Connect with us

Sports

Nigeria vs Morocco: Super Falcons eye historic 10th title as home crowd await in WAFCON final showdown

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Nigeria is on a quest to win a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON.

The Super Falcons will take on Morocco in the final of this year’s tournament in Rabat on Saturday.

Justin Madugu’s ladies have easily been the best team.

Their group stage performances included a 3-0 thrashing of Tunisia and a 0-0 draw with Algeria, which led to an apology from Madugu.

The apology was followed up with an emphatic 5-0 thumping of Zambia in the quarter-finals, before they eliminated defending champions South Africa 2-1 in the semis.

Sports journalist, Biola Solace-Chukwu, has been in Morocco throughout the competition, keeping an eye on the Falcons.

She tells DAILY POST: “I think the Super Falcons grew with each match.

“Despite not scoring in the last group game against Algeria, there were obvious improvements and that especially showed in the quarter-final match against Zambia.

“The semi-final clash with South Africa was expectedly tough.”

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade has been one of the standout performers, winning three consecutive Man of the Match awards, including against Bayana Bayana.

But Solace-Chukwu has picked Ajibade’s team-mate, Ashley Plumptre, as the player that has caught the eye.

“Definitely Ashleigh Plumptre. My personal player of the match for every single match played so far,” she said.

Both Ajibade and Plumptre would have to be on their A-game, when they face the hosts in Sunday’s final.

It was Morocco that beat them in the semi-final of the 2022 WAFCON.

So, revenge is on the table. And as well as what has been dubbed ‘Mission X’.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Solace-Chukwu says as a matter of fact.

“Home advantage will definitely be a big factor, just as it was against Morocco in the 2022 semi-finals.

“The Olympic Stadium in Rabat has been packed with Moroccan fans all tournament and it’s expected to be the same for the final.”

But there is a reason the Falcons are the most successful team in Africa.

And they need to put history and the vociferous home support in the background, as they seek to assert themselves again on the continent.

That is why it is important they beat the Atlas Lionesses on their own patch.

Solace-Chukwu adds: “I think it brings the fear factor back for the Super Falcons. It will show this is still the dominant team in Africa.

“It will also be a good experience for the young players in the squad.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 314
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Super Falcons star Tosin Demehin signs new Galatasaray deal

Published

7 hours ago

on

August 21, 2025

By

Super Falcons defender Tosin Demehin has extended her stay with Turkish club Galatasaray Women after an impressive debut season that showcased her as one of Nigeria’s emerging defensive stars.

The 23-year-old centre-back joined Galatasaray in the summer of 2024 from French side Stade de Reims and quickly established herself as a key figure in the team. She featured in 26 matches across all competitions, scoring once, and helped anchor the club’s defense, contributing to a fourth-place finish in the Turkish Women’s Super League and Galatasaray’s first-ever appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Demehin’s breakthrough season coincided with her international rise. She played every match for the Super Falcons at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, helping Nigeria secure a record-extending 10th title. She also scored her first international goal during Nigeria’s 5-0 quarter-final victory over Zambia. “It was a dream tournament for me; playing every game, scoring for my country, and lifting the trophy with my teammates,” Demehin said following the triumph.

Her contract extension also highlights a growing Nigerian presence at Galatasaray, joining Victor Osimhen, who leads the men’s team, as the only Nigerians representing the Istanbul club.

As Galatasaray prepare for the 2025/26 season, Demehin’s composure, aerial ability, and tactical awareness will be vital as the club aims for stronger domestic and European campaigns.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 45
Continue Reading

Sports

Super Eagles’ Eric Chelle Defends Oyowah Call-Up, Admits Regret Over Sudan Defeat In CHAN

Published

1 day ago

on

August 20, 2025

By

Super Eagles B coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed that he was criticised for selecting midfielder Alex Young Oyowah in Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in the Ivory Coast.

It was reports that Eric Chelle and his Home-based Super Eagles players bowed out of the 2024 CHAN on Tuesday despite a 2-0 win over Congo in their final Group D fixture, with goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi sealing the victory. Oyowah, who was named Man of the Match, emerged as one of the few bright sparks of the campaign.

Speaking after the game, Chelle revealed that Oyowah’s inclusion was widely questioned.

“For example, the player who won the Man of the Match award against Congo, Alex, I put him on our list for the tournament a week before we left, and everyone said, ‘Why did you call him up when he’s not known?’” he said via CAF’s official website.

The coach admitted the team was far from fully prepared for the tournament.

“We were not ready to participate in this tournament. Whoever attends our training sessions will notice that our players were not mentally prepared to participate in this version of the tournament,” Chelle explained.

Despite finishing with three points, the Super Eagles placed third in Group D behind Sudan and Senegal, who advanced to the knockout stage. Chelle admitted Nigeria’s heaviest blow was their 4-0 defeat to Sudan.

“Our deep regret stems from our heavy defeat to Sudan, but that’s football,” the coach added. “We will carefully analyse the Sudan match to make up for what happened in the future.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 68
Continue Reading

Sports

Brown Ideye Announces Retirement From Professional Football

Published

2 days ago

on

August 20, 2025

By

Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, has officially retired from professional football after a career that spanned nearly two decades across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Brown Ideye, 36, made the announcement on Wednesday, August 21, in a statement shared via his 𝕏 handle.

It was reports that Brown Ideye announced his retirement from professional football after Nigeria Premier Football League club, Enyimba listed him among the players who were released from the side.

“After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I’ve decided to retire from professional football,” he wrote. “I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I’ve enjoyed. I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day.”

Brown Ideye, who earned 28 international caps and scored six goals for Nigeria, was a member of the Super Eagles team that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 under the late coach Stephen Keshi.

At club level, Ideye featured in several top leagues, including the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, and the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Teda. He also had spells in Spain and Ukraine, establishing himself as a well-traveled and respected professional.

In his farewell note, Ideye hinted that his journey in football was not over despite hanging up his boots. “Football will always be a part of my life as I enter my next chapter,” he added.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 97
Continue Reading

Trending