Tag: Super Falcons

Paris 2024: Super Falcons to have full camp by Friday

The arrivals of forwards Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo at the Super Falcons’ camp in Sevilla, Spain on Thursday afternoon brought the number of players in camp to 20, with only defender Oluwatosin Demehin and forward Chinonyerem Macleans still expected as the nine-time African champions intensify preparations for their return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Both players are scheduled to arrive at the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort on Friday afternoon.

A full camp by Friday means Coach Randy Waldrum and his assistants will have five whole days to work with the entire playing body, as well as the alternates, ahead of Wednesday’s training match with reigning Olympic champions Canada.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade was among the first arrivals, alongside goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. Two alternates – goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday were also early arrivals.

The Super Falcons will fly into France on Thursday, 18th July – exactly a week to their tournament opening match against illustrious opponents Brazil at the Stade Bordeaux. Their two other games in the group phase, against Spain and Japan in that order, will take place at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes

July 11, 2024
Paris 2024: Super Falcons camp bubbles with the arrival of Asisat Oshoala

The Super Falcons camp in Seville, Spain is swelling with the arrival of the current African women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala.

The Super Falcons set up camp at the Jerez de la Frontera last weekend to prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The number of players in camp has increased to 15 with the arrival of the Bays FC of United States forward.

Seven more players are being expected in camp.

Ifeoma Onumonu was named as replacement for the injured Halimat Ayinde on Tuesday.

Midfielder Regina Otu will now take Onumonu’s place in the alternate players slot.

The Super Falcons will take on Canada in a friendly next week Wednesday before departing for Paris a day later.

July 10, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Super Falcons’ camp bubbles with 14 players as training begins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have kickstarted preparations for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years, as their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has come alive with most of the invited players in camp.

With 12 players at breakfast on Monday, Team Administrator Mary Oboduku told thenff.com that two more players were being expected at the team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort by Monday afternoon.

“We started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku told thenff.com.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are at the head of the squad already in camp, with goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo also in. Alternate players, goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday are also in camp.

Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were being expected at the team’s hotel Monday afternoon.

The nine-time African champions, who last played at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, will take on reigning Olympic champions Canada in a training match in Sevilla on Wednesday, 17^th July.

Canada’s ladies defeated their counterparts from Sweden 3-2 after a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, to clinch the gold medal in Tokyo three years ago.

In their last outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, the Falcons lost 0-1 to Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 to Germany and 1-3 to eventual silver medallists Brazil.

Women’s football debuted at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1996, but the Super Falcons made their entry in 2000 in Australia, where they lost 1-3 each to China, eventual winners Norway and eventual silver medallists USA. Perpetua Nkwocha scored the lone goal against China while Mercy Akide was the scorer against both Norway and USA.

Nigeria’s best outing – so far – at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament was in Athens 20 years ago, where the Super Falcons finished in 6^th place after exiting the tournament in the quarter-finals.

July 8, 2024
Paris 2024: Super Falcons begin training in sevilla

The Super Falcons of Nigeria began their first training session in Sevilla, Spain, on Sunday, kicking off their preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games. The team arrived in Sevilla for a two-week training tour on Friday.

All 18 invited players are expected to join the camp this week. Randy Waldrum’s squad will play a friendly match against Olympic champions Canada on July 17.

The Super Falcons will then head to Paris the following day.The nine-time African champions are set to compete against Spain, Japan, and Brazil in Group C at the Olympics.

July 8, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympics: Waldrum picks Ajibade, Nnadozie, Oshoala, 15 others

Head Coach Randy Waldrum has picked captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, forward Asisat Oshoala and 14 other players in his final list of Nigeria’s Super Falcons for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France.

There are also defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Michelle Alozie, midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu.

Squad members who are currently on holidays in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials aboard an Air France flight from Abuja to Sevilla, Spain on Thursday night, with the rest of the playing body and technical team also arriving in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp.

The team is scheduled to depart Sevilla for France on Thursday, 18th July.

Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who are making their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008 in China, will tackle Brazil, Spain and Japan, in that order, at this year’s tournament.

To qualify for the 12-team tournament, the Falcons edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0, with a strike from the penalty spot in Abuja by Ajibade separating Africa’s top two teams over two legs in the month of April.

isheir first game, against Brazil, comes up at the Stade Bordeaux on 25th July, before confrontations with Spain (28th July) and Japan (31st July). The matches against Spain and Japan will hold at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, where the Super Eagles famously defeated tournament favourites Spain 3-2 in a memorable game at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.

SUPER FALCONS FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Chinonyerem Macleans (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Alternate Players: Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons); Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Morufa Ademola (Rivers Angels)

July 3, 2024
Super Falcons ranked 38 in the world, 1st in Africa

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are currently ranked 38 in the world and first in Africa, according to the latest FIFA/Coca Cola Women’s World rankings released on Friday.

Nearly three months have gone by since the rankings was last published, and no fewer than 154 international football matches have been played during that timeframe.

According to FIFA, the qualifying fixtures for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Paris 2024 held in Africa, and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifiers in Europe impacted on the rankings.

“These intense encounters in addition to a large number of friendly fixtures, resulted in several changes to the standings, including an adjustment to the top three”, the statement said.

Spain is top, reigning supreme for another edition, but the pressure is mounting. France surges into second place, overtaking a slipping England who now sits at third.

Big movers also include Montenegro (up 4 to 85th) and El Salvador (up 7 to 90th) making impressive strides within the top 100.

Belarus (up 2 to 55th) claims the biggest points gain (a whopping 31.91!), while North Macedonia (up a staggering 12 to 123rd) celebrates the most significant ranking jump after dominant wins.

Other than the Macedonians, five other national teams hit their highest-ever points totals: Spain, Zambia, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Congo DR.

In fact, Zambia (64th, up 1) has two reasons to celebrate, as they have also attained their best-ever placing in a table that is likely to change further in the next few months.

Meanwhile, other African representatives, South Africa and Morocco are ranked 51 and 59 in the world, placing second and third in Africa respectively.

The next FIFA rankings will be published on Aug. 16.

June 14, 2024
Paris 2024: Super Falcons set to camp in Spain ahead of Olympics

The European country of Spain is being considered as training camp for the Super Falcons ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.

According to NigeriaFootball.ng, the NFF is considering Spain in order for the team to acclimatize to the weather conditions in neighbouring France.

Randy Waldrum’s side are scheduled to camp in the European country from 5 to 16 July.

The West Africans will also play an high flying friendly game in Spain to serve as preparation.

Recall that the Super Falcons will face World champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in Group C at Paris 2024.

The West Africans will open their campaign against Brazil at Stade de Bordeaux on July 25 before taking on Spain three days later in Nantes and later Japan on July 31 at the same venue.

The 2024 Olympic Games will run from July 25 to August 10.

May 30, 2024
Super Falcons’ goalie, Nnadozie bags best goalkeeper award nomination in France

Super Falcons and Paris FC goalie, Chiamaka Nnadozie has bagged the best goalkeeper award nomination in the French D1 Akem (women’s top-flight league in France),

Nnadozie is in contention with Olympic Lyon’s Christiane Endler and Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of PSG for the award.

It would be recalled that the 22-year-old was also nominated for the top prize last season but didn’t win it.

However, she won the Bruno Martini Award for Goalkeeping Revelation of the Season in the French top flight two seasons ago.

Nnadozie has been in fantastic form for Paris FC this season, both in the league and UEFA Women’s Champions League.

She was named Player of the Month for March in the French D1 Akem.

Apart from goalkeeping heroics, Nnadozie is also known as a penalty expert for both club and country.

April 23, 2024
Olympics: Win gold in Paris – First Lady charges Super Falcons

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has charged the Super Falcons to win the gold medal for Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris.

The first lady made this known in a statement by her Spokesperson, Olubusola Kukoyi, in Abuja on Wednesday.

She also commended the Super Falcons for qualifying for the games for the first time in 16 years.

“Congratulations to our Super Falcons, your perseverance and commitment have truly paid off.

”Your hard work, resilience, and team spirit have brought glory to Nigeria and inspired countless young girls across the country to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

“I am so proud of all your achievements, your journey does not end here; it’s just the beginning of an even greater adventure.

“Make Nigeria proud, Super Falcons! Bring home the gold!

Recall that the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh, had also on Tuesday praised the Super Falcons for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The team edged Banyana Banyana of South Africa for the games after a two-leg qualifiers.

They played a tense goalless draw in South Africa on Tuesday after a 1-0 defeat of the South Africans in the first leg of their encounter on Friday in Nigeria.

April 10, 2024
Olympics: Super Falcons coach submits important request to Sports Minister, NFF

Following the qualification of the Super Falcons of Nigeria for the Paris 2024 Olympics, coach Randy Waldrum has made some important requests to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Waldrum to have requested the NFF and Senator Enoh to ensure early camping and early preparations for the Super Falcons ahead of the Olympic Games.

Coach Waldrum made the request during the post-match press briefing shortly after the Super Falcons qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

The Super Falcons booked their ticket to the Olympics after a tense goalless draw against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Pretoria.

The team had on Friday in the first leg pipped their South African counterparts 1-0, which ultimately secured their qualification for the Olympics in 16 years.

Speaking thereafter, Waldrum said: “My plea is to the Minister of Sports and to the Federation to help us prepare properly.

“We need to camp in Europe to prepare for the group we have. We need proper training. We need proper transportation.

“We need to do things right because these women deserve this opportunity to represent our country in the best possible way as we know.

“If you look at our group, it’s the group of death. I am already thinking about what we need to do to get ready”.

TNG reports the Super Falcons will battle Brazil, Spain and Japan in Group C of the Paris 2024 Olympic games female football event.

Having kept a number of clean sheets, Waldrum noted that the Super Falcons are good defensively but that the team needs to get better in the attack.

“The team did everything we asked them to do to get the result. We knew South Africa would really come at us. We respect their strength. We respect their team very much.

“We know what their qualities are but I think this is our 7th or 8th clean sheets in our last 8 or 9 games.

“So, we did very good defensively and I felt strong about that and with some better work, we will get better on the offensive side.

“But we need some time to prepare and get our players together

“I know how much it means to the fans of Nigeria and to the NFF not to have qualified for 16 years. To them, I am very thankful and very happy,” Waldrum said.

Earlier, the Minister of Sports had praised the Super Falcons for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Senator Enoh shortly after the match on Tuesday commended the team for their bold, energetic, and tireless performance over two legs against their arch rivals.

Enoh expressed immense pride in the Super Falcons’ achievement, highlighting that their performance deserved nothing short of the ticket to Paris.

“Today, we salute the Super Falcons for their extraordinary display of tenacity and doggedness, breaking barriers and reclaiming Nigeria’s spot on the Olympic stage.

“Their victory is not just a triumph for Nigerian football, but a testament to the power of dedication and teamwork.

“As we look forward to Paris 2024, let us rally behind our champions and support them as they strive for greatness,” he said.

Enoh also thanked the coaching staff, players and all Nigerians, stating it is a win for the country.

He said all hands must be on deck, as they prepare to represent Nigeria with pride and determination at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

TNG reports the 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

April 10, 2024