₦airaland Forum

MS & AD Cup 2018
Goal..... Nakajima add her name to the list Japan 4 Ghana 1.

International Friendly game HT' Japan (3) Vs (1) Ghana

DerideGull:
Is she the only player that has style of play different from other players? Nigerians need to be constructive when going public with anything. I have watched play, at least, against USA and a sub versus Australia during the World cup as well as ply her trade with New York team. She is not a world sever. I had play Tessy Baihwo and Igbinova instead of her.

Halimatu Ayinde is full time ahead of Igbinovia and Tessy Biahwo.. No better coach will drop Ayinde for this two Players.

DerideGull:
It is funny to hear she is in the class of her own. What a class indeed? I guess the coach did not think her services are needed in this particular encounter.

Don't get me wrong, Halimatu Ayinde style of play is entirely different from Chikwelu and Okobi.
She just signed a contract with Swedish Club side Asarums IF and she hasn't been able to resume with the Club due to Visa and Work permit issues...

DerideGull:
Do you honestly think that Ayinde and Onyebuchi are in the class with Okobi and Chikwelu?

Halimatu Ayinde is in the class of her own, her style of play is very much different from Okobi and Chikwelu. She is that one touch kind of midfielder , she is a workerhic, she has got some grit, a good passer of the ball. She is quite calm and one who is not afraid to receive the ball always.
By the way Onyebuchi Goodness is a DMF and CMF player. She is still a kid at this stage, her time will definitely come but not now

Asisat Oshoala not released to play for Nigeria against France
By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport
30 Mar
Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala currently plays for Chinese club Dalian Quanjian
Asisat Oshoala was left out of Nigeria's squad for next month's friendly against France because of an issue with her Chinese club where she returned late for pre-season training.
Officials of Dalian Quanjian FC are said to be unhappy with the three-time African footballer of the year winner.
"Asisat Oshoala was in [Nigeria] coach Thomas Dennerby's plans but her Chinese club was not ready to release her because she overstayed in Nigeria," a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told BBC Sport.
In her defence, the former Liverpool and Arsenal striker insists she is missing the high-profile friendly to sort out her work permit in China.
Oshoala was in the original squad of 23 for the game in Le Mans on 6 April alongside Onome Ebi, Rashidat Ajibade, Alaba Jonathan, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Uchechi Sunday, who have also been omitted.
"Some players had visa and passport problems, another complained that she was unwell," the NFF official added.
Experienced quartet of Desire Oparanozie, Rita Chikwelu, Francisca Ordega and Ngozi Okobi, who helped the Super Falcons to an eighth Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in 2016, have been included.
After the friendly against France, 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.
The biggest challenge in Ghana will be to seal qualification for the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup in France - in what could be Nigeria's eighth record appearance at the tournament.
Nigeria are the only African team to have played in all of the Women's World Cup tournaments since 1991.
However 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.

TheSuperNerd:
I suppose needing midfielders who can "hold and distribute" is all there is to midfield plays. Lol....


I wonder what happened to the art of ball winning and shielding the defence. So against France, we are expected to just hold and distribute alone in midfield abi? We are not expected to break up plays and do lot of ball winnings abi?

This is France, no.5 in the world we are talking about and we are playing two primarily attack-minded central midfield players. Unless some of us here have actually watched this French team or better still watched the Olympique Lyonnais team (the bedrock of this French team) play, then it shows some of us don't understand what is being said for the good of this team.

Nevertheless, I expect to see Rita Chikwelu take a deeper role to sit back while Okobi takes up the advanced role. They both are expected to operate as central midfield partners coz I forsee Dennerby playing a 4-4-2 against France with Okobi and Rita in the middle.
Or will he play 4-5-1 (which can switch to 4-3-3 on the attack)? Adding one more player to that midfield to make it more compact for the french? Time will tell... The friendly scheduled for Le mans is upon us.

Umotong or Ogonna Chukwudi or any other may be drafted to the midfield to make it a midfield three just for the sake of this friendly if Dennerby do not play a 4-4-2.

I insist that the midfield pairing of Okobi and Rita is lightweight because of the absence of steel in the middle. As individual players, they are among the very best we have. Very gifted midfield maestros. But even maestros like Xavi and Iniesta need their "Busquets"....

Coach Thomas Dennerby will definitely be playing the 4-4-2 formation with Oghonna Chukwudi playing ahead of Esther Sunday at the Left Winge, Ordega will definitely slot in from the Right.

enomakos:
the coach was impressed with her during the wafu cup ,if she impress again in the France friendly she could become the no 1 no matter her age

Truth be told Chiamaka Nnadozie is currently the best U20 Goalie we currently have but she is not yet and in class of Tochukwu Oluehi who has being to 2 senior women world Cup,Olympic, played in the UEFA Women Chapions League, AWCON and Alaba Jonathan.

Daejoyoung:
like

Evelyn Nwabuoku, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Onyinyechi Ohadugha.

Daejoyoung:
I don't think lgbinovia impressed Dennerby enough at the WAFU cup.
Never can tell if Nwabuoku is as good as she used to be in 2014.
My only concern is in the goal keeping section.

Osarenoma Igbinovia on a good day is a quality player, her defense splitting pass can't be kept aside. She is a quality player.

Evelyn Nwabuoku is still the Best we can lay hands on in the defensive Midfield duty, she does the dirty jobs in the Midfield that others shy away from and can still find teammate with passes even when under pressure . The injury she sustained before the 2016 AWCON really affected her but she is better now.

Picking a 17yrs old Goalkeeper ahead of Experience and first choice Tochukwu Oluehi and Alaba Jonathan
What baffled me was that Tochukwu and Nnadozie are from same club with Tochi being the 1st Choice, John 2nd Choice, Nnadozie 3rd Choice.
Then how come you pick a 3rd Choice ahead of 1st Choice.. NFF we are watching.

I hardly comment nowadays but based on this he said, I will voice out. When I saw the team list for the France friendly, I was shocked to my marrow by 3 major omissions. First omission is in the goal keeping department, we (Super Falcons) have well seasoned goalkeepers like Tochukwu Oluehi, Alaba Jonathan and CeeCee Ohiaeriaku who all played at top level so why bring in these young prodigies in the goal keeping department. Remember France is ranked 5th in the latest FIFA ranking in international women foot ball and though a friendly, we must carry our most experience keepets. I am not writing off Onyinyechukwu Okeke (19yrs) and Chiamaka Nnadozie (17yrs) but it is not their time yet to play on the biggest stage as they are still developing.

The second omission is our commander in chief maestro and inspirational Rasheedat Ajibade. Why do I suspect that age and experience is what were the criteria for her not to be picked.? She is a born poacher and passer of the ball, I liken Ajibade to a Messi. Even if she does not start up in the first XI team list, she should at least make the substitutes for Coach Thomas list. I have been keenly following Ajibade 's football for over 5 years now and I can vouch for her that is a a bunch of talent with a knack for breaking down any dogged defend any day, anytime to bang in goals.

Last omission is Super Zee Oshoala. One is the best things to come out of Nigeria in over a decade. But HEY!! Even if she is omitted, she has nothing to prove to anyone that she is Africa"s prodigy as far as world football is concerned.

On a lighter note, Super Falcons manager, Coach Thomas knows what kind of football he wants to play, he knows the kind of players from the pool of footballers he want to use to execute it. So, I will respect his team selection and wish my darling Super Falcons in the friendly match in France

Ubong Bassey(BizzySports) signing out... 1luv

From NFF women football whatsapp group.

Daejoyoung:
He is talking of a defensive midfielder like Ayinde and maybe Onyebuchi Goodness.

Halimatu Ayinde is not a DMF, she is a center Midfielder and can also play as an attacking Midfielder.. Onyebuchi Goodness is a kid at this stage, her time will come and based on Merit you can't pick her ahead of Evelyn Nwabuoku, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Onyinyechi Ohadugha.

NGOZI SONIA OKOBI born 14 December 1993 (age 24) Plays as a central attacking midfielder and is described as a "gifted playmaker " who "possesses superb technique". Okobi is also known for her "elegant possession, sublime passing skills, and cultured touch on the ball".

Ngozi Okobi primarily plays as an attacking midfielder , but can also be deployed in central midfield as a deep-lying midfielder , or as a winger . Internationally , she primarily plays as a playmaker in the coveted 10 role just behind the strikers , Two of Okobi most common exemplary traits are her vision and passing, which have been described as "one-of-a-kind" and "sublime", respectively. She is also known for her distinct understanding of the game, which has led to her developing "a great football IQ". In addition to her creativity, eye for goal, and tactical awareness, she is known for outstanding control and
dribbling ability, as well as her elegance on the ball. Her technical skill and ability to read the game allow her to determine "when to take a defender on one-on-one, how to find a teammate with a slide-rule pass, and how to exploit tight spaces to create scoring chances for herself and her cohorts". For these reasons, her playing style has drawn comparisons with Barcelona star midfielder Andrea Iniesta, Manchester city K De Bruyne

TheSuperNerd:
I know of Chikwelu's versatility but it is not enough. That midfield pair of Okobi and Chikwelu still looks lightweight to me. When I saw the 17-woman list, I was really asking myself, "Where are the natural DMs?"

France has so much power in the middle. I really Dont wamt to see our girls get overrun.

It just one match, with time other midfielders will be brought in Ayinde, Nwabuoku, igbinovia and Okoronkwo.

Ngozi Okobi might be a little bit light weight but she is quite nimble and gets away from her markers pretty quickly, her size shouldn't count against her that much, her low center of gravity helps her game alot.

BascoVanVeli:
To me the coach did part one right which was to maintain the same squad that conquered Africa but the list is very poor. No single CMF or DMF. I hope they are not taking our girls out to slaughter.

The midfielders there are versatile, expecially Captain Rita Chikwelu. She is a Strong and experienced player, who can play as a DMF, CMF, AMF.
By the way coach Thomas Dennerby will be playing the 4-4-2 formation with the Chikwelu and Okobi in the Middle. Oghonna Chukwudi or Esther Sunday been natural Left footers from Left, Fransisca Ordega or maybe Anam Imo from the Right. With Oparanozie, Dike or Umotong Upfront.

Daejoyoung:
No Alaba Jonathan, but let's see how it goes.

She is currently in Israel...

PDPGuy:
Strong squad there, but I don’t see Oshoala.
Hope she ain’t injured.

Asisat Oshoala and Onome Ebi had already informed The Superfalcon coach earlier on that they won't be available for the Friendly due to some issues.

I hope coach Thomas Dennerby try out Experience Faith Ikidi at the Center Back position because that is the position she plays for her club side Pitea IF,

Oghonna Chukwudi, she is still the Best Winger Nigeria Superfalcon have. Though she can still slot in as a Center Forward..

Welcome my Super Left Winger,,, I know what you can do.
Name: Oghonna Chukwudi
Club.. Kristianstand Dff
(Sweden)
Position... Left Winge
Age... 29yrs
Strength... Experience, Fast and technical Left Winger, useful for offensive games. She has an ability to run at players with pace, deliver good pull out, stopping her is a completely difficult challenge..

Chikwelu, Oparanozie to lead Super Falcons against France

Just days after the Super Eagles concluded the first phase of their 2018 FIFA World Cup actual build –up with useful encounters against Poland in Wroclaw and Serbia in London, and the U20 boys concluded a two –match tour of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Senior Women’s Team, Super Falcons are also having a good kick with a prestige friendly against France.
The eight –time African champions are up against their French counterparts at the Stade MMArena in the city of Le Mans, France on Friday, 6th April 2018.
Coach Thomas Dennerby, whose maidens composed entirely of home –based professionals took third place at the WAFU Women Cup of Nations in Abidjan in February following penalty shoot-out defeat by Ghana in the semi finals, will have the complement of foreign –based gladiators as well when they pitch battle with France as from 9pm on Friday next week.
Nigeria’s 17 –woman list includes Rita Chikwelu, who captained the team to win an eighth continental title in Cameroon in December 2016, as well as big forward Desire Oparanozie, the effervescent Francisca Ordega, nimble –footed midfielder Ngozi Okobi and home –based goalkeepers Onyinyechukwu Okeke and Chiamaka Nnadozie.
U.S –based forward Courtney Dike and Ordega would be first arrivals in Le Mans on Tuesday, 3rd April – the same day the delegation from Nigeria will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The Super Falcons will lodge at the Mercure Le Mans Centre.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke; Chiamaka Nnadozie
Defenders: Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere; Faith Ikidi; Ugo Njoku; Osinachi Ohale; Glory Ogbonna
Midfielders : Rita Chikwelu; Ngozi Okobi; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Ogonna Chukwudi
Forwards : Francisca Ordega; Desire Oparanozie; Courtney Dike; Esther Sunday; Anam Imo

Danielnino00:
I hope to see Courtney Dike and Sophia Omidiji in the team sha...

The Superfalcons attack is star stunded, and the way coach Thomas Dennerby is going he would be recalling the likes of Sarah Michael, Oghonna Chukwudi, Ebere Orji, Ini Umotong, to beef up with regular invites like Desire Oparanozie, Fransisca Ordega, Asisat Oshoala.

SQUAD: France unveil squad to face Nigeria in friendly
By JWsports1 - March 28, 2018


Super Falcons versus France friendly
Coach Corinne Deacon announced on Wednesday, 28 March, the squad that will face Nigeria in the international friendly set for Friday 6 April.

Deacon has done a series of changes to the team that finished third in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.

She reinstates skipper Wendie Renard who is returning from injury after missing SheBelieves.

Newcomer Julie Debever also gets a nod from France’s Senior B Team, who clinched the 2018 Alanya Cup last month.

The two replace the injured Aïssatou Tounkara and Estelle Cascarino in defence.

In midfield, Elise Bussaglia and Charlotte Bilbault replace the injured Faustine Robert and DR Congo-born France international Grace Geyoro.

Deacon does no changes in the attack that dismantled Germany in the SheBelieves Cup.

France will report to camp on Monday 2 April ahead of the Friday friendly at the MM Arena (9pm local time).

They will then head to Rennes for the friendly against Canada on Monday 9 April at the Roazhon Park (KO: 9pm local time).

Nigeria, who have slipped a spot to 38th in the latest FIFA ranking, will be using the friendly to prepare for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers.

France will be using it to prepare for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which they have qualified automatically as hosts.

Both matches will be broadcasted live on CStar.

Squad

Goalkeepers

Karima BENAMEUR (Paris FC), Sarah BOUHADDI (Olympique Lyonnais), Solène DURAND (EA Guingamp)

Defenders

Julie DEBEVER (EA Guingamp), Laura GEORGES (FC Bayern Munich), Sakina KARCHAOUI (Montpellier HSC), Amel MAJRI (Olympic Lyon), Griedge MBOCK BATHY (Olympique Lyonnais), Eve Périsset (Paris St Germain), Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais), Marion TORRENT (Montpellier HSC)

Midfielders

Charlotte Bilbault (Paris FC), Elise BUSSAGLIA (FC Barcelona) Maéva CLEMARON (FC Fleury 91), Aminata DIALLO (Paris Saint-Germain), Kadidiatou DIANI (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine HENRY (Olympique Lyonnais)

Strikers

Viviane ASSEYI (Olympique de Marseille), Valerie GAUVIN (Montpellier HSC), Marie-Charlotte LEGER (Montpellier HSC), Eugenie LE SOMMER (Olympique Lyonnais), Ouleymata SARR (Lille OSC), Gaetane THINEY (Paris FC)

Hope Powell aims to turn Ini Umotong into a complete centre-forward
1
Hope Powell wants to help turn Ini Umotong into a complete centre-forward.
The Albion coach is working on Umotong’s tactical and defensive game in readiness for WSL1 next season.
Powell is keen to get all her players up to speed before their debut campaign in the top-flight.
But Umotong’s level of development was thrown into focus when she was recently recalled by the Nigeria international set-up.
To the striker’s frustration, Nigeria pulled out of this week’s Turkish Women’s Cup at short notice.
That has left Umotong waiting for her chance but she recognises she is learning fast at the Lancing training complex.
Powell told The Argus: “It’s just about her understanding of the position she plays. That’s not just Ini, that’s everybody.
“It is about understanding her defensive responsibility, which sometimes as a centre-forward you tend to do not very well.
“I would say that, by Ini’s own admission, she doesn’t do that very well.
“Her game is all about going forward but, at this level, there is a degree of defensive responsibility.
“Certainly, when we go into WSL1 we will need all 11 players to be able to attack and defend and Ini will be no different.”
Umotong has Eight WSL2 goals for Albion, making her their joint top scorer in the league along with Aileen Whelan.
She highlighted how she had improved tactically when speaking to The Argus recently.
But the chance to show that off on the international circuit has been put on hold.
Powell believes she will reap the benefit of representative action when it comes around.
The Albion boss said: “I know the Nigeria coach very well and I had a conversation with him about any information he needed about Ini.
“We are happy to help so it helps her and it helps Brighton.
“I know why he is doing it. He is bringing in all the players he can and he is going to have a look at everybody.
“Rightly so. He started the job in February so he has got to get grips with who is who very quickly.
“I am sure he will because he is a very talented guy.”

BascoVanVeli:
Ol thanks but do you know anything about Ugo Njoku our RB?

Ugo Njoku is based in France, and her name is in the List, so sorry I omitted her name.

Fri, 06/04 8:00 PM kick off Time. France Vs Nigeria

BascoVanVeli:
From the way the NFF is waiting till the last minute to post the list I can already tell this list is going to p*ss ppl off

The List is very much okay, though is made up of mostly foreign based pros, like Oparanozie, Oshoala, Ordega, Okobi, Chikwelu, Ohale, ikidi, Chukwudi, umotong, Dike,Ebere and others

Nigeria/France Friendly - Super Falcons to Report in Paris April 3
Nigeria's Super Falcons are expected to report to camp in Paris on April 3 ahead of their friendly match against France on April 6, an official said on Monday.
Ruth David, Head of Women Football Unit in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
After placing third in the maiden West African Football Union (WAFU) Women's Cup tournament last month, the Grade A friendly on April 6 is the team's next assignment.
"The list of invited players has been submitted to the Communications Department and it will be made known to the public soon.
"Meanwhile, we are sorting out their visa issues at the moment and in due course we will let the necessary information out," David added.(NAN)

Report I got about the list of invited players for the Superfalcon international Friendly game against FRANCE from a close Source is that.
1. The List is made up of mainly Foreign Based Pros about 90%.
2. Rasheedat Ajibade, Glory Oghonna, Anam Imo etc are some of the few Home base players that made the List.
3. Asisat Oshoala might not play due to some issues.
4. Rasheedat Ajibade have been sick for 2weeks now I doubt if she would play.
5. Let hope for a better..

Daejoyoung:
And no team list yet?

There is List invited players have already been informed, though it hasn't been made public yet.

We have barely 10 days left for the Friendly game against the French side..