General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has formally welcomed the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, from the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic, saying the ladies put up a good fight and need to be encouraged despite quarter-final elimination by the United States of America.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Flamingos and the efforts they put into the competition. Two years ago, they defeated the USA on penalties at the same stage, on their way to collecting the bronze medals. That is football for you.

“If you watched their games, you will agree that the girls put up a great fight in every match. They swept through their group phase, collecting the maximum nine points and scoring nine goals while conceding only one. They created several chances against the USA but were quite unlucky. This is a good team and the players must be encouraged going forward. I believe a good number of them have the skill, temperament and discipline to progress to the U20 squad.”

The Flamingos’ delegation returned to Nigeria on Tuesday, after the 0-2 defeat in the hands of USA in Santiago de los Caballeros ended their race in the tournament. The girls had spanked New Zealand 4-1, routed Ecuador 4-0 and pipped host nation Dominican Republic 1-0 in overhauling their Group A.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere said: “Against the USA, it was simply not our day. The girls created opportunities but the ball just wouldn’t go in. The Americans took their chances, and that is football for you. We will start to work immediately at raising an even stronger team for the next edition, as the tournament is now annual and the work must start now.”

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic will be the last to be played on a biennial basis, with the competition to be played yearly from next year and Morocco to host the first five editions.

England’s Football Association (FA) said women players across its competitions are allowed to wear clothing that follows their religious beliefs after former Somalia captain Iqra Ismail was prevented from playing a match for not wearing shorts.

Ismail, who is also a coach, said in an Instagram video that she had been playing in the Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) for five years wearing tracksuit bottoms but on Sunday she was not allowed to come on as a substitute for United Dragons.

“The Middlesex FA referee for yesterday’s game said that the league had told him strictly not to allow women like me to wear tracksuit bottoms… if it matches our kit or not,” Ismail, a Muslim, said.

“If we do not wear shorts, we cannot play. That is what I was told yesterday.”

The FA said that they were aware of the matter and were in contact with the Middlesex FA to ensure it is quickly resolved.

“We proactively wrote to all county FAs and match officials across the women’s grassroots game earlier this year to confirm that women and girls should be allowed to wear clothing that ensures their faith or religious beliefs are not compromised,” a spokesperson from the FA said on Wednesday.

The Middlesex FA said they were in contact with the FA and the league to resolve the matter.

“Guidance from the FA was issued to all County FAs and match officials across the women’s grassroots game earlier this year to confirm that women and girls should be allowed to wear clothing that ensures their faith or religious beliefs are not compromised,” a spokesperson said.

“We are working with all our stakeholders to ensure they can apply this guidance effectively and remain deeply committed to ensuring that English football is an inclusive and welcoming environment for everybody.”

The GLWFL said in a statement it was their understanding that players were required to wear shorts on top of clothing that covered their legs.

“However, we have since been made aware that shorts on top of tracksuits or tights are not required… we will be providing this updated guidance to all our match officials and members,” the league wrote on X.

-Reuters

The Super Falcons on Tuesday cruised to a 4-1 win over their Algerian counterparts in the second of two international friendlies between both teams, with long-time absentee Folashade Ijamilusi bagging a hat-trick in the afternoon at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

True to his words, Farid Benstiti’s lasses started with more poise and assurance than they showed in the first game in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, and on a couple of occasions, carved open opportunities in the Nigerian rear.

However, former junior international Ijamilusi opened scoring for Nigeria after 12 minutes, scoring from a corner-kick, and doubled the lead nine minutes later after latching onto a second ball following Blessing Ilivieda’s effort that cannoned off the crossbar.

Undaunted, the Green Ladies stepped up another gear, and could have reduced the tally in the 39^th minute when Nigeria conceded a penalty kick. But Lina Boussaha missed from the spot. Yet, two minutes later, they could have scored with a powerful shot by Laura Muller but goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu saved.

However, Ouassila Alouache ghosted past the Nigerian defence in the 43^rd minute, to slot past Unachukwu for the Algerians’ only goal of the two-match tour.

Determined to retain their two-goal lead, the Super Falcons, who won the first encounter 2-0 with a brace from Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, increased the pressure on their visitors, and Gift Monday netted the third with a powerful header in added time of the first period.

An entertaining second half produced only one goal, with Ijamilusi assuring her hat-trick with minutes left in the second half.