Asisat Oshoala’s Barcelona demolish Ajibade’s Madrid in Supercopa final

Nigerian internationals, Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade both came off the bench for FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid respectively in the Spanish Women’s Supercopa final on Sunday at the Pabellón de la Ciudad del Fútbol 1.

After a treble winning 2020/21 season, Oshoala has won her first silverware of the new season, the only one she didn’t win last year as FC Barcelona demolished Ajibade’s Atlético de Madrid 7-0.

Barcelona had a 3-0 lead at halftime, thanks to goals from Ingrid Engen (16) and Caroline Hansen’s brace (24′ 27).

Fridolina Rolfö who assisted Barcelona’s third goal, finds her name on the scoresheet in the 47th minute from a Caroline Hansen’s assist, before Hansen scored her hat-trick three minutes later and registered another assist in the 85th minute, this time for a Lieke Martens’ goal.

Oshoala who came on in the 66th minute gave the assist for Barcelona’s last goal as Lieke Martens earned her brace in the stoppage time.

Ajibade came off the bench in the 72nd minute when her side was already trailing 5-0 and unable to rescue the Rojiblancas.

U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Senegal hold Morocco to keep qualification hope alive

Morocco’s U20 women’s team drew 1-1 to Senegal in the penultimate round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at the Moulay Hassan Sporting Complex, in Rabat, on Saturday.

Hapsatou Dialou storms past her markers to slot home the opener for the visitors, before Douha El Madani slides a defense-splitting pass to Sofia Bouftini to sink home the equaliser.

Senegalese goalkeeper, Khady Faye with a string of splendid saves in the late minute to ensure the visitors head home with a point.

Both teams will come up against each other again in the second leg which comes up in February, 2022. The winner over the two legs will then proceed to the fourth and final round of the qualifiers.

Two teams will represent Africa at the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup which will take place in Costa Rica from August 10 to August 28.

U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Ghana victorious away in Uganda

A goal in each half from Salamatu Abdulai and Grace Anima handed the Princesses away victory.

The Black Princesses of Ghana defeated Uganda 1-2 in the first leg of their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third qualifying round at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kampala on Saturday.

Salamatu Abdulai opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute before Grace Amina doubled the lead with a beautiful freekick in the 48th minute.

With seven minutes of regular time to be played, captain Fauzia Najjemba reduced the deficit for the hosts from the penalty kick.

Ghana will welcome Uganda for the second leg in the first week of February at the Cape Coast Stadium.

The Black Princesses of Ghana have qualified for the last five FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: No Victory In Douala For Falconets

Nigeria U20 women’s national team held Cameroon to a barren draw, in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Saturday.

The two sides will face off for the second leg which comes up on February 5, 2022 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos.

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 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.

NPFL: Unbeaten Remo Stars Top League Table As Kano Pillars And Heartland FC Struggle Continues

Remo Stars Football Club (RSFC) continued their impressive performance with a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors on matchday seven (7) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

After goal less first half, Dayo Ojo put the host in front in the 62nd minute with a sublime finish after connecting with a deflected corner kick from Seun Ogunribide.

Captain of Abia Warriors, Paul Sampson had a chance to equaliser for the visitors but Kayode Bankole was calm enough to deny their best of opportunity.

The Sky Blue Stars without a defeat after seven games, seat at the top of the league table with 17 points ahead of Rivers United who has 15 points, and will next face Rangers International at the Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi.

In Ilorin, Kwara United bounced back from its 3-0 defeat to Rivers United, to beat struggling Kano Pillars 1-0 at home in Kwara Stadium.

Kabiru Balogun scored the game’s only goal with a fantastic free kick in  the 52nd minute.

The Afonja Warriors are now fifth on the log with 11 points from seven games, while Pillars seat two positions above relegation with 7 points.

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Friday whipped hosts Heartland FC 3-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Julius Ikechukwu broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, before Christian Nnaji extended the lead with a brilliant sublime finish in the 54th minute.

Heartland were reduced to 10 men when their defender, Jimoh Gbadamosi was sent off in the 63rd minute after a second bookable offense.

The hosts managed to stood firm and withheld the pressure from the visitors but soon bowed when Shedrack Asiegbu compounded the situation with just ten minutes left of regular time.

Heartland FC now occupy the 17th position on the league’s log with seven points from seven matches, while Rangers occupy the third position with 14 points.

NWFL Awards: Mercy Omokwo Wins Player Of The Month For December

Confluence Queens forward Mercy Omokwu and Naija Ratels FC Manager, Bankole Olowookeere both received their Naija Women Football League Awards for the best Player and Manager for the month of December.

The duo picked up their awards on Wednesday at the Ilorin Township Stadium, just before the NWFL Premiership Week five game between Confluence Queens and Naija Ratels.

Mercy Omokwo in the first week of January was nominated for the NWFL Premiership Player of the month for December alongside Abigail Sunday of Nasarawa Amazons and Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels.

The in-form striker scored four goals in December, including a hat-trick against Pelican Stars in week one of the NWFL Premiership and went on to gain over 70% of votes from Women’s Football experts, thus becoming the first recipients of the prestigious Award for the 2021/22 NWFL Premiership season.

Olowookeere won two matches, including a 2-2 draw against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. The former Dreamstar Ladies Coach got the accolades ahead of Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens and Christopher Danjuma of Nasarawa Amazons.

Mercy Omokwo after receiving the awards, hailed her teammates and everyone involved in the team for giving her the platform and supports needed to excel.

“This is the first time I am winning the player of the month award and for me, it is something special. Hopefully I can win more in the future. I am indeed grateful to all my teammates for their great supports and also to the technical crew and management as a whole. I will continue to give my best to Confluence Queens.”

Olowookeere also give credit to his players, technical assistants, backroom staff and Club President, Barrister Paul Edeh for their help in allowing the team to perform on a top level.

“I am just grateful to be part of this wonderful team,” he said after receiving the award. “There are no egos in the squad, no cliques, everyone is really a tight unit and that definitely helps us on the pitch.” he concluded.

NWFL Premiership: FC Robo Queens banished from Legacy Pitch with N2.5m fine following fans disruption

The Nigeria Women Football League on Friday slammed a three match banishment away from their traditional home and a fine of N2.5million on NWFL Premiership club, FC Robo Queens Football Club of Lagos.

This was contained in the statement issued by the NWFL Director of Communications, Mr. Dapo Sotuminu, and signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Ms. Modupe Shabi.

According to the statement, the NWFL Chief Operating Officer noted that: “Following the establishment that there was an encroachment, disturbance and harrassment of match officials by the home team fans on the field of play in the Match No: 14 between FC Robo Queens and Delta Queens played on January 19, 2022 at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos. In line with Article 16.2 of the Regulatory Framework of the Nigeria Women Football League, FC Robo Queens has been fined the sum of Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500,000) for violating the following rules:

• Fans’ invasion of the pitch.
• Harrassment and intimidation of match officials.
• Breakdown of security protocol at match venue.

FC Robo Queens Vs Delta Queens

“Also in line with Article 16.1, FC Robo Queens have been banished to the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State for next three home matches for the 2021/2022 NWFL Premiership season for bringing the game of football to disrepute.

“We believe the sanction will serve as deterrent to FC Robo Queens and a strong warning to all the NWFL Premiership clubs.”

Asian Cup: Sam Kerr becomes Australia’s All-time topscorer

Samantha Kerr has broken Australia’s all-time goal scoring record, after scoring five goals in her side’s 18-0 demolition of Indonesia at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup.

Kerr had 49 goals going into the match and needed just one goal to equal Tim Cahill’s record of 50 goals in 108 appearances, but she ended up leaving the game with 54 goals in her 105th appearance for the Aussie, surpassing Cahill’s record.

The 28-year-old scored her debut goal at the age of 16 during the Asian Cup in 2010.

The Chelsea striker was a runner-up at the FIFA The Best awards held on Monday and also among the top three of the Ballon d’Or awards. She is the only female footballer to have won Golden Boot in three different leagues and three different continents.

Kerr is also the first Australian player to net hat-trick at a FIFA World Cup.

The Matildas moved to the top of Group B and will next face the Philippines in its second group game on January 24, 2022.

AFCON 2021: The Eagles and the Pharaohs dominate Group D in search of their next title

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday in Garoua advanced in style to the knockout phase of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, after defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 at the Stade Roumde Adjia to become the only side at this 33rd edition of the competition to win all their three group games.

Eguavoen made eight changes to the side that beat Sudan on Saturday, with six on the bench and the other two undressed.

Umar Sadiq redeemed himself from criticisms back at home after opening the scoring in the 56th minute following a cross from Kelechi Iheanacho.

William Troost-Ekong sealed the win after he tapped in a rebound following a wonderful strike by substitute, Moses Simon.

Super Eagles now await the best of the third-placed teams in groups B, E and F as their opponents in the next stage on Sunday in Garoua.

Meanwhile, seven-time champions Egypt earned a narrow 1-0 victory against Sudan in the other group’s game to finish second behind Nigeria and qualify for the last 16 round.

Mohamed Abdelmonem scored the game’s only goal, after heading home Abdallah El Said’s corner-kick in the 35th minute.

Egypt will now face the winners of Group E on January 26.

U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Falconets arrive Cameroon in the middle of AFCON

The Nigeria U20 women’s national team, Falconets will fly into the city of Douala on Thursday for the first leg of their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup fourth qualifying round encounter against Cameroon.

The match which is slated for Saturday, 22nd January at the Stade Japoma, is guaranteed to produce fireworks, with the Super Eagles currently in Cameroon and doing well at the AFCON, Falconets will derive the boost needed from their high-flying Eagles while the Lionesses will hope to emulate their senior men’s team who are also flying high in the AFCON.

Africa’s most successful team at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup are in the penultimate round for this year’s tournament that will take place in Costa Rica, after a 15-goal haul journey.

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 2022, winning the silver medals in 2010 in Germany and in 2014 in Canada, and were semi finalists in 2012 in Japan.

The return leg will take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, 5th February.

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.

Coach Chris Danjuma will be landing with his 23-woman squad through Asky Airline in Cameroon’s commercial capital on Thursday evening.

The Players:

Goalkeepers:
Nelly Eke – Sunshine Queens
Inyene Etim – Abia Angels
Omini Monle – Bayelsa Queens

Defenders:
Rofiat Imuran – Rivers Angels
Jumoke Alani – Edo Queens
Motunrayo Ezekiel – Naija Ratels
Oluwatosin Demehin – Rivers Angels
Omowunmi Oshobukola – Edo Queens
Oluwabunmi Oladeji – Naija Ratels
Oluchi Ohaegbulem – Confluence Queens

Midfielders:
Basirat Amoo – Nasarawa Amazons
Esther Onyenezide – FC Robo Queens
Yina Adoo – Nasarawa Amazons
Aanuoluwapo Yusuf – Bayelsa Queens
Chinyere Kalu – Nasarawa Amazons
Chidinma Ogbuchi – FC Robo Queens

Attackers:
Joy Jerry – Bayelsa Queens
Mercy Idoko – Nasarawa Amazons
Flourish Sebastine – Edo Queens
Taiwo Lawal – FC Robo Queens
Precious Vincent – Bayelsa Queens
Blessing Okpe – Rivers Angels
Blessing Nkor – Sunshine Queens