Tuesday’s international friendly between the Super Falcons and Algeria’s Green Ladies at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos will now commence at 2pm, as against the earlier-advertised 4pm.

The Nigeria Football Federation explained on Sunday that the Algerian delegation has opted to commence their return journey on Tuesday night.

“This has necessitated us moving the match forward in order to finish the encounter early for them to prepare for their movement to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos for their return trip aboard Qatar Airways,” NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said.

The two international friendlies were put together by the Nigeria Football Federation to help the rebuilding process of the Super Falcons, following a below-par performance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer, and the departure of American gaffer Randy Waldrum.

Two magnificent goals by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned the Falcons a 2-0 win over the Algerians on Saturday. A good number of home-based professionals, including former U17 stars Miracle Usani, Chioma Olise and Goodness Osigwe showed great promise in an entertaining encounter at the Remo Stars Training Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Farid Benstiti, Coach of the Green Ladies, told thenff.com that his youthful team will prove a handful for the Falcons on Tuesday, having learnt a couple of things during the game in Ikenne-Remo.

“We will be much better on Tuesday. My girls have seen and learnt a few lessons today. We will take those lessons on board and dig our feet into the ground against the Falcons on Tuesday.”

The CAF Awards will again hold in Morocco this time on 16 December. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the prestigious ceremony, which honors the best performers in African football, will again take place on December 16 in Morocco.

This marks the third consecutive year that the North African nation will host the event, following successful editions in 2022 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora and 2023 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech.

No specific venue has been named for the 2024 edition.

The ceremony encompasses various categories, including the coveted African Player of the Year award, which has been presented annually since 1992, with Ghana’s Abedi Pele being the inaugural recipient.

Other notable accolades include the African Women’s Player of the Year, Youth Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Club of the Year awards, among others.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel strode confidently into Wembley Stadium on Wednesday with a single-minded vision to win the 2026 World Cup for the success-starved soccer nation.

A whirlwind week has seen the 51-year-old German sign an 18-month contract to lead England to the tournament being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking at a packed news conference, the former Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach borrowed a quote from Brazilian great Pele to describe his excitement at becoming only the third foreign coach to lead England.

“I’m of course obviously very excited and honoured to be here today as a new head coach of England,” Tuchel, who will take up his new role in January, told reporters.

“I just had the chance to read a quote from Pele in the building who said that Wembley is the heart, the capital and the cathedral of football and I think he was absolutely right.”

England, however, have not won the World Cup, or any other major trophy, since 1966 and Tuchel said it was time to capitalise on one of the best squads since that 1966 team.

“I understood very quickly that it’s a big job,” Tuchel said. “Once I made a time frame up in my mind from January to the World Cup, I felt already excited that it suited my passion, to strive to push this group of players.

“To be part of this federation with such a strong record in the last tournaments to push it over the line and to try to put a second star on the shirt,” he added in reference to the convention of international teams wearing shirts bearing the number of stars to match their World Cup triumphs.

Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, said around 10 candidates had been interviewed for the job but that Tuchel had a clear vision that would give a highly-rated squad the best chance of winning the World Cup.

QUESTIONS RAISED

After eight years under Englishman Gareth Southgate, in which England reached a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals, the choice of Tuchel has raised questions about why another English coach was not appointed.

Tuchel, who was asked one question in German, said he had not made a decision on whether he would sing the national anthem, but had a message for critics of his appointment.

“I’m sorry, I just have a German passport but the supporters felt my passion for the English Premier League, my passion for the country, how I love to live here,” Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, said.

“Hopefully, I can convince them and show them and prove them that I’m proud to be the English manager, I will do everything to show respect to this role and to this country and the target for the next 18 months is nothing else.

“Everyone can be assured that we will do it with passion and with emotions and we will try to install values and principles and rules as quickly as possible to make the dream come true.”

Tuchel, who will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, said the relatively short 18-month contract was streamlined and allowed him to focus solely on the World Cup.

“It’s 18 months and then we agreed to sit together and then we see. I have good experience with 18 months personally,” Tuchel, who was sacked after a similar period by Chelsea and lasted only one full season at Bayern Munich, said.

“I think it’s a good time frame because it will help us to focus. We are here to work on the best possible outcome for the World Cup and then let’s see whatever comes.”

-Reuters