The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SUPER FALCONS

  • Cyprus Cup: Super Falcons suffer another defeat

     

    Super Falcons suffered yet another defeat Monday in the Cyprus cup. Falcons who managed to defeat Slovakia 4-3 on Wednesday lost by a loan goal to Belgium in the final group game. The team thus finished third in group C with only three points in three matches.

    Austria who handed Falcons their first baptism of fire at the event top the group with seven points. Belgium finished second in the group with seven points like Austria but with inferior goal difference.

    Second African representatives at the event Bayana Bayana finished last in group A after losing their last match 2-1 to Czech Republic. The only edge the Falcons have over Bayana Bayana in the tournament is that they managed to win a match while the South Africans drew a match and lost two. 

    The six teams that made impressive run of the tournament are Korea DPR and Czech Republic who finished first and second in Group A, Italy and Mexico who finished first and second in Group B and Austria and Belgium who finished first and second in Group C.

     

     

  • Cyprus Cup: Super Falcons bounce back beat Slovakia 4-3

     

    Super Falcons grabbed their first victory at the ongoing Cyprus cup with a 4-3 defeat of Slovakia at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium Friday.

    The Thomas Dernneby tutored side approached the game with all the seriousness it deserved from the first blast of the whistle and their efforts yielded fruits as the scored three quick goals in the first half.

    Rita Chikwelu opened the floodgate of goals for the Falcons in the 7th minute. Osinachi Ohale increased the tally in the 28th minute before Chikwelu who from all indications was not satisfied with having only one goal in her name grabbed a second in the 38th minute even as the Falcons held to their 3-0 lead till the end of first 45 minutes.

    The sound of the music however changed in the second half when Slovakia’s Jana Vojtekova got a goal for her side in the 67th minutes of the game just 22 minutes into the second half.

    The goal did not only come as a ginger for the Slovakian babes but appeared to have told them in clear terms that they can indeed turn the table if the dared.

    The increased pressure on the Falcons saw the team give away two penalties in quick secession in the 72nd and 76th minutes respectively which Lucia Harsanyova did not fail to convert thus putting both teams at par at 3-3.

    The game appeared to be heading for a draw before Anam Imo found the net in the 82nd minute to again put Falcons ahead with victory looking assured at 4-3.  Both teams afterwards went into a ding-dong affair firing from all angles; Falcons with intent to further consolidate and the Slovakians with intent to restore parity to no avails.

    Friday’s match marks the second defeat for the Slovakians after losing their opening match 3-0 to Belgium, Falcons on their part lost the first match 4-1 to Austria with the consolation goal coming from Assisat Oshoala. The final group match will  be against Belgium on Monday.

  • Cyprus cup: Austria hammers Super Falcons 4-1

     

    World cup bound Super Falcons began their participation in the shape up Cyprus cup on a losing note after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Austria.

    Falcons managed to hold their opponents and maintain a goalless first half but conceded the first goal shortly after the resumption of second half.

    Toochukwu Oluehi had been handed a red as early as the 5th minute of the match which perhaps appeared to have taken the team aback. Nina Burger’s goal in the 48th minute for Austria served as a major ginger for the Austrians as Nicole Bila increased the tally in the 59th minute.

    Barcelona ladies forward Assisat Oshoala however raised hope for Falcons after she grabbed a 65th minute goal.  Falcons efforts at getting equaliser however failed to materialize rather it was Austrian ladies that scored two more goals in the 72nd and 84th minutes respectively thanks to Laura Felesinger and Jenifer Klein respectively.

    Austria thus leads the group with three points followed by Belgium who also won their match against 3-0 against Slovakia while Nigeria occupy the third place and Slovakia on the fourth place without no points.

    South Africa’s Bafana Bafana who are also participating in the competition were held to a 2-2 draw. In other matches played on Wednesday, Italy hammered Mexico 5-0, Korea DPR beat Czech Republic 2-1, while Thailand beat Hungary 4-0.  Falcons will on Friday file out against Slovakia in their second match.

    The Cyprus cup is part of the shape for the team ahead of the FIFA women world cup in France.

     

     

     

     

  • Falcons fly to Cyprus Sunday for 12-team invitational tourney

    Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons will fly out to Cyprus on Sunday, as they get set to commence healthy hostilities in this year’s edition of a 12-team invitational competition in the tiny Island nation.

    Sports247.ng gathered that Falcons’ coach, Thomas Dennerby has rolled out a list of 24 players that will don Nigeria’s green-and-white colours at the 12th Cyprus International Cup, where they will open against Austria on Wednesday, before also facing Slovakia and Belgium in Group C.

    Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Ebere are back in Thomas Dennerby’s squad after both ladies missed the team’s trip to China for a similar competition last month, where they lost to the hosts and settled for bronze in the third-place match against Romania, who earlier lost to South Korea.

    The nine-time African champions will now aim to take the top spot at the Cyprus Cup competition, which will hold from Wednesday, February 27 to March 6 in the Mediterranean country.

    After battling Austria, the 39th ranked Falcons will play Belgium (21st) and Slovakia (45th) to reach the next stage of the annual invitational.

    The Falcons’ full list of players are three goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); as well as six defenders: Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC, Cyprus), Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum AIF, Sweden), Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); and Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden).

    Also listed are five midfielders: Cecilia Nku(River Angels), Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Okobi (Eskiltuna, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); and Halimat Ayinde (Asarum AIF, Sweden), as well as nine attackers.

    The forwards are: Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes IL, Norway); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain), Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Desire Oparanozie (Guingamp, France); Chinaza Uchendu (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Ini-Abasi Umutong (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan) and Uchenna Kanu (Orlando Kicks, USA).

    Dennerby affirmed that is another step forward in his preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, adding: “We must prepare very hard and then take it one match at a time during the finals.”

  • Assisat Oshoala rattles fans with first daughter claim

     

    Could Super Falcons forward and three time African Women’s footballer of the year Assisat Oshoala be having a child that is not known to her teeming fans?

    Could she really be a single mother and member of the growing single mothers’ league? Is it possible that the former Arsenal Ladies ace that recently joined Barcelona ladies in Spain to continue her quest to reach the zenith in the round leather be having a grown up child that could actually be in the age bracket of 8-12?

    Those were the puzzles that took over the minds of many of her teeming fans following a photo she dished out on social media on Wednesday.

    The post in addition revealed that she may have been receiving a lot of suitors many of who pose questions over her marital status. One of the photos has the query “Are you single, followed by a cursive yes!

    The next photo placed side by side with the first introduces a shy but apparently young girl followed by the submission “My first daughter” which also indicates that the former Dalian Quanjian F.C. of China striker is looking forward to perhaps having more babies in future.

    The post has led to various speculations that the footballer may have been a victim of child pregnancy, before finding her foot and fame in football.

    One of those who reacted following the posts said “Most times, this type of single mothers are always successful because they learnt from their mistake, and want to prove to people they are not as dumb as they think”

    Another said “I respect your courage for showing the world your daughter, anyone who has interest in your will love you and your daughter” Another again followed while sounding as if he has been nursing the idea of proposing to the Super Falcons striker “Your first daughter or younger sister. The first daughter I  am seeing so is about twelve years old. Someone please tell me this news is not real biko”

    Few months back Assisat who has already netted three goals in two appearances for Barcelona bought a big house for her parents in the Ebute Metta Area of Lagos accompanying the posts then with an appreciation to God for achievement made

    “Small girl Big God ��…Alhamdulilah, parent first” she had said

  • France 2019: Mercy Akide-Udoh canvasses better preparation

     

    Nine time African Champions Super Falcons will need to up their preparation and game if they are to make appreciable impact at this year’s World cup in France.

    Former Falcons ace and African women’s player of the year, Mercy Akide-Udoh who made the submission, noted that other countries heading to France for the showdown are playing series of friendly matches while the Falcons appear to be having an evening stroll in the garden.

    Nigeria’s programme ahead of the tournament includes participation in the Cyprus Cup and a camp in Austria, but Akide-Udoh, who starred as Nigeria reached the quarterfinals of the 1999 World Cup, insists that is not enough.

    “To have a good tournament and avoid another embarrassing outing, the girls deserve to compete against the very best in the women’s game to get themselves ready, “she told BBC Sport.

    “Other countries going to the World Cup are playing friendlies, but we are not which is not a good sign.

    “I have always said that Nigeria must start showing that we deserve to be at the World Cup and stop being contented with just participating since 1991,” added the US based former Pelican stars ace

    On areas she considers a must re-touch in the build up to the world cup, Mercy who graced the last African Best Player award recently held in Dakar Senegal with former teammate Perpetua Nkwocha, singled out defence for comment

    “We have a lot of work to do defensively and also in our ball possessions as well,” she said.

    Falcons who finished third in the recently concluded four nation tournament in China, will hopefully honour the Cyprus Cup billed for February 25 to March 7.

    The team will face Belgium, Austria and Slovakia in Group C at the Cyprus event.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Season of harvest for Super Eagles and company!

     

    After a 2018 that went pass producing what some described as below par performance and manageable result for Super Eagles and their female compatriots Super Falcons, things appear to be looking up this year with just one month gone.

    While the Eagles recorded a potpourri posting a poor run at the World cup in Russia but clinching ticket for AFCON 2019 in style, the Falcons clinched their 9th AWCON title in Ghana and a world cup ticket in France as icing on the cake. 

    In spite of that the consensus remains that the quality of the Thomas Dennerby tutored team needs improvement.

    Both Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and his Super Falcons counterpart Dennerby hope and expect that their players wherever they are should be busy playing regularly in readiness for the challenges ahead.

    Some players shortly after the world cup were bench warmers in their clubs and the coaches were hoping for a change of fortune.  Luckily things are looking up with players sealing new deals, an indication that the much needed playing time is perhaps guaranteed. 

    Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel after parting ways with Chinese Super league side Tianjin Teda successfully joined English Championship side Middlesbrough.  Victor Moses who was sidelined at the Stamford Bridge recently moved over to Turkish side Fenerbahce and even became an instant hit netting his first goal for the side after playing for just 26 minutes, an indication that he is probably set

    to explode for the side, after describing the club as “huge one with incredible fans and amazing history”

    Prior to that Ahmed Musa who was impressive in Russia despite Eagles poor run had a near rough ride before the World cup at Leicester City initially headed back to former club CSKA Moscow on a short stay and subsequently joined Saudi Arabian league side August 4th 2018 on a reported £14.5 million deal.  He has since grabbed five goals in nine appearances for the club.

    In the ladies department free style ace Rashindat Ajibade sealed a two year deal with Norwegian side Avaldsnes Idrettslag, just before the Falcons clinched the title in Ghana and only few days back three time African Women footballer of the year Assisat Oshoala whose performance at AWCON 2018 was considered below her best on a good day sealed a loan move from her Chinese Super league side Dalian Quanjian F.C to Spain where she pitched tent with Barcelona ladies.

    This for female football lovers is considered a good move that will further improve her game considering that Barcelona at all levels have proved to be a super force in the round leather game and playing for any of their teams is considered a big plus.

    There is no doubt that Rohr and Dennerby are happy with the gradually turn of events for some of their players especially as they face two major tournaments this year in which they are expected to do well. Rohr even if he has not been given a must win mandate for Egypt 2019, is expected to do very well as Nigeria is seen to be a big player at the Nations Cup and cannot afford to be at the fringes after missing out in two editions. 

    Dennerby on his part is lucky to have clinched the usual AWCON title for which some say has become the birth right of Super Falcons, but he is expected to make a mark at the world cup in France and the only way he can achieve that is by taking the team beyond the quarterfinals, achieved 20 years ago in the United States.

    France 2019 will be the team’s 8th appearance at the world stage and six of those appearances had ended at the group stage.

    So when players move whether on permanent deal of temporary as we have witnessed recently, but have the opportunity of playing regularly, the coaches might regard it as a good omen or better still Season of harvest!

  • Super Falcons beat Romania 4-1

    The Super Falcons on Sunday defeated their Romanian counterparts 4-1 in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in China.

    A total of 7,319 fans were at the Wuhua Olympic Sports Stadium to watch both teams slug it out in the third-place match of the tournament.

    The African champions had lost 0-3 to hosts China on Thursday, while the same scoreline was recorded in Romania’s loss to South Korea.

    Chiwendu Ihezuo’s 44th minute goal, alongside Onome Ebi’s 63rd minute header, team captain Rita Chikwelu’s 68th minute strike and Ini Umotong’s 83rd minute effort helped the Falcons to win.

    It secured for them a third-place position.

    Meanwhile, the Steel Roses of China defeated South Korea by a lone goal in the finals match, also on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament is part of the Falcons’ preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in June.

    NAN

  • Falcons lose 0-3 to China in Four-Nation Invitational

    The Super Falcons lost 0-3 to the Steel Roses of China on Thursday in a Four-Nation Invitational Football Tournament at the Huitang Stadium Meizhou Wuhua, China.

    Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, who made heroic saves enroute the Falcons’ ninth triumph at the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana, was very helpful again.

    She made good saves to stop the Steel Roses from dazing the Falcons with goals.

    The very determined hosts took charge of the game with a Zhang Rui opener nine minutes into the game.

    The Falcons’ fightback was feeble, even though Ngozi Okobi’s a shot from the edge of the area went off target in the 22nd minute.

    Read Also: Super Falcons in tough France 2019 draw

    A brilliant save from Oluehi denied the Steel Roses from scoring their second goal after a great Gu Yasha’s free-kick just before half time.

    The Chinese’s persistence in attack proved worthwhile as Li Ying delivered the team’s second goal with a great finish in the 64th minute.

    She then completed her brace via a long ball from Wu Chengshu in the 92nd minute.

    Nigeria will face Romania, who lost 0-3 to Korea, for a third place spot, while China will battle South Korea in the finals.

    Both matches will come up on Sunday.

    The tournament is part of the Falcons’ preparations for this June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

    NAN

  • France 2018: Falcons begin shape up with 4-nation tourney

     

    Nine time African Champions Super Falcons will on Thursday file out against hosts China in the four nation tournament as part of their shape up programs ahead of the world cup in France.

    The match billed for Meizhou Olympic Sports Center in Wuhua will be the second match of the day coming after Korea Republic and Romania would have flagged off the competition in the first match.

    The Thomas Dennerby tutored side who  are expected to touch down later today (Tuesday) in China left the shores of the country Monday afternoon aboard Egypt Air and would be expected to use Wednesday for light training and  rest after close to 15 hours 55minutes flight. The delegation is made up of 16 players and nine officials.

    “Four players , defender Faith Michael, midfielder Rita Chikwelu  forwards Ini-Abasi Umotong and Chinaza Uchendu according to NFF director of communication Demola Olajire ,will fly direct to China from Europe to join the team

    The names of three time African woman player of the year Dalian Quanjian of China forward Assisat Oshoala and France based Disire Oparanozie were however missing from the list. Although Super Falcons won the Nations cup in Ghana beating South Africa to the title many believe that their quality of play remained below par and would need a lot of boosting before the World cup in June.

    The Four Nations Tournament is an invitational women’s football tournament taking place in various cities of China since 1998. Since 2002, it has been held every year except for 2010. United States, Norway, China, North Korea, and Canada are the only winners of various editions of this tournament. The United States has been the most successful, winning seven editions of the tournament; with China winning six editions and Norway winning two editions. Nigeria is the only African nation to feature in the tournament

    Full List

    Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi; Christy Ohiaeriaku and Chiamaka Nnadozie

    Defenders: Glory Ogbonna; Faith Michael; Onome Ebi; Osinachi Ohale; Ugochi Emenayo and Josephine Chukwunonye

    Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo; Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene; Rita Chikwelu and Halimat Ayinde

    Forwards: Anam Imo; Rasheedat Ajibade; Francisca Ordega; Chinaza Uchendu; Chinwendu Ihezuo; Ini-Abasi Umotong and Alice Ogebe.