Sports
Nigerians commend Super Falcons despite 2-4 loss to Three Lionesses
Nigerians on Monday praised the Super Falcons as they bowed 2-4 via penalty to the Three Lionesses of England in the round of 16 at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia/New Zealand.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nine-time African champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, were toe-toe against the Three Lionesses of England and were the better team despite the 2-4 penalty shoot-out defeat.
A sports presenter with Super Screen Television, Olasunkanmi Shobowale, commended the coach Randy Waldrum-tutored side for putting up such a spirited fight.
“It was a high-tempo match from the first half but lack of creativity by our girls in the second half was their undoing, and they dropped the tempo.
“England went a lady down and adopted a cautious approach, passing around with much speed yet our Falcons couldn’t press higher to exploit the vulnerability of the English defence.
“The coach failed to instruct the girls to cross the ball when Uchenna Kanu was on the pitch but later brought on lightweight but technically experienced Oshoala to nod in crosses,” he said.
Shobowale added: “We played 210 minutes at the world cup with no goal to show for it. No one wins the world cup with a blunt attack.
“Chiamaka Nnadozie, our brilliant goalkeeper, was always calm, composed and very assuring. Not hot-headed and very dependable. Kudos to the girl.
“Rashedat Ajibade is talented but not a team player. She holds on to the all too long for her strikers to waste away.
“A brilliant and maverick manager would have pushed Michelle Alozie further forward and played three at the back when the English ladies stopped running due to the red card. Her energy and ball-winning strength could have contributed further upfront.”
Shobowale said the Falcons also failed to train ahead for the penalty kick. “We obviously didn’t train for that.
“Overall, the outing was not too bad this time around. The synergy, team cohesion and team spirit have improved appreciably and we can be proud of calling Super Falcons our darling team once again.
“The Nigeria Football Federation should immediately replace Randy Waldrum with another competent foreign manager.”
Football pundit, Shina Okewale, told NAN that the Super Falcons had performed beyond his expectations.
“I am so impressed with the performances of the Super Falcons coming all the way to the round of 16; it’s a pleasant experience.
“We only lost on penalties which is a bit of no man’s game. To have held the free-scoring English team to scoreless in the entire duration of the match was a good one.
“The Super Falcons beat everyone’s expectations,” he said.
Coach Onome James, a grassroots club owner in Ughelli, praised the team’s performance against a resilient English team.
“For me, the Super Falcons got it right or almost got it right, the only snag is that they failed to wrap it up, especially after the red card to the Three Lioness and also missed one-on-one goal-scoring chances.
“I was hoping that with the red card, Falcons should have killed the game, but no matter what, they really tried because the England team had thought they would overrun our team.
“We were able to peg them down to a 0-0 score line. We ought to know that the English team are one of the best in female football,” he added.
For Oluwafemi Oyeniyi there should be no blame game for the loss against the Three Lioness as he claimed that the Falcons were up to the task.
“Sincerely to be modest, the ladies performed beyond my expectation. You see, in a game of this nature or level, one should expect some minor errors.
“The ladies really tamed them but unfortunately luck was not on our side. The girls deserved a heroic welcome,” he said.
Another pundit, Oladayo Akindejoye, said: “That’s the game of football for you, sometimes a team with a man down tends to be more dangerous than a complete team.
“This is one of the best Super Falcons teams in decades. But some legs need to be retired, especially Francesca Ordega, as her impact wasn’t felt.
NAN reports that the Super Falcons at the Round of 32 were able to hold the Three Lionesses, ranked 36 places above them, and should have scored in the first quarter-hour when England-based defender Ashley Plumptre rocked the post with a shot from 22 yards and then followed up with another that went narrowly wide.
The match ended in a 2-4 loss for the Super Falcons, after losing their first two penalties while England lost one.
(NAN)
Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 24-woman squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with star names Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Francisca Ordega, and Asisat Oshoala making the cut.
The squad announcement marks the beginning of the team’s march toward a record-extending 10th continental title, with the tournament set to take place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a portion of the squad began training in Abuja on Thursday and will continue sessions on Friday and Saturday before departing for a final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday.
Also included in the list are Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, American fan favourite Michelle Alozie, veteran centre-back Osinachi Ohale, and midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and Christy Ucheibe.
Home-based talents like goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani have also been called up, while midfield general Halimatu Ayinde returns to bolster the team’s engine room.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed friendly matches to sharpen the team ahead of their Group B fixtures against Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. The Falcons will face Portugal in Lisbon on Monday and square off against the Black Queens of Ghana in Morocco on June 29.
Full List of Super Falcons for 13th WAFCON Finals:
Goalkeepers:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France)
- Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
- Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
- Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
- Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
- Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)
- Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders:
- Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain)
- Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden)
- Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA)
- Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France)
- Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)
- Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
- Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia)
- Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)
- Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)
- Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
- Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
- Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China)
- Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)
With high expectations and an experienced squad, the Super Falcons are poised to make a strong push for another continental crown in Morocco.
Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has been named an ambassador for Mission 89, a global research and advocacy organization dedicated to combating child trafficking in sports.
The appointment, conveyed in a letter on Friday by Mission 89’s Executive Director, Lerina Bright, highlights the organization’s commitment to protecting young athletes and preserving the integrity of football.
Bright emphasized that the partnership with Plumptre comes at a crucial time as the sports industry grapples with rising challenges in safeguarding young talents from exploitation. She praised Plumptre’s dedication to social justice, noting that her influence will strengthen Mission 89’s efforts.
“Her extensive experience at the highest levels of professional football, alongside her passionate advocacy for ethical practices, positions her as an exemplary representative for this vital cause,” Bright said.
She further stressed the urgency of tackling sports trafficking, calling for immediate action from stakeholders, including governments, advocates, sports leaders, professional athletes, and policymakers.
Plumptre, in her acceptance remarks, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that her experiences as a footballer would play a key role in her new position.
“As a footballer, I have observed firsthand how aspirations can serve as both a source of hope and a potential vulnerability for young athletes,” she said.
“My experiences in professional sports have taught me that talent alone is insufficient; protection, education, and ethical pathways are vital components.”
The Leicester City defender described Mission 89 as more than just an organization, but a platform for reshaping the narrative around youth in football.
“We are not merely preventing trafficking; we are reclaiming the true spirit of the game — a spirit characterized by opportunity, dignity, and hope,” she said.
Plumptre reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform to protect young players who see football as a means to a better future.
“Football has the potential to transform lives. However, it is imperative that we ensure this transformation is both positive and secure,” she added.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to honour victorious athletes that recently represented the FCT in various sporting events.
Wike made the pledge in a statement from the FCT sports department on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that a reception, scheduled for Thursday, is in recognition of athletes that represented the FCT at the 2022 National Sports Festival, the 7th and 8th National Youth Games.
According to him, the honour is to appreciate the athletes for their acts of sacrifice, patriotism and determination that have brought glory to the FCT.
“We are committed to the development of sports in the FCT, and we will continue to create the enabling environment for sports to thrive.
“This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s focus to engage youths to help discover their potentials and empower them to be better,” he said.
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