All is now set for the 2016/2017 Eko Football Female Championship, with a seminar tagged ‘Lagos For Her’ Season 2. The epochal seminar holds next week Wednesday at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. It will see Ms Nkechi Obi, CEO, Nigeria Women League Board, Dr. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi […]
via ALL SET FOR EKO FOOTBALL FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP — newfanzoneblog
Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Ann Chiejine, has expressed happiness with the turn –out of invited players for the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifying fixture slated for next month, against the winner of the first round fixture between Senegal and Guinea.
According to the former Falcons’ goalkeeper: “We are happy with the turn out of players right now. We have twenty-seven players in camp. And there is no problem so far and we are praying that there won’t be any.”
“We have been having light training but we’ll be commencing our full training session on Monday, 7th March, 2016 at the FIFA Goal Project of the National Stadium, twice daily. The morning training starts by 7am and evening by 5pm.”
Chiejine, who has excelled as a club–level women football Coach at the National Sports Festival, also expressed satisfaction and joy at the response by the foreign-based players.
She revealed: ” We have gotten in touch with the clubs of the foreign based players and their response is favourable. They have agreed to release them to join us as soon as possible.”
Super Falcons remain the powerhouse of African women football. Since making its international debut on February 16th, 1991 the team has won seven of the nine African Women Championships held so far, in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014, and won the All-Africa Games women football gold in 2003 and 2007. The Falcons have been to seven FIFA World Cup final competitions in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
The twenty-seven players in camp presently are:
Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels); Sandra Chichi (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Osun Babes); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Inneh Queens); Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars); Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Chisom Henry (Sunshine Queens); Ayomide Ojo (Police Machine); Joy Jegede (Delta Queens); Gladys Akpa (Sunshine Queens); Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels); Evelyn Nwabuoku (Kazygurt, Kazakhstan); Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens); Ginika Nkeoma (Bayelsa Queens); Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Wogu (Kogi Confluence); Winifred Eyebhokia (Nasarawa Amazons); Chinaza Uchendu (Nasarawa Amazons); Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels); Joy Bokiri (Bayelsa Queens); Victoria Aidelomon (Bayelsa Queens); Abibat Agbaji (Confluence Queens); Ijeoma Obi (Sunshine Queens); Emueje Oghiagbevha (Delta Queens)
Foreign-based players expected are:
Onome Ebi (FC Minsk, Belarus); Josephine Chukwunonye (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Ngozi Ebere (PSG Ladies, France); Halimatu Ayinde (New York Flash, USA); Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent de Guingamp, France); Ngozi Okobi (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden); Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies); Faith Ikidi (Pitea FC, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Umea IK, Sweden); Esther Sunday (Trabzon Idman Ozagi, Turkey); Esther Sunday (Trabzon Idman Ozagi, Turkey); Chinwendu Ihezuo; Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Ebere Orji (Ferencvaros, Hungary).
Women’s Federation Cup defending Champions, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt progressed to the quarter finals of the competition defeating COD Ladies of Lagos, 4-1 in the round of 16 encounter.
Mercy Amanze opened scoring on the 13th minute and three minutes later, Ayila Loveth slotted in the second goal.
And on the 40th minute, Ijeoma Emenike headed in a cross from Mabel Effiom to extend the lead to 3-0 before half time.
However, Monday Gift gave the Ann Chiejine led team a goal on the 47th minute but the highly spirited Angels kept up the pressure on their opponents as Ijeoma completed her brace on the 65th minute to seal the deserved victory for the Edwin Okon tutored side.
The last time both teams met at this stage, it ended 6-1 in favour of Rivers Angels and Coach Edwin Okon believes his opponents have improved
“I thank God for the victory, FA cup is not a thing that you joke over and I have seen improvements in the team because we played them last year and there’s improvement this year, last year it was six, today is four so I want to say there’s improvement” Okon stated.
“We are the defending champions you can as well see the way the team plays, we’ll try as much as we can, some of our players are in the U-20 that are supposed to beef up the team but all the same we can’t stop the national assignment; we just make do with what we have to get to the finals, our target is just the cup because we’re the defending champions”
“We want to win it for the sixth time, we’ve won it five good times, I think if we win this, it will be the sixth time” He added.
Mercy Amanze who opened scoring for the team equally gave her thoughts after the game.
“Am so so happy for the victory, I have been putting in some extra training because of this competition, I always love playing in the Federations cup since I started my football career game” Said Amanze.
“ I am happy and I love the way my team played, we played in unity and God granted us victory today” she added.
COD Ladies coach and former captain of the Senior women’s National team, the Super Falcons, Ann Chiejine said her team faced a more experienced opponent.
“The graph is rising, I paraded young lads, young girls, school girls, two of them are in school, you cannot compare them with this people, but we’ll get there, give them two, three more years this people would have been old, we’ll take over” Ann said.
“It’s a gradual process, we have a structure, COD is a structured team, we have a structure, we have focus and we have our philosophy, so with time we’ll get to all this ones, we’re not keen about the goals, we want to see how our players can play together so give us one or two more years, but right now, we have come, we have seen and we’ll go back to our drawing boards” she added.
And in other centers:
Ibom Angels 0-0 Confluence Queens (AP 3-5)
Moje Queens 1-4 Edo Queens
Bayelsa Queens 5-1 Beautiful Tour
Osun Babes 3-1 Fortress Ladies
Rising Queens 0-3 FC Robo
Delta Queens 0-3 Nasarawa Amazons (W/0)
Alberto Queens 0-4 Sunshine Queens
The drive by the current board of the NFF to improve the beautiful game in Nigeria especially in aspect of helping National team coaches with backroom analysis, match preparation and match reading was stepped up today when a group made up largely of former footballers, coaches and some administrators departed for London from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday for a two-week capacity building program in the UK.
The two–week capacity building exercise, put together by the Nigeria Football Federation, and powered by the Taleveras Foundation is a welcome development as this is one area where most Nigerian national teams could do with some help.
on hand to see the group off was NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, NFF first vice president Seyi akinwunmi and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi of the Taleveras Foundation whose company has been bankrolling most of the “capacity building programs” of the Pinnick led NFF board so far.
The group led by NFF board member Chris Green is made up of the following Nigerian football personalities:
Ahmed Yaro-Yaro, Ann Chiejine, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Dahiru Sadi, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Florence Omagbemi, Garba Lawal, Idris Musa, Isah Ladan Bosso, John Obuh, Nasiru Jibril, Nwankwo Kanu, Salisu Yusuf, Shaibu Amodu, Siji Lagunju, and Yisa Sofoluwe.
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as at when required.
Member of the NFF Executive Committee and former chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green is at the head of a 19–man contingent traveling to the United Kingdom on Monday for a two–week capacity building exercise, at the instance of Nigeria Football Federation,
Concerned about the need to develop qualified persons in the country to help coaches of the National Teams in the areas of match reading, match preparation and backroom analysis, the NFF sought sponsorship from Taleveras Foundation to enhance the capacity of these persons through a special programme. Taleveras Foundation was only too happy to be part of a move in support of Nigeria’s football development.
The objective of the exercise is to enable the persons selected to return to Nigeria empowered with the right technical tool with which to provide effective backroom support to the technical crew of Nigeria’s National Teams, as and when required.
NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick and the Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi will be at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on Monday to see the delegation off to England.
The exercise is with the full support and effort of The Football Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association led by Dave Richardson, the League Managers’ Association led by Graham Mackrel, and Full-time Marketing and Logistics represented by Danny Stones.
Also on the trip are former National Team Head Coach Shaibu Amodu and former Super Eagles’ captains Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (new chairman of Delta State Football Association), Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal.
There are also respected former internationals Yisa Sofoluwe, David Ngodigha, Edema Fuludu, Dahiru Sadi, Siji Lagunju and Nasiru Jibril.
Former U-20 National Team Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso, former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf, former U-17 and U-20 Head Coach Sam John Obuh and former Super Falcons’ captains Florence Omagbemi and Ann Chiejine are also included. Coaches Ahmed Yaro-Yaro and Idris Musa also make the list.
The group will be based at Champneys, Leicestershire on arrival, and on Tuesday will listen to ‘Preparation on Scouting’ by former Everton FC player Ian Atkins, now Chief Scout at the Goodison Park, and another paper by former Wolves manager John Ward, before departing for Villa Park to watch the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Brom. A full time analysis and de-briefing on the match will be led by John Ward later on Tuesday night.
The trip of the first batch of highly–qualified Nigerians for match reading and backroom analysis technique programme in the United Kingdom is assured, as sponsors Taleveras Foundation on Monday released the cheque for the amount of money to cover the trip and the programme.
Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi said on Monday in Abuja that his organization was extremely proud to be involved in a process meant to facilitate the rapid development of Nigeria football.
“We are doing this based on our belief that the potential is there for Nigeria football to be much better than what it is now, and everyone who has something to offer should come forward and be counted.
“Taleveras Foundation is excited to be involved in this programme that will see the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Jay –Jay Okocha, Coach Amodu Shaibu, Garba Lawal and Florence Omagbemi improved themselves in order to be able to deliver positive impact on Nigeria football in the very near future.”
NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, just back from CAF duties at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, praised Taleveras Foundation for the organisation’s professionalism, integrity and keen interest in the development of football in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“I was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, but I was not happy that the Super Eagles were not there to defend their title. The capacity building programme in the United Kingdom is one of the plans the present NFF Executive Committee has in place to reposition Nigeria football.
“For me, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Nigeria must never again fail to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I like to commend Taleveras Foundation for redeeming their pledge. I have been reliably informed that most of the persons listed for the trip have already secured entry visas into United Kingdom.”
Officials reliably informed that the first batch will depart Nigeria for the United Kingdom on 25th February. Among those listed are former National Team Captains Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Garba Lawal and Yisa Sofoluwe, Coaches Amodu Shaibu, Sam John Obuh, Isa Ladan Bosso, Salisu Yusuf and Kelechi Emeteole, Edema Fuludu, Paul Aigbogun, Dahiru Sadi, Ann Chiejine, Siji Lagunju, David Ngodigha, Florence Omagbemi and Garba Musa.
Flamingoes assistant coach Ann Chiejine says there won’t be any escape route for Spain when they meet for the first time at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, at the Liberia Stadium on Friday for a semi-final ticket.
The Europeans had a 3-0 win over the Super Eagles at the Confederations Cup, but Chiejine shrugged off any pressure when the
Flamingoes lock horns with the Spanish girls for a place in the last four.
“The Flamingoes are different from the Super Eagles as we also have our good start in campaign for the finals. We are very prepared and with no fear, as we are sure of winning the match,” she said confidently.
Chiejine admitted that it was a Herculean task for the Flamingoes to arrive at this stage, adding that her ladies are now toughened to
withstand the rough and tumble stage of the competition.
“As I said earlier, the knockout stage is the most difficult stage of any competition but we are ready to beat Spain on Friday because our only aim of being here is to win the trophy,” noted Chiejine who was the first goalkeeper of the Super Falcons.
Assistant coach, Chiejine said as a matter of fact: “Like any team that is in the competition, we are here to win and we would try our
best to beat Spain.”
Nigeria will tackle Spain in the quarterfinal of the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup at the White City’s 4,300 capacity Edgardo Baltodano stadium in Liberia Costa Rica on Friday morning by 3am Nigerian time.
“We’re motivated by Golden Eaglets to win in Costa Rica, says Chiejine….All games are like final for Us…dropped four must stay focused
Assistant Coach of the Nigeria U17 women national team, Ann Chiejine, has said that the success of the Golden Eaglets at winning the 2013 U17 World Cup in UEA have motivated the Flamingoes ahead of its FIFA U17 women World Cup in Costa Rica.
Nigeria will begin its campaign against China in Group D on Sunday at the tournament that holds from March 15th to April 4th.
Chiejine who spoke on the mood of the team ahead of its opening game against China said the team is fully prepared for the challenges and hope to take all games seriously.
“Yea, I believe in our girls so much – they know why they are here and it is not for jamboree. Little tips we have about China shows they are more attacking conscious and if they leave their defense open, hmmm…?
“Our boys, the Golden Eaglets wining the U17 World Cup have given the girls a morale booster that they can do it too. They will put
everything they have. I think our first game is important as the final match and by God grace after the match (China) we should be able to laugh,”say the first Super Falcons goalkeeper.
In her assessment of the team after over three months of preparation, she said, “We have prepared enough right from Nigeria – we played series of friendly matches, we lost only one, drew one and won the rest- we have trained enough, we have done everything we could do in terms of tactical, technical and physical aspect of it, which the girls have adapted well to.
“There is understanding and cohesion in the team – we are not going to leave any stone unturned -we will do our best with the preparation we have had, I think the girls are in high spirit and ready to go,” the assistant coach assured.
Meanwhile, the former Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiejine has appealed to the four players dropped from the 25-man list not to lose focus, she encouraged them to work hard for more opportunities with the U 17 and U 20 levels of the women National teams.
“We had 30 minutes chat with the girls; it is not that they are bad players but it not just their time yet. They should be happy making
the 25-man list; it’s an experience for them, many started with us but were dropped during the screening.
“It’s an eye-opener for them and ability to stand-up when you fall makes you what you are. The most important thing for them is to
continue to train, not to relent and work hard as there will be opportunity ahead for them in the U17 and U20 next time,” she urged.
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