CFCfan:

Esther Sunday is a no-no for me until she improves her football sense. I would replace her in the starting line up with Ordega. Ordega has the same dribbling skills, but with a superior football sense. She generally knows when to play in a team mate.

If i were Okon i would axe Esther Sunday from the team and replace her with Uchechi Sunday.Reasons being that Esther Sunday has proven that she isnt a high impact substitute player,she holds on to the ball and starts showboating.

But on the other hand Uchechi has the height advantage that can cause some problems to opposing defenders,she can act as a bully and also assist greatly in knocking down aerial balls for teammates to latch onto.

Uchechi also proved in the last U20 world cup that she has also got some goals in her boots,i would have her in my team anyday than Esther Sunday that does the same old thing in every tournament.

This is just my personal opinion and i might be sincerely wrong.

isaiah9:
wait was Courtney dike invited by the coach, cos she wasn't called up during the women's Afcon.

I think Courtney was invited,but for AFCON she had academic commitments to attend to,so she had to be left out (so we heard).

Perpetua should come on as a sub 26mins to the end of the game against USA. The experience against them isnt really going to show if she starts cos they change patterns every WWC. Uchechi should start however.

Then that defence line must be train on howe to set tricky offside traps. Falcons are just never good @ it @ almost all their world cups ive watched, especially that set-piece of a thing(they are well on the african stage, but@ WWc??)

definetely in support of Ordega anyday anytime.

Who else agrees Superzee should come from the bench against Usa also? 4-4-1-1 looks okay to me. That kind of Bayern Munich formation. Desire and Ordega can run in from the flanks as they wish and do whatever damage they can.

^^
I think Superzee has to start that game. We have to field our best players in the starting line up. Her boundless energy and pact runs would trouble the likes of Rampone and Krieger in the US defense.

The 4-4-1-1 formation could work if Sunday Uchechi is deployed as the support striker, in behind Oshoala. Uchechi would have to hold up the ball well to play in Oshoala, because she has the physique (she's over 5'11") and the strength to do so.

Or Edwin Okon can use a 4-4-2 formation with Oparanozie and Oshoala as the front two.
With a strong midfield, the Falcons would have little or no problems in Canada.

olapluto:
So I spent my lunch time watching Super falcons matches from the past 3 world cups. They lost by 1 goal everytime, and they always seem to be the dominant team!
This says a lot about the technical aspect of their game. I believe they will be more alert this time around. Moreso, the strike force has come of age. Oparanozie, Oshoala, Esther Sunday as a pacy front 3 will cause anyone problems anyday.

please help me with a link to watch their past world cup matches, I've been searching for them

Super Falcons will beginning last phase of camping for the World Cup on May 19 in Toronto.

But before that, the team will host Mali in an Olympic qualifier, while the 2nd leg comes up in Bamako on May 16.

I think coming up against team usa,superzee has got to start,we have to field our best 11 if we are to stand a chance of getting something out of that tie.

Oparanozie operating from the flanks won't be too effective in my opinion,because she isn't pacy and wing play requires speed.

Ordega n superzee can run d flanks if we choose to set up our formation to favour wing play.

Falcons off to Canada May 19
Nigeriawomen’s team, the Super Falcons, will begin its pre-World Cup training tour on May 19 in Toronto, Canada.
Falcons’ spokesperson, Gracious Akujobi, said that the team will train in Toronto before the team moves to its match venue in Winnipeg.
Super Falcons
Nigeria is drawn with United States, Sweden and Australia in the first round of the 2015 World Cup, which kicks off on June 6.
In the meantime, the team is preparing for a 2016 Olympic qualifier against Mali at home on May 9.
Incidentally, the African champions trounced its Malian counterparts 9-1 on aggregate to qualify for the football event of the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo-Brazzaville.
In another development, Liverpool Ladies star, Asissat Oshoala, and France-based Desire Oparanozie, have returned to their European bases from the Super Falcons training camp in Abuja.
Oshoala and Oparanozie scored a brace each as the Super Falcons smashed past Mali 8-0 in Abuja to qualify for the football event of the 2015 All Africa Games on a 9-1 aggregate.
Oparanozie has assured she will be available for the Olympic Games qualifier against Mali on May 9 in Abuja.
The country’s women’s team is also preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, which begins on June 6.

Uchechi sunday can be very effective on her day even as a late substitute. What we need is a clinical finisher, sum1 wu cn score even from a half chance, lyk sum1 said up dia, we lose by narrow margins in recent world cups, we nid to start scoring goals. Oshoala nd Oparanozie cn deliva, oshoala's speed nd strenght, shot power n dribblings will cum in handy, while oparanozie's heading ability nd free kick accuracy wil also be needed. Both of ddem showcased dia scoring prowess at d african women champion7hp wit 9goals between dem, buh we nid more dan dat if we want to get to atleast d semi finals. bt anoda tin x dat wen both of dem ar nt on-song in any game wu cn we look up to 4 goals. Oshoala cn be wastdul at tyms (u20 final against germany last year quickly cums 2 mind) nd it leads to frustration 4 ha, oparanozie too can be as impotent as anytn on ha off day.

isaiah9:
please help me with a link to watch their past world cup matches, I've been searching for them

They are all on Fifa website. Go to competitions and click womens world cup. There you can scroll to the bottom of the page for previous editions. Click on the matches and you will see the videos of each match.

dodobytes:


If i were Okon i would axe Esther Sunday from the team and replace her with Uchechi Sunday.Reasons being that Esther Sunday has proven that she isnt a high impact substitute player,she holds on to the ball and starts showboating.

But on the other hand Uchechi has the height advantage that can cause some problems to opposing defenders,she can act as a bully and also assist greatly in knocking down aerial balls for teammates to latch onto.

Uchechi also proved in the last U20 world cup that she has also got some goals in her boots,i would have her in my team anyday than Esther Sunday that does the same old thing in every tournament.

This is just my personal opinion and i might be sincerely wrong.

I think Uchechi Sunday was at the last senior world cup. Also, I think Coach Okon has got his preferences, so he seems to have zeroed his mind (just like Siasia was adamant). We sure have capable hands in almost every department this time around. The defence is perhaps the weakest link.
Perhaps the best thing about our falcons is the seemingly smooth transition from junior to senior. Mainly because the U20s are quite energetic and matured. Rita Chikwelu would have been a difficult player to replace, but we forgot her as soon as Halimatu Ayinde showed her stuff! Okobi too!
Which brings me to the question of foreign...trainer and psychologist. Someone needs to give these girls the warrior mentality, to go seige like. The physicality is there, the skill is there and sure the will is needed. Asisat Oshoala granted an interview in Liverpool, where she maintained that the English league is not as skillful as Nigerian league. What we lack is funds and 'cosmetics'.

Any1 knws wia chiwendu ihezuo x? dat gal wuld av bin anoda striking option 4 us, buh av nt heard about ha lately

Danycrusoe:
Any1 knws wia chiwendu ihezuo x? dat gal wuld av bin anoda striking option 4 us, buh av nt heard about ha lately

Too young. Still growing. One for next world cup.

olapluto:

They are all on Fifa website. Go to competitions and click womens world cup. There you can scroll to the bottom of the page for previous editions. Click on the matches and you will see the videos of each match.

Thanks i'll check it out

bambostic should be invited here...

olapluto:

Too young. Still growing. One for next world cup.

Too young ke?! If its dat den she has floppd and dissappointd fans of nigeria female football, i had high hope abt ha wen she scored 5 goals against azerbaijan in 2012 nd ended d tourney wit 7 goals at d female u17 world cup. I tot she wuld mature quickly nd bkum one of d falcons' main strikers

olapluto:


I think Uchechi Sunday was at the last senior world cup. Also, I think Coach Okon has got his preferences, so he seems to have zeroed his mind (just like Siasia was adamant). We sure have capable hands in almost every department this time around. The defence is perhaps the weakest link.
Perhaps the best thing about our falcons is the seemingly smooth transition from junior to slooenior. Mainly because the U20s are quite energetic and matured. Rita Chikwelu would have been a difficult player to replace, but we forgot her as soon as Halimatu Ayinde showed her stuff! Okobi too!
Which brings me to the question of foreign...trainer and psychologist. Someone needs to give these girls the warrior mentality, to go seige like. The physicality is there, the skill is there and sure the will is needed. Asisat Oshoala granted an interview in Liverpool, where she maintained that the English league is not as skillful as Nigerian league. What we lack is funds and 'cosmetics'.

I agree with ur points and I agree dat most local coaches r plagued by the "my personal glory" curse.

They fail to realise that victory at competitions is a team effort and even the best of coaches in the world all have weaknesses that they try to balance out by shoring up their technical crew with people that can improve the team all round.
Keshi also failed to accept that we needed foreign input in whatever capacity in his team.

I take consolation in the fact that Perpetua,Dede and Onome Ebi,will act as morale boosters to the other girls in the team.

We have a very good team and I think that what will be d deciding factors in determining if we progress will be the small technical details.

"Who takes a penalty?..which substitute comes on and when?..do we close shop and park the bus when we r a goal up and playing a tricky side?...changing tactics midway into a game,when the opponents r ripping us apart because plan A is failing,setting up the team to take and also defend set pieces and corner kicks..etc

I have huge hopes for this team,because in a long time,we have never looked so blessed with this much quality.

Fitness would be another key area for the team. As a team would have played a max of seven matches if it reaches the final, or third place game, the fitness of the ladies would have to be enhanced.

We all saw how the Falconets were the dominant side during regulation vs Germany, but were distinctively 2nd best to the Germans in extra time. It was clear that the Germans were the fitter of the two teams.

So in the event that one or more of the Falcons games goes into extra time, the players should have enough in the tank to be competitive. The fitness trainer(s) have their work cut out for them.

I think 36 players have been invited to camp, and will be trimmed down to 23. As usual, 3 goalies and 20 outfield players. I can pencil down at least 15 players who have already put their names on the final list.
1. Precious Dede
2. Ebubele Whyte
3. Asisat Oshoala
4. Desire Oparanozie
5. Ohale Osinachi
6. Francisca Ordega
7. Onome Eni
8. Evelyn Nwabuoku (captain)
9. Ugo Njoku
10. Halimatu Ayinde
11. Ngozi Okobi
12. Esther Sunday
13. Sarah Michael
14. Faith Ikidi
15. Yetunde Adeboyejo (?)

Add your own.

olapluto:
I think 36 players have been invited to camp, and will be trimmed down to 23. As usual, 3 goalies and 20 outfield players. I can pencil down at least 15 players who have already put their names on the final list.
1. Precious Dede
2. Ebubele Whyte
3. Asisat Oshoala
4. Desire Oparanozie
5. Ohale Osinachi
6. Francisca Ordega
7. Onome Eni
8. Evelyn Nwabuoku (captain)
9. Ugo Njoku
10. Halimatu Ayinde
11. Ngozi Okobi
12. Esther Sunday
13. Sarah Michael
14. Faith Ikidi
15. Yetunde Adeboyejo (?)

Add your own.

Courtney Dike
Osas Igbinovia
Ngozi Ebere
Uchechi Sunday
Gloria Ofoegbu
Perpetua Nkwocha
Ogechi Onyinnaya
Cecilia Nku

Don't know about Adeboyejo's form. I remember her from the U-17 World Cup in 2012.
I wonder where Rebecca Kalu is.

CFCfan:

Courtney Dike
Osas Igbinovia
Ngozi Ebere
Uchechi Sunday
Gloria Ofoegbu
Perpetua Nkwocha
Ogechi Onyinnaya
Cecilia Nku

lol. We got so carried away and ended up having more strikers than defenders. I will think the coach will divide it thus:
3 goalies (Dede, Whyte, Alaba Jonathan?)
8 defenders (Ebi, Ohale, Nwabuoku, Njoku, Ikidi, Ofoegbu,...)
4 central midfielders (Cecilia Nku, Halimatu Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi, Osas Igbinovia)
4 wingers (Sunday Esther, Asisat Oshoala, Francesca Ordega, Uchechi Sunday)
2 strikers (Desire Oparanozie, and Perpetua Nkwocha / Sarah Michael)
2 Utility players (Adeboyejo, Sarah Michael)

olapluto:

lol. We got so carried away and ended up having more strikers than defenders. I will think the coach will divide it thus:
3 goalies (Dede, Whyte, Alaba Jonathan?)
8 defenders (Ebi, Ohale, Nwabuoku, Njoku, Ikidi, Ofoegbu,...)
4 central midfielders (Cecilia Nku, Halimatu Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi, Osas Igbinovia)
4 wingers (Sunday Esther, Asisat Oshoala, Francesca Ordega, Uchechi Sunday)
2 strikers (Desire Oparanozie, and Perpetua Nkwocha / Sarah Michael)
2 Utility players (Adeboyejo, Sarah Michael)

Courtney Dike should be included among the strikers..I think u overlooked her,Nwabuoku our captain is a holding midfielder,not a defender,if my memory serves me right.

dodobytes:


Courtney Dike should be included among the strikers..I think u overlooked her,Nwabuoku our captain is a holding midfielder,not a defender,if my memory serves me right.

No I dont think she's ready for the big stage. Already, that team is over 50% U20s. Thats going to tell when they play experienced sides. Courtney can go there as a sub and learn the game more.

olapluto:

No I dont think she's ready for the big stage. Already, that team is over 50% U20s. Thats going to tell when they play experienced sides. Courtney can go there as a sub and learn the game more.

Being a sub means she's part of the squad. I agree she shouldn't be in the starting line up too.

Please is alaba jonathan in camp and could our midfield be properly managed by ayinde & okobi?and i think ordega,oshoala and esther should be told not to seek for self glory;in my opinion azeesat cost us the last u20 with her selfish play notwithstanding she's good while esther could have done better in the s/final against us in japan 2012

olapluto:

No I dont think she's ready for the big stage. Already, that team is over 50% U20s. Thats going to tell when they play experienced sides. Courtney can go there as a sub and learn the game more.

well I think she gives us quality options if she is in the team.I agree she wldnt b a starter,but she makes our bench look formidable.

I also disagree dat she isn't ready for the big stage..I think she can hold her own too against quality opposition, lets not forget she plies her trade in a nation renowned for female soccer.

But okobi and halimatu have not been seen against quality opposition,until then can we have the right assement

Know your falcons! Identify who you can from these pix...the girls are in camp, and one is still at her club.

1st pic: Ihezuo, Ohale, Ebi, Precious Dede (don't know the rest).
Last pic: Sarah Michael.

CFCman:
1st pic: Ihezuo, Ohale, Ebi, Precious Dede (don't know the rest).
Last pic: Sarah Michael.

Esther Sunday and Sarah Nnodim are the ones not in the water. I think Ihezuo will make the team. The coaches and senior players seem to like her around.

Please op cn u gv us d nigerian matches date and kick off time in nigerian time