Nigerian Football
VIDEOS: HOW SUPER FALCONS AND CAMEROON NARROWLY ESCAPE INTO ROUND OF 16
BY FOLAKE SOLAJA
After nearly 50 hours of waiting, Nigeria Super Falcons finally made it to the Round of 16. It was more of an escape by the skin of their teeth. They had to wait till the last minute of the added time of the last match of the group series to be assured of a place.
What an agonizing wait of fluctuating fortunes! At first, when Argentina played a 3-3 draw with Scotland in Group D on Wednesday, it was like the coast was clear for the Nigerian side to advance.
The 3-3 draw meant that Argentina had fallen on the way side among thr third-placed teams having obtained two points as against Nigeria’s three. That result was a morale booster prompting Nigeria to resume training and had an hour 30 minutes session at Stade Edemond Blanchet on Thursday morning.
But enthusiasm later died Thursday evening when Cameroon unexpectedly overpowered New Zealand 2-1 in added time to overtake Nigeria on technical ground.
Although both African neigbouring countries had three points apiece and two goals difference, Cameroon had the advantage on account of better rating on fairplay sheet.
No thanks to the three yellow cards and an expulsion Nigerian players had which put their scores on fairplay sheet at minus eight. Cameroon had minus six.
So, qualification was delayed, but not denied. That Narrowed Nigeria’s chances to the last matches of Group F, especially where Chile faced Thailand. Going into the match, both had no point and Thailand had a goal deficit of 19 while Chile had minus five and needed at least a three goal margin to upstage Nigeria.
They
nearly did. After a goalless first half, the South American benefited from a
Thai own goal when Goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing parried the
ball into her net. It was the first ever goal for Chile in World Cup history.
After a purposeful break down the Chile’s right by Daniela Zamora, she finds Yanara Aedo. Her effort rebounds back off the post, and Goalkeeper Boonsing cannot sort out her feet in time, the ball deflecting back into the.
Chile doubled the lead in the in the 80th minute through Urrutia’s header sending Nigerian into nervous situation as Chile needed just one goal to edge the African champions out.
Five minutes later, the tension rose as a VAR reviewed ruled a penalty in favour of Chile. It was just four minutes to regulation time. Alas, Francisca Lara’s kick hit the cross bar! Respite, for Nigeria!
More drama and tension in the Nigerian
camp as an added seven minutes was ruled by match officials. Chile threw every
player forward in search of a third goal that could haven seen them through.
In the end, African football was the winner as both Nigeria and Cameroon made it to the Round of 16.
Nigeria last got to that stage 20 years ago in the US.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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