Morocco 2024: Madugu Invites Ajibade, Oshoala, 19 Other Falcons For Cape Verde

Coach Justin Madugu has called 21 players to the Super Falcons’ camp ahead of next week’s 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round, first leg clash with the Senior Women National Team of Cape Verde. The nine-time African champions will host the Cape Verdians at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30th November, before both teams trade tackles in a return leg in Praia on Tuesday, 5th December. To be eligible for this final round, the Super Falcons accomplished a commanding 5-1 aggregate win over their counterparts from Ethiopia, with the first leg in Addis Ababa ending 1-1 before a 4-0 lashing of the ‘Lucy’ in Abuja. All invited players have been advised to report to the team’s camp in Abuja between 25th and 27th November. The Falcons have never failed to reach the Women Africa Cup of Nations since the competition was launched as the African Women Championship in Nigeria in 1998, and have swept nine out of 12 titles that have been contested so far. ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)  Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)  Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).

Paris 2024: Super Falcons ease past Ethiopia to set up clash with Cameroon’s Lionesses

A brace by captain Rasheedat Ajibade and one each by Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala saw the Super Falcons reach the third round of the African qualifiers for next year’s Women Olympic Football Tournament on a 5-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia. The nine-time African champions will next meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the race. A rather tepid first half saw Oshoala bungle a couple of opportunities and Uchenna Kanu miss from six yards. Kalsa Aregash also saw her shot saved by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and from a 20-yard free-kick, captain Loza Abera tried to slot above Nnadozie without success. Just before referee Edoh Kindidje from Togo blew for recess, Oluwatosin Demehin sent a long ball forward and Kanu, who scored Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in the summer, easily beat two defenders by watching the bounce of the ball, and then raced to slot past goalkeeper Tarikua Bergena for Nigeria’s first goal. Five minutes into the second period, and just about the time she netted Nigeria’s equalizer in Addis Ababa six days earlier, captain Ajibade stepped up to flash into the net for Nigeria’s second goal, a cross from Oshoala as the Barcelona Feminine forward darted past two defenders on the right. In the 68th minute, Oshoala turned scorer, heaving herself up to meet Kanu’s measured pull-out from the left with a close-range header that left Bergena totally helpless. The visitors, now overwhelmed, sought to limit the damage, but it was not to be as Ajibade, lithe and sparse and dangerous as ever, sneaked in to bundle the ball past Bergena four minutes later after another cross from Oshoala. Spain-based Ajibade nearly got her hat-trick on the dot of time, when she flashed a shot from 27 yards that went narrowly away. Victory means the Super Falcons will now meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, who overturned a 2-0 defeat in Kampala to defeat Uganda 3-0 after extra time in Yaounde on Tuesday night.

Paris 2024: Ethiopia’s ‘Lucy’ Hold Super Falcons In Addis Ababa

Nigeria and Ethiopia’s senior girls put up a hard-fought battle in Addis Ababa on Wednesday afternoon with the game ending 1-1 to set up an interesting return leg in Abuja on Tuesday next week. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s scorching shot from the edge of the box, six minutes after the restart, restored parity at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, after the Ethiopian girls had surprisingly taken the lead in the 6th minute of play as Birkie Amare made hay from a corner kick. With Asisat Oshoala in the top-striking position, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday operated from the wings, with Michelle Alozie switched to left back to allow Nicole Payne take charge at right back. Oluwatosin Demehin and Akudo Ogbonna took control at the centre of the defence, and with Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde unavailable, Peace Efih joined Toni Payne and Ajibade to string things together in the middle. Both teams found it hard to create many opportunities in a tight first period, though Asisat Oshoala should have done better with an opportunity from Payne’s cross halfway into the period. After Ajibade restored parity, the Falcons took full control, and substitute Ifeoma Onumonu should have put Nigeria in the lead in the 64th minute, only to be denied as she cocked the trigger. Payne and Onumonu combined to create a gilt-edged opportunity in the 79th minute, but once more Oshoala failed to make hay. The Falcons thought they had won it when Onumonu towered above all to head into the net on the dot of time. However, Algerian referee Lamia Atman spotted foul play in the build-up. Both teams will clash again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, with the winner on aggregate to proceed to the third round, where the winner of the Cameroon/Uganda fixture awaits.

2023 FIFA WWC: Nigeria advances to last-16 despite Ireland stalemate

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have secured a spot in the knockout phase of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the third time, despite playing out a goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland on Monday. Ireland, in their maiden appearance in the tournament, managed to claim their first-ever Women’s World Cup point. Before the final group game, Ireland’s fate was already sealed with narrow defeats to Australia and Canada, with the even contest against the Super Falcons showcasing their determination to make history in the prestigious tournament. Nigeria will be joined in the last 16 by Australia, who sent Olympic champions Canada packing with an emphatic 4-0 victory. The co-hosts’ dominant performance saw them progress at the expense of Canada. In the match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium, Ireland displayed early dominance, with Captain Katie McCabe having the first notable effort of the game that narrowly missed the target. Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala had a golden opportunity to score when Louise Quinn’s mistake gifted her the ball, but her shot narrowly curled away from the far post. One of the standout moments of the game occurred just after the interval when Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan made a spectacular save. Uchenna Kanu’s header was brilliantly parried onto the bar by Brosnan, who quickly reacted to keep her side in the game. Despite both teams’ efforts on goal, neither could find the elusive winning goal, resulting in a goalless draw. Nigeria progressed as the second-placed team in Group B, securing their spot in the knockout stage and could face England in the next round. In a historic moment, Super Falcons’ defender Onome Ebi became the first African footballer, male or female, to participate in six World Cups. Her achievement stands as a testament to her remarkable contribution to the sport. As the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup unfolds, the competition intensifies, and teams strive to make their mark on the global stage. The tournament has continued to captivate fans worldwide with thrilling matches and exceptional displays of talent from women footballers from diverse nations.

Win 2023 World Cup, First Lady tasks Falcons in send-forth dinner

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has tasked the Super Falcons to win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals holding in Australia and New Zealand. She gave the charge in Abuja on Saturday while hosting the team to a dinner ahead of its departure on Sunday for the tournament which starts July 20 and ends August 20. Mrs. Tinubu, who was represented by Dr Betta Edu, the APC National Women Leader, said that Nigeria’s appearance at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup must be for the noble purpose of bringing the coveted cup home. Drumming support for the Super Falcons, she pointed out that football was a major unifier in the country, urging the team to work hard so as to match the expectations of Nigerians. “It is important that you remain committed by playing together as a team; no one should think that she’s better player than the other. “It is only when you play as a team that you can record success. It is my expectation that this time, you will surpass your previous efforts. “I am sure that 99.9 per cent of Nigerians will stay glued to their television sets to watch you. Please try your best to bring the cup home.” While expressing her faith in the ability and pedigree of the team to excel at the mundial, the first lady promised to receive the team herself when they bring the cup home. Earlier, the President of Nigeria Football Federations (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gashua, had thanked the Federal Government for supporting the team. “Football remains the biggest unifier across the world; it has helped to shore up our national image while helping to reduce criminal tendencies among the youth. “I want to encourage the coaches to be more committed because you will be accountable for the outing.” Among dignitaries that attended the dinner were Mr Philip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo, top sports administrators and members of the diplomatic corps. The Nigerian national female soccer team is one out of only seven national teams that have featured in each of the competition since it debuted in 1991.