TheNewsGuru

Tag: WAFCON

  • Morocco defeat nine-woman Super Falcons on penalties in Rabat

    Morocco defeat nine-woman Super Falcons on penalties in Rabat

    Nigeria withstood several adversities before narrowly losing to host nation Morocco after a penalty shoot-out, in a supercharged 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match in Rabat on Monday.

    A total of 45,562 spectators turned the Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah into a boiling cauldron, and only their experience, guts, grit, and determination kept the nine-time African champions firmly in the game as their every move was booed while the Lionesses were roared on the moment they had the ball.

    The Lionesses, who last played at the Women AFCON 22 years ago, before the current finals that they are hosting, started like a house on fire and pegged the Falcons to the rear in the early minutes. But gangling Ifeoma Onumonu should have given Nigeria the lead in the 13th minute when she was brilliantly set up by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.

    Three minutes later, Okobi again showed good anticipation to truncate the Moroccan surge and set up Onumonu, but the forward again failed to make hay.

    In the 34th minute, Okobi deftly intercepted again at the edge of the box, but her effort screamed away from the goal.

    Admittedly, the Lionesses were comfortable on the ball with excellent control and crisp passes, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak, Sanaa Mssoudy, and the precocious Fatima Tagnaout threatening the Nigeria goal now and again as they weaved swiftly about the pitch.

    Three minutes into the second half, Mauritian referee Maria Rivet stopped play for a VAR check, only to return and hand a red card to midfielder Halimat Ayinde. The decision shocked the Super Falcons, who had been challenged by lasers focused on their eyes by spectators, but they refused to cave into onslaught after an onslaught by Mssoudy, Tagnaout, Yasmin Mrabet, and Rosella Ayane.

    In the 52nd minute, captain Onome Ebi saved on the line with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stranded, and it was the turn of Ashleigh Plumptre to do the same two minutes later as Ebi crashed into Nnadozie in yet another invasion by the Lionesses.

    In the 55th minute, Rasheedat Ajibade’s pull-out was plucked by goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi, but seven minutes later, Nigeria were ahead after Ajibade twisted, turned, and crossed for Ifeaoma Onumonu to powerfully head against the upright. The melee saw Yasmin Mrabet flick the ball into her net.

    Morocco were level only four minutes after when Nnadozie failed to deal with a cross by the ubiquitous Tagnaout and Mssoudy gratefully slammed into the net.

    In the 71st minute, Rivet again stopped play for a VAR check, and this time handed Rasheedat Ajibade a red card, reducing the Falcons to nine women.

    Nnadozie made a dozen saves towards the end and in the ensuing extra time, with the Lionesses all over the place, but Nigeria could have won it when Gift Monday beat the hosts’ defense on the counter and crashed a well-measured shot against the crossbar, only for the ball to roll out.

    In the penalty shootout, forward Ifeoma Onumonu missed for Nigeria as Rita Chikwelu, Regina Otu, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Gift Monday scored. Morocco scored all their kicks, through Yasmin Mrabet, Ghizlane Chebbak, Zineb Redouane, Nesryne El Chad, and Rosella Ayane.

    Morocco will take on South Africa (1-0 winners over Zambia in the first semi-final) in Saturday’s final in Rabat, while the Super Falcons tango with the Copper Queens of Zambia for the bronze medals in Casablanca on Friday.

  • WAFCON: Pinnick confident as Nigeria, Morocco engage in flaming war in Rabat

    WAFCON: Pinnick confident as Nigeria, Morocco engage in flaming war in Rabat

    Organizers, stakeholders, ardent football enthusiasts, and the media are guaranteed a feast when Cup holders Nigeria and much-improved host nation Morocco go to battle in the second semi-final match of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations competition in Rabat on Monday night.

    The stage is set for what should be an interesting, engaging, and thrilling encounter at the Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah in Morocco’s administrative capital, from 9 pm, with a capacity crowd expected to goad on the Atlas Lionesses.

    An intimidating cauldron and a highly-motivated opposition are among the challenges nine-time champions Nigeria would be up against on Monday, but President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has told the girls to think of Nigeria and their scores of millions of fans back home when they enter the pitch against the host nation.

    “The match against Morocco will be perhaps the toughest hurdle for the Super Falcons here. However, I have told them to think of our country and the teeming support back home, and the Government that has shown them much love and encouragement.

    “They must be dogged and exhibit as always, that unique Nigeria spirit that makes us overcome challenges, hurdles, and obstacles. I am confident that we will be in the Final on Saturday.”

    Monday night’s spectacle will see the Falcons aim for their 10th Final Match of the Women AFCON since the competition was launched as a biennial event in Nigeria 24 years ago. They have never failed to win a Final match, and victory over Cameroon on Thursday affirmed that they had never failed to reach the tournament’s last four.

    If you consider history, Morocco’s Lionesses come into the game as dwarfs beside the Super Falcons. In the opening match of the inaugural edition of the Women AFCON, hosted by Nigeria, the Super Falcons lashed the Lionesses 8-0.

    The Falcons have also gone ahead to win nine titles in 11 finals before Morocco 2022, and have taken part in all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in addition to playing in three editions of the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament, and have become a global brand.

    However, on the evidence of their performance at the Aisha Buhari Women’s Football Tournament that Nigeria hosted in September last year and their run at this championship, the Lionesses do not deserve to be treated with kid gloves.

    Coach Reynald Pedros will bank on the deft touches and dribbling skills of Fatima Tagnaout on the left side of the pitch, as well as the courageous and lethal Sanaâ Mssoudy at the fore. The Super Falcons must be wary of these two players especially.

    On his part, Coach Randy Waldrum could start with an energetic attacking line comprising of three-goal Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, and Francisca Ordega, with the nifty Gift Monday also a possibility. Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, and Halimat Ayinde should retain their places in the middle, with Captain Onome Ebi leading a rearguard that will shield goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

    South Africa’s Banyana Banyana and Zambia’s Copper Queens will play the first semi-final at the Complexe Mohamed V in Casablanca from 6 pm, also on Monday.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons ready to win 10th title – Ogbonna

    WAFCON: Super Falcons ready to win 10th title – Ogbonna

    Super Falcons defender, Glory Ogbonna, said the team is working  hard to win their 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations  (WAFCON) trophy holding in Morocco, to remain the dominant team on the continent.

    Ogbonna made this development known  on Friday from the team’s base in Casablanca, Morocco however, said they also targeted at winning the world Cup in Australia with their qualification on Thursday.

    The solid defender stressed that the 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the quater-final was a difficult game for the ladies, adding that Super Falcons was adequately prepared for the semi-final clash against host Morocco.

    She said it was very difficult because the Cameroonians wanted the WorldCup ticket too.

    “Like I have previously said, there is no longer small team in Africa and moreover that the Cameroonians are also one of the biggest teams in Africa.

    “We won that game with determination to qualify for the World Cup and also enhance our chances of retaining the Africa Women trophy that we last won.

    “We want to win the trophy for a record 10th time to remain dominant force in Africa Women football.

    “Beyond Africa, we are also looking at winning the Women World Cup,” she stated.

    Ogbonna maintained that while the Falcons respected the host country, they were, however, not loosing any sleep over the semi final match with them.

    “We are very focused in our next match which incidentally is against the host team,” Ogbonna said.

    The defender described the support from Nigerians and their fans as the biggest motivation to the team.

    Glory Akumbu Ogbonna is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a defender for Swedish club Umeå IK and the Nigeria women’s national team. She has formerly played with Edo Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League.

  • 2022 WAFCON: Buhari, NFF President hail Super Falcons

    2022 WAFCON: Buhari, NFF President hail Super Falcons

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s Female Football team, the Super Falcons, for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after their emphatic quarter-final victory at the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Super Falcons, the record nine-time title holder and defending champions of WAFCON, triumphed 1-0 over Cameroon on Thursday night.

    President Buhari lauded the spirited performance of the team in the tournament and for maintaining its dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and the most successful international women’s football team on the continent.

    “Having won the tournament twice in 2016 and 2018, under this administration, the President assures the girls and their handlers that the whole nation is strongly standing with them and will continue to cheer them on until the final whistle in Morocco.

    “He prays that the Super Falcons, who have produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.

    “President Buhari also looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria,” a statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity reads.

    Super Falcons showed strength of character – Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday lauded Super Falcons players for their qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    The Falcons defeated Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 1-0 on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    The win helped them to set up a semi-finals clash with the hosts.

    “I congratulate the girls for a strong performance against another strong team,” Pinnick said.

    “They showed that truly, Nigeria is the powerhouse of African women football. They held firm to victory even in the face of pressure towards the end.

    “Their strength and perseverance was highly commendable. They have done very well to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

    “Now, we can aim for a retention of the trophy.”

    Nigeria, the nine-time champions of the WAFCON tournament, are aiming for the 10th title in Morocco.

  • Super Falcons the 15th team to qualify for 2023 FIFA World Cup

    Super Falcons the 15th team to qualify for 2023 FIFA World Cup

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Thursday night became the 15th team to qualify for the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, to be staged in Australia and New Zealand 20th July – 20th August next year.

    Hosts Australia (with five venues) and New Zealand (four venues), as well as China, Korea Republic, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, United States of America, Morocco and Zambia are the other teams.

    The 5th and 6th –placed teams at the ongoing tournament in Morocco will have another shot at qualifying for the World Cup, as they join eight other teams for a Playoff Tournament early next year.

    Nigeria is one of only six teams, among them USA, Germany, Brazil and Japan, to have played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the championship was launched in China in 1991.

  • WAFCON 2022: Cameroon will not be an easy foe – Ogbonna

    WAFCON 2022: Cameroon will not be an easy foe – Ogbonna

    The reigning Africa Women Champions, Super Falcons says Cameroon, their quarter-final opponents in the ongoing Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON), will not be an easy foe to conquer.

    Glory Ogbonna, a defender with the Falcons, stated this on Monday, from the team’s base in Morocco.

    She however said that the Falcons would overcome the Cameroonians in the match, scheduled for Thursday in Casablanca, Morocco.

    According to her, “the Cameroon women team is a good team and they are also pursuing the ticket for the World Cup, as such, they will not be easy to defeat.

    “They are a very good side and champions of the Africa Women football in their own right.”

    She said the team’s aim was not only to qualify for the World Cup, but also to retain the Africa Women trophy.

    “We remain focused and committed to securing the World Cup ticket and also win the Women trophy, for a record 10th time.

    “What we are doing is just taking each game at a time and at the same time, correcting every of our mistakes in the matches,” she stated.

    The Falcons on Sunday defeated the Burudians 4 – 0 to book a quarter final place with Cameroon.

    The Nigerian team lost the first game 1-2 to South Africa and won their second game against Botswana 2 – 0.

  • 2022 WAFCON: Super Falcons advance to quarterfinal

    2022 WAFCON: Super Falcons advance to quarterfinal

    Defending champions Super Falcons thrashed Burundi 4-0 in their final match of Group C on Sunday, at the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), to clinch a quarterfinal ticket.

    The win took the champions to six points and five goals advantage, as South Africa’s 1-0 win over Botswana meant the Bayana Bayana finished on maximum nine points to top the group.

    The result ensured that the South Africans set up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight.

    The Nigerian ladies dominated the encounter before Rasheedat Ajibade scored a penalty in the 25th minute after she was upended by onrushing goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze.

    Earlier, the very busy Ifeoma Onumonu, shot over the sticks when clear on goal in the second minute, and Peace Efih had an opportunity to rifle into the net four minutes later, but opted to pass, which effort was cut off.

    Four minutes after Ajibade scored from six yards, Peace Efih scored from a goalmouth melee after another dashing run and cross into the box by Ajibade.

    Nigeria were 3-0 up, after Ajibade continued with her superlative move and threaded the ball into the box for advancing Uchenna Kanu, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

    Kanu thought she had made it four in the 38th minute, but her effort was ruled offside, and then came very close in the 40th and 43rd minutes only to miss from close range.

    In the second half, the Falcons started the way they left off in the first period, with Ajibade lifting the ball into the box for Kanu to rifle past substitute goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo, with only 22 seconds gone.

    The Falcons then took their feet off the pedal as the match puttered and petered out, even as Christy Ucheibe’s rasping drive was finger-tipped to the upright by Inarukundo in the 56th minute.

    Nigeria will face Cameroon on Thursday with the winner of the tie qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

  • WAFCON: Super Falcons beat Botswana to raise hopes, as South Africa advance

    WAFCON: Super Falcons beat Botswana to raise hopes, as South Africa advance

    Title-holders Nigeria set on a better track their 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a 2-0 win over Botswana in Rabat on Thursday.

    The development meant they rose to second place in Group C behind new leaders South Africa, with Botswana dropping from the table’s apex to third place.

    South Africa had earlier in the day thumped Burundi 3-1 to lead the group and advance to the quarter-finals.

    Botswana, 4-2 winners over Burundi on the opening day, had led the group following the Super Falcons’ 1-2 loss to the Banyana Banyana on Monday.

    But on Thursday, U.S.-based forward Ifeoma Onumonu put the Falcons on their way with a sweet finish in the 21st minute from an intelligent through pass by Halimat Ayinde.

    The Falcons had before then looked brighter on the break than they did against South Africa, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Onumonu and Francisca Ordega launching onslaughts which unsettled their opponents.

    Nigeria could have been two goals up five minutes later, when Ordega found Toni Payne with a stylish pass and the defender sent the ball into the penalty box.

    But the southern Africans cleared their lines to prevent any damage.

    Two minutes later, Onumonu failed to control in good time a good pass by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene.

    Botswana had their own song in the half, with Tholakele rattling goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie from a 22-yard free-kick in the 31st minute.

    She then shot straight at the Nnadozie six minutes later.

    Substitute Christy Ucheibe, with her first touch of the ball, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 48th minute.

    She rose highest in the penalty box to nod home Payne’s heaved effort from a corner-kick.

    Five minutes later, Ucheibe controlled and lashed slightly over the bar.

    When Gift Monday and Regina Otu joined the fray in place of Ordega and Okobi-Okeoghene in the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s rejuvenation was unmistakable.

    Onumonu had a couple more goalscoring chances, while Ayinde’s angled shot from 25 yards was punched away and Uchenna Kanu saw her shot blocked.

    The Super Falcons will now on Sunday face Burundi, who are already out of contention, with a win certain to guarantee for them a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.

    Botswana on the other hand need at least a draw against South Africa to have hopes of securing a quarter-final spot through the best-losers spot.

    But a win for Botswana can drop Nigeria to third spot, with the title-holders needing to reach the quarter-finals only if they beat Burundi, or get at least a draw.

    Group C Standings:

    Team                      P   W  D  L  GF  GA  GD  Pts

    South Africa           2   2   0   0   5    2    +3    6

    Nigeria                   2   1   0   1   3    2    +1    3

    Botswana               2   1   0   1   4    4      –     3

    Burundi                  2   0   0   2   3    7     -4     0

  • 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.