ICYMI: Saudi Arabia Women’s Football National Team Plays First Official International Match

It was a historic day for Saudi Arabia on Sunday as the newly formed women’s national football team played, and won, its first official international match.

The Arabia’s women’s national football team triumphed in its first ever international match, beating the Seychelles 2-0 in a friendly match in the Maldives on Sunday.

Al-Bandari Mubarak gave the Saudis the lead on 14 minutes making history to become Saudi women football’s first-ever international goalscorer.

Head Coach, Monika Staab said after the game: “Our goal is for the players to gain the experience necessary to play international matches, in addition to our aim for our official entry into the FIFA classification.”

The team was established just last month and travelled to Maldives this week to play matches against Seychelles and Maldives, which will allow them to enter the monthly classification of the International Federation of Football Associations.

Until the last few years, Saudi women had been mostly barred from participating in sports in public. However, in 2020, it launched a women’s soccer league which organizers said would be “one more major leap forward for the future of our country.”

The female Falcons has garnered worldwide praise and, in particular, from one of the game’s biggest names. With 2.7 million Twitter followers, and a Twitter account linked to his official Facebook page, where he has more than 9.5 million followers, 82-year-old decorated sportsman, Pele has congratulated the Federation.

The rapid development of women’s football in the Kingdom was further aided by the establishment last November of the new Regional Football League, which involves 16 teams split across three regions: Central, Western and Eastern, with six teams based in the first two and four in the east.

Eight teams progressed to the National Football Championship, which was contested at the start of the year and won by Al-Mamlaka after they defeated Challenge 7-0 in the final.

“I see Soccer Queens Cup as NWFL fourth tier” – Bako

Speaking after the completion of the inaugural Soccer Queens Cup (SQC) competition, the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Moses Bako has encouraged grassroot teams to consider the competition as NWFL fourth tier/division League and also a route to motivate them to participate in the NWFL Nationwide League.

The competition has enjoyed great supports from Women Football Advocates, including the Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, the NFF First Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) President, Barrister Paul Edeh.

Bako said in his statement that; from the next edition, more teams that have not played in the NWFL three tiers will be encouraged to participate in the Soccer Queens Cup as it will be to them the fourth tier League of the NWFL.

“We intend to go through the country and encourage grassroot teams to participate in the NWFL third tier League, Nationwide, after competing in the SQC,” he said.

The one week tournament which cut across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria promised to be an annual tournament aimed at talent discovery and girl child empowerment.

AWCON Qualifiers: Onumonu’s brace, Plumptre impressive debut gives Super Falcons advantage over Côte d’Ivoire

The Nigeria women’s national team, Super Falcons on Friday defeated the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the first leg of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) final qualifying round, thanks to Onumonu’s brace.

The Falcons were without regulars like Asisat Oshoala, Francesca Ordega and Desire Oparanozie.

Gotham FC forward, Ifeoma Onumonu scored in the 21st and 56th minute to give Nigeria an advantage heading into the return leg against the Lady Elephants next week in Abidjan.

The Super Falcons first put one past the Ivorian ladies in the 13th minute but was disallowed by a foul call by the centre referee, giving the Super Falcons a free kick instead.

Head coach, Waldrum handed Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre her official international debut, who commanded her territory and gave a five-star performance.

The winner over the two legs will advance to the 12th edition of the AWCON holding in Morocco from 2nd to 23rd in July.

The tournament, will also serve as qualifiers for the next World Cup, where the semifinalists (4) earns direct ticket for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and two (2) more teams will advance to the Inter-confederation play-offs.

Olamide Adugbe: The Teenager At The Forefront Of Nigeria Women’s Football Who Idolize Lewandowski

Olamide Adugbe has proven to be one of the best players of her age, and is already compared with some of the best Nigerian women footballers.

The young forward broke into the scene earlier this season, scoring important goals for NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels. The Edo-born striker scored one of the best goal in the league on Matchday two against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. A special goal that earned her side a precious point in Benin, wowing everyone at the Stadium.

The former Nigeria Women National U-17, Flamingos Star, has scored four goals in just five matches in the top Women Football League in Nigeria (NWFL Premiership). She primarily plays as a striker and sometimes plays from the wing and has proven to be highly effective from both wings. She likes to dribble past defenders, has got a tremendous pace and takes great long shot. She gets involved in link-up play as well with fellow teammates Aminat Bello, Blessing Sunday and Motunrayo Ezekiel.

The 18 year Old special talent also gets into good positions in attack, in order to receive threatening passes from her teammates, lays off defenders and cuts inside with short passes linking up with other attacking players.

Meanwhile, Adugbe has attributed her phenomena skill to Bayern Munich and Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski, who she described as her role model in the world of football.

Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, and is even considered by many to be one of the greatest centre-forwards of all time. An accurate and efficient finisher with his head and both feet, Lewandowski is a prolific goalscorer and Olamide feels she just want to be like him.

The young forward also noted that her parents gave her the full supports, from childhood, especially her dad, who was always gifting her soccer balls to play with right inside their living room.

“I started playing football right from when I was a kid.” She said.

“My Dad played a huge role in my career, from when I started kicking the ball. He always gifts me the soccer ball and played it with me. It was kind of weird for some people, because in Africa, the girl-child isn’t expected to play football.

“Then when I started growing up, I started watching Robert Lewandowski. Learnt alot from him, his aura for goals and the way he positions himself on the pitch of play. One day I hope to be as popular as he is.”

Adugbe also hailed her present team Naija Ratels and the Club’s President, Barrister Paul Edeh, who have been so supportive since she arrived at the Abuja based club.

“He (Edeh) has been a father figure to me and all the players in the team. He regards us as his daughters and that says alot. It is one of the reasons we always put all our efforts whenever we wear the yellow and green shirt of the Ratels.”


Adugbe is no doubt, one of the most sought out players in the NWFL Premiership and surely do have a bright future ahead of her.

AWCON Qualifier: 25 Falcons in camp ahead of Côte d’Ivoire clash

Super Falcons of Nigeria have reported in camp as the team prepares for the final stage qualification of the 14th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), against the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast.

The nine-time African women’s champions would seek to edge past the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast, for a ticket to her 12th successive AWCON in Morocco later this year.

The Africa’s most successful women’s football team would slug it out – against the team that costed them an Olympic appearance at the Tokyo 2020 – on Friday, 18th February at the newly refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, with the second leg scheduled for Wednesday, February 23 at the Stade Robert Champroux, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

While the Coach Randy Waldrum-led Super Falcons defeated Ghana Black Queens 2-1 to hit the final phase of the qualifier, the Lady Elephants walloped their counterparts from Niger Republic 20-0, including 9-0 in the first leg and 11-0 in the return leg.

According to the Team’s media officer, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, thirty players were in camp including team’s captain Asisat Oshoala and new addition Ashleigh Plumptre of Leicester City.

The thirty-woman team has now been trim down to twenty-five (25) carefully selected squad, with Christy Ohiaeriaku, Miracle Joseph, Joy Duru, Ayomide Ojo and Juliet Bassey excused from the team.

The 25-Falcons in camp:

Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel)
Yewande Balogun (USA)

Defenders:
Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels)
Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England)
Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)
Tosin Dimehin (Rivers Angels)

Midfielders:
Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel)
Yetunde Aluko (WFC Ramat Hasharon, Israel)
Amanda Mbadinuju (Bayelsa Queens)
Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden)
Grace Igboamalu (Bayelsa Queens)
Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus)
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain)
Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards:
Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint Etienne, France)
Vivian Ikechukwu (Rivers Angels)
Gift Monday (FC Robo Queens)
Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA)
Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain)

NWFL Awards: Tarnum, Matthew Voted NWFL Premiership Player And Manager Of The Month For January

Nasarawa Amazons Attacking Midfielder, Tarnum Dooshima has waltzed off with the NWFL Premiership Player of the month of January.

The diminutive dazzler scooped the monthly prestigious Award on the back of a superlative month for the ‘Solid Babes’ having made a decisive impact on her team’s bid for the NWFL Premiership Super 6 Championship.

The former Adamawa Queens player has proven to be a key cog in Christopher Danjuma’s team and thus clearly deserves the accolades, with her team staying on top of the Group A Log after week 7.

Tarnum netted three goals in three matches played in January. A double against Adamawa Queens and an important away goal against Naija Ratels in Abuja.

Tarnum Dooshima outshone the other candidates Maryann Ezeanagu, Aweda Titilayo and Yemisi Samuel for the monthly awards.

In the Manager’s category, Edo Queens Head Coach, Wemimo Matthew got the awards, ahead of Nasarawa Amazon’s Christopher Danjuma, who won two games in three, Moses Aduku of Bayelsa Queens and Edwin Okon of Rivers Angels.

Wemimo Matthew deservedly won majority of the votes, following her team’s impressive exploits in January. The Falconets Coach led her team to three wins in three games.

The ‘Obaseki Ladies’ won Nasarawa Amazons 2-1 on Matchday 4, traveled far south on Matchday 5 to beat Pelican Stars 1-0 at the U.J Usuene Stadium, Calabar and rounded up January with a 4-0 defeat of Osun Babes FC at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

The awards will be presented to the winners on Matchday 8 & 9 in Ilorin and Benin respectively.

Ajibade hits double, sink Toni Payne’s Sevilla

In the battle of the sisterhood, two Super Falcons players faced off in the Primera Iberdrola match day on Sunday as Rasheedat Ajibade’s Atlético thrashed Toni Payne’s Sevilla 5-0 at the Estadio Wanda Atlético de Madrid Alcalá de Henares .

Banini opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Bárbara doubled the lead six minutes later.

The Nigerian international with two headers in the 32nd and 37th minute take her goal tally to 9 goals in 17 league games.

Substitute Ludmila who came on to replace Ajibade in the 71st minute, completed the rout in the stoppage time.

Sevilla also enjoyed some shots in the first half through Toni Payne and Jessica Martínez and in the second half, Rosa Otermín attempted a set piece but Lucía’s goal ended up invalidated because the linesman considered that she was in an offside position.

The two Nigerians will now head totge Super Falcons camp to honour the National call for their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifying match against the Ladies Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire.

Oshoala on target again in Barcelona’s 3-0 victory

The Primera Iberdrola leading top scorer, Asisat Oshoala once again on target as Barcelona defeated Athletic Club 3-0 on Sunday at the Instalaciones de Lezama Campo 2.

Marta Torrejón opened the scoring hunting down a rebound after a shot by Oshoala in the 42nd minute.

Eight minutes later, the goal scorer reciprocated by assisting Oshoala for Barcelona’s second goal of the day, before Mariona completed the rout with a shot close to the right post in the 62nd minute.

The Nigerian international has scored 19 goals with three assists to top the scorer chart, and will travel to join the Super Falcons camp for international break.

AWCON Qualifiers: Super Falcons To Play NWFL Side, Naija Ratels In Warm-up Game

Nigeria Women Football League first tier side (NWFL Premiership), Naija Ratels will slug it out with the Nigeria Senior Women National Team, the Super Falcons in a warm-up game on Friday, as both sides prepare for battles ahead.

The Super Falcons will play against the Lady-Elephant of Côte d’Ivoire in the last round of qualifiers for the African Women Nations Cup (AWCON) later this month, while Naija Ratels are preparing for the second stanza of the NWFL Premiership, which kick-starts on the 23rd of this month.

The Match on Friday will be played at the FIFA Goal Project, Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola Stadium and the Abuja based side will be looking at getting a good result after their first last meeting ended in a 2-0 defeat last year.

The ‘One Day At A Time’ Ladies Head Coach, Bankole Olowookeere has enjoined his players to go all out and exude confidence as the game will help them acquire more experience ahead of the resumption of the NWFL Premiership later this month.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons Gaffer, Randy Waldrum also believes that the game will help the coaching crew assess the players on ground and make the technical crew pick the best ahead of the all important game against the Ivory Coast team.

After losing the Olympic games qualifier to the Lady Elephants, the Super Falcons, unarguably Africa’s most successful women’s football team, would seek to edge past the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast, for a ticket to its 12th successive AWCON in Morocco.

SQC: Harmony Ashilefu’s hat-trick aids Imo Strikers big win against Kaduna Queens, Abruka Queens impressive against Royaltoms Queens

Kaduna Queens vs Imo Strikers:

In their second game of the competition, Imo Strikers comfortably defeated Kaduna Queens 6-0 in the early kickoff on Thursday at the Confluence Queens Stadium, Lokoja.

Harmony Ashilefu become the first player to score hat-trick at the maiden Soccer Queens Cup, after opening the scoring in the 6th minute and doubled the lead in the 27th minute to give Imo the lead at halftime.

Monica and Ogazi scored in quick succession to extend Imo’s advantage to 4-0 on the 49 minutes. Just three minutes later, Harmony registered her hat-trick and condemned the Croc Ladies to a helpless situation.

The South-East team are not done scoring as team’s captain Comfort added to the flood gate of goal in the 75th minute.

With two wins and eight goals, Imo Strikers FC are now second on the log, with one point behind Royaltoms Queens and one outstanding match.

Current standings of the Soccer Queens Cup

Abruka Queens vs Royaltom Queens:

Being ahead of other participating teams in the number of games played, Abruka Queens finally earned their first point of the competition, having lost their first two matches they held Royaltom Queens to a barren draw.

Elizabeth Boniface in goal for Abruka Queens was outstanding with some incredible saves.

The North-Central team had numerous golden opportunities to finally score a goal in this competition but they blew their chances.

Royaltom Queens remain unbeaten with two wins and a draw as they currently sit top of the log with seven points from three games.