₦airaland Forum

BascoVanVeli:
It has been 8 months

It’s kind of a recurring Knee injury. Affected her mid last season and prior to the Olympics, I think in September/October last season she had a surgery on the knee..
Back for preseason 2025, when the season started this year, She didn’t start with Racing Louisville as she was listed out with same Knee injury..

I just hope her Club is managing it well. Cause this girl had a lot of potential but haven’t really done much.! And 30 is coming in few years..

BascoVanVeli:
They both made their 1st appearances of the season today

Uchenna Kanu have been struggling with Knee injury for a while now, I hope she has healed properly and they ain’t rushing her back. BECAUSE the WAFCON is by the corner and we need her fit..!

Top 3️⃣ U23 Center Backs To Look Out For By The SuperFalcons Coaching Team As The 2024 WAFCON in Morocco 🇲🇦 Is Drawing Nearer….!

With regular names likes Veteran Osinachi Ohale, Blessing Demehin, Ashleigh Plumptre and Chidinma Okeke who are top picks for the SuperFalcons at Center Back. Here are the top 3 Young Center Backs to Look out for by the SuperFalcons Coaches for the upcoming WAFCON

🚸1• Maureen Umeughochukwu ( AKA Nigeria Wendie Renard)
Club; US Saint Malo, France 🇫🇷

Maureen Umeh; October 27, 2001(23years) is an Athletic Ball-Playing Center Back who was previously described as being fast, Strong in the Air and Possessing the quality to look forward behind the line for the next pass by her Coach at US Saint Malo. Standing at 6 ft 2 in, her height and physical presence have seen her emerge as a dominant defender who is adept at winning aerial duals and effecting headed clearances, while simultaneously posing as a goal threat from set-pieces in the opposition box. During the 2023–24 French League2 season, which was her Second full campaign in France 2nd Div, Umeughochukwu recordeda number of clearances in defense.

She has also earned recognition as a player who is strong in the tackle and capable with the ball at her feet, suitable to a possession-based style of play, and boasts good positional awareness and reading of the game in defensive situations…! Maureen is versatile, capable of playing as a Right Back. I described her as a Tall, Quick and Athletic Defender who is Comfortable with the ball at her feet, She has all the necessary Physical attributes to become a top-level centre-back. Her US Saint Malo’s teammates describes her as a "the brick wall, tough tackler" and a "commanding presence in the air." In addition to her strong physical attributes and aggressive playing style, she is also known for her leadership qualities and passing ability. Her Speed and Athleticism, Coupled with her understanding of the game, allow her to excel both in 1 - V - 1 situations and in zonal marking…

🚸2• Shukurat Damilola Oladipo
Date Of Birth: 22 September 2004(20years)
Club: AS Roma, Italy 🇮🇹

Shukurat plays mostly at centre-back, she can also slot in on the Right as a full-back. She has been described as a complete footballer and composed ball-playing centre-back with her style of play, being compared to that of Former International Christy George who Captained the SuperFalcons to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China 🇨🇳 and Veteran Osinachi Ohale whom she idolised growing up. Shukurat is also noted for her athleticism, pace and strength; she is able to produce powerful and dangerous runs up-field on the counter-attack and in defence is rarely physically dominated by an opponent.

She has very high-class potential, her anticipation and timing has improved and she is a lot more of an all-rounder…!

🚸3• Jennifer John Oliver
Date of Birth: 1/7/2002 (Age 22)
Club; Bayelsa Queens, Nigeria 🇳🇬

Arguably one of the NWPL's best center backs, Jennifer Oliver ⚽️🇳🇬 is a quick, athletic defender with strong ball control. Her profile highlights her as a tough tackler and aerial presence. Oliver also boasts leadership qualities, passing ability, and speed, making her excel in various defensive situations.

As one of the NWPL's top center backs, 22-year-old Jennifer Oliver displays a unique blend of quickness, athleticism, and technical skill, marked by strong tackling, aerial dominance, leadership, vision, and speed, allowing her to consistently perform well across various defensive contexts..

Rachael Aladi Ayegba (born 25 June 1986) is a former Nigerian women's international footballer and goalkeeper who debuted domestically in a 2001 match against Namibia and continued to play internationally for multiple Finnish🇫🇮 clubs between 2005 and 2016…

Ayegba is Currently a UEFA-A licensed GK Coach. Former coach GBK Damer and Currently Coach at keysportsorg

In Nigeria, Ayegba played club football for Oladimeji Tigress, Ufouma Babes, FCT Queens of Abuja, and Edo Queens. In 2005, Ayegba moved to Finland, where she played football for 11 years. At the time of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, she played for Kokkolan Palloveikot in Finland. In Finland, she also played for Kuopion Palloseura, GBK Kokkola and PK-35 Vantaa. She won the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Naisten Liigas with PK-35 Vantaa, as well as the 2012 and 2013 Finnish Women's Cups also featuring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League games for PK-35 Vantaa in several seasons.

Ayegba made her debut for the Nigeria women's national football team in a 2001 match against Namibia. She missed the 2003 All-Africa Games due to an injury. Ayegba represented Nigeria at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as the 2006 and 2008 African Women's Championships, and the 2007 All-Africa Games.

Ayegba retired from football in 2016. She later worked as a coach, and moved to London in 2018. As of 2021, Ayegba worked as a trainee bus driver for Go-Ahead London, was among the Commentators at the 2022 WAFCON edition in Morocco 🇲🇦.. Rachael Ayegba's story is fascinating, she's now making a name for herself as a goalkeeper coach. Her experience playing professionally in Finland gives her a unique perspective, and she's likely bringing valuable insights to her coaching role and hopefully she would one day head the goalkeeping department of the SuperFalcons..!

Deltamani:
Florence Omagbemi's coaching style and philosophy are truly impressive. She's known for her teams' tactical discipline, ability to control the tempo of the game, and focus on developing young players. Her attacking style of play and emphasis on pace and fluidity have yielded successful results.

Some key aspects of her coaching approach include:

•Tactical discipline: Her teams are well-organized and structured, allowing them to execute their game plans effectively.

• Developing young players: Omagbemi prioritizes nurturing talent, which not only benefits the players but also enhances the team's overall performance.

• Attacking style : Her teams are known for their pace and ability to play fluid, attacking football, making them a formidable opponent on the pitch.

• Trophy-winning record : She has a history of success at various levels, which demonstrates her ability to adapt and thrive in different environments.

May we live long enough to see an NFF that actually realises Super Falcons can win the World Cup, and goes for it. The knowing that Super Falcons will stroll to the latter stages of the Wafcon at the very least, and can still win it with little preparations, has NFF in full complacency.

Super Falcons deserve a management that dreams bigger.

Florence Omagbemi's coaching style and philosophy are truly impressive. She's known for her teams' tactical discipline, ability to control the tempo of the game, and focus on developing young players. Her attacking style of play and emphasis on pace and fluidity have yielded successful results.

Some key aspects of her coaching approach include:

•Tactical discipline: Her teams are well-organized and structured, allowing them to execute their game plans effectively.

• Developing young players: Omagbemi prioritizes nurturing talent, which not only benefits the players but also enhances the team's overall performance.

• Attacking style : Her teams are known for their pace and ability to play fluid, attacking football, making them a formidable opponent on the pitch.

• Trophy-winning record : She has a history of success at various levels, which demonstrates her ability to adapt and thrive in different environments.

Florence Omagbemi's story takes an interesting turn. After the WAFCON victory, she stood up for her players by advocating for their unpaid wages, which led to her immediate sacking by the NFF. This shows her commitment to her team and her principles.
When the NFF offered her the head coach position again in 2020, she declined due to the condition that she relocate to Nigeria.
Omagbemi prioritized her life in the US and was willing to commute for coaching duties.
The NFF's decision to appoint Randy Waldrum, another US-based coach, suggests they found a compromise that worked for them.
Omagbemi's stance highlights the challenges faced by coaches, especially women, in balancing personal and professional demands.
Her experience serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in coaching any of the Nigeria national teams..

Florence Omagbemi has had an incredible career in coaching, spanning over 18 years.
She's got an impressive background, having played at the highest level in the US alongside notable players like Mercy Akide Udoh.
Her coaching experience is equally impressive, with stints in the US and Nigeria. She was an assistant coach for the 2012 U20 World Cup team, which finished 4th, and later became the interim coach of the Super Falcons, leading them to victory in the 2016 WAFCON tournament hosted by Cameroon🇨🇲.

TheSuperNerd:
Ghana will lose to others but when they see us, PROBLEM.

Biased Black Queens

That’s why they call it derby…

It’s always war btw Nigeria and Ghana

Women’s International Friendly

FT: Senegal 🇸🇳 (1️⃣)-(0️⃣) Ghana 🇬🇭
⚽️90' Diallo H.[SEN]

Senegal wins against Ghana at the end of the match thanks to a magnificent performance by Hapsatou Malado Diallo. Our lionesses delivered a great performance this afternoon at the Lat Dior stadium.

#FriendlyGame #PreparationforWAFCON2025

BascoVanVeli:
Why not just get a coach that has good man management skills along with knowing their stuff.

We’re only judging her from what happened btw her and the French Players few years ago, quality wise she’s an A-Level Coach in the women’s game. She have also coached male club side in the French Men’s League D2 or D3 if I’m not mistaken..

2025 YONGCHUAN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Zambia 🇿🇲 Women’s National Team Defeated in Yongchuan by Thailand 🇹🇭 in the Yongchuan tournament. The Copper Queens will play Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff match on Tuesday 8 April, 2025 at 9h30 CAT.

FT: Zambia🇿🇲 (2️⃣)-(3️⃣) Thailand🇹🇭
⚽️36' Promthongmee T. [THA]
⚽️45' Nachula R. [ZAM]
⚽️60' Lubanji O. O. [ZAM]
⚽️70' Karnjanathat P. [THA]
⚽️73' Peng-ngam S. (Penalty) [THA]

#Yongchuan2025 | #ZAMTHA

All this Zambia Players though…!

Deltamani:
Her records are very good but I think her Player management skills let her down. Off the pitch issues that caused it because her captain then (Wendie Renard) was among the players who refused to play under her..!

Most of our players wouldn’t want to speak up in public even the big names them apart from Ngozi Okobi who’s very Proactive.!

Oshoala has the biggest power/voice but she won’t speak much and will always play safe with her words in public.

daveP:
This corrine will get into problems with nff first before the players, i can bet you. 😂😂😂😂😂

I don't want her jare. I'll rather take someone else by far. I can't forget that dressing room brouhaha.

Her records are very good but I think her Player management skills let her down. Off the pitch issues that caused it because her captain then (Wendie Renard) was among the players who refused to play under her..!

BascoVanVeli:
See this is what real men do. These guys had a real back and forth but Mourinho still put his feelings aside and used him in their most important game.

Like I said when Ngozi Okobi spoke out, she won't be the first or the last. That shouldn't be a reason to throw her away.

By the way is it Randy or the NFF that kept okobi out of the team?

Good she’s back to playing again, Will see if the Coaches will still look her way, again she will face a tough competition from T Payne, Echegini and the youngsters coming up.

I will always recommend this Lady that is based in Finland 🇫🇮 to be among the SuperFalcons technical bench if they’re to pick an Ex-international.

The last time i checked in 2023 she was already an UEFA B Coaching License holder and should have upgraded by now. She works with FIFPRO, she’s an Head Coach, and also Fitness instructor..

Would be great to see her around any of the team weather U17, U20 or the SuperFalcons

Deltamani:
Corinne Diacre is a top level Coach but the problem she had with France Senior Players back then might as well be another problem in the SuperFalcons if she was to be appointed for example…!

Imagine having issues with senior players like Asisat Oshoala, Osinachi Ohale, Halimatu Ayinde, Rasheedat Ajibade etc

Corinne Diacre was sacked as the head coach of the France women’s national team because of what the French Football Federation described as “a very significant divide” with the players that has “reached the point of no return”.

Diacre’s tenure was fraught. The tipping point came when the captain, Wendie Renard, announced she would not play for the team to protect her mental health, saying she could “no longer support the current system”, and Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto followed suit.

Alleged problems between the manager and senior players was widely reported in the past. Diacre’s coaching methods, some of her public criticisms of players and selection decisions proved unpopular with certain individuals.

Renard, Lyon’s captain, was stripped of the France captaincy by Diacre in 2017 after the quarter-final exit from the Euros but was given it back in 2021.

Diacre omitted Katoto from her squad for the 2019 World Cup, despite the forward finishing as the Ligue 1 top scorer, and left out Amandine Henry and Eugénie Le Sommer from the squad for the 2022 Euros in England after public fallings-out with the Lyon pair. In July 2020 the goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi announced she was stepping back from international football while Diacre was in charge.

NFF won’t be able to work with her sef cause she Dey drop any player drop-able😂😂😂

And she will not like it when you impose players on her..

daveP:
If they don't want to employed a qualified female coach for Falcons, they should grab that TP Mazembe manager at least.

Corinne Diacre is a top level Coach but the problem she had with France Senior Players back then might as well be another problem in the SuperFalcons if she was to be appointed for example…!

Imagine having issues with senior players like Asisat Oshoala, Osinachi Ohale, Halimatu Ayinde, Rasheedat Ajibade etc

Corinne Diacre was sacked as the head coach of the France women’s national team because of what the French Football Federation described as “a very significant divide” with the players that has “reached the point of no return”.

Diacre’s tenure was fraught. The tipping point came when the captain, Wendie Renard, announced she would not play for the team to protect her mental health, saying she could “no longer support the current system”, and Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto followed suit.

Alleged problems between the manager and senior players was widely reported in the past. Diacre’s coaching methods, some of her public criticisms of players and selection decisions proved unpopular with certain individuals.

Renard, Lyon’s captain, was stripped of the France captaincy by Diacre in 2017 after the quarter-final exit from the Euros but was given it back in 2021.

Diacre omitted Katoto from her squad for the 2019 World Cup, despite the forward finishing as the Ligue 1 top scorer, and left out Amandine Henry and Eugénie Le Sommer from the squad for the 2022 Euros in England after public fallings-out with the Lyon pair. In July 2020 the goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi announced she was stepping back from international football while Diacre was in charge.

daveP:
If they don't want to employed a qualified female coach for Falcons, they should grab that TP Mazembe manager at least.

That would be an insult to the likes of Florence Omagbemi, Mercy Akide Udoh, Nkiru Okosieme, Ayisat Aromire Yusuf, Olarenwaju Wemimo, Ann Cheijene etc..

But again i think she was rumored to have signed with one of this Northern Africa National Team..

See the caliber of Coaches, those Country have right now, why can’t be have one?? Former France Coach Corinne Diacre is also available in the market right now. She was rumored to be among those who applied for the Ivorian National Team job until the Ivorian FA signed Reynald Pedros

BascoVanVeli:
Never held down a starting shirt and downgraded in league. Sounds like a failed stint to me.

So are the players in Israel charity workers I can also say Onyenezide left Spain to chase the bag in Israel abi

If she really wanted to chase money she would have gone to China, Saudi, Canada, WSL, NWSL or even Russia… Even Turkey big clubs pays far better than Israel..

In Israel she can’t even get 3k euro monthly sef… What they pay there is 1k euros and at most 2k if the player is a top National team player..

BascoVanVeli:
Is going from Spain to China a drop off or no? Was Esther Okoronkwo a key player before she left or no There is always a story when u like a player but u don't give the others that same benefit of a doubt.

…! So you think this players go to China and Saudi Arabia just because they want to play football or majorly because of the Renumeration?

…! She only played 10games for Tenerife, She started 3 and as a Sub in 7 while Scoring 2goals and 1 Assists..


Does this make her a Failed Player in Spain??

Currently The Top 5 Countries with the Best Coaches are…

1• Morocco (Jorge Vilda 🇪🇸)
2• Ivory Coast (Reynald Pedros 🇫🇷)
3• Algeria (Farid Benstiti 🇫🇷)
4• Ghana (Kim Björkegren 🇸🇪)
5. South Africa ( Desiree Ellis 🇿🇦)

lovewins:
Didn't know cause I didn't follow her up there. Glad you are least are better informed on this than me and can set the record straight.

Esther performed well in China, scored goals.


Her agency is a big one in the Women’s game, they manage top stars like Hegerberg, Mary Earps, Echegini, Dunn, Toletti, Dumornay, Catarina Macario, Bunny Shaw etc

Left for a better offer from Canada, So you think a player of her caliber will leave China money and go to a newly formed AFC Toronto in Canada because of Chicken Change.. If she wanted to play for Football sake she wouldn’t have left Spain earlier on..!

lovewins:
First, I only pointed out how the premise of your initial argument is faulty. Deltamani didn't say there were things JOE or Toni could do that Esther couldn't. He said they were better than she was. If I say Messi is better at dribbling than Okocha for instance, it will be weird to conclude that I meant Okocha couldn't dribble. So you see where your interpretation of what he said was wrong. It is why I said the onus was on you to prove his argument was wrong by outlining things Esther was better at compared to the other two.

Second, your Osimhen/Dessers point is funny, cause the crux of my point was level of competition and Osimhen has proven that over the years. Nobody is judging Osimhen by what he's doing in Turkey currently but by his rich antecedent. Dessers for example was banging goals in less competitive leagues but had a problem doing same when he transferred to Italy. It's why many people don't fancy him a lot. This again gives credence to the point I'm making. Boniface wasn't seriously considered until he replicated his form in Belgium in Germany. The level of competition increased and he still delivered. Tolu has had to deliver consistently in Belgium for 2 years before he got his first eagles call up. Mind you he also increased his level of competition with his move to Belgium. Paul Onuachu was the king in Belgium but couldn't deliver when he moved to the EPL. He stopped getting invited as a result. These things are easy to see once you remove your bias.

Finally, you're moving the goalposts about Vicky and Pina being as reasons why their size wasn't a disadvantage right, but you conveniently ignored that I mentioned 80% of the Japanese midfielders are smaller in size than Esther and they all play in either the WSL or the NWSL. Will discrimination be the next excuse? I'm sure if I take time to look just a little bit ill find players from Africa at about the same size as Esther who didn't have this issue.

As per Esther Okoronkwo, I wouldn't characterise her time in Spain as her failing cause she played 10 games and scored 2 goals. Not sure what in China as I didn't follow her.

China she performed far better than in Spain sef..! Na Money Dey carry her Dey waka.!

He doesn’t follow up with their games neither does he have information on how far they performed there..!

Esther Played well in China 🇨🇳


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZYH3g2uzR4?si=lo9aSdeF3J6FZ8s-

All this Zambian players are those with higher testosterone level, with a physique of men. Take them away from the team, it becomes nothing. There are more but this are the ones I’m familiar with. Even their U17 also have two right now…

Prisca Chilufya (Orlando Pride-USA)
Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses)
Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China)
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA)
Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC-USA)
Kabange Mupopo (Henan Jianye-China)
Racheal Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel)
Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan FC-China)

BascoVanVeli:
Vicky, Pina and Dunn were already from the countries where they got their start. This is a completely different situation. Being from Africa already gives Esther a disadvantage that those players don't have. What was Ashleigh Plumptre's speech about after the world cup? They only see us as strong and physical. Knowing that why would u expect a scout to come to africa and decide to select Esther over more physically imposing players

Look at this guy oh lol for debate that u jumped in the middle, u want to make rules 🤣 u said the onus is on me but I see u didn't explode when u said they create chance better than her.

I wanted my brother to tell me what he thinks they can do that she can't because I wanted to have a civil debate about women's football. I don't care who is right or wrong. I will address ur final point but like I told Deltamani I didn't come for fight.

Ur Dessers point sounds good until we see that Tolu Arokodare came off the bench before Victor Boniface in both matches. Tolu plays in Belgium, Boniface in Germany. Even Sadiq in Spain. Going by your logic all those guys should bench Victor Osimhen because even Belgium is ranked higher than Turkey

Don't mistake a poor agent or bad situation for a player's ability. At least Opeyemi is back home playing the best football she has played in her young career. Chiamaka had nothing to do with the statement I made about Ajakaye so I'm not even going to put her in this. All I meant was Ope and Sabastine are still balling. Also Esther Okoronkwo failed in the same Spain u are calling out Ope for failing in.

Esther Okoronkwo didn’t have a failed career in Spain and China? At all At all… She belongs to a very power agency in Women Football that can get her to play in any League around the world.

Esther is a money driven player, and she hasn’t hidden it for once. She goes where the money is. Her move from France— Spain— China and now Canada was purely because of money..!

I have to remind you also that Canada average annual salary is at $50,000.!


Players in the new Northern Super League will earn at least $50,000 and can't be traded without their consent.

The six-team Canadian women's professional league is set to kick off in April.

Teams will work under a $1.6-million player salary cap with 20- to 25-woman rosters. Each club is allowed one designated player, whose salary will not count against the cap.

The league's standard player agreement comes with guaranteed contract terms and players will also be free agents following the expiration of their contract.

The league also says its players will have access to "comprehensive mental health services and maternity/fertility benefits designed to meet and exceed the standards set by FIFA and ensure players' well-being."

With what is provided here, a money driven player will hardly turn down such offer..

lovewins:
There's no stratosphere where Esther is any better than Toni and JOE. None whatsoever. There's a body of work to prove this so need arguing and the onus is on you to show statistically or otherwise how she goes "toe to toe" with them.

Bear in mind that she's yet to play with the same level of completion these other ladies play in and even with that she still can't compete.

And on size? There are many other players smaller than Esther that somehow size didn't disadvantage and are playing at the top of their careers. Vicky Lopez, Claudia Pina, Crystal Dunn are easy examples . She's literally taller than all but 2 midfield players in the Japanese women's team and they all play for teams in top leagues in Europe and America and somehow weren't required to do twice the work to get noticed.

Maybe she gets better in the near future, and I really wish that she does, but right now she's not cashing the cheque you're writing in her name. It's the same way folks here kept hyping Flourish Sebastian and Ajakaye unnecessarily without giving the girls time to grow and prove themselves, citing opportunities not being afforded them as excuse. Now they both went to Europe and they hardly get playing time.

You have done well with your points…!

We can put them on same table just because they play the Attacking Midfield position and apart from that Esther Onyenezide isn’t on same level with Toni Payne, Onyi Echegini and Chinaza Uchendu yet….!

We need to be truthful with ourselves.. Size isn’t the matter here sef cause Onyenezide isn’t smaller than Glory Iroka? The Small Motor Big Engine of the FALCONETS and SuperFalcons back in the days..

daveP:
Sure. Options plenty. It's a good situation. It now remains manager that can mix all to cook a sweet, aromatic broth.

She doesn't need to pause because decision making. A pacy winger or 9 would flourish with her style of play. Also selfless.

That Coaching aspect just Dey annoy me… Like what is Justin Madugu doing there??

If you can’t get a foreign expertise coach for the team give them a seasoned Ex-international who’s a Coach!

Imagine Justin saying he’s building the SuperFalcons team, same team that Randy Left in a Compact state…

BascoVanVeli:
Explain how she is behind those players?

If you don’t understand then take it as you see it,


On a Playing ground, you want to compare a Player that plays in Israel 🇮🇱 with those playing in top3 leagues in Europe??

I’m not trying to underrate where she’s based especially because of opportunity varies, so taking League ratings away from it…. All round football she’s below both Payne and Echegini💯


On a good day Chinaza Uchendu is a better player than Esther Onyenezide just that Nantes Feminine are managing her game because of her Left knee..

daveP:
2nd goal shows she's improving on her decision making near the box. 👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽😎

She’s getting better but still very much behind the likes T Payne, JOE in that Position. She really need to step up real quick as Chinaza Uchendu another attacking midfielder is also getting back to her usual form after the ACL injury that kicked her out over a year.. The younger ones are also rising…

Anyway the good thing is we have options to pick on when the need arises.

Esther Onyenezide


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmsTd-Dgjio?si=m3-5lqXNxVxEIJmm