₦airaland Forum

Its difficult to tell. Canada made three subs at the beginning of the 2nd half and they were young, good players - one is Heitama of PSG.
The attack leading to the goal was from the left.

Min 61: Abadi just made a complete mess of a pass (trying to dribble through 2 Canadians and turned the ball over), leading the Canadians to almost score - brilliant save by Nnadozie and a goal line clearance by Nicole Payne (replay shows ball never crossed the line).
Nnadozie injured in the process.

carbonado:
... Will you say this change was impactful... Whats your view.

Onome came back in but she is down again.
Definitely needs to be subbed out.
Abadi coming in

Abadi, Echegini and a new girl from I don't know warming up

Injury to Onome. Not looking good.
She went down without contact. Looks like a reinjury.
She is up now and hopefully, can continue

min 50. Canada scores - Jessy Fleming. Nice pull back and shot that beats Nnadozie

2nd half about to begin.
Alozie in for Chikwelu

Half time.
Naija started to get into the rhythm after the 20th min. Playing very well and putting the Canadians under pressure.
I believe the SF have had more corners that the Canadians so far.
Players:
Ajibade has been superb in the midfield.
Ucheibe has really surprised me - she has been very good with her overall play and has looked very comfortable in her role as DM. I would pick her over Otu by just what I have seen so far.
Nicole Payne has been very good in her first start for the SF. Playing as left wing back, she has used her pace defensively and offensively. Very impressive.
Plumpter has kept things very simple.
Reassuring to have Nnadozie as goalie. Been rock solid so far.

Considering the poor prep, I must say I am proud of our performance so far against a powerhouse as Canada. We've kept it simple and have been very disciplined.
Let's see how the 2nd half goes.

37 min: Ucheibe in collision with Ebi, both going for a header in the middle of the park.
She is up now, thankfully.

girls holding their own and seemingly getting into the game.

30 min. 0-0
Naija with another corner

27 min: thunderous long range shot from Ajibade and brilliant save from Stephanie Labbe. Almost.
Corner for Naija

24th min: misplaced shot by Scott
Lucky escape by Naija

18 min Brilliant save off a Sinclair header.

15mins in 0-0
All the ladies playing well.
The balk of the Canadian attack so far has been on the right side, thru Akudo.
Ajibade has been very productive in the middle of the park.

Its live on a subscription online channel called OneSoccer.
They just did the award ceremony for the olimpians - gave the Canadian players watches.

National anthem of Nigeria being played now

joelsteron:
Any link to stream

There is justifiable precedent for the blame. They have played a big hand in messing up things for both the MNT and WNT, all within a space of 5 months and all of which were self inflicted.
Now, if that is not the epitome of incompetence or uselessness, then I don't know what is.

JohnBullMySon:
Any small thing you people rush and blame NFF. What she's doing is also very embarrassing to the NFF and the squad.

Yes, its called common decency and common courtesy! You don't treat people like garbage, especially someone who is the cynosure of the Nigerian women's national team and who plays an important role for the greatest women's club-side on the planet and as FIFA ambassador, is a very role model for aspiring young girls across the world.

JohnBullMySon:
Is there any rule that states that the coach must discuss with a player before giving the armband to another player?

Even though she is not bigger than the team, she CLEARLY has the biggest profile of any SF player, past or present. So yes, she deserves some effing respect! And please, where did she throw jabs at the team?

JohnBullMySon:
[/b]So if she wasn't told on time she now has the right to throw jabs at the entire squad and team. [b]Is she bigger than the team? What's the rationale behind all these Twitter rants?

Lucky for you, you're NOT the coach. Phew! Else, the fury that would have been meted upon you would have known no bounds!

JohnBullMySon:
If I were the coach I would excuse her for a while. These have just confirmed what the coach said about her, the armband entered her head.

Its about the very poor and childish manner the decision was made.
The stupid NFF didn't even have the common decency or intelligence to discuss it with Oshoala first, before broadcasting it in the media.
Do you know how embarrasing that is, not only to Oshoala and her family, but to her Falcon team mates and Barcelona team mates and all her fans.
This NFF under Amaju Pinnick is beyond incompetent.

mostob:
Maybe we should excuse this girl from the team for some time...
The way she is throwing jibe around can scatter the team.
Forget talent,if you don't have character, you're a big problem.

Typical Nigerian leadership - they will take whats working well and Bleep it up!

Oshoala and Onome were very good friends but because some bastard in the NFF wanted to feel important, that person said Oshoala was being overwhelmed by the weight of the captaincy. Now this has caused bad blood in the team. I mean, don't people grow into leadership positions like the captaincy of a team? Oshoala is as professional as they come and knows how to balance both responsibilities, as team captain and player.

I am quite disappointed in Onome - she could have declined, especially since her friend was being stripped of the captainship. That was very immature of her.
Let's hope this doesn't have bad repercussions for the team during the AWFCON later this year.

Deltamani:
This isn’t good for the Superfalcons though!

That is what most of these kids born and raised in diaspora go through - through no fault of theirs. They are never really accepted in those countries. Its extremely sad that Nigerians (primarily due to inferiority complex) do the same to them when they express an interest in representing Nigeria. These kids are unfortunate victims of circumstance - due to poor conditions in the homeland, Nigerians go overseas for a better life and end up in relationships that produce beautiful kids that no country wants.

Nigeria as a whole needs to rethink how we treat these kids - they have Nigerian blood running through their veins and will give their all for the country. We need to fight all these illiterates who keep denigrating them and make them feel welcome.

marvin906:
I was listening to eagles tracker interview with ashleigh plumptre and during their discussion, he made reference to a Belgium Nigerian girl playing for their under 17, who reached out to him on how she can play for Nigeria, he asked her why and her reply was that she never felt like she was part of them in the Belgium team, I think NFF she do more integrating foreign and home based in the the female teams falcons under 20 and so on

Nina Iyobosa Nijstad
Left footed player - Defender / Midfielder
SC Heerenveen, NED.

Schemerkhiz:
She's 19yrs
A Right Back born and based in Netherland....

Could possibly become a Superfalcon..

Rebound?
Someone that was invited to the England WNT camp twice, but opted not to go, because she was considering switching alliances?
Na wah for you Nigerians sha.

marvin906:
Am more interested in Vicky..
We are just a rebound to this one

I hope she is finally invited to play against Canada.
Can't understand why she has been left out by Randy

Schemerkhiz:
Roosa Ariyo with Real Betis team B in the Spanish Women Premier League Division 2

Have no doubt she will be a successful Nigerian export - she has worked hard and this is well deserved.
Any idea where she is headed?

Schemerkhiz:
Rivers Angels Vivian Ikechukwu jetted out of the country for greener pastures on Monday Night. The NWFL ambassador was excited as she spoke to tobexmedia.com at the airport.
" Hard work pays, I am so happy to be finally termed a foreign based professional. The player of the month award for Febuary is a parting gift for me from the NWFL , kindly give my GM Mrs Matilda Otuene the plaque for me".

Starts in half an hour.
Link to match was previously provided - see Senegal team video above

do4luv14:
isn't it today Falconets are playing. why is there no mention of it

x

Yeah, we need to understand the pressure some of these kids go through, especially those who were raised overseas. Its really a tough decision for them, leaving the comfort of what you know for the unknown.

Not only that, she also went through a lot - from racist chants to being disrespected and not really enjoying playing Div 2 ball with Liverpool.
She had joined Brighton and Hove Albion on loan to play in the Women's premier league last year, only for Liverpool to pull the plug on that deal and pretty much terminate her contract with them. She was then picked up by Betis and seems to be settling in well.

Also, she was invited to the Three Lions camp last year and didn't go. I suspect she might be considering Nigeria more favorably than previous. Randy needs to reach out to her and sell his program to her. I think she might be open to the idea of becoming a Super Falcon, especially with Ashleigh joining.

Also, it may be a good idea for our ladies in Spain to reach out to her and help answer any questions/doubts she might have. I am optimistic that she will play for us. Fingers crossed.

Schemerkhiz:
It seems you just finished watching the whole game video i posted.. I approached her a year ago if am not mistaking, her yanga then was too much which made me lose interest in her.

I know she hasn't really gotten back to her usual self but by the time she finds her feet at Betis, I bet should would definitely be unplayable..

She really gave the Sevilla FC right back a tough time, which made Tony Payne to play more defensively, Payne had to cover more for their right back.. it's good am beginning to Like her back because she's really an excellent Player with her style of Play Asisat Oshoala or anyone who will be playing the top9 will definitely enjoy Scoring cause her crosses into the box look so dangerous just like the way Lieke Marten and Graham Hansen does it at Barcelona Femenino...

Terrible Mistake. Poor Roosa.
Can't she be loaned out to a team outside of Spain in order that she can be match fit? This season is almost over anyway and pre-season would start soon.
Not only are Real Betis hurt by this, but also Nigeria.

Schemerkhiz:
Roosa Ariyo is fine and fit... Here's the reason she can't play any league games this season for Real Betis..

Precisely, the number of games played with UDG Tenerife are what prevents it from being aligned with Betis in the remainder of the campaign in the First Division . This is specified in article 126 of the General Regulations : "When the team of origin and destination are assigned to the same division and, where appropriate, group, those footballers who have been lined up in the original for eight or more official matches of any kind, regardless of the time of the same ". And furthermore, it indicates: "The spirit of this rule cannot be eluded by registration in dependent teams or subsidiary clubs for their alignment in superiors or sponsors ". Therefore, Roosa Ariyo could not have a record of the subsidiary to later play in the first team.

Important slip of the Verdiblanca sports management that will not be able to count on one of its reinforcements in the winter market in the league, at least until next season.

Dear Schemerkhiz,
Is that supposed to be a trick question? ABSOLUTELY!
I am glad that you are now starting to see what I had been saying about her all this while. To me, she would absolutely walk into the SF and own that left flank. She checks ALL the boxes:

Pace to burn. Check.
Crossing the ball. Check.
Ball Control & Skills. Check.
Tactical Intelligence. Check.
On and off the ball play. Check.
Physical strength. Check.

For me, Rinsola is one of three remaining pieces of the SF jigsaw puzzle - the other two are the Vicky Lopez kid and Debbie Ajibola (provided Nigeria make it and have a good run at the U20WWC).

The scary thing is that's not the best game I have seen her play. She can play better than that. Her physical play will help take some pressure off Oshoala, who will profit immensely from those wicked passes Rinsola can deliver. She could also be lethal with her freekicks. Loved the way she controlled her play during the game - she knew when to explode with pace and when to deliver excellent one touch passes. She made Toni Payne (who is an excellent player in her own right) look MIA on the right flank - Toni had to defend most of the time because Rinsola took the Seville RB to the cleaners.

Imagine, if you can, our SF left flank with LB - Patty George, LCB - Ashleigh Plumptre, LCM - Ajibade or Payne or Vicky and LW - Rinsola Babajide. They will destroy any team on the continent. Any!

Rinsola is not a 'nice to have' on our SF team. She is a 'Must have'.

Schemerkhiz:
Do we still need Rinsola Babajide??

She's full of running and a wicked Left foot that could cause havock for any defense..
Her wing play were superb.

I had the opportunity of watching their Derby game against Sevilla FC this past weekend, she was exceptional alongside Ghanian Forward Grace Asentewa...

Infact all the African Ladies involved in the game performed so well

Tony Payne..... Nigeria
Rinsola Babajide.... England/Nigeria
Grace Asentewa.... Ghana
Dorine.... Equatorial Guinea

You've brought this young lady's name up severally and I have tried watching the few videos online of her.
Honestly, not particularly impressed as I am not sure what value she can bring to the team, considering she currently plays for a weak Polish league and it seems she has been there for a few years and has not had any upward mobility since (i.e. moving to a more competitive league). One also has to consider the fact that even though she attended the Abuja camp, it seems she really didn't impress the coaching staff - that in itself is very telling.

Schemerkhiz:
Maclean's Chinonyerem and many more..

You're analysis is spot on, even though I would have scored them slightly differently.

Cameroon has not refreshed their team in quite a while, and the fact that Ghana took them to the cleaners during the ABC Tourney proved that. I think they may no longer be as strong as they once were. Will score them a 5/10.

Morocco could be one of those 'sleeper' teams, meaning no one rates them as a threat and they sneak their way into the final. They are the hosts and would really prepare for this tournament. They could be a dangerous side to a team not taking them seriously. They did well in the ABC and also the Women's CL. I will rate them a 7/10.

Zambia is a 2 player team and will agree with your score.

South Africa is a tricky one for me. Yes, they played well in the ABC but I feel they were 'advantaged' by Nigeria's foolish overconfidence, as well as our very poor start to the game. Yes, their winning the Women's CL will be a big boost for them, BUT I still feel they will not be able to handle Nigeria's firepower. The pace in the Nigerian squad now is second to none on the continent. Bare in mind that several of our key young players actually missed the ABC and Nigeria has since gone through a major refresh since then, with several key players now in the squad. Also, we just took out 2 of arguably the top 5 countries in African football (Ghana and Ivory Coast) en-route to our qualification. I just don't see how any country on the continent now (SA inclusive) can stack up to Nigeria.
I would have scored them a 6.5/10.

Again, my opinion here and welcome any dissentions.

Schemerkhiz:
Cameroon is more of a physical side, from 2018 till date they tends to depends more on Nchout Ajara and Aboudi Onguene.. mark them out they're gone though they have a good Central Defensive Midfielder Raissa Feudjo who injury have been disturbing for some time now.. I will score them 7/10

Morocco is the host with a young team, though they have gone abroad to poach for their foreign born players, they have about 20 foreign based players mostly based in Switzerland, France and one of their star player playing for Tottenham Hotspur WFC.. They look technically discipline but lack the big stage experience, their coach is there to instill that in the team but they find it very hard to go toe to toe with physical sides.. I will score them 6/10

Zambia is more like a Barbara Banda team, remove her then they're down to a half team, remove Chanda then they become flat.. A good coach can easily beat them if he or she knows how to handle them.. They're very quick especially Banda and chanda but not really a tactically discipline side.. I will score them 5.5/10


South Africa look to pose more threat for the Superfalcons but I bet we won't let what happened at the Aisha Buhari Cup repeat itself... Looking at their Squad they don't have that depth as we do but will definitely be banking on Thembi kgatlana as their star and Key player.. Their defense is prone to errors too especially Mbane #13 who gets erratic when the pressure is too much. But they're going to be a difficult side to beat right now because they're more like a Compact team... I will score them 8/10




Let's here from you guys....!

20 players, yet we have 11 officials in the coaching crew. Seriously

Schemerkhiz:
Nigeria U17 Women's National Team have landed in Congo...

Yewande was one of the best goalies in US college soccer at the time for Univ. of Maryland.
That fact that at her age, she still has it to be ranked the 3rd keeper for Nigeria is a testament to how good she really is.
We need to understand that 38 is not old for a keeper. The three oldest players ever to have played in a world cup, Dino Zoff (ITA), Peter Shilton (ENG) and Pat Jennings (IRE) were well over 40 yrs old. Dino Zoff, at 40 yrs, actually captained Italy when they won the World Cup in 1982. And yes, he played and kept brilliantly against one of the best Brazilian teams ever, with Zico, Socrates and others, as well as the greatest player of all time (IMO), Diego Armando Maradona of Argentina. Italy won both games with Dino Zoff in goal. Gianluigi Buffon tended goal for Italy at 40 also. So there is nothing wrong in having a 38 yr keeper in goal
Reality is that Yewande is in fantastic shape for her age and is actually good enough to displace Oluehi.

Schemerkhiz:
Randy already have Yewande Balogun in his plan as 3rd choice for the AWCON and World Cup so we should be expecting the trios of Tochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Yewande Balogun...

Hopefully one of them between Oyinyechukwu Okeke, Christy Ohaeriaku would work their way back to the 3rd choice position.

The US took the drastic step to ensure that most of their athletes for their sports professional teams came from colleges a few decades ago. In order to play Football, baseball, basketball, Ice hockey and Soccer professionally, you need to complete a college degree or at least, have completed 2 yrs of university (Ju-Co). Yes, there have been exceptions for super talented players (like Lebron James) but the majority (>90%) have come through the 'draft'. That's why most of their players are university grads. They found this to have positive socio-economic impact in their society, especially for the under-privileged.

Not sure how this model will work in Nigeria (where Nigeria doesn't have a maintenance culture). I remember back in the day, some of the players for IICC shooting stars actually either went to OAU Ife or UI (Ibadan). That is simply not the case now.

lovewins:
I really wish our administrators can do a lot more for the young local players. They need to encourage and of course model a pathway for female sportspersons to purse some form of education Vis a Vis their sporting career. Playing at 38 should be a choice not compelled by finances. Alozie for instance is somewhat in medical school, Yewande has a MBA, most if not all of the foreign born ladies played college football so they have some form of first degree. Our administrators need to start doing more for our homegrown ladies.