₦airaland Forum

JohnBullMySon:
Swap Plumptre and Ohale. Plumptre is a defensive playmaker herself. She cannot be the one to cover Alozie. That's a disaster.

What I'm seeing there is Ohale at RCB
Onome Ebi CB
Plumptre LCB

Randy Waldrum; “We want to build on our performance from the second game. We have quality option of players to pick from, we will look at the squad today and make the decision to bring the best out of the squad.”


Injury update:

Randy; “We need to check Plumptre to know if she is fit, we need her to recover fully.”

Payne; “I can play anywhere even though I play as a winger at club side.”


#ValueJet

#WAFCON2022

FALCONS : BRING BACK OMAGBEMI !

By Emeka Obasi

Our women chase shadows some of the time, when it comes to their case. Liberation matters most when it goes with political appointment. Many of them are not familiar with the name, Florence Omagbemi.

Omagbemi is an accomplished woman who captained the Super Falcons to the inaugural FIFA Women's Championships, China '91. She was African champion with the team seven times consecutively, between 1991 and 2006. To crown it all, the star won the African Women's Championships as coach with the Nigerian team in 2016.

Unfortunately, in a country of the absurd, Omagbemi was sacked after winning as Manager in 2016.

While Nigeria threw away their best, South Africa went for their best. Desiree Ellis who manages Banyana Banyana has been dealing with Super Falcons for long and did it again in Morocco.

Banyana Banyana have never won the African championships. They have a way round perennial champions, Falcons, thanks to Ellis. The South Africans defeated Nigeria in Cape Coast , Ghana at the 2018 edition.

Super Falcons were lucky when they met Banyana Banyana in the grand finale. It took 4-3 penalties for the West Africans to win the cup after regulation and overtime ended in a stalemate.

In 2021, Banyana came to Lagos, did not give due respect to Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Buhari and went away with the trophy named after her. Victims were the hosts.

At the ongoing African Championships in Morocco, South Africa came out better leaving Nigeria on the grass with a 2-1 advantage.

It is remarkable that Ellis captained Banyana Banyana at the time Omagbemi was Super Falcons captain. In the 2000 grande finale at home, the South Africans were beaten 2-1. As a player, the latter led Nigeria to spell South Africa on the way to the Sweden '95 FIFA Women's Championships.

Falcons humiliated Banyana 11- 2 aggregate. The South Africans did not qualify for the World Cup until the 21st Century.

Omagbemi was appointed Manager in 2016 and won the African Championships. That was the same year Ellis was appointed interim manager. She has been substantive manager since 2018.

Presently, Falcons are led by a man who is far inferior to Omagbemi. He is an American, definitely not one of the best from God's own country. He is called Randy Waldrum.

Waldrum is not randy in anyway but he sounds like an empty drum. This man rejected the Falcons job in 2017, chose Trinidad and Tobago where he was kicked out for underperforming. That is the same fellow Nigeria hired in 2020.

Omagbemi lives in the US, she played for Boston Breakers and San Diego Spirit respectively. The Nigerian is a USA 1999 World Cup quarter finalist, Sydney 2000 Olympian and celebrated by FIFA.

Omagbemi was member, FIFA Technical Study Group ( TSG) for the Canada 2015 Women's World Cup. She was part of the organising committee of the Azerbaijan Under 17 Women's World Championships and did the same job in 2014 in Costa Rica.

When the Falconets got to the grand finale of the Japan 2012 Under 20 Championships, Omagbemi was one of the assistant coaches. So when you talk of experience, Waldrum is diminished.

Thomas Dennerby who came before Waldrum was better. At least, he was coach of his country, Sweden's female national team and is doing the same job in India.

Omagbemi is an icon. We cannot forget how she led Falcons to defeat Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at home, before their president, Paul Biya in that 2016 grand finale.

That was sweet vengeance. The Cameroonian men had dubiously beaten Nigeria three times in the African Nations Cup final. The most annoying was in Lagos in 2000.

Omagbemi shamed the Lionesses twice as captain before defeating them as coach. The sweetest part of the story was when the losers slumped 5-0 at South Africa 2004.

Falconets midfielder, Ngozi Okobi - Okeoghene is on the same page with me.

"A coach is supposed to be a friend to the team and Omagbemi is one perfect person at that. I think she is one perfect person for the job, " Ngozi said after the Nigerian legend was fired.

Please Coach Florence Omagbemi remember I wrote about this some days ago.

WAFCON 2022| ‘There Is Still More Work To Do’; Super Falcons Forward Onumonu Focused On Burundi Match

Super Falcons Forward, Ifeoma Onumonu has noted that there is a lot more to do following their 2-0 victory over the Mares of Botswana.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria last night, came back from a 1-2 defeat to Banyana Banyana of South Africa in their opening game of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to beat the Mares of Botswana 2-0

Goals from Ifeoma Onumonu and substitute Christy Ucheibe in the 21st and 48th minutes was enough to keep the defending champions in the competition.

The American-based Striker while speaking with journalists after the game, praised her teammates and said she was satisfied with the result, even though they could have scored more goals.


“We finally got on board, after our first game against the Banyana Banyana. I scored a goal and definitely wanted more, but am surely satisfied with the one goal and the victory we recorded,” She said.

“We were in a very difficult place emotionally, with what happened in the first game, and were determined to come out stronger and better against Botswana, with a lot of intensity. Good, we got the well-deserved victory.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will face Burundi in their last group game of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations on Sunday, 10th of July.

I'm not surprised about Randy Waldrum's poor attitude & game plan.

He's a NUGA coach, the job is bigger
than him.

Super Falcons have won 9 AFCON titles & qualified for all World Cup, Randy is not on the same level as the team.

NFF gave him the biggest job of his life.

Randy lost back-to-back games to SA & he said, it doesn't mean anything, the fans & media should hug him. His team played poorly in his first WAFCON game & managed 2 goals against Botswana.

You can only get such a statement from a coach who is not at the same level as the team.

I have done my best, right now I'm no longer in for this..

Nigeria Super Falcons on Thursday night defeated the Zebras of Botswana 2-0 in their second Group match of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Here are five observations from the game.

Deep Lying Botswana, The Botswana ladies chose to soak up the pressure from the Nigerian forward line and played most of the first half in their own half making it difficult to break them down.

The goal scored by Ifeoma Onumonu in the 21st minute however ensured that the opposition had to readjust as they came out of their confort zone in search of an equaliser.



Falcons Passes, The Super Falcons dominated possession of the ball but their final balls left much to be desired. Most of the passes were not weighted, they ball eluded the targets as they were either over hit or intercepted by the Botswana defenders.

Botswana Went Physical, The Botswana ladies resorted to kicking the more skillful Nigerian players when they faced the force of the Falcons on them.

Improved Second Half By Falcons, There was urgency in the manner that the Super Falcons payed in the second half after coach brought on Christy Ucheibe, Gift Monday, Regina Otu, Uchenna Kanu and Macleans Chinonyerem.


These players are younger than the ones they substituted and their energy shone through.
Fans' Reminder

Nigerians fans are easy to praise as well as condemn in equal proportion.

When the Falcons kept the ball better in the second half, they cheered every move by the Super Falcons and jeered their opponents.
That seemed to boost the confidence of the girls and a reminder of who they are in African football.

Coach Randy Waldrum is the team problem right now, he's having selection problem... Select the rightful ones and make your job easy, don't know if he's scared of the Veterans and big names.


Christy Ucheibe: Had an instant impact after replacing Chikwelu at half-time with a headed goal from Payne's corner kick in the 48th minute. The Combative Midfielder was Full of running and helped keep up pressure on Botswana's defence, I wonder why have been keeping her on the bench. She has no business there .. Ucheibe is the missing link in the Midfield, Very Combative and Energetic… with her and Ayinde and either Okobi or Ajibade in Midfield things will surely flow well…
Ucheibe covers a lot of Ground as she's a born hustler very tireless her effect was felt the moment she came in, need I say more. Halimatu was more mobile and effective. No need for Rita abeg, she can come in the 85th Minutes when we we need to see games out and for her to increase her caps too �.

Gift Monday: Great game from the young lad... Replaced Ordega in the 63rd minute and could have got an assist if Onumonu had scored from her perfectly weighted pass. Could have grabbed a goal herself but her weak header was saved. The left footer look so comfortable with the ball at her feet, an excellent ball passer, the future is surely bright for her. Hopefully she would get to move abroad soon to improve her qualities more..



Regina Otu: Came on for Okobi in the 63rd minute to add more legs to the midfield. The Midfield didn't have the luxury of shining as Christy Ucheibe stole the show...



Uchenna Kanu: Replaced Ajibade in the 75th minute and she helped keep possession and add an attacking drive. Not a bad cameo but I'm still wondering why Randy haven't started her.



Maclean's Chinonyerem : Came on for Onumonu who deserved rest after a lot of tireless running in the 82nd minute. Nothing spectacular though but she surely need more minutes to prove her worth her well built physic will definitely come handy for the Superfalcons...

Anyway Sha me I'm saying my mind there I don't give a Bleep anymore, you can't come and spoil my lovely Superfalcons team


Who should I blame now?
The department that bleeped up knows themselves..
The players that didn’t lived up to expectations knows themselves…

Same Selection Problem…. Why keep some players who we know too well that are supposed to start for some who can’t even run or control the midfield…

Selection problem�

Falcons down again

Goal for South Africa

Ashleigh Plumptre is a big plus for Nigeria... Good in Central Defense and as a Left Back...

AkinDS:
Okobi is worse, she is a ball-hog.
She will be no different from Chikwelu

Okobi is in form and very good behind the Strikers.. Ajibade more energetic and will do well in Central Midfield..

Halftime:
Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

Poor first half by our standard. Falcons are playing like a team without any pattern.

Midfield is almost non existent

They really need to improve if they are to win this game.


Okobi will definitely solve the attacking Midfield problem... Why will Coach Randy play Chikwelu at first, then even move her higher in the pitch? Remove Chikwelu, leave Ayinde in DM for more time and bring in Ucheibe later.. Bring in Okobi and move Ajibade to central Midfield things will get better..

TheSuperNerd:
Barbra Banda present in Namibia 2014? She was 14 in 2014. You sure about what you say? Coz I don't think she made the squad back then.

Banda was indeed at AWCON/WAFCON 2018 as an 18 Yr old. Jersey #11 but you are right, She didn't play one game.

Meanwhile, the news on Ordega was obviously misleading and false hence never took it seriously.

Ohhh Sorry about that not Barbara Banda but there were other Banda's in the team... I think two or maybe more

Definitely false my People, ORDEGA wasn’t dropped neither does she have any issues of testosterone..

The Zambian media are the ones making all this shit up, even Asisat Oshoala, Thembi Kgathlana name was mentioned at some point too..

I wonder why you all also forgot so soon that Barbra Banda wasn’t allowed to play at the 2018 WAFCON too…

Even against Nigeria during the AWCON in Namibia which we won 6nil she did play.. So nor be today Something!

Keep wondering why Zambia are pushed all over the place by Caf because of Banda. Anyhow, seeing Banda was not allowed to play in 2018 either, the technical bench knew there was a high chance she won't play in 2022 too; so they seem to have been doing their own mind games of late...

... should be interesting to see what they have in mind with that particular squad, as without Banda, you'd have expected the inclusion of the Racheal Kundananjis or the Mary Mwakapilas (who were allowed to play in 2018 and gave Cameroon a run for their money in the Tokyo qualifiers). But here we are. Lo and beholding.

If Coach Randy Waldrum is to play 2 CB… there’s a Problem for him picking between Osinachi Ohale, Onome Ebi and Ashleigh Plumptre.. Akudo Ogbonna is an understudy to them for sure…

Randy will hardly bench Onome Ebi as she’s the Captain and the most experienced player in the team and the WAFCON as a whole, She’s also very much fit right now…

Osinachi Ohale brings more to the defence, Strength, Speed, tight marking and excellent aerial presence..

Ashleigh the youngest between them is tactically sound and reads the game very well.. She offers a lot going forward in terms of aerial ball and her technical way of defending…!

Coach Randy Might settle for 3CBs or move Ashleigh to the Left Back position… as I would gladly play Ashleigh, T Payne or N Payne ahead of Ogbonna at left back…

#Morocco2022 | A winning but not the most clinical starts by the hosts: the Spurs playmaker Rosella Ayane, the veteran Salma Amani... all missing clear chances, but what a stand out performance by the Burkinabe goalkeeper Mariam Ouattara, just 19; gave flashes of the other youthful immense keeper in the continent �� Chiamaka Nnadozie ���

FT: �� Morocco 1-0 Burkina Faso ��
[�.������� 29'] � @CAFwomen

#WAFCON2022

Host Morocco �� open the WAFCON tournament with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso ��

AkinDS:
So why on earth is she on the list, at the expense of someone fitter?
The girl has been on a decline and has not been active for quite sometime.
This makes no sense whatsoever...unless she is an 'alternate' to the list of 23, in which case, she has zero chance of making the final 23, since the tournament has pretty much started.

Let's just forget about this Okeke this and that...
We already have a great team to work with. Even if Okeke is very much available, there's no way she's going to play ahead of Michelle Alozie at right back.

Chidinma Okeke was no.25, but can't play due to injury...

daveP:
If na this one, our defenders no go escape o. Normally they do some tackles or fouls that refs don't see. But this var will work against the likes of Cameroon and CIV. Mehn they are very rough with the tackles and silly fouls.

Going to the AWCON we have got the best Defense line, teams like Cameroon, Zambia, Senegal and Burkina Faso should be the one's u're supposed to mentioned first...

GeneralDae:
If FIFA had no problem with her playing the Olympics, then why should CAF?

No one gets how she plays Olympics and can't play the CAF... Intriguing

Join me and my Colleagues tomorrow 7pm on TWITTER SPACE as we talk about the LA Decima...! Superfalcons quest for 10th WAFCON title.....

The Zambian Fans are Crying out...



FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA SHOULDN'T BE BLAMED.

People shouldn't heap blame on the football Association of Zambia pertaining to what's on the ground with one of the Copper Queens Key players skipper Barbara Banda. CAF has just been a let down and an embarrassment to the continent. Since the return of Barbra from Olympics she couldn't participate in any normal national outings and this is very unfortunate.

Clearly with speculations from people but I understand the patience that the FAZ have bestowed but with sports medical ethics some medical issues are confidential the FAZ for public consumption without the total consent disclosure from the parties involved.

So it's like we have been targeted by CAF on some medical grounds as compared to other players who ply their trade out of Africa and yet this is the valid reason why African Football stumbles to develop because we ain't united as Africa when it comes to such.

Otherwise regardless of the situation let's not blame the coaches or the Football Association of Zambia but the useless CAF that have thrived to show us their blunt ivory (teeth).

High levels of testosterone?
I'm still not convinced. I believe there's something they are not telling the public again some of the fans are claiming she’s hermaphrodite.

mostob:
That grandma
Person wey suppose don retire. Can she bark out orders during the match sef

Lauren Gregg (61yrs) is a retired soccer player who played as a midfielder UNC. She was the first-ever female assistant coach for any of the United States' national teams between 1987 and 2000, she was an interim head coach of the United States women's national soccer team in 1997 and 2000. As head coach of the women's soccer team at the University of Virginia from 1986 to 1995, Gregg was the first woman to lead a team to the NCAA Division I Final Four and to be named NSCAA Coach of the Year..

Lauren Gregg have worked with top coaches in the women's game including Tony DiCicco.
They were both assistant in the USWNT. She has handled the biggest Women National Team in the World as an interim head coach in two separate years.. (1997 and 2000)
She's very proactive. I heard her speak during one of their training at the Summer Series last year. She was very Loud and fluent.. Maybe one of these days while watching the Falcons play you would hear her Speak..

The Senegalese Women National Team Players.

Super Falcons were billed to face Moroccan second tier side, AFDC (Al-Fida Association for Development and Cooperation) this evening but the match was called after the Casablanca based club failure to show up. Super Falcons switched to a 20 minute practice game instead.