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Tag: Super Falcons

  • Michelle Alozie Clarifies Apology Situation from Lauren James after 2023 Women’s World Cup Incident

    Michelle Alozie Clarifies Apology Situation from Lauren James after 2023 Women’s World Cup Incident

    By Milcah  Tanimu

    Contrary to previous reports, Michelle Alozie, a standout player for the Super Falcons, has clarified that Lauren James, the England and Chelsea women’s forward, did not personally reach out to her following an incident during the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Instead, James issued an apology through social media after an on-field stamp on Alozie during England’s 4-2 penalty win against Nigeria in the round of 16.

    The incident resulted in James receiving a red card in the 87th minute after a VAR review. In response to the event, James posted an apology on both her Twitter and Instagram accounts. The Football Association (FIFA) also imposed a two-game suspension on James due to her actions.

    Alozie set the record straight during an interview on Channels TV Sports Tonight, clarifying that the apology was solely made on social media platforms. She mentioned that she did not receive a personal message from James.

    Alozie also shared her perspective on her reaction to the challenge from James. She highlighted that her decision to react mildly was influenced by the fact that she was already carrying a yellow card in the game. She noted that her teammates shared a photo of the incident after the match, aiming to lift her spirits, as she was initially quite upset about the situation.

    Despite the elimination of the Super Falcons in the round of 16, Alozie emphasized that her team did not lose any matches in open play throughout the tournament.

  • Tinubu and His Wife to Receive Falcons

    Tinubu and His Wife to Receive Falcons

    Tinubu and Wife Praise Resilient Super Falcons Despite World Cup Exit

    Despite their exit from the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have expressed their admiration for the Super Falcons’ efforts, announcing plans to honor the team upon their return to the country.

    The Super Falcons displayed dominance but fell short as England capitalized on their numerical advantage after Lauren James received a red card, leaving them with 10 players.

    The Lionesses eliminated Nigeria from the Women’s World Cup in a last-16 penalty shootout in Brisbane on Monday. Chloe Kelly’s crucial penalty kick secured England’s victory after Desire Oparanozie and Michelle Alozie missed for the Africans, following a tense 0-0 draw over 120 minutes.

    In a post-match Tweet, Tinubu lauded the performance of the 11-time champions. “I must applaud the dedication of our Super Falcons @NGSuper_Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” wrote the President. “Your exceptional display did not go unnoticed despite the final result. You brought pride to Nigeria on the global stage!”

    Addressing the media, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu acknowledged the Falcons’ exceptional performance and confirmed the nation’s warm reception for the team. She remarked, “I want to emphasize that they played exceptionally well and we are truly proud of them. We gave England a tough competition, and we eagerly await their return.”

    “The match was no walk in the park for England. It was a surprise challenge, and they truly showcased exceptional soccer,” she added.

    Ranked 40th in the world, the Super Falcons have exited their ninth World Cup at the round of 16 stage for the second consecutive time. They previously faced elimination by Germany in 2019.

  • “Super Falcons Make History: Asisat Oshoala Leads Nigeria to Victory

    “Super Falcons Make History: Asisat Oshoala Leads Nigeria to Victory

    As the Women’s World Cup unfolded, Nigeria’s Super Falcons left a resounding mark on the global stage with a historic victory against the host country. Led by the exceptional talent and leadership of Asisat Oshoala, the team displayed remarkable determination and skill, capturing the admiration of fans and rivals alike. This article delves into the pivotal moments of the match and the defensive brilliance showcased by Nnadozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre, and Alozie that paved the way for this unforgettable triumph. Join us as we relive the excitement of Nigeria’s victory and celebrate Asisat Oshoala’s remarkable impact as a football star of the highest order.

    In a momentous Women’s World Cup match, Nigeria’s Super Falcons achieved an extraordinary feat by securing a historic victory against the host country. This resounding win marked a significant moment in Nigerian football history and brought immense pride to the nation.

    Leading the charge was the exceptional talent of Asisat Oshoala, who showcased her skills and leadership on the global stage. Affectionately known as “Agba Baller” in Nigerian Pidgin, Oshoala’s impact on the field was undeniable, serving as an inspiration to her teammates and fans worldwide.

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    The Super Falcons’ success was particularly noteworthy, considering the doubts and skepticism they faced before the tournament. However, they defied all odds and rose above the noise, earning the respect and admiration of football enthusiasts around the world.

    A key element of Nigeria’s triumphant performance was their solid defense, anchored by players such as Nnadozie, Ohale, Demehin, Plumptre, and Alozie. Their collective efforts formed an impenetrable barrier, frustrating their opponents and filling supporters with joy.

  • 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria vs. Canada – Date, TV, and Live Stream Info

    2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria vs. Canada – Date, TV, and Live Stream Info

    Nigeria is set to kick off their quest for a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup victory as they face off against Canada in a highly anticipated match. Despite the challenges that the Super Falcons have faced during their preparations, they understand the significance of securing a win against the reigning Olympics champions to keep their aspirations alive.

    For Canada’s women, caution is advised as they have yet to secure a victory against the Nigerian team in previous editions of the global football spectacle. The last encounter between the two teams in the 2011 edition saw Nigeria claim a 1-0 victory, with Perpetua Nkwocha’s decisive 84th-minute goal securing the win at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.

    Football enthusiasts can catch all the action live on TV or through the available live streaming platforms.

  • Super Falcons To Play Canada, Ireland And Australia At FIFA World Cup

    Super Falcons To Play Canada, Ireland And Australia At FIFA World Cup

    Nigeria will play joint-hosts Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland in Group B of the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals happening in the summer of 2023.

    This followed the draw ceremony held in Auckland/Tâmaki Makaurau on Saturday.

    Nigeria will therefore play Canada in her first match of the competition to be staged in a total of nine cities (five in Australia and four in New Zealand), and which will boast 32 teams – the biggest in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since it began in China in 1991.

    Joint-hosts New Zealand will battle Norway, Philippines and Switzerland in Group A.

    Nigeria, alongside the United States of America, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Japan are the only seven countries to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, between China 1991 and France 2019.

    The Falcons were on tour of Canada six months ago, where they played two matches against Olympic champions Canada, losing one narrowly and drawing the other.

  • Buhari Hails Super Falcons’ Qualification For 2023 Women’s World Cup

    Buhari Hails Super Falcons’ Qualification For 2023 Women’s World Cup

    President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Nigeria’s Female Football team, the Super Falcons, for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after their emphatic quarter-final victory at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    Super Falcons, the record nine-time tile holder and defending champions of WAFCON, triumphed 1-0 over Cameroon on Thursday night.

    In a statement by his special adviser Femi Adesina, the president lauded the spirited performance of the team in the tournament and for maintaining its dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and most successful international women’s football team in the continent.

    Having won the tournament twice in 2016 and 2018, under this administration, the president assured the girls and their handlers that the whole nation is strongly standing with them and will continue to cheer them on until the final whistle in Morocco.

    He prayed that the Super Falcons, who have produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.

    President Buhari also said he looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria.

  • NFF Congratulates Falcons On AWCON Qualification, Says Airport Incident ‘Unfortunate’

    NFF Congratulates Falcons On AWCON Qualification, Says Airport Incident ‘Unfortunate’

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lauded the Super Falcons for their 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualification just as condemned airport officials’ delay of the team on arrival in the country.

    In a statement on Thursday, the football body said the team’s feat reflects their resilience and character. It quoted the president of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, as saying the 1-0 victory over the Ivorians is a replica of the Nigerian spirit.

    “We are extremely proud of the resilience, grit, and steel of the Super Falcons in achieving this qualification. Four of the starters in the first leg were winning their first caps for Nigeria, yet put up amazing performances to earn a 2-0 victory,” the statement quoted Pinnick as saying.

    “In Abidjan, the players were all awesome and refused to cave in despite the onslaughts from the home team. They did a very good job and deserve commendation for this memorable outing.”

    ‘Unfortunate Incident’

    Nigeria’s qualification for the tournament was overshadowed by reports that the players and officials were delayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on arrival from Abidjan.

    In a viral video, players and officials were visibly angry while airport officials insisted that they must carry out COVID-19 tests on arrival in the country. But the NFF in its reaction said it was saddened by the development.

    “It was an unfortunate incident because we had our protocol officers on ground at the airport and they did the needful before the team arrived. We are a responsible organization and the various National Teams have been going out and returning to Nigeria since these covid19 protocols, procedures, and guidelines started. We have never been caught napping,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said.

    According to him, the NFF had no control over how airport officials handled things, stressing that it did everything to ensure the Super Falcons had a hitch-free return to the country.

    “It was beyond us, but we have already apologized to our players and officials over this incident,” Sanusi added.

  • Super Falcons beat Ivory Coast 2-0 in AWCON Qualifier

    Super Falcons beat Ivory Coast 2-0 in AWCON Qualifier

    Super Falcons of Nigeria saw off their opponents from Ivory Coast, 2-0 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Friday, thanks to Ifeoma Onumonu’s well taken brace in an AWCON qualifer.

    Onumonu scored in the 21st and 56th minute to give the Super Falcons an advantage heading into the return leg against the Lady Elephants.

    Details later…

  • Nigeria Vs CIV: Match officials arrive in Abuja

    Nigeria Vs CIV: Match officials arrive in Abuja

    By Mike Oboh

    Match officials for Friday’s 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round, first leg match between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have arrived in the Federal Capital, Abuja.

    The Confederation of African Football appointed Burkinabe official Jacqueline Nikiema as referee, with her compatriot Rahamatou Traore as assistant referee 1 and Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou from Togo as assistant referee 2. Another Togolese, Edoh Kindedji is the fourth official.

    Christine Enyonam Ziga from Ghana is the match commissioner while Tempa N’dah Francois will serve as the referee assessor.

    Nine –time African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will tackle the Lady Elephants at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Friday, 18th February with kick-off fixed for 4pm.

    Both teams will clash in the reverse fixture at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Wednesday, 23rd February, with the winner over two legs to earn the ticket to the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.

    Nine other fixtures are on the cards, with four of them activating their opening legs Wednesday. Burundi will host Djibouti while Namibia are guests of Zambia, and Senegal and Mali clash in Dakar. Burkina Faso are away to Guinea-Bissau in the city of Bissau. Togo and Gabon will square up on Thursday, with the remaining half of the fixtures opening on Friday.

    Hosts Morocco and Uganda, benefitting from Kenya’s withdrawal, have already qualified.

    ALL THE MATCHES

    Wednesday 16 February: Burundi Vs Djibouti; Zambia Vs Namibia; Guinea-Bissau Vs Burkina Faso; Senegal Vs Mali

    Thursday 17 February: Togo Vs Gabon

    Friday 18 February: Zimbabwe Vs Botswana; South Africa Vs Algeria; Tunisia Vs Equatorial Guinea; Cameroon Vs The Gambia; Nigeria Vs Cote d’Ivoire

  • Onyema shells out N20m on Super Falcons

    Onyema shells out N20m on Super Falcons

     Allen Onyema, the President of Air Peace Airline, has compensated the Super Falcons past and present teams with the sum of ₦20 million.

    This is contained in a statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Wednesday.

    It said that Onyema presented the cheques to the various teams after the finals of the maiden Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament on Tuesday.

    Our correspondent reports that South Africa’s Banyana Banyana spanked the Super Falcons 4-2 in the final match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

    South Africa emerged the best team of the tournament, and the Super Falcons’ 2-4 loss was a good lesson for Nigeria to henceforth put her fate in the hands of young and glory-hungry players.

    The statement said Onyema was not dismayed by the lashing received by the Super Falcons in the hands of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

    “He presented the sum of ₦10 million to the Super Falcons’ class of 1999 that reached the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s Cup in USA who were honoured by the NFF at a special Awards ceremony in Lagos on Monday.

    “He also gifted the present bunch the sum of ₦10 million,” it added.

    It would be recalled that Onyema’s company, Air Peace, is the official carrier of Nigeria national teams.

    He recently doled out N20 million to motivate the Super Eagles to win their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against Cape Verde in Mindelo.