Tag: Nigeria

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Day 2 Recap: Spain, Switzerland dominate

Spain and Switzerland showed their class, while Canada was held to a frustrating draw

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is officially getting into the swing of things, as Day 2 of the event saw a three-game slate on Friday (Or Thursday night into early Friday morning, for those not living in the host countries). Nigeria took on Canada, Switzerland faced off against the Philippines, and Spain battled it out against Costa Rica.

Before diving into the action, a quick reminder about our coverage of the World Cup here at Pro Soccer Wire. Make sure to keep up with the games by checking out the TV/streaming schedule, a constantly updated list of the standings, and the Golden Boot race at all times.

With that, let’s see how the games played out on Day 2.

2023 World Cup: Getting to know Team Nigeria

Meet Nigeria’s women’s national team.

Ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we here at For The Win are previewing some key teams to watch in this tournament. Next up is the Nigeria women’s national team. You can see the full list of team previews and read about the USWNT here.

One of the sleeper teams at the 2023 World Cup is Nigeria.

Although this isn’t a powerhouse, the Super Falcons have some star power that could make them a competitive team and surprise some fans in the World Cup.

Nigeria, however, doesn’t enter this tournament with tremendous momentum right now. It has the eighth-lowest ranking among all teams to qualify, and it’s the biggest underdog in its group.

But there are still reasons to believe that the Super Falcons could pull off some upsets.

So as the tournament kicks off, here’s a look at what you need to know about Nigeria in the 2023 World Cup.

World Cup team previews: Get to know 10 of the 2023 contenders (including USWNT, of course)

Folarin Balogun is tearing it up with Reims, and he’s keeping his USMNT options open

The USMNT is still in the mix for the Arsenal product

Folarin Balogun is keeping all doors open, including one that could lead him to the U.S. men’s national team.

The Arsenal forward has had an excellent start to his loan to Reims in Ligue 1, posting six goals in his first 10 appearances since making the season-long move to northeastern France.

That will draw plenty of attention, and the England Under-21 — who is also eligible for the USMNT and Nigeria, and has played for the U.S. U-18s in the past — told L’Equipe in an interview that he’s willing to consider all three countries for his international career.

“Just like my future at club level, I am not closing any doors regarding international selection. All options remain open,” said the 21-year-old, whose most recent international appearance involved showing great composure to score for England’s U-21s in a 3-1 win over Germany.

“Above everything, I feel English, but I also have an American side, because I have family in New York and I love going there,” added Balogun, who was born in New York City. “I have my grandmother and cousins in Lagos, even if I haven’t been there since I was very young. My mother sometimes speaks to me in Yoruba and it is important to me.”

At the club level, Balogun has been stellar since making his loan move this summer, and Reims have needed him to be. Factoring in his two assists, he’s been directly involved in eight of the club’s 12 goals this season, as Reims sit one point above the relegation zone.

That shows rapid advancement after a half-season loan to Middlesbrough last season. There, Balogun produced three goals and three assists in 18 appareances in the Championship.

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14 Broncos players to wear international flags on helmets

Fourteen Broncos players will wear international flags on their helmets this week, with six players representing Nigeria.

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More than 200 players, coaches and executives across the NFL will participate in the league’s recognition of nationalities and cultural heritages in Weeks 4 and 5.

As part of the NFL’s initiative, 14 Denver Broncos players will wear international flag stickers on the back of their helmets this week. Here’s the list of players:

DL McTelvin Agim (Nigeria)
CB Essang Bassey (Nigeria)
RB Devine Ozigbo (Nigeria)
CB Michael Ojemudia (Nigeria)
TE Albert Okwuegbunam (Nigeria)
DL Eyioma Uwazurike (Nigeria)
WR Jerry Jeudy (Haiti)
OLB Jonathan Kongbo (Republic of the Congo)
TE Greg Dulcich (Croatia)
CB K’Waun Williams (Jamaica)
DL Mike Purcell (Samoa)
G Netane Muti (Tonga)
OL Luke Wattenberg (South Korea)
P Corliss Waitman (Suriname)

“The NFL is proud of the extensive collection of nationalities and heritage of its players across the League,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We recognize the many cultures they represent and the excitement they bring to their home fans, which ultimately helps grow our game.”

Sunday’s game against the Raiders will begin at 2:25 p.m. MT (TV map).

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

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Super-sub Rapinoe and Lavelle combine to push USWNT past Nigeria

Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle made the difference in a 2-1 friendly win for the USWNT over Nigeria at Audi Field.

The U.S. women’s national team was pushed by a game Nigeria side on Tuesday night, but a second-half combination between Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle made the difference in a 2-1 friendly win for the USWNT.

After Nigeria had equalized in the second half, Rapinoe came on as a substitute and provided a telling cross for Lavelle to head home for the winner at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

The game was markedly different from the game between the same two teams just three days earlier, when the USWNT cruised to a 4-0 win in Kansas City.

The USWNT pressured the visitors from the get-go but didn’t get on the scoresheet until midway through the first half when Mallory Pugh’s cross was inadvertently finished from close range by Nigeria defender Blessing Demehin.

But the U.S. was stunned early in the second half when Uchenna Kanu got behind the defense and placed an inch-perfect shot into the top corner to level the match.

The goal ended an 880-minute shutout streak for the USWNT, which last conceded in a 9-1 win over Uzbekistan in April.

But the U.S. had an answer and it was Rapinoe who provided the inspiration almost immediately after coming on as a substitute. Rapinoe’s deft cross found Rose Lavelle, who arched her body backwards to head the ball just off the post and in.

Watch Lavelle’s game-winning goal

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USWNT hammers Nigeria behind Sophia Smith double

The Portland Thorns star was dominant in the first half as the USWNT cruised to a 4-0 win

The U.S. women’s national team made easy work of Nigeria on Saturday, winning 4-0 in the first of two friendlies between the teams.

Sophia Smith was the catalyst for the USWNT, scoring two goals and assisting Lindsey Horan in the first half as the U.S. took a three-goal advantage into the break.

Smith has now scored 10 international goals, reaching the mark in her 22nd cap — the sixth fastest a USWNT player has achieved the feat.

Alex Morgan added a fourth from the penalty spot in the second half as the U.S. eased to victory at at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.

The two teams will face off again on Tuesday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

Watch Smith’s goals and assist vs. Nigeria

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USWNT opts for continuity in roster for Nigeria friendlies

Vlatko Andonovski is sticking with what works

U.S. women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski is sticking with what works.

Andonovski named a 23-player roster on Monday for two September friendlies against Nigeria, and he brought back an almost identical group to the team that won last month’s CONCACAF W Championship.

All 23 players were on last month’s roster at some stage, with the injured Emily Sonnett the only player not to return for the Nigeria matches.

“All the players on the roster performed well in Mexico at qualifying and have carried that form for their clubs, so we’ll continue the process of growing as a team with this group in what will be two challenging games against Nigeria,” said Andonovski.

One player who will be back, though not in a playing capacity, will be Crystal Dunn, who will join the camp for training after giving birth to her son Marcel on May 20.

The USWNT will face Nigeria on September 3 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, and then on September 6 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

USWNT roster for Nigeria friendlies

GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (6): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)

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USWNT announces two September friendlies vs. Nigeria

The USWNT is returning to Washington D.C. after a long absence

The U.S. women’s national team has announced it will face Nigeria in a pair of friendlies in September.

The first game will take place on September 3 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, and the second will be on September 6 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

“First, I’m just excited to play two matches against Nigeria. They have some very talented players who will present a lot of different problems for us to solve on both sides of the ball,” said USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski in a federation release.

“Secondly, of course we’re looking forward to bringing the team back to one of the best soccer cities and best soccer stadiums in the United States in Kansas City, as well as getting to play our first game at Audi Field, which I’ve visited several times for NWSL games and is also a fantastic venue for our team to play in front of our home fans.”

The USWNT has not played in Washington, D.C. since 2017, and the match will mark the first time it has played at Audi Field after 10 previous games at RFK Stadium.

Speaking from Mexico, where the USWNT has qualified for the World Cup at the CONCACAF W Championship and has a semifinal against Costa Rica on Thursday, Andi Sullivan said she is looking forward to the challenge that Nigeria will present.

“I think that Nigeria will test us in a different way than this tournament,” Sullivan said in a press conference. “So we’re looking to really just stretch ourselves in any which way that will prepare us for any circumstance so that we know that we can handle anything.”

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Liz Cambage called Nigerian players …

Liz Cambage called Nigerian players “monkeys” during a vicious five minute Las Vegas meltdown that led to the basketball superstar walking out on her Australian Opals teammates ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. A special Sunday Telegraph investigation has obtained video that clearly shows Cambage elbowing her Nigerian opponent in the head during a closed-door practice match in Las Vegas, setting off a shocking chain of events.

The Sunday Telegraph investigation also …

The Sunday Telegraph investigation also revealed Cambage told Nigerian players before the practice match that she wished she was playing for Nigeria because her Australian teammates were racist. An Opals player who attended the Las Vegas camp in June last year said Cambage’s outburst pushed the team to breaking point and was the final straw. “There had been so many behavioural issues that had gone on previously that we could write a book, but that (Vegas) incident happened to be the final straw which happened to be the worst one,” they said.