We have come to the end of the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Champions League preliminary group games, and the final eight now await who their next opponent would be.
The draw for the quaterfinals and semi-finals of the season will take place on Monday 20 December, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw features the eight teams that advanced from the new group stage; the first-place teams are seeded and the runners-up are unseeded. The draw for the semi-final will then be held, without any seeding among the potential ties. A draw will also be held to determine the ‘home’ team in the final, for administrative reasons.
Group winners: A: Wolfsburg (GER) B: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) C: Barcelona (ESP, holders) D: Lyon (FRA)
Group Runners-up: A: Juventus (ITA) B: Real Madrid (ESP) C: Arsenal (ENG) D: Bayern München (GER)
With this format, no team can face a club they met in the group stage, also there will be no away goal rule as ties level after 180 minutes in the quarter-finals or semi-finals will go to extra time irrespective of the number of goals each team has scored home and away. If the teams still cannot be separated after the additional 30 minutes then it goes to a penalty shoot-out.
Knockout schedule:
Quarter-finals First leg: 22/23 March Second leg: 30/31 March
Semi-finals First leg: 23/24 April Second leg: 30 April/1 May
All is set for the 2021 edition of Sportivation Media Awards which is billed to hold in Nigeria’s entertainment and showbiz capital, Lagos, on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Organised by Sportivation Media, a sports media, events and broadcast outfit, the award recognises and celebrates sports personalities in Nigeria and beyond for their spectacular and exceptional performance in chosen sporting endeavour and contributions to the sport.
The CEO of Sportivation Media International, Mr. Taiwo Ibrahim leads the young and enterprising company with a team of enthusiastic and creative sports journalists, broadcasters, and professionals.
This year’s edition will honour six remarkable individuals who have left footnotes in the sporting world with different award categories: Sports Personality of the Year Award, Diaspora Award, Administrator of the Year Award, Special Recognition Award for Innovation, Special Recognition Award for Service to Women Football, Special Recognition Award for Contribution to Sports and Youth Development.
Masai Ujiri, the first African-born general manager of a professional sports team in America (Denver Nuggets, NBA, 2013) and first president of an NBA Team (Toronto Raports) to be born by African parents, will be presented with the Sports Personality of the Year.
Also to be awarded is Barrister Paul Edeh, the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, a foundation that has used sports in empowering the girl-child over the years. The RSDF is also the sole sponsor of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in the whole of Africa (The Flying Officers Cup).
Mr Shina Philips, is the Chairman of Matchmakers Consult Group, an organisation that has been hosting the biggest Sports Award in Nigeria (The Pitch Awards) since 2013.
Mr Marcellinus Anyanwu, a former Arsenal Soccer School Coach in Dubai, He has also helped Nigerian players with scholarship opportunities abroad.
Mr Chika Valentine, a Nigerian Coach based in India and highly recommended for his contribution to football in the east Asian nation.
Samuel Dosunmu, is being rewarded for his uprightness and great support to the brand (Sportivation Media).
Speaking on the 2021 award, the Organiser, Taiwo Ibrahim said: “the Sportivation Media Awards is aimed at rewarding excellence in the sports sector, we have diligently selected the recipients based on their contributions to youth development through sports.
“The choice of Masai Ujiri was easy because of his feat in basketball in Nigeria and Africa where he is currently on a mission to build 100 basketball courts across the continent through his ‘Giants of Africa’ NGO.
“Barrister Paul Edeh, has also contributed a lot to the development of women football in Nigeria; a staunch supporter of the girl child.
“Mr Shina Philips has continued to defy the odds by organising the Nigerian Ptich Awards since 2013.
“Mr Marcellinus Anyanwu, a former Arsenal Soccer School Coach in Dubai, has been flying Nigeria’s flag very high in the oil rich country; he has also helped Nigerian players with scholarship opportunities.
“Mr Chika Valentine, a Nigerian coach based in India, is highly commended for his contributions to football in the east Asian nation and also gives opportunities to Nigerian players to study and play football in the country.”
The prestigious event will hold at the SWAN hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday, the 18th of December 2021.
Wolfsburg beat Chelsea 4-0 to eliminate the 2021 runners-up and go through with Juventus, while Paris and Madrid also won
The first UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage ended in incredible style as two-time winners Wolfsburg beat Chelsea 4-0 to go through at the expense of the 2021 runners-up, with Juventus defeating Servette to earn a first quarter-final appearance. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also warmed up for Monday’s draw with comfortable victories.
Wolfsburg needed to beat the Blues by more than two goals to progress through to the quarter-finals of the competition while Chelsea needed only to avoid defeat for qualification.
Svenja Huth with two easy goals (16, 23) separated the two sides at halftime but on the hour mark Tabea Wassmuth made it three and she struck again with 12 minutes left to take her group stage-leading tally to eight.
Chelsea’s first three European campaigns between 2015/16 and 2017/18 were all ended by two-time champions Wolfsburg.
Juventus made history qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first since forming four years ago.
Regardless of the outcome of the match in Germany between Wolfsburg and Chelsea, Juventus needed a win to go through to the quaterfinals.
Lina Hurtig scored the opener in the 12th minute with a superb volley. Cristiana Girelli converted penalties in both halves before Agnese Bonfantini finished it in added time..
With Juventus winning, the top three in Group A all ended on 11 points, but the head-to-head goal difference favoured Wolfsburg, who topped the group as they reach their tenth quarter-final in as many seasons, and eliminated Chelsea.
Already qualified Real Madrid beat Kharkiv in the sixth and final day of the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the Alfredo Di Stéfano. The debutants will know their quartefinals opponent in Monday’s draw, they could be drawn against Barcelona, Olympique de Lyon or Wolfsburg.
Babett Peter got the first, tapping in after her initial header from Teresa Abelleira’s free-kick was well saved by debutant goalkeeper Maria Svidunovich. The second came when Maite Oroz finished off a clever short corner with a magnificent shot, and Esther González completed the scoring deep into stoppage time.
Another already qualified side, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) thrashed Icelandic side, Breidablik 6-0 at a noisy Stade Jean Bouin, to end the group stage of the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Champions League with a perfect record of six wins from six games.
Jordyn Huitema set up Ramona Bachmann for PSG’s first goal in the tenth minute, before Jordyn Huitema in the 45th minute converted PSG’s second goal from Ashley Lawrence’s assist, to have the halftime advantage.
In the second half, Kadidiatou Diani scored the pick of the goals with a burst from her own half before Sandy Baltimore, a Luana penalty and Huitema’s second wrapped up the win.
They scored a record 25 goals in the group which was one more than Barcelona’s mark set yesterday.
PSG finished Group B with a maximum of 18 points from six games without conceding any goal, ahead of Real Madrid (12 points) while Zhytlobud-1 (4 points), and Breidablik (1 point) crashed out of the Champions League.
For the tenth time in a row, VfL Wolfsburg have qualified for the quaterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
To make it to this season’s quarter-finals, the She-Wolfs needed a win by two goals in the final group game against last year’s finalist, Chelsea Women FC.
On the other hand, Chelsea only needed to avoid defeat to be sure of qualification, but the last season’s finalists were totally paralyzed by Wolfsburg, who are joined in the last eight by Juventus. Thanks to Huth and Tabea Waßmuth doubles.
Van de Sanden with a powerful shot forced Musovic to save but parried to the feet of Huth who is in the right place at the right time to calmly slotted home the rebound in the 16th minute.
The She-Wolfs weren’t buying into the Kerrby show as the defense kept out the duo of Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby from threatening.
Seven minutes later from scoring the opener, Svenja Huth once again was at the right place as Tabea Waßmuth’s low cross was easy and perfect enough to earn Huth brace.
Wolfsburg dominated the first half as they headed for halftime in great advantage.
Instead of the Kerrby combination, tonight it was all Waßmuth-Huth combining for goals as Huth collected a flick-on from Bremer and slide a ball in behind for Waßmuth to make it 3-0 on the 59th minute.
The Champions League’s leading scorer strikes once to dashed all hopes left of Chelsea in the 78th minute.
Emma Hayes’ side exited the group despite being levelled on points with the two qualified teams from the group.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, today formerly received management and players of Akwa United Football Club; Champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League 2021. The colourful ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
For emerging the 2020/21 champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League for the very first time in the club’s history, the Akwa Ibom State Government has announced a N100 million reward for the team.
The governor also presented a 32-seater bus to the club and also rewarded the players and club officials with a plot of land each.
In his words, the governor stated, “I have the permission of the entire Exco (Akwa Ibom State Executive Council) to announce that the entire team, all of you, will be given a plot of land each in Akwa Ibom State.
“Because you won the league, we will give you N100 million, so that we encourage you to do more.”
“I am proud of the team, you’ve made us proud. We are grateful (to you) for this achievement. Getting to the top is not a problem, but you have to stay at the top,” he added.
The Chairman of the club, Paul Bassey, said Akwa United’s victory, including other laurels won by various sports men and women from Akwa Ibom, was one of the greatest achievements of Mr Emmanuel’s administration.
“In the history of football, you’ve gotten to this point, let the next generation come and celebrate Akwa United. What you need to do is to make sure that the flag, you must keep it flying. It must not come down. As government, I promise we will support you people fully,” the governor concluded.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, who was present at the reception, congratulated Akwa United on winning the league and urged them to give in their best in the current season.
Hero Lager beer has been named the official supporter for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the 2021-22 season will kick off on the 17 December.
The Premium lager entered a partnership with the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to further promote the game of football in Nigeria.
Fan favourites such as Enyimba Football Club of Aba, Heartland FC of Owerri, Rangers United, Ifeanyi Uba FC, Abia FC, Rivers United, and other elite clubs in the east will enjoy the compliments of being officially sponsored by the premium lager.
This partnership with the NPFL is coming at a time when many clubs are struggling to stay afloat not just in the Nigerian Professional League as a result of poor funding.
Speaking to the media at a press conference to announce the partnership, Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc, Tolulope Adedeji explained that as a culturally-inclined brand that always has the welfare of the people at the heart of its campaigns and initiatives, Hero seeks to elevate the status of the round leather game in Nigeria.
According to Adedeji, “Football is a game that brings people together no matter who they are or where they are located. In a football game, people celebrate as one and they share the win or loss of their team as one, and in this sense Hero Lager is much like the game of football because it unites people. Now that Hero lager is stepping up to promote local football, we should expect a lot more development in this area. Our ambition is to see our local players get more visibility, career development and love of our people.”
Marketing Manager, Hero, Margaret Igabali added that the “These clubs bring joy to many Nigerians across the country and should be supported just the way foreign brands support foreign clubs. Football teams go beyond the game, they are traditions, and we are happy to be the official sponsors of these great football traditions.“
The sponsorship deal between Hero and the South Eastern football clubs will directly benefit the clubs, the NPFL, the players, and indirectly benefit the fans, the club’s communities as their clubs can now focus on winning the league for them. The sponsorship contract takes immediate effect.
Hero is a product of International Breweries Plc who are a proud part of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer with over 400 beer brands.
Pelican Stars Head Coach, Sanusi Olaleke has announced his resignation just few hours after his side suffered second league match loss at home against Nasarawa Amazons in Calabar yesterday.
He started with the team in the year 2014 where they finished second in the straight league and also came fourth in the 2015 season before he parted ways with the team in 2016 and reunited with the team in 2018.
Pelican have conceded most goals in the league this season just two games gone into the 2021/22 NWFL Premiership season. The team lost 4-0 to Confluence Queens on match day one and also conceded to a 3-0 defeat against Nasarawa Amazons on match day two.
Coach Olaleke disclosed that his life is at stake and won’t be able to continue with the Calabar based team.
He stated that “The problem now is that, the pressure is too much from their people and my life is not safe, I have no problem with the management and the Technical director, coach Egan and the players.”
“So I, coach Sanusi Muritala Olalekan, the Chief Coach of Pelican Stars FC of Calabar resign from my post, I wish the team best of luck, Thanks.” He added.
Newly promoted team from the Nigeria National League, Remo Stars Football Club have signed and unveiled 13 new players ahead of the new 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season which is scheduled to commence on Friday, 17th December 2021.
In order to boost their chances of playing at the continent next season, the Sky Blue Stars secured the services of the players from different professional clubs within and outside the country.
The players include the duo of Dayo Ojo, Stanley Okorom who joined from Enyimba, Emmanuel Daniel joined from Lobi Stars, Kamal Sikiru (Kwara United), Adebayo Abayomi (Shooting Stars), Ojukwu David (Sunshine Stars) and Akande Temitope (Wikki Tourist).
Others are Ojo Tolulope from Bendel Insurance, Noah Olawale teamed up with Remo from Fugra United in Malta, Oyedele Abdullahi from FC Slutsk, Belarus, Andy Okpe (Inter Allies, Ghana), Edugbeke Andrew (Divine Ambassador) and Haruna Hadi (FC One Rocket).
Remo Stars General Manager, Adams Ekene had insisted that the team is ready to fight for a place to play at the at continent in their first season at the elite league. Remo Star had played in the NPFL before being relegated and now back to contest with the heavyweight clubs.
The second round of fixtures in the NWFL Premiership featured some intriguing matches across various centres in the country on Wednesday. The matchday two witnessed two (2) away victories, one (1) home win and three (3) draws with a total of eleven (11) goals scored with Group A games producing eight (8) of those while Group B games only saw three (3) hit the net.
The blockbuster fixture of the day saw Oghenebrume Ikhekua scored the only goal, as Rivers Angels battled through to record a hard-fought victory against the ‘Lagos Landladies’. Her strike in the 15th minute of the game was all they needed to keep up with the challenges ahead.
Last week’s hat-trick hero Mercy Omokwo continues with her blistering form as she scored the only goal in the game between Confluence Queens and Osun Babes at the Lanreleke Stadium, Ile-Ogbo on Wednesday evening. Omokwo has now score four goals in two games and is presently the top-scorer in the league.
Newly promoted side Naija Ratels ran out of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin with a point after scoring two late goals against Edo Queens in a 4-goal thriller match.
Ezekiel Motunrayo’s own goal gave the ‘Obaseki Ladies’ the lead in the 30th minute, before Yemisi Samuel doubled the lead early on, in the second half, with her trademark run. The ‘One Day at a Time’ Ladies came back stronger later in the game with two quick fire goals, one in the 82nd minute, through Bankole Sofiat and in the 89th minute, Olamide Adugbe scored from about 27 yard to give the newcomers a point.
In Nembe, Bayelsa Queens came back very late to forced a 1-1 draw with neighbors, Delta Queens. The Restoration Ladies’ who were the favorite to win the game, trailed their opponent for close to an hour after Chisom Henry had opened the scoring in the 35th minutes, before Mercy Itimi late goal helped the home team to pick a draw.
Nasarawa Amazons romped to a 3-0 away win in Calabar, as Pelican Stars suffered their second heavy defeat of the new season. Dooshima Tarnum gave the visitors the lead just two (2) minutes into the game before Aweda Titilayo doubled the lead and Ayatsea Hembefan find herself on the scoresheet in the 84th minute as Amazons went for blood in their first game of the season.
Barclays FA Women’s Super League (WSL) leaders, Arsenal progressed to a record 14th quarter-final despite a 4-1 loss at UEFA Women’s Champions League to debutants Hoffenheim as Lyon finished ahead of Bayern München in Group D and holders Barcelona made it six wins out of six.
It’s a scary night for the Gunners before booking a record 14th quarter-final spot. Hoffenheim, who lost 4-0 away to the Gunners, needed a five-goal victory to usurp the English side on head-to-head record, and their three strikes in five second-half minutes had the visitors rocking.
All five goals were scored by Hoffenheim players. Jule Brand grabbed the opener but Laura Wienroither’s own goal levelled matters before the break. Chantal Hagel scored two goals in the space of two minutes to give Hoffenheim a 3-1 lead before Gia Corley converted the German side’s fourth goal in the 60th minute.
The German newcomers required just two more to qualify but Arsenal regrouped and saw out the rest of the match.
Defending Champions, FC Barcelona Femeni were at their ruthless best as they made it six wins out of six in Group C, and rounded up its group stage games with a 5-0 thumping of HB Køge.
Goals from Leila Ouahabi, Fridolina Rolfö, Alexia Putellas, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, and Lieke Martens earned Barcelona a 100% record in the group.
Despite the loss and elimination, goalkeeper Kaylan Jenna Marckese had a fine game as Barça rained down 41 shots on goal.
The seven-time champions, Lyon wrapped up first place after a 4-0 win over BK Häcken.
Catarina Macario broke the deadlock, Selma Bacha assisted Ada Hegerberg to make it 2-0; later on, Amandine Henry and Janice Cayman added gloss, with the latter’s finish a particular highlight of a clinical Lyon display.
Bayern Munich also replicated the same scoreline as goals from Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir, Lea Schuller, Giulia Gwinn, and Klara Buhl propeled the German side to a 4-0 triumph over SL Benfica.
Lyon finished top of Group D with a maximum of 15 points and qualified for the quarter-final alongside Bayern Munich (13 points).
MOLATsportgist 