The top tier of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership has entered week two, with matches set to go down across centers in the country, today, Wednesday 15 December, 2021.
Star match of the day is bound between CAF Champions League participant who are also the defending Champions, Rivers Angels and FC Robo Queens of Lagos. The Jewel of Rivers played out a goalless draw against Delta Queens in their season opener while FC Robo defeated Abia Angels.
Royal Queens and Nassarawa Amazons will kick start their 2021/22 season after being out of action last week.
Amazons’ first game of the season sees them take a trip to Pelican Stars in Calabar, precisely U.J Esuene Stadium, while, Royal Queens will also be on the road to the Umuahia Township Stadium to face Abia Angels.
All fixtures are set to kick-off at 4pm Nigeria time.
Confluence Queens top Group A on goal difference while Bayelsa Queens top Group B ahead of match day two.
German Bundesliga Women’s Champions, FC Bayern Munich has extended its women’s team with five top performers at the same time – with captain Lina Magull, Klara Bühl, Giulia Gwinn, goalkeeper Laura Benkarth and Carolin Simon.
Lina Magull extended to 2024. The 27-year-old has been playing for Munich since 2018 and has been captain of the team since 2020.
Giulia Gwinn extended to 2025. The 22-year-old wing player fought her way back into the FCB’s regular team after a long cruciate ligament injury.
Laura Benkarth extended to 2024. The 29-year-old goalkeeper sees a positive development in women’s football at FC Bayern after joining from SC Freiburg in 2018.
Carolin Simon extended to 2023 and is convinced of the process at FCB. The 29-year-old left-back moved to the Isar in 2019 as a triple winner from Olympique Lyon.
Klara Bühl extended to 2025. The 21-year-old attacking player is considered to be one of the greatest talents in German women’s football and has found a new home in Munich, to which she wants to remain loyal.
The FC Bayern women are on the road to success, they have great ambitions nationally and internationally and are working to close the gap to the top European.
FIFPRO and FIFA have announced the 23 players who received the most votes for the 2021 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, the only global player award organised by the players and for the players.
Professional footballers worldwide are requested to vote three players who in their opinion were the most outstanding players during the 2020/2021 season in the following lines: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.
FIFPRO reduced the shortlist from 55 to 23 and the final XI winners will be announced on Monday 17 January 2022 during the ceremony of The Best FIFA Football Awards.
This is the first time that FIFA and FIFPRO present a 23-player World XI squad, and the sixth edition since creating the vote for women players only in 2015.
Despite having a stellar season with FC Barcelona, Asisat Oshoala is not included in the 23-woman squad. However, Cameroonian international, Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene made her debut on the list becoming only the second African player to appear on shortlist since Tabitha Chawinga in 2020.
The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who received the most votes in their position will be selected for the World XI. The remaining spot will be assigned to the remaining outfield player with the next highest number of votes.
Forwards: 🇩🇰 Pernille Harder (Chelsea) 🇦🇺 Samantha Kerr (Chelsea) 🇧🇷 Marta (Orlando Pride) 🇳🇱 Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) 🇺🇸 Alex Morgan (Tottenham Hotspur/Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave) 🇨🇲 Gabrielle Onguene (CSKA) 🇺🇸 Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)
The World XI squad includes 13 players who already have won a World XI award: Bonansea, Bright, Bronze, Buchanan, Cascarino, Endler, Harder, Lloyd, Marta, Miedema, Morgan, Rapinoe and Renard.
Spain and the United States are the countries with most players (3 each) in the World XI squad while Chelsea is the club with most selected players (5).
Real Madrid defender, David Alaba has donated the sum of 13.3 million Nigeria currency to OPS-WASH, to build toilets to curb open defecation in Nigeria.
The Austrian forward is of Nigerian descent, born to a Nigerian prince father and a Filipino nurse mother.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), urged other Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate the laudable initiative of Alaba, the Nigerian-born football player of the Real Madrid club.
Receiving the symbolic cheque, the NiDCOM boss, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that the gesture by the International Star, who was also an OPS-WASH Ambassador, is highly commendable.
The NIDCOM boss stated this when officials from Ecobank and the National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), visited her in Abuja to present the symbolic Cheque from David Alaba.
As a facilitating body and neutral player in the project, Dabiri-Erewa stated that the project of building modern toilet facilities, aimed at sustainable job creation, will begin in Ogun State, Alaba’s home state.
Also, she urged Project Managers to successfully deliver in record time.
All twelve Barclays English FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL) sides have found out who they would be facing in the Fourth Round of the Women’s FA Cup.
With two games remaining in the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, the fourth round draw took place on Monday as the FAWSL clubs joined the Cup at the Fourth Round, which will be played on January 30, 2022.
Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City FC Women square up in the clash between two WSL sides.
In another WSL sides clash, defending Champions, Chelsea FC Women will play Aston Villa, while Brighton and Reading face off.
Arsenal FC will face English Championship side, London City Lionesses, while Durham and Blackburn Rovers square up in the battle of two English Championship teams.
Last week, we reported 17 year-old referee Raphael Mbotela who was in charged during the COSAFA U17 Girls’ Championship final between Zambia and Botswana.
Once again history is made as 16-year-old Gloria Kumedzo become the youngest female referee to make it to the limelight.
The Ghanaian started as a young referee in elementary school. Today she becomes the youngest referee in the history of the Ghanaian football league when she took charge of the Women’s Premier Super Cup final.
Gloria, now a final year student, began reffing at the age of 6 in primary school and has managed to climb almost all the levels in this men’s profession.
A record of precocity for the young girl who lives in Ghana, age has never had any importance, she takes the responsibilities as well as her colleagues. Recognition and happiness because “the predominant feelings for her are impatience, concentration and honesty”.
In her honor, she has never officiated a match which has known controversy.
She has officiated matches in the women’s FA Cup, matches in the “Ghana super cup” and matches in the Women’s division 1 League. At her age it is on track to become a great referee in Africa.
IFFHS named Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Evelyn Badu, Yusif Basigi, Bruce Mwape and Bernadette Kwimbira on the list of individuals that had stellar year in Africa women’s football.
International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) on Monday released its continental awards for women’s football.
Asisat Oshoala is named the best Women’s Player in Africa for the year 2021 after an impressive season with FC Barcelona Femeni. The Nigerian forward ended last season with 18 goals in 26 games in the league and had 11 in nine by the end of November this season. Add that to important Champions League goals in both legs against Manchester City this season and another against former club Arsenal more recently.
After reaching six finals and winning five of it for Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana, losing only the CAF Women’s Champions League to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, coach Yusif Basigi is voted the best club manager of the year.
Evelyn Badu bagged double after being named the best playmaker and best youth player on the continent. The 19-year-old had a stellar year winning five trophies with Hasaacas Ladies and several individual awards.
The rising star finished as the topscorer at the CAF Champions League, Player of the tournament and also won the Ghana web player of the year.
For qualifying Zambia for the Olympics for the first time, coach Bruce Mwape won the best national coach. During the African qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics, they defeated Cameroon in the final round and also produced some impressive moment in their Olympic debut.
After being selected by IFFHS as the seventh-best in the world, Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been named the best goalkeeper in Africa.
The rankings of the goalkeepers were for an aggregate of 2021 taking into consideration performances for their club and country, in which the Paris FC star fit perfectly.
Bernadette Kwimbira-Nzika has been named the bestfemalereferee in Africa.
She was among the selected elite referees that officiated at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games football tournament.
The Zomba-based assistant referee made history by becoming the first woman to officiate at a CAF men’s senior tournament during the African Nations Championship (Chan) finals.
She has also been selected to officiate at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Kwimbira-Nzika has previously officiated at the 2019 and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cups and five Africa Women’s Cup of Nations finals.
The organisers of the Soccer Queens Cup have heaped praises on the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwumi for his support and encouragement towards the tournament which is slated to kick off in February 2022.
The coordinator of the tournament, Mr. Moses Bako Nagogo during the unveiling ceremony thanked Barrister Seyi Akinwumi for his support. In his words, Mr. Bako said, ” I want to thank Barrister Seyi for giving us the go-ahead as far as this tournament is concerned. His giant strides in grassroots football motivated the Soccer Queens Cup.”
He also lauded the contributions of the Chairperson of Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Ms. Aisha Falode, and President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh.
He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to thank the Chairperson of NWFL. When people say that women’s football is going backward, I wonder what they meant by that. In Lagos, there are more than 50 women’s clubs that were not there 20 years ago. Development is rated on multiplication and progress. We thank the league board for giving us three-tier women’s league in NWFL Premiership, Championship, and Nationwide League.
“Barrister Paul Edeh also needs to be commended because he gave us his backing when we wanted to start this grassroots football tournament aimed at empowering the girl-child. I congratulate him and Naija Ratels FC for winning their first game in the NWFL Premiership.”
Six teams from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria will take part in the maiden Soccer Queens Cup next year in Lokoja.
CONFIRMED TEAMS:
• North Central – Abruka Queens, Kwara • North East – Jewel Queens of Gombe • North West – Kaduna Queens Feeders • South East – Imo Strikers • South South – Fortress Ladies, Benin. • South West – Royaltoms Queens Academy, Lagos.
#SoccerQueensCup
To be part of this empowerment tournament, please kindly donate your quota:
The Moroccan women’s U-20 football team qualified on Sunday to the fourth round of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier after walloping Gambia 0-6, in the return leg encounter, at the Prince Moulay El Hassan sports complex, Rabat.
After a 3-1 first-leg win, the Lioncelles de l’Atlas sealed their progression in the qualifying tournament on a ruthless form with a 9-1 aggregate win against Gambia.
Thanks to Sofia Bouftini’s hat-trick (2nd, 15th, 56th), Kawtar Mahy (47th), Hajar Jbilou (74th) and El Yamani Anfal (91st).
After a huge third round win, the North Africans will face the winner between Senegal and Guinea in the fourth round billed for January 2022.
Ghanaian international, Grace Asantewaa was very impressive as Real Betis win 0-2 away from home at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Grace in attack mounted constant danger before being replaced in the 59th minute.
Paula Andújar’s own goal in minute 42 opened Betis’ path before Mari Paz sentenced the hosts in the 84th minute to keep the visitors ten points out of the relegation zone.
Toni Payne saw 87 minutes played as Sevilla were held at home to a goal less draw by Atlético de Madrid.
The first clear chance for the Sevillans came from Payne’s boots at four minutes after a counter attack started by Nago Calderón. Zenatha Coleman and Toni Payne were very active enjoying several occasions in the attack but unable to get one at the back of the net.
On the part of Atlético de Madrid, Rasheedat Ajibade and Thembi Kgatlana were brought on from bench in the 64th minute andadded time respectively. With no much to do by the Nigerian, the Rojiblancas ended the day with a shared point.
Impressive Rita Chikwelu helped Madrid CFF to a 1-3 win against Valencia. The Nigerian started from bench but was introduced early in the 18th minute.
Kerolin opened the scoring for the visitors in the 10th minute and Geyse doubled the lead twelve minutes later, before Candela Andújar scored for the hosts just before the halftime break.
Madrid’s second goalscorer, Geyse was sent off for a second bookable offense in minute 51. Nevertheless, Gabi Nunes extended the lead in the 73rd minute.
Second-placed Real Sociedad dropped points after a hard fought 2-2 draw with Sporting Huelva. Sanni Franssi and Nerea Eizaguirre Lasa scored for Real Sociedad as Anita Marcos and Kristina Fisher ensured that Huelva forced Real Sociedad to a 2-2 draw.
Fc Barcelona had earlier defeated Real Madrid on the women’s El-Clásico.
MOLATsportgist 