₦airaland Forum

Rita Chikwelu is still one of Superfalcons best and top notch Midfielder though age is no longer on her side at 30,those pace may no longer be there as she has added weight alot. she is currently the team captain

Watch out For 25yrs old Nasarawa Amazons midfielder Amarachi Okoronkwo...

solonnachi:
Coach Dennerby should ensure we qualify come Monday 11th June. No mess up. What of Rita Chikwelu? Has she retired?

Rita Chikwelu did not make it with the team to Gambia due to club engagement... but the coach said Chikwelu will join them in Lagos for the return leg.. But I haven't heard about Osinachi ohale who was also engaged with club duties..

solonnachi:
Coach Dennerby should ensure we qualify come Monday 11th June. No mess up. What of Rita Chikwelu? Has she retired?

Rita Chikwelu did not make it with the team to Gambia due to club engagement... but the coach said Chikwelu will join them in Lagos for the return leg.. But I haven't heard about Osinachi ohale who was also engaged with club duties..

AWCON Qualifier, Gambia 0-1 Nigeria

 June 7, 2018 GFF

Gambia missed out to Nigeria one nil at the first leg of the second and final round of Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Qualifier played on Wednesday June 6th in Banjul.

Super Falcons Okoron Kwoamarachi put up a thunderous shot that passed away into the middle roof of Gambia’s goal keeper Aminata Gaye despite her spreading of arms to thwart the danger opening good display of possession between the two sides

Nigeria Coach Dennerby Thomas Lennart said ‘ its always important to win away games but could have scored more goals and complete the job here’. He commended his team for not conceding a goal and praised the Super Falcons for their good performance. ‘ We should have played much better than this today. But we will be a little bit collective next time’.

Gambia Coach Mariama Bom Sowe said her girls played beyond expectation. ‘ Nigeria is a big footballing nation. I have made a promise to my country that we will win at home. Unfortunately we lost but the girls played very well and you see that we contained them as well’. She said the physicality of the Super Falcons have also disturbed the Gambian girls. ‘ But i will continue to encourage them and let the fans continue to support us’.

The Gambia will play return to Nigeria on Monday 11th June in Lagos and the winner will qualify to the 11th edition of the AWCON Tournament in Ghana 2018.

FT' Gambia 0-1 Nigeria - Okoronkwo Amarachi 19'

During the training session, @piteaif Faith Ikidi and @WashSpirit Ordega looked shape and fit for Wednesday's #AWCON2018 qualifier clash against the Gambia, while Sweden-based Josephine Chukwunonye sat out due to injury.

PDPGuy:
I think its a testament to how far women's game in Africa has developed that Nigeria needs its full complement of foreign-based stars for a match against...Gambia. Mind you, Gambia have never qualified for an AWCON, let alone a FIFA Women's world cup.

Don't forget the coach is a Foreign and new to the system unlike a Nigerian.. Has have to assess all the players available before the tournament proper.

We had our first training session this evening ahead of our Wednesday's
#AWCON2018 qualifier first leg meeting with the Queen Scorpions of the Gambia at the Fifa Goal Project (Technical Training Centre), Banjul. #SoarSuperFalcons

Our Swedish assistant coach Jorgen Peterson is also around!

Gambia forward Adama Tamba, says they are optimistic of beating the Super Falcons in the
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday in Banjul.
She stated despite Falcons being the current African champions, the team could create an upset.
“We're confident of causing an upset against Nigeria's Super Falcons,” said Scorpions forward Adama Tamba when asked of their chances against Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Gambia coach Mariama Sowe has also reiterated that the team has what it takes to overcome Nigeria despite their array of stars.
“The matches against Burkina Faso were tough but we showed character and eased through although Nigeria will be a different opponent. I have shown that I can score against any team and hopefully I can continue that run.
“I'm in good shape and I believe we will get some chances against Nigeria because they will not seat deep as Burkina Faso which will give us the chance to run between the lines,” said Tamba, top scorer in the Gambian league with Red Scorpions ladies.
“We have been going on with our tactical approach to this game against Nigeria and we are confident that we can get a good performance and the desired result,” Sowe said.
“We have learned a lot from our last match against Burkina Faso and the friendly against Mali. We will analyse those matches and come up with the best formula to take on Nigeria
“The girls wanted to face Nigeria and when the draw pitted us against them they're relishing the chance because it’s a massive game for them and a chance to play against some of the best players in Africa”

Super Falcons head to Gambia on Monday
featured Nigeria Super Falcons
The Gambia ticker
Dennerby calls Chikwelu, 9 other pros for Gambia ← Previous Story Nigeria’s Senior Women Football Team, Super Falcons, will on Monday fly to Banjul, capital of Gambia for the first leg of their 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Gambia Senior Women Team.
The Gambians, who defeated Burkina Faso in the earlier round as Cup holders and eight-time champions Nigeria drew bye, have picked Wednesday, 6th June for the opening leg of the fixture, and the Independence Stadium in Bakau is venue.
NFF’s Head of Women’s Football, Ruth David told thenff.com that the Falcons’ delegation will fly aboard an Air Peace aircraft from Lagos on Monday morning, to arrive Banjul by 11am. The team left Abuja for Lagos on Sunday night.
The return leg will take place at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Monday, 11th June. The fixture is the last qualifying round for the 11thWomen Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Ghana later in the year.
THE 20 PLAYERS FOR GAMBIA
Osarenoma Igbinovia, Joy Jegede, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Tochukwu Oluehi, Glory Ogbonna, Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Ebere, Anam Imo, Alaba Jonathan, Esther Sunday, Onome Ebi, Faith Michael, Halimat Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi, Chinaza Uchendu, Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega,christy Ucheibe.

Dennerby calls up Chikwelu, 9 other overseas-based players for Gambia fixture
ON May 20, 2018 3:10 PM
Super Falcons’ Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has invited 10 foreign-based players to the senior women national football team’s camp ahead of next month’s Women African Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.
Falcons
The team has already opened camp about two weeks ago in Abuja with home-based players for the fixture against The Gambia.
Team skipper Rita Chikwelu tops the list which also has experienced defenders Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Josephine Chukwunonye and Faith Ikidi, as well as midfielders Halimat Ayinde and Ngozi Okobi.
Forwards Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega were also called up.
The overseas-based players will start arriving in camp on May 29, joining Barcelona Women FC of Cyprus defender Ngozi Ebere who had been training with the home-based group.
Gambia will host the opening leg of the fixture at Bakau’s Independence Stadium on June 5, with the concluding encounter at the Udoukaha Jacob Esuene Stadium, Calabar on June 11.
The Gambians had eliminated Burkina Faso in the first round of qualifiers for the 2018 edition of the competition the Falcons have won eight times since its inception in 1998.
INVITED PLAYERS
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Vittsjo GK, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huishang, China); Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum IF, Sweden); Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF, Sweden)
Midfielders: Halimat Ayinde (Asarum IF, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi (Eskilstuna United, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (KDFF, Sweden)
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian, China); Desire Oparanozie (EA Guingamp, France); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA)

NIGERIA TO INCLUDE 10 PROFESSIONALS AGAINST GAMBIA
 May 17, 2018
By John Mendy

Nigeria women national team Coach Thomas Dennerby has said that his final squad to face the Gambia in June will include a blend of ten professional and home-based players already in camp, Standard Sports can exclusively reveal.
Gambia will face Nigeria in the final phase of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers on Tuesday 5th June at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Head Coach of Nigeria Thomas Dennerby has last week invited 26 local players to camp in Abuja ahead of the double header against Gambia.
“This is not the final squad; it is just a camp for domestic players. The other players will start to arrive around on May 28.
“So the final squad is going to have ten professional players from abroad and ten others from the domestic league.
“We are just monitoring these players in order to find out who are going to be the best mix with the professional players to give us success against the Gambia in June.”, Head Coach Dennerby said.
It is the first time Gambia has entered the qualifiers at this level of Women’s Football and has crossed the first hurdle after they dumped Burkina Faso 5 – 4 on penalties after both legs had finished 3 –3 on aggregate in April.
Both coaches (Mariama Sowe-Gambia and Thomas Dennerby-Nigeria) do not have enough knowledge about each other’s strength and are heavily relying on footages for tactical approaches.
Gambia, who is seeking its first ever nations cup appearance, will first host the Super Falcons of Nigeria in Banjul on Tuesday 5th June at 4:30 pm. The return fixture is slated for a week later (Tuesday 12th June) in Calabar.
The winner from the double tie will join seven other nations to the 11th edition of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) to be held in Ghana between November 17 to December 1 2018.

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

 

Super Falcons back in camp for Gambia

 

The Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, will return to camp on Thursday ahead of preparations for the 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against their Gambian counterparts.

 

Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has called up 26 players, including overseas –based defender Ngozi Ebere, to resume camp at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Thursday, 10th May 2018.

 

The first phase will take place between 10th – 15th May, with the second phase happening 17th – 22nd May and the third phase set for 24th May – 1st June. Only players selected for the trip to Banjul will take part in the fourth phase, scheduled for 2nd – 12thJune.

 

The two-leg fixture will take place between 4th – 12th June, with the Gambians hosting the opening leg in Banjul. The Nigeria Football Federation has chosen Monday 11th June for the concluding leg in Nigeria.

 

Victory over two legs against the Gambians, who eliminated Burkina Faso in the preliminary stage, will send eight –time champions Nigeria to the 11thWomen Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana later this year.

 

INVITED PLAYERS

 

Goalkeepers: Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Chioma Nwankwo (Nasarawa Amazons)

 

Defenders: Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC Women, Cyprus); Emmanuella Ingenue (Pelican Stars); Rebecca Ajiga (Edo Queens); Gineka Ikeh (Bayelsa Queens); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ugochi Emenayo (Nasarawa Amazons); Joy Jegede (Bayelsa Queens); Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Maureen Okpalla (Confluence Queens)

 

Defenders: Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Osas Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Onyebuchi (Sunshine Queens); Patience Agbokade (Sunshine Queens); Orjiugo Godson (Abia Angels); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels); Ogechi Ukwuoma (Pelican Stars)

 

Forwards: Chinaza Uchendu (Rivers Angels); Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Tessy Biahwo (Bayelsa Queens); Ijeoma Obi (Bayelsa Queens); Zainab Olapade (Jokodolu Babes); Glory Oshaghe (Confluence Queens); Nneka Julius (Edo Queens)



 

Falconets to begin preparation for France 2018

 

Coach Chris Danjuma has invited 35 players to the camp of the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, for the first phase of preparations for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in France.

 

The list of players who have been told to arrive at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Thursday includes Rasheedat Ajibade, top scorer for the Falconets in the qualifying series, as well as goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke, defenders Glory Ogbonna and Kemi Famuditi, midfielders Folasade Ijamilusi and Peace Efih, and forwards Monday Gift, Chidinma Okeke and Charity Reuben.

 

The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will take place in five cities in France between 5th – 24thAugust 2018.

 

Nigeria’s Falconets have been drawn in Group D alongside Haiti, China and Germany. The Falconets lost narrowly to the Germans in the Final of the 2010 and 2014 editions of the competition.

 

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Mercy Vincent (Confluence Queens); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Edo Queens); Rita Akariko (Sunshine Queens); Nelly Ekeh (Ibom Angels)

 

Defenders: Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Blessing Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Oluwakemi Famuditi (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Uchegbu (Heartland Queens); Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Mary Ologbosere (Rivers Angels); Opeyemi Sunday (Sunshine Queens); Lilian Tule (Bayelsa Queens); Honesty Essien (Pelican Stars); Margaret Etim (Delta Queens); Rebecca Ajiga (Edo Queens)

 

Midfielders: Taibat Odueke (Edo Queens); Adebisi Saheed (Delta Queens); Christy Ucheibe (Nasarawa Amazons); Folasade Ijamilusi (Spring Soccer); Hannah Yusuf (Rivers Angels); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); Ramat Abdulkarim (Confluence Queens); Mary Saiki (Rivers Angels); Esther Ndubuisi (FC Robo); Esther Onyenezidie (FC Robo)

 

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo); Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Grace Igboamalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Charity Reuben (Ibom Angels); Aishat Bello (Nasarawa Amazons); Kafayat Bashiru (Jokodolu Babes); Gift Monday (FC Robo); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo); Dooshima Tarnum (Nasarawa Amazons)

super striker

Sarah Michael

Nigeria Superfalcons Striker Sarah Michael in Action for her Swedish Clubside Lidkoping IF

Tottenham, Arsenal, Brighton Battling Swedish Clubs For Nigerian Striker Omidiji
Published: April 15, 2018
Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Sophia Omidiji is preparing to bid farewell to Dutch Division I Club S.B.V. Excelsior, with as many as six clubs interested in her signature.
The 20-year-old frontwoman has seen her stock rise after earning her maiden call-up to Nigeria Women's National Team for the friendly against France earlier this month.
Shortly after the glamour match in Le Mans, Omidiji traveled to Sweden to train with Damallsvenskan club FC Rosengård and former European champions Umea IK.
She impressed at least one of the aforementioned teams and there's a contract on the table for her to sign.
Having recently trained with English clubs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove, there's also a possibility that Omidiji will move to England but the major stumbling block to the deal is that she's not in the possession of a European Union passport.
Born in Las Vegas, she will become eligible for an EU passport in the next one and a half years as she has lived in the Netherlands since 2015.
Omidiji is a candidate to break into the Super Falcons starting line-up ahead of the 2019 World Cup and the former Gent star will fancy a move to Sweden as they play the same kind of football as the United States

Our head coach Thomas Dennerby was in Lokoja, Kogi State today to see Nigeria Women Premier League Matchday One encounter between Confluence Queens and Bayelsa Queens.

Five key takeaways from Super Falcons’ 8-0 hammering by France

Fisayo DairoApril 8, 2018Blogs, Football, News, Women's Football

Reigning African champions Nigeria suffered their worst defeat in almost eight years on Friday night when they were annihilated by France in Le Mans.

It was the first time new Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby was able to call on several of his foreign-based stars although in a hurried manner and while he can be sure of learning one or two things from the players’ abilities, the result was not something he would have hoped to start with.

There is indeed not much time left for the well respected coach to get his team in the right frame of mind and shape ahead of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers and championship proper.

Here are my takeaways from the game:

1. It was not a bad ‘individual’ performance

There is absolutely no way anyone could justify a scandalous scoreline such as an 8-0 defeat but while it shows (Dennerby) there is a lot of ground to cover, the players were not entirely bad on individual levels. Yes, there were mistakes here and there and an wholesome lack of cohesion but there were enough positives to be taken from the individual efforts.

Desire Oparanozie was almost a Lone Ranger as she fought in every way she could, Ngozi Okobi toiled with her effervescence, defender Glory Ogbonna showed glimpses of the bright future ahead of her and despite being culpable for the third goal, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie impressed with her ball handling and a number of good saves, top among which was Le Sommer’s acrobatic effort.

2. Imbalanced call up reared its ugly head

It must be said that the foundation for this humiliation was laid when just seventeen players were called up for this friendly without any recognised defensive midfielder. While I believe the number of players invited were not sufficient for a group that has not met for over a year, the lack of balance in the selection also had grave consequences.

For a team of 17 (later 18 with the addition of Sophia Omidiji), there were far too many attackers at the detriment of team’s balance and if that is what Mr Dennerby is coming to do then one should be scared.

3. Time to abolish 2-man midfield at all levels?

It was always going to be a long, hard night for the midfield duo of captain Rita Chikwelu and Ngozi Okobi. Both players were saddled with the task of containing the fluid French ladies as well as creating for Nigeria’s attackers going forward. None of the tasks could be accomplished as Chikwelu (especially) failed to cope with the high pressing of the French maidens.

The team could also not string patient, build-up passes together from the rear as they are always in a haste to send hopeful long balls in search of Oparanozie. At every time there was a turnover of possession to the hosts, there was always a gaping space behind Chikwelu and Okobi which further exposes the shaky back line with Le Sommer’s off-the-ball movement already a menace to them.

The utmost craving of Nigerian football fans nowadays is for their teams to enjoy good possession while building up with simple passes as they see continually in Europe. It often takes them into the realm of fantasy on what to expect from the national teams but then; this can be achieved in our own little way through proper coaching and dedication. The women’s national team need this more.

4. High-profile defensive experimentation backfires

Due to the second highlighted point in this takeaway, the technical crew was left to make all sorts of alterations during the game which distorted things further. At 3-0 down at half time, Ngozi Ebere was replaced by Ogbonna and Ugo Njoku replaced Josephine Chukwunonye. It meant that the specialist left back and centre back made way for an inexperienced left back and Faith Ikidi moved to the centre back position, an improvisation.

The result was disastrous. Ikidi had hardly ever partnered Osinachi Ohale at centre back for the Falcons and she was stretched despite her versatility. She eventually scored an own goal minutes after she was lucky not to have done so. Ogbonna’s left flank became a major target and three of the five goals conceded in the second half came from that position.

It was not a worthwhile experiment and I believe the Swedish coach must have realised that.

5. Mr Dennerby, your work is greater than you envisage

This is the most important takeaway from the game. Whatever it is that was the essence of the friendly has made it an eye-opening one for the (relatively new) coach. The ninety-minute performance was enough to put the team’s many flaws that have not been corrected for about a decade on the front burner.

Players could not adhere to strict positional discipline (more suicidal in defense), the team cannot defend dead-balls. (France threatened with almost each of their set-plays with Nigerian players mostly clueless on where to be and whom to stay with.)

The greatest undoing of the team on the night was the players’ inability to execute simple tasks (such as 10m passes) yet attempting the extra-ordinary ones.

 

Dennerby MUST coach and teach this team. He must not take this as a regular national team job where you assume players already know the basics from their clubs. NO! You must get them together for long and teach them. Show them where to stand and when to move after all accomplished coaches like Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte do such for their teams.

The new coach must leave an imprint on the team whenever he leaves and this can be done by days, weeks of camping and rigorous exposure to modern day training techniques. This must start with the locally based players because many of the foreign-based stars may not be available during the qualifiers.

Time to work is NOW!

Ngozi Ebere

Captain Rita Chikwelu

Nnadozie in action

olapluto:
Match highlights (basically France goals only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmWbO4pKEwE

It was a poor showing from an obviously rusty team. However, I think a few things became clear.
1. Rita Chikwelu is not the agile midfielder she used to be. It is not enough to just be a slow midfielder spraying passes around. That can work against Kenya, but a physically good team will isolate her. For me, Rita Chikwelu is past it and should allow a much younger, agile midfield enforcer. We have them aplenty. Osas Igbinovia would slot into that role with no fuss.
2. The defense is poor and we need to overhaul the defensive personnel totally. I dont mean bringing back Onome, but I mean replacing players like Ikidi and finding a good competitor for Ohale.
3. The attack is still very potent, and world class. They need understanding and only frequent friendly matches can help that.

Finally, I propose that the NFF should arrange friendlies for the Falcons against lesser European, Asian and even Carribean teams. However, knowing who Pinnick is, the falcons may not play another friendly till they're preparing for Afcon in Ghana. That time, they may play an U17 boys team in Abuja.

no good coach,will drop Faith ikidi to the Bench. she is among the top3 defenders in the Swedish women football Leagues.

Oparanozie: Nigeria's lack of 'adequate preparation' to blame for drubbing
By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Reims
7 Apr
Nigeria's players ahead of their friendly international against France in Le Mans on Friday night
Nigeria striker Desire Oparanozie says a lack of "adequate preparation" was to blame for their 8-0 drubbing by France in a women's friendly international in Le Mans on Friday night.
Valérie Gauvin's hat-trick, plus goals from Eugénie Le Sommer, Gaetane Thiney, Aminata Diallo, Marie-Charlotte Léger and Faith Ikidi's own goal resulted in Nigeria equalling their record defeats against Norway (1995) and Germany (2010).
It was a blow for Thomas Dennerby in his first real test as Nigeria coach.
The bulk of us came from outside France and had just one full day of training together before match day
Desire Oparanozie
Nigeria striker
The Super Falcons were playing their first match since winning an eighth Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in December 2016.
"To be honest, I think we didn't have adequate preparation going into this game, taking into consideration the fact that we were inactive for as long as we were - 16 months," France-based Nigeria striker Desire Oparanozie told BBC Sport.
"We are the champions of Africa and we can all say it was rightly deserving. However, we can't deny the fact that while we were out, our opposition have been busy getting stronger.
"They were definitely more prepared than we were. They began camping before us even though most of them are home based. The bulk of us came from outside France and had just one full day of training together before match day.
"I admit it might not be a good enough reason for the scoreline but France were bound to put in a better showing than us," Oparanozie added.
Decimated by late withdrawals and without reigning African footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria were forced to include five new players into the 18-team squad.
The French side, who beat the Black Queens of Ghana by the same scoreline last October, dominated play to prove that continental giants Nigeria are still way behind Europe's best.
Despite the result, Oparanozie insisted there are some positives to take from their time in France.
"It's been good here and I also have to note the introduction of some new young players into the squad for the very first time," said Oparanozie of their training camp.
"They are definitely good additions and one thing is certain, as long as they continue to work hard they would only serve to make the team stronger.
"Importantly, the fact that this is our first training camp with the coach, we have started to get his idea of football and that's a positive."
As the players return to their different clubs, focus will switch to securing a qualifying spot at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana as they aim to retain their continental title.
This year's Women's Nations Cup will take on extra significance as it will also decide the continent's teams for the 2019 Women's World Cup - in what could be Nigeria's eighth record appearance at the tournament.
Oparanozie welcomes the latest friendly against France but insists they need more games to progress.
"We deserve consistent engagements with Grade A opposition just as we hope to compete against them on the global stage.
"We also need proper facilities...and women teams need adequate, documented and properly planned logistical arrangements, preferably before tournaments/camping to ensure seamless experiences."
Nigeria are the only African team to have played in all of the Women's World Cup tournaments since 1991.
They have failed to translate their continental dominance on the world stage, their best performance coming in USA in 1999 when they reached the quarter-finals.

Enoma222:
did_sofia_omidiji_played in the game?

She and Goalkeeper Onyinyechi Okeke didn't play,,

Thenff

Some pics

FT' France 8-0 Nigeria

75' France 5-0 Nigeria #SuperFalcons #FRANGA