NWPL Week 2: ANGELS WALK-OVER PELICAN STARS

Reigning Women League champions Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt got their first away win without kicking a ball after they walked-over Pelican Stars on Sunday in Calabar.

The NWPL week 2 game between Rivers Angels and Pelican Stars failed to hold due to the inability of the Cross River State management to release funds for the team to host the game.

According to team manager of the Rivers Angels, Matilda Otuene, they had requested that their games be postponed till after the world Cup since they have more than four players in the national team but the NWL board insisted all league games must go on.

Little did they know that Pelican Stars were also not prepared financially for the game and demanded the game be postponed and Rivers Angels should be stopped from honouring the game but the league board also turned down their request.

“A number of my players are not in town because I have nine girls in Super Falcons while the other two foreign players are playing the Olympic qualifiers for Cameroon and Ghana and I lost five others to foreign clubs the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Evelyn Nwabuokwu, Ebere Orji, Fransica Ordega and Uchechi Sunday.” began Otuene.

Rivers Angels

“I made the complaint to the Nigeria Women League Board but they insisted the league games must go on and they don’t want any postponement of any games but the rules says if you have more than four players in the national team you can put your match on hold and I have nine girls in the national team.” she added

However, the double champions went ahead with the hope things would turn around for the hosts but arrived in Calabar on Saturday to find out it is status quo.

On the part of Pelicans, funds were not released for the game. They could not take care of the match officials’ bills, their players were not ready for the game and all other logistics needed for the success of the game was not in place.

Consequently, Rivers Angels were awarded 3 points and 3 goals while they await official ratification from the Nigeria Women League board.

Otuene added that Rivers Angels should not be made to suffer for having talented players in the national team and the rules must be strictly followed.

“The rules should come first.” she opined.

“It is not our making that the league started late but it is like we are paying for having nine players in the national team. Did we do any wrong in bringing up these players?” she asked rhetorically.

“Many people have asked why Edwin Okon who doubles as the national team coach and Rivers Angels coach did not search for players in other teams and why just Rivers Angels. People forget that these talented players move to where they would be well paid and where they would have better welfare packages.”

Otuene advised Women football followers to come to terms with Angels’ era of domination.

“Some years it was Jegede Babes, later Bayelsa Queens, another it was Pelican Stars and now it is Rivers Angels.” she said.

Rivers Angels will next play Capital City Dove of Abuja on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 in a rescheduled Week 1 game before playing host to Nasarawa Amazons on Saturday May 16, 2015.

Other Result

Group A

Bayelsa Queens 2-0 Adamawa Queens

Confluence Queens 3-0 Fc Robo

Martins White 1-1 Osun Babes

Ibom Angels 1-0 Delta Queens

Group B

Pelican Stars 0-3 Rivers Angels(W/O)

Capital City Dove 1-2 Sunshine Queens

C.O.D Ladies 1-1 Edo Queens

Nasarawa Amazons 3-0 Taraba Queens(W/O)

2014/15 Nigerian Women Premier League Season Kicks-Off

The wait is over for lovers of Women Football in Nigeria as the 2014/15 Nigerian Women Premier League season begins this weekend with some mouth-watering fixtures.

Sixteen (16) participating teams would slug it out this season as against 11 teams last season in what will be an abridged format.

Adamawa Queens who were granted a waiver last campaign, following insurgency claims cited by other clubs as reason for not honouring their games in the Adamawa state capital, will battle it out with Bayelsa Queens, Confluence Queens, Delta Queens, Pro League winners Fc Robo, Ibom Angels , newly promoted Martins Whyte Dove and Osun Babes in Group A.

Group B, has got Champions Rivers Angels, Pelican Stars , Edo Queens, Taraba Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, last season Federation Cup finalist Sunshine Queens, and two undecided teams that would have to wait for the approval from the NFF Executive Committee.

Rivers Angels Starting lineup

Rivers Angels won the league last season with a 100% home record as they won all their home games, picking a total of 30 points from their respective home matches and recorded 2 away wins out of the 8 away wins recorded by other NWPL teams.

With the departure of key players in the team like Asisat Oshoala, Evelyn Nwabuokwu, Uchechi Sunday, and Ebere Orji it is yet to be seen if the Port Harcourt side can successfully defend their title this season.

Top scorer for last season, Amarachi Orjinma whose 17goals helped Pelican Stars finish second place in the league, is one player to watch but she has shifted her services to the League Champions, Rivers Angels. All attention will be on her if she can replicate her goal scoring form with the Port Harcourt club.

Opening Day Fixtures
On Saturday, Delta Queens will be at home against Confluence Queens in Oleh. The confident Kogi side will hope to avoid a repeat of a 4-0 defeat handed out to them last season in Oleh.

Osun Babes will also play host to Ibom Angels in a repeat of last season league opener which ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

Bayelsa Queens will hope to better last season’s poor performance when they travel to face Pro League winners, FC Robo in Lagos. Another debutants, Martins White Doves of Benin will be on the road to face Adamawa Queens in Yola.

Sunshine Queens of Akure

In Group B, only two matches will be played this weekend as champions Rivers Angles and Federation Cup finalist Sunshine Queens of Akure will have to wait for the approval of NFF Executive Committee to know their opponents.
In the meantime, Edo Queens will be at home against Nasarawa Amazons, while FC Taraba will play host to Pelican stars in Jalingo. The corresponding fixture last season ended in a stalemate.

The wait is over and despite the lack of sponsorship and seeming relegation to the background in Nigerian Football, the women are back to display their footballing talents, express their passion into actions and prove once again that we are never short of the talents to replace those exiting the league.

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

No Cause For Alarm – Says Dedevbo, As Falconets Clash With Korea DPR In Moncton

Peter Dedevbo, falconets head coach

Falconets head coach Peter Dedevbo has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm as the team get set to tackle Korea DPR in the semi finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on wednesday at the Moncton Stadium.

Nigeria qualified for the round of four after a thrilling 4-1 Victory over New Zealand in the quarter finals played on sunday.

Dedevbo says the team is preparing hard to face the Koreans.

“The higher you go in football, the harder it becomes, i don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the match against Korea. Am very much aware that the Koreans are fast on the counter and thats is why the girls were not given a day off.

We have to perfect our posesion and control as well as make sure we get an early goal which will unsettle them”

On the tactics to adopt, the gaffer says the first minutes of the match will determine the tactics to be employed.

“I don’t want to disclose my strategies, the game will determine how we play, but i want to tell Nigerians that ,the team is confident and ready to take on any team”.

The Team captain says the players are not looking to underrate their opponents.

“All we need is to study their style of play, discover their plans and then move in with our tactics. We have watched their video clips and i know we shall send them parking”.

Uchechi Sunday on her part notes that the Falconets are a strong side who are not ready to bow to any team.

“We cannot allow Korea to edge us out . We defeated Korea Republic in the first round and this Korea will go same way.

I promise more goals for my team and i will play with my team mates to achieve victory, for my best is yet to come and what better place to showcase my skills than against the Koreans”.

The team has also concluded to as a matter of urgency to engage in fasting as is the tradition before every match.

The Falconets have been to the semi finals twice. the first time was in 2010 when they proceeded to the finals before loosing out to Germany, while second time was in 2012 where they finished 3rd.

The Semi-Final match between Nigeria and Korea DPR comes up on wednesday by 9pm Nigerian time.

FALCONS WALLOP DOVES FC 8-0 ! AS OPARANOZIE STORMS CAMP

Super Falcons Thursday evening at the Abuja Goal Project pitch whiplashed an Abuja based women division league side Capital City Doves FC by 8-0 in a test game.

Chiwendu Ihezuo opened scoring in the 20th minute and got her brace in the 30th minute of the game dominated by the Super Falcons. Uchechi Sunday made it three in the 32nd minute and the scoreline remained like that at interval.

In the second stanza the Falcons brought an entire set of girls and as early as the second minute of the restart Yetunde Adeboyejo made it four before Asisat Oshoala got her hatrick in the 52, 67 and 70th minutes and Chioma Wogu completed the rout in the 71st. Not even the introduction of Desire Oparanozie who arrived from Turkey Thursday afternoon in the 80 min could add to the scoreline as Falcons frittered several chances

It was Falcons first test game against a female team as they had previously been playing male sides whom the coaches believed would toughen them and give them pace.

“The match is a good test for my girls in terms of helping them build their confidence.We have been playing boys for pace and strength,this match is meant to build on their confidence” Coach Okon stated