Super Falcons of Nigeria attacking midfielder Raheedat Ajibade has won her club’s best player award after posting an impressive season with Spanish football side Atlético de Madrid Femenino.
Atlético made the announcement via a tweet on their official X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday.
Ajibade, fondly called ‘Rash’ or ‘the blue hair girl ‘ was in sensational form for Atlético de Madrid Femenino in the 2023/2024 season, recording an impressive tally of 10 goals and eight assists.
The former FC Robo star also played an important role in ensuring that Atlético de Madrid Femenino qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
Supporters of Super Falcons would expect Ajibade to replicate her club form at the national team level as Nigeria look to have an impressive showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Olympic Games bound Super Falcons of Nigeria maintained their position in the latest FIFA Women’s World rankings released today.
The nine time African champions occupy 36th position in the world and remain Africa’s highest ranked team in the standings.
South Africa are the second best ranked African team in the rankings in 51 spot while Morocco occupy 3rd position on the continent in 56th position globally.
The Nigerian ladies are expected to improve on their ranking position with credible performances in the 2024 Olympic Football Tournament in France where they play their Brazilian opponents in their group C opener on 25 July.
Nigeria’s other C opponents are Spain and Japan.
The three month cycle ranking factored in no fewer than 154 international football matches played during the time frame with world champions Spain atop the latest table.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 16 August 2024. -
This could be best of times for players of Nigeria’s age grade national women football teams as they gear up to upcoming continental and international assignments.
In order to ensure an impressive performance of the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, at this year’s World Cup finals in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September, the Executive Committee of the NFF has mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to diligently and swiftly consider the training programme submitted by the Head Coach.
Consequently, the Board approved a two-phase training camp for the team, with a four-week camping in Nigeria to be followed by a two-week final camping programme in Colombia before the commencement of the tournament.
For the Under 17 team, the Flamingoes, the NFF charged it’s Secretariat to ensure total readiness of the team for its final round, second leg encounter against their Liberian counterparts, scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, 14 June 2024.
Nigeria won the first leg 4-1 in Monrovia on Sunday, with 11-goal qualifying series revelation Harmony Chidi, Shakirat Moshood, Peace Effiong and substitute Blessing Ifitezue banging in the goals for the Flamingos.
Speaking ahead of the match in Abuja, Head Coach Bankole Olowookere expressed confidence they would not take their feet off the pedal when they take on their Liberian counterparts.
“We are battle-ready for the match on Friday. The girls are raring to go because they want to go to the World Cup. They are already dreaming of flying to the Dominican Republic,” the coach dad.
“There is so much excitement in camp, and they are self-assured. However, I have warned them that it is never over until it is over. There should be no display of over-confidence on the pitch. We must approach the match like the first leg was a drawn game.”
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Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen is off Chelsea’s radar in the summer transfer window.
The Stamford Bridge club were near certainties to put in a bid for the Super Eagles’ striker.
However, Fabrizio Romano states that Osimhen may no longer be London bound.
The current African footballer of the year cannot move to Chelsea as the finances for the deal are not feasible for the English club.
Chelsea are already falling foul of the Premier League’s financial rules and have to sell players to comply.
Even if they sell the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja, signing a cheaper forward is the likely option. -
Plans are afoot to camp Nigeria’s Super Falcons in Spain preparatory to the 2024 women’s Olympic football tournament in France.
The Nigeria Football Federation reportedly wanted the team to camp in Spain in order to acclimatize the players with the weather in France.
Coach Randy Waldrum’s side are scheduled to camp in the European country from 5 to 16 July.
The nine-time African champions are also expected to play one high profile friendly match while in Spain.
In the Olympic tournament, the Super Falcons will face World champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in Group C.
The West Africans will open their campaign against Brazil at Stade de Bordeaux on July 25 before taking on Spain three days later in Nantes and later Japan on July 31 at the same venue.
The 2024 Olympic Games will run from July 25 to August 10. -
Nigerian athletes facing injury layoffs can now heave a sign of relief after the country’s sports ministry assured them of continuous support even when they are on the mend.
The Honourable Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh gave the assurance after he sent a heartfelt message of speedy recovery to recuperating Super Eagles’ winger Moses Simon in France.
During a visit to Nantes, France, Special Assistant on Grassroots to the Minister, Chief Anthony Adeyinka, conveyed the message on behalf of Senator Enoh to Simon to demonstrate solidarity and support to Nigerian athletes currently injured.
“I am here on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, to extend our solidarity and support to you during this challenging time,” said Chief Adeyinka.
“The Minister instructed me to convey his greetings and assure you that the Government is fully behind you, wishing you a quick and complete recovery.”
In appreciation of the visit, the Nantes FC player Moses highlighted the importance of such gestures in fostering a sense of belonging and support among athletes representing Nigeria on the global stage. -
The awards are coming thick and fast for Africa’s safest pair of hands and Super Falcons’ undisputed number one goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The 23 year old keeper was recognised yesterday for her sterling qualities in goal for French side Paris FC after she scooped THE NATIONAL UNION OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS keeper of the year 2024 award.
Nnadozie also made the All Star team for 2024 in the D1 Arkema – France’s elite women football league.
The 2024 Olympic bound keeper took to her X account to express joy at the turn of events in her career.https://twitter.com/Nadoziechiamaka/status/1790339410677927993?s=19
“l’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this award. @tropheesunfp thank you for recognizing my efforts @paristc_feminines, the president, the entire team staff, the fans and my wonderful teammates.Your belief in me and my work is a tremendous source of motivation,” she penned.
A recent highlight video where Nnadozie showed excellent reflex saves against PSG Women has been trending online with a deluge of comments heaping praises on the current Africa Goalkeeper of The Year.
She won the player of the game in the PSG game despite her team losing the playoffs 4-5 via penalties after 2-2 in normal time.
Paris will be in action next Friday for a chance to secure a slot in next season’s European football.
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Super Falcons’ midfield ace Christy Ucheibe maintained her impressive trophy haul in Portugal as she claimed a fourth league title with SL Benfica Futebol Feminino.
SL Benfica secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Racing Power FC today to retain their Liga BPI crown and hand Ucheibe her fourth league honour in Portugal.
The Nigeria international started the season-finale at the Caixa Futebol Campus in Seixal, sporting jersey number 16.
However, it was captain Carole Costa who opened scoring for the champions in the 38th minute from the penalty.
Drama unfolded when Racing Power FC equalised to potentially hand the title to Sporting CP, who were winning 2-0 away to Damaiense.
However, skipper Costa came to her side’s rescue in stoppage time when she netted another penalty to hand Benfica to seal win and the club’s fourth league title.
Ucheibe, who joined Benfica from Swedish club, Assi IF in 2020, has been a part of each of Benfica’s league triumphs, as they claimed the crown consecutively from 2021 to 2024.
Only last week, the 23-year-old midfield dynamo sealed her ninth title with SL Benfica when they won the Portuguese Taca da Liga. -
Super Falcons forward, Chiwendu Ihezuo has extended her contract with Pachuca Femenil until 2027 with the option for an extra year.
The former Delta Queens player has made a real mark since joining the Mexican side, going on to become a key figure in the squad.
The versatile Nigerian forward, who can play a variety of positions up front has made 17 appearances so far with 13 goals, 4 assists, 6 involvement in goals and 31 shots on goal.
She was recently invited to the Super Falcons during the Olympic.qualifiers in which she contributed towards the Nigeria Women team securing qualification for the football event of the quadrennial Games in Paris, France.
CF Pachuca are currently second with 42 points in the Clausura 2024 Liga MX Femenil. -
Super Falcons’ goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie is up for another award after her sterling performances in goal for Paris FC in France.
The 23 year old Nigeria international has been shortlisted for the National Union of Professional Footballers UNFP goalkeeper of year award scheduled to happen on 13 May 2024 in France.
Nnadozie revealed the nomination on social networks where she urged her supporters to vote her as a winner.
She will be up against four other nominated goalkeepers in the race to win the award.
The reigning Africa Goalkeeper of the Year on 28 April had distinguished herself twice by winning the Best Keeper prize and appearing in the Standard Team for the 2023/2024 D1 Arkema season.
woramangra 