Sports
Paris 2024: Falcons’ camp open for Operation Bang Banyana in Abuja
Nigeria’s Super Falcons opened yesterday for the African final qualifying fixture for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The two teams, arguably the best women football squads on the African continent, are at each other’s jugular for one of the two tickets from Africa for Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football, with the first leg taking place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja on Friday. The return is scheduled for the Loftus Versfeld Arena in Pretoria five days later.
Captain and chief motivator Rasheedat Ajibade, whose savvy, skill and sapience helped the Falcons to the Round of 16 at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under, will be joined in the roost by home-based goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku and defender Jumoke Alani (drafted in following injury to Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre) as early birds.
Young defender Shukurat Oladipo, veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Japan-based Chidinma Okeke and Spain-based forward Gift Monday are expected in camp early today. The rest of the squad will be in tomorrow though USA-based African queen Asisat Oshoala is not expected until Thursday.
South Africa’s delegation, including 24 players, will land in Abuja this evening.
The Super Falcons are extra-motivated for this fixture, having not beaten the Banyana in regulation time for many years now, and having watched as the South Africans carted away the Women Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Morocco last year after the Banyana edged them 2-1 in a group phase match.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria still call the shots at that level though, with nine of 12 titles contested so far, and with a squad brimming with youth and experience, and the bounce of having been Africa’s best performer at the last World Cup finals – unbeaten in regulation time until their exit via penalty shootout defeat to England.
Sports
Ronaldo To End Career In Football This Year Without World Cup Title
The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of football’s most decorated players, having won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo says this could be his final year in football as the Portugal captain prepares to leave a lasting legacy.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told lifestyle magazine Vogue in an interview published on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of football’s most decorated players, having won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo made his senior debut for Sporting in 2002 and has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 976 goals for club and country and is now closing in on the 1,000-goal milestone.
However, Ronaldo was unable to add a World Cup title to his list of honours after Portugal fell short at this year’s tournament.
Sports
NFF Sacks Madugu over WAFCON crashed out
The decision was reached by its Executive Committee following the poor performance at the recently concluded 2026 women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sacked the Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach, Justin Madugu, and his crew.
The decision was reached by its Executive Committee following the poor performance at the recently concluded 2026 women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The nation’s football governing body announced that the sack of Madugu and his technical crew following their return from WAFCON where the Falcons crashed out at the quarter-final stage.
They also failed to achieve automatic qualification to the 2027 women’s World Cup, and lost to South Africa for a chance to reach the World Cup via the playoffs.
Sports
Cameroon Win First WAFCON Cup Title
In a dominant first-half display, they scored three times before the break to end Malawi’s remarkable run at the tournament.
The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Malawi 3-0 in Rabat on Sunday.
In a dominant first-half display, they scored three times before the break to end Malawi’s remarkable run at the tournament.
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice, while Naomi Eto added a spectacular scissors kick as Cameroon took a commanding lead before half-time.
Cameroon had reached the final after eliminating Nigeria and hosts Morocco, having previously lost three WAFCON finals.
Malawi, competing in their first WAFCON campaign, struggled to match Cameroon despite their impressive run to the final.
They had entered the tournament ranked 153rd in the world.
Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina made an early save at the feet of Temwa Chawinga as Malawi looked to threaten in the opening minutes.
Bihina also denied Chikondi Gondwe in the 14th minute before Cameroon began to take control.
Cameroon opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo failed to deal with Grace Mendoua’s cross.
Sikelo pushed the cross onto her own crossbar, allowing Ngah Manga to react quickly and head the ball into the net from close range.
Malawi tried to respond, but Cameroon remained in control.
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