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Falcons arrive in Kansas City for friendly match with U.S.
![Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in the U.S. on a two-match tour comprising two friendly matches with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT). [AD] Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. He said the first of the two matches will take place at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams are using the friendly matches to prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals scheduled for Australia and New Zealand. They will face each other once more at the Audi Field in Washington, D. C. on Tuesday. Olajire disclosed also that Falcons’ Head Coach Randy Waldrum has picked four members of the Nigerian under-20 women team to the just-concluded FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. These are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun, all prominent members of the team which reached the quarter-finals. “Home-based professionals Christy Ohiaeriaku, Akudo Ogbonna and Gift Monday are also in the delegation. “First-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Toni Payne and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu will equally provide the spine for an interesting Nigeria selection,” the NFF official said. NAN reports that the USWNT is the most successful team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, having won four of all eight championships competed for so far. They were champions of the very first edition in China in 1991, and then won on home soil in 1999, in Canada in 2015 and in France in 2019. The team have also won four Olympic women’s football gold medals and eight CONCACAF titles. The Super Falcons have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations nine times, and played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They also played at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic women’s football tournament and remain the most successful women’s team on the African continent. The Children’s Mercy Park is home to Kansas City in the US National Women’s Soccer League and Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer. The Audi Field is being used by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United. The match in Kansas City will see Vlatko Andonovski, who was appointed USWNT coach at the end of 2019, return to his home area for the second time. It is the sixth time the USWNT will be playing at the Children’s Mercy Park, but it is their first time at the Audi Field. But they have played 10 times previously in Washington —- all at the RFK Stadium. Already, Andonovski has been quoted as saying he was excited to send out his girls against the Super Falcons. “First, I’m just excited to play two matches against Nigeria. They have some very talented players who will present a lot of different problems for us to solve on both sides of the ball.” SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLIES WITH THE USWNT: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens) Defenders: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels) Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels) Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens).](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Super-Falcons.jpg)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in the U.S. on a two-match tour comprising two friendly matches with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).
Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the first of the two matches will take place at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams are using the friendly matches to prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals scheduled for Australia and New Zealand.
They will face each other once more at the Audi Field in Washington, D. C. on Tuesday.
Olajire disclosed also that Falcons’ Head Coach Randy Waldrum has picked four members of the Nigerian under-20 women team to the just-concluded FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
These are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun, all prominent members of the team which reached the quarter-finals.
“Home-based professionals Christy Ohiaeriaku, Akudo Ogbonna and Gift Monday are also in the delegation.
“First-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Toni Payne and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu will equally provide the spine for an interesting Nigeria selection,” the NFF official said.
NAN reports that the USWNT is the most successful team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, having won four of all eight championships competed for so far.
They were champions of the very first edition in China in 1991, and then won on home soil in 1999, in Canada in 2015 and in France in 2019.
The team have also won four Olympic women’s football gold medals and eight CONCACAF titles.
The Super Falcons have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations nine times, and played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
They also played at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic women’s football tournament and remain the most successful women’s team on the African continent.
The Children’s Mercy Park is home to Kansas City in the US National Women’s Soccer League and Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer.
The Audi Field is being used by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United.
The match in Kansas City will see Vlatko Andonovski, who was appointed USWNT coach at the end of 2019, return to his home area for the second time.
It is the sixth time the USWNT will be playing at the Children’s Mercy Park, but it is their first time at the Audi Field.
But they have played 10 times previously in Washington —- all at the RFK Stadium.
Already, Andonovski has been quoted as saying he was excited to send out his girls against the Super Falcons.
“First, I’m just excited to play two matches against Nigeria. They have some very talented players who will present a lot of different problems for us to solve on both sides of the ball.”
SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLIES WITH THE USWNT:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens)
Defenders: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)
Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens).
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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