Falconets Off To Kinshasa On Thursday

The U-20 Women national Team, Falconets, will fly out of Abuja on Thursday for the first leg of a 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Coach Peter Dedevbo has selected 18 players to fly Nigeria’s flag in Sunday’s match at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa. The team will travel aboard an Ethiopia Airline flight.

Chinaza Uchendu, who scored for the Super Falcons at the recently –concluded women’s football tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, headlines a list that also includes goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii, defenders Olubunmi Elijah and Ugochi Emenayo, midfielders Joy Bokiri and Tessy Biahwo and forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo.

In their second round qualifying fixture, the Falconets, runner-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, whipped their Liberian counterparts 14-1 on aggregate, winning 7-0 in Monrovia and 7-1 in Abuja.

The Nigeria delegation will be led by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma.

THE FULL LIST: Sandra Chiichii, Aminat Yakubu, Oluwakemi Famuditi, Patience Kalu, Amarachi Ojinma, Joy Bokiri, Olubunmi Elijah, Ugochi Emenayo, Chinaza Uchendu, Yetunde Adeboyejo, Tessy Biahwo, Christy Ohiaeriaku, Glory Ogbonna, Ogechi Ukwuoma, Uchenna Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Omotola Omidiji

Dedevbo Lists Oshoala, 20 Others For Canada 2014 As Team Departs For Canada Thursday

Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo has released his final list of 21 players for this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, including Super Falcons’ ace Asisat Oshoala and former U-17 stars Patience Okaeme, Halimatu Ayinde, Jiroro Idike, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo.

There are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six strikers in the squad that Dedevbo believes will stun the world in Canada.

Dedevbo, who steered the U-17 girls, Flamingoes, to the quarter finals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and in Azerbaijan in 2012, has also included US –based college star Courtney Dike, younger sister of Super Eagles’ forward Bright Dike.

The tall and spritely forward from Oklahoma State University is the only overseas –based player in the squad.

The team will depart for Moncton, Canada through Frankfurt in two batches aboard Lufthansa Airlines flight on Thursday and Friday, from Abuja.

Nigeria has featured in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, since the inaugural edition, also in Canada, in 2002. The Falconets reached the Final in Germany four years ago and also made the semi finals in Japan in 2012. This year, Dedevbo’s maidens will clash with Mexico, Korea Republic and England in Group C, with the first two games coming up in Moncton before they travel to Edmonton to slug it out with England.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Sandra Chiihii (Ibom Angels); Ibijoke Sangonuga (Inneh Queens); Chiudo Ehiudo (Delta Queens)

Defenders: Ebere Okoye (Nasarawa Amazons); Jiroro Idike (Delta Queens); Maryam Ibrahim (Nasarawa Amazons); Sarah Nnodim (Delta Queens); Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels); Victoria Aidelomon (Pelican Stars); Gladys Abasi (Ibom Angels)

Midfielders: Asisat Oshoala (Rivers Angels); Patience Okaeme (Delta Queens); Halimatu Ayinde (Delta Queens); Yetunde Adeboyejo (Bayelsa Queens); Osarenoma Igbinovia (Inneh Queens)

Forwards: Loveth Ayila (Makwada Babes); Courtney Dike (Oklahoma State University, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Pelican Stars); Yetunde Aluko (Sunshine Queens); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pelican Stars); Uchechi Sunday (Rivers Angels)

FALCONETS DEFEAT GHANIAN COUNTERPARTS 2-1 IN ACCRA

Nigeria’s U-20 women National team , The Falconets defeated their Ghanian counterpart 2-1 in an international friendly played Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Ghanian side opened scoring 3 minutes into the match through Boateng Christiana.A hard kick from Uchenna Kanu gave Nigeria an equaliser in the 11th minute. The first half ended 1-1.

A late strike from Winifred Eyebloria in the 86th minutes saw the Falconets come out victorious.

Head coach, Peter Dedevbo, expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance against the Black Princesses.

“The girls did not played well in the first 45 minutes, the Ghanian girls enjoyed more possession of the ball”.

“The players could not pass the ball accurately”.

Dedevbo says the technical crew will work on lapses noticed before the next match.

The second friendly comes up on Sunday 8th June at the Liberty Stadium, Dansoman Accra Ghana.

The match is one of international friendlies to be played by the Falconets before the kick off of the world cup in Canada.

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Costa Rica 2014: “We are very sorry”, Flamingoes apologize to Nigerians

Flamingoes have apologized to Nigerians for their failure to progress beyond the quarter-final following a 3-0 loss to Spain at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica on Friday morning.

A brace from Patri Guijarro and one from Nahikari Garcia were all the Europeans needed to book a place in the semi final of the competition at the expense of Bala Nikyu’s side as the Nigerians once again missed out on making it past the quarters.

Speaking after the game, Flamingoes’ assistant captain Uchenna Kanu appealed to Nigeria to bear with the team and not to murder them as it was never their delight to lose the encounter.

Uchenna while admitting disappointment with her side’s loss to Spain and quarterfinal exit lamented the quality of officiating, but foresee Nigeria winning the next edition of the tournament.

“I’m not happy that we lost, I’m not happy that we are out of the Competition – I believe football is a game of luck, It can favour
anybody, any day, but we thank God none of us sustain any injury. The way it happened today, I don’t know what happen with the referee and everything seems against us. I know it’s not a thing of joy to lose and not only losing, getting out of the tournament, it’s very appalling.

“It normal for them to be angry and disappointed when people think you will get to somewhere. It is just sad but I don’t think they should kill us because we lost the match or because we are out of the tournament – I believe that one day the trophy we come to Africa, Nigeria to be precise. They should bear with us,” she pleaded.

However, striker and captain of the Nigerian side, Chiwendu Ihezuo also registered huge disappointment with the Flamingoes exit from the age grade competition, insisting amiss over what transpire against Spain.

“I feel very bad about the outcome of the match. I don’t know what happen to us today. I know they are very disappointed in us. We just appeal to them that we are very sorry. This is not the end of the World. We will still try our possible best next time,” the Pelican
forward said amidst tears.

In the same vein, Flamingoes’ head coach Bala Nikyu, has praised the standard of the competition though expressed displeasure over his team’s performance and the outcome of the quarterfinal game against Spain.

“Although we’re disappointed that our adventure has ended too early, we’ve really enjoyed taking part in this marvellous FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which has been fantastically well organised. It goes without saying that I’m not happy with the way the match panned out or our performance, but there’s nothing we can do about it now except try to put it behind us,” upset Nikyu said.

The Nigerian side will depart The venue of the quarter final Friday morning (Friday evening in Nigeria), to Madrid and from there pick a connecting flight to Lagos, from where the team will leave for its final destination, Abuja tomorrow morning.

Uchenna: Nigerians should expect victory against Mexico as Nikyu is optimistic Flamingoes will make World Cup finals

Flamingoes assistant captain, Uchenna Kanu has urged Nigerians to expect outright victory against Mexico in their final group D game in the on-going FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica early next week.

Kanu is the Nigeria’s highest goal scorer with two goals as Nigeria levelled on 6 points. They will slug it out with their next opponent the Mexicans who tops the group on goal difference at the La Sabana stadium in San Jose.

“I’m expecting victory against Mexico, though I don’t know how the game will turn out, but I’m sure we will win the match,” she assured
Nigerians.

Speaking on her goal and ambition in the underway age grade competition, Kanu admitted delight to privileges to have her goals
lift the country and promised to continue to increase her goal tally.

“I’m very happy I wasn’t expecting the goal but thank God it came – I hope to score more goals. I hope to improve on my crosses and pull outs in subsequent matches.”

Nikyu optimistic Flamingoes will make World Cup finals

Head coach Bala Nikyu has expressed optimism that the Flamingoes will make the finals of the ongoing Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup, after coming from behind to defeat South Americans, Colombia 2 -1 and book their place in the last eight on Thursday morning.

Nigeria started on the back foot after Angie Rodriguez scored the game’s opening goal in the 3rd minute through a header before Joy
Bokiri’s sublime free-kick restored balance for the African giants.

Luckily before the hour mark, Uchenna Kanu stole the opportunity from the Colombian’s defense error to net Nigeria’s second goal, while third goal failed to arrive as Ihuoma Onyebuchi’s effort came off the woodwork.

Head coach Nikyu Bala described the Nigeria’s encounter with Colombia as tough; however he commended his players’ response to ensure victory.

“It was a great match. Normally, in tournaments like this, everyone’s aim is simply to survive. And that’s what that game was like, a battle for survival. I must commend the players’ response,” he said during the post match press conference.

Nikyu, restated the Flamingoes’ desire to reaching their first ever final at the U17 Women’s World Cup, while admitting that his players
were overwhelmed by the victory against China.

“We’re hoping to keep going; the competition doesn’t end in the next round. We would like to reach the final, and why not lift the trophy? I don’t think we gave them enough respect at the start – we were still thinking about our win over China, and we paid for it by letting in an early goal. Fortunately we woke up in time and managed to get the victory.”

The Flamingoes have now gained 6 points and levelled with final Group D opponent, Mexico who tops on goal difference.

Nigeria will face Mexico in a battle for the top spot of Group D by 3am on Monday morning, at the 34,453 capacity-size La Sabana stadium in the capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose.

Onyebuchi: Flamingoes’ strikers must deliver against Mexico

Flamingoes’ star Ihuoma Onyebuchi has challenged Nigeria’s strikers to rediscover their scoring boots against table toppers, Mexico, when both sides meet in the final group D clash, in the on-going FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica on Monday morning.

Onyebuchi who won the Most-Valuable Player award against Colombia missed getting her first goal of the tournament and the country’s third of the day, after seeing her effort come off the wood work late on Thursday.

She stated this while reacting to area that needs improvement in the next match, she indicated the attack while appealing to the strikers to start converting their chances.

“I think with my strikers – I will expect them not to miss their opportunities in front of goal again in our next matches, let them
step up their game and do what is right on the field of play,” she demanded.

Earlier, she expressed delight at winning the MVP award though claimed she was not exceptional in the game and promised to give her best to get the country to the finals of the age-grade competition.

“I ‘m really happy winning the award, despite missing my goal opportunity , its not as if I played very well but it’s just the grace
of God that gave me the award. In the next match, I will put in my best and continue to fight more and not relent.”

She however, declared that she and her teammates are ready to make Nigerians proud by winning the last group D clash against Mexico on Monday.

“We will do well and defend our nation very well by winning the final group match and also qualify for the finals,” she concluded.

Costa Rica 2014: Colombia’s free kick goal excites Joy Bokiri

Flamingoes midfielder Joy Bokiri says she is glad and full of joy scoring a goal to recover Nigeria’s hope of playing in the
quarter-final at the on-going FIFA U17 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Bokiri’s sublime effort in the 26th minute’s free kick was the valuable equalizer that the African giants’ needed for revival against
Colombia, before Uchenna Kanu ensured the Flamingoes were through with a 59th minute header on Thursday morning in Alajuela.

“I feel very happy… despite the fact that this was my second game and I score my first goal. I am very happy to equalizer for Nigeria,” she expressed.

Despite being aware of the exploit of Group D leaders, the Nigeria forward backed the Flamingoes to emerge victorious in the top of the table decider against Mexico in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.

“I’m looking forward to the next match -I believe we are going to win the next match, despite the fact that the Mexican’s defeated Colombia- I believe football is no man’s game and a game of luck,” she insisted.

The Flamingoes’ train moves to the 34,453-capacity Sabana Stadium where they will meet Mexico by 3am Nigerian time on Monday morning in Costa Rica.

Nigeria 2-1 China: Flamingoes edge past China ….. Nikyu hails Flamingoes’ resilience

Nigeria 2-1 China: Flamingoes edge past China ….. Nikyu hails Flamingoes’ resilience …. “I want to score more goals,” says Ajibade

Nigeria defeated China 2-1 to begin their Costa Rica 2014 U17 Women’s World Cup campaign on a bright note in Group D on Monday morning in Alajuela.

Nigerians must give thanks to goals from Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu on either side of the half denying Fan Yuqiu’s lone effort for the Chinese at the Alejandra Morera Soto stadium.

Nigeria started on the front foot when in the 7th minute Chiwendu Ihezuo failed to connect with a ball across the face of goal and
missed another brilliant goal opportunity in the 14th minute.

Rasheedat Ajibade went on to miss a goal scoring opportunity at the 19th minute before converting her 21st minute chance to goal after much dominance.

Goalkeeper Oyebubuchi Okeke made a brilliant save in the 28th minutes while at the other end Aminat Yakubu and Rasheedat Ajibade both missed their chances to double the lead for Nigeria in the 37th and 45th respectively before half time.

Interestingly, the Asian side resumed the other half rejuvenated by putting the Nigerian goalkeeper Onyinye Okeke to test at the 48th
minute before Cynthia Aku went in for Aminat Yakubu.

Adventurously, Uchenna Kanu headed home Mary Ologbosere’s cross at the 60th minute to double the lead for Nigeria but the Chinese responded two minutes later when Fan Yuqiu pulled one back for China.

Onyebuchi Ihuoma went out for Joy Duru due to an injury while Cynthia Aku and Chiwendu Ihezuo both missed their chances to register their names on the score sheet lately, though the African powerhouse laboured in the last 25 minutes, but hanged on for victory.

In the earlier game of Group D, the CONCACAF champions Mexico showed they mean business at Costa Rica 2014 with an impressive 4-0 victory over Colombia with a first-half onslaught in Alajuela.

“I want to score more goals,” says Ajibade

Speaking after the game, Flamingoes first goal hero and Man-of-the-match winner, Rasheedat Ajibade expressed delight at
winning the award and promised to perform better in subsequent games as well as make Nigerians proud.

“I feel great and on top of the world – I just pray God continue to keep me in-form, so I can do my best at all time – In next match, I
intend scoring more goals and create more chances to my attackers to score.”

“All I have to tell Nigerians is to continue praying for us, and we won’t let them down and by God’s grace, we will bring the trophy back
to Nigeria,” Ajibade assured.

Earlier in his post match remarks, Head Coach of the Nigeria U17 Women’s team, Bala Nikyu commended the team work and resilience of his ladies to ensure victory against opponents, China in their Group D opening campaign.

“I don’t want to mention any player because they all did well – its team work – they played for themselves to win,” Nikyu said.

The Flamingoes gaffer refused to blame his girls for a poor second half, insisting they did brilliantly well to preserve the lead despite
the Chinese’s fought-back in the last half hour of the game.

“We played better in the first half, it is normal when down in any match you want to brace up – so am not surprise that China fought hard in the second half as they were already down, unless the final whistle is blown they will still want to fight back.

“I think she will do well though, I expect her to do better than this in the second or last group match but for today she tried, by the time
she plays the second or third, – in a competition you must improve match after match and when you are able to win the first match you are able to play more relax in the next,” Nikyu said in defense of Rasheedat Ajibade who named the man-of-the-match award.

Nigeria U17 Women team will look to secure a firm grasp atop the group D when they take on Colombia by 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday evening – 3am Nigerian time on Thursday morning.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Nikyu picks Ihezuo, 20 others to challenge for glory

Head Coach of the U-17 Women National Team, Bala Nikyu has picked Azerbaijan 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup silver boot winner, Chiwendu Ihezuo and 20 other players to represent Nigeria at this year’s finals starting in Costa Rica on Saturday.

There are also Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu, Uchenna Kanu, Ugochi Emenayo, Mary Ologbosere, Patience Dike and Tessy Biahwo.

Ihezuo, who will captain the squad as Nigeria searches for a first-ever triumph in the cadet competition that was inaugurated in
New Zealand in 2008, scored six goals at the last tournament in Azerbaijan to finish second top-scorer, behind North Korea’s Ri
Un-Sim.

Just as happened in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, when Korea Republic, which eliminated Nigeria after a pulsating quarter final match that went into extra time, went ahead to lift the trophy, France won the trophy in Azerbaijan two years ago after defeating Nigeria on penalties in the quarter finals.

However, Coach Nikyu is confident his girls have prepared well enough to go all the way, after a 19-day final training camp in Faro,
Portugal that saw the team win all friendly matches bar one – the 0-0 draw with Belgium’s U-17 Women National Team in Brussels on March 4.

Ihezuo scored five goals when the Flamingoes humiliated hosts Azerbaijan 11-0 in a group phase match in 2012.

The Nigerian girls flew out of Frankfurt, Germany on Wednesday to arrive in San Jose, capital city of Costa Rica, on Thursday morning. They play their first match against China on Sunday, with other group phase games against Colombia and Mexico to follow on March 19 and 23 respectively.

FULL LIST

Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu, Uchenna Kanu, Rasheedat Ajibade, Fubiana Briggs, Ugochi Emenayo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Onyinye Okeke, Tessy Biahwo, Ayomide Anibaba, Joy Duru, Cynthia Aku, Mary Ologbosere, Faith Alex, Olubunmi Elijah, Vivian Ikechukwu, Augustar Mene, Patience Dike, Mercy Vincent, Desire Ijeh.