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Paris 2024 Olympic women's football tournament power rankings:

12• New Zealand ↔️

New Zealand made history at their home World Cup last summer when they won a match at the tournament for the very first time, prompting heart-warming scenes in Auckland just hours after tragedy hit the city when two people were shot dead.

The island nation is a regular at these big tournaments, but they've struggled to translate that experience into success. In fact, that World Cup win was one of just two New Zealand registered in 2023, the only other coming against Vietnam in a pre-tournament friendly, as opposed to the seven defeats from their 12 fixtures across the year.

After cruising through OFC Olympic qualifying, conceding just twice as they racked up the goals in wins over Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, New Zealand did the smart thing in booking friendlies against some tougher opposition before the Olympics. However, only time will tell how much they learned in back-to-back defeats to Japan this past week and whether or not those lessons will help improve their fortunes in France.

11• Zambia ↔️

Zambia are one of the most interesting nations in women's football. After reaching their first international tournament at the Olympics in 2021, the Copper Queens have since recorded a best-ever finish of third at the Africa Women's Cup of the Nations, qualified for a maiden World Cup, and this summer they'll be back at the Games.

They don't lack star power. After all, just this year, the two gems of their team became the two most expensive players in women's football history, with Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda both landing in the United States' NWSL for £685,000 ($862,000) and £582,000 ($740,000) fees, respectively.

Though they've gained plenty of major tournament experience in recent years, have match-winning talent and have attracted plenty of attention from some impressive results - such as the friendly win over Germany last year and the extra-time triumph in Morocco to come through the Olympic play-offs - last year's World Cup showed that they are still struggling to lay a glove on the elite when it really matters. A lack of ideal preparation for this tournament, with no games played in the May-June window, won't help.

10• Nigeria ⬇️

In a tournament of shocks, Nigeria's run to the last 16 of last year's World Cup was a pleasant surprise and saw the Super Falcons earn a lot of respect for their tactical nous, resilience in defence and ability to create opportunities against elite opposition. Indeed, only the woodwork prevented them from beating eventual finalists England in the knockout rounds.

Nigeria got out of a really tough and open group in Australia and they'll have to do the same in France, having been pooled with Spain, Japan and Brazil. But their four clean sheets in four Olympic qualifying games was a reminder that they are always tough to break down, and head coach Randy Waldrum is excellent at utilising that in his game plans.

With their year to date having consisted only of Olympic qualifiers, seeing what friendlies they lined up before the Games was a point of intrigue but, like Zambia, a lack of action during the May-June window wasn't ideal in their preparation.

9• Colombia ⬇️

At last year's World Cup, Colombia were the exciting surprise package that many hoped they could be, reaching an historic quarter-final and troubling England plenty in it. That was a look at their talent and potential, so will we see it again in France?

In the Gold Cup in February, Colombia were swept aside easily by top sides, albeit while missing Chelsea star Mayra Ramirez. In April, she was back to lead the attack, but Linda Caicedo and Leicy Santos were absent for a narrow 1-0 win over Mexico and a 3-0 hammering of Guatemala. And when everyone was available in June, there was only so much to take from two expectedly comfortable wins against Venezuela.

If Colombia organise games against tougher opposition in the final window before the Olympics, we might learn a bit more, as most of their positive displays since the World Cup have come when playing teams they should be beating. Otherwise, we'll have to wait for the Games to kick off to see what they are capable of.

8• Brazil ⬆️

After a disastrous World Cup campaign in which they crashed out in the group stages for the first time, Brazil made a coaching change in September that saw Arthur Elias replace Pia Sundhage. Since then, the Selecao have won 10 of their 15 games, reaching the CONCACAF W Gold Cup final in March as a result. There have been positive signs as Elias tries to get this extremely talented squad to fulfil its potential, but everything is not quite there yet.

Their three defeats to Canada, Japan and the United States all came to nil, with there still work to do on the attacking front despite all the stars Brazil have in that area of the pitch. On their day, the South American champions are such a dangerous opponent and they have been good at beating the teams they are expected to. But will they be able to step it up against elite opposition at the Olympics?

Indeed, April's SheBelieves Cup, which consisted of 1-1 draws with Canada and Japan, showed flaws against similarly-ranked teams, and that is concerning for their Olympic hopes, especially with the race for second-place in Group C, between themselves, Japan and Nigeria, looking incredibly open and even. In that sense, it's debatable how much was really learned from two 4-0 wins over Jamaica in June.

7• Germany ⬇️

Germany's group-stage exit at last year's World Cup was one of the biggest shocks in tournament history. Favourites to win the whole thing, a draw with South Korea in their final group game sent them home incredibly prematurely and forced a coaching change, with Martina Voss-Tecklenburg leaving her role just six months after she had signed a new contract.

The team are now in a rather weird stage. Horst Hrubesch has been in interim charge since October and will lead the team at the Olympics after guiding them there, before Christian Wuck takes over as the new head coach in August. Hrubesch's only goal is to win, then, and he has a talented squad with which to do so.

However, it feels like he doesn't know what his best XI is or the best combinations in certain areas. As time passes, he hardly feels closer to figuring that out, with Germany not convincing in two comeback wins this past window over a Poland team that has never been to a major tournament. They need to improve before taking on an Olympic group that features the U.S., Australia and Zambia.

6• Canada ⬆️

Canada are one of several top nations in these rankings who had a truly terrible World Cup last summer, crashing out in the group stages just two years after winning an Olympic gold medal. But the federation kept its trust in head coach Bev Priestman, and she and her team bounced back from that disappointment to beat Jamaica in an Olympic playoff in September.

In fact, since the World Cup, the only losses Canada have suffered in 15 matches have been on penalties to the United States (twice), and a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. The group's confidence is certainly back, then, though there are not many of their nine victories that were not expected.

As the Olympics near, it feels like there are still more questions than answers over Canada. They're tough to beat, which was the key to winning gold in Japan three years ago, and they should get out of a group featuring France, Colombia and New Zealand. But do they still have that ability to grind out wins against top teams in the latter stages?

5• Japan ↔️

Japan caused a real stir at last year's World Cup when they dismantled Spain in a shocking 4-0 win in the group stages. It wasn't a surprise that they could compete with La Roja, as the Nadeshiko have always been a delightful team to watch with bags of talent, but the ruthless and efficient manner in which they dispatched one of the tournament favourites was certainly eye-catching.

Sadly for Japan, that was the high point of their World Cup. They crashed out in the quarter-finals and that incredible group-stage fixture ended up being a mere footnote in a tournament which Spain ultimately won.

It is in those latter stages where the questions are. There are not many who doubt Japan's ability to perform, with them strutting their stuff in two recent friendlies against New Zealand. But do they have the winning mentality to get over the line in pressure moments? An underwhelming SheBelieves Cup suggests they are still developing that ability to get through the tight games.

4• France ↔️

France underwhelmed at last year's World Cup, a penalty shootout defeat to Australia dealing them a third successive quarter-final exit, but an outstanding run was always going to be a tough ask given Herve Renard only took over the team four months before the World Cup began.

Things have improved since then, as evidenced by Les Bleues' run to the Nations League final, but France still feel a step off the world's elite and never really showed up in that 2-0 defeat to Spain.

Renard has plenty of quality throughout his squad, but he is yet to maximise it, with them often somewhere in between impressive grinding out results and failing to finish games off. The manner in which they beat England away from home and then lost to the Lionesses on their own patch four days later in this recent international window sums up just how hot and cold they can blow. That inconsistency won't win a gold medal.


3• Australia ⬇️

Australia will be without Sam Kerr at the Olympics, but there is evidence to show they can still have a successful summer without her. You only have to go back to last year's World Cup for that, as the Matildas able to reach the semi-finals for the first time despite the Chelsea star only playing limited minutes due to injury.

Having the experience of playing without their best player is so important from a tactical perspective, but also mentally, as her absence will not be as deflating after what they achieved last summer. Moreover, Australia still have a lot of top-level talent and match-winning characters in their squad, and if head coach Tony Gustavsson can manage the squad well, following criticisms last year for a lack of rotation, their chances of a medal feel strong, especially if they can secure a top-two group-stage finish that is likely to keep them on the opposite side of the draw to Spain.

2• United States ⬆️

After everything that happened at last year's World Cup, the USWNT still come into this Olympics as one of the favourites to win gold. That's down to a few reasons.

One is how well the team has bounced back from that shocking tournament, winning the Gold Cup in February and the SheBelieves Cup in April. Another is the incredible talent that exists on the roster, with a number of young players breaking through in the past 12 months, such as Jaedyn Shaw, while the electric Mallory Swanson is back from injury. There is also the mass of top-level experience throughout the U.S. team and, as seen in this most recent window, the impact of Hayes' arrival.

The former Chelsea boss has been drilling her ideas into her new players during these last few weeks and that work resulted in some impressive displays against South Korea in June, though it should be noted that the USWNT were expected to beat the Asian nation. Spain would still be predicted to come out on top if the two were to battle it out for gold, but despite everything, the U.S. is right up there with a big medal chance.

1• Spain ↔️

Anything can happen in football, but Spain genuinely feel like they are on another planet to all other women's national teams at this moment. The World Cup winners backed that triumph up with success in the Nations League in February, as they were hardly challenged in the finals by the Netherlands or France, and have started their Women's Euro qualifying campaign in strong form, winning all four games so far.

A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan at last year's World Cup showed Spain are not unbeatable and they were 2-0 down at home to Denmark in the 72nd minute this week, until mounting an incredible late comeback to win. La Roja, then, are not flawless.

Yet, these moments of concern are so few and far between and can often be caveated. For example, the defeat to Japan was a group-stage match in a tournament they won and they were without Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati for the Denmark game. All in all, it still feels unlikely that anyone will be able to stop them at the Olympics.

Yo Lovewins u see ur Caitlin Clark bah Now they want W players to go easy on her

Anyways why are we not trying to get Arike Ogunbowale on our Olympic roster? I don't think she has ever played for the US and she is having an MVP type season in the WNBA.

Wendie Renard in Benin 🇧🇯

BascoVanVeli:
Yo Lovewins u see ur Caitlin Clark bah Now they want W players to go easy on her

Anyways why are we not trying to get Arike Ogunbowale on our Olympic roster? I don't think she has ever played for the US and she is having an MVP type season in the WNBA.

Context na. Lol

She's been guarded like nobody is. I've watched the WNBA for years and I can tell you no one has been guarded like she is. That said, they shouldn't take it easy on her, she'll grow through it.

Despite the unusual attention she's still averaging 16.8pts 6asst and 5rb. Obviously not near her best but pretty good stats for a rookie.

On Arike, first she has a history with team USA. She was at the 2019 Americup and also played at youth level. Whether that is significant enough for her not to allow a switch is up to FIBA to decide. I however do not think she's even trying to switch. I also think this is probably her last chance to make a USA roster cause she's 27 already and they'll probably skip her again by 2028. Would be a good thing if she plays for us though cause we don't have any guard quite frankly. Whether point or shooting.

What's the coaching acumen of the Nigerian coaches that will be around the female cadet teams in the next 8years? I asked because i want to know if the ones eligible for u17 and u20 are actually doing what it takes to further their career prospects by coaching courses and the likes. Not that they'll be expecting promotion solely based on a successful campaign with the young girls. We need coaches that can impact the next gen in such a technical way of FIFA standards that we'll leave rivals behind and move on from just seeing super talented ballers carrying the team.

Deltamani:
Wendie Renard in Benin 🇧🇯

Wetin she come do there? Is she from there originally? Her and Salma just tall like iroko. Bball dey miss them.

daveP:
What's the coaching acumen of the Nigerian coaches that will be around the female cadet teams in the next 8years? I asked because i want to know if the ones eligible for u17 and u20 are actually doing what it takes to further their career prospects by coaching courses and the likes. Not that they'll be expecting promotion solely based on a successful campaign with the young girls. We need coaches that can impact the next gen in such a technical way of FIFA standards that we'll leave rivals behind and move on from just seeing super talented ballers carrying the team.

Na NFF you go ask ooo, especially Recycling Christopher Danjuma over the years in the National team without any visible results… After series of failures with the SuperFalcons, they still allowed him handle the U20, this would be the 3rd U20 World Cup he will be going…!

Deltamani:
Na NFF you go ask ooo, especially Recycling Christopher Danjuma over the years in the National team without any visible results… After series of failures with the SuperFalcons, they still allowed him handle the U20, this would be the 3rd U20 World Cup he will be going…!

Those Visionless lots!!! Chai

Rinsola Babajide cross from the Corner Kick lead to Monday Gift Goal for Coster Adeje Tenerife Egatesa…!

Rinsola Babajide will be another powerful Force from set pieces especially Corner Kicks… Her deliveries are very very top notch.!

Deltamani:
Rinsola Babajide will be another powerful Force from set pieces especially Corner Kicks… Her deliveries are very very top notch.!

Let's hope we have good headers there. Alozie sabi jump too?

daveP:
Let's hope we have good headers there. Alozie sabi jump too?

Those good in the Air right now are Uchenna Kanu, Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Ifeoma Onumonu, Onyi Echegini and Chinwendu Ihezuo…!


Ajibade, Demehin and Ucheibe still Dey try.

daveP:
Let's hope we have good headers there. Alozie sabi jump too?

Anyway I would love to see the Combination of Rinsola Babajide, Rasheedat Ajibade and one of the No.9 upfront..

Deltamani:
Those good in the Air right now are Uchenna Kanu, Ashleigh Plumptre, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Ifeoma Onumonu, Onyi Echegini and Chinwendu Ihezuo…!


Ajibade, Demehin and Ucheibe still Dey try.

we're on verge of losing Ash and Blessing rn. Phew. I hope they practice that part anyway. Anything for advantage imo

Deltamani:
Anyway I would love to see the Combination of Rinsola Babajide, Rasheedat Ajibade and one of the No.9 upfront..

Randy gats trust her. Scenes where she pulls and Ademola Lookman on us all. That's what i think every time i see her club performance.

lovewins:
Context na. Lol

She's been guarded like nobody is. I've watched the WNBA for years and I can tell you no one has been guarded like she is. That said, they shouldn't take it easy on her, she'll grow through it.

Despite the unusual attention she's still averaging 16.8pts 6asst and 5rb. Obviously not near her best but pretty good stats for a rookie.

On Arike, first she has a history with team USA. She was at the 2019 Americup and also played at youth level. Whether that is significant enough for her not to allow a switch is up to FIBA to decide. I however do not think she's even trying to switch. I also think this is probably her last chance to make a USA roster cause she's 27 already and they'll probably skip her again by 2028. Would be a good thing if she plays for us though cause we don't have any guard quite frankly. Whether point or shooting.

Lol Caitlin is not receiving half that treatment Candace Parker got. Don't join those her fans to make up stuff. Why wouldn't u pressure a player who struggles with pressure? It's called scouting report for a reason. They all watched the NCAA final and Rayven Johnson gave them the recipe.

U talk about stats but what about her leading the league in turnovers? That shows that she has the ball more than anybody else. If Indiana played to their real strength and stop focusing on CC, her number would be less but they would actually win games.

The US have put out their Olympic roster and Arike is not on the team. I don't think her playing for them at youth level would be a problem.

Did Ezinne Kalu truly end up retiring?
Angel Reese has a Nigerian teammate named Michaela Onyenwere we should also look at.

BascoVanVeli:
Lol Caitlin is not receiving half that treatment Candace Parker got. Don't join those her fans to make up stuff. Why wouldn't u pressure a player who struggles with pressure? It's called scouting report for a reason. They all watched the NCAA final and Rayven Johnson gave them the recipe.

U talk about stats but what about her leading the league in turnovers? That shows that she has the ball more than anybody else. If Indiana played to their real strength and stop focusing on CC, her number would be less but they would actually win games.

The US have put out their Olympic roster and Arike is not on the team. I don't think her playing for them at youth level would be a problem.

Did Ezinne Kalu truly end up retiring?
Angel Reese has a Nigerian teammate named Michaela Onyenwere we should also look at.

Baba now you are making things up. First things first, the level of competition when Candace got drafted isn't the same now. There's parity in the women's game now. It's why just a few years ago UConn won 4 straight championship in college and haven't won any for quite some time. That's because of top players like CC lifting up programs like Iowa and what Dawn Stanley is doing in South Carolina. Also, no Candace wasn't guarded like CC and this isn't me just parroting unfounded arguments. Even the best of the best have said same thing and the reason they gave us because just like Steph she can shoot from half court and the best thing you do is get the ball out of her hands.

Also, you're factually wrong in that she gets a lot of the ball. She doesn't. As a matter of fact she played as a shooting guard the vast majority of the first 6 games. It was when it didn't work she started getting the ball a little more. Also half her turnovers are because her teammates can't catch a pass, but I agree that's something she needs to work on. Also the turnover argument is also funny cause top players through history always lead in turnovers. Go check who leads in turnovers in the NBA and the WNBA.

Ezinne is still open to playing, but there seems to be some politics in the NBBF keeping these folks away. Michaela is good for the roster, but she isn't great sha. She's at least a lot better than what we currently have. She also won rookie of the year in 2021 even though her draft class was one of the worst we've seen in a decade sha. Lol.

❗️ Barça insist on the signing of Kika Nazareth. The player is pushing to leave as well.

Benfica rejected the initial offer of €400k and demand the €1 million release clause.

lovewins:
Baba now you are making things up. First things first, the level of competition when Candace got drafted isn't the same now. There's parity in the women's game now. It's why just a few years ago UConn won 4 straight championship in college and haven't won any for quite some time. That's because of top players like CC lifting up programs like Iowa and what Dawn Stanley is doing in South Carolina. Also, no Candace wasn't guarded like CC and this isn't me just parroting unfounded arguments. Even the best of the best have said same thing and the reason they gave us because just like Steph she can shoot from half court and the best thing you do is get the ball out of her hands.

Also, you're factually wrong in that she gets a lot of the ball. She doesn't. As a matter of fact she played as a shooting guard the vast majority of the first 6 games. It was when it didn't work she started getting the ball a little more. Also half her turnovers are because her teammates can't catch a pass, but I agree that's something she needs to work on. Also the turnover argument is also funny cause top players through history always lead in turnovers. Go check who leads in turnovers in the NBA and the WNBA.

Ezinne is still open to playing, but there seems to be some politics in the NBBF keeping these folks away. Michaela is good for the roster, but she isn't great sha. She's at least a lot better than what we currently have. She also won rookie of the year in 2021 even though her draft class was one of the worst we've seen in a decade sha. Lol.

Bros u act like South Carolina didn't just win their 2nd national title in 3 years. They just went undefeated this season. That is a dynasty the same as UCONN or Tennessee under Pat. Plus college and the W are 2 different things. The W has always had great players, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Swoops and so much more. Candace faced double teams and tripple teams all day long. She even had to fight in one of her games because of the treatment she was getting. Caitlin gets shutdown by one defender and her fans will lie that they double teamed her.

Caitlin being a point guard or not was never in my argument. Being a point guard doesn't mean u will have the ball more, even prime Chris Paul won't have more of the rock than LeBron or even Giannis. But do u think someone with high turnovers does not have the Lions share of the ball? Take a look at every other player in basketball that ever had high turnovers and tell me that again. My point is simple, she is not as good as u guys are trying to make her to be. Publicity aside I would take Angel Reese and Kamila Cardosa over her everyday of the week. Those are player that can actually compete night in night out in the W and they also have a high upside.

Wetin concern me with Michaela's draft class? She is a player that can help us and that's that. My own is that I have already gone to beg Arike to play for us on Instagram and I expect u guys to go and do the same

BascoVanVeli:
Bros u act like South Carolina didn't just win their 2nd national title in 3 years. They just went undefeated this season. That is a dynasty the same as UCONN or Tennessee under Pat. Plus college and the W are 2 different things. The W has always had great players, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Swoops and so much more. Candace faced double teams and tripple teams all day long. She even had to fight in one of her games because of the treatment she was getting. Caitlin gets shutdown by one defender and her fans will lie that they double teamed her.

Caitlin being a point guard or not was never in my argument. Being a point guard doesn't mean u will have the ball more, even prime Chris Paul won't have more of the rock than LeBron or even Giannis. But do u think someone with high turnovers does not have the Lions share of the ball? Take a look at every other player in basketball that ever had high turnovers and tell me that again. My point is simple, she is not as good as u guys are trying to make her to be. Publicity aside I would take Angel Reese and Kamila Cardosa over her everyday of the week. Those are player that can actually compete night in night out in the W and they also have a high upside.

Wetin concern me with Michaela's draft class? She is a player that can help us and that's that. My own is that I have already gone to beg Arike to play for us on Instagram and I expect u guys to go and do the same

First, Candace was a damn good player, in a class if her own I will say. But she wasn't guarded like CC is. Again, don't take my word for it, listen to those who actually played the game that shared same sentiments. No rookie in WNBA history has been guarded 94 FT away from ball. No rookie has a player forget she has a free throw left just cause her defensive assignment on CC. In their game against Mystics, She drew 3 defenders and didn't even have the ball, and that left Kelsey open for an uncontested 3. Only one other player in history has that kind of gravity.

And yes, PGs have more of the ball cause they move the ball up the courts and literally facilitate plays. Your bias against CC shouldn't make you argue against fact na. Also notice how you skipped that fact that the greatest players in basketball also have the most turnovers. Maybe that tells you something. I'll post a screenshot of career turnover leaders for both the NBA and WNBA. Only thing you'll see it great players cause they have most of the ball. Even though I think she needs to obviously work on it, I'll say she's on damn good company.

South Carolina's recent successes again gives credence to my point on women's basketball gaining parity. But like you rightly said, College and Pros aren't the same. Of course you are free to pick Angel or Kamilla ahead of her, but only one of them is a generational talent and time will tell. Angel is literally shooting 30% from 2FT and half of her offensive rebounds are from her own miss. Abeg. Again, time will separate who is good and who is great.

On Olympics, Mic is a good addition, but priority for me is Kiki Iriafen. She will do our roster a whole lot of good. I wish Ezi Magbegor wasn't playing for Canada, my God that babe is just out of this world. Arike remotely still has a chance if Chelsea Gray won't be ready.

Abeg make we move this conversation for Dtigress thread and leave this for Falcons.

Deltamani:
❗️ Barça insist on the signing of Kika Nazareth. The player is pushing to leave as well.

Benfica rejected the initial offer of €400k and demand the €1 million release clause.

make club come for Ucheibe too o abeg.

daveP:
make club come for Ucheibe too o abeg.

Hmm…. Christy Ucheibe that signed a contract extension until 2026 before last World Cup? Benfica knew what they were doing making sure she signed a new Contract before the last World Cup, I also believe she loves it there.. After the Past World Cup Clubs will definitely have interest in her but Funds to pay off the Release clause..

A Club coming for her will have to hold from 400k to 500K plus cause her release clause will be high.. Only Chelsea, Arsenal and NWSL Clubs that can afford that from my own point of view..

There is a strong belief among the players of the Liberia Women's Under-17 team that they can get a 3-0 victory over Nigeria Women's Under-17 on Sunday in Abuja City.

The Liberia Women's Under-17 team lost to Nigeria Woman's Under-17 4-1 on Sunday, June 9, at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville City.

Nigeria Women's Under-17 will welcome their Liberia counterpart on Sunday in the return leg of the 2024 FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup qualifiers.

Chelsea are willing to pay Aitana Bonmatí's release clause, which is believed to be in the region of €3m, report Relevo 😳💰

lovewins:
First, Candace was a damn good player, in a class if her own I will say. But she wasn't guarded like CC is. Again, don't take my word for it, listen to those who actually played the game that shared same sentiments. No rookie in WNBA history has been guarded 94 FT away from ball. No rookie has a player forget she has a free throw left just cause her defensive assignment on CC. In their game against Mystics, She drew 3 defenders and didn't even have the ball, and that left Kelsey open for an uncontested 3. Only one other player in history has that kind of gravity.

And yes, PGs have more of the ball cause they move the ball up the courts and literally facilitate plays. Your bias against CC shouldn't make you argue against fact na. Also notice how you skipped that fact that the greatest players in basketball also have the most turnovers. Maybe that tells you something. I'll post a screenshot of career turnover leaders for both the NBA and WNBA. Only thing you'll see it great players cause they have most of the ball. Even though I think she needs to obviously work on it, I'll say she's on damn good company.

South Carolina's recent successes again gives credence to my point on women's basketball gaining parity. But like you rightly said, College and Pros aren't the same. Of course you are free to pick Angel or Kamilla ahead of her, but only one of them is a generational talent and time will tell. Angel is literally shooting 30% from 2FT and half of her offensive rebounds are from her own miss. Abeg. Again, time will separate who is good and who is great.

On Olympics, Mic is a good addition, but priority for me is Kiki Iriafen. She will do our roster a whole lot of good. I wish Ezi Magbegor wasn't playing for Canada, my God that babe is just out of this world. Arike remotely still has a chance if Chelsea Gray won't be ready.

Abeg make we move this conversation for Dtigress thread and leave this for Falcons.

Bro the Mystics are 1-11 and the Sparks are also dumpster juice so they don't count for anything. So basically u are saying because they are stopping Caitlin she is facing the toughest defense? Candace was physically attacked in the paint every single time she went up. Caitlin has someone follow her around the court whoopti Doo. If she had credible handles they would have stopped after the first game. Why on Earth would they allow her to play to her strengths? That's just common sense.

For the freethrow, it happens all the time in basketball. LSU did the same thing in the NCAA tournament and it got a laugh. When I was in high school my teammate scored on his own goal lol that kind of stuff happens in sports, people sometimes forget.

About angel Reese, again u are just repeating what Caitlin Clark fans say on the internet. U have a player averaging 12pts, 10rebs, 2assists and 2steals. 35% fg and 71% ft. She is already a defensive leader on her team taking on the Marquee assignment each game. U are talking about a player that can guard from 1 to 5. As for getting her own rebounds, yes that happens but to say most her O boards come from that is a flat out lie. She was literally choke slammed by an MVP candidate because she was causing so many issues on the boards. I have watch all her games and that one na lie lol.

Canada keep it real with their foreign players. It will be hard to get any of them. Magbegor is a great player Sha.

Arike should just come home jor. She would be the highest profiled bball player for us men or women. USA don't favour our sister if not Nneka would still be playing

BascoVanVeli:
Bro the Mystics are 1-11 and the Sparks are also dumpster juice so they don't count for anything. So basically u are saying because they are stopping Caitlin she is facing the toughest defense? Candace was physically attacked in the paint every single time she went up. Caitlin has someone follow her around the court whoopti Doo. If she had credible handles they would have stopped after the first game. Why on Earth would they allow her to play to her strengths? That's just common sense.

For the freethrow, it happens all the time in basketball. LSU did the same thing in the NCAA tournament and it got a laugh. When I was in high school my teammate scored on his own goal lol that kind of stuff happens in sports, people sometimes forget.

About angel Reese, again u are just repeating what Caitlin Clark fans say on the internet. U have a player averaging 12pts, 10rebs, 2assists and 2steals. 35% fg and 71% ft. She is already a defensive leader on her team taking on the Marquee assignment each game. U are talking about a player that can guard from 1 to 5. As for getting her own rebounds, yes that happens but to say most her O boards come from that is a flat out lie. She was literally choke slammed by an MVP candidate because she was causing so many issues on the boards. I have watch all her games and that one na lie lol.

Canada keep it real with their foreign players. It will be hard to get any of them. Magbegor is a great player Sha.

Arike should just come home jor. She would be the highest profiled bball player for us men or women. USA don't favour our sister if not Nneka would still be playing

I can count in my fingers how many WNBA games I haven't watched this season. Even if 3 games are going on concurrently I watch all of them so you can use that one to bobo me.

Angel is shooting less than 35% as a big, I mean from 2 FT from the basket. That is just flat out ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, she's a great rebounder of the ball and I believe once she fixes her offense she'll be menace, but she's still miles away from CC. And yes half her offensive rebounds her from her misses. I have watched all her games too and not even die hard Chicago fans are disputing this.

Record as at 3rd of June shows she's drawn 46 fouls and is 3rd most in the league. All this as a rookie and despite the fact that she doesn't even get a lot of calls. Baba the numbers don't lie. Angel's defensive rating is because of her team and not necessarily because of her. Compared the Clark their stats defensively are really close.bThe numbers again don't lie.

CC averages more blocks than Angel does. Angel averages 1.9 Steals while CC is 1.5. Angels averages 4.8 Drebs while CC is 4.4. As you can see the difference is marginal. No point comparing their offensive stats.

Addendum:
Can't believe I missed this. The Sparks have won 4 games bro, and have beaten Defending Champions the Aces and the Wings . They also beat the Fever. How can you call them nothing because of your bias against CC. Lol

The Mystics though not great have had very close games against top teams in the league. They lost by less than 10 points in 8 of their 11 loses against teams like Liberty, Storm, Mercury and Lynx. Don't try to discount that to water down what CC did against both teams.

Veteran Defender Faith Ikidi and Anam IMO

Our Flamingos are back to training ahead of the second and final leg against Liberia 🇱🇷 on Friday

lovewins:
I can count in my fingers how many WNBA games I haven't watched this season. Even if 3 games are going on concurrently I watch all of them so you can use that one to bobo me.

Angel is shooting less than 35% as a big, I mean from 2 FT from the basket. That is just flat out ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, she's a great rebounder of the ball and I believe once she fixes her offense she'll be menace, but she's still miles away from CC. And yes half her offensive rebounds her from her misses. I have watched all her games too and not even die hard Chicago fans are disputing this.

Record as at 3rd of June shows she's drawn 46 fouls and is 3rd most in the league. All this as a rookie and despite the fact that she doesn't even get a lot of calls. Baba the numbers don't lie. Angel's defensive rating is because of her team and not necessarily because of her. Compared the Clark their stats defensively are really close.bThe numbers again don't lie.

CC averages more blocks than Angel does. Angel averages 1.9 Steals while CC is 1.5. Angels averages 4.8 Drebs while CC is 4.4. As you can see the difference is marginal. No point comparing their offensive stats.

Addendum:
Can't believe I missed this. The Sparks have won 4 games bro, and have beaten Defending Champions the Aces and the Wings . They also beat the Fever. How can you call them nothing because of your bias against CC. Lol

The Mystics though not great have had very close games against top teams in the league. They lost by less than 10 points in 8 of their 11 loses against teams like Liberty, Storm, Mercury and Lynx. Don't try to discount that to water down what CC did against both teams.

Well u must not know how to multitask if u are saying Angel Reese only rebounds her misses. 90 percent of her missed layups are plays when she is being smothered by defenders. It's not like she is free under the basket and just misses. In college most those contacts would result in a trip to the freethrow line so she just has to get used to that and make adjustments.

Now with Caitlin she was a -30 in her last game vs CT. That is tragic Johnson type stuff. That means u are a big time liability to ur team especially defensively. I didn't even know it went that low until I saw it. There is no way u actually believe that same player is as good defensively as Angel Reese. If so let's just end it here cause that is too much na

As for defensive rebounds Marina Mabrey averages 4.2 so let's not make a mountain out of a mole. Every defensive boards is not going to drop where the bigs are, sometimes the ball bounces past the 3 point line. If u play more than 30 minutes a game u are liable to get rebounds

The Detroit Pistons beat Dallas, Sacramento and OKC last season, does that make them something to write home about? The Sparks have an all W player in Dearica Hamby doing her thing but outside of that they are not yet anything to write home about. Talented yes but ready to compete night in night out? No. Even Chicago are somewhat young and can fall into bad habits.

The fact of the matter is people like me have eyes. We see what happens to her against the better teams who have lock down defenders. Caitlin was so shook against CT she air balled 6 feet from goal.

lovewins:
Baba now you are making things up. First things first, the level of competition when Candace got drafted isn't the same now. There's parity in the women's game now. It's why just a few years ago UConn won 4 straight championship in college and haven't won any for quite some time. That's because of top players like CC lifting up programs like Iowa and what Dawn Stanley is doing in South Carolina. Also, no Candace wasn't guarded like CC and this isn't me just parroting unfounded arguments. Even the best of the best have said same thing and the reason they gave us because just like Steph she can shoot from half court and the best thing you do is get the ball out of her hands.

Also, you're factually wrong in that she gets a lot of the ball. She doesn't. As a matter of fact she played as a shooting guard the vast majority of the first 6 games. It was when it didn't work she started getting the ball a little more. Also half her turnovers are because her teammates can't catch a pass, but I agree that's something she needs to work on. Also the turnover argument is also funny cause top players through history always lead in turnovers. Go check who leads in turnovers in the NBA and the WNBA.

Ezinne is still open to playing, but there seems to be some politics in the NBBF keeping these folks away. Michaela is good for the roster, but she isn't great sha. She's at least a lot better than what we currently have. She also won rookie of the year in 2021 even though her draft class was one of the worst we've seen in a decade sha. Lol.

wetin be this!?

dankorode:
wetin be this!?

Senior man abeg no vex for the derailment. We will get back to football soon.

Deltamani:
Our Flamingos are back to training ahead of the second and final leg against Liberia 🇱🇷 on Friday

That urge to see some tactical training as well. I'm tired of physical training pictures, i won't lie to you. 😆😆