International Football
NIGERIAN FEMALE GOALKEEPER, AYEGBA, BREAKTHROUGH IN EUROPE
Rachael Aladi Ayegba made a huge success in Europe by winning the Finnish Naisten Liiga title with PK-35 Vantaa in 2013, making her the first African female goalkeeper to enjoy such breakthrough abroad.
During her active 11-year spell in Finland, she has enjoyed stints at Kokkolan Palloveikot, Kuopion Palloseura, GBK Kokkola and notably with PK-35 Vantaa, where she won a couple of domestic titles and also competed twice in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
At the international level, she made her debut against Namibia in 2001 and was a member of the Super Falcons squad at the 2006 and 2008 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (then African Women’s Championships), as well as the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China and African Games in Algeria same year.
Having retired in 2016, ‘Baruwa’ as she is nicknamed, who locally played for Oladimeji Tigress and Ufouma Babes, FCT Queens of Abuja, and Edo Queens in Nigeria before her move to Finland in 2005 has since ventured into coaching. Since taking to coaching, she has gone on to acquire UEFA A Goalkeepers License, while serving for three years as a player/coach at GBK.
Nigeria boasts of numerous female goalkeepers, including Precious Dede but the 34-year-old, who is renowned for her lanky, fiery attitude, and composure in one-on-one situations, was one of a few that made it out of Africa and she prides herself as being a shining light for the next generation.
In an exclusive interview, she spoke to CAFOnline.com about her football journey, family support, and the motivation to become a coach, among others. Below are excerpts;
CAFOnline.com: How did your journey into football started?
Rachael Ayegba: I was exposed to playing football as a child. The only option I had for a recreational activity was to play football with my dad and brothers whilst growing up in a community in Delta State, Nigeria, where my father served as was also a Police Officer. I was also interested in volleyball and handball, and participated in minor games that were part of the school curriculum for sports. Most of the time, I had to play with my brothers at home, which made football more dominant.
How supportive were your family to your career?
My family has been the bedrock of support for me during my career. They have always been there for me from the outset, and all through the obstacles and victories encountered during my career. It’s been an honour for me to make my dad’s wish of playing for Nigeria at the highest level come to pass.
How did you break into the star-studded national team, Super Falcons?
I participated in a youth competition that took place in Lagos. I represented Bauchi State because I did not make it to the Lagos State team, and ended up emerging the best goalkeeper in that tournament. Two coaches namely Daniel Evumena and George Emenetie invited me to join (defunct) Ufuoma Babes, which was then one of the biggest clubs in Nigeria. With some rapid signs of progress I made in the game, I joined Inneh-Queens (now Edo Queens) of Benin City, where I played until I was invited to the Super Falcons camp for the first time in 2001. I remembered then that my first game was against Namibia in a friendly played in Windhoek under then-coach Peter Egudia.
How did you make it to Europe as a goalkeeper?
I was on the squad for 2003 African Games held in Abuja; unfortunately I got injured in camp. However, that was when I met my then-agent, who informed me of a club offer in Finland which needed a goalkeeper, and I decided to take the opportunity to explore the terrain of women’s football in Europe. It was such an unexpected opportunity for me but I grabbed it with both hands and am glad how things turned out.
What were your major challenges while developing your football passion?
As a young girl going away from my family to join a football club was emotionally tough, but with the support of my family, I was able to overcome that obstacle. An ankle injury sustained during a national team camp was a major challenge. It set me backward and I had to undergo treatment and recovery which lasted over six months. A minor challenge I also face at the early stage of my experience in Europe was the change in weather, cultural difference and language. With the of my club, I was able to learn and integrate into my new environment.
Why did you decide to venture into coaching after your retirement?
During the later stages of my club career, I realized I had huge passion for coaching and sharing experiences and ideas with the youth. I embarked on acquiring the required UEFA B and UEFA Goalkeeper A licenses, and concurrently being a head coach cum player of GBK in Finland, during which I gained a lot of experience about various issues related coaching, and managing relationship with club management and the public.
As a certified coach, what are your aspirations in your new journey?
The women’s game has evolved a lot, as several ideas, skills, tactics and technology have been introduced into the game. The way the game is perceived and played globally has changed a lot compared to the early days of my career. As an optimistic and open-minded person, I would not say no to any opportunity that might come my way anytime in the future. However, based on my experience and involvement in the game and journey over the world, my passion for sharing knowledge with youths, and giving back to society,
I would accept such a challenge as an opportunity. In terms of the difference I hope to make, I can confidently say that my international experience as a goalkeeper and coach has taught me a lot, to let the young players understand the way football has changed over the past few decades in terms of tactical and technical skills, understanding situations, opponents, analytics, data collection and exploitation.
-cafonline
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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