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Tag: Super Falcons

  • AWCON 2022: Seven Super Falcons report in camp, begin training

    AWCON 2022: Seven Super Falcons report in camp, begin training

    Seven players of the Super Falcons of Nigeria have reported in camp as the team prepares for the final stage qualification of the 14th Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON), against Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast.

    The Team’s media officer, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu made this known, in a statement, in Lagos, on Thursday.

    The Super Falcons, arguably Africa’s most successful women’s football team, would seek to edge past the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast, for a ticket to its 12th successive AWCON in Morocco later this year.

    The 11th time champions in 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018 would play the Lady Elephants on Friday, Feb. 18th, at the newly refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

    The second leg, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, would take place at the Stade Robert Champroux, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

    Tobe-Chukwu said that the Falcon’s team camp in Abuja was opened on Tuesday, Feb. 2, with their first training session held on Wednesday.

    “The Super Falcons have started their quest to overcome the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast for the final stage of the 2022 AWCON qualifiers in Morocco.

    “Camp officially opened on Tuesday in Abuja and we had our first training session on Wednesday with seven players.

    “The players in camp are: Gift Monday, FC Robo, Lagos; Grace Igboamalu, Juliet Bassey and Amanda Mbadim from Bayelsa Queens; Ayomide Ojo, Edo Queens and Christy Ohiaeriaku, Sunshine Stars,” she said.

    Super Falcons during a training session in Abuja
    Super Falcons during a training session in Abuja

    NAN reports that the Super Falcons had earlier defeated arch-rivals, Ghana 2-1 on aggregate, to reach the final round of the 12th AWCON qualifiers.

  • 2022 AWCON Qualifiers: Super Falcons beat Black Queens of Ghana to reach final round

    2022 AWCON Qualifiers: Super Falcons beat Black Queens of Ghana to reach final round

    The Super Falcons fought a tough battle to edge Ghana’s Black Queens and reach the final round of the qualification series for next year’s Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) to be hosted by Morocco.

    A lone goal defeat in Accra on Sunday evening meant the nine-time African champions survived with a 2-1 aggregate win over their hosts.

    Both teams finished with 10 players after Ghana’s captain Portia Boakye was dismissed for a second bookable offence, and minutes after, Nigeria’s left back Glory Ogbonna was expelled by Ivorian referee Zomadre Sonia Kore.

    The lively Princella Adubea got Ghana’s goal midway into the second half as the Super Falcons were expecting adherence to fair play principle.

    Afterwards, captain Asisat Oshoala, missed an opportunity to draw Nigeria level.

    With the strong scent of blood, the Black Queens launched onslaught after onslaught but could not get the goal that would have tied the fixture and make penalty shootout inevitable at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    The Falcons progressed to the final round where they play the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, in February 2022.

  • Onyema gifts Super Falcons 20m after South Africa defeat

    Onyema gifts Super Falcons 20m after South Africa defeat

    Allen Onyema, the President of Air Peace Airline, has compensated the Super Falcons past and present teams with the sum of ₦20 million.

    This is contained in a statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Wednesday.

    It said that Onyema presented the cheques to the various teams after the finals of the maiden Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament on Tuesday.

    Bayana Bayana spanked the Super Falcons 4-2 in the final match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

    South Africa emerged the best team of the tournament, and the Super Falcons’ 2-4 loss was a good lesson for Nigeria to henceforth put her fate in the hands of young and glory-hungry players.

    The statement said Onyema was not dismayed by the lashing received by the Super Falcons in the hands of South Africa’s Bayana Bayana.

    “He presented the sum of ₦10 million to the Super Falcons’ class of 1999 that reached the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s Cup in USA who were honoured by the NFF at a special Awards ceremony in Lagos on Monday.

    “He also gifted the present bunch the sum of ₦10 million,” it added.

    It would be recalled that Onyema’s company, Air Peace, is the official carrier of Nigeria national teams.

    He recently doled out N20 million to motivate the Super Eagles to win their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against Cape Verde in Mindelo

  • Aisha Buhari Cup: Sports minister urges Super Falcons to keep their heads up in defeat

    Aisha Buhari Cup: Sports minister urges Super Falcons to keep their heads up in defeat

    The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, on Tuesday urged the Super Falcons to raise their heads up in spite of the 2-4 defeat by the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the just-concluded Aisha Buhari Cup.

    Dare stated this when he visited the subdued Randy Waldrum ladies in the dressing room after a disappointing result against their arch rival, the South African team.

    Banyana Bayana emerged the winners of the Aisha Buhari Cup after they clipped the Super Falcons wings.

    The highly entertaining match was played at the newly renovated Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly Onikan Stadium.

    Dare urged the Super Falcons to put their pieces together for the next challenge ahead of them.

    “You have the potentials, but there are some lessons to be learnt here and l’m sure it has been learnt.

    “l’m glad that you did not sustain any injury so that you can continue to play for your club and your country.

    “Raise your heads up, you have proven yourselves and you will have more opportunities and give yourself a challenge for the next matches,” he said.

     

  • Aisha Buhari Cup: Super Falcons beat Mali Eagles in thrilling opener

    Aisha Buhari Cup: Super Falcons beat Mali Eagles in thrilling opener

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Wednesday began their quest for gold in the maiden Aisha Buhari Cup on a bright note, beating the Mali female Eagles 2-0 in the opening match.

    The match, played at the remodelled Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, was watched by personalities, including FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

    Super sub, Gift Monday, of Lagos-based FC Robo, who was brought on by coach Randy Waldron for the injured Desire Oparanozie, scored the brace in the 83rd and 92nd minutes of the tension-soaked encounter.

    Nine-time African Champions, the Falcons gave a good account of themselves by breaking down the stubborn Malians, who defended stoutly and also attacked Nigeria menacingly through Azeezat Traore.

    Meanwhile, Waldrum has admitted that the goals didn’t come early in the match because of the high-intensity game from the Malians, whom he knew little or nothing about.

    “It was difficult to find videos of the Mali team, the only one I see is their match against Morocco, which I used to scout. They played well and are well-organised.

    “We didn’t have a great start; the Malians pressed so high and were well-managed at the back; we can only find space in the wide.

    “The Malians are dangerous and played long balls, so, we made some changes in the second half and brought in more players in the midfield.

    “The reserves are the game changers because they brought the needed difference into the encounter,” Waldrum said.

    Monday said she was happy to have scored the goals, having played on a known terrain.

    “What inspired me most is that I am playing on home ground and I am happy to represent my country. So, I have to give my best. I followed the instructions given to me by the coach, and I am proud of the goals.”

    NAN reports that CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chairman, Amaju Pinnick, and NFF 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi, and among the other notable dignitaries that watched the opening match.

  • Aisha Buhari tourney: Leicester star Plumptre trains with Super Falcons in Austria

    Aisha Buhari tourney: Leicester star Plumptre trains with Super Falcons in Austria

    Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre trained with the Super Falcons for the first time on Saturday at the Event Hotel Pyramide, Vienna in Austria.

    Plumptre, who recently expressed her intention to play for the nine-time African champions is among the players invited by head coach Randy Waldrum for the Aisha Buhari invitational tourney billed for Lagos in September.

    The 23-year-old is eligible to play for the Super Falcons because of her father’s Nigerian heritage.

    She was voted Leicester’s player of the season after helping the Foxes to the FA Women’s Championship title in 2020/21.

    New invitees; Evelyn Ijeh, Josephine Ijeh and Adekite Fatuga-Dada have also joined their teammates in camp.

    The Aisha Buhari Cup which is organised to honour Nigeria’s first lady will serve as preparations for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana in October.

    United States of America, Ghana, Morocco, South Africa and Cameroon are the other teams that will compete in the tourney billed to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

  • Super Falcons’ Ogbonna secures dream move to Swedish Umea IK FF

    Super Falcons’ Ogbonna secures dream move to Swedish Umea IK FF

    Glory Ogbonna, Super Falcons player and captain of Edo Queens FC, has described her move to Umea IK FF of Sweden as a dream come true.

    Ogbonna, who signed for the Swedish Club side last week, said that it had always been her dream and that of her father to ply her trade abroad.

    Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the defender recalled how she had been working on the move abroad, saying that she was happy the deal finally came through.

    The versatile defender, who said she could play in any of the positions at the back line, described her move abroad as her major achievement today.

    Ogbonna, who will be in Australia with the Super Falcons as part of preparations for the Aisha Buhari invitational tournament, singled out Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu and her father for the successful Umea IK FF deal.

    “I want to appreciate the Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu, for his fatherly advise and ensuring that my deal with Umea IK FF was done according to FIFA rules, without cutting corners.

    “In spite of all odds, the deputy governor and the entire management team of Edo Queens and players stood by me throughout the negotiation period, ” she said.

    She identified her father, also a footballer, who did not get the chance to play as he desired because of his parents’ insistence on education, had been instrumental to her success.

    “My parents, particularly my father, have been my greatest supporters in the game of football, he has done everything humanly possible for me to succeed in this sport.

    “It has always been his wish that since he couldn’t take his talent in the game to the level he wanted, he will support any of his children who has the flair for the sport,” she said.

    Ogbonna said going abroad would enable her improve her skills and contribute her quota to the development of football in Nigeria, describing the Nigeria professional women’s football league as “the ground to start with for any female footballer in Nigeria.”

    She noted that although the female football league was still developing in Nigeria, it had promises of producing some great players for the country.

    “As you can see, the league is really producing great talent that can represent the country at any level of football and also produce players abroad; it is a great league I must say,” she said.

    Ogbonna said her first invitation to the camp of the Senior female team was in 2014.

    NAN reports that she joined the camp of the U20 national team in 2015 and “since then, I have been growing in the game by featuring in no fewer than 18 matches for the Super Falcons,” she said.

  • FIFA ranking: Super Falcons maintain 38th position

    FIFA ranking: Super Falcons maintain 38th position

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria maintained 38th position in the latest FIFA rankings released on Friday, June 25.

    The nine-time African champions also remain top of the log in Africa.

    Randy Waldrum’s side participated in the Summer Series Invitational Tournament in the United States of America early this month.

    They lost two games and drew one in the three fixtures they played at the four-nation tournament.

    The Falcons lost 1-0 to the Reggae Girls of Jamaica, drew 3-3 against Portugal and fell 2-0 to USA.
    The top ten places in Africa remain unchanged as Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, Morocco, Mali, Algeria, Senegal occupy the positions, in that order.

    On the global scene, world champions USA and Germany retained the top two spots, while 2019 Women’s World Cup hosts France climbed to third.

    The next edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 20 August 2021.

  • ‘NFF shouldn’t mourn me after my death but just pay my money’

    ‘NFF shouldn’t mourn me after my death but just pay my money’

    Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Super Falcons, has pleaded with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership to pay to him his outstanding match bonuses of 28,750 dollars (about N12 million).

    Izilein, who made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin, also said NFF should not mourn him at his death.

    The coach, who once handled the Golden Eaglets, said it was regrettable that the football governing body was yet to pay him match bonuses of 28,750 dollars 17 years after.

    “The unpaid allowances are my reward for taking the female national team to Johannesburg in South Africa in 2004 where Nigeria won the African Women Championship (AWC).

    “I don’t know what my offence is that they have refused to pay me this money. I have written and personally met with heads of NFF at different times. Yet, the story remains the same.

    “The last time was when I met the present NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, in the presence of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, where I again tabled the matter.

    “Though he (Pinnick) expressed shock that I was yet to be paid, but he promised to do something quickly about it. However, up until now, two years after, the story is still the same.

    “But I am only interested in my money, not an addition. I don’t know if it has now become a crime to serve one’s fatherland. Or, why will I be pursuing what I labored for after 17 years?

    “I should be honoured while I am still alive and not when I am gone. NFF should honour me now by paying me the money and not cry and write glowing tributes when I am dead,” Izilein declared.”

  • Super Falcons arrive Turkey, trains ahead of Antalya Cup

    Super Falcons arrive Turkey, trains ahead of Antalya Cup

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in Turkey ahead of their participation in the fifth edition of the Turkish Women’s Cup in Antalya, the team’s s twitter handle @ngsuper_Falcons, disclosed on Monday.

    “The Nigerian contingent of the Super Falcons have arrived Antalya. The team has settled down at the Emir hotels with team Captain Asisat Oshoala leading the pack.”

    The team has also resumed indoor training with new American coach, Randy Waldrum, shortly upon arrival.

    The nine-time African champions have been grouped alongside Uzbekistan and Equatorial Guinea, in the same pool.

    The tournament, which began on Monday, is expected to end on Wednesday, Feb. 24.