Falcons thrash New Zealand 3-0 in friendly

The Super Falcons thrashed World Cup co-hosts New Zealand 3-0 in a friendly in Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday.

The victory was the third consecutive win for the nine-time African champions.

Team captain Onome Ebi headed the Super Falcons in front after 34 minutes at the Mardan Sports Complex.

Her goal had turned the game around after the Football Ferns had put some pressure on the Nigerian defence in the first quarter of the hour.

Spain-based forward Rasheedat Ajibade had missed narrowly with a left-footed shot in the 21st minute.

But there was no stopping the inspired Ebi 13 minutes later as she nodded in a cross by Toni Payne.

Jennifer Echegini, playing on the left side of the Nigerian defence, extended the Super Falcons’ lead in the 48th minute after some excellent wing play by Michelle Alozie.

Hannah Wilkinson came close to reducing the tally in the 62nd minute but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie intervened quickly to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

The Super Falcons continued to launch onslaughts into the Ferns’ half of the field.

This was after Gift Monday replaced Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene came in for Toni Payne, and Glory Ogbonna replaced Michelle Alozie.

Forward Desire Oparanozie had the last laugh with a typical goal in added time, holding up the ball and slicing past the goalkeeper even with a defender stuck on her.

The Falcons have now scored six goals in their last three matches, conceding only one.

At the FIFA World Cup finals slated for July 20 to Aug. 20, Nigeria will play in Group B against co-hosts Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada.

Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2027.

Chilwell has endured an injury-plagued spell over the last two seasons, but Chelsea were keen to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old left-back, signed from Leicester in 2020, was part of the Chelsea squad that won the Champions League in 2021.

A ruptured cruciate knee ligament ruined Chilwell’s 2021-22 season and he has also missed three months of this campaign, including the World Cup, with a hamstring injury.

Manchester City were reportedly interested in making a close-season bid for Chilwell.

But on the eve of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid on Wednesday, Chilwell, who has made 80 appearances for the Blues, agreed to add two more years to a contract that was due to expire in 2025.

“I feel very settled at Chelsea and have really enjoyed my time on the pitch here so I’m very pleased the club want me to be part of the project long-term, and am very happy to sign this extension to my contract.

“We are working hard for success and I will do my best to bring more smiles to the faces of the fans who have made me feel so welcome,” he said.