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Tag: WAFCON 2022

  • 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.

     

     

  • 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: NFF hails Nigerian Officials Calvin-Onwuka, Madu on glorious outing

    WAFCON: NFF hails Nigerian Officials Calvin-Onwuka, Madu on glorious outing

    The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Nigerian officials Patience Ndidi Madu and Mimisen Iyorhe Calvin-Onwuka for their historic feats in their various roles at the ongoing 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    Madu, who also officiated at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year, became the first Nigerian referee to officiate in a Women AFCON match using the Video Assistant Referee device when she took charge of the group stage encounter between Burkina Faso and Uganda. She served as the fourth official in two other games.

    Mimisen Calvin-Onwuka became the first Nigeria assistant referee in the quarter-finals of a Women AFCON that deployed the Video Assistant Referee when she played that role during the quarter-final encounter between South Africa’s Banyana Banyana and Tunisia. Calvin-Onwuka had earlier been part of the group stage encounters between Togo and Tunisia, and the match between Burkina Faso and Uganda where Madu was the referee.

    “We congratulate Patience Madu and Mimisen Calvin-Onwuka for their historic outings and we urge them to continue to do Nigeria proud at all matches and tournaments in which they find themselves. Both officials have been improving brilliantly in the past years and we commend them for their strong determination to keep improving themselves, self-motivating, and performing diligently at a high level,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said on Tuesday.

    In her quarter-final experience, Calvin-Onwuka was yoked with Salima Mukansanga – the Rwandan official who is widely regarded as the leading woman referee on the African continent. The 33-year-old officiated at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and is one of three women referees globally who have been shortlisted for the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar later this year. She has also officiated at the Olympics and the CAF Women’s Champions League.

    Earlier this year in Cameroon, Mukansanga became the first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations match.

    Mimisen Calvin-Onwuka is one of the referees shortlisted to perform at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica, slated for 10th – 28th August.

  • 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.

  • WAFCON: Nigeria/Morocco clash set new Africa’s match attendance record

    WAFCON: Nigeria/Morocco clash set new Africa’s match attendance record

    A new Africa match attendance record has been set at the semi-finals of the ongoing 2022 Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    A total of 45, 562 spectators witnessed the host Atlas Lionesses of Morocco pip holders Super Falcons of Nigeria to qualify for their first WAFCON finals appearance.

    The game at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca on Monday, wasn’t short of drama as nine-time champions Nigeria played most parts of the game with nine players.

    Halimatu Ayinde was sent off in the 48th minute as Falcons opened scoring in the 14th minute, but an equaliser from Morocco followed four minutes after.

    Rasheedat Ajibade was also sent to the stands in the 70th minute, leaving Nigeria with nine players who had to stay solid in defence to finish regulation and extra time on the same scoreline.

    The hosts, however, won 5-4 on penalties to set up a final clash against South Africa on Saturday.

    The Falcons’ loss, however, did not stop Nigeria from joining Morocco, South Africa and Zambia in qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

  • WAFCON: Host Morocco will be difficult to defeat – Waldrum

    WAFCON: Host Morocco will be difficult to defeat – Waldrum

    Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum has revealed that Morocco will be a hard nut to crack ahead of tonight’s WAFCON semi-final clash.

    Nigeria defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon by a slim margin of 1-0 to grab a Worldcup ticket and proceed to the semi-final of the tournament.

    For the hosts, they beat Botswana 2-1 to reach the last four – their best performance ever since making their debut in 1998.

    Nigeria may be the favorites to reach the final, but Waldrum feels the Cameroon senior female national team also have a chance when both countries face off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

    “I said as soon as I arrived in Morocco that they are the team that can surprise. I know how this team has developed for three years now.

    “They are one of the best teams in the competition and are capable of beating any other team.

    “We have respect for Morocco and the way they have played in this tournament. It’s a big challenge for us.

    “Certainly, we have a lot of experience and a lot see us as favorites, but in football everything is possible and we have to be ready for this game.”

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons qualify for FIFA World Cup

    WAFCON: Super Falcons qualify for FIFA World Cup

    Nigeria qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals after a lone goal by Rasheedat Ajibade steered the Super Falcons to the semi finals of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the expense of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses.

    Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene made a bold run at the Cameroonian defence supported by twists and turns and the ball somehow landed at the feet of gangling Ifeoma Onumonu, who heaved the ball into the box for Ajibade to nod past Ange Bawu for the only goal of the match in the 57th minute.

    The nine-time champions dominated a physical game right from onset and could have led by at least two goals in a first period they created chance after chance only to be undone by near misses.

    In the 7th minute, Onumonu, who scored the first goal in the 2-0 defeat of Botswana in Group C that rejuvenated Nigeria’s campaign following opening game defeat by South Africa, headed Okobi-Okeoghene’s well-weighted free-kick over the sticks. In the 24th minute, Onumonu and Ucheibe were involved as a melee ensued in the Lionesses’ vital area, but Bawu was up to the task.

    The two teams abbreviated each other’s opportunities with very close marking in a turgid second half. However, after Nigeria scored, Gabrielle Onguene lashed at the Nigeria goal but it went far away.

    Ajibade’s headed goal, her third of the tournament, took Nigeria to eight goals in the championship with only two conceded – both against South Africa – and their reward is a potentially-explosive semi final duel against slick host nation, Morocco.

    The Atletico Madrid of Spain forward was named the Woman of the Match.

  • WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons target FIFA World Cup ticket against Cameroon’s Lionesses

    WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons target FIFA World Cup ticket against Cameroon’s Lionesses

    Ever-present Nigeria believe they will celebrate another FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket on Thursday night after a quarter-final clash with neighbours Cameroon in Casablanca that will determine who is guaranteed a place in Australia & New Zealand next year.

     All four teams that make the semi finals at the ongoing continental championship in Morocco would have picked automatic tickets for the Women’s World Cup, with the team adjudged to have finished fifth presented with another chance for a shot at a Playoff Tournament next year.

     Cameroon will come into Thursday’s encounter with the mentality of the yam pounder, knowing they have always been second best to Nigeria at this level, and a third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup will certainly appeal to the Indomitable Lionesses.

     A 1-2 defeat at the hands of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their opening match of Group C last week Monday somewhat dimmed the shine of the Super Falcons, but they rose stoutly to the occasion and won their other two matches with six points and six goals advantage shooting them to the last eight.

     Cameroon also started somewhat slowly, drawing with Zambia, but they picked up impressively and their reward is what is actually the most anticipated quarter-final tie at this tournament.

     Both countries flew Africa’s flag at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada and at the last edition in France three years ago, but Nigeria are the untouchables, being one of only six countries on the planet to have participated in all eight editions of the quadrennial global showpiece.

     “We are ready to face Cameroon,” said Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum, after his Super Falcons arrived in Morocco’s commercial and economic capital, Casablanca on Monday ahead of Thursday’s encounter.

     Cameroon suffered a 6-0 spanking from the Falcons in the semi finals of the 1998 Women Africa Cup of Nations (which Nigeria hosted and which was the first edition) but things have improved a bit for the Lionesses since then. In the semi finals of the 2010 edition in South Africa, they were thumped 5-1 by the Falcons.

     Both countries contested the Final matches of the 2014 and 2016 Women AFCON. In 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia, the Falcons ran away 2-0 winners to lift the trophy for the seventh time. In 2016 in Yaounde, the Lionesses suffered a heartbreak in front of their cheering fans when Desire Oparanozie scored a late goal to hand the trophy to Nigeria for the eighth time.

     Four years ago, in Accra, both teams also met in the semi final stage. It was a tough duel that ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, but the Falcons again prevailed 4-2 after penalty shoot-out on the way to their ninth title.

     Thursday’s spectacle in Casablanca is expected to be explosive, but Nigeria captain Onome Ebi says the Falcons are up for the challenge.

     “Of course, we know what to expect. The Cameroonians also want to go to the World Cup. But we have never missed the World Cup and we won’t start now. Our eyes are fully focused on Australia & New Zealand, and then we can start talking about the trophy.”

     Forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu, on two goals each, are expected to start against Cameroon, with Coach Waldrum also expected to keep faith with most of the crew that decimated Burundi in Rabat on Sunday night.

     

  • Super Falcons to consolidate on victory against Botswana – Ordega

    Super Falcons to consolidate on victory against Botswana – Ordega

    Super Falcons’ forward and most valuable player in the match against Botswana  Francisca Ordega says the team’s victory over Mares is the beginning of better things to come for Nigeria at the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    Ordega said that the Falcons will consolidate on the victory against Botswana to win more games and perhaps emerge champions of the tournament.

    Super Falcons defeated the Mares of Botswana 2-0 to revive hopes of defending the title won in Ghana, four years ago after defeating South Africa on penalties.

    Meanwhile, Ordega who was adjudged the woman-of-the-match, expressed delight at the outcome of the game, saying that the win was the beginning of better things to come for Nigeria.

    “I am indeed very excited about our performance today, especially after coming from a defeat to South Africa in our first game.

    “We executed our game plan and came out victorious and winning today has given us more moral.

    “We are so happy and it is the beginning of good things to come,” she said.

    Francisca Ordega is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for CSKA Moscow in the Russian Women’s Football Championship. She represents Nigeria women’s national football team at both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and African Women’s Championship