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Tag: Falconets

  • FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets not afraid of artificial turf

    FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets not afraid of artificial turf

    The captain of Nigeria U20 Women team, Patience Okaeme has said it doesn’t matter on what type of surface they play, following the news that Moncton, the venue of their Group games, is fitted with an artificial turf.

    Okaeme insists that having a very good knowledge of their group opponents will put them in a good position to progress.

    “The knowledge we have of our group opponents is good, I believe that will give us an advantage in some ways.

    “I know they must have done their homework on us as well,but that hasn’t deterred us one bit, we are focused,” Okaeme said.

    Nigeria will play against Mexico, South Korea, and England, with the Falconets playing their first game against Mexico on August 6.

  • Falconets beat Codiac AAA boys 4-3

    Falconets beat Codiac AAA boys 4-3

    Nigeria Under 20 women’s team, the Falconets, continued their build-up to the FIFA U-20 World Cup by coming from behind to defeat the U-16 Codiac AAA boys of Moncton 4-3 in a test match with Courtney Dike grabbing a brace.

    The match is the first the Falconets have played since their arrival in Canada on Sunday.

    Two goals from Heritier Massimengo and Jonathan Kalulumia and an own goal from defender Ibrahim Mariam saw the U-16 Codiac boys lead 3-0 in the first half.

    The second half was a different ball game. Two minutes into the second, the Falconets got a penalty that was converted by Oshoala Asisat to put the scores at 3-1.

    The second and third goals also came through penalties that were converted by Halima Ayinde and US-based Courtney Dike.

    The decisive goal came through Courtney Dike putting scores at 4-3.

    Coach Peter Dedevbo said the girls were complacent in the first half.

    “It is a good match for the girls. It showed they are ready for the World Cup. The player from USA (Courtney Dike) performed beyond my expectations. I like the game as the young boys put the girls on their toes,” Dedevbo stated.

    The Falconets’ coach said the team have one more test match with a yet to be named U-16 boys’ team. This, he hinted, will afford him the opportunity to ascertain how balanced the squad is.

    Nigeria will begin their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Mexico.

  • 2014 WWC: Falconets to play on artificial turf

    2014 WWC: Falconets to play on artificial turf

    The Nigeria Under 20  women’s national team, the Falconets, will play at least two of their group games at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Mocton, on an artificial turf, the first time this will happen at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. The playing surface will be FIFA-certified football turfs in three of the four stadiums, Montreal, Edmonton and Moncton, with natural grass only being used in Toronto.

    The particular geographic and climatic conditions in Canada means it is more expedient to play on artificial turf. For example, outdoor grass pitches in Edmonton and Moncton cannot be used during the long cold winter months.

  • U-20 World Cup: Falconets finally depart in batches tonight

    U-20 World Cup: Falconets finally depart in batches tonight

    Nigeria U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, will finally depart for Moncton, Canada through Frankfurt in two batches aboard Lufthansa Airlines flight on Thursday and Friday from Abuja.

    A training tour of Canada was called off following the recent crisis that rocked the country’s football.

    Meanwhile, coach Peter Dedevbo has released his final list of 21 players for this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, including full international Asisat Oshoala and former U-17 stars Patience Okaeme, Halimatu Ayinde, Jiroro Idike, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo.

    There are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six strikers in the squad that Dedevbo said will stun the world in Canada.

    Dedevbo, who steered the U-17 girls to the quarter finals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and in Azerbaijan in 2012, has also included US–based college star Courtney Dike, younger sister of Nigeria forward Bright Dike. The tall and spritely forward from Oklahoma State University is the only overseas –based player in the squad.

    Nigeria has featured in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, since the inaugural edition, also in Canada, in 2002. They reached the Final in Germany four years ago and also made the semi-finals in Japan in 2012.

    This year, Dedevbo’s maidens will clash with Mexico, Korea Republic and England in Group C, with the first two games coming up in Moncton, before they travel to Edmonton to slug it out with England.

     

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers:

    Sandra Chiihii (Ibom Angels); Ibijoke Sangonuga (Inneh Queens); Chiudo Ehiudo (Delta Queens).

     Defenders:

    Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons); Jiroro Idike (Delta Queens); Maryam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Victoria Aidelomon (Pelican Stars); Gladys Abasi (Ibom Angels).

    Midfielders:

    Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels); Patience Okaeme (Delta Queens); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Inneh Queens).

    Forwards:

    Loveth Ayila (Makwada Babes); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Pelican Stars); Yetunde Aluko (Sunshine Queens); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars); Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels).

  • Jubilation in Falconets’ camp

    Jubilation in Falconets’ camp

    • As Nigeria beats FIFA deadline

    There was joy in the camp  of the Falconets when news  broke in that a court order restraining the Aminu Maigari led executive board from running Nigeria Football by justice J.P. Lot of Jos high court has been jettisoned.

    The team is expected to participate in the FIFA U-20 female World Cup from August 5th but an impending court case meant that the country risked participating except the case was withdrawn of which the country risked been banned.

    But when news filtered into the camp, that the case has been withdrawn, the team officials and players could not hide their joy.

    There had been tension in the camp as the FIFA deadline of 17th July drew closer.

    Some of the players who spoke with the team media officer Elizabeth Carr among them were Okaeme patience, Nnodim Sarah, Oshoala Asisat and Adeboyejo Yetunde said their dreams of participating in the 2014 FIFA U -20 Women’s World Cup is now a reality.

    “Let me state the fact that we have been very worried, thinking our training will be in vain following the earlier suspension of the country by the world football governing body FIFA. This news has given us hope, our doubts have be settled. Our prayers have been answered. We are happy right now we can not wait to intensify our training.

    “We have never stopped believing that we can win the World Cup but with the looming FIFA ban we thought that we would never achieve that ambition but now we give God the glory and state here that we will still win the Cup,” they stated.

    They further commended the Federal government, Nigeria Football Federation and all stakeholders for the joint effort in resolving these issues.

    “We want to promise Nigerians that our going to Canada is not only to participate, but to bring the Cup home. We are happy because even with the uncertainty our coaches still continued with our routine training. So we are prepared to storm the world,” the players added.

    An elated Peter Dedevbo, coach of the team, said that with the new development, work continues.

    “I had faith that the matter will be resolved that’s why I continued with my training. I used the period as if the team was on training tour. We are fully ready for the tournament.

    “There is no cause for alarm our dream is to do Nigeria proud and by the grace of God it is achievable,” said Dedevbo.

    He said team’s officials had played an important role in calming the players and encouraging them not to lose focus.

    “You will recall that the team was air bound to Canada for its training tour on Monday 7th July but could not make it due to the FIFA threat of suspension. I have a formidable team and I know they will make the nation proud,” the coach added.

    The Falconets are in Group C along with England, Mexico and Korea Republic.

  • Falconets caught in FIFA web

    • Body refuses to issue World Cup tickets
    • Team stranded in Abuja

    World soccer governing body, FIFA, may have commenced the process of ostracizing Nigeria from global football activities following the recent purported ousting of the Alhaji Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), by a section of the football fraternity that brands itself ‘congress’.

    This indication came to light following the refusal of FIFA to issue travelling tickets to Nigeria’s U-20 Women national team, Falconets to take part in the upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup tagged Canada 2014. The tournament runs between August 5 and 24 and the Nigerian side was scheduled to travel out early for acclimatization and play some preparatory games before the tournament.

    A confused official of the team said the team went to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in the course of the week but were told that the team does not have tickets from FIFA to travel out. They have since returned to their hotel  in Abuja and have been training under darkness as the foisted NFF leadership seeks to conceal FIFA action against Nigeria.

    The team handled by Peter Dededvo, have been in darkness as to the next point of action, even as there are indications that FIFA will not blink an eye in its determination to ensure that Nigeria tows international football order by reinstating the Maigari led board and wait for the August 26 Congress to take necessary action instead of  the current state of brazen interference of the Sports Ministry that is being witnessed.

     

    “Those in doubt of what we are saying can go to the NFF and also the Falconets hotel in Abuja and see how dejected the girls are because they don’t know what will happen next, especially as all those concerned are flexing muscles to the detriment of Nigerian football”, a source hinted on Wednesday.

  • U-20 Women’s W/Cup: Nigeria draws England, Mexico

    U-20 Women’s W/Cup: Nigeria draws England, Mexico

    Nigeria will face England, Mexico and Korea Republic in Group C of the preliminary round of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Goal reports.

    The draw ceremony which commenced 10 pm (Nigeria time) in Montreal, Canada was greeted with great fanfare that showcased the culture of the country.

    It was a spectacular treat that left mouths wide open including the crème de la crème of world football such as FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.

    Tatjana Haenni, FIFA’s Deputy Director of Competitions Division and Head of Women’s Competitions was in charge of the draw and was assisted by Sylvie Beliveau, Janine Helland and Clare Rustad.

    In Group A, hosts Canada will meet Ghana, Finland and former champions Korea DPR at the Toronto’s National Stadium.

    Defending champions United States got a tricky pool in the draw, having been pitched with last edition’s runners-up Germany, China PR and Brazil.

    Nigeria will face Mexico in its quest to win the elusive title in Moncton on June 8, 2014.

    The pairings

    Group A: Canada, Ghana, Finland, Korea DPR

    Group B: Germany, USA, China, Brazil

    Group C: England, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria

    Group D: New Zealand, Paraguay, France, Costa Rica

     

  • U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets need early preparations to excel – team official

    U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets need early preparations to excel – team official

    Elizabeth Kah, the Falconets’ Media Officer, on Saturday said there was the need for an immediate commencement of preparations by the team for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

    Kah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that good preparations were necessary in order for the team to excel at the world competition.

    NAN reports that the Falconets had on Saturday beaten hosts South Africa 1-0 in the final qualifying round second leg match to qualify for the competition scheduled for Canada.

    “The NFA should ensure that preparations for the World Cup start immediately. This is important, for us to be able to do well in Canada,’’ Kah said.

    Speaking on the Falconets’ match against the Basetsana at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, the team spokesperson said the match was very tough for the Nigerian under-20 women side.

    “It was a very tough game for us, but Yetunde Adeboyejo scored the only goal of the match in the third minute. This helped us a lot,” she said.

  • Falconets to know World Cup foes March 1

    Nigeria’s U20 women’s side, the Falconets will know their foes at the next FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup on March 1st,2014 when the draws are made in Montreal, Canada.

    The country’s representatives cruised to their seventh consecutive appearance to the World Cup after their defeat of the Basetsana of South Africa in the final round of the qualifiers.

    Four cities of Toronto, Montreal, Moncton and Edmonton are expected to host the 16 nations that are billed to participate in the competition that starts on August 5 through 24,2014.

    Before sealing a place in the finals, the Falconets beat Sierra Leone, Tunisia and South Africa. They placed second in Germany, 2010 but were fourth at the last edition in Japan.

  • Falconets, Flamingoes play out a draw

    Falconets, Flamingoes play out a draw

    Flamingoes coach, Bala Nkiyu has expressed satisfaction with his side’s 1-1 draw against Falconets in Saturday’s friendly tie at the FIFA Goal Project pitch, Abuja.

    The nation’s U-17 women’s side got their noses in front in the 29th minute through striker Tessy Biawho while their older opponents, the Falconets levelled score through Chidinma Edeji in the 55th minute.

    The friendly encounter was put together by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to assist both sides prepare for their continental and global assignments.

    Nkiyu said his wards’ resolute performance in the encounter raised hope for a brilliant outing at the forthcoming FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in March.

    “I’ve no reason to be disappointed by the outcome of the friendly though my players wanted to win the game with the no nonsense approach they brought into the game. I’m satisfied with their performance though the team is still a work in progress as we continue our preparations toward the World Cup.

    “We just resumed camp after the festive holidays, we only did conditioning before the friendly game and if what they showed in just a week in camp is anything to go by it then means they’ll get even better in the days to come.

    “We’ll continue to work on every department until we reach a point we’ll confidently say we’ve got the right squad for the World Cup. I strongly believe the friendly game met its purpose as we would love to have more quality friendly games in future,” said the former Super Falcons assistant coach to supersport.com.

    The Azerbaijan 2012 quarterfinalists will campaign in Group D with Mexico, People’s Republic of China and Colombia in the 2014 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The biennial global football showpiece holds from March 15 to April 4.