Sports
First Lady tasks Super Falcons to win World Cup
She gave the charge in Abuja on Saturday while hosting the team to a dinner ahead of its departure on Sunday for the tournament which starts July 20 and ends August 20.
Sen. Tinubu, who was represented by Dr Betta Edu, the APC National Women Leader, said that Nigeria’s appearance at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup must be for the noble purpose of bringing the coveted cup home.
Drumming support for the Super Falcons, she pointed out that football was a major unifier in the country, urging the team to work hard so as to match the expectations of Nigerians.
“It is important that you remain committed by playing together as a team; no one should think that she’s better player than the other.
“It is only when you play as a team that you can record success. It is my expectation that this time, you will surpass your previous efforts.
“I am sure that 99.9 per cent of Nigerians will stay glued to their television sets to watch you. Please try your best to bring the cup home.”
While expressing her faith in the ability and pedigree of the team to excel at the mundial, the first lady promised to receive the team herself when they bring the cup home.
Earlier, the President of Nigeria Football Federations (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gashua, had thanked the Federal Government for supporting the team.
“Football remains the biggest unifier across the world; it has helped to shore up our national image while helping to reduce criminal tendencies among the youth.
“I want to encourage the coaches to be more committed because you will be accountable for the outing.”
Among dignitaries that attended the dinner were Mr Philip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo, top sports administrators and members of the diplomatic corps.
The Nigerian national female soccer team is one out of only seven national teams that have featured in each of the competition since it debuted in 1991.
Chelsea thrashed West Ham 5-0 to move above Manchester United into seventh place and keep their hopes of European qualification on Sunday.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is fighting to convince the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly to give him a second season in charge after his troubled debut campaign.
Pochettino admits it is “not his decision” if he stays, but securing a place in Europe could be enough to avoid the sack.
Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute with his 21st league goal of the season, the forward firing home after West Ham failed to clear.
Conor Gallagher doubled Chelsea’s advantage after 30 minutes with a blistering volley after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma deflected the ball towards the midfielder.
Noni Madueke bagged Chelsea’s third six minutes later as the winger turned in Thiago Silva’s header from close range.
Nicolas Jackson piled on the misery for woeful West Ham in the 48th minute with a tap-in from Madueke’s cross.
The Senegal striker was on target again with 10 minutes left.
The lopsided nature of defeat did little to quell speculation over the future of West Ham boss David Moyes, who has come under fire from fans for his perceived negative game plans.
Ninth-placed West Ham has reportedly held talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui and could opt to move on from Moyes, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The Nigeria’s Under 17 female football team,the Flamingos will play their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in the 2024 FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground in Bamako, Mali.
Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated this in a statement on Friday.
The world body insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou due to the poor state of their home venue.
The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, where they will host the Flamingos on May 11 from 4 pm Mali time, 5pm Nigeria time.
The return leg will come up at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on May 18 from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium.
Her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.
Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.
The return leg in Abuja, will have Aline Umutoni from Rwanda as the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.
Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.
The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will leave Abuja on Wednesday for Bamako for the encounter.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will take place in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov.3.
This will be the first time that the Dominican Republic will host a FIFA tournament.
Premier League champions, Manchester City, currently tops UEFA’s coefficient rankings.
In the latest ranking released by UEFA through their website, Man City is ahead of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who are in the top three positions.
Chelsea dropped one place when compared to the previous ranking, but still made the top 10 alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Manchester United are outside of the top 10.
Below are the top 20 teams revealed by UEFA:
1.Man City
2.Bayern Munich
3.Real Madrid
4.Paris Saint-Germain
5.Liverpool
6.Inter Milan
7. AS Roma
8.Leipzig
9.Chelsea
10.Dortmund
11.Man United
12.Barcelona
13.Atletico Madrid
14.Bayer Leverkusen
15.Sevilla
16.Villarreal
17.Napoli
18.uventus
19.Benfica
20.Porto
World Press Freedom Day: Mohammed Idris urges liberty, fairness
Seplat Energy bags award as Indigenous company of the year
UNICEF, NAWOJ unite to immunise girls against HPV
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Finance3 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update2 months agoUNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update1 month ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Business2 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
Health3 weeks ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
News4 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman
-
Infotech1 month ago
World Backup Day: NITDA urges Nigerians to ensure backup of data
