Sports

JUST IN: Super Falcons Break Olympic Jinx, Qualify For Paris 2024

Published

4 months ago

April 9, 2024

Super Falcons of Nigeria have qualified for the 2024 Olympics after a 16-year absence from the competition.

The Coach Randy Waldrum-led side secured qualification on Tuesday after seeing out a goalless draw against Bayana Bayana of South Africa to win 1-0 on aggregate.

The second leg played on Tuesday evening in Pretoria ended in a goalless draw as the spirited Falcons ensured Nigeria qualified for her first Olympic games since 2008–a historic feat for the nation’s female football team.

Nigeria were resolute in defence to resist all goalscoring opportunities which the South African team initiated to score a goal.

The Falcons had secured a 1-0 win over the Banyana Banyana in the first leg of the fixture played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday.

A first half penalty by Rasheedat Ajibade was enough to place the Falcons on the right pedestal on Friday as Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls secured an important advantage that sealed their qualification.

Uchenna Kanu came close to breaking the deadlock in Pretoria but her effort from the right was deflected for a corner by a South African defender while Chiamaka Nnadozie was confident in goal for the Falcons.

The Falcons, who reached the quarter-final at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, have now qualified for the women’s football event for the first time since 2008.

They lost in the third round of qualifiers in 2016 (Rio, Brazil) and 2020(Tokyo, Japan) to Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast respectively.

The Falcons have only previously played at the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

The 2024 Olympics is slated to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

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

2 days 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