Sports

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

Published

2 years 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

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

17 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.