Mission X: Super Falcons Qualify for 2024 WAFCON Quarter Finals

Nigeria’s campaign for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations plodded frontally on Thursday after the Super Falcons bagged all three points against their counterparts from Botswana to reach the competition’s quarter finals. Mexico-based Chinwendu Ihezuo, scorer of the third goal in the 3-0 rout of Tunisia on Sunday, stretched her left leg adroitly to connect from a great pass by Esther Okoronkwo and give Nigeria the day from a largely-scrappy encounter in Casablanca. Refilwe Tholakele indicated early on that it was not going to be an all-Nigeria evening, as her fierce shot from a bold move from the Southern Africans rattled goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who had to make a second save as the ball spilled. Botswana threw women in numbers behind the ball as they opted for damage limitation, and nearly came out in flying colours as captain Rasheed Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne and Rinsola Babajide could find no thoroughfare to the goal-line. Midway into the first stanza, attack-minded defender Ashley Plumptre surged forward again but missed a good chance from Ajibade’s pass. Eleven minutes later, Payne skyrocketed when clear on goal from another cross from the right. The scrappy nature was the same in the second half, with the opposition stifling play with numbers in midfield and defence. Substitute Ihezuo headed over the bar in the 48th minute and the energetic Plumptre saw her tricky shot heaved over the sticks by goalkeeper Maitumelo Bosija in the 64th minute. Substitute Jennifer Echegini came close with a snapshot in the 71st minute, and then called upon the agility of South Africa-based Bosija with an angled shot in the 82nd minute. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper was finally beaten with a minute left in regulation time, when Okoronkwo foxed the Botswana rearguard before a well-placed pass that Ihezuo converted for all three points. The Super Falcons will take on Algeria in their last match of group B on Sunday evening, at the same Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

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Breaking: Super Eagles Slip on FIFA Ranking

Former African Champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles has slipped one spot to the 44th position in this month’s Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) ranking. The Nigerian side lost her grip on the 43rd spot despite retaining the Unity Cup title in London, United Kingdom few month ago. The Eric Chelle lads, however, held on firmly to the fifth best ranked country in Africa, they currently trail Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria. Nigeria will attempt to improve her placement on the World ranking when they host the Amavubis of Rwanda and also travel to face off with Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the next round of matches of the World Cup qualifiers in September. They are currently fourth on the log behind South Africa, Rwanda and Benin. The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking will be published on 18 September.

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Mission X: Super Falcons Trounce Tunisia, Look Forward to Clash with Botswana

A fourth minute strike by six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala steered the Super Falcons to a comfortable 3-0 victory over their Tunisian counterparts as the nine-time champions got their challenge for a 10th continental title smoothly off the ground in Casablanca on Sunday. Rinsola Babajide, from the left side of the field, floated the ball from a free-kick, and as defender Ashley Plumptre missed contact, the USA-based Oshoala met the ball with a glancing header to force the ball past goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco’s industrial and economic capital. Oshoala came close to doubling the advantage in the 16th minute, but defender Norhene Bettoumi was alert and diverted the ball as the forward was set to pull the trigger from Toni Payne’s cross. Deborah Abiodun’s left-footed shot in the 37th minute did not have enough power behind it, but two minutes into added time of the first period, Babajide packed enough power into her shot as she stormed past Chaima Alabbassi and blasted past Jabrani for Nigeria’s second of the evening. Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had got Nigeria’s third off a header from Babajide’s corner kick, but her effort was disallowed. In the second half, Plumptre, forever adventurous, rattled Jabrani with a sharp shot, and four minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo’s sharp delivery begged for connection. Osinachi Ohale missed from close range as Nigeria chased the ball in a melee from a free-kick in the 62nd minute. At the other end, the veteran defender was fortunate not to be penalized after bringing down the lively Salma Zemzem in Nigeria’s vital area. True to character, Okoronkwo bustled and hustled, and came pretty close with nine minutes left when she turned a defender and saw the ball hit the upfront from her shot. Three minutes later, she was jumping for joy when her knockdown, from Plumptre’s cross, found fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the right place to slot the ball past Jabrani for Nigeria’s third. In added time, Plumptre’s clever header almost got Jabrani befuddled, but there was still time for Zemzem to rattle goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s crossbar. Victory handed the Super Falcons three precious points and momentary leadership of group B, ahead of the clash between Algeria and Botswana.

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CAF President Mourns Peter Rufai

The President of the Confederation African of Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, expressed his deep condolences and the condolences of the 54 CAF Member Associations to the family of the late Peter Rufai, former captain of the Nigerian National Football Team, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the entire Nigerian football community. Peter Rufai, 61, passed away on Thursday 3 July 2025. Rufai represented Nigeria at the highest level, including two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 and several CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. CAF President, Dr Motsepe said: “Peter Rufai is part of a special generation of African Football players who made the people of Nigeria and the entire African Continent very proud. He was an enormously talented footballer player and was respected in Africa and globally. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its President Ibrahim Gusau, his former teammates and the people of Nigeria. ‘Dodo Mayana’ will forever live in our hearts and minds. May his Soul Rest in Peace.”

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8th African Nations Championship: Chelle Names Nduka, Daniel, Yusuf, 32 Others

Head Coach Eric Chelle has named 35 players, among them captain Junior Harrison Nduka, Papa Mustapha Daniel and forward Anas Yusuf in the provisional list of Super Eagles B for the 8th African Nations Championship taking place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next month. First-choice goalkeeper Henry Ani is also called, alongside defenders Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Mohammed Kabiru and Uzondu Harrison, midfielders Saviour Isaac and Haddi Haruna, and forwards Sunday Megwo, Adamu Abubakar and Godwin Obaje. Goalkeepers Kayode Bankole and Ebenezer Harcourt, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Manyo Egbe, midfielder Adam Aminu, and forwards Atule Joseph and Temitope Vincent have also been invited. Nigeria, 2018 runners-up, are housed in group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside Cup holders Senegal, Sudan and Congo. The Super Eagles will play their first two matches of the competition, against Senegal and Sudan, at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar, before taking on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. All invited players have been instructed to turn up at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Monday, 7th July with their international passports and current club license. 35 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos) Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City);C Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Mohammed Kabiru (Kwara United); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United) Midfielders: Adebayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Adejoh Ojonugwa (Abia Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Haddi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Adam Aminu (Kano Pillars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Atule Joseph (Enyimba FC); Ayomide Cole (Ikorodu City); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors); Aniekeme Okon (Rivers United); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International)

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CAF Unveils New Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Trophy

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has unveiled a new trophy for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, a powerful symbol of the rise and recognition of women’s football across the African continent. Drawing direct inspiration from the iconic Men’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy, the new design represents more than a piece of silverware; it is a celebration of equality, unity, and excellence. The launch of the new trophy forms part of CAF leadership’s goal of developing and growing Women’s Football in Africa and making African Women’s Football amongst the best in the world. The new trophy was celebrated on Wednesday night at an event hosted by CAF and long-term partner, TotalEnergies in Casablanca, Morocco. The trophy’s striking design, features identical petals spiralling upward, each one representing a participating national team. Together, they form the shape of a blooming flower, a timeless symbol of growth, empowerment, and beauty. This imagery captures the journey of African women’s football and the vibrant strength of its athletes. Emerging from the heart of this elegant floral form is a golden sphere, patterned subtly as a football. Adorned with a shiny gold map of Africa, the sphere reflects the continent’s ambition, pride, and global impact in the women’s game. Crafted in brilliant silver and matte gold, the body of the trophy is wrapped in a gold ring engraved with the CAF logo, affirming the confederation’s steadfast commitment to elevating the women’s game across all 54 member associations. The base, a pristine white marble pedestal with elegant gold-accented stripes, bears the name of the competition in refined matte gold lettering, cementing the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations legacy within the rich tapestry of African sport. As the next generation of African stars prepare to shine at the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, this new trophy will serve as a beacon of aspiration, inspiring millions of young girls across the continent to dream, to believe, and to achieve on the global stage.

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Mission X: Madugu Assures Super Falcons Will Continue to Improve After Win Over Ghana

Head Coach Justine Madugu insisted on Monday that Nigeria’s Super Falcons must continue to improve in several areas, despite an emphatic 3-1 win over Ghana’s Black Queens in a friendly in Casablanca on Sunday evening. Goals by Mexico-based Chinwendu Ihezuo, Asisat Oshoala and captain Rasheedat Ajibade affirmed the Falcons’ supremacy over the Queens, at a closed-door game played at the Ziaida Palace Benslimane field. “The match gave us the opportunity of having the full squad together to really assess our strength as a team, and build on team cohesion, coordination and on various combinations. “It will always be work in progress, but we are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia.” The victory over Ghana’s Black Queens extended Madugu’s stellar record with the Super Falcons. He was in charge when the Falcons easily surged past Ethiopia in the qualifying race for the 2024 Olympics, and also led the team to crush Cape Verde to secure qualification for the 13th Women AFCON, which kicks off on Saturday. Last year, Madugu led the Falcons to rout Algeria’s senior girls in two friendly matches in Ikenne and Lagos, and restricted France to an odd-goal victory in another friendly match in France in November. This year, Madugu has led the Super Falcons to a 2-0 win over Cameroon in a friendly game in Cameroon, and on Monday last week, picked a team that fought hard against Portugal in a 0-0 draw in Lisbon. “We will continue to work on our weak areas, and I believe that by the time of our first match, we will be ready,” Madugu added.

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CAF to Launch New Trophy for Women AFCON

Ahead of this weekend’s kick-off of the highly-anticipated CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 on Saturday, the Confederation African of Football (CAF) will launch a new trophy for the Competition as part of the effort to elevate Women’s Football in Africa. The new CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Trophy will be launched on Wednesday, 02 July 2025 in Morocco, the host nation for this year’s event. The new trophy is part of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s vision to grow and develop Women’s Football in Africa. CAF will launch the trophy on its digital pages in the afternoon followed by an activation event with sponsors, TotalEnergies on the same day in the evening. The CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morrocco 2024 will kick-off on Saturday, 05 July 2025 at Olympic Stadium in Rabat when hosts, Morocco play Zambia at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT/ 23h00 Cairo/ 22h00 Lusaka). Details of the new trophy and its designed will be unveiled on the day.

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