WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

This is Super Falcons’ chance for a third ever knock-out stage qualification

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2023

Eliminated Republic of Ireland meet Group B leaders Nigeria in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Monday.

While the Europeans are simply playing for pride, the African representatives need at least a draw to seal their qualification for the knockout stage.

Despite losing both of their matches so far in their debut campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Irish can take plenty of heart from their performances against Australia and Canada.

Katie McCabe’s fourthminute goal against Canada, their first ever in the tournament, got them off to a bright start in their last match before the Olympic champions mounted an impressive comeback to win 2-1. In what is their final game before they depart Australia & New Zealand 2023, Vera Pauw’s team will want to go out in style.

Nigeria are in pole position to progress from Group B and they know that even a draw will do the job. They were impressive in their 3-2 win over joint hosts Australia in their last match and will now look to seal their spot in the round of 16.

KEY FACTS

Katie McCabe became the first player to score a FIFA Women’s World Cup goal for the Republic of Ireland when she opened the scoring against Canada.
Nigeria are aiming to reach the knockout rounds at successive FIFA Women’s World Cup final tournaments for the first time. They previously qualified from their group in 1999 and 2019.
Nigeria’s total of four points is their best start to a FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign after two matches. Their highest points total after three matches is six, which they achieved in 1999.
A win or a draw would mean Nigeria are unbeaten in three successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches for the first time.
If Nigeria qualify, they would become the first African nation to reach the knockout rounds on three occasions.
Nigeria’s only previous win in 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European opposition was a 20 victory against Denmark in 1999.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play 2, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 2, Goals For 1, Goals Against 3, Goal Difference: -2
Biggest win: Nil
Biggest defeat: Republic of Ireland 0-2. Australia (20/07/2023) and Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Highest scoring match: 3 goals – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals scored in a match: 1 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals conceded in a match: 2 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: Nil
Successive defeats: 2 (2023-present)
Successive draws: 0
Successive matches without a defeat: 0
Successive matches without a win: 2 (2023-present)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2023-present)
Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023)
Successive clean sheets: 0

NIGERIA TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play28, Win 5, Draw 4, Lost 19, Goals For 23, Goals Against 65, Goal Difference -42
Biggest win: 2-0Nigeria v. Denmark (27/06/1999)/2-0 Nigeria v. Korea Republic (12/06/2019)
Biggest defeat: 0-8Nigeria v. Norway (06/06/1995)
Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)/Nigeria 1-7 USA (24/06/1999)
Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Nigeria 3-3 Canada (08/06/1995), Nigeria 3-4 Brazil, 01/07/1999), Nigeria 3-3 Sweden (08/06/2015)and Nigeria 3-2 Australia (27/07/2023)
Most goals conceded in a match: 8 – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 1999 (4 matches)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 1991 and 2003 (3 matches)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 14 – 1995 (3 matches)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2011 (3 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: 1 (five times, the last of which was 2023-present)
Successive defeats: 4 (three times)
Successive draws: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)
Successive matches without a defeat: 2 (2011-2015, 2023-present)
Successive matches without a win: 9 (1999-2011)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 6 (1995-1999)
Successive matches without scoring: 4 (1991-1995 and 2007-2011)
Successive clean sheets: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

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

Published

2 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.