MOLATsportgist

Nigerians on the scoresheet: Christy Ucheibe net first goal of the season, Uchenna Kanu’ hat-trick, Okoronkwo, Chinonyerem keeps the flag flying

Saint-Etienne’s Esther Okoronkwo scored her third goal of the season in their disappointing late 2-1 defeat to Montpellier in the French D1 Arkema at Stade Salif Keita on Saturday.

Okoronkwo with a brace against Oparanozie’s Dijon, earned her third goal of the season on her seventh start as Cindy Caputo set her up to open the scoring for the hosts against Montpellier in the sixth minute before Lena Petermann and Sarah Puntigam struck late to subdue the hosts and robbed them of the maximum points.

Nigeria international Uchenna Kanu scored the first hat trick of her professional career for Linkopings this season as they claimed a 3-1 triumph over Hammarby in the Swedish Damallsvenskan encounter on Saturday.

The 24-year-old had return from international duties with Nigeria as she led the African champions past Ghana to the second of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifier thanks to her first leg brace in a 2-0 win in Lagos.

Kanu opened the scoring for Linkopings with her 10th strike of the season in the 10th minute before she doubled the lead four minutes from the half time break, before bagging her historic treble in the 64th minute to guarantee the triumph of the visitors as Nina Jakobsson’s effort two minutes later only turned out a consolation for the hosts.

Kanu has now scored 12 goals in 18 starts surpassing her last season record. With one game to the end of the season, Linkopings will square up against Joy Bokiri’s AIK in their final match of the season.

Uchenna Kanu wins Player of the match scoring all three goals of Linkopings against Hammarby

Former Nigeria U20 star, Christy Uchiebe scored a goal and created an assist as SL Benfica thrashed Atletico C Port 13-0 in the Portuguese Liga BPI southern region encounter.

The Nigeria midfielder opened the scoring for the Portuguese champions with a powerful strike in the ninth minute before she was brought down inside the area nine minutes later for her side’s third goal of the match.

The goal was Uchiebe’s first of the season in three starts and will be eyeing her fourth start when they will face off with Torreense in their next domestic challenge on November 6.

Christy Ucheibe in action for SL Benfica

Another Nigerian in Poland , Macleans Chinonyerem maintained her fine scoring form in the Polish Ekstraliga as she bagged her ninth and tenth goal on the season in Gornik Łęczna 5-1 victory at Rekord Bielsko-Biala on Saturday.

Her brace mean the Nigerian hit 10-goal mark in five matches and open a three-goal gap at the top of the goalscorers chart in the Polish Ekstraliga ahead of closest challenger Czarni Sosnowiec’s Martyna Wiankowska.

New brand identity revealed for FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

FIFA has revealed an exciting and bold new brand identity for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, incorporating a vibrant new visual approach that aims to unite and inspire people around the world through the power of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and women’s football.

According to FIFA press release, the brand identity and emblem incorporate the vibrant local landscapes and rich colours of the two hosts, building a palette based on the rainforests, earth, mountains, cities, and water of the two countries.

A radial motif featuring 32 colourful squares – celebrating the new expansion to 32 participating nations, and an element commonly seen across the indigenous cultures of Australia and New Zealand – is a prominent part of the design.

The motif symbolises not only the world’s best teams coming together, but also the spirit and values of the two host countries radiating back out into the world, with football at its core.

Speaking about the new identity for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General, said:

“Women’s football continues to grow and Beyond Greatness, the new slogan perfectly captures where FIFA wants to take the female game in the hearts and minds of football fans worldwide- Beyond Greatness. The new brand identity beautifully reflects the expansion of the tournament from 24 to 32 teams and evokes the colours and diversity of the national team strips taking part in the ultimate women’s football competition. We can’t wait for it to begin!”

The brand identity made its first public appearance in a live show featuring FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer and New Zealander Sarai Bareman, Australian striker Kyah Simon and New Zealand forward Hannah Wilkinson. During the show, which was broadcast on Optus Sport in Australia and Sky TV in New Zealand, the guests discussed the meaning behind the ambitious new tournament slogan, the dynamic emblem, and the overall look of the brand, which incorporates unique patterns created in collaboration with local indigenous artists.

Speaking during the show, Sarai Bareman was inspired by the vision behind the brand:

“The core purpose of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is to showcase women’s talent. Everything we’re trying to achieve for women in football and women in society will be on display for the world to see in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s a movement and we want everyone to be part of it. You’re going to see an amazing display of the best athletes in the world, two beautiful countries, and two amazing cultures. It’s unique, like this emblem. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Get behind it!”

In addition to the dramatic visuals, a bespoke sonic identity for the tournament entitled Unity, created by renowned electronic musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens, was unveiled. Owens, who made a special guest appearance during the broadcast, explained that the music was inspired by the same ideals and values that lead to the creation of the Official Slogan: Beyond Greatness™.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 CEO Dave Beeche noted that the launch of the brand is a meaningful milestone in the tournament’s preparations:

“Unveiling this dynamic and innovative brand is a key milestone for the host countries in the journey to 2023. We are proud to see our Māori and Indigenous Australian cultures play a key role in the creation of this powerful and unique global brand. We believe it’s a fitting symbol of our plans to deliver a tournament that will not only take players and fans Beyond Greatness, but continue the incredible momentum already underway in the growth of women’s sport and gender equality.

“Australians and New Zealanders are looking forward to extending our famous ‘down-under’ hospitality to all visitors, to celebrate the world’s biggest female sporting event in our beautiful countries.“

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will see the world’s top players compete for the greatest prize in women’s football from July 20 to August 20, 2023. The expanded format will feature 32 teams for the first time and is the first to feature hosts from two confederations.

Breakdown on how UEFA will distribute prize money to national teams at Women’s EURO 2022

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 will set new standards for women’s national team competitions by introducing the competition’s first-ever club benefits programme and doubling the prize money on offer at next summer’s tournament in England.

In the past six months, UEFA has made far-reaching changes to the financial distribution models for both its premier women’s national team competition and this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. Both underline the governing body’s determination to deliver on three ambitious objectives of its five-year strategy for the women’s game, Time for Action:

Doubling the reach and value of the UEFA Women’s EURO and the UEFA Women’s Champions League
Doubling the number of women and girls playing football in UEFA’s member associations to 2.5 million
Changing perceptions of women’s football across Europe

UEFA look in detail at what these decisions mean for national associations and clubs, and how they stand to benefit the long-term development of women’s football.

What is the club benefits programme and how will it work at the Women’s EURO?

UEFA has offered payments to clubs that provide players for the men’s EURO since 2008 in recognition of their role in making the tournament possible.

With its latest decision, European football’s governing body has approved plans to introduce a similar ‘club benefits programme’ for the Women’s EUROs – acknowledging clubs’ contributions to the final tournament’s success by releasing players. The club benefits programme will amount to a significant €4.5 million.

How will the club benefits money be distributed?

Payments will only be allocated to European clubs whose players are selected for national teams participating in Women’s EURO 2022. The total amount paid will be calculated according to the number of days that a player is released for the final tournament: this will cover ten preparation days, the total number of days a player participates in the tournament, plus one additional travel day.

Eligible clubs will be compensated at a rate of €500 per player per day, with payments distributed in October–December 2022. For each of its players taking part in the Women’s EURO, a club is guaranteed a minimum payment of €10,000.

How will UEFA ensure that the introduction of club benefits contributes to the long-term development of women’s football?

The club benefits programme represents a critical component of the virtuous circle of growing the women’s game. As well as compensating clubs for the time that their players are absent with the national team, UEFA is also encouraging clubs to reinvest the redistributed funds for the benefit of the sport.

How will Women’s EURO 2022’s total prize money set new standards for the women’s game?

The total prize money on offer will total €16m – the highest ever and double the €8m available at the previous Women’s EURO in 2017.

Two UEFA decisions have made the rise in overall prize money possible: separating the commercial arrangements for its men’s and women’s competitions, and increased overall UEFA investment in the competition.

How will the prize money be distributed?

Prize money will be allocated according to two criteria: equal distribution (60%) and tournament performance (40%).

Equal distribution, accounting for 60% of the total amount available
€9.6 million of the total €16 million prize money will be divided equally among all 16 participating national associations, regardless of their performance in the final tournament.
Tournament performance, accounting for 40% of the overall pot
The remaining €6.4 million will be allocated according to national teams’ group stage results and performances in the knockout rounds – the latter will account for almost two-thirds of the performance pot.

Full breakdown: How UEFA will distribute prize money to national teams at Women’s EURO 2022

• All 16 teams will receive a guaranteed minimum payment of €600,000, double the equivalent amount for Women’s EURO 2017.

• For the first time ever at a UEFA women’s national team competition, performance-based bonuses will be introduced during the group stage: €100,000 for a win and €50,000 for a draw.

• Teams reaching the quarter-finals will receive an additional €205,000. Semi-finalists will be allocated a further €320,000.

• The 2022 Women’s EURO champions will receive €660,000 versus €420,000 for the runners-up. Prize money is cumulative; if the champions also win all their group matches, they will receive a total of €2,085,000.

What is UEFA’s thinking behind this distribution of prize money?

UEFA will distribute Women’s EURO 2022 prize money as widely as possible across the participating sides to prioritise the development of women’s football across Europe.

For example, at the group stage, the equal distribution principle guarantees a minimum payment to all participating teams that amounts to double the equivalent figure for Women’s EURO 2017. In addition, we are introducing performance fees for the first time for all matches in the group stage (see ‘Tournament performance’ above). National teams that win all their group matches stand to earn €900,000 – three times more than was possible before.

For any given match in the group stage, the new model gives teams an additional sporting and financial incentive, raising the levels of competition and entertainment in England next summer.

How does the new distribution model compare with other women’s sporting competitions?

As a proportion of overall tournament revenue and costs, payments at Women’s EURO 2022 will be in line with, or even higher than, other women’s national team competitions. This places the new distribution model among the leading prize money schemes globally for women’s team sports.

It all adds up to a win-win result for the development of European women’s football.

What is the club benefits programme and how will it work at the Women’s EURO?

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Championship draws revealed

The draws of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 held by UEFA this Thursday in Manchester, took shape under the orders of former England international Alex Scott and BBC presenter Gabby Logan. Participating nations now know the opponents that awaits them from 6 to 31 July 2022.

The tournament in England should have been held in the summer of this year, but has been postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the England host already assigned to position 1 in Group A, groupings were created band by band. Four urns (AD) were used containing three balls each, one for each position. The positions in the group, determined randomly with the draw, have defined the order of the group stage matches as per the predefined calendar.

At the starting line the teams were divided into four bands built on the basis of the ranking for national teams built with reference to the last two competitions played and the qualifying phase for the next European.

Pot 1 : England, Holland, Germany, France

Pot 2 : Sweden, Spain, Norway, Italy

Pot 3 : Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria

Pot 4 : Iceland, Russia, Finland, Northern Ireland

As the host nation, England will take on Austria in the tournament’s opening match at Old Trafford on Wednesday 6 July 2022. That game could attract a record-breaking crowd for a UEFA Women’s EURO tournament finals match, the highest attendance currently stands at 41,301.

The Lionesses have also drawn Norway and tournament debutants Northern Ireland in what looks like a familiar group as Austria and Northern Ireland also feature in England’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifying group while the Lionesses have also met Kenny Shiels’ side in a friendly match earlier this year.

Group B sees European heavyweights Germany and Spain drawn together while Denmark and Finland also feature.

Group C is made up of The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Russia while Group D contains France, Italy, Belgium and

The two best teams in the group reach the quarter-finals. The competition will take place in ten stadiums in eight English cities. The opening match will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, Wembley Stadium in London will host the final.

Tickets for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament finals are priced between £5 and £50 and fans will be able to enter a public ballot for tickets from 7pm prior to them going on general sale in February 2022.

Oshoala, Brabar Banda among nominees for IFFHS Women’s Best player of the Year Award 2021

The International Federation of Footbal History and Statistics (IFFHS) have shortlisted 38-player for their Women’s World Best Player 2021 award.

The list which was released on Wednesday afternoon has two African representatives, Asisat Oshoala and Barbara Banda among the contenders to dethrone Pernille Harder who was last crowned in 2020.

Brabar Banda in action for her club side Shanghai

Brabar Banda plays as a forward for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli and represents Zambia senior women’s national team. The 21-year-old captained her side to their first ever Olympic games in Tokyo.

Her move to Chinese Super League was for a reported fee of up to $300,000, making Banda the third most expensive female player of all time.

In Zambia’s first match against the Netherlands, she scored three times in a heavy 10-3 loss. In their next match, a 4-4 draw with China, Banda repeated the feat and, at the same time, wrote her name into the record books: The first female player ever to managed two hattricks at an Olympic Games. And her six tournament goals also equalled a record.

Barbra Banda is now tied for the most goals scored by an African player at an Olympics. Male or female.

Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia, 1988) and Kwame Ayew (Ghana, 1992) also scored six goals.

Asisat Oshoala plays as a striker for both Spanish side FC Barcelona Femení in the Primera División and captains the Nigerian national team.

The Nigerian has shone on the club in the 2020-21 season, winning the quadruple with Barca and On 16 May 2021, she became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League, after Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–0 in the finals.

The four-time African Women’s Footballer of The Year, despite an injury close to the end of the season, made nine appearances and scored four goals in the UCL to help the Catalans win the title for the first time in the club’s history.

The Super Falcons captain is currently Barcelona Femeni’s eighth Most Valuable Player, according to reputable Spanish football statistics website, soccerdonna.de. The website valued the Nigerian at €175,000 with a year left on her Barca contract.

Full list of nominees for the 2021 IFFHS award:

• Samantha Mewis (USA – Man City / NCC Courage)

• Samantha Kerr (Austrália – Chelsea FC)

• Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands – Arsenal FC)

• Pernille Harder (Denmark – Chelsea FC)

• Lucie Bronze (England – Manchester City FC)

• Jenifer Marozsan (Germany – Olympique Lyon / Reign of OL)

• Julie Ertz (USA – Chicago RS)

• Caroline Hansen Graham (Norway – FC Barcelona)

• Debinha (Brazil – NCC Courage)

• Wendie Renard (France – Olympique Lyon)

• Saki Kumagai (Japan – Olympique Lyon / FC Bayern Munich)

• Rose Lavelle (USA – Man City / Reign OL)

• Jennifer Hermoso (Spain – FC Barcelona)

• Ji So Yun (South Korea – Chelsea FC)

• Alexia Putellas (Spain – FC Barcelona)

• Christiane Endler (Chile – Paris SG / Olympique Lyon)

• Amel Majri (France – Olympique Lyon)

• Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada – Olympique Lyon)

• Ashley Lawrence (Canada – PSG)

• Marta (Brazil – Orlando Pride)

• Tobin Heath (USA – Arsenal FC)

• Marie Antoinette Katoto (France – PSG)

• Lea Schueller (Germany – FCBayern Munich)

• Kosovare Aslani (Sweden – Real Madrid CF)

• Fran Kirby (England – Chelsea FC)

• Lieke Martens (Netherlands – FC Barcelona)

• Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria – FC Barcelona)
• Barbara Banda (Zambia – Shanghai)

• Gabi Nunes (Brazil – Corinthians/CF Madrid)

• Catalina Usme (Colombia – America Cali)

• Megan Rapinoe (USA / Reign OL)

• Ewa Pajor (Poland – VFL Wolfsburg)

• Valentina Giacinti (Italy – AC Milan)

• Katty Martinez (Mexico – Tigres UANL)

• Alison Gonzales (Mexico – Atlas)

• Alicia Cervantes (Mexico – CD Guadalajara)

• Stina Blackstenius (Sweden – Hedges)

• Carli Lloyd (USA – Gotham FC)

At the end of November 2021, the IFFHS will celebrate the winners of the 2021 AWARDS in all Categories.

Sam Kerr, Vivianne Miedema, Alexia Putellas, among five nominees for the 2021 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award

The shortlist for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2021 has been revealed and winner will be announced on Monday, 29 November on BBC World Service and the BBC Sport website.

The five contenders for the BBC World Service accolade were chosen by a panel of experts, including coaches, players, administrators and journalists. Voting is now opened on BBC site and closes at 09:00 GMT on Monday, 8 November.

A look at the five contenders for the 2020/21 season wrap:

Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema broke Nikita Parris’ all-time scoring record and helped the Gunners to Champions League qualification. She was nominated for WSL Player of the Season and the FIFA Women’s Best award.

The 25-year-old goal poacher broke the record for the most goals scored at a single Games with 10 in four matches at the Tokyo Olympics before her Dutch team bowed out in the quarter-finals losing to USA.

Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen shone on the club and international stage in the 2020-21 season, winning the quadruple with Barca and qualifying for the Women’s Euros. Also, named in the Champions League squad of the season and nominated for Uefa’s Women’s Player of the Year award.

The 26-year-old was Norway’s top scorer in their Euro qualifiers, netting 10 times as they topped Group C. She has also been a part of their World Cup qualifiers, in which they are so far unbeaten.

Sam Kerr won the WSL’s Golden Boot with 21 goals which helped seal the title for Chelsea. She also won the Community Shield and Continental League Cup last season with Chelsea and helped her side reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for the first time.

On the international stage the 28-year-old captained Australia at the Olympics, scoring six goals and helping her country finish fourth.

Ashley Lawrence helped PSG end Lyon’s reign in the French league of 14 consecutive titles as the Paris side finished the league season unbeaten.

The skillful full-back played in every Olympic match for Canada as they won gold in Tokyo.

Alexia Putellas had a clean sweep in the 2020-21 season as she won the quadruple with Barcelona and a lot of personal accolades.

The 27-year-old Spaniard performances earned her UEFA’s Women’s Player of the Year and Champions League Midfielder of the Season awards.

Carli Lloyd bids farewell to the USWNT with thumping win over South Korea

United States women’s national team legend Carli Lloyd signed off on her international career in emphatic style on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a 6-0 win over South Korea

Carli Lloyd who played her last game for America started the game and played for 66 minute winning the player of the of match, before being replaced by Alex Morgan.

Lindsey Horan and So-Hyun Cho’s own goal gave the Americans a two-goal lead in the first half, before Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, and Lynn Williams scored four goals in the second half to complete the rout.

Lloyd, who memorably scored three goals in the opening 16 minutes of the U.S. victory in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, is hanging up the boots after a decorated career that includes two World Cup titles, a pair of Olympic gold medals and two time FIFA Player of the Year.

Lloyd ranks second in the world for most-ever international appearances after having played in 315 career games. She has assisted 64 and scored 134 goals with the U.S., third most in the history of the women’s team. She became the first American to score in four different Olympics, and her 10 total goals in the event set a new record among U.S. players.

Lloyd with a befitting farewell captured with her husband.

The two-time World Cup champion gave an emotional farewell speech, letting fans know the future of women’s soccer is very bright.

“You will not see me on the field, but you best believe that I will be around helping this game grow,” said Lloyd.

“It’s been emotional. But there’s just a sense of peace and contentment that I feel — it’s just joy and happiness,” she added. “It’s been an amazing journey and I gave it all I had, and now I can walk away into the next chapter.”

Lloyd honored Hollins on Tuesday with a jersey swap displaying her transition into the next chapter of life. She removed her No. 10 Lloyd jersey while on the field, to expose a jersey with Hollins’ name on the back.

Lloyd signed off with her husband’s name.

“We (family) will all have a lot more time to spend together now, and especially with my husband Brian [Hollins], who has been my rock and biggest support system for all these years.

“He’s been supporting me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done this journey without him. To leave the field with Lloyd on my back & then to go off as Hollins – the next chapter’s going to be about Brian & I”

Nike also commemorated Carli Lloyd’s last game for the USWNT with special boots.

Lloyd, 39, retired from international competition but will have at least two more matches for NY/NJ Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, at Racing Louisville on Thursday and home against Louisville in Harrison, N.J., on Sunday.

Mo Salah’s football career will be taught in schools across Egypt

The forward’s life has been added to the national curriculum in his home country to inspire students

The Times reported on Monday, that the achievements of Mo Salah, the Liverpool football superstar, story on the pitch, as well as his extensive charity efforts off it, are now included in both primary and secondary school books across the nation.

The 29-year-old’s story sporting successes, which have seen him rack up the highest total number of English Premier League goals of any African footballer and become a lynchpin for Liverpool, are covered at primary level, while secondary pupils will learn of how he’s given back to society.

Salah has given the impoverished Nagrig agricultural village in northern Egypt – where he is originally from – ambulances, a school for girls, and a water plant.

He also created a group to help the orphaned and impoverished in Gharbia Governorate, where Nagrig is located.

The text for secondary students reads: “Salah’s desire to help others is because he wants to give young people a chance to succeed.

“He is a role model to millions of Egyptians who give him the nickname ‘the happiness maker’.”

Despite being the captain of his national team, the Egyptian team has repeatedly struggled, having exited the 2018 World Cup in Russia without a victory.

FIFA Offside Rule: Referees to use Hawk-Eye technology for evaluation

Hawk-Eye has informed FIFA that its system for automatically detecting offsides is “ready to go” and will be used at the Club World Cup next year and the World Cup in 2022.

FIFA is expected to present the latest results of the system’s tests at a meeting of the International FA Board’s (IFAB) technical and football panels tomorrow.

Hawk-Eye’s system gives an instant message to the video assistant referee (VAR), who will decide whether the player who has been spotted as being offside is interfering with play.

Following a “comprehensive” tender procedure, Hawk-Eye was also chosen to provide Goal Line Technology for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Following a successful trial at a top-flight team, the Premier League announced earlier this year that it is one step closer to utilizing automated technology to decide offside situations.

HawkEye’s skeletal player tracking system, which has achieved success with goal-line technology in football, sends a quick message to the referee instead of the protracted periods generally associated with VAR inspections.

Match officials would still have to evaluate whether the offside player was interfering with play, but unlike with VAR, they wouldn’t have to draw offside lines.- It will be in force next summer for Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

The League’s intention was first reported by Sportsmail in October 2019 as they were said to be looking towards using limb-tracking technology to offer instant offsides calls.

The method has been successfully trialed at a Premier League club for the past year, and it will be implemented next season by Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

Assistant referees were being chastised for keeping their flags down while waiting for a VAR review at the end of a phase of play, and Premier League executives told Sportsmail in March that they backed the Hawk-Eye’s systemic quick response.

Banyana Banyana thrash Mozambique in AWCON qualifier

South Africa played some sublime soccer in thrashing Mozambique in an African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier on Tuesday, at the FNB Stadium, winning 13-0 on aggregate.

Goals from Bambanani Mbane, Linda Motlhalo and Hildah Magaia in the first half, gave South Africa a comfortable 3-0 lead.

They didn’t opt to cruise through the second half, however added to their score thanks to another Hildah Magaia’s goal, Linda Motlhalo and substitute Sibulele Holweni who completed the rout.

Desiree Ellis’s charges ran out 7-0 winners in the first leg away fixture played at Estadio Matola in Maputo, on Wednesday.

South Africa will face the winner of the game between Algeria and Sudan. Algeria already won the first leg by 14-0.