Connect with us

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Women’s World Cup: The five best African players in the group stages

blank

Published

on

For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, Africa will have three representatives in the round of 16: Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. 

CAFOnline takes a look at five players that were exceptional in driving their sides to the knockout stage of the competition.

1 – Chiamaka Nnadozie, Goalkeeper – Nigeria

She was the youngest goalkeeper at the 2019  FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, Chiamaka Nnadozie has now become a huge asset for the Super Eagles.

The captain of the Super Falcons was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet against Canada in a 0-0 where she saved a Christine Sinclair penalty.

Advertisement

A stellar performance that saw her walk away with the “Player of the Match” trophy in the opening tie of the Super Falcons.

2 – Hilda Magaia, Striker – South Africa

A double goalscorer in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022, Hilda Magaia, who plays her football in the Korea Republic for Sejong Sportstoto has formed a lethal partnership with Thembi Kgatlana.

A serial goalscorer of note, the Dennilton native put up impressive performances against Sweden and Italy and was instrumental in the goals scored.

3 – Thembi Kgatlana, Forward – South Africa

Advertisement

Side-lined for almost a year due to injury, South Africa’s number 11 is really stamping her authority as a goal poacher in this FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Inseparable from her attacking teammate Hildah Magaia, the 2018 CAF Women’s Footballer of the year is high in confidence and it is showing in her performance.

The speedy forward has terrorised defenders in New Zealand and will be key for coach Desiree Ellis against Netherlands in the round of 16.

4- Ibtissam Jraidi, Forward – Morocco

At 30, Ibtissam Jraidi’s experience has been key in Morocco’s debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.  Against the Republic of Korea, the former AS FAR star, who now dons the colours of

Advertisement

Saudi club Al Ahly gave her nation their first ever victory at a FIFA Women’s World Cup when they won 1-0.

5- Anissa Lahmari, Midfielder – Morocco

The name of Anissa Lahmari will now be associated with that of a historical moment – the qualification of Morocco for the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The star midfielder perfectly followed Ghizlane’s missed penalty by firing home for the all-important goal and will be key in Morocco’s fairy tale run at the global showpiece.

CAFOnline also pays tribute to Zambia’s Barbra Banda, who scored the 1000th goal in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup through a spot kick in a match the Copper Queens won 3-1 over Costa Rica.

Advertisement

-CAF

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Flamingos Set for Morocco 2025 as Nigeria’s U-17s Depart Abuja for Final World Cup Preparations

blank

Published

on

blank

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin the final leg of preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Morocco.

The team will travel aboard Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic hub, where they will set up camp ahead of the tournament.

During their stay in Casablanca, the Flamingos will step up their build-up programme with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, and then Paraguay on October 14.

Following their training camp, the team will move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, joining other participating nations as the countdown begins to the global showpiece.

Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in what promises to be a competitive group. The Flamingos will begin their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before locking horns with France three days later.

Advertisement

Both matches will be played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Nigerian time. Their final group match comes against Samoa on October 25, starting at 5 p.m., also in Sale.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament brimming with confidence after a remarkable build-up.

The Flamingos have played 10 tune-up games, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any, a record that highlights their attacking prowess and defensive discipline.

Olowookere has expressed optimism about his team’s readiness, noting that the squad’s balance and form give them belief they can surpass their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.

With a perfect preparation run and growing momentum, the Flamingos will be aiming to make history in Morocco and bring pride to Nigerian women’s football once again.

Advertisement

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

Continue Reading

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Flamingos in Fiery Form as They Conclude World Cup Preparations in Abuja

blank

Published

on

blank
Shakirat Moshood riding on fellow forward Aisha Animashaun during one of the qualifying matches. 

Nigeria’s U17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, are rounding off their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a string of dominant performances that underscore their growing confidence and team chemistry.

In a remarkable build-up campaign, the Flamingos have played eight friendly matches in Abuja, winning all and maintaining a perfect defensive record. The team has scored 26 goals without conceding, a run that has lifted morale and heightened expectations ahead of their World Cup challenge.

Last week, the team showcased their attacking prowess with a convincing 3–0 victory over Abuja All-Stars.

Praise Agba opened the scoring from a loose ball, Olamide Olanrewaju doubled the lead from the penalty spot, and Zainab Raji sealed the win with a thunderous strike shortly after the restart. Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu was outstanding between the sticks, producing several key saves to preserve another clean sheet.

Earlier, the Flamingos overcame a rain-disrupted clash against Josiah Academy, running out 2–0 winners courtesy of a Chisom Nwachukwu brace within the opening 10 minutes before the downpour forced an early end to proceedings.

Advertisement

The girls also recorded emphatic wins over Nazareth Angels (5–0), with Queen Joseph bagging a brace and goals from Praise Agba, Mariam Yahaya, and Chisom Nwachukwu; and Horvel Prime (5–0), where Joseph netted a first-half hat-trick, while captain Shakirat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan added one apiece.

Across all their tune-up matches, the Flamingos have demonstrated an impressive balance — clinical in attack, disciplined in midfield, and solid at the back — as they fine-tune for global competition.

Drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa, Nigeria will depart for Morocco on October 8, aiming to carry their perfect form into the tournament, which runs from October 17 to November 8.

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

Advertisement

Continue Reading

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Falconets Edge She-Amavubi as Nigeria Extends Winning Run Over Rwanda

blank

Published

on

blank

Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, continued the country’s dominance over Rwanda on the international football stage by securing a 1–0 victory in Kigali on Sunday in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier.

The narrow win comes against the backdrop of two recent triumphs by the Super Eagles over Rwanda in the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, underlining Nigeria’s growing hold in encounters with the East Africans.

At the Kigali-Pele Stadium in Nyamirambo, both sides battled fiercely in a goalless first half, with chances at a premium. The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute when Alaba Olabiyi bundled the ball home from a goalmouth scramble after a Falconets corner. The strike proved enough to hand Coach Moses Aduku a winning start in his first competitive game in charge of the team.

With the victory, the Falconets carry a slim but valuable advantage into the return leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday, where they will be backed by home support as they push for a place in the next round of qualifiers.

The team’s delegation is expected back in Nigeria on Monday morning to begin preparations for the decisive clash.

Advertisement

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

Continue Reading

Most Viewed