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Kanu Steers Falcons to 2-0 Lead Over Black Queens

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By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja

Nigeria’s Super Falcons took a 2-0 lead over Ghana’s Black Queens in their Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena yesterday, thanks to a brace by Sweden–based forward Uchenna Kanu.

The visitors had come close in the 11th minute when Grace Animah saw her fierce shot inside the box blocked by Onome Ebi for a corner.

But it was much against the run of play and nine minutes later, Nigeria made pressure count when Kanu rose to meet a perfectly-weighted pull-out by Francisca Ordega and nodded past impressive goalkeeper Dumehasi Fafali for Nigeria’s opener.

Both teams, knowing the loser on aggregate will be without any major qualifying contest or tournament for the next two-and-half years, threw everything into the clash played behind closed doors on Lagos Island, but it was Nigeria that made the breakthrough again in the 26th minute, when Kanu rose highest in the box to meet Toni Payne’s corner kick and nodded firmly past Fafali and a clutch of watching defenders.

Former junior international Kanu could have added an assist to her impressive tally for the day when she darted past two defenders and squared for Asisat Oshoala, but Fafali foiled any intentions of the Nigeria captain.

Three minutes before recess, Grace Asantewaa unleashed from just outside the box but her shot rose far above goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s post.

In the second half, the Black Queens did something in the mould of throwing the kitchen sink at the Super Falcons, harrying, pushing, kicking and running all over to try and reduce the tally and make the second leg in Accra something to look forward to. But veteran defender Onome Ebi, youngster Opeyemi Sunday, Glory Ogbonna and Osinachi Ohale thwarted their efforts.

Grace Asantewaa was again foiled in the 50th minute by Nnadozie, who tipped her rising shot over the sticks. Two minutes later, Oshoala darted past her marker and headed for glory, but was again stopped by Fafali.

Ghana’s Captain Portia Boakye was the usual energetic warrior with uncompromising stance, and worked well with Gladys Amfobea, Janet Egyir and Ellen Coleman to minimize the damage from the Super Falcons.

At the fore, Princella Adubea, Vivian Konadu and Nina Norshie sought vainly to unlock the Nigerian rear.

In the 82nd minute, Fafali was on hand to neutralize a plan cooked by substitute Vivian Ikechukwu, leaving the scoreline still at 2-0. And with a minute to the end, the tireless Princella Adubea waltzed her way into the Nigeria box and found herself face to face with Nnadozie, only to see her close-range bullet parried and then cleared out to safety by Ebi.

Both teams clash again on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium, as from 4pm Ghana time (5pm Nigeria time), with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations holding in Morocco next year summer. 

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SPORTS

Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years

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The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.

Reports says that the rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years.

Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.

The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept.

5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.

Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.

The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.

The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.

The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.

Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.

Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.

With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.

Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.

Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday. (NAN)

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SPORTS

Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt

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Four Nigerian Wrestlers on Saturday   qualified  for  the Paris  2024 Olympics  in their various  events at  the ongoing African championships and Olympics qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.

Reports says that the wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who secured qualification in 2023 after  winning  a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category  at the World Championships in Belgrade.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oburududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the  68kg.

World Military Champion, Hannah Reuben Pipped Amy Youin  of Cote D’Ivoire 6-0 in the 76kg category  to secure Olympics slot in Paris .

Esther Kolawole joined the list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after  overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde 10-0.

African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the  53kg category overpowered Egyptian Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0  to secure qualification.

However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window after a 5-7 defeat to Nada

Mohamed of Egypt in the  50kg weight class.

Reports says that  five female wrestlers will represent  the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics .

NAN reports that Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts on Sunday when they take to the mat.

Sunday will be  the final day of this window’s qualifiers.

NAN reports that the remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in  Istanbul, Turkey.

NAN reports that the African championships and Olympic qualifiers which started on Monday in Alexandria, Egypt is expected to end Sunday.(NAN)

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SPORTS

Flying Eagles Crash Out of  African Games

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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.

Reports says that the Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.

Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.

Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.

The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.

Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.

After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.

“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.

” I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.

Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.(NAN)

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