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Tag: Super Falcons

  • Falcons depart Avita Resort camp, fly to France on Tuesday

    The Nigerian National female football team, Super Falcons, departed their Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf camp in Austria on Tuesday for France for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    Demola Olajire, the Director of Communication of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said in a statement on Monday that the team was on a two-week residential camp in Austria.

    “ The team was on a two-week residential camp at the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf and will spend Monday night in Vienna before flying to Paris on Tuesday for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    “The team is in high spirits in camp after handsome wins in two friendly matches against top clubs in Eastern Europe; the team defeated the Hungarian Premier Division side, Halandas Viktoria 5-1 in Hungary and recorded three goals against ZNK Pormuje in Slovenia,’’ Olajire said.

    He said that individual accomplishments are also a booster for the team.

    “Asisat Oshoala, who scored a brace in each of the friendly matches, has secured a substantive contract with FC Barcelona Ladies in Spain.

    “ Only weeks ago, she became the first African to score in the final of the UEFA Women’s League, even as FC Barcelona lost to defending champions Olympique Lyon in France.

    “Uchenna Kalu, who scored the other goal against Pormuje on Sunday, is in a rich vein of form, after scoring nine goals to emerge top scorer of the WAFU Women’s Cup of Nations in Abidjan, just before the trip to Austria.

    “There is a new bounce to the steps of power forward Desire Oparanozie, who has been made captain of the squad, and energetic winger Francisca Ordega is rearing to go after fully settling down to football life in China.

    “Petite forward Rasheedat Ajibade will be attending her first major finals as a foreign-based professional, and Chinwendu Ihezuo, who scored against Viktoria in Hungary, is also in great mood after settling down in China.

    “Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale and Ngozi Ebere, and midfielders Ngozi Okobi and Halimatu Ayinde, who played key roles in Nigeria’s triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana late last year, are all confident the Falcons can pull surprises in France,’’ Olajire said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Falcons in Group A, are up against Norway in their first match of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Stade Auguste Delauney in Reims on Saturday.

    The team will also play Korea Republic on June 12 in Grenoble and host nation France in Rennes, on June 17.

  • Friendly: Canada come from behind to beat Super Falcons 2-1

    Canada’s national senior women football team came from behind to beat Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 in a pre–World Cup friendly encounter at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Canada, who are ranked fifth in the world, dominated the opening exchanges.

    But it was the African champions who took the lead three minutes before the half-hour mark, courtesy of a fine strike by Desire Oparanozie.

    Talented winger Uchenna Kanu dribbled past two Canadian players before setting up Oparanozie who calmly slotted the ball into the net.

    The goal rattled the Canadians and they fought hard to get back into the game immediately, but they were unable to find a breakthrough in the remaining part of the first half.

    The North Americans however leveled scores three minutes after the break through Beckie Janine.

    Substitute Sophie Schmidt scored the winning goal for Canada in the 53rd minute with her well-placed header going past Tochukwu Oluehi to complete a hard-fought comeback.

    The Canadians are now unbeaten in their last six games.

    NAN also reports that the Super Falcons had defeated Icelandic Women’s top-flight side UMF Selfoss 6-1 in a friendly encounter on Friday.

    They will now focus their attention on the WAFU Women’s Tournament as they continue their build-up ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

    The eight-nation WAFU B Women’s Tournament will hold from May 8 to May 18 at Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire.

    It has as participants the senior women teams of hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

    The draw ceremony for the tournament has been scheduled for April 16.

    After the WAFU Cup tourney, the Super Falcons will move to the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria.

    It was the same facility that hosted the Super Eagles ahead of their flight to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    From Austria, the Falcons will head to France, where they will take on Norway, Korea Republic and tournament hosts
    France in the Group A of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    The World Cup finals will hold from June 7 to July 7.

  • Super Falcons striker Oshoala joins Barcelona

    Super Falcons striker Oshoala joins Barcelona

    Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has joined the female team of FC Barcelona of Spain.

    The Dalian Quanjian player will be at the Spanish club until the end of the 2018/2019 season.

    Barcelona issued a statement with details of her loan signing on Thursday.

    “The Nigerian footballer, 24 years old, arrived in Barcelona this morning.

    “Subsequently, she carried out the relevant medical tests and signed the contract in the Office of the President of the Camp Nou, with the presence of the director responsible for the section, Maria Teixidor, and sports manager, Markel Zubizarreta,” the statement read.

    Oshoala, a three-time African Footballer of the Year, said she’s excited about joining “one of the best clubs in the world”.

    She said: “Obviously this is one of the best clubs in the world, the team has a great history and a good football mentality.

    “I am very excited to play again with Vicky Losada, a great midfielder, with a lot of energy and technique check out home inspection in san diego, I have also met Fabiana in China and she has helped me make this decision.

    “My goal is to strengthen the team and help you win and make history; it’s a great opportunity because I know something big is going to happen.”

    Oshoala joined Chinese club, Dalian Quanjian, from Liverpool in February 2017.

  • Falcons lose 0-3 to China in Four-Nation Invitational

    The Super Falcons lost 0-3 to the Steel Roses of China on Thursday in a Four-Nation Invitational Football Tournament at the Huitang Stadium Meizhou Wuhua, China.

    Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, who made heroic saves enroute the Falcons’ ninth triumph at the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana, was very helpful again.

    She made good saves to stop the Steel Roses from dazing the Falcons with goals.

    The very determined hosts took charge of the game with a Zhang Rui opener nine minutes into the game.

    The Falcons’ fightback was feeble, even though Ngozi Okobi’s a shot from the edge of the area went off target in the 22nd minute.

    A brilliant save from Oluehi denied the Steel Roses from scoring their second goal after a great Gu Yasha’s free-kick just before half time.

    The Chinese’s persistence in attack proved worthwhile as Li Ying delivered the team’s second goal with a great finish in the 64th minute.

    She then completed her brace via a long ball from Wu Chengshu in the 92nd minute.

    Nigeria will face Romania, who lost 0-3 to Korea, for a third place spot, while China will battle South Korea in the finals.

    Both matches will come up on Sunday.

    The tournament is part of the Falcons’ preparations for this June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

  • Falcons to play about 10 matches before 2019 Women’s World Cup – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday said it has put in place plans to provide the Super Falcons with better preparations for the 8thFIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that the federation had made plans for the African champions to participate in about 10 matches altogether.

    “Participation in the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in China from Jan. 17 to Jan. 20 will be followed by participation in the Cyprus Women’s Cup billed for Feb. 25 to March 7.

    “They will then play planned friendly matches with Spain or Canada before a final training camp in Austria that could also take in two tune-up games,’’ he said.

    Already, the NFF has announced that the Falcons would have their final camping programme at the same Avita Hotel and Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles stayed at that same facility before heading to Russia to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    Olajire disclosed that players and officials of the nine-time African champions were on Tuesday at the Embassy of China in Abuja for visa processing.

    “The team is expected to fly out of Nigeria to China on Monday,’’ he said.

    Hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic are the other teams taking part in the four-day invitational.

    The NFF official added that the players and officials would on return from the invitational tournament in China begin visa processing for the trip to Cyprus.

    “They will take part in a 12-nation Invitational Tournament between Feb. 25 and March 7.

    “Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, North Korea, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa and Thailand are the other nations taking part.

    “Of the lot, Nigeria, Italy, South Africa and Thailand will be going to France,’’ he said.

    Olajire disclosed also that Spain and Canada have approached Nigeria for friendly matches.

    Spain will face South Africa, Germany and China in Group B at France 2019, while Canada will also take on African team Cameroon, New Zealand and The Netherlands in Group E.

    “Jamaica, who play Australia, Italy and Brazil in Group C, have also written to the NFF expressing interest in playing against the Super Falcons,’’ he added.

    Nigeria are the only African country to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched in China in 1991.

    The African champions, who are the Women National Team of Year 2018 in Africa, will tackle host nation France, Korea Republic and Norway in Group A of this summer’s finals.

    The Super Falcons, who were quarter-finalists in 1999, will open their account in France against Norway, at the 21,000-capacity Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims on June 8.

    They will then face Korea Republic in Grenoble on June 12 and hosts France in Rennes on June 17.

    The 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will hold from June 7 to July 7.

    France will be up against Korea Republic in the opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on June 7.

  • AWCON 2018: NFF speaks ahead of Super Falcons’ final tie with South Africa

    Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, General Secretary has spoken up on the Super Falcons’ 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final clash with Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

    The Super Falcons will tackle the Bayana Bayana on Saturday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Sanusi, however, expressed confidence that the Super Falcons will defeat South Africa and retain the trophy.

    Nigeria head to the game after defeating the Lionesses of Cameroon in the semi-final, while South Africa defeated Mali.

    “I have confidence in our girls to carry the day. Though the Bayana Bayana are younger and fitter but experience will help our team to retain the trophy and I know the girls are ready to show their supremacy in Women’s football in Africa,” Sanusi told SportingLife.

    The kick-off time for the match is 5pm.

  • South Africa to face Super Falcons in 2018 AWCON final

    Banyana Banyana of South Africa defeated Mali 2-0 at Cape Coast in the second semi-final game of 2018 AWCON in Ghana to set up a mouth-watering clash with Nigeria on Saturday.

    South Africa will be making a debut at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup after securing one of the tournament’s tickets at the ongoing 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).

    The match will be a repeat of the both teams’ opening match in the tournament, where the defending champions lost by a lone goal to their South African counterparts.

    Thembi Kgatlana opened scoring for the South Africans in the 31st minute, for the forward’s fifth goal of the championship.

    With 10 minutes to the end of the game, Lebohang Ramalepe increased the tally for Banyana Banyana to seal the victory.

    Meanwhile, winners of the third-place match between Mali and Cameroon on Friday will complete the trio for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

  • BREAKING: Super Falcons through to AWCON 2018 final

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons beat Cameroon 4-2 on penalties to advance into 2018 AWCON final after both sides had ended goalless at extra time.

    With the victory over Indomitable Lionesses, Super Falcons qualifies for 11th AWCON final match and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

    Details to follow…

  • Oshoala, Ebi, Oluehi, make 2018 AWCON group stage first eleven

    Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala, defender Onome Ebi and goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, have made the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) group stage first eleven.

    This was announced on the tournament’s twitter handle @CAF_AWCON on Monday as the event rounded up its group games on Saturday and set for its semi-finals on Tuesday.

    The trio is listed alongside South African defenders Janine Van Wyk, Nothando Vilakazi and forward Thembi Kgatalana.

    Cameroonian Raissa Feudjio, teammate Marylse Ndoumbouk and Ghanaian Elizabeth Addo were nominated in midfield, while Cameroonian striker Gabrielle Onguene and Ghana’s defender Gladys Amfobea also made the list.

    The substitutes are: Kimberly Barker of South Africa, Mali’s Bassira Toure, Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie and teammate Francisca Ordega.

    Ngo Mbeleck Edith of Cameroon and Ghana’s Portia Boakye were also included.

    All countries represented qualified for the semifinals stages except hosts Ghana who lost out at the group stage.

    Top three out of the semifinals quartet would secure a ticket at next year’s Women’s World Cup in France.

    NAN

  • 2018 AWCON: Falcons redeem image over Zambia in four-goal thriller

    Super Falcons on Wednesday redeemed their high rated image in a 4-0 win over the Shepolopolos of Zambia in their second group B game of the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON).

    Thomas Dennerby ladies proved to be worthy defending champions as the victory has kept hope alive for their title defence and a possible 2019 World Cup ticket in France.

    The team began the show with a strike from Desire Oparanozie three minutes to the end of first half.

    Teammate Fransisca Ordega doubled the lead from a rebound of Oparanozie’s shot on the bar in the 69th minute.

    Substitute Rasheedat Ajibade, who replaced Oparanozie marked her AWCON debut tournament with a beautiful shot home six minutes later to make it 3-0 for the defending champions.

    The eighth time champions, however, sealed the victory with a spectacular Amarachi Okoronkwo thunderbolt at the 94th minute.

    Zambia and Nigeria now have three points from two matches as South Africa is expected to face Equatorial Guinea in the second group game later in the day.

    Three top countries from the eight-team event will qualify for the world stage in France.