Spanish Primera Iberdrola match week 12 round up

Deportivo Alaves defeated Valencia 3-1 at the Estadio Mendizorrotza Vitoria-Gasteiz. Miriam Dieguez opened the scoring from the spot kick in the 50th minute before Super Falcons defender, Ohale Osinachi doubled the lead and Sanadri sealed the win before Oriana Yoselyn scored the consolatory goal for the visitors.

FC Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The defending Champions opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Jennifer Hermoso who later doubled her side’s lead in the 75th minute before Claudia Pina and Aitana Bonmati sealed the victory for the Catalan side.

Real Sociedad edged Madrid CFF 1-2 to maintain its second position on the league table. Amaiur Sarriegi missed a penalty in the eighth minute then set up Manuela Vanegas for the opening goal and also doubled the lead in the 87th minute. Nigeria’s Rita Chikwelu came off the bench in the 77th minute to replaced Estela Fernandez before Silva Rubio reduced Madrid CFF’s deficit in the 90th minute.

Real Madrid Femenino earned a 0-2 win away at Villareal thanks to goals from Athenea and Esther in the second half.

Betis and Sevilla played out stalemate draw in the derby. Ghanaian international, Grace Asantewaa played for the duration of the game and came closed on few occasions but her efforts weren’t enough to win the derby for the hosts.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid earned a hard fought 2-1 victory against Levante. Aissatou Tounkara opened the scoring for Madrid in the 22nd minute before Giovana Gueiroz’s equaliser in the 41st minute. Barbara Latorre then scored the winning goal for Atletico Madrid in the 62nd minute.

Eibar forced Huelva to a 1-1 draw Fatoumata Kanteh opened the scoring in the eighth minute while Ana de Teresa equalized a minute before halftime.

Granadilla Tenerife pipped Rayo Vallecano 3-2.

Cristina Martín-Prieto Gutierrez scored a two minute brace to put UDG Tenerife in front at just four minutes, María Pilar García Villalba reduced the visitors deficit in the 48th minute. Ten minutes later, Maria Jose Perez restored the two goals lead before Isadora Freitas put one back in the 88th minute.

Primera Iberdrola standings after match week 12.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies beat Maindies Ladies to seal season treble

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa have secured the top-flight title with three games to spear, the Brazilians rounded off their remarkable season in style, thrashing Ma-Indies Ladies 7-0 at Wits Sports Stadium, thanks to goal from Andisiwe Mgcoyi (24’ 35’ 38’ 60’ 90’ 90’) and Hlogi Mashigo in the 31st minute.

The extraordinary season saw the African queens remained without an on-field defeat since 2018, winning 24 of their 26 league matches, with just a draw and one defeat suffered from boardroom decision.

The Jerry Tshabalala’s ladies are back-to-back league champions, and have also completed a treble, following their memorable successes at the inaugural COSAFA Women’s Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League earlier in the year 2021.

Having retained the title with 73 points and 73 goals, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will represent South Africa in the forthcoming COSAFA Women’s Champions League to defend their regional crown and also went home with R2 million ($120,000). And runners up Tshwane University of Technology with 59 points and 37 goals walked away with R1 million ($60,000).

In the other final matchday results, the University of the Western Cape ended in third with a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies, while JVW Ladies finished fourth, beating Richmond United 6-3, as First Touch Academy were held to a stunning 2-2 draw by bottom placed Tsunami Queens and Thunderbirds Ladies thrashed Golden Ladies 3-0.

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria wins big away at Congo

Africa’s most successful team at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, the Falconets of Nigeria on Sunday defeated Congo 4-0 in the first leg of their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying third round fixture at the Stade Alphonse Massamba Debat in Brazzaville.

Mercy Idoko opened the scoring in the 9th minute as the girls of Danjuma took the halftime lead.

Two minutes into the second half, Flourish Sebastine doubled the lead before Esther Onyenezide converted from the spot kick in the 50th minute. Five minutes later, CAF Champions League wondergirl, Deborah Abiodun wrapped up the day with a beauty.

With a dominant first leg win, the two –time World Cup silver medallists will welcome Congo for the second leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, 18th December.

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.

Action continues on Monday, December 6, when Morocco welcome Gambia.

Rivers United knocked out of Confederations Cup

An early goal from Abdel Latif Grendo gave Masry a precious 1-0 home victory on Sunday against Rivers United of Nigeria to reach the Confederation Cup group stage on a 2-2 aggregate away goal rule.

With their first leg 2-1 win advantage, the Pride of Rivers needed at least a draw to earn the group stage qualification ticket.

A powerful shot from midfielder Farid Shawki was parried by Rivers United keeper, with the ball falling to the feet of Grendo who slotted home from close range in the 12th minute.

United created some danger towards the end but Masry held to seal their place in the group stage of the Confederation Cup on the away goal rule.

With this result, Nigeria only representative is Enyimba FC who still have to wait on CAF to decide time and venue for their postponed first leg match against Al Ittihad of Libya.

Enyimba already won the reversed fixture 2-0 at home this Sunday and will need at least a draw and/or away goal to seal qualification or risk elimination, with no representative from Nigeria in any of the continental competitions.

CAFCC: Enyimba victorious over Al Ittihad, awaits CAF for return leg

Nigerian giants, Enyimba eased past Libyan club Al Ittihad 2-0 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup playoff round tie in Aba on Sunday.

The reverse fixture of the match was postponed after Enyimba FC were denied entry into Tunisia –adopted home ground of Al-Ittihad– due to COVID-19 travel restriction on Nigeria.

CAF Confederations Cup: Al Masry to face Rivers United behind closed doors

Motivated by the monetary promise of Uzor Kalu, the Peoples Elephant started with so much enthusiasm and could score more goals but missed a number of chances.

“Coming out victorious in the match is very important to us. I will congratulate the players with one million naira if they win the match.”- The Senator posted on his Facebook account on Saturday

The hosts took the lead in the 21st minute after Sadiq Abubakar connected neatly to a cross from Yakubu Bilal.

Thirteen minutes later, Victor Mbaoma, doubled the scoreline as the Nigerian team cruised to a two-goal lead heading into the second half.

The overall winner of the contest will proceed to the group stages of the competition but the two sides will have to wait for CAF to decide on date and venue for the return leg fixture.

Women’s FA Cup Final: Chelsea beat Arsenal to win domestic quadruple

On a day like today one hundred years ago, the English Football Association (FA) banned women’s football competitions. Today in front of almost 41,000 fans at Wembley, Chelsea completed the domestic quadruple after beating Arsenal 0-3 in the women’s FA Cup final.

The final marked the end of the 200/21 season which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the 2021/22 competition already in the third round.

Fran Kirby opened the scoring inside two minutes on their way to a third FA Cup triumph.

Despite Kerr missing a number of good chances to double Chelsea’s lead, in the 57th minute, however, the Kerrby show unfolded as Kerr finally found the back of the net, latching onto a fine pass from Kirby to double the Blues lead.

The Australian was once again on the scoresheet after she’s fed through on the right by Melanie Leupolz but didn’t appear to have much of an angle to shoot but saw Zinsberger off her line and executed a delightful chip. A performance well orchestrated and worthy of player of the match award in her first-ever FA Cup final.

Against a side who had beaten them earlier this season in the league, the Emma Hayes’ side finally get revenge on Jonas Eidevall’s side and inflict Arsenal’s first domestic loss of the season.

Emma Hayes’ side are celebrating a historic treble, having already lifted both the WSL title and the League Cup last season.

The celebrations cannot last too long for Chelsea, who host Juventus on Wednesday.

What they say:

Emma Hayes: “I’m extremely proud of everyone in our organisation. Our performance was out of this world today, we were dominant from start to finish. I was upset we weren’t up by more than one at half-time but it was convincing in the end. That’s the best performance I’ve seen from Fran [Kirby], she ran the show. The midfield was set up to do a job and allow Fran and Sam [Kerr] to go and play. It’s nice to paint Wembley blue tonight. It’s a Chelsea day. The fans deserve that. Winning the treble is an amazing achievement and I will sit down and enjoy that this evening. Women’s football was banned 100 years ago. I said to the girls before the game: today we play for everyone who’s made the women’s game what it is. Women’s football is out livelihood but it’s also our passion and today that win was for every woman who’s been involved in women’s football in this country.”

Sam Kerr: “I think we deserved it. Me and Fran scored but the defence was amazing, it was a team effort and we’ll enjoy this one. We felt like we dominated but they defended well in the first half and we couldn’t put away some easy chances so we knew we had to score again to put the game to bed, and we did…We’ve conceded not many goals in the last few games and scored a bunch – I think we’re the best team in England.”

Fran Kirby: “It’s amazing. We worked so hard after the international break so make sure we got it tactically right. Second half we sat off a little bit more but I think we blew them away first half especially. My goal settled our nerves a little bit. When you’re through on goal its a stressful situation but I managed to stay composed and put it in but it was a magnificent performance from everyone – keeping a clean sheet in the final is amazing…It’s a massive day for women’s football. Today was about not forgetting the trailblazers who helped us get here. Hopefully the performance today made everyone proud and hopefully more people want to get involved in women’s football.”

Humbling day for Arsenal, whose next game is against the European champions Barcelona. But they are still top of the WSL.

Ajara Nchout on target as Inter earns first Derby win in five attempts

The women’s Milan derby is taken by Women with a resounding 3-0 against Milan who find themselves annihilated already in the first half.

Inter got off to a flying start at the Centro Sportivo Peppino Vismara, with Ghoutia
Karchouni finding Kathellen who heads home the opener in the 13th minute.

Cameroonian forward, Ajara Nchout Njoya doubled the visitors lead in the 27th minute from a Bonetti’s assist, before she’s replaced in the 85th minute by Polli. Five minutes later, Karchouni finds her name on the scoresheet after converting perfectly from the spot kick.

The win is Inter’s first Derby victory in the Serie A Women, on their fifth attempt. They also become the first team able of scoring three league goals against the Rossonere during the first halves of play.

At the other end, South African Refiloe Jane saw 86 minutes of game before being replaced by Noa Selimhodzic.

Inter seat fifth on the log with one point behind Milan, and will welcome Sassuolo on Saturday while Milan travel to Turin to battle Juventus.

CAF Confederations Cup: Al Masry to face Rivers United behind closed doors

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederations Cup second leg playoff round, match between Al Masry SC and Rivers United FC will be played behind closed doors.

This was revealed by the Match Commissioner, Mr Jamal Salem from Libya at the prematch meeting, in adherence to the protocols of the CAF on COVID-19.

With their first leg 2-1 win advantage, the Pride of Rivers will hope to take advantage of the absence of fans at the stadium as a win or draw will earn the side the group stage qualification ticket

Al Masry will welcome Rivers United at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt at 5pm Nigerian time, today, Sunday 5 December.

CAF Confederation Cup: Uzor Kalu promised Enyimba N1m if victorious over Al Ittihad

The People’s Elephants of Aba, Nigeria, Enyimba FC welcome their Libyan opponent for the second leg playoff of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The first leg fixture of the match was not played after Enyimba FC were denied entry into Tunisia –adopted home ground of Al-Ittihad– due to COVID-19 travel restriction on Nigeria.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has however promised a sum of N1 Million if Enyimba secure the needed victory over their North-African counterparts on Sunday.

“Coming out victorious in the match is very important to us. I will congratulate the players with one million naira if they win the match.”- The Senator posted on his Facebook account on Saturday.

Undefeated Finidi George says his team are mentally prepared for their CAF Confederation Cup second-leg playoff clash against Al Ittihad, after the unfortunate and disappointing experience they faced in Morocco on their way to Tunis for the botched first-leg tie a week ago.

With uncertainty still hovering around the date and venue of the first-leg, the 50-year-old tactician is hoping Enyimba, who have reached the quarter-finals of the competition in the last two seasons, can secure a big win against Al Ittihad to render the reverse fixture a mere formality.

The game is scheduled to kick-off at 3:30 pm Nigeria time on Sunday, 5 December.

Emmanuel Dennis named Watford’s Player and Goal of the month

Emmanuel Dennis has been voted both the Watford’s Stake Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for November.

The Nigeria international has enjoyed a highly successful start to life at Watford, winning his second Player of the Month gong of the season, having won it previously in August.

Dennis scored two goals and provided two assists in the month which saw the Hornets face stiff competition, with matches against Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester City.

The 24-year-old also won a penalty in the final game of the month, which was ultimately converted by Joshua King. Dennis’ fine showings have also resulted in a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award.

In a competitive poll, Dennis topped the supporter vote ahead of Joshua King, Leanne Bell and Anne Meiwald.

His clever finish against Leicester City on November 28 was picked as the goal of the month.

Despite the snowy conditions around him, Dennis showed composure and skill to take a stuttered touch in front of goal to trick the opposition, before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.