DONE DEAL: Super Falcons Star Glory Ogbonna Joins Santa Teresa CD

Super Falcons Defender, Glory Ogbonna has joined Segunda División Pro team Santa Teresa CD on a Six-Month Deal after her contract with Umeå IK was terminated by mutual consent.

Ogbonna was presented by the club to the fans this afternoon and will wear the No 3 jersey.

On signing for Santa Teresa CD, Ogbonna said: “My ambition is to help the club gain promotion to the top flight and win trophies.

“That’s why I am playing football. I am a competitor and I want to win big anywhere I go to”.

Ogbonna, who joined Santa Teresa CD from Umeå IK helped the team top the Elitettan table and gain promotion to the top flight (Damallsvenskan) with two woman of the match awards.

The 2018 AWCON winner with Super Falcons, has pulled out of the Nigeria squad ahead of the 2022 AWCON Qualifiers against Cote D’Ivoire and was immediately replaced by Bayelsa Queens’ Miracle Joseph.

With 25 points in 16 matches, Santa Teresa CD are currently 4th on the Segunda División Femenina table, 5 points behind table toppers Alhama.

Source: Favour Itua

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

The Nigerian female senior national team, the Super Falcons have started their quest to overcome the lady Elephants of Ivory Coast in the final stage of the AWCON qualifier in Morocco 22.

Among thirty-five (35) players named in the provisional squad, seven players of the Super Falcons of Nigeria have reported to camp as the camp officially opened on Tuesday 1st of February, 2022 in the Federal Capital Territory.

The team’s media officer, Oluchi Tobe-Chukwu, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

“The Super Falcons have started their quest to overcome the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast for the final stage of the 2022 AWCON qualifiers in Morocco.

“Camp officially opened on Tuesday in Abuja and we had our first training session on Wednesday with seven players” she said.

Among the players in camp are: Gift Monday (FC Robo, Lagos.), Grace Igboamalu (Bayelsa Queens), Juliet Bassey (Bayelsa Queens), Amanda Mbadim – (Bayelsa Queens), Ayomide Ojo (Edo Queens). Others are Christy Ohiaeriaku (Sunshine Queens) and Miracle Joseph (Bayelsa Queens).

The 11th time champions will play the first leg of the qualifier against the Lady Elephants on Friday 18th February at the newly refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium with the return leg scheduled to take place at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Wednesday 23rd February.

18 Year Old Silas Nwankwo Joins Swedish Football Club, Mjällby AIF From Nasarawa United

NPFL sensation, Silas Nwankwo has completed a four-year deal move to Swedish club, Mjällby AIF from Nasarawa United.

The 18-year-old, who was the joint-Top scorer in the 2020/21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), recorded 19 goals with eight assists to share the award with Charles Atshimene of Akwa United.

Nwankwo is expected to make his debut for Mjallby AIF when they face Akropolis in a Svenska Cupen fixture scheduled for Sunday, February 20, 2022.

The sports director of Mjällby AIF, Hasse Larsson said in a statement on the official website of the club, revealed that the club was delighted to have signed Nwankwo.

“It is clear that if you look at his merits as an 18-year-old in a high-speaking language, it is impressive.

“But we are also impressed by his top qualities both in the inverted game with his size but also ability to manage goal chances to goal in the offensive penalty area.

“A player who will need time with a longer contract makes us believe that Silas in the long run can really make a difference for the club.”

However, there’s has been an uproar from the fans and followers of Nigeria Professional Football League concerning the actual age of the player.

Here is a twitter thread that captures the back and forth of the whole safe: https://twitter.com/RasimReiz/status/1489359255287308298?t=wXAzmjeZzgTrvUsqZLRkZQ&s=19

How old is Silas Nwankwo? – this is a million dollars questions that is begging for an answer.

Samson Tijani named in RB Salzburg UCL squad

The 2019 Nigeria’s U17, Golden Eaglet captain, Samson Tijani has been listed in the RB Salzburg 29-man squad for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixtures.

RB Salzburg will play Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with the first leg set for Wednesday 16 February 2021 in Austria and the return in Germany on 8th of March.

In a statement released by the club on Thursday 3rd of February, 2022, Tijani was among the three new additions to the club’s list for the second round fixture.

“Our new signing Ignace Van der Brempt , Sekou Koita , who is working on his comeback, and a surprise candidate : Samson Tijani , who came from his native Nigeria in the summer of 2020 and has since been on loan at TSV Hartberg and as a cooperation player at FC Liefering, have been nominated. was able to leave a lasting impression in the preparation and was called up by coach Matthias Jaissle,” reads the statement.

The 19-year-old Nigerian has not played a single competitive game for Salzburg so far, but he impressed with farm team FC Liefering in the fall and before that (on loan) in the Bundesliga in Hartberg.

Samson Tijani surprisingly got a place in the 29-man squad and could finally make his competitive debut for RB Salzburg.

Soccer Queens Cup Maiden Edition Ready For Kick-off

All is set for the maiden edition of the Soccer Queens Cup, a women football Competition amongst grassroots teams across the six geo-political area of Nigeria.

The prestigious grassroot Competition will hold from the 7th to the 14th of February 2022 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja and will feature teams namely, Abruka Queens FC (North Central), Jewel Queens FC (North East), Kaduna Queens Feeders FC (North West), Imo Strikers FC (South East), Fortress Ladies FC (South-South), and Royaltoms Queens (South West).

Speaking on the preparedness for the Competition, the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Moses Bako said all the six teams will arrive Lokoja, the Capital of Kogi State on or before Monday, the 7th of February, ahead of opening match which will come up on the 8th.

“All logistics have been put in place for us to have a very successful competition. We understand that teams are coming from far and it is our responsibility to give them the best form of hospitality.

“The primary aim of the competition is to promote and bring out the best in women football through the grassroot. To nurture talents and ensure that the young ladies believe in themselves and achieve their aim through the round leather game.

Jewel Queens of Gombe State will face Imo Strikers of Imo State in the first game of the Competition, while Fortress Ladies of Benin will trade tackles with Abruka Queens of Kwara State.

In the last game of the first round, Royaltoms Queens of Ogun State will battle Kaduna Queens Feeders.

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.

Egypt ends Cameroon AFCON 2021 perfect run to book a date for Salah-Mane final

Seven-time champions Egypt dramatically booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The Pharaohs of Egypt defeated host, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 1-3 on penalties.

120 minutes of the game failed to produce any goals as Cameroon were unable to make home advantage count and were forced to become cautious of the ‘Pharaohs’’ growing counter-attacking threat.

Referee Bakary Papa Gasama sent off Egyptian coach, Carlos Queiroz in the 90th minute. The coach was initially issued a yellow card for his troubles on the torch line before being sent to the stands as Egypt were made to go the distance for the third time in this tournament.

The Pharaohs had previously won their last five AFCON shootouts dating back to 1986, and booked their place in the final with their sixth-in-a-row.

Captain Vincent Aboubakar converted his first penalty kick but Gabaski impressively saved efforts from Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki, before Clinton N’Jie failed to convert Cameroon’s final spot-kick.

On the part of the Egyptians, Zico, Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Mohanad Lasheen slotted in their penalty kicks to give Egypt a 1-3 win.

Mohammed Salah and his Egyptian Pharaohs will slug it out with teammate turn rival, Sadio Mané and his Senegal’s team. Though Egypt have won it a record seven times but the two Liverpool Stars are yet to lift the trophy with their respective Nation.

ICYMI: Asantewaa and Babajide on target against Ohale’s Deportivo Alaves

Ghanaian striker, Grace Asantewaa with a goal and Rinsola Babajide on target in her debut for Real Betis against Deportivo Alaves in a game that ended 4-1 in favour of the hosts, on Wednesday.

Grace Asantewaa broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after receiving pass from Sosa and fired shot past the opponent goalkeeper.

Angela Sosa doubled the lead in the 52nd minute from Medina’s assist before Lucía León headed in the third goal after Andrea Medina escaped from Ohale’s surveillance to record her second assist.

Rinsola Babajide came on to replace Lucia in the 75th minute and her effect was immediately felt as she scored just three minutes into her debut.

Nerea Nevado missed from the spot kick in the 73rd minute but the visitors wouldn’t leave without scoring a goal as Ane More reduced the deficit in the 84th minute.

Grace Asantewaa saw 82 minutes of action while her Nigerian opponent, Osinachi Ohale was replaced in the 84th minute

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Falconets battle ready for Cameroon clash

The Nigeria U20 women’s football team will take on their Cameroon counterpart on Saturday, at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, in the second leg of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third qualifying round.

Falconets were held by Cameroon to a barren draw in the first leg away at the Japoma Stadium in Doula.

The coach of the team highlighted the mistakes made in the first leg and vowed to avoid them in the second leg of the encounter.

Speaking to the CAF Media, head coach Christopher Danjuma said: “One lesson we learned from the first leg match was that a game has is win during regular time by making sure all the opportunities that come our way is taken and conceding no goal and to always be in front scoring goals throughout the game.”

The Falconets have played in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada in 2002, winning the silver medals in 2010 in Germany and in 2014 in Canada, and were semi finalists in 2012 in Japan.

“The match is extremely important to us because Nigeria has always been present at every World Cup edition since its inception. This is a trend that we hope must continue. The goal now is that we are consumed by the desire that everything we feel and have about this tie is beating Cameroon and going to the final round,” says the coach.

The winner over the two legs will then slug it out with the winner between Senegal and Morocco to book a slot at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, as only two teams will represent the continent in Costa Rica 2022.

Ajibade hits brace against Rita Chikwelu’s Madrid CFF

In her first match since getting red card, Ajibade resume with two goals in Atlético Madrid 3-2 win against Madrid CFF.

The Nigerian international opened the scoring just seven minutes into the game after taking advantage of a good filtered pass from Amanda, before doubling her tally at the stroke of halftime by taking advantage of a rebound inside the small area, after Geyse’s 22nd minute penalty had earlier restored parity.

Ajibade, who was inches away from getting her hat-trick, was brought down in the box and Amanda did well to extend the Rojiblancas lead before Gabriela’s header reduced the deficit in the 79th minute.

The Super Falcons forward has now scored 14 goals this season and was replaced by her South African sister, Thembi Kgatlana in the 73rd minute.

At the other end, Rita Chikwelu saw 64 minutes of action before being replaced by Brazil’s Victoria.

The two Super Falcons stars will now head to the Nigeria camp in Abuja for their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire.

Oshoala on target as Barcelona beats Levante 4-1

Super Falcons captain, Asisat Oshoala was on target once again when Barcelona visited Levante on Wednesday.

The Nigerian scored Barcelona’s first goal of the game in the 25th minute and has now moved top on the scorer chart with 16 goals and 3 assists to her name this season.

Patricia Guijarro and Jennifer Hermoso made it 0-3 before halftime, Caroline Hansen increased the lead at 56th minute before Tatiana Pinto reduced the deficit for the hosts.

Oshoala saw 78 minutes of play as Barcelona has won all their 19 matches this season.