Colombia 2024: Falconets Brush Aside Tanzania, Reach Final Round

Goals by Janet Akekoromowei and Comfort Folorunsho against Tanzania at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Sunday gave Nigeria a 2-1 win and progress to the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals. After a gloomy afternoon for Nigerian ball fans following the Super Eagles’ disappointing 1-1 draw with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in neutral Rwanda in the race to 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, the Falconets gave the fans something to smile about as they edged their Tanzanian counterparts 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final round, where they will take on Burundi’s U20 girls. The 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists, who have never been absent from the global finals, swarmed on the visitors from the first blast of the whistle, but poor marksmanship on the part of former U17 team striker Opeyemi Ajakaye robbed them of an early goal. Akekoromowei eventually put Nigeria in front after 16 minutes, when she rifled home from the edge of the box after an intelligent pass from Taiwo Afolabi. Five minutes later, the East Africans were at parity, when goalkeeper Shukura Bakare dropped the ball from an innocuous-looking free-kick 35 yards out and Jamila Mnunduka bundled the ball over the line. Nigeria would have been ahead in the 25th minute, but defender Shukurat Oladipo’s well-struck free-kick from 40 yards was parried away by goalkeeper Zulfa Ally Makau. Ajakaye failed to make hay with another opportunity in the 33rd minute. On the hour mark, defender Comfort Folorunsho broke the spell of 1-1draws for Nigeria’s national teams in recent weeks, when she leapt highest to head home from Afolabi’s cross after a couple of touches from a corner kick.   The Falconets will now take on Burundi in the final round of qualifiers, to determine one of Africa’s flagbearers at next year’s global championship to be hosted by Colombia.   

Nigeria Women’s Football League Shifts Season Opener

The Nigeria Women’s Football League has announced a shift in the date for the highly anticipated 2023/24 NWFL Premiership season opener between Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens in Ado- Ekiti. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, the opening day of the season event will now take place a day earlier on Tuesday, November 14. The season opener which also doubles as the Star Match of the opening Matchday One fixtures of the NWFL Premiership season will be played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti. The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau will be in attendance at the season opener to show support and encouragement for the continued growth of women’s football. He has expressed keen interest in the league’s development and is impressed with the strides made in the repositioning of the Women’s League a short span of time, by the current board of the NWFL, led by Ms. Nkechi Obi. The decision to move the date ensures that key stakeholders, fans, and the football community at large can join in this celebration of women’s football excellence. All other Week One fixtures in the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership will take place as scheduled. The NWFL looks forward to a thrilling #NWFL24 season and appreciates the ongoing support from fans and partners. NWFL Premiership WEEK ONE FIXTURES Ekiti Queens vs Delta Queens Naija Ratels vs Nasarawa Amazons Confluence Queens vs Dannaz Ladies Abia Angels vs Adamawa Queens Heartland Queens vs Royal Queens Remo Stars Ladies vs Rivers Angels Sunshine Queens vs Bayelsa Queens Edo Queens vs Robo Queens

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.