The Super Falcons, unbeaten and unbreached in the tournament so far, maintained their defensive record while producing their most clinical attacking display yet, dismantling the Copper Queens with ruthless efficiency at Stade Larbi Zaouli.

Nigeria’s intent was clear from the first whistle, and they needed just two minutes to assert control. Centre-back Osinachi Ohale rose highest to head home Esther Okoronkwo‘s pinpoint free-kick delivery, setting the tone for a night to forget for Zambia.

The nine-time champions doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Okoronkwo, again heavily involved, finished off a flowing move with a composed strike into the bottom corner. Zambia, who had shown grit and flair in the group stages, looked shell-shocked.

Before the half-time whistle, Nigeria added a third. Chinwendu Ihezuo pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot in a left-footed finish and all but end the contest.

Zambia, for all their attacking prowess led by captain Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda, failed to replicate the fluid football that had seen them finish second in Group A.

Their attacks were often disjointed and met with a disciplined Nigerian backline anchored by Ashleigh Plumptre.

After the break, Nigeria remained in control. Oluwatosin Demehin made it 4-0 in the 68th minute, nodding in from close range after another set-piece wreaked havoc in Zambia’s area.

The fifth arrived in stoppage time, with substitute Folashade Ijamilusi applying the finishing touch following good work by Rasheedat Ajibade.

Zambia’s frustration was summed up by Banda’s repeated offsides and speculative efforts, while Chanda’s long-range attempt in the 51st minute was comfortably blocked.

With this emphatic victory, Nigeria maintain their push for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. Zambia, who had hoped to build on their 2022 bronze finish, now exit the tournament having been outclassed by a side still to concede a single goal.

Nigeria will now await their semi-final opponents with growing confidence and belief that their dominance on the continent remains intact.

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The match kicks off at 6.30pm Spain time (5.30pm Nigeria time) at La Quinta Football Centre, Malaga, concluding the Super Falcons‘ training camp in Spain.

Both teams previously played to a 0-0 draw in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on 21 July 2023. Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, saved a penalty kick by veteran Christine Sinclair and made 14 other crucial saves in that match.

Coach Randy Waldrum is expected to field a similar squad, retaining goalkeeper Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, and possibly Chidinma Okeke, along with midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun. The forward lineup may see changes, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade returning after missing the previous Canada match due to a red card in the Women AFCON semi-final against Morocco in July 2022. Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo could also feature.

The nine-time African champions will travel to France on Thursday for further training, leading up to their opening match against Brazil at Stade Bordeaux on 25th July. Nigeria’s other group matches will be against Spain on 28th July and Japan on 31st July, both at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

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As our national Senior men’s football team prepares for the “2023 African Cup of Nations” (AFCON) coming up in Côte d’Ivoire, between January 13 to February 11, 2024 Nigerians (including, yours sincerely) are worried about the form of the Super Eagles. To further compound the worries, the Super Eagles have failed to win any of the first two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against two minnows – Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, playing out a 1-1 draw with each of them. Yet, Nigerian players dominated the recently organised award gala by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF). So, as things are, at the moment, no one is convinced that the Eagles will be able to put up a performance that will be befitting of their reputation as one of the favourites, let alone, win the competition for the 4th time.

The CAF Award 2023, which was held in the city of Marrakech in Morocco has come and gone, and Nigeria, unlike in recent past editions, stole the show. The African Footballers of the Year, both men and women’s categories were won by Victor Osimhen, and Asisat Oshoala respectively. While the best goalkeeper award (female category) went to Paris FC shots-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie. And the Best Female National Team of the Year award went to the Super Falcons of Nigeria. This is despite the fact that they (the Falcons) were unable to win the last (2022) African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON). They did not also have the best of preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand. Yet, they emerged the highest-ranked African country, at the quadrennial global tournament, placed 10th, after ending the group stage unbeaten, with a famous victory over the co-hosts, Australia to boot. The Falcons are also the highest-ranking African national female football team per the latest FIFA ranking. They ranked 34th on the global list.

On the CAF individual award, Osimhen is the first Nigeria to clinch the greatest African individual award in football, after Kanu Nwankwo last did in 1999. The lanky striker plays for the Italian Serie A side, SSC Napoli, with and for whom he won the Scudetto for the first time in over three decades, and the third time in their history. He equally won the highest goalscorer award (Capocannoniere) for the 2022/23 season, scoring 26 goals in 32 appearances—the first African to do so in the history of the league, and the first player after Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win both the Scudetto, and the Capocannoniere (the highest goalscorer) in the same season (in 2008/09). The Lagos-born lad emerged, the fourth Napoli player to win the Capocannoniere award, after the late Argentine legend, Diego Maradona, Uruguayan Edison Cavani, and another Argentine, Gonzalo Higuain. He, in the process, broke all the goal scoring records set by some African legends like George Weah, Obafemi Martins, and Samuel Samuel Eto’o, who had graced the Italian Serie A, even before he was born. He broke George Weah’s record of 46 goals, the all-time highest African scorer in the Serie A, which had stood since 1999. The 24-year-old also netted ten times in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier matches, helping Nigeria reach next year’s finals. Barely 24 hours after nicking the coveted award in Marrakech, he’d gone ahead to score one goal in the UEFA Champions League against Braga, and one other goal plus an assist in the Serie A against Cagliari last Saturday. It is, therefore, safe to say that, he’s commenced work towards retaining the next edition of the award.

Meanwhile, Asisat Oshoala who plies her trade in the Spanish Femeni Laliga with FC Barcelona Femeni, won the best African female footballer of the year, for a record six-time. She was very instrumental in the team’s run to the UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph, last season, in addition to the Spanish national league. She also scored a fantastic goal against Australia in one of the group matches at the last World Cup. Furthermore, she scored 27 goal in 40 appearances for Barcelona in the out gone season.

Talking about the lady with magnetic palms, Chiamaka Nnadozie, her stats are conspicuous not to be noticed, as far as saves, from the 12- yard (penalty) is concerned. In this ongoing season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League alone, she’s saved no fewer than four penalties for her team, Paris FC—two against the Arsenal ladies, one against Wolfsburg, and another save against Real Madrid Femeni, shortly after winning the CAF best goalkeeper Award. By those performances, she has, beyond any reasonable doubt, proven that her penalty-saving feats are no fluke. Meanwhile, breathing down her neck in the Super Falcons team is her deputy, an equally good Tochukwu Oluehi, but Nnadozie seems to have named the Falcons’ number-one goalkeeping position after herself for the time being.

In the men’s category of the CAF’s Best Eleven of the year, Osimhen made it, while the Falcons have three Representatives in veteran defender, Osinachi Ohale, US-based Mitchelle Allozie, and of course, the “African Queen”, Asisat Oshoala, in the CAF women’s team of the year. Petite, but combative midfielder, Deborah Abiodun, made the final-three shortlist of “Young Player of the Year” in the female category, but she was not so lucky to win this time. That is, however, not to say that the world is not hers to conquer in the not-too-distant future, barring any unforeseen circumstance beyond human control.

While Nigerians, home and abroad, as well as lovers of the Nigerian football across the globe celebrate these feats, beneath the cacophony of congratulatory messages coming the ways of the winners, lies an ugly signal, pointing in the direction of the country’s football administrators’ ineptitude. That Nigerian players dominated the award, reiterated the fact that, the country has the talents with the potentials to be world beaters. All that is missing is the managerial acumen by those saddled with the responsibility of administering the game in the land, to harness these potentials and transform them into a formidable national team that would become serial winners on the international stages (World Cup and AWCON). The fact that our players are doing well for themselves at their respective club sides, and winning individual accolades across leagues in Europe and beyond, without a commensurate level of successes with the national team is a massive sign that football administrators in Nigeria are not on duty. No pun intended. Look at the “Bayana Bayana”—the South African women’s national team for instance; they do not have more than Thembi Kgatlana as a superstar, but they have a very strong and cohesive team that is very difficult to break down. Remember, they’re the defending African champions, per the last AWCON held in Morocco. Morocco and Zambia are also not far off, as they won the silver and the bronze medals respectively in the last edition. Out of the 14 AWCONs played so far, Nigeria have won 11, while the remaining three were shared among Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa. The successes of the Coach Desiree Ellis-tutored Bafana Bafana team lately is not unconnected with the robust football administrative structure, put up in the rainbow nation to oversee the running of the game. It was, therefore, no coincidence that the coach was named the best female coach of the year at the CAF gala in Marrakech. About three of their players also made the CAF team of the year.

Imagine the Nigerian players, male and female, scattered across the world, have such an administrative luxury of competence and sagacity, the sky would be the starting point, rather than being the limit. The successes of Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie, the Super Falcons, Abiodun, Allozie and Ohale is, therefore, an indictment of the Nigerian Football Federation’s (NFF), competence, and vision to transform the country’s various national teams into regional and global champions.

As we speak, the Super Falcons do not have a substantive coach. The NFF acted as if they were not informed about when the contract signed by the immediate past coach, Randy Waldrum, would expire. They behave, as though, they do not have a copy of the contract papers, containing such details as the date of expiration. I am yet to wrap my head around why it (the expiration of the contract) met them unprepared. Even, the Super Eagles, that have a semblance of a substantive coach in José Peseiro with a subsisting contract, are no longer able to out-score opponents like Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, regardless of whether they play at home or away. These are countries ranked about a hundred places below Nigeria, per FIFA ranking. Grapevine has it that, the coach, Peseiro is being owed a backlog of salaries running into about six months. The coach was quoted in a viral report recently, as he replied to one of the Federation’s board members, to have said that, the NFF should pay him his outstanding salaries, rather than teaching him his job. There has neither been a confirmation, nor a denial from the Glass House, whether or not, the Portuguese tactician is being owed. That signposts the tardiness of those in charge of the country’s football administration.

If Nigerian players could be so good, to win the best African-Players-of-the-Year award, then the only thing that can stop them would either be their level of patriotism and commitment to the course of the national team, or the shambolic administration by the NFF. The next African Cup of Nations is less than 30 days away, yet, the team does not have a goalkeeper that could keep the blood pressures of Nigerians at an optimum level. The erstwhile “number one” Francis Uzoho has spent the last couple of years denting his Curriculum Vitae with the national team. But hardly can anyone blame him because we have a non-resident (visiting) national team coach, who comes in to the country, three days before an international assignment, then leaves immediately after the match. He had hardly watched any league match in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). So, how and where would he unearth the next Vincent Enyeama, Best Ogedemgbe, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, or Emmanuel Okala, who would keep Uzoho on his toes? To make matters worse, there is no focused federation to reign him in. All they’re interested in is foreign trips that come with juicy estacodes.

So, if our players could be that successful at individual levels, without a commensurate level of success with the national teams, then NFF and other administrators of the game in the land stand indicted of incompetence. It is an indictment of football administration in Nigeria that the country’s dominance at the CAF award gala could not translate to laurels for the national teams, both, at African, and global level. The NFF, the Ministry of Sports Development, and other critical stakeholders in the country’s footballing cycle stand indicted of crass ineptitude.

Abubakar writes from Ilorin. He can be reached via marxbayour@gmail.com.

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Nigeria Internationals Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, ascended to the highest thrones, claiming the continent’s prestigious Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year awards.

Osimhen, the Napoli powerhouse, capped a phenomenal year with a dominant victory in the men’s category. His 26 goals won him the highest goal scorer award, a record for an African player in Serie A, and propelled him past formidable competition like Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.

Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian player to win the Men’s Footballer of the Year award for the first since 1999 when Nwankwo Kano defeated Sammy Kuffour and Ibrahima Bakayoko.

This feat also takes Nigeria win to 6, leveled with Côte d’Ivoire as the country with most wins in the Men’s category.

HIST6RY!!!

1993: Yekini
1994: Amunike
1996: Kanu
1997: Ikpeba
1999: Kanu
2023: OSIMHEN

Nigeria equals Côte d'Ivoire as the country with most Africa Footballer of the Year winner.#CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/P00q8oZNwz

— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) December 11, 2023

Meanwhile, Oshoala, the Barcelona Femení maestro, continued her reign as the undisputed queen of African football. Her record-extending sixth Player of the Year award, surpassing even the legendary Perpetua Nkwocha’s four, solidified her place as an all-time African footballing icon.

Her role in Barcelona’s Champions League triumph and Nigeria’s Women’s World Cup run furthered her cause to win the accolades.

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie also became the inaugural winner of the the Women’s goalkeeper of the year award.

But the night wasn’t just about player’s  brilliance. Morocco’s Walid Regragui, who masterminded the Atlas Lions’ historic World Cup semi-final run in Qatar, was crowned Best Coach (Men), while South Africa’s Desiree Ellis claimed her fourth consecutive Best Coach (Women) award, a testament to her incredible work with Banyana Banyana.

Elsewhere, South Africa continued its dominance, with Percy Tau (Al Ahly) winning Interclub Player of the Year (Men) and Banyana Banyana scooping the Best XI in the Women’s category. The Young Player awards saw Senegal‘s Lamine Camara and Morocco’s Nesryne El Chad take home the honors.

National team triumphs were also celebrated, with Morocco’s World Cup achievement earning them the Men’s National Team award, while Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations success secured them the Women’s National Team title.

Club giants Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns were recognized as the best in Africa, claiming the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year awards, respectively.

Full List of Award Winners:

Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)

Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)

Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)

Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)

National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco

National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria

Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)

Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Men’s Africa XI (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa)

Women’s Africa XI: (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa)

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Recap

FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B

Lang Park

July 27, 2023, 11:00 AM

Australia Women

Nigeria Women

–

Preview

Nigeria claimed their first win at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, shocking Australia in Brisbane with a 3-2 comeback victory, putting the co-hosts’ chances of securing a fifth straight WWC knockout stage qualification in jeopardy.

How it happened

Nigeria’s intention to utilize the low block invited Australia to exert pressure on the front foot, with stand-in captain Stephanie Catley coming the closest to breaking the deadlock for the co-hosts as she forced Chiamaka Nnadozie into a fine save.

Shortly after, Hayley Raso spurned a sitter at the far post after connecting with a rogue corner delivery, before the visitors saw a few openings of their own.

A half of end-to-end action was ultimately capped off with successive strikes at either end as the match came to life in the first minute of additional time.

Any doubts regarding Australia’s ability to penetrate Nigeria were put to rest when Emily van Egmond tucked a tidy finish past Nnadozie following a swift counterattack from the left flank.

The joy inside Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium lasted less than four minutes though, as Uchenna Kalu struck an opportunistic finish from inside the box with the final kick of the opening period to leave everything to play for after the restart.

Perhaps inspired by their equaliser, Randy Waldrum’s Super Falcons exhibited resilience and grabbed the lead after the hour mark.

Just minutes after a pair of substitutions, the tide turned in favour of the Africans when Osinachi Ohale poached a header following a defensive mishap to shock the co-hosts.

Substitute Asisat Oshoala‘s presence proved absolutely instrumental in dictating the pace of play thereafter, as she added to Nigeria’s lead by rounding goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and slotting the ball into the far corner, all but sealing a first win in the tournament.

Nonetheless, a consolation awaited the Matildas at the death, as Alanna Kennedy rose high to make it 3-2.

Ultimately, a Sam Kerr-less Australia couldn’t help but succumb to a spirited Nigeria side whose hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds in consecutive WWCs remains alive.

Nigeria are now on a five-match unbeaten streak, with Asisat good form the chance to go one better in the decisive encounter against the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile, Tony Gustavsson’s side will feel sheepish following the defeat as they failed to win their opening two games at a WWC for the first time, ahead of a match-up with Canada next.

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Australia W	3	2	0	1	7	3	4	6
2	Nigeria W	3	1	2	0	3	2	1	5
3	Canada W	3	1	1	1	2	5	-3	4
4	Ireland W	3	0	1	2	1	3	-2	1

 

Advance to Round of 16

Key stats

Emily van Egmond scored the 50th goal at Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Asisat Oshoala is the first Nigerian player to score in three Women’s World Cups.

Official player of the Match

Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria)

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