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CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
WAFCON – Nigeria-Tunisia: The Eagles' Momentum Against the Green Wall
In the setting sun of Casablanca, the Larbi Zaouli stadium is preparing to host a Group B opening clash brimming with history and revenge. This Sunday (5 p.m. local time), Nigeria, the nine-time record African champions, kick off their campaign against Tunisia, a team undergoing a major overhaul but refusing to approach this match as the underdog. Nigeria, the perennial favourite who want to reclaim their crown With nine continental titles in 12 editions, the Super Falcons continue to advance with the glorious weight of their record. But while the numbers speak for themselves—176 goals scored in 61 WAFCON matches, 45 wins, and only seven losses—yesterday's certainties have given way to more nuanced signals. Indeed, the Nigerians have lost their last two opening matches at the WAFCON, each time against South Africa (1-0 in 2018, 2-1 in 2022). They have not won their opening match since 2016. And while their dominance against North African opposition is clear (25 goals scored, only one conceded in six matches), their last head-to-head encounter with Tunisia in 2008, ended in a 0-0 draw. A memory that is still vivid for both sides. Despite this, coach Justin Madugu remains calm: "This squad is prepared to go all the way. There is a collective dynamic, depth in every position, and key players like Rasheedat Ajibade who can turn a match around." The Atlético Madrid player embodies this new Nigerian generation that combines experience and explosiveness. "We know that every tournament is a new challenge. We respect Tunisia, but we are aiming for the top," she says with a smile. Tunisia, a quiet ambition For Tunisia, the equation is simple: do better than in 2022 when the team reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Since then, the Tunisian Football Federation has implemented a fundamental reform. "We are in phase B of a five-year project aimed at structuring the women's national teams from U15 to A," explains coach Kamel Saada. "This squad has been renewed with an experienced foundation of talent but also a lot of youth." Facing the Nigerian giants, the Carthage Eagles want to offer something other than a low block and timid counterattacks. "We have our tactical skills. We do not come as underdogs. We want to get a result," insists Saada. Sabrine Ellouzi, the team's attacking leader and top scorer in qualifying with seven goals, shares the same determination: "This WAFCON is different. In 2022, it was a discovery. Today, we know what to expect. There is more maturity, more camaraderie." Ellouzi perfectly embodies this renewal. Both an instinctive striker and the conductor of a dressing room under reconstruction, she also cultivates another passion: cooking. "Publishing a cookbook is like scoring a goal. You have to work as a team, just like on the pitch," she says humorously. A personal touch for a team seeking to forge a strong identity, combining rigor and freedom. A Duel of Formations and Vision of the Game Beyond the pitch, this encounter is also the fruit of two schools of thought. "We share a lot with the Nigerian staff, particularly a training program focused on technical development," notes Kamel Saada. "But our Tunisian uniqueness is tactical discipline." In reality, Tunisia should offer a midfield with a desire to emerge cleanly. Nigeria, for their part, will certainly impose a high tempo, relying on the verticality and impact of their wingers. If the Super Falcons open the scoring early, the match could get heated. If the Tunisians hold out for an hour, doubts could set in. Ajibade warns: "We shall have to be patient, clear-headed and efficient. We want to start this WAFCON on a solid footing." This Sunday, these two teams face their destinies. For Nigeria, it is an opportunity to reassert their dominance. For Tunisia, it is an opportunity to shake up the hierarchy.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wafcon 2024: Nigeria vs Tunisia match preview
Nigeria Super Falcons go start dia Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Sunday. Dem go face Tunisia for dia opening Group B match wey go shele for di Larbi Zaouli stadium, Casablanca. Dis na di second time wey dem dey meet for di Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Di only time dem bin meet before na for Wafcon 2008 wen dem play goalless draw, for Bata, Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria Coach, Justin Madugu say "We dey prepare veri well and di girls dey respond positively ...we dey good to go!." Coach Madugu add say dem need to show respect to evri team wey qualify for dis finals. "We no dey take anybody forgranted sake of assumption say we don win all our previous games against nort African teams becos e go dey easy, no game dey easy" im conclude. Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade say "evritin dey go well, di backroom staff dey make sure say dem do evritin to make di team respond positively, we dey do evritin to make sure say we perform well for all our games". Head coach of Tunisia Kamel Saada say "Nigeria get good players and Tunisia get good team even though dem no dey experienced. but we fit start well against Nigeria. Nigeria na favourite but as far say we [Tunisia] qualify we fit get sometin out. Match Facts Nigeria According to Caf data, Nigeria don play 61 matches for Wafcon finals, dem win 45—more dan any oda team. Dia record include 9 draws and 7 defeats. Nigeria na di highest scorer for di tournament history wit176 goals for 61 matches, wit di average of 2.89 goals per game and dem concede only 28. Dia record for Wafcon opening matches na eight wins , two draws and two losses for di 12 games wey dem bin don play. Dia biggest opening-game win na 8-0 victory against host Morocco for 1998. Nigeria have bin score 40 goals across dia 12 tournament openers and concede 8— and six na for dia last five opening games. Na only one time don don fail to score for dia opening match, and na1-0 dem lose to South Africa for 2018. Nigeria neva lose any of dia opening games across dia first 10 appearances (W8 D2), but dem bin lose dia opening match for di last two tournaments—1-0 and 2-1 defeat to South Africa for 2018 and 2022. Before dem lose dem bin win four straight openers (2010–2016). Tunisia For Tunisia dia record for opening matches na one win and one loss out of two games. Dem bin lose 2-1 to South Africa for dia 2008 opener. Dia only Wafcon win na for dia 2022 opening match wey dem beat Togo 4-1. Dem no score for dia last four finals matches and na 372 minutes e be in total witout a goal. Tunisia bin keep two clean sheets for eight final games—both against West African opponents (Nigeria for 2008, Senegal for 2022). Dia only group-stage draw na di 0-0 result against Nigeria for 2008. Live match commentary go start by 4pm Nigerian time
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wafcon 2024: Some first-timers wey fit help Nigeria Super Falcons sustain dia legacy
Na few hours remain for di 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations [Wafcon] to start. Di opening ceremony go happun for di Olympic Stadium for Rabat. Di opening match na host Morocco vs Zambia. But for di Super Falcons of Nigeria, na less dan one day to dia opening match. Di Super Falcons na one of di strongest sides for dis tournament. In fact, dem be di most decorated sake of say dem bin don win di trophy nine times. Now dem dey compete to win dia 10th title. No women's team for Africa don come near dis achievement, na why Head Coach of di team Justin Madugu tell Nigerians say dem dey do evritin to make sure say di team maintain di confidence wey dem get ova di years. "We dey do evritin on our part to make sure say we sustain di confidence wey Nigerians don give us, we go try as much as possible to meet una expectations, make una kontinu to trust and support di team." Join Pidgin WhatsApp Channel for more tori on Wafcon 2024. Coach Justin Madugu take ova from American Coach Randy Waldrum wey bin dey lead di team from 2020 till September 2024. As Madugu don come now, im fit help Super Falcons overcome dia shortcomings? Wetin be di shortcomings of di Super Falcons? Some pipo go still ask wetin be di shortcomings of a team wey dey always represent for women's football for Africa and nobody don beat dia record till now. Di answer be say even though dis team dey shine well-well according to history, dem neva too perform well in recent years. Di last time wey dem win dis Wafcon trophy na six years ago, 2018 wen dem beat South Africa [4-3] on penalties for Accra Ghana. Wen former Coach Randy Waldrum bin take over for 2020, expectations bin no too high sake of say di man na University student coach and im bin dey do di Super Falcons job side by side wit im oda work. Randy Waldrum bin no to dey steady wit di team and some women's football pundits bin tok say na one of dis distractions wey di team bin get. Randy Waldrum manage carry dem finish fourth for di 2022 edition, na Zambia beat dem 1-0 for di third place match for Morocco. Now wey Justin Madugu don take charge of di team, Nigerians believe say im go do well. Nigeria dey Group B wit Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana, Nigerians believe say di kontri go qualify from dis group. Some oda pipo dey argue say host kontri Morocco fit win sake of di way dia women football dey grow and di kain players wey dem get. See di complete Wafcon 2024 squad and di ogbonge players wey dey dis tournament. Who be di first timers and wetin dem fit do Di Nigeria squad list for di 2024 Wafcon get a combination of both old and young players. And on Friday, di players get dia official jersey numbers for di tournament. Some of di Wafcon first-timers na homebased players from di Nigeria Women Premier League [NWPL]. Miracle Usani - She be defender wit Edo Queens. For 2022 she bin win bronze medal for di U17 Women's World Cup. Di Confederation of African Football [Caf] bin also name her for di Women's Champions League Best XI [Eleven] She win di West Africa Football Union [Wafu B] Women Champions League qualifier last season for Ivory Coast. Miracle wey dey 18 years na one of di most promising defensive talents for Nigeria. Dem fit add value to di team and dem go try to show say dem no come dis tournament to play, some of dem na: Racheal Onachukwu - Na Goalkeeper wey dey play for Nasarawa Amazons. She be dia number one goalkeeper and Sikiratu Isah of Nasarawa Amazons too go play dia first Wafcon. Oda players to watch na Shikurat Oladipo wey come from FC Robo Queens for Nigeria move to AS Roma Ladies. Experienced hands Di Wafcon team get plenti players wey don win di title bifor, dis players don play for di higest level of international footballl. Di likes of Francesca Ordega wey dey currently play for Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia. Osinachi Ohale don dey play for di national team for ova 10 years, she bin start wit U – 20 for 2010. She be part of di team wey bin win in di title 4 times back to back. Tochukwu Oluehi na di former number one goalkeeper for Super Falcon bifor Chiamaka take ova. Di former Rivers Angels goalkeeper still dey play professional football. She aslo get Wafcon titles to her name. Asisat Oshoala na di most decorated Women's Footballer for Africa. She don win multiple Wafcon titles and also Caf Women's Player of di Year a record six times. Di question na if di experience wey dis players get go pay-off dis time. Na only time go tell if dia experiences fit help Nigeria win dia 10th title.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Evrione wan make dis title come back' - Nigeria eye 10th Wafcon win
Nigeria na ogbonge team for continental football as dem don be record nine-time Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) champions. Di Super Falcons don gbab 48 wins from 61 games across 12 editions of di finals since 1998 but di team ogbonge winning streak don fade recently even though dem still be di top ranked side for Africa. Afta dem fall short for 2022, wey make dem face semi-final defeat, di Super Falcons dey enta Morocco dis month wit unfinished business. Di for now head coach, Justin Madugu wey take ova from Randy Waldrum for September afta dem comot from di 2024 Olympic Games, e dey confident say di West Africans, dey sure say di West Africans fit reclaim dia crown. Madugu tell BBC Sport Africa, "Wit di potential wey dey for di kontri, I fit tell you say we dey ready." "Our goal na to win di trophy and carry am come back home." Madugu bin dey work as Waldrum assistant bifor and don name squad wey get combination of youth and experience. Asisat Oshoala, wey be di six time African women player of di year, four-time Wafcon winner Francisca Ordega and Chiamaka Nnadozie, wey dem call di continent best goalkeeper twice, na im dey name for di squad wey go play for di delayed 2024 competition. Madugu say, "as at now, na we be di number one for Africa". "Apart from dat, we don win dis tournament plenty times and we understand di hopes and expectations wey dey ground." But almost half of di players from 2022, no go dey di tean dis time and dat include di former captain Desire Oparanozie and Madugu gree say yes, im squad na "work in progress". Nigeria lose three matches for di last tournament, dem lose to di pipo wey end up to win South Africa, Morocco and Zambia nad go down to fourth place finish, wey mark dia worst Wafcon performance. Na sad reminder say di rest of Africa don catch up. A legacy under pressure Di Super Falcons' golden era go back to 1991 wen Wafcon wey dat time dem dey call di African Women Championship - bin first dey introduced. Nigeria win dat first edition- and den dem win seven of di next eight tournaments. Dia ninth title happun for 2018 wen dem sama South Africa 4-3 on penalties afta goalles draw afta extra time. Experienced forward Ordega wey just come back to di squad afta ova one year out, believe say di West Africans get di right blend wey e take to succeed for Morocco. Di 31 year old tell BBC Sport Africa, "evrione wan dis title to come back", "Most of dis girls neva play (Wafcon) bifor and I tink dem really wan win. Evribodi wan make name for demselves". Nigeria don brand dia bid to win di tenth one for di finals as 'Mission X', wit Rasheedat Ajibade wey be one of di joint top scorers for di 2022 tournament wey dey captiain di side. But di midfielder dey reason say e go meen ogbonge work for her side claim back dia continental crown. Ajibade admit say, "even wit di talent for our team, we neva get much time to bond. Di small time wey we get now, we hope say we fit pull out sometin". Nigeria go start dia bid wit group stage matches against Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria. Preparations for di tournament meet di Super Falcons as dem win dia friendly matches against Algeria and Cameroon bifor dem get goalless draw agaisnt Portugal for Lisbon and 3-1 victory ova Ghana. Kasala go spoil di team shine? While Nigeria players dey used to dey fight hard ofr field, but most of di strongest kasala from dem na for off di field. Recently, gbas-gbos ova unpaid bonuses, poor travel arrangements and lack of support from di Nigeria Football Federation don scata camps, spoil relationships and make headlines for all di wrong reasons. Even wit ogbonge performance for di 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup wia dem reach di round of 16 and carry finalists England go penaly shootout, di team go back house to face unfinished administrative wahala. Nnadozie, Nigeria first choice goalkeeper and di breakout star from dat World Cup tok about di mental palava to dey constantly dey fight for two fronts. Di 24 year old wey recently sign wit Brighton afta she comot French club Paris FC, tok say, "e leave us to do wetin we sabi how to do wella". "We go go Morocco to work hard and try bring back di trophy to Nigeria". Michelle Alozie, wey dey play for Houston Dash for di USA National Women SOccer League (NWSL) gree wit wetin Nnadozie outlook. Di 28 year old forward tok say, "adversity dey make us stronger, bring us closer togeda and help us fight for each oda on di field and off am. "Obviously we bin dey very disappointed for di last Wafcon and we wan do di best for di team, for our kontri." But some fans dey fear say decorated names like Oshoala and Ordega fit don pass dia prime and suppose make room for fresh legs for di current set-up. Oshoala for instance neva score for 11 NWSL outings for Bay FC dis season even though she manage to score against Ghana for di team last warm up match. Madugu insist say, "Asisat na jewel for Nigerian football, you no fit discount her accomplishment and relevance. "For men, dem go say di younger id beta. But wit women di psychology dey differnet. Di older, di beta. "Wen you check some of di top women football kotris like id USA and Germany, dia best players na di more experienced ones." Victory for Morocco no go just be return to di summit of African football, for millions of Nigerians, na one of di rare times wey unity go dey bicos of national pride. Nigeria Wafcon 2024 group fixtures Sunday, 6 July: Nigeria vs Tunisia (16:00 GMT) Thursday, 10 July: Nigeria vs Botswana (19:00 GMT) Sunday, 13 July: Nigeria v Algeria (19:00 GMT)
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Everyone wants this title back' - Nigeria eye 10th Wafcon win
As record nine-time Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) champions, Nigeria's historic dominance of continental football is Super Falcons have racked up 48 wins from 61 games across 12 editions of the finals since 1998, but the team's aura of invincibility has faded in recent years despite remaining the top-ranked side in falling short in 2022, enduring the heartbreak of a semi-final defeat, the Super Falcons return to Morocco this month with unfinished head coach Justin Madugu, who took over from Randy Waldrum in September following a meek exit from the 2024 Olympic Games, is confident the West Africans can reclaim their crown."Looking at the potential that abounds in the country, I can tell you we are ready," Madugu told BBC Sport Africa."Our objective is to win the trophy and come back to Nigeria with it." Madugu previously served as Waldrum's assistant and has named a squad containing a blend of youth and Oshoala, the six-time African women's player of the year, four-time Wafcon winner Francisca Ordega and Chiamaka Nnadozie, twice named the continent's best goalkeeper, are all included for the delayed 2024 tournament."Currently we are rated as number one in Africa," Madugu said."Aside from that, we have won this tournament several times and we are mindful of the aspirations and expectations."Yet almost half of the players from 2022 are not involved this time, including former captain Desire Oparanozie, and Madugu accepts his squad is a "work in progress".Nigeria lost three matches at the last tournament - to eventual champions South Africa, Morocco and Zambia - and slumped to a fourth-place finish, matching their worst ever Wafcon was a sobering reminder that the rest of Africa has caught up. A legacy under pressure The Super Falcons' golden era stretches back to 1991 when Wafcon - then called the African Women's Championship - was first won that inaugural edition - and seven of the next eight tournaments. Their ninth title came in 2018, when they beat South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra forward Ordega, who has returned to the squad after more than a year out, believes the West Africans have the right blend to succeed in Morocco."Everyone wants this title back," the 31-year-old told BBC Sport Africa."Most of these girls have not played (Wafcon) before and I think they really want to win. Everybody wants to make a name for themselves."Nigeria have branded their bid for a tenth triumph at the finals as 'Mission X', with Rasheedat Ajibade, who was one of the joint top scorers at the 2022 tournament, captaining the the midfielder believes it will require intense work for her side to reclaim their continental crown."Despite the talent in our team, we haven't had much time to bond," Ajibade admitted."The little time we have now, we hope we can pull out something."Nigeria will begin their bid with group stage matches against Tunisia, Botswana and for the tournament saw the Super Falcons win friendly matches against Algeria and Cameroon, before a goalless draw against Portugal in Lisbon and a 3-1 victory over Ghana. Will controversies hold back the side? While Nigeria's players are used to fighting hard on the field, their fiercest battles often come off recent years disputes over unpaid bonuses, poor travel arrangements and a lack of support from the Nigeria Football Federation have disrupted camps, strained relationships and made headlines for all the wrong delivering an impressive performance at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, where they reached the round of 16 and took eventual finalists England to a penalty shootout, the team returned home to unresolved administrative Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper and breakout star of that World Cup, described the mental toll of constantly having to fight on two fronts."It's left to us to do what we know how to do best", said the 24-year-old who recently signed for Brighton after her exit from French club Paris FC. "We'll go to Morocco to work hard and try to bring back the trophy to Nigeria."Michelle Alozie, who plays for Houston Dash in the USA's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), shares Nnadozie's outlook."Adversity makes us stronger, brings us closer together and helps us fight for each other on and off the field," the 28-year-old forward said."Obviously, we were really disappointed in the last Wafcon and we want to do the best for the team, for our country."However, some fans are concerned that decorated names such as Oshoala and Ordega may have passed their prime and should perhaps make room for fresh legs in the current for example, has failed to score in 11 NWSL outings for Bay FC this season - although she did find the back of the net against Ghana in the squad's final warm-up match."Asisat is a jewel to Nigerian football, you cannot discount her accomplishments and relevance," Madugu insisted."For the men they say the younger, the better. But with the women the psychology is different. The older, the better."When you check some of the top women's football nations like the USA and Germany, their best players are the more experienced ones."Victory in Morocco would not just be a return to the summit of African football, for millions of Nigerians it would be a rare unifying moment of national pride. Nigeria's Wafcon 2024 group fixtures Sunday, 6 July: Nigeria vs Tunisia (16:00 GMT)Thursday, 10 July: Nigeria vs Botswana (19:00 GMT)Sunday, 13 July: Nigeria v Algeria (19:00 GMT)
