WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

A match Nigerians are keen for as Canada play Ireland

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2023

Nigerians both in Australia and elsewhere will watch with keen interest the Group B clash of Canada and Republic of Ireland.

Both teams come into this crunch Group B clash in Perth/Boorloo knowing that a victory is vital to their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Canada were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria in their opening match, in which they were left to rue Christine Sinclair’s penalty miss.

With joint-hosts Australia awaiting in their third group contest, the Canadians are well aware that three points are essential in this one if they are to advance to the knockout stage for a third consecutive tournament.

Debutantes the Republic of Ireland went down 1-0 to Australia in their curtain-raiser, despite producing a valiant display. The Girls in Green competed extremely well, with the co-hosts’ goal coming from the penalty spot, while they showed plenty of attacking threat, and their nine attempts at goal will give them confidence ahead of this encounter.

Here are statistics ahead of the clash.

Last meeting:12/03/2014, Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland, Women’s Cyprus Cup 2014, GSP Stadium, Nicosia (Cyprus)
Key facts: Canada have lost only one of their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches (W3 D3 L1).
Against Nigeria, Canada’s Christine Sinclair became the second-oldest player to feature at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, at the age of 40 years and 39 days. The oldest player to make an appearance in FIFA Women’s World Cup history is Brazil’s Formiga, who lined up against France in 2019 aged 41 years and 112 days.
Canada have kept five clean sheets in their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup groupstage outings.
Canada kept a clean sheet in each of their first two matches in the last two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Against Australia, Abbie Larkin became the youngest-ever player to represent the Republic of Ireland at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 18 years and 84 days. She is the only teenager in Vera Pauw’s squad.

CANADA TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play28, Win 8, Draw 6, Lost 14, Goals For: 34, Goals Against:52, Goal Difference: -18
Biggest win: Canada 4-0Ghana (15/09/2007)
Biggest defeat: Canada 0-7. Norway (08/08/1995)
Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Canada 1-7 Norway (23/06/1999)
Most goals scored in a match: 4 – Canada 4-0 Ghana (15/09/2007)
Most goals conceded in a match: 7 – Canada 0-7 Norway (08/08/1995)/Canada 1-7 Norway (23/06/1999)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 10 – 2003 (6 matches)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 – 2011 (3 matches)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 1995 (3 matches)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2015 (5 matches)/2019 (4 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: 3 (2003) Successive defeats: 3 (three times)
Successive draws: 2 (2015)
Successive matches without a defeat: 4 (2015)
Successive matches without a win: 7 (1995-2003)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 12 (1999-2007)
Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2011 and 2019-present)
Successive clean sheets: 2 (2015 and 2019)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play1, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 1, Goals For: 0, Goals Against: 1, Goal Difference: -1
Biggest win: Nil
Biggest defeat: 0-1 Republic of Ireland v. Australia (20/07/2023)
Highest scoring match: 1 goal – Republic of Ireland 0-1 Australia (20/07/2023)
Most goals scored in a match: 0
Most goals conceded in a match: 1 – Republic of Ireland 0-1 Australia (20/07/2023)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 (2023 – 1 match)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 (2023 – 1 match)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 1 match)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 1 match)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: 0
Successive defeats: 1 (2023-present)
Successive draws: 0
Successive matches without a defeat: 0
Successive matches without a win: 1 (2023-present)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 0
Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023-present) Successive clean sheets: 0

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Falconets Face Rwanda in World Cup Qualifier, Days After Eagles’ Back-to-Back Duels

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria and Rwanda are set for another football showdown this weekend, this time at youth women’s level, as the Falconets begin their quest for a place at the 2025 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

Just days after the Super Eagles’ back-to-back World Cup qualifying clashes with the Amavubi, Nigeria’s U20 women will test strength against their Rwandan counterparts on Sunday in Kigali. The second-round, first-leg fixture will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium, formerly Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.

Two-time World Cup silver medallists, Nigeria have been ever-present at the competition since its inception in 2002 and are determined to extend that record. The Falconets finished runners-up in 2010 in Germany and 2014 in Canada, losing both finals to Germany, who this time failed to qualify.

The Nigerian team is scheduled to depart for Kigali on Thursday. The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Sierra Leone and Liberia to handle the match, with Sierra Leone’s Aminata Fullah as referee and Liberian Love Tuu Wehyee serving as fourth official.

The return leg will be played in Nigeria later this month, with the aggregate winner progressing to the third round of qualifiers.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos notch two wins in friendly matches

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, continued their preparation for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with back-to-back victories in friendly matches at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

On Friday, 12^th September 2025, the Flamingos overpowered Horvel Angels 2–0, with Chisom Nwachukwu pouncing on a goalkeeper error for the opener before Kaosara Olanrewaju sealed the win in the second half with a composed strike.

They followed it up on Saturday, 13^th September 2025, with a resounding 5–0 triumph over Nazareth Angels. After a dominant first half, the Falconets raced to a 2-0 lead.

Itodore Destiny added a third shortly after the restart before Terlumu Tabitha and Chisom Nwachukwu completed the rout with fine finishes as the Flamingos showcased their attacking depth despite several missed chances.

The victories underline the team’s growing sharpness in front of goal and defensive discipline as they gear up for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup holding 17^thOctober – 8^th November in Morocco, where Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in Group D.

All players called up are currently in camp, giving head coach Bankole Olowookere a full complement of options as the technical crew look to fine-tune their squad for the tournament.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Bayelsa Queens Rally to Defeat USFA and Reach WAFU B Women’s Champions League Final

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun, presenting the Player of the Match award to Bayelsa Queens' Seimeyeha Akekoromowei

Bayelsa Queens booked their place in the final of the 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers after overturning an early deficit to beat Burkina Faso’s USFA 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Nigerian side, who previously claimed the regional crown in 2022, fell behind just two minutes into the match when Comfort Yeboah capitalized on a defensive miscommunication between Florence Alexander and goalkeeper Monle Omini, lobbed the ball into an empty net.
Responding swiftly, Bayelsa Queens equalized in the 15th minute when Shakirat Moshood dispossessed a USFA defender, dribbled past three opponents, and set up Emem Essien, who headed the ball home to level the score.
The goal sparked confidence among the Nigerian team, with players like Alaba Olabiyi and Vera Samuel controlling the midfield and dictating the tempo of play.
The winning goal came in the 62nd minute through Seimeyeha Akekoromowei. She seized on a loose ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike that dejaron the USFA goalkeeper stranded, securing the victory.
Akekoromowei, who has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, was named Player of the Match for the second time in the competition, further cementing her reputation as one of West Africa’s brightest football talents.
With this victory, Bayelsa Queens, who remain unbeaten in the tournament, will face Ivorian champions ASEC Mimosas in Friday’s final. ASEC reached the final after defeating Ghana’s Police Ladies 4-1 earlier in the day, making them the first Ivorian side to reach the WAFU B final.
The winner of the regional tournament will secure qualification for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League, with potential spots at both the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Bayelsa, who finished third at the continental finals in Morocco three years ago, is now just one step away from another appearance on Africa’s biggest stage.
Among distinguished guests was Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun, a former Nigeria Premier League match commissioner and current diplomatic officer at the Nigerian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire. He presented the MVP award to Seimeyeha Akekoromowei, acknowledging her outstanding performance in the match.