FIFAWWC: Nigeria duo to miss opening clash vs Canada

Nigeria international duo of Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde will miss Super Falcons’ 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opening clash against Olympic champions Canada on Friday.

The Super Falcons and Canada will face off at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium at 3:30 am Nigeria time.

Having bagged nine goals and one assist in Liga F for Atletico Madrid this year, Ajibade heads into the World Cup in seriously good form.

The Atletico star’s inch-perfect header ultimately settled the outcome, leaving the Super Falcons to look forward to a ninth successive appearance at the global showpiece.

Although, Nigeria went on to lose to hosts Morocco in the WAFCON semi-finals, ending hopes of a fourth successive continental title.

Ajibade and Ayinde were also sent off in the match which led to their suspension for the Group B clash at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ayinde was expelled in the 48th minute while Ajibade got her red card following  her second yellow card after VAR review in the 70th minute.

According to a disciplinary review released by FIFA on Wednesday, the two players are not eligible to take part in the game.

Despite missing the third-place game against Zambia, after being shown a straight red card in the semi-final against hosts Morocco, Ajibade ended the tournament as the joint-top scorer with three goals and three assists.

The Atletico Madrid star was also one of the scorers the last time Nigeria faced Canada during their Olympic celebration tour.

The hosts won 2-0 in the first match at British Columbia Place in Vancouver but the rematch at Starlight Stadium in Victoria saw Nigeria cancel their two goals to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Ultimately, Nigeria and Canada are very similar in terms of physicality and capitalizing in transitional moments, and the story may well come down to who can do it better across the 90 minutes under the pressure of a World Cup group opener.

However, considering Canada are Nigeria’s first World Cup opponent this year, both players will be solely missed.

Leon Balogun happy with Rangers return

Scottish Premier League side Rangers have confirmed the return of Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun after leaving English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, QPR.

The 35-year-old returns to Glasglow just a year after he joined QPR on a free transfer where he made 16 appearances for the club in all competitions. 

He has now put pen to paper on a one-year contract that will see him wear the Rangers colour again until the summer of 2024.

Balogun won his first professional football trophy at Rangers where he spent two successful year’s after joined the club in 2020 after a failed stint at English Premier League side Brighton.

Alongside compatriots Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey, Balogun was part of the team that beat Celtic to the Premiership title, the Scottish Cup, and the Europa League final.

The Gers announced this through an official statement on their official account. 

“Rangers are delighted to welcome Leon Balogun back to Rangers, with the central defender,” the club stated on their social media account.

Speaking after putting pen to paper at Ibrox, the experienced defender noted that he is happy to be back home.

“I am just excited to be honest, it is still a bit unreal but it is very real, so I am just really happy to be back at Rangers – it feels like coming home,” Balogun stated according to the club website.

“Since I have left, I have always felt a lot of appreciation and love from friends I have made in Glasgow and around the club and now that I am back it is nice to say the least. 

“I know second is no option, I know what people are going to say very quickly if we are not performing so it is time to get to work, put our best foot forward and make sure we get the results that we need.”

FIFA U17 WWC: Bankole Olowookere begins early preparation with NWFL Championship scouting

The head coach of the Nigeria U17 women’s national team, Bankole Olowookere has commenced preparation for the next cadet World Cup Qualifiers.

The home-based coach disclosed that he is proud of talents in the country as he commends the efforts of the organizers of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Championship.

Olowookere was at the match venue of the playoffs to scout for talents for the Flamingos team.

He led his team to a historic third-placed finish last year defeating the United States of America (USA) on penalties in the quarterfinals following an exciting and closely-contested game that ended 1-1 in regulation.

Prior to that, Flamingos had only advanced to the quarterfinals in the editions from 2010, 2012, and 2014, respectively, while missing out on qualification in 2018.

Nigeria’s Flamingos will start their quest to qualify for the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup in the second round in February 2024 against Mauritius or the Central African Republic (CAR).

Mauritius and Central Africa Republic will square up in the first round with the winner facing last year’s bronze medalist.

The coach will be looking to break his last outing record by reaching the final and probably wins it, hence the early preparation and scouting.

According to a post shared on his official Twitter handle, some exceptional talents have been picked to work on and nurture in time to represent the country.

“The NWFL Championship is a well-organized tournament, kudos to the organizers and it shows we have a lot of talent in Nigeria, the two teams that qualify give good accounts of themselves 

“Honesty, if I have not been around here would have been pained, and it wouldn’t be nice if I was given a second-hand story, thank God I came here and iIsaw wonderful talents, I tell you as we are progressing, these talents are good and bound around which we are able to pick some exceptional one and the ones we are going to work on as well.

“I and my other technical team still have some work to do on them to make sure they are ready for the national assignment.

“Nigerians are expecting more from me and they are expecting us to do more than what we have done in the past. This is why I came around to select the right players to begin to work on them before time.”

FIFA WWC: Ngozi Okobi reacts to World Cup snub

Super Falcons midfielder, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has reacted to being left out of the Nigeria team list for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

The head coach of the side, Randy Waldrum released his final team list of invited players for the World Cup naming 23 players which included a 40-year-old history-making defender Onome Ebi.

Okobi’s exclusion from the World Cup squad comes as a surprise to many, considering her significant contribution in the WAFCON quarter-final clash, where her efforts led to a crucial goal for the Super Falcons.

Known for her dazzling dribbling runs from the right side of midfield and visionary pass, the 29-year-old was part of the Super Falcons side that reached the round of 16 at the 2019 edition of the World Cup, breaking a 20-year record.

Following her omission, Okobi took to her Twitter page to show gratitude to fans who have since shown her support online.

“The more tag notifications I get on my phone the more I keep crying.

“What a show of love, I know I’m always underrated by the people I work with, I never knew my fans, family and love ones still believe in me. Thank you all.

“It’s broken to be left out but what can I do, NOTHING.”

Some were curious if her absence was due to injury or pregnancy as she is the only known active player that is married.

However, she clarified that she is healthy and fit as it’s just the coach’s decision to snub her.

“No, I am not [injured]. I am physically sound and healthy.”

Nigeria are drawn in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and debutants the Republic of Ireland at the upcoming global showpiece, involving 32 teams for the first time, from July 20 to August 20, 2023.

FIFA WWC: 40-year-old Ebi, Oshoala headline Nigeria final list as Okobi snub

The head coach of Nigeria women’s national team,  Randy Waldrum has announced his final 23-woman squad to represent the country at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner Asisat Oshoala headlines the list and will be hoping to bring a winning mentality into the squad after her heroic performance in winning the Spanish League and the Champions League.

Desire Oparanozie will be making her fourth World Cup appearance for the Super Falcons after her short exile that saw her miss out on the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Also, on the list is a 40-year-old veteran defender and team captain Onome Ebi will become the first African player (male or female) to play in six World Cup tournaments and the oldest African player to play in a FIFA women’s tournament.

While Okobi is a notable omission on the list, 21-year-old Gift Monday will be representing Nigeria in a major international competition for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian League will have no player for the first time in the history of Nigeria Women’s World Cup.

The Super Falcons will be looking to make history as preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup take a step further to improve on their performances at the 2019 edition when they  the round of 16, breaking a 20-year record.

Nigeria is drawn in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and debutants the Republic of Ireland at the upcoming global showpiece, involving 32 teams for the first time, from July 20 to August 20, 2023.

The list comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven attackers for the nine-time African champions.

Full Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Yewande Balogun

Defenders: Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rofiat Imuran, Glory Ogbonna

Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Francis Ordega, Jennifer Echegini, Halimat Ayinde

Forwards: Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, Ifeoma Onumonu, Ijeoma Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday.

NWFL Premiership: Delta Queens dominate individual awards

The 2022/23 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership end-of-the-season awards were dominated by players of the winning team Delta Queens.

Last season, it was Monday Gift who swept the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards as the FC Robo Queens loanee at Bayelsa Queens scored a total number of nine (9) goals in five (5) Super-Six games to end the season as the top goal scorer added to the three she scored for her parent club during the regular season.

Monday Gift Wins Nigeria’s Pichichi Like Oshoala

Having gone down 1-0 in the first half, the victory could only have been achieved the hard way as two late goals left Bayelsa Queens stunned while the crowd went into a state of frenzy as it dawned on the homers that the women league was returning to Delta State after 11 years.

After the final whistle, the podium was dominated by Delta Queens players, from the top scorer’s gong to the most valuable player, and the best shot-stopper was a hit back-to-back. 

However, after scoring 9 goals in 15 appearances this season, 22-year-old Mercy Omokwo bagged the NWFL 2023 Golden Boot award.

Meanwhile, her teammate Chinaza Agoh who scored the winning brace in the final was also adorned the award for the Most Valuable Player of the season, for her tremendous impact on the Delta Queens team. 

Mgbechi Anderline of Delta Queens also won the Best Goalkeeper award after conceding 7 goals in 15 games, joint best alongside Bayelsa Queens goalkeeper – Monle Omini.

Sunday’s victory hands the Asaba-based side the chance to represent Nigeria at the 2023 WAFU-B Zonal qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League billed for Cote d’Ivoire later in the year.

NWFL Premiership: Delta Queens dethrone Bayelsa Queens for historic title

Delta Queens are the champions of the 2022/23 season of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership after a 2-1 victory over Bayelsa Queens in the Women’s Super 6 championship playoffs at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba Delta on Sunday.

The Asaba-based team maintained their unbeaten streak to win their first league title since 2012 and their sixth overall.

Bayelsa Queens struck first via an own goal when Chisom Henry bundled the ball into her net in the 14th minute.

However, Tosan Blankson’s ladies searched for a leveler and almost got it at the stroke of halftime after Bayelsa Queens skipper Uzoamaka Igwe pulled down Mercy Omokwo inside the area.

However, Fehintola Mabokanje missed from the spot, leaving Delta Queens a goal down heading into the break.

Determined to avoid his first loss of the campaign, coach Blankson introduced Chinaza Agoh and Inyang Esther in place of Olabiyi Folajomi Alaba and Sandra Johnosi in the 65th minute.

Chinaza Agoh proved to be a super sub as she equalized for Delta Queens from a wonderful acrobatic kick just two minutes after coming off the bench to hand Bayelsa Queens their first concede in this year’s NWFL Super Six.

She then completed her brace of the evening four minutes from the 90th-minute mark to seal the win and the highly-coveted league title for the Asaba-based club.

Delta Queens earned themselves the N10 million grand prize, the prestigious silverware, and the ultimate prize of representing Nigeria on the continent if they reach the final of their WAFU B Women’s CAF Champions League qualifier later in the year.

The best two teams (finalists) in the regional Champions League qualifiers will proceed to the main tournament of the CAF Interclub competition.

FIFA Rankings: Super Falcons Move Up Two Steps Ahead Of World Cup

Nigeria’s women’s national football team have improved their world ranking as they moved up two places in the latest women’s ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), about 40 days before the commencement of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The USA is still the best-ranked women’s team in the world, while Bhutan are the greatest movers, up from 178th position to 171st.

Meanwhile, Randy Waldrum’s side maintained first position in Africa, followed by South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. 

Although, this is still way below their best-ever ranking of 31, which they achieved in July 2019. The Falcons could climb even further if they have a great outing at the coming World Cup as the next rankings will be released days after the completion of the tournament on August 25.

The team has played two friendly matches between the last rankings that was released on March 24 and they won both games.

They beat Haiti 2-1 on 7 April, and got the better of World Cup hosts New Zealand 3-0 on 11 April.

“National teams around the world have been engaged in warm-up matches for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, while the Asian qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 have also been taking place,” FIFA statement reads.

“Those games have led to quite a few changes in the global hierarchy, except at the very summit, with the Top 5 remaining unchanged. USA (1st, -) are still out front, followed by the European quartet of Germany (2nd, -), Sweden (3rd, -), England (4th,-), and France (5th, -).

“There have been changes below, however, with Spain (6th, plus 1) and Canada (7th, minus 1) swapping places and Brazil (8th, plus 1) and the Netherlands (9th, minus 1) doing likewise, along with a good few other teams in the Top 50.”

FIFA WWC: Super Falcons Set For Big Payday As Individual Fee Plan Is Introduce

The Nigeria senior women’s national team are set for a huge payday at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after FIFA announced that this year’s prize money will be more than three times the £24 million paid out in total for the 2019 edition.

According to Football’s World Governing Body, FIFA, ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, each player of the winning team might get up to $270,000 (₦125 million).

The money follows FIFA’s announcement of its new financial distribution scheme on Thursday, which comes ahead of the Women’s World Cup, that kicks off on July 20.

This is as part of FIFA’s initiative to raise the standard in the women’s game and close the gap between the women’s and men’s competitions as the prize money for the upcoming World Cup will see each player get at least ₦13 million for participating.

Each World Cup participant will receive $30,000 for participating with their side in the group stage and $60,000 (₦26 million) for making it to the round of 16.

Meanwhile, each player who made it to the quarterfinals will be eligible to get $90,000 (₦39m), while the players on the third- and fourth-place teams will receive $180,000 and $165,000, respectively.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Prize Money Breakdown

The winning team will earn a total of £8.5m, with £4.99m of that going to the players, leaving each member of a potential World Cup winning side with at least £217,000, while second-place finishers in the competition receive $195,000. 

Following this break down, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to receive $1,560,000 (₦721m) as Falcons’ qualified for the women’s World Cup.

However, should the Falcons win the competition, the Federation could receive as much as $4,290,000 (₦2bn).

“Under the ground-breaking new model, Participating Member Associations will receive record distributions to support football development in their countries, while all participating players will receive guaranteed remuneration for their achievements at the tournament,” the statement reads.

“Under this unprecedented new distribution model, each individual player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 can now fully rely on remuneration for their efforts as they progress through the tournament. 

“The captain that ultimately lifts the iconic FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy on August 20 in Sydney will receive USD 270,000, as will each of her 22 teammates.

“The global salary of women’s professional footballers is approximately USD14,000 annually so the amounts allocated under this unprecedented new distribution model will have a real and meaningful impact on the lives and careers of these players. 

“Beyond this, all member associations will also receive a record financial distribution based on their performance, which they can use to reinvest back into football in their countries and which we believe will help to propel the women’s game even further.” 

AFCON U17: NFF urges Golden Eaglets to beat Morocco for quarterfinal ticket

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has urged the Nigeria U17 men’s team to go for maximum points against Morocco in their second group match.

Gusau visited the team camp in Constantine on Monday night, in company with Member of the NFF Board, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

He reiterated that the boys need to give their all to defeat group leaders Morocco and climb to the top of the pool in order to book an early spot in the tournament quarterfinals.

“Let me start by congratulating you on your victory over Zambia on Sunday. It was a tough game but your quality showed in your ability to pick the three points. 

“However, nothing has been won yet. You must go all out against Morocco to achieve victory and bounce back to the top of the group.

“It is important to assure of your qualification to the knock-out rounds early so that you avoid all kinds of permutations before the last match of the group phase. 

“Nigerians are watching and supporting you in scores of millions and you cannot afford to disappoint our people,” he said.