Paris 2024 Olympics Games
Super Falcons pip Bayana Bayana
Paris 2024 Olympics Games
Olympics Qualifiers Fate: In just another day
The final stretch to the global showpiece
CAFonline
South Africa – Nigeria: Advantage Super Falcons
A fixture that has grown into becoming an all-time African women’s football classic is on the cards yet again as South Africa prepares to welcome Nigeria to Pretoria for the return leg following a 1-0 loss to the Super Falcons in Abuja last week, CAFonline reports.
The Super Falcons are eyeing a fourth Olympic qualification. They will be banking on Randy Waldrum’s tactics to mastermind a good result away from home against the wounded African champions, who are gunning for their second Olympics appearance since 2016.
Morocco – Zambia: The Atlas Lionesses are in the driving seat
Morocco’s women’s national team made their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2022, participated in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, and are now on the verge of qualifying for the Olympics for the first time in their history.
A 2-1 win in Ndola has put the North Africans in the driving seat as they prepare to welcome the Copper Queens to Rabat, where a single goal from the star-studded Zambia squad could turn the match on its head.
Morocco may be in the driving seat, but it will take a lot to keep the Zambians from making their consecutive Olympics qualification despite being away from home.
Journey to the final round:
South Africa
2nd round
- 10/25/23: DR Congo 1-1 South Africa
- 10/30/23: South Africa 2-0 DR Congo
3rd round
- 02/23/24: Tanzania 0-3 South Africa
- 02/27/24: South Africa 1-0 Tanzania
4th round
- 05/04/24: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Morocco
2nd round
- 10/26/23: Namibia 2-0 Morocco
- 10/31/23: Morocco 2-0 Namibia
3rd round
- 02/23/24: Tunisia 1-2 Morocco
- 02/28/24: Morocco 4-1 Tunisia
4th round
- 04/05/24: Zambia 1-2 Morocco
Nigeria
2nd round
- 10/25/23: Ethiopia 1-1 Nigeria
- 10/31/23: Nigeria 4-0 Ethiopia
3rd round
- 02/23/24: Cameroon 0-0 Nigeria
- 02/26/24: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon
4th round
- 05/04/24: Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Zambia
2nd round
- 10/23/23: Mali – Zambia (Canceled)
- 10/31/23: Zambia – Mali (Canceled)
3rd round
- 02/23/24: Ghana 0-1 Zambia
- 02/28/24: Zambia 3-3 Ghana
4th round
- 04/05/24: Zambia 1-2 Morocco
Paris 2024 Olympics Games
Atlas Lionesses takedown Copper Queens
Paris 2024 Olympics Games
Support your Super Falcons-NFF Scribe
Paris 2024: Sanusi calls on residents of Abuja and environs to troop out to support Falcons
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Falcon in straining
The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has implored Nigerians based in the Federal capital, Abuja, and environs, and indeed from neighboring States, to troop out in large numbers to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday to support the Super Falcons in their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament African final qualifying, first leg game against South Africa.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria and reigning African champions South Africa clash in a potentially explosive affair at 5 pm on Friday in Nigeria’s magnificent sporting facility. The return leg is due for Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld arena on Tuesday next week.
“The NFF is calling on Nigerians from all over the Federal Capital Territory and the neighboring States, and indeed from all over Nigeria, to come out in their tens of thousands to cheer the Super Falcons to victory in the match against South Africa.
“This is a big match by all standards. We especially appeal to our people to come en masse and support the Super Falcons. We need to get a big win here to be in good standing before flying to South Africa. A handsome win here will bolster our ladies’ confidence and mentality to overcome in Pretoria,” Sanusi said.
Nigeria had not participated in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament since 2008 when the Falcons lost all three matches in the group phase in China.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said on Wednesday that the objective of Africa’s leading women’s team, the Falcons, has remained the same since the beginning of the qualifiers.
“Since playing Ethiopia, we have been committed to seeing these qualification series through. Our objective has always been to win a slot in the Olympics. Most of us are yet to play in the Olympics and it is a big issue with us. We want to be there in Paris.
“There are a couple of issues the Super Falcons have to sort out with Banyana Banyana. However, that is not the motivation this time. The motivation is qualifying for the Olympics.”
Nigeria emerged as Africa’s top team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand eight months ago. They were unbeaten in regulation time before exiting in the Round of 16 courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat by England.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, captain Ajibade and 20 other players were in the Super Falcons’ camp. The team had its first training session at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Wednesday morning.
The Banyana Banyana delegation arrived in Nigeria on Sunday.
In Camp:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Linda Jiwuaku
Defenders: Jumoke Alani, Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Shukurat Oladipo, Michelle Alozie, Nicole Payne
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde
Forwards: Uchenna Kanu, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide, Ifeoma Onumonu, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiwendu Ihezuo