₦airaland Forum

For this recent AWCON qualifying game, Algeria had 7 foreign born players in their team, 6 born in France and 1in Canada...

Gambia also went for their foreign born too

70% of the Africa Woman team are currently Poaching for Foreign born players..

do4luv14:
Am seeing another bashes of the Ortega's, here, see how young they were hope they progress nicely

I hope so too, they're looking so young and talented. Kudos to the Coaches too who have done so well to bring out this young squad.
My eyes will definitely be on this two Goalkeepers with excellent height who have been looking out for for some time now ..#1 Faith Omilana and #16 Linda Jiwuaku



Egypt next round, then maybe South Africa final round..

The Polish Women League isn't as bad as you have seen it, Ranked 21 by UEFA based on the UEFA Women's Champions League, far ahead of the Israel and the Turkish league...

Competition in the league looks good.

AkinDS:
You've brought this young lady's name up severally and I have tried watching the few videos online of her.
Honestly, not particularly impressed as I am not sure what value she can bring to the team, considering she currently plays for a weak Polish league and it seems she has been there for a few years and has not had any upward mobility since (i.e. moving to a more competitive league). One also has to consider the fact that even though she attended the Abuja camp, it seems she really didn't impress the coaching staff - that in itself is very telling.

No personal affinity or whatever, Have only met her on two occasions few years ago while she was playing for Bayelsa Queens. I really did like her Physic because she's a well built striker..
Coach Randy commended her performance during the last Camp in Abuja and also said he would like to have her more in the team. she did well and she has been in Poland for over a year now moving from Belarus. Isn't that bad having the top Scorer of the Polish Women League in the Superfalcon Squad...

She's a very Physical and quick forward, deadly in front of goal. She brings in the attributes of Oparanozie, am just judging from Randy's Voice..

One of her interview which she said she's know too well that she's a big player (in terms of size) so she always work out and train hard to make sure she's in Shape..

AkinDS:
You're analysis is spot on, even though I would have scored them slightly differently.

Cameroon has not refreshed their team in quite a while, and the fact that Ghana took them to the cleaners during the ABC Tourney proved that. I think they may no longer be as strong as they once were. Will score them a 5/10.

Morocco could be one of those 'sleeper' teams, meaning no one rates them as a threat and they sneak their way into the final. They are the hosts and would really prepare for this tournament. They could be a dangerous side to a team not taking them seriously. They did well in the ABC and also the Women's CL. I will rate them a 7/10.

Zambia is a 2 player team and will agree with your score.

South Africa is a tricky one for me. Yes, they played well in the ABC but I feel they were 'advantaged' by Nigeria's foolish overconfidence, as well as our very poor start to the game. Yes, their winning the Women's CL will be a big boost for them, BUT I still feel they will not be able to handle Nigeria's firepower. The pace in the Nigerian squad now is second to none on the continent. Bare in mind that several of our key young players actually missed the ABC and Nigeria has since gone through a major refresh since then, with several key players now in the squad. Also, we just took out 2 of arguably the top 5 countries in African football (Ghana and Ivory Coast) en-route to our qualification. I just don't see how any country on the continent now (SA inclusive) can stack up to Nigeria.
I would have scored them a 6.5/10.

Again, my opinion here and welcome any dissentions.

I'm not really worried about all these teams except for Morocco who are the the host and having a quality technical bench... The still lake the big games experience though but am very certain they would qualify for the World Cup... It would be a Surprise to me if they don't...


Upfront we already have great strikers who can do the job anyday anytime... The team just need more Cohesion.

1. Desire Oparanozie
2. Asisat Oshoala
3. Fransisca Ordega
4. Ifeoma Onumonu
5. Esther Okoronkwo
6. Uchenna Kanu


** Monday Gift, Vivian Ikechukwu, Maclean's Chinonyerem and many more..

Nigeria U17 Women's National Team have landed in Congo...

BascoVanVeli:
The last dominant super falcons squad

You're 100% correct, 2016 set also did well except the first half against South Africa and the Final against Cameroon...

2014 AWCON in Namibia Semi Final game against South Africa, Superfalcons won this game (2-1) with Asisat Oshoala scoring both goals.

As for the Superfalcons, The pressure of loosing the trophy to a New Champion will be there and also on Randy Waldrum because he would want to deliver, the Experience is there and our Squad currently have depth and Africa Ultimate Striker. As it stands I don't think we would be depending on any player because there are capable legs to do the job in their absence. ����


What do you guys have to say?

GeneralDae:
Cameroon, Morocco, Zambia, South Africa.

Which of the four teams should Nigeria be more wary of at the AWCON, if any?

Cameroon is more of a physical side, from 2018 till date they tends to depends more on Nchout Ajara and Aboudi Onguene.. mark them out they're gone though they have a good Central Defensive Midfielder Raissa Feudjo who injury have been disturbing for some time now.. I will score them 7/10

Morocco is the host with a young team, though they have gone abroad to poach for their foreign born players, they have about 20 foreign based players mostly based in Switzerland, France and one of their star player playing for Tottenham Hotspur WFC.. They look technically discipline but lack the big stage experience, their coach is there to instill that in the team but they find it very hard to go toe to toe with physical sides.. I will score them 6/10

Zambia is more like a Barbara Banda team, remove her then they're down to a half team, remove Chanda then they become flat.. A good coach can easily beat them if he or she knows how to handle them.. They're very quick especially Banda and chanda but not really a tactically discipline side.. I will score them 5.5/10


South Africa look to pose more threat for the Superfalcons but I bet we won't let what happened at the Aisha Buhari Cup repeat itself... Looking at their Squad they don't have that depth as we do but will definitely be banking on Thembi kgatlana as their star and Key player.. Their defense is prone to errors too especially Mbane #13 who gets erratic when the pressure is too much. But they're going to be a difficult side to beat right now because they're more like a Compact team... I will score them 8/10




Let's here from you guys....!

GeneralDae:
Cameroon, Morocco, Zambia, South Africa.

Which of the four teams should Nigeria be more wary of at the AWCON, if any?

To me Non of them, they're look more like a team that depends on their star players, right now we have the depth ahead of them excellent Morocco which is a young and talented team but doesn't have the strength and experience to compete, though they have one of the best Coach...

South Africa are the best team in Africa, now they need a title to prove it..

With their place at the CAF Africa Women's Cup of Nations confirmed, South Africa coach Desiree Ellis says claiming a first-ever title is the only objective for Africa's most in-form team.

Banyana Banyana sealed their place at the tournament in Morocco with a 3-1 aggregate win over Algeria, joining Nigeria and Cameroon as the only sides to have appeared in each of the tournament's 12 editions so far.

Two goals, from Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana, in the first leg had given the Ellis' side a handy advantage going into the second leg. It was one they would not relinquish, as Linda Motlhalo's second half penalty kick cancelled out Sylia Kuoi's strike on the stroke of halftime.

The result -- added to a 13-0 aggregate win over Mozambique in the first round of qualifiers -- meant the South African women will go into the tournament in July as Africa's most in-form side.

Last November, they showed that their good form was no fluke when they beat both West African powerhouses Nigeria and Ghana to win the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Nigeria.

But Ellis has shaken off the plaudits from that triumph, saying only a win in Morocco would cement Banyana's place as the best team in Africa.

"The African title is a big missing piece," she told ESPN. "We have been runners up, I think five times, and 2018 was most probably the closest. The game in the Final could have gone either way, and penalties is always a lottery.

"We cannot say we are the best team in Africa until we are champions of Africa."

Despite their experience at the tournament, with 12 appearances and five Final appearances, the South African women have never won the title, with Nigeria claiming nine titles and Equatorial Guinea the other two.


South Africa qualified for the Africa Women's Cup of Nations with ease, and will be looking to show their recent form, especially against Nigeria, is no fluke. Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images
Ellis says that the tournament in November gave them the opportunity to assess where they were in relation to the likes of the Super Falcons.

Ellis said: "With Nigeria having been too so many finals before, they obviously have more experience than us but this team is growing and evolving. The more you play together the better it becomes.

"It was a good test for us to get to that tournament to see where we are at. The most important thing was to come to the tournament to win games. After that, the players realized that they could up their level. Our goal was to test ourselves there and to see what we still needed to work on."

Although the AWCON will feature an expanded format of 12 teams for the first time, CAF's new regional qualification format means that two of Africa's top five teams, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, who had to compete for one spot with Nigeria, have been eliminated. Former champions Equatorial Guinea also fell by the way side, losing 3-7 on aggregate to Tunisia.

This leaves the tournament with four debutants, three teams making their second appearance, one making their third and one making their fourth. Nigeria and Cameroon are thus left as the toughest tests that Banyana will have to face.

But Ellis is under no illusion that it will be an easy tournament: "I think it is not going to be as easy as people think. Having a 12-team tournament and the format, you could get a top team in the quarterfinals and get knocked out, like what happened in the men's competition.

"So it's not just about winning all your games but also about getting the luck of the draw.

"We also have to have similar if not better preparation than we had in 2018 to make sure we are in the best physical shape that we can be because of the type of football we like to play. And then we have to execute our plans and take it one game at a time."


Nigeria have struggled in recent years, culminating in that home loss to Banyana in the Buhari Cup. But that did not come out of the blue. The Super Falcons also lost to the South Africans in the opening game of the 2018 tournament, and could only draw in regulation time in the Final when both sides met again, triumphing on penalty kicks.

At the Aisha Buhari Cup, they laboured before claiming a 2-0 win over Mali before falling to Banyana. And their nervy epics against both Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire provide worrying signs that the Nigerians are more vulnerable than they have ever been.

Still, Ellis says nothing can be taken for granted where the Super Falcons are concerned and she also remains wary of Cameroon: "Nigeria is going to be there or thereabouts no matter which team they put out.

"They have the pedigree, they have the experience and they will be there. Cameroon is going through a transition but they have quality players and the coach has enough time to get them ready. Let's not forget Morocco, who have a fantastic program, They have shown that they are growing, they are going to be there too.

"We have to make sure that we are ready, and now that qualification is behind us, we need to really go all out to prepare, because we have an even chance like everybody else to win it.

"Having been there in 2018, having come so close, having some new players that are hungry maybe that will drive us to get that gold that has been so elusive over the years."

Superfalcons defender Onyinyechi Zogg will be out for a few weeks after a collision with SV Henstedt Ulzburg goalkeeper during the midweek DFB Pokal Cup game...

Thankfully it's not a Crucial Ligament rupture.. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

isan:
Athletico coach messed yesterday benching her she's their best player right now all else the coach doesnt really fancy the cup games

It's going to be difficult for them to even Finnish top3 in the League...
1. Barcelona
2. Real Sociedad
3. Real Madrid
4. Atletico Madrid
5.UDG Tenerife

GeneralDae:
Even Oluehi herself is not really bad. Also the keeper at the 2016 AWCON (trying to remember her name now) was good as well.

A fearless goalkeeper...
Alaba Jonathan remain one of the best anyday anytime, She's currently based in Belgium...

GeneralDae:
Unlike the super eagles though, the superfalcons rarely have problems with the goal keeping department in the sense that there are always quality options to consider

Randy already have Yewande Balogun in his plan as 3rd choice for the AWCON and World Cup so we should be expecting the trios of Tochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Yewande Balogun...

Hopefully one of them between Oyinyechukwu Okeke, Christy Ohaeriaku would work their way back to the 3rd choice position.

We were all happy with the emergence of Okeke back then in 2014, But she hasn't really lived up to the billing for the past few years would be great to see her and Nnadozie head the goalkeeping department of the Superfalcons for years to come, She was named the best Goalkeeper during the Flying Officers Cup before the NWPL started this season...

Coach Randy invited her for the last training Camp but didn't make the AWCON Qualifying Games team..

daveP:
One step forward, 11 backwards. Who imposed this on Randy? Cos i know he’s after young blood. Smh. The NWPL is scattered with younger goalies now.

It's very clear, everyone had their eyes on 23yrs old current Bayelsa Queens first choice Goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke then, one of the tallest goalkeeper in the NWFL. But Chiamaka Nnadozie suddenly overtook her... Same goes with Christy Ohaeriaku who will thought would give the Big names a run for their money still haven't yet...

Chiamaka Nnadozie can't be beaten to the first choice position right now except a miracle will have to happen...

We're currently looking out for the present U20 first choice goalie, she looks good

Nigeria Superfalcons Midfielder Chinaza Uchendu join
South Korean League side Gyeongju Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power WFC..,

The Bull.... Maclean's Chinonyerem

Rasheedat Ajibade...

Cut off all Supply to her and make sure she doesn't get the chance on the ball within your defense, I bet the South African Banyana Banyana will be left with 30% chance to defeat their opponents, she's as good as nothing with the ball
...


Onome Ebi did a great job against her during the 2018 AWCON... Does She have such pace to keep up with her if Nigeria definitely meet them in this year AWCON?

Happy Birthday Onyinyechi Zogg, hope the injury of yesterday during the DFB Pokal Cup game isn't as bad as it seems...

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Can Randy Waldrum Fly The Super Falcons To Greater Heights?



In two games thus far played against teams placed higher than Nigeria in the Fifa rankings, Waldrum’s Super Falcons are yet to record a single victory.


Against Portugal (placed 29 in the Fifa rankings) on 14 June last year, the team was very impressive in their 3:3 draw. Rasheedat Ajibade, Michelle Alozie scored 2 of the goals sandwiched between a Portuguese own goal.


Three days later, Waldrum’s ladies lost gallantly to the number one team in the world United States in a boisterous stadium where they set up with a defensive 5-3-2 formation to help tame the fury of the American strike force led by the merciless Megan Rapinoe.


The Super Falcons are currently placed 41 in the Fifa rankings.


Against teams placed lower than Nigeria in the rankings, Waldrum’s ladies have returned seven wins out of ten, losing to South Africa, Ghana and Jamaica. But the loses do nothing to dim how impressive this 70% win ratio is.


Furthermore, qualifying for the Afcon by overcoming continental powerhouses Ghana and Ivory Coast only goes to show that the Super Falcons are punching their weight under relentless Randy.


But clearly he wants more, the NFF wants more and the fans yearn for more. The collective ambition is to see the Super Falcons set the bar higher and forge to ever greater frontiers in world football.


It is high time the Super Falcons starts punching above her weight and with some arrogance too.


“We also [have] in mind the imperative of building a squad with the strength, stamina and technical balance to give the world’s best teams a good run for their money, anyday and anywhere.” Expressed an ambitious Randy.




And that is what I will be closely monitoring in games to come.


The team showed a lot of character and resourcefulness against Portugal and the USA last year but going forward, these sort of encounters will need to be laced with compelling swashbuckling victories as a marker of Waldrum achieving his own ambitions.


The NFF are pretty good at lining up ‘A’ grade friendlies for the Super Falcons and also tends to register them for mouthwatering invitational tournaments. More of these will be greatly appreciated in months to come.


With young, dynamic and effervescent dual nationality and homegrown players being injected to the squad of mature, visionary cool heads like evergreen Onome Ebi Rita Chikwelu and Fransisca Ordega, Waldrum (fresh off signing a new 2 year contract) is positive that his ladies can reach new heights and bring joy to the fans.


“The girls are bold, inventive and help one another out there on the pitch. It is a good picture that brings good feelings and you have the conviction that this is a team that can do great things.” Enthused the American coach.

solonnachi:
U17 Flamingos play DRC away this weekend

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will kickstart their chase for a ticket to this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup finals with a second round, first leg tie against their counterparts of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa on Sunday.

Coach Bankole Olowookere has selected 20 players who will do the battle with the characteristically –feisty Congolese on Sunday.

In the squad are two goalkeepers, seven defenders, four midfielders and seven forwards.

The Flamingos, quarter-finalists at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2010, 2012 and 2014, have been in camp for some weeks in the Federal Capital, Abuja.

Nigeria have participated in every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, bar one, since the tournament was launched in New Zealand in 2018.

The only finals the Flamingos have missed remain the 2018 finals staged in Uruguay, when they were tripped at the final hurdle by Cameroon on the away-goal rule.

The return leg is scheduled for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday, 19th March, with the winner over two legs to clash with the Egyptian U17 girls in the third round of the African qualifying campaign next month.

The Nigeria delegation to Kinshasa will depart the shores of Nigeria on Friday.

FLAMINGOS HEADING TO KINSHASA

Goalkeepers: Faith Omilana; Linda Jiwuaku

Defenders: Blessing Sunday; Comfort Folorunsho; Confidence Uwoha; Tumininu Adeshina; Mamuzo Edafe; Miracle Usani; Olamide Oyinlola

Midfielders: Blessing Emmanuel; Taiwo Afolabi; Chidera Okenwa; Aminat Bello

Forwards: Sofiat Bankole; Dah-Zossu Alvine; Anastasia Atume; Kafayat Bashiru; Raheemot Adebayo; Joy Igbokwe; Opeyemi Ajakaye





Note; Goalkeeper Faith Omilana of Naija Ratels in Purple � and Goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku of Confluence Queen in Red ♥️..

Chinwendu Veronica Ihezuo

LCFC Women manager Lydia Bedford has confirmed that Ashleigh Plumptre will miss the trip to Manchester United on Saturday due to illness. After helping her country qualify for 2022 African Women’s Cup of Nations last week, Nigeria international Plumptre picked up an illness which ruled her out of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie at Chelsea.

She’s just had an illness that she’s picked up while away on international duty that she hasn’t been able to shift yet, so we’re just prioritising making sure that we don’t rush her back in. But other than that, we remain very similar to last week’s game, which is good.”

OFFICIAL:

According to the NFF Statement; Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum has been handed a fresh two-year contract that will last till after the World Cup in 2023.

Waldrum; “The girls are bold, inventive and help one another out there on the pitch. It is a good picture that brings good feelings and you have the conviction that this is a team that can do great things.”

One of the best thing Coach Randy has done with the team is creating a lot of depth in the team...

The attack look so tight now, everyone of them will be fighting to keep a spot cause non of them look so assured now apart from Asisat Oshoala who's the Ultimate Striker of the Superfalcons just like Onumonu have said before...


The Midfield right now is still at 60% if am to rate them but there's still depth there in the Defensive Midfield and Central Midfield position only the attacking Midfield looks so faint Okobi seems to have lost it all

Defense wise he's also working on it already just that the Full back position isn't settled yet..

isan:
Yea KANU or okoronkwo should start ahead of ordega

Okoronkwo is another brilliant Left Footed Forward who will give the Coaches tough time to either start or bench.. She's strong, technically gifted and one of the most tactically Sound Striker.. Can play every position upfront and as a False 9...

isan:
As a center forward for Nigeria oshoala missed too many chances , i will say oshoala in the wing and onumonu in center and ordega shouldn't start

I will still prefer Ordega from the wing, An inform Ordega will definitely cause havock for any defense, she's better at doing the play making and delivering fine assist... Kanu can replace her at 2nd half
As for Onumonu, I will like to see her from the right wing, she's better with the ball at her feets and can switch the top9 with Oshoala during game time..

isan:
I can say we are not more clinical in front of goal like we don't miss chances like before we put away almost every chance we created against ivory coast

I would love to see Randy experiment a front 3 of Oshoala, Onumonu and Ordega...

Asisat Oshoala as Center forward,
Ifeoma Onumonu Right wing
Fransisca Ordega left wing....

Having Oparanozie, Okoronkwo, Kanu and Monday Gift or Vivian Ikechukwu on the bench for us to see the number of goals they can produce...