WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Sheroes Cup 2023: Naija Ratels and Edo Queens secure first victories
BY SAMUEL AHMADU
The 6th edition of Sheroes Cup commenced at the Aguiyi Ironsi Military Cantonment in Abuja on Saturday.
The opening day was a vibrant showcase of talent and unity, set against the backdrop of a festive atmosphere that captivated the audience. The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, who added prestige to the occasion.
In an electrifying opening match, former Sheroes Cup champions, Edo Queens, demonstrated their prowess by defeating newcomers to the Premiership of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Ekiti Queens, with a resounding 4-1 victory.
The four goals for Edo Queens were scored in the first half, with Goodness Osigwe, Suliat Abideen, Omotoke Odueke, and Emem Essien all finding the back of the net. Ekiti Queens’ lone goal came from Seun Fakunle.
The subsequent clash between Naija Ratels and Sunshine Queens, which marked the official kick-off of the pre-season tournament, unfolded at the same venue. Naija Ratels secured a 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Augustina Unamba and Bankole Sofiat. Sunshine Queens managed a consolation goal from Eunice Ezeani.
Nkechi Obi, Chairman of NWFL, made a significant statement during the event. She stated, “This competition has been instrumental in helping clubs prepare for the new season by assessing their players, especially newcomers. It is an excellent platform for private or corporate bodies to showcase their initiatives and support human development efforts.”
She further revealed exciting news, adding, “In the coming season, the NWFL management will be unveiling a welfare package for players, demonstrating our commitment to the growth of women’s football.”
The President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barr. Paul Edeh, presided over the official opening ceremony and emphasized the tournament’s significance.
He highlighted the RSDF’s unwavering commitment to funding the competition since its inception in 2019, praising its role in preparing teams for the NWFL premiership and international competitions such as the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Edeh also extended gratitude to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee, led by Mrs. Faith Irabor, for their dedication to improving officiating standards, both during the pre-season and the regular season. He urged for enhanced officiating throughout the competition.
Mrs. Faith Irabor, the Chairperson of the NFF Referees Committee, outlined ongoing efforts to elevate Nigerian referees to international standards, underscoring the Federation’s commitment to enhancing the quality of officiating in the sport.
Regarding the tournament’s format, Coach Haruna Ilerika, Chairman of the Organising Committee and FCT FA Secretary, explained that all six participating teams would initially engage in round-robin games. The top two teams would then compete in the final, while the third and fourth-ranked clubs would face off in a third-place match.
The action continued on Sunday at Abacha Barracks pitch, with the eagerly anticipated only match of the day between Dannaz Ladies and Honey Badgers, ending in a 2-2 draw.
It’s worth noting that Delta Queens, the reigning champions, are absent from this edition, with Imo Strikers having triumphed in the NWFL Championship earlier in 2023.
Despite wintry conditions in Blida, on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, Algiers, Nigeria’s U17 girls dug their feet into the ground on Friday night.
They achieved a scoreless draw that qualified them for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.
Holding on to a 4-0 first-leg advantage, the 2002 bronze medallists adopted a calm and collected pattern that easily soaked up the expected pressure from the hosts and then relied on fast breaks to try and pull the trigger on their opponents.
Although they created better chances on the night, the Flamingos failed to make dominance in possession pay, but swiftly collected the ticket to Morocco on a 4-0 aggregate win.
The difference over two legs of the final round was a remarkable display in the opening leg by the Flamingos, during which a brace by Queen Joseph and one each by Zainab Raji and substitute Aisha Animashaun ensured a 4-0 win.
The Flamingos will now be one of Africa’s five representatives (including hosts Morocco) at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place from 17th October – 5th November. The final competition will entertain 24 teams for the very first time.
Since the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup competition was launched in New Zealand in 2008, Nigeria have failed to make the finals only once – the 2018 tournament hosted by Uruguay.
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Despite heavy first leg loss, Algeria hopeful of a turnaround in Nigeria’s Flamingos clash
The Algeria U17 women’s national team still hope for a possible turnaround in this Friday night clash with Nigeria’s Flamingos.
Algeria lost 4-0 in the first leg match in Ikenne last Saturday.
The Algerians completed their preparations on Thursday at the Sidi Moussa National Technical Centre, the eve of the return match against Nigeria.
The return match is scheduled for this Friday at 8 p.m. at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida. Aggregate winners will pick a ticket to the FIFA U-17 Women’s 2025 World Cup.
According to sources in Algeria, all the players took part in the final session, during which coach Abdenour Mira finalised the tactical details for the make or mar encounter.
Despite the heavy defeat conceded in the first leg (4-0), the young Algerians approach this match with the desire to finish well and deliver an honourable performance against a formidable Nigerian team.
During the technical meeting held early in the afternoon at the FAF headquarters, in the presence of representatives of the two teams and the organisers, it was decided that Algeria will play in green, while Nigeria will wear white.
The match will be officiated by Cameroonian Aline Marie Noelle Guimbang, assisted by her compatriot Laurie Marcelle Tsafack Teikeu and Chadian Victorine Ngarassoum.
The fourth official will also be Cameroonian, Innoncentia Njang Ntangti.
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Under possible cold weather in Blida, Nigeria’s Flamingos set to grab World Cup ticket
The weather is most likely to be cold, but Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, are set to continue a tradition of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which has had eight editions, out of which the Flamingos featured in seven.
Only Japan, with 100 per cent attendance, has featured in more competitions than Nigeria’s Flamingos.
They look poised to feature again after a 4-0 defeat of Algeria in the first leg of the final qualifying series.
Apart from their opponents, Algeria, they have the expected cold weather to battle with at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers), on Friday night.
Friday’s encounter against their Algerian counterparts is the final leg of a final qualifying round fixture, with the Flamingos, bronze-medallists from the 2022 finals in India and quarterfinalists from the last edition in the Dominican Republic, holding on to a 4-0 first-leg advantage.
The Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) has scheduled the match to kick off at 8 pm, at a time when the winds will begin to blow in stronger from the Mediterranean Sea.
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