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FOLLOWING the round-up of the group stage matches, three out of four of the African women’s football teams have scaled the hurdles from their respective groups to qualify for the knock-out stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Out of the four African representatives that qualified for the world cup, they are Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. Only Zambia failed to progress to the next round of 16.
The ICIR had reported that none of the four African teams won their opening matches, casting doubt on their strengths on the global stage.
But, The ICIR observed that out of the total 12 matches played by the African quartet at the ongoing FIFA women’s world cup in Australia and New Zealand, each one of them won at least one match apart from Morocco winning two in a row.
Results from the group stage revealed that African sides won 5, lost 4 and drew 3 matches.
Nigeria and Cameroon are the only two African countries that have reached the knockout stage in the past. Nigeria became the first African side to progress to the knockout rounds in the USA in 1999, while Cameroon matched them in 2015 later in Canada.
It is believed this is the first time Africa had more than two teams advance from the group stage at the Women’s World Cup. However, this feat falls in the context of the tournament’s recent expansion to include more teams.
Round of 16 encounters
All three African sides qualified as the second from their groups. Due to this, they will fight tough teams to get to the top.
As the group stage commences tomorrow, 5, August, African representatives have another barrier to break. South Africa will face the Netherlands on Sunday, August 6, while, the next day, Monday, Nigeria will slug it out against England.
On Tuesday, August 8, Morroco will square against France.
[ICIR]
England midfielder Keira Walsh this morning stepped up her recovery by beginning an individual training programme.
Walsh missed the Lionesses’ 6-1 win over China on Tuesday after injuring her knee against Denmark this time last week.
Scans have since shown the 26-year-old has not injured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee and England clearly hold some hope she can play again at this World Cup.
The Lionesses trained this morning at the Central Coast Stadium and Walsh was the only member of the squad missing.
She is a doubt for Monday’s last-16 game against Nigeria in Brisbane, but her recovery is progressing.
Walsh was at the Central Coast Stadium, where England are training here in Australia, for the first time since injuring her knee.
England played in Adelaide on Tuesday and Walsh did not travel to the game. The squad then had a recovery session on Wednesday before travelling back to their base in Terrigal.
The players had a rest day yesterday and trained this morning as they gear up for Monday’s game against Nigeria.
Walsh was training away from the group and has been given an individual programme to follow. England have built a temporary gym at the Central Coast Stadium, which is located behind one of the venue’s stands.
Without Walsh in the team, England played a 3-4-1-2 formation against China on Tuesday and it worked well.
Manchester United captain Katie Zelem came into the midfield for Walsh and she will hope to keep her place alongside Georgia Stanway.
Stanway is one of three England players who will be suspended for the quarter-finals if they are booked.
Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze are in the same position, with yellow cards not wiped at the tournament until after the quarter-finals.
[standard]
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey has held talks over a possible transfer move to Juventus.
Sky Italy reports that Partey has agreed personal terms with Juventus to join the club this summer.
The Serie A giants will now lodge an offer for the Ghanaian international, but are aware they need to sell one or two players before they can buy him.
However, it is unclear whether Arsenal would let Partey leave Emirates after midfield partner Granit Xhaka also departed the North London club this summer.
Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid for £45million in the summer of 2020.
[DailyPost]
Senegal gained a measure of revenge over West Africa rival Mali to record a sensational win en route to night’s final at the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.
Senegal denied Mali back to back final appearance with 75-65 points victory at the BK Arena on Thursday night in the second semi final of the competition and the 11 times champions will now face Nigeria’s D’Tigress in the final.
Senegal had initially lost 72-49 points to Mali in the group games in which they actually lost both games but they came back when they had another chance through the qualification to the Quarter final and they have seized it with both hands.
They have won a the three games they have played against Egypt, Cameroon and now Mali.
Senegal won the first quarter 20-16 points but they were behind 38-36 points at the end of the first half. They had their best spell of the game in the third quarter which they won with 13 points and despite losing the last quarter 16-15 points they were still able to win the game by 75-65 points.
They will face D’Tigress on tonight after playing thrice in the final in 2005, 2017 and 2019. They lost all the three against the Nigerian team.
Senegal are the record winners off the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Championship with 11 titles in their kitty. They also hold the record for consecutive wins which they set in 1981 having it for four consecutive periods in 1974, 1977, 1979 and 1981.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress are aiming to equal that record having won the last three editions of the competition from 2017 to 2021 and they will achieve that if they beat Senegal in tonight.
Former Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill has backed centre-back Levi Co to have a big 2023/24 season.
Cahill said that Colwill, who recently signed a new long-term deal with Chelsea, has massive potential.
According to him, the 20-year-old defender is a very good player and will learn a lot
from teammate Thiago Silva at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking about Colwill, Cahill said (per Chelsea’s official website): “You look at attributes you want in a centre-back and ask: Is he tall and good in the air? Does he have a good presence? Is he quick? Does he take up good positions to receive the ball? Is he composed on the ball? Levi Colwill has those attributes – now he must keep learning and progressing.
“So will playing alongside Thiago [Silva], who has achieved so much in the game. He can soak up things from him, carry on learning and learning. It will be a big season for him. It is clear he’s got massive potential and is a very good player.”
[DailyPost]
Aisha Falode, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Women’s Football League, has said that FIFA will still pay the 2023 Women’s World Cup prize money through the country’s federation.
FIFA secretary-general, Fatma Samoura following the qualification of Super Falcons to the second round of the Mundial, reportedly said the world’s football governing body would send unpaid allowance to the country’s women’s football team to the players directly.
FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.
The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.
By this virtue, each player of the Nigerian team is expected to earn at least $60,000 for reaching the round of 16 in Australia and New Zealand.
Falode, while making the clarification during a chat with Lagos Talks FM on Wednesday, said that the World Cup prize money will be “ring-fenced” to ensure it gets to the players without interference from a third party.
She noted that Falcons’ prize money from the ongoing World Cup will still be routed through the NFF.
She said, “FIFA did not say it would pay the players directly. It says working through the member association – working through your federations, we will pay you this money through the federations,” the NWFL chair said.
“FIFA will pay the federations the money, and the federation pays the players with the instruction. Everybody knows it is there in black and white.”
Nigeria will battle England in a second-round contest on Monday.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker penned a three-year deal at The Hawthorns on Tuesday after leaving French club Bordeaux at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Maja spent the last four-and-a-half years in the south of France having previously represented Sunderland, with loan spells to Fulham and Stoke City in 2021 and 2022 respectively also forming part of his senior career C.V.
The striker was incredibly impressed by Corberán’s vision and mentality when speaking before making the switch to B71, and Maja says he’s excited to see just how much he can improve under Albion’s head coach.
Josh said: “It was certainly a fun experience playing in France. It’s completely different to the United Kingdom in terms of style and tempo, but I feel like I learnt a lot.
“Last year was probably the best year of my career in terms of consistency, goals and game time, so yeah, I would say it was a great experience overall.
“However, I felt like I needed a fresh start just because I had been away from the United Kingdom for a while. I spent four-and-a-half years in France. “We knew Albion were one of the clubs interested in me and our ambitions seemed to match quite well.
“The conversation I had with Carlos Corberán was short. I’ve only spoken to him once, but that’s probably all I needed.”
He continued: “I got a really good energy from him. He’s a serious coach with intense ideas and an intense mentality which is something that matches up with me and my values.
“He’s a football head, which I am as well.
“I’m hoping to learn a lot from him and to perform well. I’ve heard a lot of great things from team-mates from the past who have said good things about him.
“It’s exciting to be here and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Maja heads to The Hawthorns off the back of an impressive term with Bordeaux in Ligue 2.
The forward scored 16 times in 38 appearances and was the division’s fourth most prolific marksman.
[Nation]
At least 14 countries have confirmed their spots in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, following the conclusion of Wednesday’s group stage fixtures.
South Africa defeated Italy 3-2, and France won 6-3 against Panama to book their places in the last 16. Jamaica drew 0-0 against Brazil, and Sweden won 2-0 against Argentina.
This means Sweden are through to the Round of 16 as they top Group G with nine points from three games, while Jamaica also qualified ahead of Brazil as they finished in second place in Group F.
The likes of Nigeria, England, Denmark, Netherlands, United States, Japan, and Spain are already qualified for the last 16.
Others are Australia, Norway, and Switzerland.
The final two countries that will claim the last two spots in the last 16 will be determined tomorrow.
[DailyPost]
Manchester United fans are no doubt in a celebration mood as club finally secure top transfer target.
National Daily can confirm that Rasmus Hojlund has almost completed his move to United after a successful medical. The 20-year-old has also filmed his first interview as Red Devils’ player after arriving at Carrington on Tuesday.
It is believed that Hojlund’s arrival will United fix their striking challenge
The Dane underwent his medical at United’s training ground and is reportedly set to sign a contract on Wednesday. The Old Trafford club thereafter confirm the move.
READ ALSO: Finally, Erik ten Hag gets his top transfer target, star arrives England for medicals
The striker will become Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer after Atlanta and United agreed a deal worth €75m (£64m) plus £10m (£8m) in add-ons.
National Daily learnt that the Red Devils have already agreed personal terms with Hojlund. The forward is to sign a five-year deal at United with the option of a further year.
A move to Old Trafford has been Hojlund’s preference with Ten Hag making him a top target after the Red Devils were priced out of a transfer for Harry Kane.
The striker was absent as Atalanta clashed against Bournemouth in pre-season on Saturday. This could be as result of his imminent summer switch ahead.
Hojlund is thought to have said his goodbyes to his team-mates and will soon become a United player.
The young striker registered nine goals and four assists across 32 Serie A games for Atalanta last term.
United have been in urgent need of more firepower this summer having relied heavily on Marcus Rashford last season, National Daily gathered.
[NationalDaily]
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, on Wednesday, beat Italy 3-2 to qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa’s Chrestinah Kgatlana’s scored a 93rd-minute winner in stoppage time to seal a second-round qualification. This is a historical feat for the South Africans as it is their first time ever.
Although South Africa led 2-1 with Magaia strike in the 67th minute, Italy levelled the scores after a crucial header from Arianna Caruso.
Italy needed at least a draw to qualify for the knockout round but Kgatlana’s late strike was the difference. The Africans finished on four points, behind group leaders Sweden. They join the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the next round of the tournament
South Africa’s Bayana Bayana will play the Netherlands in the last 16 on Sunday, while Nigeria will face England on Monday.
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Flying Eagles forward, Salim Fago Lawal has linked up with Croatian club, NK Istra 1961.
Lawal, who joined NK Istra from Mavlon FC, signed a three-year contract.
The young striker was part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by Argentina in May.
The 20-year-old made five appearances for the Flying Eagles at the competition and registered one goal.
The Flying Eagles were eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Korea.
Mavlon FC received several offers for the player but opted for him to move to Croatia to continue his development.
FIFA has announced that the 2023 World Cup prize money will be paid directly to the players — without interference from a third party.
In a viral video on social media, Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general, said the policy change is due to unpaid allowance issues involving Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
During the lead-up to the World Cup, Randy Waldrum, Falcons head coach, revealed that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.
The development caused a stir and almost affected the preparation of the Nigerian players.
However, in the video, Samoura acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons.
She added that FIFA — for the first time — will monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.
“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.
FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.
The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.
The Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every player on the team will be earning at least $60,000 for the feat.
Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.
[TheCable]
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are through to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Ireland yesterday.
The feat means Nigeria is the first African country to have reached the World Cup knockout rounds in two successive finals as well as becoming the first African team to keep two clean sheets in the tournament.
Following their qualification, the Super Falcons are guaranteed at least $1, 380,000 (N1.1bn) in prize money to be shared amongst the players, a figure that could rise depending on their progress in the competition.
The money promised to teams that reach the round of 16 by FIFA will amount to $60,000 (N46m) per player when divided amongst the 23 Super Falcons squad members.
The nine-time African champions dominated the game from the blast of the whistle but were a bit wasteful and unlucky in getting the goal as the first half ended 0-0.
During the second half, Coach Randy Waldrum made the changes, introducing Monday Gift and Ifeoma Onumonu as he sought to get a goal, which failed to come as the game became stagnant for a while with both teams creating little in the closing stages.
In the end, the Super Falcons were able to hold off Ireland late in the game, settling for a draw.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of world football-governing body, FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura commended the Super Falcons for reaching the Round of 16 saying their feat has brought joy to women’s football as a whole with their elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch, as well as African women football and the African girl-child.
“I must say that personally, I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organisation was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football.
“You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet. I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me.”
[DailyTrust]
Paris Saint-Germain are planning to report Real Madrid to FIFA over what they deem a potential illegal tapping up of Kylian Mbappe, the UK Telegraph reports.
Mbappe is unwilling to extend his contract with the Ligue 1 champions beyond June 2024.
The extension clause that exists in the 24-year-old’s current contract expired on July 31.
As things stand, Mbappe will become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
There have been suggestions that Madrid already have an agreement in place with Mbappe, which will see the player pocket a €160million signing on fee if he joins the LaLiga giants.
Such agreements are banned by FIFA as they require a player to have been approached without the blessing of his current employers being sought first.
[NewsDirect]