NFF has described as ‘unfortunate’ the incident that saw players & officials of Super Falcons delayed for over four hours at the Airport in Abuja on arrival from Abidjan.
“It was beyond us, but we have already apologized to our players and officials over this incident.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “It was an unfortunate incident, because we had our protocol officers on ground at the airport and they did the needful before the team arrived.
“We are a responsible organization and the various National Teams have been going out and returning to Nigeria since these covid19 protocols, procedures and guidelines started. We have never been caught napping.
“The issue had to do with COVID-19 protocols and we had no control over how things would be approached by the officials in charge at the airport each time. In this particular case, we fulfilled our part of the requirements.
“However, some other group of individuals arrived at the same time as the Super Falcons’ contingent and were bent on circumventing the process, and this compelled the health officials to adopt stern measures and even lock up some of their offices.”
Leicester-born Ashleigh Plumptre is the new fans favourite since making her official debut for Nigeria on Friday, February 18, against Ivory Coast women’s national team in Abuja.
She helped the Super Falcons to a clean sheet with her 5-star performance that earned her standing ovation and nickname ‘oyinbo’ by the fans.
Plumptre has played for England’s U-15, U-17, U-19, and U-23 teams but she publicly declared her interest in playing for Nigeria in 2021.
She told the BBC, “What it will mean for me as somebody who is British born but with Nigerian heritage is huge. People look at me and they think I’m tanned and that I’ve been on holiday, they don’t think that I’m Nigerian.
“I don’t think that should be significant in saying whether somebody is Nigerian or not because it’s in your blood, it’s not about what you look like.”
On Wednesday, Nigeria’s Super Falcons did the double over the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire to qualify for their 12th consecutive Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) slated for July in Morocco.
Ashleigh Plumptre once again once impressive and helped keep another clean sheet despite commiting a penalty in the game, the fans were in awe and couldn’t get enough of her master touches as showed off her victory dance to chants of ‘Oyinbo’ from fans.
Her mum is full British, her father is half Nigerian from a British mother and Nigerian father, but her paternal grandfather is full blown Isalẹ-Eko (Lagos Island) Yoruba man.
The Nigeria Women’s Football League first tier, NWFL Premiership resumed its second phase with week eight fixtures on Wednesday, with five matches played across centers in the country and a late kickoff expected on Thursday.
The League experienced four (4) home wins and one (1) away win with a total of twelve (12) goals scored, nine (9) by the home teams and three (3) by the visiting teams.
Delta Queens vs Abia Angels:
Delta Queens welcomed Abia Angels to a 2-0 victory at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Abia Angels could’ve taken the early lead through Hammed Feranmi who was unable to convert a clear cut pass from Deborah Kehinde. In the 30th minute, Chinaza Agoh was denied by Abia goalkeeper Uju Ngwu.
The goal would later come for the hosts through new addition, Mercy Omokwo who joined the team this month from Confluence Queens. Omokwo converted in the 38th minute in what spectators described as a bad call from the centre referee.
Substitute Dominance Odubanjo doubled the lead in the 53rd minute as she nodded home from a Peace Abbey cross, as the Okowa Ladies dominated the day.
Confluence Queens vs Nasarawa Amazons:
Confluence Queens returned to their natural home ground with a 1-0 victory against Nasarawa Amazons at the Confluence Queens Stadium, Lokoja.
Merit Offor’s 16th minute strike was enough to secure maximum points for the hosts.
There could have been more goals but goalkeeper Akarekor Rita, made back-to-back crucial saves to deny so many scoring chances from increasing the home sides goal tally.
FC Robo vs Royal Queens:
At Dipo Dina stadium, Ijebu Ode, the newly adopted home ground of the Lagos Landladies, FC Robo defeated Royal Queens 3-1.
Taiwo Lawal who just returned from International duties for Nigeria U20 side broke the deadlock just three (3) minutes into the game, before defense marshall Kehinde Akinwande doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a spectacular freekick from 25 yards.
Seven minutes later, Taiwo registered Robo’s third goal of the day with a brace to her name before Eunice Godwin reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute.
Naija Ratels vs Pelican Stars:
Naija Ratels begin a crucial month for the season welcoming Pelican Stars to the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja on Wednesday.
The ‘One Day At A Time’ Ladies eased past seven-time Champions Pelican Stars, thanks to hat-trick hero, Motunrayo Ezekiel.
Motunrayo scored two goals in space of eight (8) minutes in the first half, opening her record in the 11th minute before doubling it in the 19th minute to give Ratels the lead at halftime. Two minutes into the second half, she completed the rout and condemned Pelican Stars to the bottom of the log.
Pelican with one win from seven games have now conceded the second most goals (14) this season and now have a -13 goal difference.
League standings
Sunshine Queens vs Rivers Angels:
Defending champions, Rivers Angels defeated Sunshine Queens 2-0 at the Akure Township Stadium, Ondo.
With nothing to separate the two sides at halftime, Maryann Ezeanagu broke the deadlock in the 64th minute to give the visitors the lead, before Vivian Ikechukwu punished the defense with just seven minutes left of the regular time.
The Jewel of Rivers top Group B with three points above Delta Queens, and are one of the favorite to win the league this season.
Adamawa Queens will slug it out with Osun Babes later today at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe
Togo Women’s national team have qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations for the first time in their history following their 2-1 away win over Gabon on Wednesday.
Both sides are playing in their first continental qualifier but it’s Togo who proceed on their first attempt after winning 4-2 on aggregate.
Togo took lead in the 32nd through Sama Koudjoukalo but Jessy Mbappe equalized for the hosts before Yaya Takiyatou’s goal sealed the debut ticket for the Female Sparrowhawk.
The Mares of Botswana booked a historic slot to participate in the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the first time.
Botswana had earlier defeated the Mighty Warriors 3-1 away at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, on Friday.
In the return fixture, Zimbabwe who needed three unreplied goals to qualify were only able to score two goals to make it 3-3 aggregate draw. A result that earned the Female Zebras a AWCON ticket on away goal rule.
The team will now receive 557, 500 Botswanan Pula as pledged by the Government for qualifying for the 2022 AWCON.
Burkina Faso eased past Guinea Bissau 7-0 on aggregate to pick their maiden AWCON qualification ticket.
The had earlier won 6-0 in the first before doing the double with a 1-0 win in the return fixture.
The three teams, Togo, Botswana and Burkina Faso joined Burundi as debutants for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations slated for July in Morocco.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have completed the double over the Lady Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire winning 1-0 away in Abidjan on Wednesday.
After winning 2-0 in the first leg at the MKO Stadium last Friday, Nigeria grabbed a slot for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) slated for July in Morocco.
The Super Falcons have never missed any edition of the AWCON, winning it a record nine times of the eleven editions.
The defending Champions avenged their Olympic qualifier exit after losing on away goal rule to Côte d’Ivoire in 2019.
Francisca Ordega thought she had given Nigeria the lead halfway into the first period, but the Nigerien referee ruled it out for a foul in the build up.
The Lady Elephants were awarded penalty in the 34th minute but Paris FC save hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie stood firm to deny the spot kick.
The Falcons would later fly with just three minutes left on the regular time through Esther Okoronkwo who found the back of the net in her second official cap for Nigeria.
The AWCON tournament also serves as the qualification for the top Four Semi-finalists for the FIFA Female World Cup slated for Australia and New Zealand in 2023 that will represent the Continent at the world showpiece.
Senegal women national team are back to the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the first time since their first qualification in 2012.
Having won the first leg 1-0 in Thiès last Wednesday, Senegal had to rely on penalty shootout to beat Mali to qualification.
Mali opened the scoring through Agueissa Diarra in the 14th minute to level 1-1 on aggregate.
Senegal are awarded a penalty at the hour mark but the Malian goalkeeper came up with a brilliant save to deny Ndeye Awa Diakhate and forced a penalty shootout in Bamako.
Zambia have qualified for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) on away goal after they played a 1-1 draw with Namibia at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.
Namibia took an early lead on six minutes when their captain Emma Naris headed in a corner, before substitute Siomala Mapepa netted the important equalizer with just 20 minutes left on the regular time.
The Copper Queens have now qualified for the fourth time, first in 1995 where they reached the quarterfinals, before crashing out in the group stage in 2014 and will be making their first appearance since the 2018 edition held in Ghana.
The qualification will keep their hope of making debut FIFA World Cup appearance, following their excellent display at the Tokyo Olympic Games last year (debut appearance).
The Cup of Nations will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with the four semi-finalists automatically sealing their place at the global showpiece.
History was written by the CECAFA side after six times of asking, the Burundi Women’s national team, have made it through to the 2022 TotalEnergies Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) tournament.
The ‘Swallows’ who won the first leg 6-1 qualified for the final event on a 11-1 goal aggregate, stopping a 10-woman Djibouti team with 5-0 win in the return leg played yesterday at Urukundo Stadium in Ngozi.
Anniella Uwimana netted a hat trick, while Rukiya Bizimana scored a brace. The Djibouti team had substitute Idil Gouled Robleh sent-off.
It was all celebrations at the Stadium after the final whistle as Burundi team joins Uganda from the CECAFA Zone for the event to take place in Morocco.
Twelve nations will compete for the continental crown in July, with the four semi-finalists automatically securing berths to represent Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
The USA Women National Team (USWNT) has settled its class action lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation for a total of $24 million, the two sides announced on Tuesday.
With $22M of the settlement going to the players – contingent on a new CBA deal being ratified, and $2 million into a fund dedicated to players’ post-playing careers and charitable endeavors where each player will be able to apply for up to $50,000 from the fund.
The $22 million due to players will be distributed in a manner decided by players and approved by the district court.
The U.S. Soccer has also committed to providing an equal rate of pay going forward for the Women’s and Men’s national teams in all friendlies and tournaments.
The equal pay battle dates back to early 2016 when U.S. players first took their battle public and complaint filed to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, litigation of the case has been pending since 2019. Players were scheduled to present their latest round of appeals on March 7 after losing key battles in previous rulings, but both parties have requested that be removed from the calendar.
Megan Rapinoe who championed the campaign described it as, “A monumental win for women’s sports and women’s soccer, in particular.”
"Something like this is never going to happen again and we can move forward in making soccer the best sport we possibly can in this country…"@alexmorgan13, @mPinoe and the president of the US Soccer Federation live as the @USWNT wins their fight for equal pay. pic.twitter.com/uV2nNh7WAE
According to equalizersoccer.com, final approval of the settlement will be scheduled once a new CBA is ratified between the federation and the USWNT Players Association, litigation will be fully resolved, bringing an end to the six-year fight.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Nigerian Olympian FIFA badge Referee Patience Madu for Wednesday’s 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifying match between Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau.
Madu who is currently one of the best woman referees in Nigeria had some few weeks ago handled the Ghana vs Uganda FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier second leg in Cape Coast, Ghana.
The Nigerian will take centre stage as she works with her other Nigerian officials experienced Mimisen Iyorhe, FIFA Akpan Mfon Friday and Alaba Olufunmilayo as the fourth official, while Assa Soumane from Mali is the match Commissioner.
The match will be played at the Porto-Novo Stade in Benin Republic on the 23rd of February 2022.
Burkina Faso will look to advance with the first leg advantage after thrashing Guinea-Bissau 6-0 away at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
MOLATsportgist 