WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Waldrum disappointed with draw but grateful to advance in World Cup

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2023

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Republic of Ireland v Nigeria - Brisbane Football Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - July 31, 2023 Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum gives instructions to Ashleigh Plumptre REUTERS/Dan Peled

Nigeria were disappointed to come away from their final Women’s World Cup group game against Ireland with just a point on Monday but would have gladly accepted it prior to kickoff if they knew it meant reaching the last 16, coach Randy Waldrum said.

Nigeria started the game top of the standings but the 0-0 draw allowed co-hosts Australia to move up to first place after they thrashed Canada 4-0.

Nigeria’s pay dispute has overshadowed their campaign, with the outspoken Waldrum saying he was owed seven months’ wages and some of his players had not been paid in two years.

But the American coach said he was proud of what the African side had achieved despite the complaints.

“I just told them that two years ago, when we started this journey, so many things went well and so many things didn’t go well. They never gave up, they continued to believe,” a smiling Waldrum said after they sealed qualification for the last 16.

“You know, I was actually disappointed in the second half because we could have won the match. So it almost feels disappointing that we didn’t get the result, the three points.

“But all of us would have taken this result before we started the match just to know we got through.”

Nigeria will stay in Brisbane to play the winners of Group D, where England are in pole position with a three-point lead ahead of their final group game against China.

“If it’s England, it’s the European champions. We’ve already played the Olympic gold medallists (Canada). We’ve already played the host nation (Australia),” he said

“So it’s just going to be another one of those matches that we’ve already been playing in.”

Ireland return home with their first ever point at the World Cup and coach Vera Pauw said it was a “fantastic feeling” to draw against Nigeria, who she described as a top-10 nation despite the African side being ranked 40th in the world.

“They are the 11-time African champions and we had the better play. They always looked dangerous but we were in control, we created chances,” Pauw said.

“I think we can be really proud. We played three top 10 nations, I think Nigeria are a top 10 nation, we have played equal games against them. We lost by penalty (against Australia), an own goal (against Canada) and now we draw.

“It’s amazing, those players came into this tournament as very good players and they go out as world stars. It will change their lives, they will get other contracts and more opportunities and the next generation can step in.”

-Reuters

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!

Published

3 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria Super Falconets gave Nigerians additional joy after their 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in Cali, Colombia in their last group match. Their victory followed up with an earlier 3-0 win by the Super Eagles in their opening Group D match with Benin Republic in Uyo.

The Falconets’ win means they have qualified for the Round of 16 where they are most likely going to face Japan when the group games are completed on Sunday.

Both Nigeria and Germany tied on six points, but Germany have one goal better than Nigeria on goal difference.

The Super Falcons made early hays when Amina Bello put Nigeria ahead after 16 minutes. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28^th minute before Flourish Sebastine put in the third five minutes into the added time of the first half. Joy Igbokwe put in the back breaker four minutes into the added time of the second hald.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Okwuchukwu shines despite Nigeria’s defeat to Germany in U-20 Women’s World Cup

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign suffered a setback as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against a clinical German side in Bogota, Colombia on Wednesday night.

The result secures Germany’s place in the knockout stages, while leaving the Falconets with work to do in their final group match.

In an end-to-end encounter, both sides created numerous chances, but it was Germany who struck first. Cora Zicai’s pinpoint cross found Alara Sehitler, who nodded home in the 17th minute to give the Europeans the lead.

Nigeria’s star performer, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, had earlier come close to opening the scoring with a magnificent solo run, only to be denied by German goalkeeper Rebecca Adamczyk.

Okwuchukwu’s persistence paid off early in the second half when she capitalized on a defensive mix-up to draw Nigeria level, celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘siuuu’ celebration.

However, Germany’s quality shone through as they regained the lead through Sofie Zdebel, again assisted by the impressive Zicai.

Despite Okwuchukwu having another goal ruled out for offside, Germany sealed the win in stoppage time with Sarah Ernst’s powerful header.

The defeat leaves Nigeria on three points from two matches, with their final group game against Venezuela in Cali now crucial to their hopes of progressing.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Points of Note in Falconets’ loss to Germany

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Germany beat Nigeria’s Falconets 3-1 in their second group game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. With Germany’s win, the Europeans have made it to the last 16 stage, even with a game to spare.

The coach of Germany, Kathrin Peter acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian team , saying: “It was a really tough match today.

“That was expected, but we actually had big problems in defence. They had a few chances where we had the necessary luck, we have to admit that.

“But in the second half we were really good and asserted our dominance and I think we deserved to win in the end.”

Here are some major points:

Germany beat Nigeria 2-0 in the final match 14 years ago in Germany.

Germany have now won their last four FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup meetings with Nigeria. Alex Popp inspired a 2-0 victory in the 2010 final, Lena Petermann settled the decider in extra-time four year later, and Stefanie Sanders was the solitary scorer in Group D in 2018.