₦airaland Forum

My Little Observation on Coach Randy Waldrum Midfield Set up!!



The key area of the pitch is the centre. If you can control the centre of the pitch this will most likely result in you controlling the game.

Without Ngozi Okobi in the provisional list for the AWCON it's now very certain that either Rasheedat Ajibade or Tony Payne will take up the Midfield role.
If you observe very well you would notice that Coach Randy Waldrum love's playing a Double Pivot Midfield. E.g during the Turkish Cup last year, against the Ivorians during the AWCON qualifying game, against Canada and so on

A double pivot is the deployment of two defensive midfielders, who may be used to protect the defence in a deep block, to prevent the opposition space for counter-attacks, to keep possession by overloading in the first phase, the reasons are almost endless, the double pivot can be very useful at times.

The standard duties of a double pivot are as follows; to operate in the space between the defence and the attacking midfielders, to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.

The double pivot is often labelled as a clear indicator of a team that plays ‘boring’ football.

Without Okobi in mind how will the Superfalcons line up in Midfield??

Let's take the friendly game against Canada as a case Study.. In Midfield Coach Randy Waldrum Played, Rita Chikwelu, Christy Ucheibe and Rasheedat Ajibade. With Chikwelu been the Pivot Midfielder who barely moves out of Position, and Christy Ucheibe doing the pressing Box-to-Box Midfielder leaving room for Ajibade to enjoy herself in the attacking Midfield position.. With the availability of Halimatu Ayinde who have started having game time at Eskilstuna United there's surely going to be a swap in the Midfield.

However, if and when Chikwelu plays in a double pivot, her poor defensive attributes can be masked by a more defensive minded midfielder; the other midfield player can do most of Chikwelu’ defensive duties allowing Chikwelu to focus on dictating play from deep positions without the worry of losing the ball and putting her team under pressure, as she has a supporting midfielder alongside her which is exactly what happened against the Canadian side in the last Friendly game.

If i where to be Coach Randy Waldrum there wouldn't be any need for me to start up Rita Chikwelu when I already have Regina Otu, Halimatu Ayinde and Amanda Mbadi in the Squad, he should also note that playing a double pivotal Midfield requires a lot of running which Rita Chikwelu can not offer as age is no longer on her side.


Who to pay in Midfield??

With the way things are going, it shows that Halimatu Ayinde is fit already. It would be okay to move Christy Ucheibe to Chikwelu Position as the main defensive midfielder, giving Halimatu Ayinde the space to operate in her usual Box-to-Box way just like Christy Ucheibe did against Canada with Ajibade enjoying herself behind the Strikers.. Even bench there's also Regina Otu who can as well do the Job of Ucheibe or Ayinde.

Chikwelu as we all know is a veteran in the game, a 5 to 10 minutes appearance in a game won't be a bad idea giving the fact that we have more younger, hungrier and faster midfielders in the team..

Bigzigg:
On Okoronkwo's part, I'd guessed right, but, you see that George issue... You get any update? Could it be they don't rate her? I would have really loved to see her play. Why is Okobi excluded while Chikwelu got included? Did Ebi really sign for Oparanozie's former club?

I gave a hint about George issue some time ago but I didn't say it directly though.

Also gave hint on the invitation of the likes of Chinwendu Ihezuo, Anam Imo Maclean's Chinonyerem etc

Chikwelu over Okobi ( Me I nor get wetin i go talk oo cause person person don da vex for me already oo)

Have asked Karl already to help me confirm if Onome Ebi really signed for En Avant Guingamp.. still waiting for his response!

mostob:
Okobi?

By the way, Anam Imo and Ihezuo are surprised additions

And i think we should forget about Pat. She may never play for us again.

I think the issue is from the Coaching Crews not from Patty side...


Injury kick out Esther Okoronkwo... Shit

NWPL Super 6

Live; Edo Queens Vs Delta Queens



https://www.facebook.com/edoqueensfcmedia/videos/762844464880410/?flite=scwspnss

Super Falcons: Ebi, Oshoala, 30 Others Invited To AFCON Camp In Morocco

Head Coach Randy Waldrum has invited 32 players to the camp of the Super Falcons as the Cup holders get set for a two-week training camp in Morocco ahead of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations holding in the same country on 2nd – 23rd July.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender and captain Onome Ebi, midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade and Toni Payne, and forwards Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, and Asisat Oshoala are among those called to the two-week intensive training programme.

The training camp will open on 18th June in the North African kingdom, with all players already advised to arrive in Rabat on 17th June.

Goalkeepers:
•Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France);
•Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel);
•Rita Akarekor (Nasarawa Amazons);
•Yewande Balogun (Coppermine United, USA)



Defenders:
•Opeyemi Sunday (Edo Queens);
•Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain);
•Onome Ebi (En Avant Guingamp, France); •Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); •Ugochi Emenayo (Konak Belediyespor
,Turkey);
•Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England);
•Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA);
•Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA);
•Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)



Midfielders:
•Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel);
•Amanda Uju Mbadi (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey);
•Halimatu Ayinde (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden); •Charity Adule (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); •Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain);
•Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus);
•Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); •Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain);
•Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain);
•Suliat Abideen (Edo Queens)



Forwards:
•Anam Imo (Pitea IF, Sweden);
•Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); •Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China);
•Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); •Chinonyerem Macleans (GSK Gornik Leczna, Poland);
•Chinwendu Ihezuo (Meizhou Hakka Club, China);
•Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); •Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico);
•Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain)

Superfalcons AWCON Provisional Squad List is Out....

A notable Midfielder Missing here...

isan:
Hmm 2 players or should i say mercenaries bayelsa signed recently why they are allowed to sign them both i will never understand

Monday Gift went there on loan since her club didn't qualify for the Super6...

Why Joy Bokiri returned from Europe after her contract with AIK of Sweden came to an end...

River Angles, Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens etc are the highest paying Nigeria women football Clubside so they're good enough to get any of the Players... This Clubs pays at least $400 and above as monthly wages, they also pay bonuses and other little tokens, one of the reasons they tends to sign the big Players around Nigeria..

Clubs like Nasarawa Amazon's, Delta Queens ain't doing bad too

Nigeria Women League Super Six Tournament

FT- |Bayelsa Queens 2 Rivers Angels 1|

Joy Bokiri 33' ⚽| 1-0
Rafiat Imran 76' ⚽| 1-1
Monday Gift 91' ⚽| 2-1

#BAYRIV
#NWFLPremiershipSuper6|#TulcanEnergy

20goals in 20games for Maclean's Chinonyerem

AkinDS:
Are you saying Toni is not quick?
She's got a good set of wheels on her and would hold her own against any of the other three you mentioned.

Among the 3 Players I listed, Michelle Alozie, Patricia George and Nicole Payne. Tony is a very quick player but only quicker than Alozie i think, her younger sister and Patty are way faster than her

AkinDS:
Are you saying Toni is not quick?
She's got a good set of wheels on her and would hold her own against any of the other three you mentioned.

Haba... Tony is very quick
All I'm trying to say is that Coach Randy should play her upfront like she does for Sevilla FC instead of using her defensively...

yinkeys:
If we play 3 - 4 - 3
We don’t have better players with pace & dribbling skills to take up Gloria & Payne’s roles at the moment.
They are perfect for those positions in my opinion.
When they attack, I’m usually confident they pose a threat to the opponents from the flanks.

You say??

Michelle Alozie, Patricia George and Nicole Payne are far far quicker and skillful than Glory Ogbonna except Tony Payne who's a more experience and excellent Player...

The First two can start with Nicole Payne substituting for either of them when the need arises..

BascoVanVeli:
Barcelona players are acting like they don't want Oshoala to get this golden boot. Ajibade is balling.

No need to stress out, She already won it ahead of Geyse..

Congratulations Asisat Oshoala

Premier Ibedradola Golden Boot Winner 2021/2022 Season...

Scoring 20goals, 4 Assist and 1 yellow Card in 19 games ahead of Brazilian and Madrid CFF striker Geyse with 20goals,1 Assist, 10 yellow Cards and 1Red Card in 27games..

yinkeys:
You want him to take out Franny, Oshoala ?

Either can be taken out when they're tired, even Onumonu as well... But the thing is he can remove a full back the push Payne there, and bring in another forward in her place upfront but the problem now is the Squad is tight, he's going to face a lot of problems setting up his first 11... Players like Ebi, Chikwelu and Co will need to be moved to the bench...

Anyway he's going to be having a larger pool of players for the AWCON... 28players I think..

Ghana Women Football


“You have to keep talking about it until they change their mind. look at the coaching staff for Black Stars & the Woman’s Teams.A huge difference & it all playing part in the women’s development. They are okay with whatever outcome they get instead of finding ways to change it.” Jennifer Kaka Cudjoe




Jennifer Cudjoe 28yrs is a Ghanaian professional woman soccer player who plays as a midfielder for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League.

Senegal ain't joking with the AWCON...


Senegal are putting final touches in readiness for #AWCON22 with a friendly against Guinea Bissau next week.

Aftermath, they’ll travel to Turkey to wrap up their preparations for the event.

Playing in their second AWCON finals, they in
Group A with Morocco, Uganda and Burkina Faso.

Schemerkhiz:
Coach Randy Waldrum should summon the courage and Play Tony Payne as one of the forwards upfront, we need her pace and technical brilliance there... It seems the Deeper role she plays as a full back or Wingback isn't doing a top player like her any favour.

Let's say A. Oshoala/ I. Onumonu/ T. Payne

Upfront with the likes of Fransisca Ordega, Uchenna Kanu, Esther Okoronkwo, Desire Oparanozie, Vivian Ikechukwu and Co from the bench..

Coach Randy Waldrum should summon the courage and Play Tony Payne as one of the forwards upfront, we need her pace and technical brilliance there... It seems the Deeper role she plays as a full back or Wingback isn't doing a top player like her any favour.

Ifeoma Onumonu will be too hot for the Banyana Banyana of South Africa to handle..



https://www.instagram.com/p/CSu8EgInLq-/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

After going wrong and observing the how the Burundi Senior Women National Team Plays, I can boldly say that there's no way they will be able to beat the Superfalconet talk more of matching the Superfalcons...

Falconet should comfortably beat them at least 2-3nil...

They will be playing the CECAFA tournament this mouth, Hopefully we would be able to see how far they have improved.

Save the Date! ✨

�: #FIFAWWC DRAW
�: 22nd of October
�: Aotea Centre, Auckland

Super Falcons captain and defender Onome Ebi (39yrs) has revealed that the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup might be her last with the senior women's national team.

Back in the days Superfalcons Striker Sarah Michael (31yrs old) who currently plays for Elitettan club Lidköpings in Sweden used to be my favorite forward

Go get the Golden Boot girl.....
Maclean's Chinonyerem





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

Superfalcons to resume Camp for AWCON in Morocco June 15

AWCON Squad might have 28players each...

From a reliable source.

JohnBullMySon:
You were talking about a couple of dual nationals days back. I wanted to find how good the lady below is.

Oh 19yrs old Isabella Obaze who plays as a Left Back for HB Køge in Denmark.
She's very good at her age and there's no hope of Nigeria getting her again as she been in the Danish set up right from the U17, U20 and now with the Senior team.


Just forget anything concerning her playing for Nigeria cause we lost her long ago but you can as well keep up with her games. She's good, had an excellent performance against Barcelona Femenino during the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League.. she has been out injured for some weeks now.

JohnBullMySon:
I mentioned you earlier.

??

Ashleigh Plumptre has been named the Club's 2021/22 PFA Community Champion �

Well done, Ash! �

Christy Ucheibe wins her second Portuguese League title with SL Benfica

Super Falcons midfielder, Christy Ucheibe has been crowned a Portuguese league champion for the second consecutive time. Her side, SL Benfice defeated Sporting CP 3-1 on Sunday to secure top spot in the division.

Ucheibe started the game from the bench, but came on in the 73rd minute to help seal the victory. The combative midfielder made 2 interceptions, 1 tackle, and 1 successful dribble in her time on the field.

She continues to rack up her medals with the Portuguese side, after winning the league and cup double in the 2020/2021 season.

Christy Ucheibe wins the Potuguest Liga BPI
Christy Ucheibe poses with the Liga BPI winners trophy
Ucheibe expressed her delight following the triumph on Instagram with a post reading: "What a feeling!! It's Back to Back History. BICAMPEÄS
What God cannot do doesn't exist"

At only the age of 21-year old and after impressing in her first few performances with the Super Falcons, the best is surely yet to come for the rising star.

Banyana Banyana have Africa Women Cup of Nations win in their sights

Now that Banyana know their Africa Women Cup of Nations opponents, the coach can begin plotting a path to the title.
In spite of a perennial dominance of the regional Cosafa Cup, the South African women’s football team are still on the hunt for an elusive Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) title.


During the last edition in 2018, Desiree Ellis’s side missed out on the crown by the skin of their teeth. They went down 4-3 to Nigeria, on penalties. The team’s only consolation was that, by finishing as runners-up, they sealed their maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup appearance in 2019.

For the 2022 edition they have again been pitted against the Nigerians, whom they managed to beat in the 2018 group phase, before the Super Falcons soared when it mattered the most.

.
Now, Banyana Banyana have an opportunity to exact some revenge over their sworn rivals since the tournament draw on 29 April. They also have to contend with Botswana and Burundi – both making their debut at the continental showpiece.

“Well, we always knew the draw was not going to be easy. Nigeria, the defending champions and multiple winners, always bring their A game and know what it takes to win,” Ellis said in reaction to the draw.

Ellis and her charges will be buoyed by their most recent result against the Nigerians. Banyana were 4-2 victors in the final of the inaugural Aisha Buhari Cup invitational tournament, hosted and organised by the west African nation. South Africa’s first group match is against Nigeria. There they will hope to clip the wings of the Super Falcons once again, as they did in the Buhari Cup.
We have played them a few times in the group stages. They have raised their levels and we have to raise our levels even higher to get a positive result. The first game is the most important game and once again we need a positive result but it will take a huge effort,” Ellis said about the Nigerian threat.
Assessing the debutants
Regarding Burundi, the former South Africa international admitted having some knowledge of the east Africans and said that she is looking forward to a good first tie.

“Burundi are one of the debutants, but they are not here by chance. We have not played them before but have seen them during the qualifiers and will have an opportunity during the tournament to see more of them as well,” she noted.

The final occupant of Group C and the team Banyana Banyana will end their mini-league campaign against is neighbouring Botswana – whom they beat in the 2020 Cosafa Women’s Cup final.

“Botswana are from our Cosafa region and are another debutant who we know a lot about, having played each other so many times,” said the two-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.

Despite their dominant record against their southern African neighbours, South Africa have painful memories of the Mares kicking them out of their quest to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. But Ellis said that was all in the past and they were zoned in on the future.

“We have not lost to them in 90 minutes in 10 meetings, but we must not forget the Tokyo Olympic qualifier where we failed to score in both matches and lost on a penalty shootout,” she said.

“We have already played them a few times after they cut short our quest to qualify for the 2020 Olympics and have got good results. It’s never about revenge as it’s a totally different competition and game.

“It’s just about the next game and/or next competition. We know a lot of each other and the games have been very tight and I expect this one to be no different.”

Banyana Banyana will begin their title bid against Nigeria on 4 July in Rabat, Morocco. They will then take on Burundi three days later. The culmination of their group phase will come versus regional rivals Botswana on 10 July.
Squad selection process
With women’s football having grown in leaps and bounds in SA over the past decade, Ellis and her technical team have a host of quality players to potentially call upon for the tournament.

There are a few internationally based players who will likely select themselves if they are fit and available. The list includes players such as Spain-based Thembi Kgatlana, who finished as top scorer at the 2018 tournament with five goals. There is also Linda Motlhalo, who brings unrivalled flair and creativity.

Locally, leaders such as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies duo Bambanani Mbane and Andile Dlamini are likely to feature in the coach’s final squad list in their quest for continental glory in Morocco.

However, with such a wide pool to choose from, it will be a tough task for the coach and her advisers to trim the list down to the 21 players required. Speaking to DM168, Ellis shared some of the technical team’s selection methodology for tournaments in particular.

“People will ask why this player isn’t in the team, but then you chose that one… When we select our teams, we also look at the different formations that we can play, because you have to have a Plan A, Plan B and a Plan C,” said the former Banyana Banyana forward.

She hinted that, with the limitations in terms of the players a technical team can select to take to the tournament, it’s crucial to cover all your bases by choosing players you can call on to play in multiple positions – in case of injury, illness or suspension in the team.

“We also have to look at whether we have all the positions covered enough. So, sometimes a player loses out because of that. For example, if you have a striker [who] can only play as a striker … maybe the striker is not your first or second choice,” said Ellis.

“But you have a striker and a winger who can [both] play across the front three. Then that striker who can only play in that position loses out. Because you’ve got to look at covering all your bases when you’re going for a tournament. You have to have players [who] are … versatile.”
Ellis and her support staff have a few weeks to analyse the players and start curating a final list.

With the domestic leagues – the top-flight Hollywoodbets Super League and second-tier Sasol League – kicking off recently, many will be playing out of their skin to impress the national coach and her technical team. This they will do in the hopes of being part of a Banyana team out to make history in Morocco.