International Football
SUPER FALCONS MAINTAIN THEIR WOMEN’S AFRICAN CUP RECORDS
In battering Equatorial Guinea on Saturday to book a place in the semi finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons of Nigeria have maintained the enviable record of being the only team to have gone past the group stage at every edition since the inception of the competition in 1998.
Nigeria beat Equatorial Guinea to maintain semi-final records
According to statistics rolled out by CAF, Cameroon, which incidentally will face Nigeria in one of Tuesday’s semi-final matches, has reached the semis at every edition except in 2000 when the competition was held in South Africa.
Also, South Africa which ranked third in the number of semi-final appearances missed out on the semis in 1998 and 2004.
The Black Queens of Ghana become the third hosts to exit the competition at the group stage after South Africa (in 2004) and Namibia (in 2014).
South Africa’s 7-1 win over Equatorial Guinea is their biggest victory at the final tournament. Previously, it was the 5-0 victory over Egypt at the group stage in 2016.
Equatorial Guinea bowed out of the competition with an unfamiliar record of the worst defence in the history of the biannual tournament, conceding 18 goals (goal difference -17) at the group stage.
Prior to that Egypt in 1998 (conceded 14, goal difference -12) and Morocco in 2000 (conceded 13, goal difference -12) had the poorest defence record at the group stage.
Zambia got their first ever win at the final tournament, after beating Equatorial Guinea 5-0 in Cape Coast.
This is the first time Mali has won two games at the final tournament, beat Ghana (2-1) and Algeria (3-2), also the first time they have gone beyond the group stage.
After 12 matches at the group stage, a total of 43 goals have been scored, an average of 3.6 per match. In both 2014 and 2016, it was 35 goals at the same stage.
South African forward Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana leads the scorers chart with four goals. Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and Rachael Kundananji of Zambia have three goals each.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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