Latest news with #SuperFalcons
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
How Nigeria completed ‘Mission X' and sealed 10th Wafcon crown
Eyebrows were raised when Justine Madugu was appointed as the new Nigeria coach in September last year, having had no head coach experience in international football before taking on the role. On Saturday the 'gamble' – if you call it that – paid off when the Super Falcons came from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The team had not impressed during the group stage, leading to criticism back home that the team were disjointed and uninspiring. Despite this, two wins over Tunisia and Botswana and a draw against Algeria saw Nigeria top their group without conceding a single goal. Madugu acknowledged that his team 'was a work in progress', but remained confident that his team was on course to achieve what Nigerians call 'Mission X' – to win their 10th Wafcon title. Saturday was a testimony to his unbending faith in his team and his coaching methods. 'I have always believed that we take each game as it comes and play according to the opponent,' the 61-year-old said. 'Where we make errors, we will make the needed corrections to get the result we want.' Nigeria are way out in front when it comes to Wafcon titles – Equatorial Guinea (twice) and South Africa are the only other sides to win it. Back in 2016, the women's team had won seven Afcon crowns, level with Egypt's men's team. A 1-0 win over Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses, in front of a hostile crowd at Yaoundé's Stade Omnisport, saw them edge ahead in the pantheon of African champions. 'That final against Cameroon, on their soil, was a very exciting moment for me, scoring that winning goal that led to the trophy,' says the former Nigeria captain, Desire Oparanozie, who worked as a TV co-commentator and match analyst at this year's tournament in Morocco. 'When you have to play against the home crowd [in a final] and you come out on top, at the end of it, it is always special. You are playing against the fans as well. 'There is no better way to describe how formidable the Super Falcons are. They have proven their worth over the years and they continue to shine,' Oparanozie adds. 'One thing that continues to motivate them is that they are hungry for success. They want to win, they have a strong mentality, and they want to keep on dominating African football. It's the driver for the performance put up each time they are in the final.' Maintaining Nigeria's perfect 10-out-of-10 record in Wafcon finals was an arduous task for Madugu as he was up against the former Spain coach, Jorge Vilda, who is now in charge of the Atlas Lionesses. When Morocco went 2-0 up inside 24 minutes through goals from their captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, and Sanaa Mssoudy, Madugu was wearing his emotions on his sleeve, screaming at Nigeria's players to hold on to the ball and create transitions that would put the hosts under pressure. It took the second-half introduction of PSG's Onyi Echeginiand Roma's Rinsola Babajide to give the Falcons the attacking verve to win the game. 'We knew we could do it [win the match],' Madugu told us. 'When we were two goals down, we kept encouraging the players not to lose their belief. If they didn't have mental resilience they would have given up. We did a lot of talking at half-time.' Esther Okoronkwo, arguably the outstanding player for Nigeria at the tournament, and voted the player of the final, said the Falcons had to dig deep into their courage reservoir, to pull themselves back from the brink. 'The first half goals were unfortunate,' she said. 'It happens in football. When we went to the dressing room, we gathered the fighting spirit, because it was all or nothing … the Moroccan team has chemistry, they were a tough team.' Saturday's dramatic final was a fitting end to a successful tournament on the field but as Desiree Ellis, coach of South Africa's Banyana-Banyana for 11 years, points out, there is still room for improvement when it comes to the organisation. 'I think there needs to be better spacing of games, so that teams can travel and players can recover in good time,' she said. 'The travel was a bit hard at this tournament and it is something that CAF needs to look at.' The good news is that the chance to make improvements will come quickly – the next Wafcon finals are being played next year, again in Morocco. I say it numerous times, she is an absolute nutter, but she loves her country, she loves playing for her country, putting on that shirt, and she was outstanding in this tournament, considering …' – Beth Mead on her teammate Lucy Bronze after the full-back revealed she had been playing the tournament with a fractured tibia. Stage is set: The draw for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, staged in Australia next March, has been made this week. Twelve teams are divided into three groups of four each, with the hosts facing South Korea, Iran and the Philippines in Group A. India, runners-up in 1980 and 1983, have qualified for the first time since 2003; the Blue Tigresses face Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan in Group C. North Korea, China, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan have been drawn together in Group B. Penalty drama: Colombia reached the final of Copa América Femenina in the most dramatic way, beating Argentina 5-4 on penalties in the semi-final and securing their place at the 2028 Olympics in the process. Brazil face Uruguay in the second semi-final on Tuesday, with the final to be played on Saturday. Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Tom Garry and Sophie Downey to celebrate England's historic Euro 2025 triumph over Spain — and reflect on an unforgettable tournament in Switzerland. Listen here. The story of England's Euros triumph, as depicted by David Squires. Nigeria's Esther Okoronkwo, the player of the match in the Wafcon final, shows off her range of skills in training. 'They thought it was all over. Quite a few times, in fact.' Do read Jonathan Liew at the Euro 2025 final and the perfect unity of 'proper England'. Who was good and who was less good in the Euros final? Sophie Downey's player ratings have the answer. She's also dished out her tournament marks. Singing, dancing and a cavapoo called Reggie: Tom Garry explains how England celebrated their famous win. Aitana Bonmatí's sullen walk to collect the player of the tournament award showed there is no joy in personal accolades when your team loses but Spain will be back, writes Nick Ames. Chloe Kelly's early introduction helped change the game for Sarina Wiegman's side. Sophie Downey analyses the tactical shift. Things got a little weepy in Madrid after Spain lost but the growing interest in the women's national team is a victory in itself, as Sam Jones witnessed. England won on the pitch, but who were the victors in the TV studios? John Brewin kept his beady eye on the BBC and ITV coverage. Nick Ames had a natter with Uefa suit Nadine Kessler about the future of the Women's Euros. And the women's game is growing across Europe and the playing field is starting to level, according to Philipp Lahm.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nigeria's victorious women footballers promised $100,000 each
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hailed the women's national football team for their victory at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) at a grand celebratory reception where he promised them gifts and cash rewards. Hosting them at Aso Rock, the presidential residence, on Monday, Tinubu announced each player would get a $100,000 (£75,000) plus a three-bedroom apartment. The 24-woman squad cheered when they heard the news, but there have been criticism in the past that prizes promised by Nigerian governments have not materialised. Nigeria's Super Falcons - as the team is known - defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday in a stunning second-half comeback, clinching their 10th Wafcon title. Tinubu said the victory was a "triumph of courage, determination and consistency" adding that at some point "didn't want to watch the match" because of the stress. "Today, you returned home as champions of Africa," he said. "We could not be prouder." On their arrival at the main airport in the capital, Abuja, the team had been welcomed by traditional dancers, drummers, journalists and government officials. They were then escorted to the presidential residence in a convoy. Tinubu conferred national honours, the Officer of the Order of the Niger, to all the players and staff, saying this was "on behalf of a grateful nation". Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said that her team's victory was for "every young girl in our villages, towns and cities who dares to dream". She also outlined her vision for the Super Falcons to become the best team in the world but said this can only happen with continued support from the football federation and government. The Super Falcons have won 10 of the 13 editions of Wafcon since it began in1998. The president described the latest win as a "milestone in the history of sport". While the players celebrated the extra gifts from the president, in the past, both the men's and women's national football teams in Nigeria have had repeated issues with the authorities over delayed payment of bonuses and salaries. The government has only just honoured its three-decade promise of new homes for the victorious men's team, the Super Eagles, which won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons have several times been involved in sit-in protests during major tournaments over pay issues, including after their 2023 Women's World Cup run. There has also been concerns over pay disparities, and in recent years, fans have called for them to be paid the same as the Supee Eagles. Ahead of their final match on Saturday, Tinubu reportedly approved players' match allowances and bonuses, including backdated payments, adding that this would the standard practice in the future. You may also be interested in: What we learned from Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 Wafcon winner will stay in my heart forever - Echegini Watch: The Wafcon star who is also a doctor Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Nigeria Wafcon: Victorious players promised $100,000 cash award and apartment
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hailed the women's national football team for their victory at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) at a grand celebratory reception where he promised them gifts and cash them at Aso Rock, the presidential residence, on Monday, Tinubu announced each player would get a $100,000 (£75,000) plus a three-bedroom 24-woman squad cheered when they heard the news, but there have been criticism in the past that prizes promised by Nigerian governments have not Super Falcons - as the team is known - defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday in a stunning second-half comeback, clinching their 10th Wafcon title. Tinubu said the victory was a "triumph of courage, determination and consistency" adding that at some point "didn't want to watch the match" because of the stress."Today, you returned home as champions of Africa," he said. "We could not be prouder."On their arrival at the main airport in the capital, Abuja, the team had been welcomed by traditional dancers, drummers, journalists and government officials. They were then escorted to the presidential residence in a conferred national honours, the Officer of the Order of the Niger, to all the players and staff, saying this was "on behalf of a grateful nation".Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said that her team's victory was for "every young girl in our villages, towns and cities who dares to dream".She also outlined her vision for the Super Falcons to become the best team in the world but said this can only happen with continued support from the football federation and Super Falcons have won 10 of the 13 editions of Wafcon since it began in1998. The president described the latest win as a "milestone in the history of sport".While the players celebrated the extra gifts from the president, in the past, both the men's and women's national football teams in Nigeria have had repeated issues with the authorities over delayed payment of bonuses and government has only just honoured its three-decade promise of new homes for the victorious men's team, the Super Eagles, which won the 1994 Africa Cup of Super Falcons have several times been involved in sit-in protests during major tournaments over pay issues, including after their 2023 Women's World Cup has also been concerns over pay disparities, and in recent years, fans have called for them to be paid the same as the Supee of their final match on Saturday, Tinubu reportedly approved players' match allowances and bonuses, including backdated payments, adding that this would the standard practice in the future. You may also be interested in: What we learned from Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024Wafcon winner will stay in my heart forever - EcheginiWatch: The Wafcon star who is also a doctor Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
What we learned from Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024
Nigeria clinched a record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title in Rabat on final will live long in the memory after the West Africans fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat hosts Super Falcons also picked up $1m (£745,000) after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) boosted the overall prize fund for the delayed 2024 edition of the the tournament in Morocco threw up several issues which Caf and national federations need to address in order to boost the women's game on the continent. The attendance conundrum South Africa coach Desiree Ellis was among those to criticise the scheduling delay in staging the 2024 finals - and the tournament being played at the same time as the 2025 European Championship restricted international media games drew capacity crowds to the Olympic Stadium in the capital, but the neighbouring and much larger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which drew an African-record crowd of over 50,000 when it hosted the final three years ago, could not be used because it is being renovated ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) which begins in at matches not involving the Atlas Lionesses were disappointingly low, with little signposting of the competition in host cities away from stadiums, while overseas supporter numbers are often restricted by the high costs associated with travelling across the continent."We need time to progress but we are certain, with the potential that we have, we will reach the level of sister competitions," Caf general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba told BBC Sport points out that an immediate comparison to the packed venues seen in Switzerland at this month's Euros comes with a caveat."Europe, to reach this level, started about 25 or 30 years [ago]," Mosengo-Omba said."Success is not built in one day. The potential is there, but give us the time to work hard." The standard on the pitch The four lowest-ranked sides were the ones eliminated at the end of the group stage but Wafcon 2024 largely saw an improved level of in particular was marked by Algeria reaching the knockout phase for the first time - exiting the finals without conceding a goal - and Senegal pushing South Africa all the way to penalties in the last the first round of qualifying for the 2026 Wafcon has featured several one-sided ties and next year's finals will again include 12 is keen to raise standards across the continent before expanding the finals further."The executive committee is discussing [an] increase in the number of teams for the next edition and also to reinforce our domestic leagues," Mosengo-Omba revealed."We know that there are a lot of barriers that we have to fold down in order to make progress."Caf also faces a challenge to strengthen the Women's African Champions League, its flagship continental club tournament, which will retain its format as an eight-team tournament played in a two-week window. Bridging the gender pay gap The all-too-frequent problems that blight African football tournaments were present again, with South Africa and DR Congo enduring disputes over bonus payments, allowances and captain Rasheedat Ajibade called out Caf over the state of their accommodation ahead of the finals, and the Super Falcons were moved to an alternative hotel as a result.A gender pay gaps remains even if Caf doubled the prize money for the winners, handed $500,000 (£372,000) to runners-up Morocco and boosted the overall prize fund by 45% to $3.45m (£2.57m).Yet those figures pale when compared to the $7m (£5.2m) Ivory Coast got for winning the 2023 Afcon, when even runners-up Nigeria received $4m (£3m).Wages for club players on the continent are stubbornly low compared to male counterparts, and former Nigeria forward Desire Oparanozie feels they deserve more."The discrepancy is as big as the ocean," she said."It's not deserving because we're doing the same sport. And for example, the United States national team, between the male and the female, who wins more laurels?"Even with my national team Nigeria, the Super Falcons and Super Eagles, the women have had more success than the men." More investment needed One potential source of income could be from improved broadcast deals and commercial contracts, even if viewers for the women's game are lower than men's matches."We play the same sport but it's not the same world. We can understand that," Morocco forward Sakina Ouzraoui said."We are always asking for more viewers, but we cannot have that tomorrow, so we have to be patient."Caf has been busy signing sponsorships for the 2025 Afcon but now needs to build on corresponding deals for executive from a multinational which recently partnered with Caf for Afcon said his company is "absolutely" interested in expanding its sponsorship to the women's game."Women's football is a sport, but it's also a business," Ghana forward Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah told BBC Sport Africa."So, for me, the more fans that are engaging in women's football, the more shirt sales, the more broadcast views, that's only going to make the women get paid more."The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) leads the way when it comes to supporting the club game in Africa - although their strategy is backed fully and bankrolled by funds from King Mohammed North African nation aims to establish its women's league as the best on the continent and the RMFF provides $500 (£373) a month per player to each top-flight club to help guarantee no other country has such reserves. Instead, they largely rely on prize money and distributions from Caf and world governing body may have asked for patience on attendances at Wafcon, but Morocco will have an early chance to improve on the current benchmark when the 2026 finals - scheduled to be played in March next year - come around.
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Nigeria's women's football team rise above poor management to clinch continental trophy
LAGOS: Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Monday hosted and splashed gifts on the triumphant national women's football team who overcame poor preparations and missing payments to win their record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Super Falcons' comeback 3-2 victory over host Morocco in Saturday's thrilling final was applauded by Tinubu and many in Nigeria, a football-loving nation where passion and hard work often triumphs over institutional challenges. The continental success, analysts say, papers over the mismanagement of the women's team by the country's authorities. The success of the country had come in spite of the country. 'They have been able to dominate even though the Nigerian soccer authorities do not put as much funding, care, attention, and planning into the way the women's national team is run,' Solace Chukwu, a Lagos-based football analyst, told The Associated Press. A difference in treatment The team had been owed match bonuses for years, once resulting in a training boycott in 2022. Even as they triumphed on the way to the finals in Morocco, the backlog of payments was only approved by the president days before Saturday's final. They also could not hold competitive friendly matches and their training kits were said to not have been available. It is a common problem in Nigeria where sporting competitions are often dogged by issues of underfunding, corruption, and mismanagement that have led to high-profile scandals resulting in athletes choosing to represent other countries in protest. Women's teams are affected the most, partly because of how women have always been viewed in the Nigerian society, according to Oluwashina Okeleji, a sport analyst with focus on Africa. 'The argument from the (Nigerian) federation is that the men bring more money than the women, but the truth is the women bring most prestige, honors, and titles to Nigeria,' Okeleji said. A spokesperson for the Nigeria Football Federation, the country's governing soccer body, declined to respond to the allegations. Victims of success The Nigerian women's team has exercised a near-total dominance in African football, which is partly credited to a head-start in the women's game. Nigeria created the first football league for women in 1978, years before their counterparts on the continent. However, the gains have not catapulted the team to similar achievements on the global stage in what analysts say is a failure of the authorities to capitalize on this early advantage. 'The men's team is huge generally within the administration of Nigerian football as the cash cow,' Chukwu said. The gifts now promised by the president, including money and property, have not convinced the fans. 'This one-time payment and apartment does not make any sense. For what? What they need is investment in the facilities, the staff, and payment. The lack of investment in women's football is one of the reasons why it is not as high quality as the men's,' Funmi Obasa, a football fan in Abuja who follows the women's team, said.
