Sports

Falconets Edge Tanzania 3-2 On Aggregate To Reach Final Round

Published

8 months ago

November 19, 2023

Nigeria women’s national U-20 football team, the Falconets, on Sunday, edged Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate to progress to the final round qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that goals from Janet Akekoromowei and Comfort Folorunsho gave Nigeria a 2-1 win against Tanzania in the second round, second leg qualifying match in Abuja.

Both teams had battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg match played at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam on November 12.

The game played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium saw the Falconets give the fans something to smile about.

The 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists, who have never been absent from the global finals, swarmed the visitors from the first blast of the whistle.

But poor marksmanship on the part of former U17 team striker Opeyemi Ajakaye robbed them of an early goal.

Akekoromowei eventually put Nigeria in front after 16 minutes, when she rifled home from the edge of the box after an intelligent pass from Taiwo Afolabi.

Five minutes later, the East Africans were at parity, when goalkeeper Shukura Bakare dropped the ball from an innocuous-looking free-kick 35 yards out and Jamila Mnunduka bundled the ball over the line.

Nigeria would have been ahead in the 25th minute, but defender Shukurat Oladipo’s well-struck free-kick from 40 yards was parried away by goalkeeper Zulfa Ally Makau.

Ajakaye failed to make hay with another opportunity in the 33rd minute.

On the hour mark, defender Comfort Folorunsho broke the spell of a 1-1 draw for Nigeria’s national teams in recent weeks.

This was when she leaped highest to head home from Afolabi’s cross after a couple of touches from a corner kick.

The win for the Falconets ensured that they edged their Tanzanian counterparts 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final round.

The Falconets will now take on Burundi in the final round of qualifiers, to determine one of Africa’s flagbearers at next year’s global championship in Colombia.

Sports

JUST IN: Oshoala Benched As Ajibade Leads Super Falcons Against Brazil In Olympics Opener

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

The lineup for the highly anticipated match between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Brazil has been announced.

The Super Falcons will face Brazil in their first Women’s Olympic Football Tournament game at 6 pm Nigerian time at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France.

Rasheedat Ajibade is leading the team as captain while Asisat Oshoala is on the bench.

Here is the official lineup:
16.
2.
3.
5.
14.
7.
11.
15.
10.
13.
17.
1.
4.
6.
8.
9.
12.
18.
Randy WALDRUM (M)

1. Lorena
2.
3.
4.
6.
5.
8.
10. MARTA (C)
14. LUDMILA
16. GABI NUNES
18. GABRIELLE
12. TAINA
13. YASMIM
15. THAIS
17. ANA VITORIA
7. KEROLIN
9. ADRIANA
11. JHENIFFER

Sports

UEFA Sanctions Seven Nations For Racist Chants

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

European governing body UEFA has sanctioned seven of the 24 competing countries at Euro 2024 because of racist or discriminatory behaviour by their fans.

The Serbian, Croatian, Romanian, Slovenian, Austrian, Hungarian and Albanian Football Associationss have all been sanctioned.

The punishments range from a 50,000 euros (£41,970) fine and a ban from selling tickets to its next Uefa away match (a Nations League game in Portugal on 5 September) for Croatia, to a 20,000 euros (£16,790) fine and a ban on selling tickets to its next Uefa away match – suspended for two years – for Austria.

In total, 17 games were identified as being affected, including three involving Slovenia, Romania, Croatia and Serbia.

The move comes a day after Uefa charged Spain players Rodri and Alvaro Morata for violating “basic rules of conduct” in the aftermath of their final victory over England when they sang offensive songs about Gibraltar, whose FA lodged a formal complaint.

Sports

PICTORIAL: Nigeria, Other Countries’ Official Uniforms For Paris 2024 Olympics

Published

2 days ago

July 24, 2024

Editor

The Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.

In anticipation of the grand event, countries around the world have unveiled their official uniforms, showcasing a blend of tradition, innovation, and national pride.

Nigeria will be competing in 11 sports at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Here’s a visual journey through some of the stunning uniforms, starting with Nigeria’s unique design:

NIGERIA – Designed by Actively Black