Super Falcons Hit Camp In Abuja As Mali host Gabon…

Players and officials of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, will storm camp in Abuja on Sunday, as preparations begin for their 11th All-Africa Games qualifying fixture against either of Mali and Gabon.

Coach Edwin Okon has already called 36 players, who are expected to arrive at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja latest Sunday evening with their training kits, international passports and birth certificates, to kick –start the buid-up.

The camp will also set the tone for preparations for the team’s 2016 Olympic Games qualifying fixture against Mali in May, as well as the 7th FIFA World Cup finals in Canada in the summer.

ALL THE INVITEES:

Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF, Sweden);

Onome Ebi (FK Minsk, Belarus);

Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, USA);

Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF, Sweden);

Onyinyechi Okere (Edo Queens);

Alaba Jonathan (Pelican Stars);

Christy Ohieriaku (Osun Babes);

Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels);

Precious Dede (Ibom Queens);

Ugochi Njoku (Rivers Angels);

Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons);

Halimat Ayinde (Delta Queens);

Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels);

Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels);

Esther Sunday (Pelican Stars);

Chisom Henry (Sunshine Queens);

Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels);

Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent De Guingamp);

Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels);

Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies);

Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens);

Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels);

Chikodi Amaefuna (Edo Queens);

Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA);

Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars);

Patience Agbokadi (Sunshine Queens);

Osarenoma Igbinovia (Ibom Queens);

Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars);

Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens);

Uchechi Sunday (Belarus);

Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens);

Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons);

Sarah Michael (Kif Orebro, Sweden);

Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels);

Ini Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, UK);

Okewole Funke (Sunshine Queens)

Mali host Gabon for Falcons

The Senior Women National Team of Mali will this weekend host their counterparts from Gabon in a first round qualifying fixture for the Women’s Football Tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games holding in Congo-Brazzaville in July.

The winner of both legs will square up against African champions Nigeria for a slot at the Games, scheduled for July 11-21.

Other first round fixtures set Libya against Guinea Bissau while Botswana visit Madagascar in Antananarivo.

NFF Secures Mali’s Agreement On 2016 Olympic Qualifiers…As Okon Calls 36 to Camp

The Mali Football Federation has accepted a proposal by the Nigeria Football Federation for a qualifying fixture of the Women’s Football Tournament of 2016 Olympic Games between both nations’ Women Teams to be moved forward.

African champions, Super Falcons, were scheduled to host the Malians on 23rd May with the return leg in Nigeria on 30th May in the second round of qualifiers for the Women’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympics.

“We had to write to Confederation of African Football and the Malian Federation to consider bringing the matches forward by two weeks in order for our team to be able to head to Canada by 19th May, for the final training camp for the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals,” NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu said on Friday.

CAF had given the go-ahead for the NFF to contact the Malian Federation for both National Associations to agree between themselves. In its reply, dated 13th February, General Secretary Yacouba Traore said the Mali Football Federation had agreed in principle.

This means that the first leg will now take place in Nigeria on 9th May, with the return leg in Bamako on 16th May.

Coach Edwin Okon

…As Okon calls 36 to camp

Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Edwin Okon, has called to camp a total of 36 players in preparation for the 11th All-Africa Games qualifiers, 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers and the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

The players, made up of 10 foreign-based and 26 home girls, are to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja on Sunday, 22nd February with their training kits, international passports and birth cerificates.

Among those listed are goalkeepers Ibubeleye Whyte and Precious Dede, defenders Onome Ebi, Faith Ikidi and Ngozi Ebere, midfielders Halimat Ayinde, Cecilia Nku and Osarenoma Igbinovia and strikers Asisat Oshoala, Uchechi Sunday and Desire Oparanozie.

The Falcons have an All-Africa Games qualifier away to Mali on 22nd March, with the return leg in Nigeria three weeks later, before they clash with the same Malian side in May in a 2016 Olympic Games qualifying fixture. The 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals take place in Canada 6th June – 5th July, 2015.

BELOW IS A FULL LIST OF ALL THE INVITEES:

Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF, Sweden);

Onome Ebi (FK Minsk, Belarus);

Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, USA);

Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF, Sweden);

Onyinyechi Okere (Edo Queens);

Alaba Jonathan (Pelican Stars);

Christy Ohieriaku (Osun Babes);

Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels);

Precious Dede (Ibom Queens);

Ugochi Njoku (Rivers Angels);

Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons);

Halimat Ayinde (Delta Queens);

Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels);

Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels);

Esther Sunday (Pelican Stars);

Chisom Henry (Sunshine Queens);

Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels);

Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent De Guingamp);

Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels);

Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies);

Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens);

Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels);

Chikodi Amaefuna (Edo Queens);

Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA);

Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars);

Patience Agbokadi (Sunshine Queens);

Osarenoma Igbinovia (Ibom Queens);

Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars);

Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens);

Uchechi Sunday (Belarus);

Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens);

Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons);

Sarah Michael (Kif Orebro, Sweden);

Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels);

Ini Umotong (Portsmouth Ladies, UK);

Okewole Funke (Sunshine Queens)

Ademola Olajire

AWC : FALCONS BEST YET TO COME – OKOBI

Ngozi Okobi who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Super Falcons 4-2 win of Ivory Coast at the on going Africa Women Championship (AWC) says the best of the team has yet to come.

“I was overwhelmed when I was named the Most Valuable Player and I dedicate the award to my family”

“What we played against Cote d’ Ivoire is just a tip of the iceberg as Super Falcons are capable of doing greater things in this championship. We always knew the Ivoireans who eliminated the 2012 champions Equatorial Guinea will be tough so we took them seriously

Ngozi Okobi, PHOTO CREDIT fifa.com

“In the next game we will see a different Falcons. We shall play better now that we have navigated our opening game succesfully. Out target is to reclaim the title and we are here to give our best to achieve that” Okobi stated

The Super Falcons opened scoring in the 12th minute of the game through Esther Sunday who latched on to a sassy play by Ngozi Okobi to beat the Ivory Coast goalkeeper

The Ivorians responded 10 minutes later when Rebecca Elloh was fell in the box by Onome Ebi and Fatou Culibaly Tiegnou coolly beat Precious Dede to level up score at 1-1

Falcons persistent pressure yielded fruit in the 54th min. when Mariam Diakite scored an own goal while attempting to clear her goal area to give the Nigerians a 2-1 lead.

Desire Oparanozie made it 3-1 in the 74th with a good finish from Esther Sunday’s floater. But Cote d Ivoire pegged Nigeria back when Christine Lehoues Yeble was gifted a loose ball to fire home.

Oparanozie completed the scoring with three minutes left of play benefitting from
A pass from Asisat Oshoala to make 4-2

Speaking after the match Nigeria’s coach Edwin Okon said the Ivorians gave the Falcons a good game noting that they never played under pressure

He said that winning the cup is not negotiable and that Super Falcons will continue to improve.

NIGERIAN ENVOY MOBILIZES SUPPORT FOR SUPER FALCONS

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia Biodun Olorunfemi has told the Super Falcons that they would not be lacking support while the African Women Championship lasts in Namibia.

Speaking in the dressing room after the match against Ivory Coast the High Commissioner urged Falcons to go all out to do their thing on the pitch and leave the rest for him and his staff.

“We are here to ensure that you are not lacking physical and moral support from this opening game to the last day. Nigerians in Namibia have been mobilized to come and cheer you to victory in all your matches

“Winning this opening game is a moral booster which also sends strong signal to others that you are here to win the cup.The cup is there for you to take home but you must work very hard to meet the expectations back home” he stated

He called on the team to remain focussed and committed to the task of reclaiming the title as well as pilot the development of women in Africa and Nigeria.

NFF CHARGES SUPER FALCONS TO UP THEIR GAME

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged the Super Falcons to raise their game if they want to reclaim the Africa Women championship (AWC) title in Namibia next month

NFF technical director Emmanuel Ikpeme made the charge after watching the Falcons play a goalless draw with A.I. Dikko international soccer academy at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Ikpeme praised the girls for holding their own against a male side but urged them to up their game, adding that he was happy with the progress they have made since camp opened.

“As you prepare for the AWC in Namibia, you must realise that you are going there to bring the cup back. What the Falconets started at the FIFA Under-20, you must complete by winning the cup.We believe you can do it if you raise your standard

“We want you to go to the world cup as African champions and we shall give you all the necessary support to excel in Namibia, so continue to work hard to achieve your target” Ikpeme said.

In the game, Falcons failed to convert some begging chances while goalkeeper Charity John made a couple of saves to deny Dikko Academy from scoring clear chances.

Falcons Assistant coach christopher Danjuma said the essence of the game was not to win but to strenthen the girls and help them in increasing their pace adding that they can only get better.

He assured that the girls would be up to speed in their preparations stressing that the resolve is to go Namibia and win the cup.

Super Falcons

Super Falcons Vs A I Dikko international soccer academy

Charity John (Precious Dede 46′) ,Sarah Nnodim (Ugo Njoku 46′) ,Osinachi Ohale,Josephjne Chukunonye,Gloria Ofoegbu (Ngozi Ebere 67′) ,Evelyn Nwabuoku (Onyinyechi Ohagugha 46′) ,Halimat Ayinde (Ngozi Okobi 70′) ,Gloria Iroka (Uchechi Sunday 67′), Ayila (Cecilia Nku 46′) ,Asisat Oshoala,Chiwendu Ihezuo (Stella Mbachu 46′)

Ahead AWC: NFF Invites Thirty Players To Super Falcons Camp

The Nigeria Football Federation has invited 30 players to camp in preparation for the Africa women championship (AWC) billed for Namibia from October 11-25.

According the list of players released by Super Falcons team Administrator Ruth David,the players and coaches are expected to report to Serob Hotel on Sunday September 14 with their training kits and traveling documents .

Super Falcons Administrator said letters of invitation have been sent to the clubs for the release of the invited players and urged the clubs to release the players as the competition is very important to the country.

Super Falcons

Below are the list of invited players;

GOALKEEPERS: Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels),Precious Dede (Ibom Queens),Charity John (Rivers Angels), Juliet Obi (State House FC),Ohieriaku Christy (Oshogbo Queens)

DEFENDERS: Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars),Ebere Ngozi (Rivers Angels),Mariam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons), Josephine Chukwunonye (Rivers Angels), Onome Ebi (FK Minsk,Belarus), Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash,USA), Ugochi Njoku (Rivers Angels),Gloria Ofoegbu (Rivers Angels),Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens)

MIDFIELDERS: Ngozi Okobi (Delta Queens), Onyinyechi Ohadugha (Rivers Angels), Chiwendu Ihezue (Pelican Stars), Stella Mbachu (Rivers Angels), Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels),Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels), Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels), Halimat Ayinde (Delta Queens), Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels), Gloria Iroka (Rivers Angels), Rosemary Okezie (Nasarawa Amazon).

ATTACKERS: Desire Oparanozie (En Avent De Guingamp,France), Francisca Ordega (Pitea IFF,Sweden), Esther Sunday (FK Minsk,Belarus), Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels), Pepetua Nkwocha (Sunana SK,Sweden)

SUPER FALCONS WHIP RWANDA 4-1

Nigeria’s senior women team, the Super Falcons on Saturday in faraway Gisenyi whip lashed host Rwanda 4-1 in a first leg African Women Championship (AWC) qualifier.

Falcons started the game brightly by dominating proceedings but threw away so many scoring chances they created.Rising star Asisat Oshoala,however, opened scoring in the 37th minute with a volley inside the box.

Three minutes later, the rampaging Desire Oparanozie who was the tormentor -in -chief set up Asisat to put Super Falcons two goals up. It should have been more before interval but poor shooting denied the Falcons a more comfortable lead.

Falcons made it three on resumption when captain Evelyn Nwabuoku found Esther Sunday who beat Rwanda goalkeeper with a low shot. Thereafter it was the Falcons against the She Amavubi goalkeeper who pulled off several good saves .

Rwanda pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Clementine Mukamana’s free kick beat Precious Dede in goal for Nigeria.

Stunned by the goal the Nigerian girls piled pressure on their host and Oparanozie was brought down inside the box and she rose to convert the resultant penalty kick for Falcons fourth goal in the match.

Speaking after the game an elated Coach Edwin Okon said it was a good game but said it should have been more if they had taken the numerous chances created.

“It is a good game, a good win. We did not expect it to be this easy but we take positive in the team work of the girls. They lost so many scoring chances and we shall go back and work on them to ensure that they do not repeat the misses again in Nigeria” he said

OKON NAMES 18 FALCONS FOR RWANDA

Two foreign based professionals Onome Ebi and Desire Oparanozie topped the list of 18 member Super Falcons players named by coach Edwin Okon for the Africa women championship (AWC) qualifier against Rwanda this weekend in Kigali.

Conspicously missing in the team that is expected to travel Wednesday to Rwanda via Addis Ababa are Gloria Ofoegbu, Lilian Cole,Uchechi Sunday and Glory Iroka.

Surprised inclusion in the squad are captain of the Under-17 women that got to quarter-final of the of the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup, Chiwendu Ihezuo and two members of the Under-20 women team the Falconets Asisat Oshoala and Yetunde Adeboyejo also made the squad.

Executive Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dili Onyedinma will lead out the team that comprises four coaches and six officials.

The team will depart Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja on Wednesday afternoon aboard an Ethiopian airline flight to Addis-Ababa before connecting a flight to Kigali.

The full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Precious Dede,Ibubeleye Whyte

DEFENDERS: Onome Ebi,Blessing Edoho,Ngozi Ebere,Mariam Ibrahim,Josephine Chukwunonye

MIDFIELDERS: Evelyn Nwabuoku,Onyinyechi Ohadugha,Ngozi Okobi,Azizat Oshoala,Ceceilia Nku,Chioma Wogu,Stella Mbachu,Esther Sunday.

STRIKERS: Desire Oparanozie,Chiwendu Ihezuo,Yetunde Adeboyejo

FALCONS NO 1 UP FOR GRABS- Goalkeeper trainer

The Super Falcons goal keeper trainer, Bala Mohammed has said that none of the goalkeepers in camp can lay claim to being the number one at the moment.

He told Super Falcons media Officer Gracious Akujobi that the competition for shirts is very keen to the extent that young goalkeeper like Whyte is giving the other experienced hands a run for the number one position.

“We travelled to Japan with Ebubeleye Whyte and Charity John for a double header friendly with their Japanese counterparts and they did very well and they have continued with their good performance.

Falcons goal keeper trainer,Bala Mohammed.

“The competition for the number one shirt is very stiff as none of them is giving any thing to chance. They should give it their best shot in training and we the coaches would pick the best for any game” he stressed

The coach explained that Precious Dede was picked for the last international friendly because of her experience adding that any of the other goalies could equally have done well in that game against Cameroon.

He said for the qualifier against Rwanda, any of the goalkeepers can be called upon to be between the sticks because they are capable.

SUPER FALCONS ‘LL TAKE REVENGE AGAINST CAMEROON – DEDE

Former Skipper and first choice goalkeeper of Super Falcons Precious Dede has boasted that the April 29 international friendly match with the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Abuja will be a perfect opportunity to avenge the 0-1 loss at the last AfricanWomen Championship (AWC) in Equatorial Guinea.

Dede said matches between the two countries have always been tough and that she is not expecting the April 29th game to be less noting that Falcons would go into the game with the AWC loss to Cameroon two years ago at the back of their mind.

“When I learnt of the Cameroon match, I jumped for joy because it will afford us the chance to take our pound of flesh from them. Losing the third place to Cameroon was very painful and we sure want to make amend by beating them to boost our confidence before the Rwanda game” she stated

The veteran goalkeeper went further to advise the young and new members
of the team to raise their game to maintain Nigeria’s superiority over Cameroon in women football explaining that whoever gets the go ahead to be in goal or in any position must give their best.

On the clash with Rwanda the Ibom Angels goalkeeper said the team is not losing sleep over the game, saying ” we don’t no much about them but I don’t see them causing us problems over the two legged encounter ”
She commended the coaches for the good job they have been doing on the team noting that the players response had also been good also for the task ahead.

“Our plan is to win back the AWC title we lost in Equatorial Guinea and I think with what I have seen so far, we shall soon return to the pinnacle of African football” she said.

…FALCONS GOALKEEPER JETS OUT TO DUBAI TO SIGN CONTRACT

Tochukwu Oluehi, the Super Falcons second choice goalkeeper is expected to jet to United Arab Emirate to sign for Al -Wahda FC.

The fair skinned safe hands told Super Falcons Media Officer Gracious Akujobi that her tickets and visa have been secured and the she is ready to go and pursue her professional career in the gulf state.

“I am happy to be leaving to begin a professional career. I will leave for Dubai on Sunday but will make myself available for national team any time my services are needed.

She would however not reveal details of her new contract with Al -Wahda pointing all that will be made know after the contract signing.