Nigeria senior women’s coach Thomas Dennerby says playing international friendlies are ‘extremely important’ for his ladies ahead of this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The 59-year-old led the Super Falcons to a third-place finish at the WAFU Cup in February before steering them to qualify for the 11th edition, having thrashed Gambia 7-0 on aggregate in June.

And for the eight-nation tournament, the Swedish tactician is proposing some warm-up games in the bid to ensure his team are in competitive shape to defend the title they won two years ago.

“I saw all the [Nigeria] games at the last Africa Cup of Nations. We played 1-1 against Ghana but they were a bit better against us in the group stage. Same situation against South Africa in the semi-final and Cameroon in the final,” he continued.

“Though we won those matches, I still think our opponents were slightly better. We cannot continue to rely on our previous success when the game is evolving. We need to acknowledge the fact that other teams are fighting hard to catch up with us and must not leave anything to chance.

“Even If we’ve won the tournament ten times, it really doesn’t matter as no tournament is the same. It won’t be a good thing if we fail to qualify for the World Cup. The most important thing now is to start camping and play friendlies in other not to have the regrets of not preparing enough.”


No friendly game, no camping for almost a year and players are frustrated
Super Falcons stars Oshoala, Okobi and Oparanozie took to Twitter to lament over lack of games for the Super Falcons.

Since they won the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon, the Super Falcons are yet to come together as a team.

No friendly game, no camp has been organised by the NFF and it has become frustrating for the players.

Super Falcons stars Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi and Desire Oparanozie have called out the NFF for their failure to bring the team together for almost a year.

The three players were part of the team that won Super Falcons’ eighth AWCON title since the maiden edition of the competition in 1998.

“Over 8 month without regrouping……. THIS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. What is your vision? We need explanation. I love my country,” Oshoala wrote on her Twitter.

Her teammate Oparanozie joined her, writing; “since nations cup, no form of regrouping whatsoever. Which way Nigeria Football Federation?”

“Other African nations have caught with us, we’re still a shadow of ourselves at world stage….yet it doesn’t bother people leading us.” She adds.

“Let’s build for younger generations. We need quality international friendly games."

Okobi wasn’t left out, “Over 8 months till now since after the last nations cup, no form of regrouping.#thenff why treat the women like this?," she wrote.

The Super Falcons and NFF are not on best term following a series of protests the players carried out over unpaid allowances and bonuses from the 2016 AWCON.

It was after these actions that their allowances and bonuses from the 2016 AWCON were paid to them. The NFF are said to be very embarrassed by the situation and felt insulted.

Anderlecht have a sneaky reason for not giving Henry Onyekuru game time despite being fit - according to some reports.
Nigeria's provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup has been named and doesn't include the Blues' on-loan forward, which could affect his chances of playing for his parent club in the near future.
Everton signed the winger from KAS Eupen last summer, but sent him out on loan to Anderlecht to gain experience as he couldn't secure a work permit to play in the Premier League.
And that move appeared to be massively paying off in the first half of the campaign, with the 20-year-old netting an impressive 10 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions.
A serious knee injury threatened to end his campaign in December, with the Nigerian international returning to USM Finch Farm to receive treatment.
Anderlecht plot 'selfish' bid to stall Henry Onyekuru's Everton career
However, the winger now and back at Anderlecht - although there is a debate over whether he is fit or not.

Belgian media claim he has suffered some relapse over his injury and that's why he is not picking up game-time for the Pro League side.

If the NFF OR COACH ROHR HAD A GOOD SCOUTING SYSTEM THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT THAT HE IS FULLY FIT.

The club want him to stay for another season and know Henry will get a work permit to play for Everton if he features at the Russia 2018 World Cup. I think the coach is trying to prevent that from happening.

“Henry has played for the reserve team and it was obvious in those games he is fully fit. In fact the club’s fans are not happy because Anderlecht lost in the championship to Standard Liege at home. They were given impression Henry is not fit but they know he is okay now.”

Earlier this month, reports circulated in Belgium that Onyekuru had signed another loan deal with Anderlecht for next season.

But, claims from his home country of Nigeria are a lot more explosive - with rumours that Onyekuru is not receiving game time so that he might be overlooked for the World Cup which would, therefore, make it harder for Everton to get a work permit for the 20-year-old next season.

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba who won the prize in 1997 Monday evening called for the exit of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following the disappointing 2-1 defeat of the Gunners to Newcastle United at Saint James Park on Sunday.

Ikpeba played under Wenger whilst at AS Monaco but was unequivocal in his assessment of the season Arsenal have had thus far.

"The impossible can still happen but it is very difficult for Arsenal in the Premier League because the concentration is now on the Europa League. It's not done and dusted for them,'' Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football Show televised on SuperSport.

Arsenal are currently sixth in the table with 57 points, 13 points below fourth placed north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

"They have the mighty Atletico Madrid to fight against in the semifinals of the Europa League but when you look at their season in the Premier League, its been disastrous and you wonder," the 'Prince of Monaco' stated.

"They are 33 points adrift of Manchester City and have lost 11 matches in the Premier League, that's too poor for a team like Arsenal.

"Arsenal need a new direction. I don't know if " papa" ( Arsene Wenger) would want to go but he should go yes," when pressed further on whether his onetime coach should take a bow and depart the club this summer.

Interestingly the former Nigerian striker predicted an Arsenal versus Olympique Marseille final in the Europa League in Lyon on May 16.

Wenger has one year left on his Arsenal contract albeit some media publications in England have linked the Arsenal managerial post to other European coaches.

For more detail go to[url]festyy.com/wO280x[/url]

Anderlecht are working on a deal to sign Manchester United's Belgian goalkeeper Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui.

And ahead of a possible move in the summer transfer window, the 19-year-old has started training with the Belgian First Division A champions and took part in a friendly against Brentford B last Friday.

Anderlecht, Chelsea and Newcastle United were interested in signing the goalkeeper before Manchester United won the race for his signature in 2015.

The former Standard Liege starlet has made only two appearances for United's youth teams this season, both in the UEFA Youth League, fueling speculation that he is set to depart the club.

Moutha-Sebtaoui has been capped by Belgium at U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels.

If you are somebody that observes a lot you would see that in the snapshot you posted it was only regulars that were substituted later in the second half. Simon Kalu is the Assist leader in the team and third highest goal scorer in the team. If im no make World Cup, then you know whats up.

andrew444:


You gat nothing to say man...I gave you a snap shot of their last game....Samuel kalu is a good player but he doesn't bench Moses Simon okay.

You say less than 10 goals,someone scored about 10 goals in half season because he was bought January that season.

How many goals does hazard score? When Chelsea won the league during morning return hazard only scored 13 goals in more than 30 games,you don't know what you are saying...check my snap shot and link and hide your face.....I am done with you

What a pity, I am talking about Belgian pro league and you are using Hazard's goal scoring as an excuse, when an attacking midfielder that can play on the wings and a forward come from the same country and they play in the same team then one is included in some performance indices chart and the other is not on any chart. He is not on top goal scorers chart or assist chart yet he is still being invited to the national team.

His teammate Samuel Kalu is high on performance indices's chart and assist leader charts yet he never gets invited to the national team? Oh boy it is fishy. OR are you trying to tell me that he made all his assists in just 2 months. OR are you trying to say that Samuel Kalu is not super eagles quality. OR are you trying to tell me that Moses Simon is guaranteed a first team place in coach Yves Vanderhaeghe's squad. What is this our back and fort about?

Where do you watch your own Belgian pro-league? Goodnight Goodnight Goodnight Bonne Nuit mon amie

This is not EPL, in Belgium clubs have a very large first team, with many players. Nobody is saying Moses Simon is not good but Samuel Kalu is a much needed improvement and I am glad that you agree

andrew444:

Mind you kalu has score more goals than him and even more assists,but i will never agree with you for you to say kalu is benching moses simon,you dont know what you are saying okay.

Let Me say when Dejaegere is available, the coach moves Samuel Kalu to the Left and Moses Simon to the bench. Goodnite.

andrew444:


Na you no get TV....Moses simon was injured for 2 months and he is back...check the last gent games before international break.

I guess you only watch gent stats when simon was injured so you just bought TV then....I am not talking of highly rated players this season...simon was dip in form,so stop changing the topic okay,and mind you in simon first season he help gent win the Belgium league and he was in the team of the season,but you will not see that because you dont have tv then nor internet access.

Nobody is benching simon moses in Gent,they usually sub kalu out at 85 minutes most times

None of those players even won the Belgium league apart from Moses Simon.

Guy moses Simon did not help them win the league with his less than 10 goals. Nobody said that those guys won the belgian pro league. Ask yourself where Moses Simon plays when Dejaegere is available mind you Simon Kalu was brought into the youth team by Hein Vanhaezebrouck. Moses does not score much, he usually assists, but Simon Kalu is the assist king in the whole team.

andrew444:


Oga Moses simon has played 24 games because of a 2 month injury,while kalu has played 28 games,so who dey bench who here? only 4 games different after 2 month injury of moses simon.

Mind you kalu has score more goals than him and even more assists,but i will never agree with you for you to say kalu is benching moses simon,you dont know what you are saying okay.

Andrew 44 the question is 4 you. What wing does Moses Simon play in his club?

andrew444:
Another hypocrite here, Samuel Kalu does not bench moses simon,they both play together,simon was injured and when he returned from injury he was drafted back into the line up immediately,the both share the left and right wing,go and check Gent previous and tell me when samuel kalu bench moses simon,simon is even gent pk taker,if you dont know what to say keep your mouth shut and get your fact right

How can you say that? Do you even have a tv? Kubo, Yaremchuk and Samuel no dey let Moses Simon play. In Belgium there is no competiton between them. Henry Onyekuru, Imoh, Samuel Kalu are the highest rated attackers of nigerian descent to play in belgium in the last 10-5yrs.

But IM dey bench am for the same club, ah ah! AND Samuel na the higest ranked african and only nigerian player on the list with Donnarumma, Mbappé etc

http://www.kaagent.be/en/supporter/news/20-02-2018/samuel-kalu-in-lijst-50-grootste-talenten-in-europa his club pasted that on their website.

Samuel bench Moses Simon last season, before Samuel got injured. I think Samuels's main problem are his knocks/injuries he even scored more than Moses Simon although 2016/2017 was his first season in Belgium. OP is not lying go to https://us.soccerway.com/teams/belgium/koninklijke-atletiek-associatie-gent/214/squad/ to view team stats. In Belgium he is a real number 10. I would like to see him in Super Eagles. He plays attacking midfield and is not supposed to outscore a forward.

My brother the thing shock me oh! Those of us in Belgium know that Samuel Kalu is the next best thing Nigeria has, in Belgium after Henry Onyekuru, that guy na real attacking midfielder.