₦airaland Forum

The Draw is set

The Final Draw Group A Ghana Cameroon Algeria Mali
Group B Nigeria South Africa Zambia Kenya

BascoVanVeli:
You won't find a better right fullback in the whole of Africa. I wonder why she is not playing

Ugo Njoku remains one of the best right back to come out in Africa women football..
Her overlapping run can't be kept aside, she is full of energy and her delivery are top notch.
she combines her attacking and defensive duties well. But her move to the France Second divisions clubside really didn't help her game.. she isn't 100% fit right now and hasn't played since her return from France close to 3months now.

I believe Anam IMO who under performed at the U20 women world Cup stand the chance of making the team due to the power of one of the coaches....
I pray this player relationships with coaches doesn't affect the team selection.

PDPGuy:
I really don’t understand why Coach Dennerby decided to invite 48 players to camp, for a tournament that is only three weeks away.

I expected him and his crew to have invited no less than 30-32 players, and gradually whittle them down to the final 21-woman squad. By now he should know, at least, 85% of the players that would make his final squad; as Rohr did with the SE before their own World Cup.

just watch 97% of the invited Home-based players are not going to be picked.. they will be dropped the way they were called up ...
only few like Tochukwu Oluehi, Alaba Jonathan, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Glory ogbonna, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Osarenoma Igbinovia Christy Ucheibe have the 99% chance of making the team. The rest are coming back home.
Even Ajibade can't make that team.

BascoVanVeli:
I just noticed Ugo Njoku is not on the list
Not liking that at all

Ugo Njoku is out of the pecking order, she hasn't even played any game since her return from France... she has to work her way back to the team.

Superfalcons 22yrs old Midfielder..

Congrats to Osarenoma Igbinovia

2018 Women's AFCON: CAF big wigs in Accra for draw
Published on: 20 October 2018
A powerful delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), led by its president, Ahmad Ahmad are expected in Accra, the capital of Ghana on Saturday, for the draw for the 11th Total Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.
The Women's AFCON is the flagship of women's football on the continent and the Executive has shown much interest in hence their presence for the draw which will be at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City.
The event is also an important part of the countdown to the tournament and it is expected to attract much attention after months of uncertainty of the tournament taking place in Ghana.
Indeed, over the past two months, things have moved very fast with regards to preparation, and the draw on Sunday will set the battle lines for the competition slated for November 17 to December 1, with matches slated for the Cape Coast and Accra Stadia.
All week, an operational team from CAF, led by Deputy General Secretary in charge of development and football, Anthony Baffoe, has been in Accra, first for the final inspection of the facilities for the tournament, and then prepare for the draw on Sunday.
Apart from the CAF Executive, all the federation heads and officials of the teams that have qualified -- Nigeria, Cameroun, South Africa, Mali, Kenya, Algeria, and Zambia -- will also be in attendance.
Mr. Kofi Nsiah, the Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) told the Graphic Sports online that all was set and the presence of the strong CAF team in Accra was indicative of how close the tournament was getting.
“Practically, the competition has started as we are now going into the final details with organisation. Once the draw is held on Sunday, the official countdown begins,” Mr. Nsiah said.
After the draw on Sunday, the representatives of the seven teams will visit the various training facilities and hotels designated for them.
Source: Graphic.com.gh

olapluto:
Falcons players coming in hot. Havent heard much about Desire Oparanozie. Is she on form? If she is, the Ordega, Oparanozie, Oshoala as front 3 is a given. We will harm a lot of teams with that frontline.

Ebere Orji is back.... and Oghonna Chukwudi is also a nice option from the Left side.

National Teams
League Winner! China move paying off Big Time for Oshoala
Asisat Oshoala will return to the Super Falcons as League champion in China after helping Dalian Aerbin seal a third consecutive League title on Saturday following a 0-0 result against second placed Jiangsu Suning.
Oshoala shared the post on social celebrating the league triumph; her second in two seasons with the Chinese club.

The forward’s IG post read:
Thank You Almighty Allah For Another One, You are the greatest…2018 League Championsssss…..BUZZZZIIINNGG….. DALIAN QUANJIAN
View Profi asisat_oshoala
242.4k followers
View More on Instagram
5,625 likes
asisat_oshoala Thank You Almighty Allah For Another One, You are the greatest...2018 Leag Championsssss.....BUZZZZIIINNGG..... DALIAN QUANJIAN ������
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Dalian and Jiangsu were separated by four points heading into Saturday’s game, but after picking one point and with a game left before the end of the league season, Dalian Aerbin will end the season with at least a point better than their closest rival.
The league champions will finish the season as the best attacking team, and Oshoala who earned a call up for Nigeria’s 2018 Africa Women’s Nations Cup camp, will return to international football in red hot goal scoring form.

Nigerian Superfalcons Midfielder Osarenoma Igbinovia with her Husband during their traditional wedding.

Nigeria Coach Explains How He Picked Provisional Roster, Why AWCON-Winning Captain Was Dropped
Published: October 18, 2018
Nigeria women's national football team coach, Thomas Dennerby has explained why Rivers Angels star Evelyn Nwabuoku has been left out of the 48-woman provisional roster announced on Wednesday ahead of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations.
29 home-based players and 19 foreign-based professionals have been called up, as the team seek a record extending eleventh African title.
While the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega made the cut, 2014 AWCON-Winning captain Nwabuoku was omitted and Dennerby admitted that it was a tough decision.
''She (Nwabuoku) was in the camp before we played Gambia in the qualification game, she is a really good player with good touches on the ball. She had a little bit lack of fitness.
''It's a tough situation, finally we had to pick the squad with the best players to follow the roster we kept for the team.''
Responding to a question on how he selected the 48 players, the Super Falcons manager said that he wanted the team to be built around speedy players in attack and defense.
''First of all, you have to be in good form as usual, you have to have players with good performances.
''The assistant coaches and I looked for players who know how to play attacking and defensive football.
''We like to play quick football, we are trying to find quick and good players so we know we have a speedy team,'' Dennerby added.
The 2018 Africa Women Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in the Ghanaian cities of Accra and Cape Coast, 17th November – 1st December 2018.

BREAKING: Kenya wins protest against Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea women team has been disqualified from the Total Women's Cup of Nations 2018 following an appeal by Kenya after fielding ineligible players in their qualification tie.

#AWCON2018

45 players, old and new yet the captain is missing... the most productive midfielder we have now is missing...
what wrong has she done??

*NIGERIA WOMEN PREMIER LEAGUE: BAYELSA QUEENS ADIKWU NAMED MANAGER OF THE MONTH: EVELYN NWABUOKU WINS BEST PLAYER AWARD FOR SEPTEMBER*



Bayelsa Queens Moses Adikwu has been named September's Nigeria Women Premier League manager of the month after guiding the Yenagoa side to two victories in the month of September.


Its Adikwu's first season at the club, after he replaced Mike Ekpeyong during the course of the season and has done well in the league and also taking his team to the semi-final of the Aiteo Cup Competition where they crashed out to rivals Rivers Angels.


He beat Rivers Angels Edwin Okon, FC Robo's Emmauel Osahon, Nasarawa Amazons Christopher Danjuma and Sunshine Queens manager Wemimo Matthew to the award.


Meanwhile in the player's category, Evelyn Nwabuoku became the first Rivers Angels player to win the NWPL player of the month Award.


The Super Falcons midfielder was an important factor in her team's successes in September as she brought in her wealth of experience to play when mostly needed.


Her leadership qualities on and off the pitch also ensured her side got to the final of this year's AITEO Cup, which is going to be a repeat of last year's final where they met Ibom Angels in Jos, but this time around the game will be played in Yenagoa.



The award will be presented to the winners in Yenagoa before the final of this year's AITEO Cup Women's finals.

*Innocent Question*
please, where is Evelyn Nwabuoku the team captain ?
what is her offence ?
is she no longer a super falcons player with all that she has done this season for Rivers Angels from winning first ever champions shield in February this year to playing every minutes and every match in NWPL and Aiteo Cup matches yet she isn't included in the invited players list to camp ?
why ?
what has she done wrong ?
who has she offended ?

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT



Ghana 2018: Dennerby invites Oshoala, Oparanozie, Nnadozie, 45 others to camp



Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has invited a total of 29 home –based and 19 overseas –based professionals for the first phase of camping of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, ahead of next month’s 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Ghana.



On the list of players who are expected to resume camp at the Jubilee Chalets, Epe, Lagos State on Thursday, 18th October are reigning African Woman Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, ace forward Desire Oparanozie, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defender Glory Ogbonna.



There are also goalkeepers Alaba Jonathan and Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Joy Jegede and Onome Ebi, midfielders Halimat Ayinde and Osarenoma Igbinovia and forwards Francisca Ordega and Anam Imo.



Cup holders and winners of eight out of the 10 editions of the championship staged so far, the Super Falcons qualified to defend their title in Ghana after spanking their Gambian counterparts home and away in their only qualification fixture.



All the players have been asked to report at the Jubilee Chalets, Chalet Road, off Obafemi Awolowo Road, Epe Town on Thursday.



The Falcons defeated hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final of the last edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations in December 2016.



The 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in the Ghanaian cities of Accra and Cape Coast cities, 17th November – 1st December 2018. The Draw for the eight –nation championship has been scheduled for Sunday, 21st October.



ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS



Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Alaba Jonathan (Bayelsa Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Edo Queens)



Defenders: Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Joy Jegede (Bayelsa Queens); Ugochi Emenayo (Nasarawa Amazons); Maureen Okpala (Confluence Queens); Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC, Cyprus); Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Juliet Lorliam (Nasarawa Amazons); Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum AIF, Sweden)



Midfielders: Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ucheibe (Nasarawa Amazons); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Ogechi Ukwuoma (Pelican Stars); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); Bashirat Amoo (Confluence Queens); Goodness Onyebuchi (Sunshine Queens); Nneka Julius (Edo Queens); Patience Agbokade (Sunshine Queens); Mary Anjor (Osun Babes); Ngozi Okobi (Eskiltuna UTD, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Christy Adule (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Halimat Ayinde (Asarum AIF, Sweden); Ogonna Chukwudi (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden)



Forwards: Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo Queens); Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Alice Ogebe (Rivers Angels); Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Chioma Wogu (Rivers Angels); Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo Queens); Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian, China); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Ebere Orji (Mallbackens Lysvik, Sweden); Esther Sunday (Konak Belediyespor); Uchechi Sunday( China) ; Courtney Dike (Oklahoma City, USA); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan)

I believe if we start our preparation early enough, it will help us do better in terms of performance. This is a World Cup qualifying competition and we must face it with all seriousness.
“I have submitted my provisional squad to the Federation and should be made public soon as we hope to start camping in other to pick the best legs for the championship before November 5.

olapluto:
I think we need a mix of experience. Central defenders dont need pace that much in the women's game. I'll start with Onome Ebi and Ikidi in central defence. Believe me Faith Ikidi has been doing well as a central defender for her club. She still has some pace she brings from the wing back position.
If we sort out the defence, then the attack is pseudo-ready. The front 5 is picked by default, but it will be nice to see Ihezuo come fight for her place.
Also, Alaba Jonathan still as number 1?

The possible starters on the defence will always be
Ngozi Ebere at LB
Onome Ebi at CB
Osinachi Ohale at CB
Faith Ikidi at RB ......
As for Osarenoma Igbinovia Date of birth 5 June 1996 (age 22)...I think her marriage won't affect her making the team for the AWCON.
Tochukwu Oluehi will possibly be no1 ahead of Alaba Jonathan

BascoVanVeli:
But the coach has not used Evelyn since he came and I feel Igbinovia is more of a box to box midfielder. I have not watched Amarachi before so I will reserve my comment. I think Christy should be given a closer look because she really looks the part, someone who can do the dirty work and free our forwards to play their football.

Evelyn Nwabuoku is still the Best for that position due to her experience and current form.. I hope Thomas Dennerby and his coaching crew get to Use her..
Osarenoma Igbinovia is getting married on the 21st of October, I hope Honeymoon doesn't affect her form oh.. because the Awcon is very close.. even though she won't get a starting role, she is a perfect replacement for any player in the midfield.

My defenders for the AWCON Onome Ebi 35yrs Center Back Faith Ikidi 31yrs Fullback/Center Back Osinachi Ohale 26yrs Center Back/Right Back Ngozi Ebere 27yrs Left Back Josephine Chukwunonye 26yrs Center Back Glory Ogbonna 19yrs Left Back/Center Back Joy Jegede 26yrs. Center Back

My defenders for the AWCON Onome Ebi 35yrs Center Back Faith Ikidi 31yrs Fullback/Center Back Osinachi Ohale 26yrs Center Back/Right Back Ngozi Ebere 27yrs Left Back Josephine Chukwunonye 26yrs Center Back Glory Ogbonna 19yrs Left Back/Center Back Joy Jegede 26yrs. Center Back

olapluto:
The coach's job is made easier when the players come to camp in form. He only needs to work on tactics. I see a lot of confidence from the South Africans, but I'm quite confident the Falcons are well above other african teams when the chips are down.
We have a strong midfield and attack. Our defence might be the weakest link, but they are working hard.

The defence is pretty okay.... But the likes of veteran's Onome Ebi 35yrs and Faith Ikidi need to be replaced.
Ugo Njoku is currently out of the pecking order..

BascoVanVeli:
I have been having sleepless nights over our lack of a known DMF option. We need to figure that out. I am leaning towards Ucheibe Christy off the back of her wc performance but we need to see more. Our attack can get into any lineup IMO.

Evelyn Nwabuoku is there
Amarachi Okoronkwo also
Osarenoma Igbinovia is available and she is currently playing as a DMF for Bayelsa Queens...
Christy Ucheibe is still very young and needs alot of experience for the big stage...

Experience Rita Chikwelu can also be deployed as a DMF... But she best perform as an Attacking midfielder/Center Midfielder.

Superfalcons players are on Top form, The following players scored for their various club in Sweden and China over this weekend... ..
Asisat Oshoala. 3
Oghonna Chukwudi. 2 and 1 assist
Rita Chikwelu. 1
Ngozi Okobi. 1
Ebere Orji. 1
Halimatu Ayinde. 1

AWCON 2018: Nigeria's Super Falcons to begin camping on Monday ahead tournament
Published on: 14 October 2018
Nigeria’s female football national team, the Super Falcons will open camp on Monday, to commence preparations for the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The defending champions are heading back to camp at the start of the week to await the competition’s draw ceremony, which will hold next Sunday, October 21 at Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Head coach, Thomas Dennerby said the first phase of the camping, which is scheduled to end on October 28, would be solely for home-based players.
Dennerby said successful players from the first phase will join overseas-based professionals for the second stage of camping, which is billed to begin on October 29 in Abuja.
He is expected to announce his final 21-player squad for the tournament before November 4, as Nigeria aim to make the best of being to every edition of Africa Women’s Cup of Nations since its inception in 1991.
At Ghana 2018, the 10-time champions will be looking to defend the title they lifted in Cameroon two years ago and qualify for the FIFA World Cup in France next year.

What would have been Nigerian’s second friendly this year against Spain’s senior women’s national team was cancelled due to travelling difficulties.

AFRICAN FOOTBALL
African Football News

Ghana Black Queens will play South Africa, Zambia and Nigeria in an international friendly ahead of the African Women Nations Cup. The Black Queens have not played any international friendly since winning the WAFU Zone B in Cote d’voire in February.
They recently embarked on a nationwide tour where they were played some low profile friendly matches. Coach Bashir Hayford is currently lodged in Cape Coast with a 26-man squad – excluding professionals – to continue preparation for the tournament. They will play Sea Lions – Elmina Sharks female team – in a trial match at the Nduom Sports complex this afternoon at 3:00 Pm.
South Africa, Zambia and holders Nigeria have all qualified for the Africa Women Championship. The former recently won the COSAFA Cup after beating Cameroon in the final.
The championship will be staged in Ghana from November 17 to December 1, 2018 and the top 3 teams will take part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in France next year.

Fifa Best Awards How Nigeria Voted: Rohr Went For Modric, Mikel Chose Messi; Falcons Coach, Captain Disagree

Published: September 24, 2018

Luka Modric has won FIFA's The Best award after helping Real Madrid to win the Champions League and playing a key role for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup.


In the voting by national team coaches, captains and media, Modric earned 29.05 percent of the votes, Ronaldo finished second with 19.08 percent and third-placed Mohamed Salah received 11.23 percent.


Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr voted for Luka Modric to win the award, Kylian Mbappé  was his second choice and Eden Hazard third.


As for Mikel, the Super Eagles captain opted for Lionel Messi, with Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modric coming second and third respectively.


Nigeria's media representative, Okpara Christian, went for Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard, Luka Modric in that order.


Brazilian Marta was named the FIFA women’s player of the year for the sixth time, beating Maroszán Dzsenifer (Germany) and Ada Hegerberg (Norway) to the accolade.


Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi voted for Maroszán Dzsenifer (first), Kerr Sam (second) and Ada Hegerberg (third) while coach Thomas Dennerby picked Henry Amandine, Harder Pernille and Kerr Sam as his first, second and third choice respectively.


Nigeria's media representative selected Rapinoe Megan, Renard Wendie and Marta.


Ifeanyi Emmanuel.

National Teams
Oshoala Meets President Buhari In China
Dalian Quanjian of China female team attacker, Asisat Oshoala used the occasion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the country where she plies her trade to get audience with her nation’s leader and inform him about her efforts at cementing relations between both governments.
Oshoala was allowed access to the Nigerian embassy and accorded the opportunity of an official speech during a reception for Buhari, in which she informed the president about a coming programme between China’s football federation and Lagos State government.
Oshoala was granted audience with President Buhari, who arrived in Beijing on Saturday to attend the Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit from 3rd to 4th of September.
Oshoala was at the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing where she told Buhari about her role in the bilateral event on sports development that will happen in December.
The 23-year-old Super Falcons striker, who played for FC Robo of Lagos and Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt before travelling abroad, first to Liverpool and Arsenal of England, said she was happy with the audience granted her by President Buhari.
The two-time African Women Footballer of the year said: ”There is a big event coming up in December between the Chinese Football Federation and the Lagos state Government