Naija Ratels Forward Motunrayo Ezekiel, Nasarawa Amazons midfielder Aweda Titilayo and Rivers Angels forward Vivian Ikechukwu have been nominated for the NWFL Premiership February Player of the month Awards.
Rivers Angels defeated Sunshine Queens home and away in February, with the Super Falcons forward Vivian Ikechuckwu scoring on both occasions. She scored the winning goal in Porthacourt in the 63rd minute and recorded her goal in Akure in the 83rd minute.
Motunrayo Ezekiel had a superlative performance in the game against Pelican Stars. The young utility player scored a hat-trick in their 3-0 bashing of Pelican Stars at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.
Aweda Titilayo’s brace against her former side, Confluence Queens at the Lafia City Stadium, on Matchday 7, to earn her a nomination for the February player of the month award. The attacking midfielder scored in the 33rd and 68th minute to give her side a comfortable 2-0 win.
In the Manager’s category, Osahon Emmanuel of FC Robo Queens, Daniel Evunema of Delta Queens and Edwin Okon of Rivers Angels all got nominated for the prestigious awards. .
Osahon won two out of two in February, winning Royal Queens 1-0 in Warri and 3-1 at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode on Matchday 8.
Edwin Okon’s side also won Sunshine Queens home and away in February. The Jewel of Rivers defeated the ‘Betty Babes’ 2-1 and 2-0 in Porthacourt and Akure respectively.
Daniel Evunema’s side played out a goalless draw against Abia Angels in Umuahia and went on to beat them 2-0 in Asaba.
The Naija Women Football League Player and Manager of the Month winners was selected by a combination of votes from a panel of Women Football experts and jurists.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, the 16th of March 2022.
Nigeria’s national under-20 women football team, Falconets are in Dakar ahead of their World Cup Qualifier clash against Senegal on Saturday.
The two–time World Cup runners-up have scored a total of 18 goals in five matches in the qualifying series while beating Central African Republic (CAR), Republic of Congo and Cameroon.
Falconets scored seven goals away and four at home against CAR, before lashing the Congolese girls 4-0 in Brazzaville, leading to the Congolese Football Federation pulling their girls out of the return leg. The Falconets then went on to played a barren draw against their Cameroonian counterpart away in the first leg but refueled at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja scoring three goals in the second leg to crash Cameroon out of the race
Falconets have booked a date with Senegal in the final round of qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
The team captain Tosin Dimehin has stated that the Falconet are in high spirit ahead of the team’s final round of world cup qualifiers coming up with a first leg tie this weekend against their Senegalese.
Coach Christopher Danjuma arrived with 23 Falconets:
NWFL Premiership Week 10 began with defending Champions, Rivers Angels trip to the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, where FC Robo Queens Attacker, Monday Gift scored a brace to give the Lagos Landladies’ an important win infront of their home fans. Rivers Angels had a couple of chances, but failed to convert early in the game, but eventually got one back late in the game through Oghenebrume Ikhekua, to make the final scoreline 2-1.
In Abuja, in form striker, Yemisi Samuel also scored a brace as the Obaseki Ladies ran riot over Naija Ratels. It was a disappointing day for the ‘one day at a time’ Ladies as they conceded two early goals from the former Osun Babes striker, as their defense couldn’t hold on to the swift attack launched by the Visitors. Chioma Olise added one late in the game to complete a 3-0 drabbing of Naija Ratels. Adamawa Queens will welcome Naija Ratels to the Abubakar Pantanmi Stadium, Gombe in week 11, while Edo Queens will welcome Confluence Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Josephine Mathias, Dooshima Tarnum and Chinemerem Opara scored a goal each as Nasarawa Amazons trashed Pelican Stars 3-0 at the Lafia City Stadium, it was a good win for the ‘Solid Babes’ who have been on a goal spree at home since the beginning of the 2022 season. The still remained in second spot, despite the win on Wednesday, while Pelican Stars are still bottom of the table. Nasarawa Amazons will visit Osun Babes at the Lanreleke Academy Stadium, Ile-Ogbo next week Wednesday, while Pelican Stars will be bye.
Etim Edidiong opened scoring for Bayelsa Queens against Delta Queens at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, before the ‘Okowa’ Ladies equalised in the 48th minute, through mid season signing Mercy Omokwo. Zainab Olapade who is just coming back to the Bayelsa Queens squad after some time away gave the away team the lead few minutes after Omokwo had leveled, but experienced defender Sarah Nnodim late goal shared the spoils for the two teams. Delta Queens will travel to Akure to face Sunshine Queens in Week 11, while Bayelsa Queens will be at home to FC Robo Queens.
At the Warri Township Stadium, Eunice Godwin scored in the 6th minute, before former Dreamstar Ladies midfielder, Tosin Ogundeko grabbed a double in the 28th and 76th minute for Royal Queens against Abia Angels, as they continue to struggle in time against relegation in group B.
Abia Angels and Super Falcons defender Ayomide Ojo picked a red card late in the game. With the win, Royal Queens move ahead of Abia Angels on the log with goals difference.
In the last game of Week 10, Confluence Queens failed to take full advantage of Naija Ratels flaws as they played a goalless draw against their visitor’s, Osun Babes at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Thursday morning. The one point gotten will take them one point ahead of Naija Ratels on the table, before they travel down to Benin to face Edo Queens next week, while Osun Babes will welcome Nasarawa Amazons.
Super Falcons of Nigeria captain Asisat Oshoala has extended her contract with Barcelona Femeni until 2024.
With three months to the end of her current deal, Oshoala has been given two more years that will keep her with the Spaniards.
Despite being on the sideline due to injury, Oshoala is the top scorer in the Primera Iberdrola with 19 goals in 16 games played. She is also the first player to score Barcelona’s first ever goal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
In her 101 official matches with the club, Oshoala has found the net on 80 occasions – making her the sixth-highest scorer in the club’s history.
“Asisat Oshoala has renewed his contract with FC Barcelona until 30 June 2024. The striker, who had just finished her relationship with the club at the end of the season, has sealed her continuity for another two years with president Joan Laporta and manager Xavier Puig, in the Camp Nou presidential office,” a statement from the club read.
In a video on the official Barcelona Femeni Twitter handle, the four-time African Women’s Player of the Year expressed her delight to remain at home.
“I think I’m really happy and excited to continue the journey with the best team in the world, obviously. Nothing to feel here but it’s just about a girl who has decided to stay at home,” she told Barcelona TV.
Oshoala is the third Barcelona player to sign a new two-year deal with the club this week, following the announcements of defenders Marta Torrejon and Mapi Leon also committing their future to the Catalan giants until 2024.
The Black Maidens of Ghana fought hard to earn a 1-0 win over the Young Terenga Lionesses of Senegal at the Stade Lat Dior on Saturday in their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers clash.
Princess Owusu heads in Serwaa Agyemang’s cross from close range in the 87th minute was enough to give Ghana a slight advantage ahead of the second leg slated for Accra in two weeks time.
Isn’t this lovely 🥰?
📸: The players said hi to our supporters after a hard fought win 🤩
— Ghana Women National Teams 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) March 5, 2022
The Black Maidens of Ghana have reached the knockouts of the last four editions of the World Cup and registered their best finish exactly a decade ago when they beat Germany 1-0 to clinch bronze in Azerbaijan 2012.
Only three teams will represent the continent at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, India 2022.
Soccer Queens Cup champions, Imo Strikers thrashed Ubakala FC 4-1 with a hat-trick from the tournament’s highest goal scorer, Harmony.
Harmony broke the deadlock just ten (10) minutes into the game but the opponent managed to equalized five minutes into first half added time.
On resuming for second half, Imo Strikers finds their gear and fire up in search of goals. An effort that paid off in the 50th minute through new signing, Destiny Agbo.
The Soccer Queens Cup best player of the tournament, Harmony then scored in the 80th and 85th minute to record hat-trick and help sealed the match for Imo Strikers.
The match ended 4-1 in favour of the South-East based team as they keep preparing to join the NWFL Nationwide League.
The Nigeria U17 girls national football team, Flamingos will begin their journey in the FIFA U17 World Cup qualifiers with a second round, first leg tie against their counterparts of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa on Sunday.
The three-time quarter finalists (2010, 2012 and 2014), have been in camp for some weeks in the Federal Capital, Abuja and Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has selected 20 players to face the Congolese for a ticket at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
With the return leg scheduled for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday, 19th March, and the winner over the two legs will slug it out against Egypt next month.
Flamingos have participated in every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup except for Uruguay 2018.
Only three teams will represent the continent at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, India 2022.
Edo Queens moved to top of NWFL Premiership Group A table, after they beat Adamawa Queens 2-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, on Wednesday evening, while Pelican Stars and Naija Ratels held their hosts to draws.
In a late game on Wednesday evening, it was Adaobi Okah and Suliat Abideen who gave the ‘Obaseki Ladies the needed win Infront of their home fans.
The diminutive speedster scored early in the game through a beautiful effort to give the home side a comfortable ride into the game, while mercurial Midfielder Suliat Abideen added one more in the 23rd minute to take Edo Queens to the top of Group A.
In Calabar, Pelican Stars Goalkeeper Slyvia Echeafulam pulled a goal back from the spot to give her side one point in an entertaining encounter at the University of Calabar Sports Complex. Experienced midfielder, Hannah Amos had earlier missed from the spot before the former Osun Babes Goalkeeper canceled out Favour Nkwocha’s 64th minute goal for Confluence Queens.
At the Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo, home ground of the ‘Omoluabi Queens’, Osun Babes dropped two points and were unable to get past an organised Naija Ratels back line. Both teams got some great chances in the game, but failed to made it count. Okwara Oluchi, Maryann Ohadiwe, Marcus Grace all missed glorious chances in the first half, while Ojo Ouwafehinti, Agama Ziperekefhege also got their chances mainly in the second half of the game.
Bayelsa Queens at the newly refurbished Samson Siasia Stadium, took the fast track to an easy 3-0 win over visiting Sunshine Queens, who have now gone five games without a win and are increasingly looking like a firm relegation candidates.
Etim Edidiong put the Yengoa based side ahead in the 6th minute, before Chinyere Igboamalu and Juliet Bassey added two late on in the game.
Regina Omode’s 13th minute strike was all Rivers Angels needed to hang on to the top position in Group A. The ‘Jewels of Rivers’ held off a very strong and determined Delta Queens side to get an important win on Wednesday.
Abia Angels earned a deserved win over FC Robo Queens. The ‘Angels from the East’ lone goal was scored by Agams Nkechi in the 14th minute.
Week Ten Games will hold on Wednesday, 9th of March across six centres in the country.
As the NWFL Premiership approaches its final five games of the season, some teams will be searching for consistency as we head into this midweek games.
Week 9 is headlined by the premiere rivalry of Nigeria Women Football as Rivers Angels welcome to Porthacourt, a very determined Delta Queens team, who haven’t lost a game so far this season.
Bayelsa Queens will welcome Sunshine Queens in Yenagoa, Abia Angels stay in Umuahia to battle Lagos Landladies’, FC Robo Queens, while Naija Ratels will travel far to Ile-Ogbo to face Osun Babes.
Pelican Stars Vs Confluence Queens – U. J Usuene Stadium, Calabar:
Pelican Stars will be looking at recording their second win of the season, as they face fourth placed team, Confluence Queens at the U. J Usuene Stadium, Calabar.
The New Direction’ Ladies won their last game at home to Nasarawa Amazons and will be aiming at getting a favourable result in Calabar, to go third on the log.
Prior to this game, Pelican Stars have shown signs of improvement, despite their 3-0 loss in the hands of Naija Ratels last week.
Abia Angels Vs FC Robo Queens – Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia:
Abia Angels were the busiest club in the just concluded NWFL Premiership Mid-season transfer window. The Angels from the East took advantage of the window to beef up their squad and would be playing their first home game after that.
FC Robo Queens are a very strong side and are supposedly expected to give their host alot of problems. The ‘Lagos Landladies’ will miss some chunk of players due to National’s team engagement, but will have enough to fight hard to get something in Umuahia, meanwhile, the Umuahia based side won’t leave any stones unturned. We should expect a very tough battle.
Rivers Angels Vs Delta Queens – UNIPORT Sports Complex, Porthacourt:
There is a huge rivalry between these two NWFL Premiership giants. A rivalry dated back to more than two decades. Both teams played a draw in the first leg of the encounter and since then, Delta Queens have failed to lose a game.
Rivers Angels have shown great consistency in their recent games as they went to Akure last week to pick a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Betty Babes. Delta Queens have their unbeaten run at stake in Porthacourt and would fight hard to sustain that.
The latest South-south derby finds Rivers Angels at the top of the Group B Log , three points clear of Delta Queens. That point gap makes Wednesday’s match extremely interesting, because a three point swing either way will change the dynamic of the table in a considerable way.
Osun Babes Vs Naija Ratels – Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo:
Osun Babes will face Naija Ratels at the Lanreleke Academy Stadium, Ile-Ogbo in a game that promises to be captivating.
Naija Ratels are coming off the back of a 3-0 thrashing of Pelican Stars in Abuja and would want to continue with the same performance. They will go into this encounter without most of their regulars, who won’t be up for the game, due to National team assignment with the Falconets and Flamingos. Nevertheless, they still have alot to offer against the Omoluabi Queens’.
The Home side are more experienced and seem to have a great advantage, playing at home infront of their home fans. Both sides need a win desperately and that makes the encounter even more promising.
Edo Queens Vs Adamawa Queens – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin:
Wemimo Mathew’s Edo Queens will play host to Adamawa Queens on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Edo Queens are second on the log of Group A with 14 points, with a game a game at hand, while Adamawa Queens are in fifth spot with 9 points.
The ‘Obaseki Ladies’ are one of the two teams not to have lost any game so far and it doesn’t look like they are going to lose against the visiting Adamawa Queens. It promises to be a captivating encounter.
Bayelsa Queens Vs Sunshine Queens – Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa: Sunshine Queens face an uphill task when they meet Bayelsa Queens on Wednesday at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
The ‘Betty Babes’ have lost five of their last seven games, securing only four points in the process. Bayelsa Queens on the other hand have to record a good result against their opponent, if they are to keep their Super 6 ambition alive. They have a strong competition from Rivers Angels, Delta Queens and FC Robo Queens in Group B. Sadly for the two teams, they will also be missing some of their key players to National’s team assignment.
Naija Ratels President, Barrister Paul Edeh has said Wednesday hat-trick Heroine, Motunrayo Ezekiel had predicted she would score thrice against Pelican Stars, two days earlier.
Edeh also admitted his admiration for the ‘Extraordinary Talent’ Motunrayo Ezekiel, while hinting that her hat-trick wouldn’t have been possible if not for the supports of her teammates.
The 18- year old despite still being in the early stages of her career has developed herself into one of the best players in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership, so much that she’s widely regarded as a rare talent.
The youngster repeatedly told the Club’s Chairman and some of her friends that she would score a hat-trick heading into the Pelican Stars game on Wednesday, in what is a rather unusual thing to do.
Motunrayo who plays as a defender for the Nigeria Women National U-20 team, the Falconets, plays as a forward for her team, Naija Ratels and was the heroine as the Abuja based side, got a well deserved 3-0 victory over Pelican Stars of Calabar at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja in the matchday 8 of the NWFL Premiership.
The multi-talented player netted three times on Wednesday, securing an emphatic win for her side. Motunrayo, scored in the 11th, 19th and 47th minute to complete her hat-trick of goals. The rare talent also scored an aesthetic free-kick, that is worthy of a FIFA Puskas Award nomination.
The budding teenager scored a brace earlier in the season against Adamawa Queens on Matchday 4 and added three more when the 7 time Champions, Pelican Stars came visiting, to make it five goals in just four games this season.
“I’m glad she did score a hat-trick and it was clear that the whole team worked so hard for this victory,” Barrister Paul Edeh told http://www.naijaratels.com
“She had earlier promised me that she would score three times against Pelican Stars, I don’t know how she did it, but it must have been a very strong feeling.
“It is a remarkable feat, but what makes it even more astonishing is that she predicted she would do as much in the days leading to the game.
“She is a force of nature and one who is focused just like her other teammates. There is no word to describe how talented she is“. He concluded.
Asked during an interview with Naija Ratels TV, on why she thought she would score a hat-trick against Pelican Stars, Motunrayo replied by saying she had a strong feeling about scoring thrice and was determined to make it come to reality.
“It was a strong feeling, I usually have such thoughts before some games. It’s natural and I think it happens to some players all around the world as well. I am happy I could fulfil that dream and hopefully, I can get to play more games and score more goals.”
Motunrayo has mustered five goals in four NWFL Premiership appearances so far, while she has also provided one assist.
The Pelican Stars win means that Bankole Olowookeere’s side, still remains in the third position, same point with Confluence Queens, who won Nasarawa Amazons by a lone goal on Wednesday.
The ‘One Day At A Time’ Ladies will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel down to Ile-Ogbo to face Osun Babes FC.
MOLATsportgist 