first five minutes of the game but the Falcons defence held firm.

    In the eighth minute the Falcons had a scare as Asisat Oshoala went down and needed treatment following a tough challenge.

    Few minutes later South Africa broke forward with Tochukwu Oluehi out of her area but Ashleigh Plumptre got there and cleared for a corner-kick.

    Michelle Alozie tried to play Oshoala through on goal but her effort was blocked in the 23rd minute.

    Few minutes later, Oshoala had another chance to open scoring after controlling a long pass with her chest but fell over with the goalkeeper coming out to claim the ball.

    In the 37th minute Alozie found herself in a good space on the right to beat her marker, but her attempted left-foot curler went across goal.

    Nine minutes later, a long cross found Ifeoma Onumonu, but her header was weak to trouble the South African goalkeeper.

    South Africa broke the deadlock in the 60th minute through Seoposenwe who collected a pass on the edge of the box before slotting past goalkeeper Oluehi.

    Just barely two minutes later, Magaia doubled South Africa’s lead as she ran on to a through pass and fired past Oluehi.

    Minutes later another break from South Africa freed Kgatlana but Oluehi came off her area to stop her.

    The Falcons pushed forward to salvage something out of the game but the South Africans were able to ward off their threats.

    Ajibade however pulled a goal back for Nigeria in the first minute of added time, off an assist from Onome Ebi.

    But it was only a consolation goal as South Africa held on to claim the win.

    The Super Falcons will next face debutants Botswana while South Africa take on Burundi.

  • AWCON 2022: CAF suspends Super Falcons goalie Nnadozie

    Super falcons number 1 goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie  has been suspended for today’s AWCON  group C opener against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

    The goalie was suspended after receiving yellow cards in different matches in the qualifiers against Cote d Ivoire and the Ghana.

    Meanwhile, second choice goalie, Israel based Tochukwu Oluehi will man the post for the Super Falcons against their South African counterpart today in Rabat, Morocco.

    Yewande Balogun is the 3rd choice goalie that could be called upon incase there is an emergency.

    Aside South Africa, Super Falcons” other opponents in group C are Botswana and Burundi.

    The Super Falcons hold the record for the most AWCON titles, winning nine of the last eleven Women’s championships.

    Coach of the side Randy Waldrum has expressed optimism that his girls will deliver the 12th title by winning the AWCON title presently holding in Morocco.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Waldrum picks Ebi, Oshoala, Plumptre, 22 others for Women AFCON

    Head Coach Randy Waldrum has picked Captain Onome Ebi and 24 other players to represent Nigeria at the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco, 2nd – 23rd July.

     The list of the nine-time champions is an interesting mix of the old guard and new blood, with veterans Tochukwu Oluehi, Ebi, Rita Chikwelu, Osinachi Ohale, Francisca Ordega and Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene on board, as well as defenders Ashleigh Plumptre, Nicole Payne and Michelle Alozie, midfielder Regina Otu and forwards Vivian Ikechukwu, Gift Monday and Ifeoma Onumonu.

     Dropped from the contingent that made the camp in Abuja were goalkeeper Rita Akarekor, defenders Chidinma Okeke, Ngozi Emenayo and Opeyemi Sunday, midfielders Suliat Abideen, Amanda Uju Mbadi and Charity Adule, and forward Anam Imo.

     The Super Falcons will confront South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their first match of the tournament on Monday, 4th July before other games against Botswana (7th July) and Burundi (10th July).

     All four semi finalists at the championship in Morocco will qualify to represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

     The Falcons’ contingent will depart Nigeria for Morocco on Monday, 27th June.

  • Super Falcons to face Japan’s Senior Women Team in Kobe

    Nine-time African champions and FIFA World Cup ever-present Nigeria will take on the Senior Women National Team of Japan in a prestige international friendly match at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday, 6th October this year. The date falls within one of the FIFA Women International Windows for this year.

     Nadeshiko Japan, which is the alias of the Women National Team of Japan, are rated 13th in the world, while the Super Falcons are 39th.

     Both teams have clashed only once at competitive level – at the 2004 Olympic Women’s Football Tournament. Nadeshiko pipped the Falcons 1-0 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on 14th August 2004.

     Two back-to-back friendlies in 2013 were won 2-0 each by Nadeshiko.

     Japan’s entertaining girls won the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2011, beating Team USA in a pulsating penalty shoot-out after regulation time ended 2-2. Nadeshiko thus became the first team from Asia to win a senior FIFA World Cup trophy.

     The Super Falcons are perennial champions of the African continent and have participated at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991, reaching the quarter finals in 1999.

  • Super Falcons ready to win AFCON trophy, qualify for Worldcup-Ebi

    Super Falcons’ captain, Onome Ebi has declared that the nine-time African champions are fully focused on the twin objectives of winning a ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and retaining their Women Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next month.

     Cup holders Nigeria and 11 other countries will contend for the coveted Women AFCON trophy in the North African kingdom between 2nd – 23rd July, and all four semi-finalists are guaranteed berths in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – the biggest ever in the history of the women’s game that will be staged in Australia and New Zealand a year on.

     “We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco. We have no illusions. Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team. All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Cup.

     “On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths. We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer. The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time. We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi. Then, the knock-out rounds. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”

     Nigeria have won nine of the 11 championships contested so far, done every other year since 1998, save for the 2020 edition that was obliterated by the coronavirus pandemic.

     Ebi, who has played in five FIFA World Cup finals since the 4th finals in the United States of America in 2003, was among 19 esrly arrivals as the training camp commenced in Abuja on Thursday.

     The 19 early birds have now been joined by four others, and four more are expected as the team prepares to depart the country next weekend for Morocco.