The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SUPER FALCONS

  • Uche congratulates Super Falcons

    Uche congratulates Super Falcons

    Super Eagles striker Ikechukwu Uche has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Falcons after they won the 2014 CAF Africa Women Championship courtesy of a 2-0 defeat of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the final.

    Goals from tournament top scorer Desire Oparanozie and Most Valuable Player Asisat Oshoala secured a seventh title for the Nigerians. And Uche, who represents Nigeria’s senior men’s football team, has wasted no time in congratulating his compatriots on yet another AWC win.

    “Congratulations to the super Falcons of Nigeria for making us proud. #respect #Godisincharge #moretrophies #SuperFalcons #Naija,” he tweeted.

    The new African champions are expected back in Nigeria on Monday and are expected to tour Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos with the trophy – an open bus parade – before leaving for Abuja on Tuesday for an expected reception by Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.

    The victory in Namibia now means Nigeria are African champions in both men and women’s football, as the Super Eagles are the reigning African champions having won the last edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in 2013, but are presently struggling to qualify for the 2015 edition.

  • AWC: Super Falcons clinch record 7th crown

    AWC: Super Falcons clinch record 7th crown

    Nigeria won a record seventh African Women’s Championship on Saturday after beating Cameroon 2-0 in the final.

    Both Nigeria and Cameroon along with third-place winners Cote d’Ivoire will represent Africa in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala, who was the player of the competition, were the goalscorers for the Super Falcons, with both goals coming in the first half.

    Oparanozie put the Super Falcons ahead in the 13th minute scoring a beautiful free kick from outside the box.

    The forward along with Ngozi Okobi had looked very dangerous for Nigeria in the opening exchanges of the match

  • Jonathan to Falcons: Bring back the AWC trophy

    Jonathan to Falcons: Bring back the AWC trophy

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday congratulated the Super Falcons for reaching the final of the 2014 African Women’s Football Championship in Windhoek, Namibia.

    The President also commended the team for securing a ticket to represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan urged the team to go all out against Cameroon in the African Women’s Championship Final.

    He said the team must not fail to continue its glorious domination of African Women’s football with another victory, having won six of the eight previous championships.

    The statement reads: “Although the Falcon’s scintillating performance thus far in this year’s AWC tournament makes the team the bookmakers’ favourites to win the final match, President Jonathan urges the girls not to take victory against Cameroon for granted, but to prepare very well and put their acclaimed soccer skills and strength to the best possible use on Saturday to achieve victory.

    “The President assures the girls and their handlers of the full support and best wishes of the Federal Government and all soccer-loving Nigerians as they strive to add another international sporting laurel to the glory of their fatherland.”

    He joined other Nigerians in praying for the team’s victory and looks forward to receiving them in Abuja with the championship trophy.

     

  • Super Falcons qualify for World Cup

    Super Falcons qualify for World Cup

    • As Oshoala’s brace inspires Nigeria to 2-1 win over Bayana Bayana 

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria are the first country from Africa to qualify for next year’s FIFA senior Women’s World Cup after they beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final of the African Women Championship in Windhoek yesterday.

    The Nigerian women dominated the opening minutes of the first half and should have taken the lead  more than twice with Asisat Oshoala missing incredible chances, but the Canada 2014 U-20 Women World’s Cup MVP and Highest goal scorer made up for her earlier misses when she grabbed the first goal for the Falcons in the 36th minute.

    The Rivers Angels star got a through ball from the left wing, out ran two of her markers before placing the ball to the far corner to calm anxious minds on the Nigerian bench.

    Her second goal came in the 45th minute of the encounter, Oshoala having being left unmarked in the far right, got a pass, controlled the ball and volleyed over goalkeeper Philadelphia Mndaweni in goal for the Bayana Bayana.

    Knowing that they needed at least a goal to come into the game, the South Africans stepped up the game in the second half with their quick inter change of passes spearheaded by the inspirational Portia Modise but it was not until mid way in the second half did their goal come in the most controversial manner.

    The Nigerian defenders rallied to clear on the line from a pull out that was sailing into the net while the centre referee Damaris Kimani from Kenya blow for an infringement against the South African, the assistant referee ruled that the ball crossed the line.

    With the goal line technology not available for the African Women Championship, there was no clear cut conviction whether the ball crossed the line or not.

    Coach Godwin Okon introduced veteran Perpetua Nkwocha for skillful Ngozi Okobi and Esther Sunday for Francisca Ordega who struggled in the game but it was the resurgent South Africans who piled more pressure in the closing stages until the referee ended the game as the Super Falcons avenged their loss to the Bayana Bayana at the same stage two years ago.

  • Nigeria qualifies for AWC final

    Nigeria qualifies for AWC final

    … Secures World Cup ticket

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Wednesday qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup after defeating South Africa 2-1 in African Women’s Championship semi-final in Namibia.

    The top three teams from this tournament will represent Africa at next year’s tournament in Canada, africanFootball.com reports.

    Nigeria will now await the winners of the other semi-final between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire to determine Africa’s best women’s team for 2014.

    It was a sweet revenge for the Falcons, who fell 0-1 to the South Africans at same stage of the competition two years ago in Equatorial Guinea.

    Asisat Oshoala scored in the 38th and 45th minutes to give Nigeria the lead.

    The Most Valuable Player of the recent FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada has now scored three goals at this AWC.

    Jane van Wyk pulled a goal back for Banyana Banyana in the 68th minute to keep the encounter on the edge till the final whistle.

  • I can lead Falcons’ attack

    I can lead Falcons’ attack

    Francisca Ordega is  to the Super Falcons   what Russian delectable beauty, Maria Sharapove means to the tennis world.

    Apart from good curves and good looks, the Sweden based star has got football brains too as exemplified in the way she tore apart the defence line of the Brave Warriors of Namibia as the Falcons secured a 2-0 win in their last group game against the host nation.

    Ordega was initially scheduled to speak with SportingLife last Sunday but a slight headache after a training session made the interview to be shifted to yesterday where the shy looking Nigerian forward said that only the trophy can atone for their failure to win the trophy in the last two editions.

    Ordega, who clocked 21 on October 19 two days after she led the Falcons attack against the Namibians disclosed that the team has resolved to work with total commitment in their bid to defeat the Bayena Bayana of South Africa within regulation time.

    Said she:”This tournament means a lot to us and that is the reason all the invited foreign based players made it to the camp.You know that in the last edition some could not make it because of club commitment.

    “For me specially, I would not be fulfilled if we don’t lift the trophy.The South Africans were lucky in Equatorial Guinea in 2012 but this time, we have a squad that is stronger in every aspect of the game.

    “We  train very hard everyday since we arrived in Windhoek and our concentration level is very high. All we just need to do is to silence the South Africans by taking our chances when it comes.”

    Asked to comment on what was behind her scintillating performance against the  Brave Warriors of Namibia last Friday, Ordega replied that as a professional she wanted to prove that she was equal to the task of leading the team’s attack in any game.

    “You know we are blessed with top quality strikers in the team and so, when the coach gives you the nod to lead the attack you have no option than to prove that you are also equal to the task.

    “I respect the other strikers in the squad but I also believe in my abilities on the pitch. I would continue to work harder during each training session to improve my game and convince the coaches to give me more playing time to prove what I’m capable of doing.”

    In the Falcons’ games against Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia, Ordega was played either behind Desire Oparanozie or asked to play wide by coach Edwin Okon but the Pitea IFF of Sweden confided in SportingLife that her preferred position is to lead the attack.

    “You know that as a team, we all need to make sacrifices and play wherever the coach asks us to play in the interest of the team. But now that you have asked me, my best position is to be the top striker. That’s what I do week in, week out in my club. However, the coach determines  the position we must play in and I have no problem with that as long as the team continues to win.”

  • Come cheer us in Namibia, Falcons beg First Lady

    Come cheer us in Namibia, Falcons beg First Lady

    The Super Falcons have sent a passionate appeal to First Lady, Patience Jonathan to give them moral support by coming to cheer them in Namibia in their quest to win the 9th African Women Championship.

    The national women’s team who are the only side in the competition to have won all their matches said the presence of the Nigeria’s first lady will erase the notion that everybody follows football in the country only when the Super Eagles are involved.

    “We want our mother, the first lady to come and identify with us as we prepare to do the nation proud.We know she has a busy schedule but her presence alone will give us that extra push that the nation is behind”One player told SportingLIfe.

    Though the Nigeria Football Federation has a delegation in Windhoek with the team, the players said they also wanted  wives of governors in Nigeria to come to Namibia and give them words of encouragement now that they are in the knock out stages of the tournament.

    “When our brothers, the Super Eagles are playing, Governors, Senate and House Reps members are always there to give them moral support. So,why is our own different?”Another key player in the squad asked.

    “So, if the governors, the law makers can’t be with us in Namibia, we are appealing to their wives to convince their husbands to allow them travel to Namibia to cheer us and we promise not to let down them”

    The Super Falcons battle the Bayana Bayana of South Africa today at the Sam Nujoma stadium by 4 pm Nigerian time while the second semi final tie between the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire holds at the same venue at 7 pm Nigerian time.

  • Super Falcons camp bubbles

    Super Falcons camp bubbles

    PLAYERS of the Nigeria women senior national side, Super Falcons started arriving in Abuja yesterday ahead of preparation for the ninth African Women Championship in Namibia.

    The Super Falcons want to win back the trust of their die-hard fans having performed woefully in the 2012 edition in Equatorial Guinea.

    Nigeria advanced to the tournament after wrapping up a 12-1 aggregate win over the She-Amavubi of Rwanda.

    “We can certainly take some positives from the last round of qualifiers (game with Rwanda),” head coach Edwin Okon told SL10.

    “But in football,the most important game is always the next game.We need to focus on our training programmes and stick together as a unit.

    “I trust my girls to deliver.The team is always improving and that is good for us.But we need to take our chances and remain focused.”

    SL10 sources gathered that matches have been lined up to keep the team in shape for the biggest women football tournament in Africa,including a trip to face South Africa in a yet to be named venue.

    The competition will take place in Namibia from  October 11 to 25.

    It will serve as a qualifier for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, with the top three teams picking tickets to represent Africa at the Mundial.

  • Akide tasks Falcons on AWC

    Akide tasks Falcons on AWC

    Ex-Super Falcons star, Mercy Akide-Udoh, has warned the team not to underrate any of its opponents in the African Women’s Championship (AWC) after draws for the competition was held in Namibia at the weekend.

    The two-time African Player of the Year and member of FIFA’s Football Committee lamented the fact that the team who was once a dominant force on the continent has not shown consistency in recent years.

    She however urged the girls to put up a determined performance to ensure they bring the trophy back to Nigeria.

    “The girls should not look at it like they can walk over any body. Everybody now knows that anybody is beatable,” she told KickOffNigeria.com

    “So they should bring their A game. We need that trophy back. We have not been consistent over the last few years and we need to get our rhythm back.

    “But we must respect opponents and play every game like it’s the final because all the teams in Africa are improving and if the team  wants to return to being champions, the players must show improvement,” she said.

    Nigeria has been drawn against Namibia , Zambia and Cote d’ Ivoire in group A , while group B has South Africa, Cameroon ,Ghana and Algeria.

     

  • Super Falcons know foes

    Super Falcons know foes

    •As AWC draw holds today in Windhoek

    Thefinal draw for the 2014 African women’s Championship in Namibia will take place at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on today.The draw will get underway by 19h00 local time (17h00 GMT).

    The tournament runs from October  11 to 25 , with Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia and hosts Namibia to be divided into two round-robin groups.The top two teams from each group advance to the semis.

    Representatives from the participating teams will be present at the draws for the tournament.

    The African Women’s Championship is a major international football competition for African Women Senior Sides.

    The eight-team tournament is held every two years,with the Super Falcons of Nigeria the most successful team with six titles, closely followed by Equatorial Guinea with two titles.

    The top three teams of the African Women’s Championship will automatically qualify to the finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to be held in Canada.

    Equatorial Guinea won the last edition which was held on its home soil after overcoming South Africa 4-0 in the final game.However,they are not in the tournament as they were sent packing by unfancied Cote d’Ivoire during the final round of the qualifiers.

    Countries in the draw:

    Namibia (Host)

    Nigeria

    Ghana

    Zambia

    Algeria

    Cameroon

    South Africa

    Cote d’Ivoire