Female Football Friday: FIFA Women World Cup

As the FIFA Women world cup Canada 2015 draw closer, we preview Nigeria's opponents in the competition. Nigeria are drawn in Group D alongside USA, Sweden and Australia.

USA
The road to Canada
After a rough start to 2014 with a seventh place finish at the Algarve Cup, USA assereted their dominance over their neighbours once again with a perfect showing at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2014, scoring 21 goals and conceding none in their five wins to claim a seventh regional title and a spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.

Veteran defender Christie Rampone picked up her 300th cap in USA's 3-0 semi-final victory over Mexico, Abby Wambach scored seven times in four appearances throughout the tournament, including hitting a hat-trick in the Stars and Stripes 6-0 triumph against Costa Rica in the final, and goalkeeper Hope Solo added four more shutouts in the competition to raise her all-time tally to 77.

Strengths and style
USA are expected to be one of the dominant sides at Canada 2015, and for good reason. Coach Jill Ellis will have a strong blend of youth and experience at her disposal throughout the tournament. Former FIFA World Player of the Year Abby Wambach will likely pair up with Alex Morgan to continue their partnership that led the Stars and Stripes to the Germany 2011 final.

And with the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Sydney Leroux, Christen Press and Carli Lloyd supporting that strikeforce, goals can likely come from all over the pitch for the Americans. Youngsters such as Morgan Brian and FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2014 star Lindsay Horan are on the periphery of a star-studded squad and could get their chance to shine as well.

With goalkeeping sensation Hope Solo set for her third Women’s World Cup behind a backline led by veteran Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn and Ali Krieger, the Americans are certainly a force to be reckoned with at Canada 2015, especially with the bitter memory of a second-place finish at Germany 2011 still fresh in the minds of many in the squad.

The coach
Jill Ellis will take USA to Canada 2015 having taken over from Tom Sermanni in May 2014 after the Australian had been sacked one month earlier. Ellis is very familiar with the USA set-up, however, as she has been Director of Devlopment of USA women’s soccer programmes since 2011 and has been heavily involved in all aspects of the Americans’ successes on the senior and youth levels. Though she served as an interim coach for USA in 2012 for seven matches, this is her first appointment as a coach of a senior women’s national team.

FIFA Women's World Cup record
- This will be USA’s seventh appearance at a FIFA Women's World Cup 
- The United States have won the Women’s World Cup twice, in the event’s inaugural competition 1991 and as hosts in 1999, and the worst the Stars and Stripes have ever finished is third

What they said
"For me, 2011 was just a heartbreak. The whole motivation now is for that not to happen again and to win a World Cup. For every player in the group, they're believing that [Canada 2015] is our World Cup. This is our World Cup to win and that's how we're preparing," Tobin Heath, USA midfielder

Uche, A Yellow Submarine till 2017

Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche has signed a two year extension to his contract at his Spanish club Villarreal.

Uche is one of the 42 players involved in the Zaragoza-Levante match-fixing case which is currently being investigated by a a public prosecutor penned a two-year extension, which will take him to 2017 at the El Madrigal.

The player expressed his delight saying: 
"Proud to defend this jersey until 2017! Thanks to @VillarrealCF club, fans, teammates and staff! God bless you all!"  

Uche also stated that he is happy with the Yellow Submarines and that was the end of the matter.

"I feel very happy for my renewal with, I will do my best to help the team," he concluded.

Uche, joined Villarreal at the beginning of the 2012/13 season has been the team’s highest scorer for the past two seasons with 14 goals. He has scored five goals in all competition so far this season.

He is expected to be in action for Villareal in Sunday's home clash against Deportivo La Coruna.

NFF Applaud Church World Cup Champions

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the MFM Football Club on its victory at the inaugural Church World Cup which ended in Goa, India on Sunday.

In a letter of congratulations addressed to the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya on Wednesday, and signed by General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, the NFF lauded the feat and affirmed that it was worthy of recognition and good mention.

"The new Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation is determined to celebrate excellence in all spheres of the Nigeria game, and the laudable achievement of your football team, which has brought honour to our dear country, deserves recognition and good mention.

"We also want to express deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria football family for the keen interest of the General Overseer and the entire leadership of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in football, and also commend your huge investment in the football sector, which has seen MFM Football Club become one of the strongest teams in the Nigeria National League - the second tier of our country's domestic football.

"The NFF believes that the excellent feat of MFM FC in India will encourage the leadership of your church to invest even more in football for the benefit of the youth of our nation."

Amokachi to lead Nigeria in International Friendly Games

 The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appears to have finally parted ways with out of favor Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi as it was Keshi’s assistant, Dan Amokachi that yesterday called up players that are to prosecute two international friendly matches early next year.

The NFF in a release made available to Daily Sunsports disclosed that Amokachi had invited 24 players to camp ahead of the friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The two matches come up on the 9th and 13th of January.

Cote d’Ivoire and Mali are using the matches to prepare for the AFCON 2015 tournament in Equatorial Guinea. Keshi’s Eagles failed to qualify for the tournament in spite of being drawn into a weak group that had South Africa, Congo and Sudan as their opponents.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, while confirming the two matches stated that the soccer federation was determined to keep the Eagles busy in 2015. “We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that

the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed,” Amadu stated, adding: “Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will

do battle for shirts for the two matches.”

Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim leads the invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari,

Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad also called.

Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.

Goalkeepers:

Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United);

Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

Defenders:

Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine

Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson

Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance);

Bright Esieme

(Enyimba FC); Umar

Zango (Kano Pillars)

Midfielders: Ammel

Angel Wilfred (Kogi

United); Joseph Nathaniel

(Sharks FC); Charles

Henlong (Giwa FC);

Stanley Dimgba (Warri

Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano

Pillars); Chinedu Udeaga

(Enugu Rangers); Emem

Eduok (Dolphins FC);

Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)

Forwards:

Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC);

Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Osaguona Christian (Enugu Rangers);

Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers)

Enyimba can win club world cup -Anyansi

Enyimba of Aba chairman Anyansi Agwu has come out with a declaration that his plans are to see Enyimba represent Africa in the next FIFA club world cup.

The Enyimba chairman also says he believes an African team can win the FIFA club world cup if they really gear up for the competition. 

Anyansi who was at the hem of affairs with Enyimba when they won the CAF champions league in 2005 and 2006, says his priority is to win the competition again.

Quoting him he said, "i don't  see any reason why an African team will be underrated, if they are ready they can surely win it, I am still looking forward to be able to take Enyimba to the world club competition and the only way possible is for us to win the champions league again and I don’t think that is impossible, so we know what it means especially to myself who believed that I should have been at the world club competition with the club too.” 

"We can qualify for the competition and win".

Nigeria Wrap-Up 2014 On A Low

The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued the free fall after failing to qualify for African Cup Of Nations in 2015. The African champions dropped one place in the december ranking to end the year as ninth in Africa and 43rd best team in the world.

Stephen Keshi’s men began the year on a shaky note as they dropped four places to 41st in the January no thanks to their 2-1 defeat to Mali in the African Nations Championship game, a tournament that has been upgraded to ranking status by Fifa.

In February, they continued their slow and steady fall as they dropped six places to 47th.

Super Eagles maintained the same position in March thanks to their goalless draw with Mexico in an international friendly. For the first time in the year, Nigeria moved up the ladder as they were rated 45th in the April standing.

This rise continued in May as they moved a spot upward to climb to the 44th spot in the world and sixth in Africa – a mark they held on to going into the Fifa World Cup Brazil and also in the June version of the grading.

Nigeria’s biggest progress came in July as they climbed ten places to 34th spot following their impressive showing at the Fifa World Cup despite their second round dismissal by France. In August, the African champions continued to mount northward as they were placed 33rd.

Things got worse in September as they crashed four places to 37th position in the world and declined five spots in October and maintained the same position in November 2014.

World champions Germany topped the final ranking of the year for the second time since 1993, while South American giants Argentina and Colombia finished in second and third place respectively.

Algeria ended 2014 as the best team in Africa followed by Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire while the Black Stars of Ghana were adjudged the fifth best team in Africa.

Brilliant Enyeama Saves And Scores For Lille

Vincent Enyeama was yet again the hero as he helped his club Lille progress to the coup de la ligue quarter final. Rene Girard's men beat Bordeux 6-5 on penalties with the two sides leveled at 1-1 after extra time.

The visitors took the lead through Filho Mariano in the 16th minute, but it only took the host fourteen minutes to provide a response. Michel Fray equalized for Lille on the half hour mark and that was how the game remained.

It was the Nigerian who rescued the day for the Les Douges as he saved two penalties and scored a spot kick of his own in the shot. It only takes bravery, intelligence and concentration to achieve such.

RecordStoreThursday:

Nigeria First Goal Scorers At World Cups

FIFA World Cup(Male): USA 1994

Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria's first ever goal at the FIFA world cup as Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3-0.

FIFA World Cup(Female): Sweden 1994 

Rita Nwadike is the first Nigeria woman to score at the FIFA women world cup. She scored the first goal as Nigeria played out a 3 all draw with Canada. It was Nigeria's first ever point at the tournament after failing to do such in the previous tournament.

FIFA U17 World Cup(Male): China 1987

Billa Momoh's 67th minute strike was the first Nigeria ever scored at FIFA U17 world. Nigeria defeated Italy 1-0 in the game and went on to be crowned world champions.

FIFA U17 Women World Cup: New zealand 2008

Soo Adekwagh scored in the first minute as Nigeria defeated South Korea 2-1. 

FIFA U20 World Cup(Male): Mexico 1983

Tarilla Okoronwanta only goal gave Nigeria a 1 nil victory over the then Soviet Union, the first of its kind.

FIFA U20 World Cup(Female): Canada 2002

Akudo Iwuagwu is the first Nigerian to score at this tournament. Her goal secured Nigeria's 1-1 draw with Japan.

U23 Olympic Game(Male): Mexico 1968

Samuel Okoye for the first time scored for Nigeria at the olympics, Nigeria lost the game 3-1 to Japan.

U23 Olympic Games(Female): Australia 2000

Perpetua Nkwocha scored an 85th minute penalty to give the falcons life line against China PR. They lost the game 3-1, but it was Nigeria's first goal at the olympics.

Nigeria Afcon Debacle A Miracle?

The 2015 Afcon dilemma has come but its scar is yet to go, as the fiasco still linger in the hearts of Nigerians. The super eagles of Nigeria will miss their second tournament in three years after failing to qualify for the showpiece billed for Equitorial Guinea.

Still without a substantive manager, the three time African champions expectedly are on a downward slide less than two years after shocking the footballing universe.

"January is known to be a long and hard month. Afcon was meant to help us(Nigerians) bear it OUCH." a renowned sports journalist said. 

So many dark sides from Nigeria's Afcon failure but there's a light not at the end of the tunnel this time but in front of it as Nigeria Afcon miss surprisingly might be a blessing in disguise for the nation.

Calls were made from different angles for the 2015 edition to be postponed by CAF due to the deadly Ebola Virus but it fell on deaf ears as the football body moved on with it's plans. This led to Initial host, Morocco shirking the responsibility citing same concern. 

The most recent was 2012 African women's footballer of the year Genoveva Anonma who said CAF should cancel the tournament to avoid spreading the Ebola virus to her home country.

Anonma said: "I am afraid for everyone. They should cancel it for the good of humanity and the good of our country."

"There is an 80% risk that the virus could contaminate our country but what can we do? We have to accept it," the 27-year-old forward said.

The 2008 and 2012 African champion concluded by saying:

"We are a small country and we don't want things like this in our country,
"I have family there. My grandparents, my cousin, my aunt and uncle. My mother and my father are there too - everyone is there."

Nigeria, a nation plagued by insurgency, corruption, under development, social/religious vises and a deleterious election looming, the Afcon ordeal might have saved over 140 million people from the foreseeable danger. Adding the Ebola virus to the aforementioned predicaments in 2015 will only compound and surge the challenges of the country.

The World Health Organization on monday december 20, 2014 declared Nigeria as an Ebola free nation, a rare victory in the months-long battle against the fatal disease with 20 cases of Ebola reported in Nigeria including eight deaths.

We all wait and see as the script unfolds, with around 7,000 deaths recorded so far in Africa, Nigeria might have gotten the greatest miracle ever as our darling super eagles missed out from the 2015 nations cup.

Okocha picks Algeria/Ivory Coast as next AFCON champions

Ex Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has come out with his predictions on who he feels would go on to win the 2015 AFCON In Equatorial Guinea. 

Considering that the reigning AFCON champions Nigeria, won't be there to defend her crown Jay-Jay opined that he doesn't expect any surprises, but still envisage a tough championship. 

"Algeria has a strong chance of passing in the quarterfinals. I would say that Algeria has the opportunity to win the African Cup. We saw the face that the team of Algeria presented at the last World Cup’’

Jay-Jay also tipped the elephants of Ivory Coast as possible winners despite their underachievement over the years.  "Ivory Coast, for some time, is one of the favorites. The Ivoirians have a team of talented players. I do not understand how they manage to miss each time they try. Maybe 2015 will be good for them".

Wednesday Coaches Special:

Today, We take a look at the coach who was recently named Manager of the year from the just concluded Glo Nigeria Professional Football league.

FELIX OKEY EMORDI

Coach Okey Emordi is already a veteran when it comes to the Nigerian premier league having won the league thrice, the CAF super cup twice and a CAF champions league medal.

After leading Enugu based side Rangers to a fifth place finish in the 2012/2013 season, Okey Emordi left the Flying Antelopes for defending champions, Kano Pillars. He was subsequently replaced by former flying eagles coach, John Obu.

Emordi succeeded Mohammed Ganaru Baba, who left Pillars for Nassarawa united in the off season. 

On his appointment, Emordi had this to say;

"I am happy to be here. I am aware of the huge task ahead and for that will seek the cooperation of players and officials and moreover, that of the people of Kano state."

He concluded by saying,

"I'm ready to work with any of the players that are prepared to work with me, and help the team to record great success. I promise the team will not disappoint and by God's grace to achieve the club's highest expectations of winning the CAF champions league."  

But did he keep his promise?

The team crashed out after a 4-3 aggregate loss to AS vita of DR Congo  in the preliminary round of the CAF champions league but went on to defend their league crown in a fascinating fashion. 

CLUBS MANAGED

Kano Pillars: 2014 -

Enugu Rangers: 2011-2014

Enyimba: 2009-2011

Heartland: 2008-2009

Enyimba: 2004-2005

HONOURS

CAF Champions League: 2004

CAF Super Cup: 2004, 2005

Nigeria Premier League: 2005, 2010, 2014

Ideye Eyes Upward Curve

West Bromwich Albion striker Brown Ideye says he feels more settled now at the club and hopes to start producing his best form soon.

The summer signing has struggled for regular action so far at the Hawthorns, despite arriving with a big reputation and a hefty price-tag.
 Ideye started Saturday's derby victory over Aston Villa and the Nigerian now says he's determined to take his chance in Alan Irvine's side.

 The striker admitted things had not gone to plan and he has often found it hard to fit into the side's style of play, but he hopes there is much better to come from him.
 He said: "I was always hungry to start for West Brom and I always give my best. I am getting closer to my best. I have had a lot of things to deal with so I just have to be focused.

 "The gaffer said he wanted me to work hard and at times it has been difficult for me to adapt to the system that the team plays. I have to adjust to what I have to do when the team is playing, but right now I think I'm there and I am just working hard now."

 Ideye's family have recently joined him in England and it appears he feels more settled in the Midlands as a result.
 "It is very important for me to have my family here," he added. "I am happy about that that things are working out for me."

Keshi Blast Chukwu, Amodu, Others..

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has launched a withering attack on his critics who has labeled him a failure and must not continue as head coach of the team.

Keshi who is yet to be offered a new deal by the Nigerian Football Federation however demanded more respect from Nigerian coaches who are in the hunt for his job.

The 52 year old gaffer was quick to jump in Shuaib Amodu's defence who described the out-of-contract Super Eagles coach as a failure, and says the 'Big Boss' has no business continuing as the Super Eagles coach.

"I doubt if Amodu ever made those comments attributing me as a failure," he said.

"I don't have to join issues with any one regarding the Eagles job. They should leave me alone!

“I’m not the Eagles coach so why attack me, there are over 170million coaches in Nigeria that can take over the post,” he continued.

“Why are they so concerned about my future with the national team. I deserve some respect from these people,"

"They are not God so if they want tarnish my name they won't succeed because I won't lobby." he concluded.

Keshi however denied meeting with the Nigerian Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick.

Kit Sponsors Adidas Extends Contract With Nigeria

Sports Kit manufacturers Adidas have provisionally extended their kit sponsorship deal with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) pending contract renewal.
Amaju Pinnick, Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation, told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that the football house planned to renew the contract, which would expire at the end of December.

According to Pinnick, the leadership crisis that engulfed the NFA is responsible for the delay in the renewal of the kit sponsorship contract.
“We requested for an extension which has been granted to us and we will see how we can tidy up and get Adidas back because we have a prime commodity in the Super Falcons playing in the World Cup next year.

“We have thirteen national teams not just the Super Falcons; the truth is, if we don’t sit down to do things properly, there is no way you are going to achieve any good result.
“If you jump into a problem, it lingers as a problem.
“So we are taking our time sitting down and looking at it to come out with something that you will see and say I am proud to be a Nigerian.“

Adidas, which have been kitting Nigerian national teams for about a decade now, entered into the about-to-expire deal with NFA in 2011.
The total value of the deal is worth about 10 million euro, a massive increase from the 200,000 euro deal of the contract which expired in 2010. (NAN)

NFF tells premier league clubs in continent to prepare for CAF's sanction

The Nigeria football federation has ushered a strong warning to clubs representing the country in the continent to prepare themselves for CAF's hammer due to their inability to register early for tournaments wherein they qualified.

We gather that The NFF has sent letter in this regard to Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars FC, who are to represent Nigeria in the CAF champions league and also Dolphins FC and Warri Wolves FC who are representing Nigeria in the CAF confederations cup.

A quote from the letter says "The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) seriously warns that your club should be ready to face ANY SANCTION the organizer (CAF) will give erring clubs."

The NFF warned the aforementioned clubs that other football clubs in the continent representing their various countries have already finished their registrations and hereby urged the Clubs to submit their player details on or before 17th December 2014 or risk disqualification.