OFFICIAL: Rwanda Women National team will not compete in 2022 AWCON qualifiers after low performance by the U20 team

The government of Rwanda says its Senior Women’s National Football Team will not participate in the upcoming qualifiers to the 2022 African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) coming up in Morocco.

In an official letter signed by the Secretary General of the country’s Ministry of Sports, Shema Maboko Didier, addressed to the President of the Rwandan Football Federation FERWAFA, on Tuesday October 12, the country officially confirmed its withdrawal from the qualifiers.

In the well detailed letter which was in reply of an earlier demand made by the FA to the structure, the sports governing institution cited numerous reasons justifying its decision to have the team taken off from the forthcoming games.

Apparently, the Rwandan Football Federation on October 05 this year asked for permission from the sports ministry to open camp to begin preparations for the AWCON 2022 qualifiers. A process which included the summoning of players.

This demand was however found unfit and unnecessary by the country’s sports ministry which described the level of the women’s game in the East African country as too low hence no need engaging in such adventures.

Official letter of withdrawal.


“Reference is made to your letter ….dated October 05, 2021 requesting to non-objection to convene the Senior Women’s National Football Staffs and for starting the Camp to prepare for ‘Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022 Matches.

Referring to the recent performance results from the U20 world cup qualifiers game played against Ethiopia which showed the low level of our women’s football.

Referring to our women football especially recalling the fact that they has not been any championship since 2019 and being mindful of the impact on the sports sector caused by the Covid-19.”

The last Championship in Rwanda came in 2019

In continuation to that, “As much as we appreciate your intent to have our National Women Football Team represent Rwanda in the AFCON 2022 Women’s Qualifiers.

The recommendation is first made to develop a long-term development plan for women’s football and resume a National Football competition to allow the players to prepare and play first locally before eying to compete in regional and continental competitions.

It is against the above that the request is made for FERWAFA to inform organizers of the upcoming Total Women’s African Cup of Nations 2022 that Rwanda Women National Team will not participate.” The lengthily interwoven letter partly read as the State called for the improvement of the women’s game in the country.

The organ however reassured the FA it will continue being at its disposal for future fruitful collaborations.
“We remain available for further collaboration and support to the development of football.”

Rwanda is paired with Djibouti in the East African zonal qualifiers (First round of qualifiers) to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The country’s withdrawal will hand their opponents maximum points in the two legged games that were built to take place on October 20 and 26 in Djibouti and Kigali respectively. Djibouti will hence have direct qualification to the next round.

A record forty-four teams will be participating in the 2022 AWCON qualifiers with 12 teams including the host expected to compete at the final stage of the competition.

Flying Officers Cup matchday 3 wrap

The Flying Officers Cup 2021 reached day three on tuesday with three of the four games all ending 1-0 each against WACO Ladies, Nasarawa Amazons And Naija Ratels FC.

The 2021 Flying Officers Cup reaches day three on Tuesday at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja (the capital city of Nigeria).

Sunshine Queens of Akure in the first game of the day upended WACO Ladies of Abuja 1-0 in a close encounter between the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side and the non league side.

After 14 minutes of the keenly contested encounter, Sunshine Queens FC eventually found the breakthrough in the 15th minute as Taye Ajibade scored the winning goal for the Betty Babes from a rebound.

After conceding, WACO Ladies FC gathered momentum showing intent and purpose to equalise without conceding any goal.

WACO Ladies’ goalkeeper, Abani Osinachi in the 32nd minute brilliantly saved an effort from Eretan Ireti, which got the fans applauding her for the performance.

WACO Ladies FC in the 58th minute were handed a penalty by the referee after Ekocha Stella was brought down inside the Sunshine Queens’ penalty area.

Ekwe Favour could not win the battle of wills as she played the resulting penalty wide from the spot.

Edo Queens in the second game of the day pipped Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 to kick off its campaign on a positive note.

Nasarawa Amazons started the game with intent and purpose but the heroics of Obidinma Nkiruka in goal for Edo Queens prevented the Lafia based side from finding the back of the net.

In the 14th minute, Edo Queens goalkeeper, Obidinma Nkiruka did well to punch an intending ball away for safety.

Adaobi Ukah in the 57th minute was brought down by Duru Joy and the referee signals for a free kick in favour of Edo Queens.
Left full back, Ajimuda Rebecca converted the resultant free kick to score the winning goal for Edo Queens in the 60th minute.

NWFL Championship side, Dannaz Ladies FC earned a 2-0 win over NWFL Nationwide side, Lakeside Queens in the third game of the day.

The game started in a cagey affair until the 44th minute when Ambali Sekinat in goal for Lakeside Queens was forced into making a double save denying Akinbo Ajoke in two quick successions.

After consecutive pressure from Dannaz Ladies FC, their efforts was rewarded in the 56th minute with a deserved penalty after Akinbo Ajoke was brought down inside the 18-yard-box.

Two minutes later, Ogunfunwa Omotoke slotted the resulting penalty to give Dannaz Ladies FC the lead.

In the 60th minute, Mosindi Angela doubled Dannaz Ladies FC’s lead as she ran through a free space and beat the goalkeeper flawlessly.

In the last game of the day, NWFL Premiership side, Royal Queens of Warri inflicted Naija Ratels FC with its first defeat of the tournament earning a 1-0 victory over the host team.

Naija Ratels FC created lots of chances in the course of the game but failed to utilize them as Olamide Adugbe and Bello Aminat failed to convert their chances in the first half.

Two minutes from half time, Royal Queens FC goalkeeper, Ohana Ruth expertly saved a fantastic volley from Aminat Bello.

Naija Ratels maintained large chunk of possession in the second half but were unable to find the back of the net as Royal Queens defended well and posed dangerous counter attacking threats.

In the 55th minute, Eunice Godwin scored the winning goal for Royal Queens FC.

Naija Ratels toiled hard to get the equaliser but to no avail as Royal Queens moved to the top of Group A with three points from its first game.

Action will continue on Wednesday, October 13, as Honey Badgers FC face Ghana Police Ladies FC in the early game by 8 am.
Prince Kazeem Eletu will trade tackles with defending Champions, Bayelsa Queens by 10:30 am.

FC Robo Queens and Osun Babes will attempt to seal a place in the quarter final with a win after opening day victory over Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens FC and Bayelsa Queens respectively.

The final game of the day will see Confluence Queens square up with Sunshine Queens by 3 pm.

Evelyn Ijeh to snub Nigeria for Sweden again

The Nigerian-born Swedish youth international, Evelyn Ijeh is set to play for Sweden again just months after pledging allegiance to Nigeria.

The 20-year-old striker was handed her first Nigeria call up alongside her sister Josephine Ijeh in August for the training camp in Vienna, Austria.

The BK Hacken forward is the daughter of former Nigeria international, Peter Ijeh.

Evelyn describes the invitation to the Super Falcons as an exciting feeling which was unbelievable at first, when she was hinted.

“It was actually really fun to see the invitation because my Dad told us we might get invited and when we got the ticket and everything was set, we were like, oh, we’re actually going to the national team so it was really an exciting feeling.”

After failing to make the 23-woman squad list of the Super Falcons for the coming international break, Evelyn who had previously represented Sweden at the U17 and U19 levels has been invited once again to the Sweden U23 for the coming matches against Belgium and Norway in October 21 and 23 respectively.

Sweden U23 women 23-player squad list.

“Pay us now or we boycott future camps” – D’Tigress cry out on unpaid allowances

After winning back-to-back-to-back Afrobasket Championship, the Nigeria Women’s Basketball team, D’Tigress has officially announced their intentions to boycott future camps, in a bid to express their unhappiness to unpaid allowances since 2017.

In a video that surfaced on D’Tigress official social media handle, Victoria Macaulay, Promise Amukamara and others explained the truth behind the scene of the D’Tigress.

The players and officials have not been honoured and hosted by the president since they won the Afrobasket Championship in 2019.

Victoria Macaulay gutted they have not gotten any invitation to honour their historical display of three successive peats. She however pointed out that, in 2017 the sports ministry led by Solomon Dalung honoured the team alongside the president, but since 2019 and 2021 the ministry has failed to follow suit.

3 peat Champions of Afrobasket.

Promise Amukamara revealed that Kida’s statement on paying all the owed bonuses and allowances are BIG LIES!

“The last time we checked our allowances, bonuses, stipends, training and donations made by banks ahead of the Olympics have not been paid” she said.

The girls are owed $73,118 by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, $24,000 by the ministry in Tokyo grants and $100,000 from donations from three banks ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

On her part, Landerneau BB point guard Ezinne Kalu says, it’s like they have been marginalized ever since the general manager and team manager re-signed, stating that, when they win that’s when they (Musa Kida led board) show up for political gain.

With FIBA World Cup qualifiers coming up in February, it appears that, D’Tigress players are ready to fight this, as the only condition to attend future camps depends on how the ministry and the federation attend to the issues on ground, paying all the the debts.

Super Falcons to open camp on Sunday ahead of AWCON 2022 qualifier

Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons will intensify preparations for their 2022 AWCON qualifying fixture against the Black Queens of Ghana when they arrive camp in Lagos on Sunday.

In a statement released by the Communication Department of NFF on Tuesday, Coach Waldrum has invited twenty-three players for the encounter.

Photo credit: Randa Footy

The two powerhouses in the African women football race-course have been drawn to play each other for one slot at the next AWCON to be held in the summer of 2022 in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The first leg will hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Wednesday, 20th October.

The return leg is scheduled for Sunday, 24th October in Accra. The winner over two legs will join hosts Morocco and 10 other countries for the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations next year summer.

As part of their preparations for this potentially –explosive qualifying fixture, the Super Falcons had earlier taken part in and won all three matches at the Turkish Women’s Cup in Antalya in February, then featured in the USWNT Summer Series in the United States of America in June, testing their might against Portugal, Jamaica and USA senior women teams, and also featured as hosts at the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament hosted by the City of Lagos in September.

Invited Falcons: The team comprises of eight home-based players and fifteen foreign-based players.

Goalkeepers:
Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France)
Yewande Balogun (California Storm, USA)

Defenders:
Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus)
Glory Ogbonna (Umea FC, Sweden)
Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain)
Ayomide Ojo (Edo Queens)
Rafiat Imuran (Rivers Angels)
Opeyemi Sunday (Edo Queens)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)
Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)

Midfielders:
Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain)
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus)
Goodness Onyebuchi (Edo Queens)
Joy Bokiri (AIK FC, Sweden)

Forwards:
Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Gift Monday (FC Robo Queens)
Uchenna Kanu (Linkopings FC, Sweden)
Desire Oparanozie (Dijon FC, France)
Vivian Ikechukwu (Rivers Angels)

Swedish Damallsvenskan: Record breaking crowd at the Stockholm derby

Breaking the attendance record for women’s football league in Sweden, 18,537 Hammarby and AIK fans came out to watch the women’s Stockholm Derby, setting a new attendance record for the Swedish Damallsvenskan.

Hammarby beat their rivals 4-1, with Madelen Janogy, Alice Carlsson, Berglind Björg Þorvaldsdóttir and Emma Jansson all on the scoresheet. Honoka Hayashi scored the solitary goal for AIK.

The victory was secured in front of a record-breaking crowd of 18,537 at the Tele2 Arena.

It was an incredible atmosphere with Hammarby IF fans singing and chanting on the way to the stadium.

Hammarby compete in Sweden’s top tier of women’s football – Damallsvenskan. They are currently fifth in the table with 28 points, 20 points off FC Rosengård. AIK trail considerably, sitting 11th with 16 points.

They are not used to getting so much support for women’s football, players of Hammarby IF still can’t believe what just happened at the Tele 2 arena.

As the ex national Mathias Ranégie put it after losing yet another derby – ”When Hammarby starts singing you can hear it, you know what I mean?”

This match is a proof that there is a lot of interest for women football. We can create role models and superstars, with the right marketing, access and visibility. It’s up to the clubs, sponsors, fans, and the companies who have the brodcasting rights. It’s a team effort!

NWSL: Ifeoma Onumonu in the golden boot race

Nigerian international and NJ/NY Gotham FC forward, Ifeoma Chukwufumnay Onumonu has scored seven goals and assisted four in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) this season becoming the third on the top scorer chart and now in the race for the golden boot.

At the age of 27, Onumonu is already something of a modern-era NWSL journey-woman.

After playing collegiately at the University of California, Onumonu was drafted by the Boston Breakers with the 8th overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft and played 18 games for them in her rookie year. After the Boston Breakers folded ahead of the 2018 season, Onumonu was selected by the Portland Thorns in the 2018 Dispersal Draft. She was waived on May 8, 2019 after playing in eight games.

On 14 May 2019, Onumonu signed with Reign FC as a National Team Replacement player. After stellar performances, she earned a supplemental roster spot on June 28.

On 17 January 2020, Onumonu was traded to Sky Blue, NJ/NY Gotham FC.

In June 2021 she received her first call up to the Nigeria Women’s National Team, after representing the United States on the Under-23 Women’s National Team.

FIFA Maternity: Africa to implement changes

World football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has effected some changes to women’s footballers going on maternity leave.

In a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura to member associations of FIFA on October 8, 2021, the world football governing body introduced specific labour conditions regarding pregnancy and maternity for professional women players which came into force on January 1, 2021 while FIFA stated that they must be implemented domestically at all of its 211 national member associations within six months, unless more favourable conditions are available pursuant to national law or CBA.

Gómez Bruinewoud initiated the discussions with FIFA and other stakeholders, and fought hard to optimise these protective regulations, to enable women to combine being a parent with their football career.

Article 6 Paragraph 1 provides the possibility for an association to exceptionally register a women player outside a registration period to either temporarily replace a player who has taken maternity leave, or reintegrate a player upon the completion of her maternity leave.

To read more on FIFA maternity regulations: https://fifpro.org/en/rights/new-maternity-regulations-provide-female-players-with-more-opportunities

However, the issue of giving birth by women’s footballers especially in Africa is a big issue as some clubs and coaches still find it hard to reinstall women’s footballers into the team after maternity leave.

FIFA according to the letter noted that some member associations are still in the process of implementing these global conditions at the national level and ask that each member association ensures that it complies with its regulatory obligations in this regard to incorporates the relevant provisions that are binding at national level within its national transfer regulations without modification.

It is hoped that FIFA will be able to monitor the implementation of these developments as the game is played by women and not girls.

What should player unions do if these regulations haven’t been implemented yet in their country?

Read on what to do and how to report if you are denied as a player to exercise your maternity rights https://fifpro.org/en/rights/why-maternity-regulations-are-so-important-to-fifpro

Flying Officers Cup Day2 wrap: FC Robo, Osun Babes, Confluence Queens start on a winning note

Defending Champions, Bayelsa Queens suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of rivals FC Robo Queens in what was the repeat of the 2021 AITEO Cup final.

The game got off to a lively start with FC Robo Queens dominating the early proceedings with the defending champions unable to penetrate the ‘Lagos Landladies’ defence in the opening 10 minutes.

Neither side produced any chances of note after 15 minutes of play as Bayelsa Queens look happy to invite FC Robo Queens into their own half.

FC Robo Queens had the first real chance of the game in the 16th minute when Ajakaye raced away on the counter before squaring the ball towards Ijamilusi in the box, but it didn’t quite had any effect.

Yahaya Marylene finally scored the solitary goal of the game and first of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup in the 18th minute as she beat helpless Monle Omini in goal for Bayelsa Queens after receiving a cross from Esther Onyenezide.

Osun Babes had to come from behind in the second game of the day to secure a 2-1 win over Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens FC.

Mega Cynthia had given Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens the lead in the 42nd minute before Ebere Oleka equalised for the Omoluabi Queens in the 52nd minute when she found a free space upfront and rounded off Adesoji Esther in goal for Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens.

Eight minutes from full time, Osun Babes took the lead for the first time in the game as Suliat Ajibade took advantage of a loose ball from Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens’ defence and made it count.

The final game of the day between Confluence Queens and SGH Sports Academy ended 4-0 in favour of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side.

Mercy Omokwe scored the fastest goal of this year’s tournament immediately after kick off to give Confluence Queens the lead.

Three more goals from Arit Usang, Godson Orjiugo and Suliat Hassan handed Confluence Queens the biggest victory thus far at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup.



Actions will continue tomorrow, as Sunshine Queens will play against WACO Ladies in the first game of the day by 8am, two time finalists, Nasarawa Amazons will tackle Edo Queens by 10:30am in what seem like a repeat of the 2019 Flying Officers Cup final. Lakeside Queens will be up against Dannaz Ladies by 1pm, and by 3pm, Naija Ratels will hope to do better when they play against Royal Queens in their second game of the competition.

UEFA Nations League: France come from behind to beat Spain in final

World champions France secured their first UEFA Nations League title after rallying from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 on Sunday night.

La Roja made just one change from the win over Italy, as Rodri started ahead of Koke while Les Bleus were without Adrien Rabiot who tested positive for Covid-19 and his place was taken by Aurelien Tchouameni while Presnel Kimpembe was recalled at the expense of Lucas Hernandez.

Didier Deschamps’ charges almost went ahead in the sixth minute after Karim Benzema skipped round Unai Simón but failed to cut the ball back for a team-mate early on as he saw his strike at goal was cleared by Cesar Azpilicueta while Spain hoarded possession thereafter without threatening.

Les Bleus did suffer a setback before the break, though, as Raphaël Varane was forced off injured.

Marcos Alonso came the closest to breaking the deadlock for La Roja eight minutes before the half-time break with a free-kick from the edge of the box that flashed just wide of the far post.

The back and forth pattern continued until the game exploded into life in the 64th minute when Benzema’s cross was thumped against the underside of the bar by Theo Hernández.

However, La Roja went ahead almost immediately thereafter from a counter-attack, after Mikel Oyarzabal went through on goal and drilled a low strike across goal into the bottom corner.

La Roja’s joy proved short-lived as Benzema produced a moment of brilliance just two minutes from going going behind, curling a strike from a digonal angle inside the box that Simon could only tip into the top corner of his net.

The question now was whether Didier Deschamps’ men could repeat the trick they had performed against Belgium in the last four, when they had come from two behind to win?

With the game on the edge after that, in what seems a controversial call, Mbappe gave Deschamps’ troops the lead in the last ten minutes with a low finish past Simon after Eric Garcia deflected a through ball into his path.

Oyarzabal came close to making it 2-2 for Spain in the last two minutes with a cracking low strike that required two fine late saves from Lloris as he denief Yeremi Pino last-gasp effort to seal the silverware.

Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain forward: “I really think that we produced a great performance but they went and produced two really big moments. That’s where our win went. We had our chances to score with those saves that Lloris made from me and Yeremi Pino. We worked hard all night and we should be proud of what we did out there.”

France become the first team to win the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League.

Karim Benzema, France forward: “It was a dream night from a personal and a team standpoint. It wasn’t easy and we showed the strength of character of this team. We never give up. It’s the sign of great teams to never panic and be patient. When you score a goal like that, there’s always an element of luck. I knew from the moment it left my boot that it was going in, but not that it would find the top corner.”

Kylian Mbappé picks up the Top Scorer Trophy after registering 2 goals & 2 assists.

UEFA Nations League Player of the Finals is Spain’s captain and midfield maestro Sergio Busquets.