Paris 2024: Waldrum urges Falcons to be more clinical infront of goal

Published

3 months ago

February 29, 2024

Super Falcons’ Coach Randy Waldrum has urged his team to be more clinical in front of goal.

He said this was critical, if they intend to beat their South African counterparts to the final round qualification ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The nine-time African champions pipped Cameroon’s Lionesses 1-0 in a crucial second leg Women’s Olympic football qualifier, after a pulsating encounter in Abuja.

But they could have paid dearly had the visitors nicked an away goal late in the tie.

Nigeria had several chances to kill the game in the first half after enjoying a good start to the encounter.

However, poor finishing from Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, and Esther Okoronkwo left Nigeria holding on for dear life after Cameroon gained the upper hand in the second half.

Waldrum told reporters during a post-match conference that his team created alot of chances but failed to make them count, adding that the weather also had an adverse effect on the players.

“In the match we had some chances that we missed and it was a match we really struggled to win.

“You can go back and look at the opportunities that we had. We could have easily finished the game at half time.

“So, we have to be more efficient and clinical around our opponents vital area and convert chances into goals.

“I would have also preferred the match to be played in the night because the weather was hot, but we can’t complain because the players are all Nigerians and are used to it,” he said.

On his tactical approach to the game, he said he ensured that the best 11 started the match at home, adding however that he had confidence in every player, even those that didn’t play the match.

Coach Waldrum made the bold decision to bench Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala, choosing instead to start Okoronkwo in attack.

Juventus star Echegini also made the starting eleven of the encounter after sitting on the bench from kickoff in the first leg.

It proved to be an inspired decision as both Echegini and Okoronkwo combined to score the decisive goal.

Aside from the goal, the two players were classy with the ball and fought hard without it to make the Super Falcons attack lively in the first half.

Oshoala emerged from the bench in the second half and did her bit, but coach Waldrum would be thanking his stars for going with his gut’s decision to start Okoronkwo.

The coach also said that the team had some players sidelined with injury, saying however that he was hopeful that they would recover before their next game.

“We have some injuries that we must take care of before our next round against Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

“We will get the videos of our next opponent, play it and study it to know how to deal with them,” he said.

The nine-time champions of Africa take on reigning African champions South Africa in the final round fixture in April.

LaLiga Awards: Full list of nominees out as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Girona dominate

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

LaLiga has revealed the shortlist for their upcoming end-of-season awards ceremony, which includes four categories and the team of the season.

The winners will be announced on May 28 at the KAFD Globe Soccer European Awards in Sardinia.

Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the favourites for the Player of the Year award, but Girona also has two nominees, with Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia in the running.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid are also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with Takefusa Kubo, Kirian Rodriguez, Isco, and Alexander Sorloth in the mix.

The Young Player of the Year award has nominees under the age of 23 and is dominated by Girona and Barcelona. Among the candidates are newcomers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, along with Miguel Gutierrez, Savio, and Yan Couto from Barcelona. Kubo and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Nico Williams from Athletic Club are also named.

For Goal of the Season, there are eight nominees, including Vinicius, Joao Cancelo, Saul Coco, Aitor Ruibal, Jesus Areso, Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix, and Memphis Depay.

The Coach of the Year award is the final category, with Carlo Ancelotti, Michel Sanchez, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde, and Marcelino Garcia Toral all nominated.

News

Former France international and World cup winner announces Old Trafford exit

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2024

Emmanuel Atokolo

Raphael Varane has announced that his time at Manchester united will come to an end at the end of the current season after a three-year spell at the theatre of dreams. The former France international had the season disrupted by injuries and has not featured for his side since the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on April 4.

Varane arrived at Old Trafford amidst jubilation from the fans from Real Madrid in 2021 for an initial fee of about £34 million ($43 million) but did not live up to expectation. Although it was not entirely his fault as the club have been out of depth for a long time.

He was part of the team that won the 2023 league cup after newly appointed Dutch manager; Ten Hag led them to his first trophy with the club, which is the only cup that the club has lifted since Mourinho led them to silverware in the 2016-2017 season.

The experienced defender took to social media to announce his impending exit and to thank the club, teammates and fans for the love he was shown, in his post, he said “To you guys, supporters of Manchester United it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt.

“The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player was insane, the atmosphere was amazing.

“I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Man United to understand what that represents.”

The club hierarchy also appreciated Varane for his service to the club and wished him success in the next step of his career. According to their post, Varane added a “great deal of class and experience to the team”.

Sports

Governor Oyebanji grants pardon to suspended Ekiti sports officials

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2024

Praise Oguntan

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has granted clemency to four officials of the State Sports Council who were suspended due to the inadequate kitting of state athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, in September 2023.

Dr. Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, made this announcement while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ekiti chapter, in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

She disclosed that the four officials, including the General Manager Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Isaac Elegbeleye, Mr. Isiaka Oluyemi, and Mr. Olusola Ibitoye, have been reassigned to positions within the ministry.

Osetoba further stated that new officials would soon be appointed to fill the vacant positions within the sports council.

In addition, she mentioned that the government has imposed a ban on training and other unauthorized activities on the pitch of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, emphasizing that plans for the stadium’s refurbishment are underway.

The advisor also revealed that arrangements have been finalized for the construction of a sports hall at the Ekiti Kete Pavilion, which will host various sporting events.

Furthermore, Osetoba announced the government’s intentions to carry out a comprehensive restructuring of the two state-owned football clubs, Ekiti United and Ekiti Queens, citing administrative deficiencies as the reason. She assured that a new board would be constituted to rejuvenate the clubs’ performance.

Expressing gratitude to SWAN members for their past support during her tenure as Chairman of the Sports Council, she appealed for continued support in her new role.

Lastly, she urged sports writers to fully endorse Governor Oyebanji’s efforts to elevate sports to greater heights in the state.

It’s worth noting that the officials were suspended for alleged mismanagement of funds and inadequate kitting of Ekiti athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba in 2023.