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FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: SUPER FALCONS MAY FACE WORLD’S NO 1 USA, GERMANY OR FRANCE

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BY APESIN ADEMOLA.

The Super Falcons are in Pot 4 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted by France next year as the draw is conducted at La Seine Musicale on the island of Île Seguin, Boulogne-Billancourt, in the host country, from 6pm (local and Nigerian time) on Saturday.

They could therefore be paired against United States, Germany, host nation France or any other strong opposition.

Despite being one of only seven countries to have featured in all seven past editions of the global tournament, Nigeria have not fared too well with only three wins and same number of draws in 22 matches they are placed 39th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Among the teams in the hat, the Super Falcons are only better than the two other African representatives – Cameroon (46th) and South Africa (48th) – as well as Jamaica (53rd).

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France (No 3) will be the top team in Group A. They will not face any of the other seeded sides – United States (No 1), Germany (No 2), England (No 4), Canada (No 5) and Australia (No 6).

The Americans have won the title three times (1991, 1999 and 2015), while Germany were champions back-to-back in 2003 and 2007.

In Pot 2 are two other past winners, Japan (2011 and currently No 8 in FIFA rankings) and Norway, 1995 champions and now 13th in FIFA standings.

Completing that Pot are the Netherlands (No 7), Sweden (No 9), Brazil (No 10) and Spain (No 12).

Pot 3 is made up of Korea Republic, China PR, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland and Thailand.

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Ahead in Pot 4 are two South American teams Argentina (No 36) and Chile (No 38), who are joined here by Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Jamaica.

By the rule of the draw, no group can contain more than one team from each confederation apart from UEFA, which have nine teams, where each group must contain a maximum of two UEFA teams.

South Africa, who won bronze medal in the recently concluded African Women’s Championship in Ghana, will be making their entry into the global stage in France 2019.

Other debutantes are Chile, Jamaica and Scotland.

Italy are returning to the tournament for the first time since 1999, hosted by the United States where they exited at the group stage.

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Also back in the competition are Argentina, who have been absent since 2007 when they placed bottom of their group.

Apart from the Super Falcons of Nigeria, the regulars are the United States, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Brazil and Japan.

Next year’s tournament holds from June 7 and July 7.

 

 

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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International Football

Former Chelsea manager, Pochettino takes over US men’s team

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Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - May 11, 2024 Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named new coach of the United States men’s team, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday.

Pochettino, who parted ways with Premier League side Chelsea in May after one season in charge, will take the reins of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The Argentine, a former Paris St Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager, said his decision to join U.S. soccer was not just about football, but about the journey the country was on and he could not pass up the opportunity.

“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” he said in a statement.

“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

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U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said Pochettino was a “serial winner with a deep passion for developing players”.

“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”

The U.S. have been without a permanent coach since a humiliating early exit from the Copa America on home soil in July led to the sacking of Gregg Berhalter after his second stint as head coach.

The 51-year-old boss was first appointed in 2018 and led the Americans to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, but just weeks later found himself embroiled in a bitter public row with one of the team’s brightest emerging talents, Gio Reyna.

U.S. Soccer’s search for a new coach when Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022 included names such as Canada coach Jesse Marsch, but they ultimately rehired Berhalter in June last year with the full support of the players.

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However, it proved unsuccessful as the U.S. failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Copa America after a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama and a crushing 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

Pochettino will take over after Mikey Varas, who has been appointed interim coach, oversaw friendlies against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday.

The U.S. drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati after Christian Pulisic’s goal was cancelled out by Ben Waine’s late equaliser.

The U.S. will next play friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 and Mexico three days later.

-Reuters

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BREAKING – Video: Osimhen accepts to join Galatasaray

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At last, Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen is out of the limbo. He has accepted to join Galatasaray on loan.

He is now asking for a release clause at Napoli to become €75m instead of €130m

He also wants a break clause for January in case top clubs approach him over move.

The final points  are being discussed. He has been videoed celebrating with the Turkey club’s fans.

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Uruguay striker Suarez to play last international match on Friday

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Uruguay striker Luis Suarez announced his international retirement on Monday, ending a 17-year career with his national team as their top scorer with 69 goals.

The 37-year-old, who has 142 caps for his country, made his international debut in 2007 and was key in the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.

“Friday will be my last match with my country’s national team,” an emotional Suarez told a press conference.

“The fact that is my decision to retire and that I’m not retired because of injuries or that they stop calling me for one thing or another, that gives me a lot of comfort, it helps me individually.

“It’s difficult but it gives me peace of mind that until the last game I have given my all, and that flame has not been extinguished little by little,” the striker added.

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Uruguay take on Paraguay at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Friday in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup before facing Venezuela four days later.

Suarez scored the stoppage-time goal against Canada that secured third place at the Copa America in July and the striker added that one of his aims was to show he could continue to contribute to the national team.

“My dream was for my children to see me win something important with the national team … that last goal was very nice for them and even though it wasn’t a trophy to take home, it was very nice for them,” he said.

“I wanted to show people again that I can continue to contribute to the national team and, well, I had the Copa America and yes, I could have done it (retired) perfectly after that, but having analysed the situation, I want to do it with my people, in my stadium.

“I want my children to live this experience. Saying goodbye with the people here is something that I don’t know if many have done.”

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Suarez has already said Inter Miami will be his last club after joining the Major League Soccer side last year to reunite with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

-Reuters

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